FLAT FOLDING FAN WITH ENVELOPE HANDLE

F AT FOLDING FAN WITH ENVELOPE HANDLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hand fan and more particularly to one which unfolds from a flat envelope whil remaining attached to it wherein the envelope is used as th handle of the fan.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Using a hand fan to circulate air and evaporate moisture from the skin dates back to early history. However, in our modern society hand fans are seldom used because they are considered out of fashion and inconvenient to carry. Electric fans and air conditioners are now relie upon to provide indoor cooling, but in outdoor areas and places where such technology is not in use people can suffe from excessive heat. People do not usually carry a hand fa with their everyday attire and so use other methods to stir a breeze such as waving papers, programs, menus, hats and other convenient devices . If a fan could fit into the window sleeve of a wallet a person would carry it unobtrusively along with their essential identification and so have it at hand whenever needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to providing a fan device comprising two flat leaves inseparably attached to a flat hollow handle that serves as an envelope wherein the folded leaves can be tucked away when not in use. The fan can be made small enough that when contained within its envelope/handle the device can be inserted into the window sleeve of a standard wallet or carried in a shirt pocket. The fan opens for use by telescoping the leaves out of the envelope/handle part way and unfolding them and then inserting side tabs of the leaves into side slots on the envelope/handle. The top center notches on both leaves are then interlocked forming a rigid plane comprising the two leaves joined to each other and to the envelope/handle to become a unit that is sturdy enough to be used for fanning and yet will withstand repeated use. The surface area of the entire fan both front and back may be imprinted with indicia to be viewed when using the device for fanning or as a display. The preferred material of construction is inexpensive card stock with a metal fastener, but the fan can be constructed of a variety of other materials.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of certain representative embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an elevational front view of an open fan embodying the invention.

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a fan of Fig. 1 in a partially folded condition.

Fig. 2 illustrates the blank from which the section known as the left leaf is to be made.

Fig. 3 illustrates the blank from which the section known as the right leaf is to be made.

Fig. 4 illustrates the blank from which the section known as the envelope/handle is to be made.

Fig. 5 shows a fastening device of the two prong metal type with domed top. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the closed fan showing the right panel and back panel with partially extended leaves.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the closed fan showing the left panel and front panel.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the closed fan showin the left side panel.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged elevational front view of the open fan of Fig. 1 in part broken away to reveal structural details.

Fig. 10 is an elevational back view of modified open fan showing extra long leaves of irregular shape and in part broken away to reveal modified structural details.

Fig. 10A illustrates a modified fastening device of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10B is a modified fastening device of ribbon whic is used in fan of Fig. 10.

Fig. IOC illustrates front of closed fan of Fig. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hand fan A (Fig. 1) embodying the invention comprises left leaf 12, right leaf 13 and an envelope/handle 11 held together with a f stening device 14. When opened and interlocked the sections together are to be known as the open fan. When the sections are folded and enclosed within the envelope/handle it is to be known as the closed fan. A shown in Figures 1 and 1A, each of leaves 12, 13, when unfolded, has a width about twice that of envelope/handle 11, and the overall width of the open fan is about four times that of the envelope/handle.

According to the present invention the manufacture of the fan is simple and can be produced at low cost by means of manufacturing methods . The blanks comprising left leaf 12 and right leaf 13 and envelope/handle 11 can be die cut having all design elements such as notches 18, 19, 25, 26, 35, and 37; slots 17, 24, 36, 38, and 45; and tabs 20, 27, and 50 cut at once and having score lines 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 impressed into the blanks.

The sections of the fan are assembled by first inserting preferred metal fastener device 14 (Fig. 5) through slot 45 of envelope/handle 11 (Fig. 4) and through slot 24 of right leaf 13 (Fig. 3) and then through slot 17 of left leaf 12 (Fig. 2) and secured behind left leaf 12 by opening the prongs of metal fastener 14 into a flat configuration which will allow movement up and down slot 45. With fastener 14 positioned at top of slot 45 the envelope/ handle 11 can be folded at score lines 29, 30, 31, and 32 and wrapped around lower portion of the leaves until outside edge 46 is even to and in line with score line 32 and secured with adhesive within the bounds of areas 39 and 40 (Fig. 6) . Lower tab 50 of envelope/handle 11 is folded at score lines 33 and 34 and secured with adhesive within the bounds of areas 41 and 42 (Fig. 6) . The envelope/handle 11 is now closed forming back panel 47, front panel 48, left side panel 51 and right side panel 52. The left leaf 12 is folded up at score line 15 and in at score line 16 and the right leaf 13 is folded up at score line 22 and in at score line 23 (Fig. 1A) and the folded leaves are pushed down into envelope/handle 11 until the metal fastener 14 is at the bottom of slot 45 and leaves are concealed and protected within (Fig. 7) .

