Single sheet template for folding to form a wallet, a wallet, and a method of making a wallet from a single sheet template

Abstract

A single sheet template for folding to form a wallet with at least two card pockets. The template comprises: a) first and second pocket forming fold lines (16a, 16b) foldable in a z-fold to form inner and outer sheet portions of each of inner and outer card pockets and a bottom for each of the inner and outer card pockets, the bottom joining said inner and outer sheet portions; b) pocket side forming means (18a, 18c) foldable to form a first side of each of the inner and outer card pockets; c) a wallet edge fold line (18b) transverse to the first and second pocket forming fold lines and along which first and second segments (20a, 20b) of the template are foldable to form a second side of each of the inner and outer card pockets; and d) securing means (24a, 24b) for preventing unfolding along the wallet edge fold line.

Claims

1. A wallet having at least first and second card pockets in opposite surfaces thereof, folded from a single sheet template comprising: a) first and second pocket forming fold lines folded in a z-fold to form sheet portions of each of first and second card pockets and a bottom for each of the first and second card pockets, the bottom joining said sheet portions; b) pocket side forming means folded to form a first pocket side edge of each of the first and second card pockets; c) a wallet edge fold line transverse to the first and second pocket forming fold lines and along which portions of the template are folded to form a second pocket side edge of each of the first and second card pockets; d) securing means for preventing unfolding along the wallet edge fold line; e) a first slit extending lengthwise with respect to said hinge fold line in a portion of a first section of the wallet on an opposite side of the hinge fold line to a second section comprising the first and second card pockets, wherein the first slit forms an opening of a third card pocket; f) a further hinge fold line on a side of the first and second card pockets remote from the hinge fold line, wherein the wallet is foldable about the hinge and further hinge fold lines to open and close.

2. The wallet of claim 1, wherein the hinge fold line is located adjacent and spaced from an opening to said first pocket, whereby disengagement of a card from the first pocket is prevented when the wallet is closed.

3. The wallet according to claim 1, wherein the securing means is folded to prevent unfolding along said wallet edge fold line.

4. The wallet according to claim 1, wherein said pocket side forming means comprises: two further wallet edge fold lines transverse to said first and second pocket forming fold lines, a one of said further wallet edge fold lines being on respective opposite sides of said wallet edge fold line; and first and second parts folded together along a respective one of said further wallet edge fold lines to respectively form said first pocket side edge of each of the first and second card pockets.

5. The wallet of claim 4, wherein the securing means is also arranged to prevent unfolding along said at least two further wallet edge fold lines.

6. The wallet of claim 1, wherein the securing means comprises a first flap extending from another portion of the first section, arranged for folding into the first slit, thereby to at least partially secure the template folded along at least the wallet edge fold line.

7. The wallet of claim 6, wherein the first flap includes a tab portion folded along a tab fold line, wherein the first flap is folded along a flap fold line against the portion of the first section in which the first slit is provided, and said tab portion is folded along said tab fold line and inserted into the first slit, thereby to secure the template folded along at least the wallet edge fold line.

8. The wallet of claim 7, further comprising an edge concealing portion extending from at least one side of the flap, wherein the wallet edge fold line extends to divide the edge concealing portion from the flap, wherein the edge concealing portion is folded against the flap with the folding of the first and second segments along the wallet edge fold line.

9. The wallet of claim 1, further comprising a second slit extending lengthwise with respect to the further hinge fold line, from a third section of the wallet on an opposite side of the further hinge fold line to the second section comprising the first and second card pockets, wherein the second slit forms an opening of a fourth pocket.

10. The wallet of claim 9, wherein the securing means comprises a second flap folded into the second slit, thereby to at least partially secure the template folded along at least the wallet edge fold line.

11. The wallet of claim 9, wherein the wallet is a tri-fold wallet and the first and/or second slits are respectively openings to an inner pocket in first and third sections of the wallet.

12. The wallet of claim 1, wherein the template is folded along the wallet edge fold line to form a note pocket, wherein the first and second portions joined by the wallet edge fold line form the note pocket.

13. The wallet of claim 12, further comprising at least one yet further fold line substantially parallel to said wallet edge fold line, wherein said yet further fold line is folded to provide a divider in the note pocket.

