Standing file folder

Abstract

A standing file folder that includes a support structure including a rigid back panel, a base, a front panel and an interior angled support wall positioned above the base and between the front panel and the back panel, and an expandable file section including a plurality of pockets, the expandable file section connected between the front panel and the back panel. The angled support wall forms a bottom support for the plurality of pockets such that the expandable file section is in a tiered configuration.

1 . A standing file folder, comprising: 
 a support structure including a rigid back panel, a base, a front panel and an interior angled support wall positioned above the base and between the front panel and the back panel; and    an expandable file section including a plurality of pockets, the expandable file section connected between the front panel and the back panel, wherein the angled support wall forms a bottom support for the plurality of pockets such that the expandable file section is in a tiered configuration.    
   
   
       2 . The file folder of  claim 1 , further comprising a front flap hingedly connected to a top edge of the front panel and moveable from a closed position to an open position to access the pockets.  
   
   
       3 . The file folder of  claim 2 , wherein the front flap is configured and dimensioned to support the standing file folder upright in the open position.  
   
   
       4 . The file folder  claim 3 , further comprising a support flap associated with the front panel and the front flap, the support flap including a notch configured to engage with an edge of the front flap to provide support for the front flap when the file is in the open position.  
   
   
       5 . The file folder of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable file section includes first and second accordion-pleated side walls and a plurality of divider panels connected to inside edges of the first and second accordion-pleated side walls.  
   
   
       6 . The file folder of  claim 1 , further comprising a closure device for releasably securing a closure portion of the front flap to a closure area of the rigid back panel.  
   
   
       7 . The file folder of  claim 6 , wherein the closure device comprises at least one snap fastener.  
   
   
       8 . The file folder of  claim 6 , wherein the file folder is opened by unfastening the closure device and folding the front flap downwardly such that the closure portion rests on a surface to further support the standing file folder upright in the open position.  
   
   
       9 . The file folder of  claim 6 , further comprising a handle associated with the closure portion of the front flap and the closure area of the back panel and configured to hide the closure device from view.  
   
   
       10 . The file folder of  claim 9 , wherein the handle is hingedly connected to one of the rigid back panel or the front flap.  
   
   
       11 . The file folder of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle associated with a closure portion of the front flap.  
   
   
       12 . The file folder of  claim 1 , further comprising a retractable accessories drawer located above the base and below the angled wall.  
   
   
       13 . The file folder of  claim 12 , wherein the accessories drawer includes finger notches to facilitate gripping.  
   
   
       14 . The file folder of  claim 1 , wherein the front flap further comprises an angled transparent portion positioned to permit viewing of the contents of the pockets when the front flap is in the closed position.  
   
   
       15 . The file folder of  claim 1 , wherein the folder is made of at least one of cardboard, plastic, elastomer, or composite material or combinations thereof.