Storage device

Abstract

A storage device comprises a support structure ( 1 ) carrying a plurality of receptacle ( 11 ) such as document pouches arranged in a longitudinal series. The support structure has a pair of spaced side members ( 4, 5 ) which are foldable so that the pouches may be arranged either in a closed up array or suspended in an open end out array. Support members ( 6 ) extend laterally between the side members ( 4, 5 ) and the pouches ( 11 ) are releasably supported on the support members and extend through gaps ( 3 ) between the support members. The pouches have closure flaps ( 15 ) which can be folded backwards overthe support members ( 6 ) to suspend the pouches from them. A locating tab ( 10 ) may pass through an aperture ( 16 ) in the pouch and be folded over to hold the pouch to the support member ( 6 ). The support structure is made from a sheet of material provided with apertures ( 3 ) which define the side and support members ( 4, 5, 6 ).

I claim:  
     
         1 . A storage device comprising a support structure ( 1 ) carrying a plurality of receptacles ( 11 ) arranged in a longitudinal series, the support structure having a pair of spaced side members ( 4 ,  5 ) which are foldable so that the receptacles may be arranged either in a closed up array or suspended in an opened out array, characterised in that the support structure ( 1 ) comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced support members ( 6 ) extending laterally between the side members ( 4 ,  5 ) and in that the receptacles ( 11 ) are releasably supported on the support members and extend through gaps ( 3 ) between the support members.  
     
     
         2 . A storage device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the support structure ( 1 ) is formed from a sheet of flexible material ( 2 ) with the support members ( 6 ) and side members ( 4 ,  5 ) being defined between longitudinally spaced apertures ( 3 ) formed therein.  
     
     
         3 . A storage device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the receptacles ( 11 ) each have a flap ( 15 ) extending over a support member ( 6 ).  
     
     
         4 . A storage device as claimed in  claim 3 , characterised in that the receptacle has a rear face ( 13 ), a top edge, and an opening ( 14 ) adjacent the top edge, and in that the flap is hinged to the rear face ( 13 ) adjacent the top edge so as to be movable between a first position in which it covers the opening ( 14 ) when the receptacle is removed from the support structure, and a second position in which it extends over a support member ( 6 ).  
     
     
         5 . A storage device as claimed in  claim 4 , characterised in that the support members ( 6 ) are provided with releasable locating means ( 10 ) for restricting movement of the receptacles ( 11 ) away from the support members ( 6 )  
     
     
         6 . A storage device as claimed in  claim 5 , characterised in that the releasable locating means comprises a foldable tab ( 10 ) on the support member ( 6 ) which passes through an aperture ( 16 ) in the region where the flap ( 15 ) is hinged to the rear face ( 13 ).  
     
     
         7 . A storage device as claimed in  claim 5 , characterised in that the support member ( 6 ) is provided with a label tag ( 9 ) which passes through an aperture ( 17 ) in the region where the flap ( 15 ) is hinged to the rear face ( 13 ).  
     
     
         8 . A storage device as claimed in claims  4 , characterised in that releasable fastening means ( 26 ,  27 ) are provided for fastening the flap ( 15 ) to the rear face ( 13 ) of the receptacle ( 11 ).  
     
     
         9 . A support structure ( 1 ) for use in a storage device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which a plurality of receptacles ( 11 ) are to be arranged in a longitudinal series, the support structure having a pair of spaced side members ( 4 ,  5 ) which are foldable so that in use the receptacles ( 11 ) may be arranged either in a closed up array or suspended in an opened out array, characterised in that the support structure ( 1 ) comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced support members ( 6 ) extending laterally between the side members ( 4 ,  5 ), on which the receptacles may be releasably supported.  
     
     
         10 . A receptacle for use in a storage device as claimed in  claim 6 , having front ( 12 ) and rear ( 13 ) faces, a top edge, an opening ( 14 ) adjacent the top edge providing access to the interior of the receptacle, and a flap ( 15 ) hinged to the top edge so as to be movable between a first position in which it overlies the front face ( 12 ) of the receptacle and at least partially closes the opening ( 14 ), and a second position in which it overlies the rear face ( 13 ) of the receptacle so as to provide access to the opening, characterised in that at least one aperture ( 16 ,  17 ) is provided in the top edge of the receptacle in the region where the flap ( 15 ) is hinged to the rear face of the receptacle, the aperture passing through material of the rear face ( 13 ) of the receptacle and/or material of the flap ( 15 ) and being adapted to receive a tab ( 16 ,  17 ) on a support member ( 6 ) of the support structure ( 1 ).  
     
     
         11 . A receptacle for use in a storage device as claimed in  claim 8 , having front ( 12 ) and rear ( 13 ) faces, a top edge, an opening ( 14 ) adjacent the top edge providing access to the interior of the receptacle, and a flap ( 15 ) hinged to the top edge so as to be movable between a first position in which it overlies the front face ( 12 ) of the receptacle and at least partially closes the opening ( 14 ), and a second position in which it overlies the rear face ( 13 ) of the receptacle so as to provide access to the opening, characterised in that releasable fastening means ( 26 ,  27 ) are provided for fastening the flap ( 15 ) to the rear face ( 13 ) of the receptacle ( 11 ).  
     