To open the fan, grasp left leaf 12 at upper edge where it is revealed in opening 44 of back panel 47 and right leaf 13 at upper edge 28 where it is revealed in opening 43 of front panel 48 and pull up until metal fastener 14 is at the top of slot 45 (Fig. 7) . Unfold and pivot left leaf 12 to the left side and insert tab 20 into slot 36 on left side panel 51 of envelope/handle 11 (Fig. 9) . Unfold and pivot right leaf 13 to the right side and insert tab 27 into slot 38 on right side panel 52 of envelope/handle 11 (Fig. 9) . The notch 19 on left leaf 12 will rest in slot 35 of left side panel 51 of envelope/handle 11 and the notch 26 on right leaf 13 will rest in slot 37 of right side panel 52 of envelope/handle 11 supporting and restricting the spread of the leaf sections 12 and 13 (Fig. 9) . Interlock fan leaves together by bringing top center of left leaf 12 forward at notch 18 and pushing top center of right leaf 13 back at notch 25 causing tab 20 of left leaf 12 to be pressed fully into slot 36 of left side panel 51 and causing tab 27 of right leaf 13 to be pressed fully into slot 38 of right side panel 52 forming a singular rigid plane comprising left leaf 12, right leaf 13 and envelope/handle 11 (Fig. 9) . Thus fan A is ready to be used as display or can be grasped at the lower portion of the envelope/handle (Fig. 1) and used vigorously for fanning.

To close, release the top center notches by pushing top center of left leaf 12 back at notch 18 and bringing top center of right leaf 13 forward at notch 25. This will enable tab 20 of left leaf 12 to be removed from slot 36 of left side panel 51 and tab 27 of right leaf 13 to be removed from slot 38 of right side panel 52. Fold left leaf 12 up at score line 15 and in a score line 16 and fold right leaf

13 up at score line 22 and in at score line 23 and push folded leaves down inside the envelope/handle until fastener

14 is at the bottom of slot 45 of front panel 48 and the fan will be concealed within the envelope/handle 11 (Fig. 7) .

In a best mode of construction the fan sections comprising left leaf 12, right leaf 13, and envelope/handle 11 are adapted to be made from blanks of suitable sheet material, such as card stock, self-sustaining plastic and paper or paperboard laminates and the like. Envelope/handle

11 may also be made of a material other than what is used for the fan leaves 12 and 13, such as plastic, wood, metal or paper composite or any other suitable material. Preferred fastener 14 is a metal fastener with two prongs, however any fastener or rivet of metal, plastic or other suitable material may be used.

Other shapes than shown may be provided for the fan leaves as illustrated on fan B (Fig. 10) where the left leaf

12 and right leaf 13 are of irregular outline although the fan leaves may be provided with any other preferred shape such as floral, animal, or cartoon shapes having dimensions that allow for closure into envelope/handle 11 although a portion of the leaves may extend beyond the top opening if desired (Fig. IOC) .

Other shapes than shown may be provided for the exposed head of the fastener 14A (Fig. 10A) such as a flower, balloon, face or any others.

Other modes of fastening leaves 12 and 13 into the envelope/handle 11 may comprise ribbon 49 (Fig. 10B) or other devices applied in a manner to restrict and secure the extension of the leaves, such as shown in fan B (Fig. 10) . Pre- easured ribbon 49 (Fig. 10B) can be hidden within the envelope/handle 11 by inserting first through slot 24 of right leaf 13 then through slot 17 of left leaf 12 and securing the ends with adhesive to tab 50 of front panel 48 before joining tab 50 to back panel 47 with adhesive applied within the bounds of area 41 and area 42. This variation works best when envelope/handle is constructed of a modified material that will not flex such as plastic, wood, or metal. OTHER EMBODIMENTS In other embodiments, fold-over reinforcements may be provided at the top of the envelope sleeve and tab region of the leafs, and the envelope sleeve may be closed at its front and the slot in the front provided by a space between adjacent edges of the folded blank. These and other variations and modifications of the above-described embodiments may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts embodied in the disclosure, and will be within the scope of the following claims.