Transport case for portable expanding file folders

Abstract

A carrying case for removably holding an expandable file folder, the carrying case including a body member having opposite end portions, the body member being foldable about a central axis between a substantially flat unfolded position and a folded closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the carrying case includes at least one tab member fixedly attached to each opposite end of the body member, each tab member being positioned and located to operatively engage one of the outer side walls of the expandable file folder when the file folder is positioned therewithin. Each tab member is bendable in a direction away from the body member so as to engage and overlap an edge portion of one of the outer side walls of the expandable file folder for removably holding the file folder within the carrying case such that when the carrying case is opened and closed, the file folder will open and close in unison therewith.

1 . A carrying case for removably holding an expandable file folder wherein the expandable file folder includes outer side walls, the carrying case comprising: 
 a body member having opposite end portions, said body member being foldable about a central axis between a substantially flat open position and a closed position;    said body member including a portion extending substantially along the length of the perimeter thereof,    at least one connector member fixedly attached to said body member at each opposite end thereof, each of said connector members being positioned and located so as to operatively engage one of the outer side walls of the expandable file folder, said connector members removably holding the expandable file folder within said carrying case such that the expandable file folder will open and close in unison with the opening and closing of said carrying case; and    a closure device fixedly attached to said body portion for maintaining said body member in its closed position.    
     
     
         2 . The carrying case as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each of said connector members includes a resilient tab member, each of said tab members being fixedly attached to said body member along at least a portion of one edge portion thereof so as to be bendable in a direction away from said body member, said tab members being positioned and located so as to overlap an edge portion of the outer side walls associated with the expandable file folder when the file folder is positioned within said carrying case.  
     
     
         3 . The carrying case as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each of said connector members includes a snap type fastener positioned and located for operative engagement with a cooperatively engagable corresponding snap type fastener associated with one of the outer side walls of the expandable file folder.  
     
     
         4 . The carrying case as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each of said connector members includes a VELCRO type member positioned and located for operative engagement with a cooperatively engagable corresponding VELCRO type member associated with one of the outer side walls of the expandable file folder.  
     
     
         5 . The carrying case as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said closure device includes at least one zipper member.  
     
     
         6 . The carrying case as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said body member is comprised of a waterproof material.  
     
     
         7 . The carrying case as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said body member includes polypropylene.  
     
     
         8 . The carrying case as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said body member includes a scored area.  
     
     
         9 . The carrying case as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said body member includes a fluted spine area.  
     
     
         10 . A transport case for removably holding an expandable file folder, the expandable file folder including outer side walls, the carrying case comprising: 
 a unitary body member having opposite end portions, said body member being foldable about a central axis between a substantially flat unfolded position and a substantially closed folded position; and    at least one tab member associated with each opposite end portion of said body member, each tab member being fixedly attached to said body member along at least a portion of one edge portion thereof so as to be bendable in a direction away from said body member, said tab members being maneuverable so as to engage and overlap an edge portion of each of the outer side walls of the expandable file folder when the expandable file folder is positioned within said carrying case, said tab members removably holding the expandable file folder within said carrying case such that the file folder will open and close in unison with the opening and closing of said carrying case.    
     
     
         11 . The transport case as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said body member includes a closure device for maintaining said body member in its closed folded position.  
     
     
         12 . The transport case as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said body member includes a portion extending substantially along the length of the perimeter of said body member, said closure device being fixedly attached to said body portion.  
     
     
         13 . The transport case as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said closure member includes at least one zipper member.  
     
     
         14 . The transport case as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said body member includes a fluted spine area.  
     
     
         15 . A combination carrying case and expandable file folder comprising: 
 an expandable file folder having outer side walls and expandable end portions, said file folder being sized and shaped so as to fit within said carrying case;    said carrying case including a body member having opposite end portions, said body member being foldable about a central axis between a substantially flat open position and a folded closed position;    at least one connector member associated with each opposite end of said body member, each of said connector members being positioned and located so as to operatively engage one of the outer side walls associated with said expandable file folder, each of said connector members removably holding said expandable file folder within said carrying case such that said file folder will open and close in unison with the opening and closing of said carrying case; and    a closure device fixedly attached to said body member for maintaining said body member in its folded closed position.    
     
     
         16 . The combination carrying case and expandable file folder as set forth in  claim 15  wherein each of said connector members includes a resilient tab member, each of said tab members being fixedly attached to said body member along at least a portion of one edge portion thereof such that said tab members are bendable in a direction away from said body member, each of said tab members being positionable so as to overlap an edge portion of one of said outer side walls associated with said expandable file folder, said tab members removably holding said expandable file folder within said carrying case.  
     
     
         17 . The combination carrying case and expandable file folder as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said connector members each include a cooperatively engageable snap type fastener, the outer side walls of said expandable file folder including corresponding cooperatively engagable snap type fasteners positioned and located for operatively engaging the snap type fasteners associated with said carrying case when said expandable file folder is positioned within said carrying case.  
     
     
         18 . The combination carrying case and expandable file folder as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said connector members each include a cooperatively engageable VELCRO member, the outer side walls of said expandable file folder including corresponding cooperatively engagable VELCRO members positioned and located for operatively engaging the VELCRO members associated with said carrying case when said expandable file folder is positioned within said carrying case.  
     
     
         19 . The combination carrying case and expandable file folder as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said body member includes a fluted spine area in the vicinity of said central axis.  
     
     
         20 . The combination carrying case and expandable file folder as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said closure device includes at least one zipper member.  
     
     
         21 . A combination carrying case and expandable file folder comprising: 
 an expandable file folder having outer side walls and expandable end walls, said expandable file folder being sized and shaped for storage within said carrying case;    said carrying case including a unitary body member having opposite end portions, said body member being foldable about a central axis between a substantially flat unfolded open position and a substantially folded closed position;    at least one tab member fixedly attached to each opposite end of said body member, each of said tab members being bendable in a direction away from said body member for cooperatively engaging and overlapping an edge portion of the respective outer side walls of said expandable file folder when said file folder is positioned within said carrying case, said tab members removably holding said expandable file folder within said carrying case such that said file folder will open and close in unison with the opening and closing of said carrying case; and    a closure device fixedly attached to said body member for maintaining said body member in its closed folded position.    
     
     
         22 . The combination carrying case and expandable file folder as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said body member includes a fluted spine area in the vicinity of said central axis.  
     
     
         23 . The combination carrying case and expandable file folder as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said body member includes a body portion extending substantially along the length of the perimeter thereof, said closure device being fixedly attached to said body portion.