     
         12 . A support structure ( 1 ) for use in a storage device as claimed in  claim 2 , in which a plurality of receptacles ( 11 ) are to be arranged in a longitudinal series, the support structure having a pair of spaced side members ( 4 ,  5 ) which are foldable so that in use the receptacles ( 11 ) may be arranged either in a closed up array or suspended in an opened out array, characterised in that the support structure ( 1 ) comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced support members ( 6 ) extending laterally between the side members ( 4 , 5 ), on which the receptacles may be releasably supported, and in that the support structure ( 1 ) comprises a sheet ( 2 ) of material provided with a series of longitudinally spaced, laterally extending apertures ( 3 ) which define the side members ( 4 ,  5 ) and the support members ( 6 ).  
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a support structure ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 12 , for use in a storage device in which a plurality of receptacles ( 11 ) are to be arranged in a longitudinal series, the support structure having a pair of spaced side members ( 4 ,  5 ) which are foldable so that in use the receptacles ( 11 ) may be arranged either in a closed up array or suspended in an opened out array, characterised in that the support structure ( 1 ) comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced support members ( 6 ) extending laterally between the side members ( 4 ,  5 ), on which the receptacles may be releasably supported, and in that the support structure ( 1 ) comprises a sheet ( 2 ) of material which is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced, laterally extending apertures ( 3 ) which define the side members ( 4 ,  5 ) and the support members ( 6 ).  
     
     
         14 . A support structure ( 1 ) for carrying a plurality of receptacles ( 11 ) arranged in a longitudinal series, the support structure having a pair of spaced side members ( 4 ,  5 ) which are foldable so that in use the receptacles may be arranged either in a closed up array or suspended in an opened out array, characterised in that the support structure ( 1 ) comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced support members ( 6 ) extending laterally between the side members, on which the receptacles may be releasably supported.  
     
     
         15 . A storage device comprising a support structure ( 1 ) carrying a plurality of receptacles ( 11 ) arranged in a longitudinal series, the support structure having a pair of spaced side members ( 4 ,  5 ) which are foldable so that the receptacles ( 11 ) may be arranged either in a closed up array or suspended in an opened out array, characterised in that the support structure ( 1 ) comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced support members ( 6 ), extending laterally between the side members ( 4 ,  5 ), to which the receptacles ( 11 ) are attached, and in that the support structure ( 1 ) comprises a sheet ( 2 ) of material provided with a series of longitudinally spaced, laterally extending apertures ( 3 ) which define the side members ( 4 ,  5 ) and the support members ( 6 )  
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing a storage device comprising a support structure ( 1 ) carrying a plurality of receptacles ( 11 ) arranged in a longitudinal series, the support structure having a pair of spaced side members ( 4 ,  5 ) which are foldable so that the receptacles ( 11 ) may be arranged either in a closed up array or suspended in an opened out array, characterised in that a sheet of material ( 2 ) is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced, laterally extending apertures ( 3 ) which define the side members ( 4 ,  5 ) and a plurality of longitudinally spaced support members ( 6 ) which extend laterally between the side members, and in that the receptacles ( 11 ) are attached to the support members ( 6 ).  
     
     
         17 . A receptacle ( 11 ) having front ( 12 ) and rear ( 13 ) faces, a top edge, an opening ( 14 ) adjacent the top edge providing access to the interior of the receptacle, and a flap ( 15 ) hinged to the top edge so as to be movable between a first position in which it overlies the front face ( 12 ) of the receptacle and at least partially iii l. closes the opening ( 14 ) , and a second position in which it overlies the rear face ( 13 ) of the receptacle so as to provide access to the opening ( 14 ), characterised in that fastening means ( 26 ,  27 ) are provided on at least one of the flap ( 15 ) and the rear face ( 13 ) of the receptacle for fastening the flap in said second position.  
     
     
         18 . A receptacle ( 11 ) having front ( 12 ) and rear ( 13 ) faces, a top edge, an opening ( 14 ) adjacent the top edge providing access to the interior of the receptacle, and a flap ( 15 ) hinged to the top edge so as to be movable between a first position in which it overlies the front face ( 12 ) of the receptacle and at least partially closes the opening ( 14 ), and a second position in which it overlies the rear face ( 13 ) of the receptacle so as to provide access to the opening ( 14 ), characterised in that at least one aperture ( 16 ,  17 ) is provided in the top edge of the receptacle ( 11 ) in the region where the flap ( 15 ) is hinged to the rear face ( 13 ) of the receptacle, the aperture ( 16 ,  17 ) passing through material of the rear face ( 13 ) of the receptacle ( 11 ) and/or material of the flap ( 15 ).