Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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END FLAP FILE FOLDER AND METHOD OF USE
This invention relates generally to file folders and
more particularly to a file folder having an end flap which
protects the contents of the folder, and which allows the
viewing of the folder identification at angles generally
perpendicular to one end of the folder.
;Jarious types of file folders are presently in use.
In systems using file drawers, the file folders are inserted
laterally, i.e, with the sides of the folder facing the front
of the drawer. A tab, upon which identification of the file
contents is placed, protrudes from the top of one side section
of the file folder so that when the file drawer is opened the
identification can be seen by the user.
Simple folders are made of heavy stock paper, such as
manila paper. They are usually of unitary construction with
one or more score lines between opposing side sections. If
there is more than one score line, folding the file sections
along selected score lines will change the width of the file.
Accordion file folders have opposing side sections to
which are added accordion folded bottom and end sections, which
allow the file to automatically expand as contents are added to
the file. In these types of folders one section is usually
made higher than the other section so that identification
information can be placed on the inside surface of, and along
the top of, the higher section.
Whereas simple folders comprising opposing side
-- sections can be f-olded flat for shipment and storage,
expanda~le files have an inherently larger thickness due to the
accordion folded sections. Furthermore, expandable files are
more expensive to produce since they are not of unitary
construction. In addition to the stamping, scoring and folding
operations required in the production of simple, unitary
folders, expandable file folders also require gluing operations
to produce.
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In recent years it has been recognized that large
filing systems using standard file cabinets, with roll out
drawers, are highly inefficient. Space is wasted, because the
aisles between file cabinets must be made wide enough to
accommodate the full length of the drawer when it is pulled out
during file storage or retrieval. Furthermore, the design of
the file cabinets is complex because it must allow for
extending the fu'l length of the file drawer out of the file
cabinet. This re~uires strengthening of the cabinet to allow
for holding the cantilevered load when the file drawer is
extended outward. Finally, because the cabinets must be sturdy
and space allowed for the runners, and between the runners and
the sides of the cabinets, additional space is required.
This loss of efficiency in space and the added
complexity of construction have resulted in the advent of more
efficient filing ~ystems wherein the files are stored in open
racks which are similar to library shelves. In this system the
files are placed transversely to the front of the racks (end-
to-end) rather than laterally (sidewise). Thus, one end of the
file folder is placed against the closed, or partially closed,
back of the rack, while the other end of the file is at the
open front of the rack. In some designs, double racks are
constructed back to back, with a stop panel between the racks,
against which the files are placed.
Even greater efficiency with regard to space savings
is obtained when the open racks are movable. The racks are
placed on rails so that they can be mounted against each other
with one aisle space-for a large number of racks. By moving
the racks on the rails, an aisle is created in front of the
rack which holds the desired file folder for retrieval or for
filing. With movable open racks and the other space savings
discussed previously, over 50% of the required space can be
saved as compared to using conventional file cabinets.
These moveable open racks used in filing systems are
commonly fifteen inches deep and from fifteen to forty or more
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feet in length. Double racks of fifteen to twenty five feet
in length can be moved on the rails using a manual chain pulley
arrangement. For longer racks, the positioning system is
electrically powered.
The open rack type of filing system requires
identification of the files at the front end of the file folder
rather than at the top. Thus, existing file folders have been
modified to allow for an extending end tab attached to, and
parallel to, one side section of the file. Also, since the
front end of the file is exposed (as is not the case with
standard file cabinets), there is a possibility that the
contents of the files may spill out of the folder either when
the folders are in place in the racks or when handling the
folder, when placing it in the rack, or when removing it from
the rack.
Identification on the tab in line with the back
section of the folder requires viewing the folders at an angle
because the identification can be blocked by other tabs if the
line of sight is too closely parallel to the front edge of the
rack. Also, if the line of sight is generally perpendicular to
the front edge of the rack, the identification cannot be read
because the tab is also perpendicular to the edge of the rack.
Thus, the need exists for a simple file folder which
provides for easier viewing of the folder identifying
information as well as protection to prevent spillage of the
contents of the folder. Also, efficiency in storage,
transportation and handling of file folders can be obtained if
~the folders a~e- shipped without protruding tabs f~r holding
identifying information.
Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention
to provide for a file folder which overcomes the disadvantages
of the prior art.
It is a further object of the this invention to
provide a file folder which is of unitary construction and can
be packaged for shipment and storage without protruding tabs.
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It is still a further object of this invention to
provide a file folder with a means for preventing spillage of
the contents of the folder during handling and when the folder
is stored in a file.
It is still yet a further object of this invention to
provide a file folder which can be easily and less expensively
manufactured using standard stamping, scoring and folding
equipment without the need for gluing operations.
It is another object of this invention to provide a
file folder which provides protection for the contents of the
file.