14. A single sheet template for folding to form a wallet with at least first and second card pockets in opposite surface portions of the wallet, the template comprising: a) first and second pocket forming fold lines foldable in a z-fold to form sheet portions of each of first and second card pockets and a bottom for each of the first and second card pockets, the bottom joining said sheet portions; b) pocket side forming means foldable to form a first pocket side edge of each of the first and second card pockets; c) a wallet edge fold line transverse to the first and second pocket forming fold lines and along which first and second portions of the template are foldable to form a second pocket side edge of each of the first and second card pockets; d) securing means for preventing unfolding along the wallet edge fold line; e) a first slit extending lengthwise with respect to a hinge fold line in a portion of a first section of the wallet on an opposite side of the hinge fold line to a second section comprising the first and second card pockets, wherein the first slit forms an opening of a third card pocket; and f) a further hinge fold line on a side of the first and second card pockets remote from the hinge fold line, wherein the wallet is foldable about the hinge fold line and further hinge fold lines to open and close.

15. The template of claim 14, wherein the is located adjacent and spaced from an opening to said inner pocket, whereby disengagement of a card from the inner pocket is prevented when the wallet is closed.

16. The template of claim 14, wherein said pocket side forming means comprises: two further wallet edge fold lines transverse to said first and second pocket forming fold lines, a one of said further wallet edge fold lines being on respective opposite sides of said wallet edge fold line; and first and second parts foldable together along a respective one of said further wallet edge fold lines to respectively form said first pocket side edge of each of the first and second card pockets.

17. A template of claim 16, wherein the securing means is foldable to prevent unfolding along said wallet edge fold line, and is also arranged to prevent unfolding along said at least two further wallet edge fold lines.

18. A method of making a wallet having at least first and second card pockets in opposite surface portions of the wallet, from a single sheet template, comprising the steps of: a) folding said template along first and second pocket forming fold lines in a z-fold to form sheet portions of each of the first and the second card pockets and a bottom for each of the first and second card pockets, the bottom joining said sheet portions; b) folding pocket side forming means to form a first pocket side edge of each of the first and second card pockets; c) folding portions of the template along a wallet edge fold line transverse to the first and second pocket forming fold lines to form a second pocket side edge of each of the first and second card pockets; d) securing the template folded along the along the wallet edge fold line to prevent unfolding when the wallet is in use; e) folding about a hinge fold line, wherein a first slit extending lengthwise with respect to a hinge fold line is located in a portion of a first section of the wallet on an opposite side of the hinge fold line to a second section of the wallet comprising the first and second card pockets, wherein the first slit forms an opening of a third card pocket; and f) folding about a further hinge fold line located on a side of the first and second pockets remote from the hinge fold line, wherein the wallet is foldable about the hinge fold line and the further hinge fold line to open and close.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) For better understanding of the present invention, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a plan view of a template in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIGS. 2A to 2I illustrate steps performed in folding the template of the embodiment of FIG. 1 into a wallet;

(4) FIGS. 2J and 2K are perspective views of the wallet when open;

(5) FIG. 3A is a plan view of a template in accordance with a first variant embodiment;

(6) FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a wallet for comparison with the wallet shown in FIG. 3A, without concealing edge pieces;

(7) FIGS. 4 to 6 are plan views of templates respectively in accordance with second, third and fourth variant embodiment.

(8) The Figures are not necessarily to scale. Accordingly, it should be understood that copies of the Figures with their precise dimensions may not result in templates configured for folding into a wallet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(9) Like reference numerals are used to denote like elements throughout.

(10) In the following, a template is described together with a process for constructing a wallet from the template and the resultant wallet. The wallet includes card pockets. It will be understood that the vast majority of cards available are of a standard size, such cards including bank cards, business cards, a driving license, customer loyalty cards, and building access cards. Credit cards are typically 86 mm in length. In the UK at least, travel tickets for underground systems and trains are also conveniently of the same size. Each card pocket is suitable for retaining such cards and tickets. It will be appreciated that the template can be reconfigured for use with other sizes of cards.

(11) In embodiments, the template also includes a note/bill pocket. Similarly, notes are typically of similar sizes, such that the note pocket can be sized to accommodate typical notes.

(12) A trifold wallet opens and closes about two parallel spaced hinges formed of fold lines in the material of the wallet. Although a trifold wallet is described in the following, in other embodiments a bi-fold or other multi-fold wallet may be created from a template with similar features, as will be clear to the skilled person. In any multi-fold wallet, the wallet has at least two end sections. A wallet with two end sections openable and closable along a single hinge fold line is a bi-fold wallet. Where a wallet has one middle section, it is a tri-fold wallet.

(13) Referring to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, a template for a trifold wallet comprises a single sheet in the form of a rectangle having a pair of laterally extending flaps. The rectangle has first and second surfaces, the first surface being the one shown in FIG. 1 and the second surface being underneath. A distance between first and second respectively parallel edges 10a, 10b is herein referred to as the template width. A distance between the third and fourth parallel edges 8a, 8b is herein referred to as the template length. Two hinge fold lines 12a, 12b extend transversely to the template width to divide the template into first, second and third sections, indicated at 14a-c in FIG. 1. When the template is folded into a wallet, these fold lines 12a, 12b form hinges of the wallet permitting the wallet to open and close. In the second section, two pocket-forming fold lines 16a, 16b extend parallel to the hinge fold lines 12a, 12b.

