US 5,547,226 A · Household filing system

Abstract

A filing system for storing, organizing, and handling household documents and data includes a file container in which a series of file folders are supported. Each file folder is provided with a label for a general topic and a related color for ease of identification. In general, red file folders are used for the distribution of information, mail processing, bills to be paid, and paperwork to be filed. Green file folders are used for the documentation of money received and expensed paid out. Orange file folders store information related to auto expenses and insurance, mortgage and loans, and taxes and personal finances. Blue file folders are designated for storage of information relating to legal, medical and dental, and general family matters. Information regarding general household and community matters is stored in yellow file folders. Within each file folder are a plurality of file folders, each labeled with subheadings for topics that are specific subjects relating to the general topic of the larger file folder and provided with the same color as the file folder in which it resides. In addition, selected file folders are provided with one or more icons in addition to topic labels. Each icon represents a cross-reference to another file folder. One icon indicates that further information is contained in another file folder. Another icon indicates that information within the file folder is relevant to filing tax returns. In addition, an icon may indicate that the file folder contains copies of documents which are stored elsewhere; e.g., safe, fireproof box, or sale deposit box. A further icon may indicate that the file folder contains information forms to be completed by the user, so that necessary information is elicited, organized, and stored for easy retrieval.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A filing system for storing, organizing, and managing household and personal documents and information, including;

a first plurality of file folders disposed within a first plurality of divider file folders, said file folders and divider file folders having a common first color, said divider file folders labeled to receive incoming documents including mail, bills, and general information, said file folders labeled with subtopics to organize said incoming documents;
a second plurality of file folders disposed within a second plurality of divider file folders, said second file folders and second divider file folders having a common second color, said second divider file folders labeled to receive documents related to money received and money paid out, said second file folders labeled with subtopics to organize bank statements, income receipts, purchase receipts, and payments relating to household expenses;
a third plurality of file folders disposed within a third plurality of divider file folders, said third file folders and third divider file folders having a common third color, said third file folders labeled to receive documents related to household information regarding insurance, mortgage and other loans, tax returns, and other household financial matters;
a fourth plurality of file folders disposed within a fourth plurality of divider file folders, said fourth file folders and fourth divider file folders having a common fourth color, said fourth file folders labeled to receive documents related to household information regarding non-financial, personal matters;
whereby said incoming documents are initially sorted and placed in said first plurality of file folders in said first plurality of file folders for short-term storage, and said incoming documents are processed and filed in appropriately labeled file folders for long-term storage in said second, third, and fourth plurality of file folders.

2 more elements

A method for processing and filing information and documents relating to household operation to regularize the tasks associated with personal and household financial and personal matter, including the steps of:

providing a first plurality of file folders disposed within a first plurality of divider file folders, said file folders and divider file folders having a common first color, said divider file folders labeled to receive incoming documents including mail, bills, and general information, said file folders labeled with subtopics to organize said incoming documents;
providing a second plurality of file folders disposed within a second plurality of divider file folders, said second file folders and second divider file folders having a common second color, said second divider file folders labeled to receive documents related to money received and money paid out, said second file folders labeled with subtopics to organize bank statements, income receipts, purchase receipts, and payments relating to household expenses;
providing a third plurality of file folders disposed within a third plurality of divider file folders, said third file folders and third divider file -folders having a common third color, said third file folders labeled to receive documents related to household information regarding insurance, mortgage and other loans, tax returns, and other household financial matters;
providing a fourth plurality of file folders disposed within a fourth plurality of divider file folders, said fourth file folders and fourth divider file folders having a common fourth color, said fourth file folders labeled to receive documents related to household information regarding non-financial, personal matters;
processing incoming documents and information by initially sorting said documents and information and placing items requiring action without delay into appropriately labeled first file folders, and placing documents for long-term storage in appropriately labeled third and fourth file folders;
and,
retrieving documents and information from said first file folders and carrying out the action required by these items, thereafter placing these items into appropriately labeled second file folders.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Household filing system

Life of this patent

Household filing system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24