Document File

The present invention relates to a document file.

The conventional document file comprises a pair of covers and a plurality of bag members fixed thereto and to one another and having openings at upper ends thereof. The bag members are limp because they are made of soft synthetic resin sheets. Consequently, when the bag members are expanded in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the cover, the openings will not gape but the sheeps remain overlapped. This prevents papers from being smoothly put into the compartments. Anyone who tries to take out the papers already accommodated in the bag member also encounters a difficulty in running his fingers into the opening of the bag member.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a document file which prevents the limpness of the verges of the bag members and thereby eliminate the above-described disadvantages.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a document file comprising a pair of covers, a plurality of bag members stacked one upon another and sealed together, the outermost ones of the bag members being sealed to the respective covers, and reinforcing padding members mounted in spaces formed between each of pairs of the adjoining ones of the bag members by sealing them only partially.

With the above-described object in view and as will become apparent from the following detailed description, the present invention will be more clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a document file according to the present invention in its expanded state;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view thereof; and

FIGS. 3 to 5 are vertical sectional front views thereof, illustrating the padding inserted in position.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a document file in accordance with the present invention includes a pair of covers 1 and a plurality of bag members or compartments 2 fixed to the covers and to one another and having openings at their upper ends.

As shown in FIG. 2, each cover 1 comprises a reinforcing padding 3 such as cardboard and a synthetic resin sheet 4 with which the padding 3 is enclosed. If desired, the cover 1 may be made of any other material.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bag members 2 are made of soft synthetic resin sheets 5 and are arranged one upon another and subjected to high frequency sealing to seal them together at their upper, lower and both side edges. An auxiliary sheet 6 is hot-sealed to the sheet 4 at back side of each cover 1. The sheets 5 of the outermost bag members of the assembly of bag members 2 are hot-sealed to the auxiliary sheets 6 at their upper, lower and both side edges.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, gussets 7 for allowing the bag members 2 to accommodate more papers are provided to the lower and both side edges of the bag members 2. However, the bag members 2 may not have the gussets 7.

In order to eliminate the limpness of the verges of the bag members, paddings 8 are held in place between each pair of the sheets 5 of the adjoining bag members 2. The padding 8 shown in FIG. 3 is made, e.g., of cardboard and can be inserted into a pocket-like sheath 10 defined by two sealing lines 9 extending parallel with the upper edge of the sheet 5. The pocket-like sheath 10 in FIG. 3 has an opening at one side only, whereas the sheath in Fig. 4 has an opening at both sides. Alternatively, though not shown, the sheath 10 may be formed in such a manner that the padding 8 is adapted to be inserted vertically from top of the sheets 5. Further alternatively, the paddings 8 may not be removable but be confined in the spaces between the sheets 5.

The padding 8 shown in FIG. 5 is long enough to allow one end portion thereof to project from the sheath 10 to provide space for indicating the papers filed in each particular compartment 2.

A reinforcing padding 8' shown in FIG. 3 can be inserted into a sheath 10' vertically from the bottom of the sheets 5. The sheath 10' is defined by two sealing lines 9' extending vertically in the midportion of the sheets 5. The paddings 8' serve to allow the file to stand by itself.

All the bag members 2 may not be provided with the paddings 8.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a plurality of pockets 11 formed in the sheets 5 to hold a guide card 12.

Because the limpness of the verges of the bag members is cured by the paddings 8, the document file in accordance with the present invention allows papers to be easily put into and taken out of the compartments 2.