(14) In modified embodiments, the depth of inner and outer pockets in the second section can be altered by changing the distance between the pocket-forming fold lines 16a, 16b.

(15) Three further fold lines 18a, 18b, 18c, referred to as wallet edge fold lines, transverse to the first and second edges 10a, 10b, divide the template into first, second, third and fourth segments 20a-d. The first and second segments 20a and 20b have a height that is equal to or slightly larger than the height of the cards to be accommodated, depending on how many cards are to be accommodated in each pocket. The third and fourth segments 20c, 20d have a height equal to or slightly less than segments 20a and 20b respectively, in order to fit in the depth of the note pocket. It should be understood that the third and fourth segments are sized to extend to the bottom of the note pocket so that the built wallet has a tidy appearance. The third and fourth segments 20c, 20d together with the first and third wallet edge fold lines serve to provide pocket side forming means, since the folding of these segments 20c, 20d towards their respective adjacent segment 20a, 20b forms a side for each of the inner and outer pockets of the second section 14b.

(16) The first edges of each of the segments align to form the first edge 10a of the rectangle and the second edges of each of the segments align to form the second edge 10b of the rectangle. The template includes securing means in the form of first and second flaps 24a, 24b and first and second slits 28a, 28b. The first and second flaps 24a, 24b respectively extend from first and second edges of the first segment 20a, and are separated from the first segment 20a by flap fold lines 26a, 26b at the edges.

(17) Portions of the template are separated by the first and second hinge fold lines 12a, 12b and the first, second and third wallet edge fold lines 18a-c. Each portion can be referenced using the first, second and third sections 14a-c, and first, second, third and fourth segments 20a-d.

(18) Each portion of the second segment 20b in the first and third sections 14a, 14c includes a slit 28a, 28b therein. Each slit 28a, 28b extends substantially from the first wallet edge fold line 18a to the second wallet edge fold line 18b, so as to allow a longer edge of a card to be inserted first. In a variant embodiment, the template and slits can be resized so that a shorter end of a card is inserted first instead of the longer end. When the template is folded into a wallet, these slits 28a, 28b each form an opening to a respective inner card pocket of the wallet. Each slit 28a, 28b is located in its respective portion so that, when the template is folded into a wallet, cards can be inserted and removed from the direction of the second section 14b. Thus, when the wallet is closed, cards cannot come loose accidentally.

(19) The first and second flaps 24a, 24b respectively include first and second tab portions 30a, 30b separated from the rest of the flap by first and second tab fold lines 32a, 32b. The tab portions 30a, 30b are sized to fit through respectively the first and second slits 28a, 28b.

(20) Steps to make a wallet from the template are described in the following with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2I. As shown in FIG. 2A, the template is initially folded in a z-fold along the pocket-forming fold lines 16a, 16b, so that parts of the second section overlie. The z-folded parts provide inner and outer sheet portions of inner and outer card pockets. Each inner and outer sheet portion is joined at the pocket forming fold line 16a to form the bottom of the respective card pocket.

(21) The template is then folded along the first and third wallet edge fold lines 18a, 18c so that the third and fourth segments 20c, 20d are folded towards each other. The third and fourth parallel edges 8a, 8b then lie adjacent, as indicated in FIGS. 2C and 2D. It should be understood that the third and fourth segments 20c, 20d, together with the first and third wallet edge fold lines 18a, 18c, provide a side for each of the inner and outer card pockets 17a, 17b partially formed by the z-fold. The third and fourth segments 20c, 20d are sized to extend substantially to a bottom of the note pocket 19 whose formation is to be described since this results in a wallet of tidy appearance, but this is not essential to achieve the side for each of these inner and outer card pockets.

(22) In a next step, as indicated in FIGS. 2E and 2F, the template is folded about the second, central wall edge fold lines 18b, so that the third and fourth segments 20c, 20d are located flush against each other. The folding about the second wallet edge fold line 18b creates the other side for each of the inner and outer card pockets 17a, 17b partially formed by the z-fold.

(23) In a next step, as shown in FIG. 2G, the first and second flaps 24a, 24b are folded in against the second segment 20b along the flap fold lines 24a, 24b. This creates a bottom for each of the third and fourth card pockets 21a, 21b. The tab portions 30a, 30b are respectively folded along the tab fold lines 32a, 32b. Each of the first and second tab portions 30a, 30b are tucked through a respective slit 28a, 28b and self-secure therein.

(24) This results in the open wallet shown in FIG. 2H. The wallet can be closed by folding about the fold lines 12a, 12b in a trifold manner, to result in the wallet shown in FIG. 2I.

(25) The resultant trifold wallet has three sections, each section corresponding to first, second and third sections 14a-c of the template. An inner side of the wallet has three card pockets 17a, 21a, 21b, one in each of the sections 14a-c. An outer side of the wallet has one card pocket 17b, in a middle second section 14b. The openings to the card pockets 17a, 17b, 21a, 21b are transverse with respect to the template width, which is the dimension of the open wallet including the first, second and third sections. The resultant wallet also has a note pocket 19, shown in FIG. 2J.

(26) All visible surfaces of the wallet are formed of the first surface. In the above described embodiment, the third and fourth segments are folded towards each other by folding along the first and third wallet edge fold lines so that the first surface is exterior. Subsequently the first and second segments 20a, 20b are folded together about the second wallet edge fold line 18b so that the first surface of the third and fourth segments form the interior of the note pocket. The wallet can alternatively be formed in a mirror image manner by folding the third and fourth segments 20c, 20d towards each other so that the second surface is on the exterior. If the second surface of the template is to provide the visible exterior surface rather than the first surface, then, in order for the internal and external middle pockets to have a correct depth and position, pocket fold lines 16a, 16b must either be inverted, or the positions of the folds adjusted so that the pocket is formed correctly.

(27) Also, in an alternative using the same template, the wallet can be folded so that the pockets of the first and third sections 14a, 14c the wallet are on the outside of the wallet rather than the inside. The flaps can be engaged in the slits as described above to secure the template in the form of a wallet.

(28) Referring to FIG. 3A, in another embodiment, the flaps are modified to avoid raw sheet edges being visible or touchable by a wallet user. First and second first flap edge concealing wings 34a, 34b extend from edges of the first flap 24a and first and second flap edge concealing wings 34c, 34d extend from edges of the second flap 24b. The second and third wallet edge fold lines 18b, 18c extend to separate the edge concealing wings from the adjacent flap. Each edge concealing wing is foldable about the respective second or third wallet edge fold line 18b, 18c, such that a folded edge is visible and touchable by the user. This results in improved appearance and durability.

(29) In FIG. 3B, a wallet without such edge concealing wings is shown, and regions where untidy and potentially raw edges of the sheet may be present are shown in black for comparison.

(30) Referring to FIG. 4, in a similar but modified embodiment, the template includes a fifth segment 20e adjacent the fourth segment 20d and separated therefrom by a fourth wallet edge fold line 18d. This segment 20e permits the wallet to include a further note pocket.

(31) Referring to FIG. 5, in a similar but modified embodiment, the template includes a fifth segment 20f located differently to the fifth segment of the embodiment of FIG. 4. The fifth segment is adjacent the third segment 20c and separated therefrom by a different fourth wallet edge fold line 20e. The fifth segment 20f also enables the wallet to include a further note pocket.

(32) Referring to FIG. 6, like in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the template includes a fifth segment 20g located adjacent the third segment 20c. However, this segment 20g does not extend to the second edge 10b, but has an end edge 10c extending longitudinally with said second edge 10b. The first segment 20g is attached along the fourth wallet edge fold line 20f from the first edge 10a to half the distance from the edge 10a to the end edge 10c. After this half distance, the fifth segment 20g is not attached to the adjacent third segment 20c. The fifth segment can be folded so that the end edge 10c and the edge 10a lie adjacent. When the wallet is build, this results in a second pocket adjacent the note pocket. This template enables the wallet to divide the compartment of the note pocket without having a redundant Z fold in the material forming the divider.

(33) Various modifications can be made to the embodiment described above. The slits are preferably curved. This facilitates insertion of cards into the slits and improves the appearance of the interior of the wallet when cards are not present in the pockets.

(34) Although not shown in the Figures, sides of the tab portions 30a, 30b may be tapered to facilitate insertion of the tabs in the slits.

(35) In a simple embodiment, the wallet need not be multi-fold. In this case, hinge fold lines 12a-c are not provided. In such a wallet, alternative securing means may be desirable to prevent unfolding along the wallet edge fold lines 18a-c, so that the wallet can have length and width corresponding substantially to only a single portion.

(36) The template can be formed of many kinds of sheet material permitting folding, but is preferably made of Tyrex. Tyrex is a brand name for a synthetic material formed of flashspun, high-density polyethylene fibers. The template may alternatively be made from plastics permitting repeated folding, or finely cut leather, for example.

(37) The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature or step described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or steps or combinations of features and/or steps are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or steps or combinations of features and/or steps solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such individual feature or step or combination of features and/or steps. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.