It is still another object of this invention to
provide a file folder for open rack storage with a wider angle
of view of the identification of the folder than is available
with present folders.
These and other objects of the subject invention are
achieved by providing a file folder with an end flap attached
to one of the opposing side sections of the folder.
The folder is of unitary construction having two
opposing side sections and a bottom section. An end flap is
attached to one edge of one of the opposing side sections.
Score lines placed in the bottom section enable changing the
width of the bottom section to accommodate varying amounts of
contents placed in the folder. The end flap has a end section
and a flap extension. By folding the end flap at selected
score lines, the width of the end section can be varied and the
end flap folded so that the flap extension lies in a plane
parallel to the opposing side sections of the folder. Thus the
contents may be placed in the space created between one of the
side sections, the end section, and the flap extension.
When the folder is stored in filing systems using
open ended racks, similar to those used for library shelving,
easy viewing of the identification information is obtained by
placing the information on the end section. Furthermore, the
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end flap prevents spillage, and protects the contents of the
folder when the folder is filed in open racks or on shelving.
Other objects ana many of the attendant advantages of
this invention will be readily appreciated when the same
becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the file folder
constructed in accordance with this inve~tion and showing
identifying information placed on the end section of the
folder.
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a blank forming the file
folder showing the unitary construction of the file folder with
score lines for creating the side, bottom and end sections of
the folder.
Fig. 3a is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3
of Fig. 1, with the contents of the file removed, which shows
the end flap folded at a score line which creates an end
section whose plane is generally perpendicular to the planes of
the back and front sections.
Fig. 3b is a sectional view taken along the lines 3-3
with the front and back sections folded at score lines which
create a wider bottom flap and the end flap folded at score
lines to accommodate the wider bottom section.
Fig. 4 is a partial front elevational view of an open
rack filing system with the folders of the instant invention
filed therein.
Kererrlng now in greater detail to the drawing, where
3Q like characters refer to like parts, there is shown at 2 in
Fig. 1 a file folder constructed in accordance with this
inYention. The folder 2 has opposing side sections 4, and G,
a bottom section 10 and an end flap 12.
Fig. 2 shows the unitary construction of the folder.
The outside surfaces 18, 22, and 28 of the side section 4, the
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side section 6, and the end flap 12, respectively, are shown
face up. Score lines 32a-c enable folding of the end flap and
score lines 32d-h enable folding of the side sections to create
bottom section 10. The end flap 12 comprises an end section 8
and a flap extension 14.
The folder may be constructed of standard heavy
weight or manila paper and can be manufactured usinq standard
types of stamping, scoring, and folding equipment.
As can be seen in Fig. 2, the file folder may be
folded on the score line 32f creating outside surfaces 18 and
22. Furthermore, the end flap 12 can be folded along the score
line 32a so that the end flap 12 abuts the inner surface 16 of
the side section 4. When folded as above, the side sections 4
and 6 abut each other and the folders are rectangular in shape
without protruding tabs or sections. They therefore require
less storage space and can be efficiently packaged, stored,
transported and handled.
As can be seen in Fig. 2, the width of the bottom
section 10 and the end section 8 can be varied by selecting the
proper score lines for folding. In Figs. 1 and 3b the folder
has been folded for maximum capacity. The width of the bottom
section 10 has been maximized by folding the side section 4
along the score line 32d and the side section 6 along the score
line 32h, until the planes of the sections 4 and 6 are parallel
to each other and perpendicular to the plane of the bottom
section 10. As shown in Figs. 1,2 and 3b, to accommodate this
width, the flap extension 14 is folded along the score line
32c. Thus the first segment 34 and the second segment 36 of
~ the end section 8 enclose one end of the-file folder 2. The
flap extension 14 is positioned to be parallel to, and abut,
the inner surface 20 of the side section 6.
As can be seen in Fig. 1, contents 24 may be placed
in the folder between the inner surfaces 16, 20, and 26 of the
side section 4, the side section 6, and the end section 8,
respectively.
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Fig. 4 shows the file folder 2 placed in open racks.
When open rack filing systems are used, the file folders are
placed into the racks with one end of the folder abutting the
rear of the rack and the other end of the folder facing outward
at the open end of the rack, in a manner similar to the storage
of books on book shelves, as was previously explained. Thus,
distal edges 30 of the side sections 4 and 6 are placed
inwardly in the rack against the rear of the rack while the
proximal edges of the sections, with the end section 8 facing
outward, are at the open end of the rack.
With previously existing folders, end tabs are used
to provide identifying information for the folder. This
results in loss of efficiency in packing, storing and
transporting the folders. Furthermore, the identifying
information can only be viewed at angles between parallel to
the front edge of the rack and perpendicular to the front edge
of the rack. If the line of sight is close to parallel to the
front of the rack, other identifying tabs will hide the
information on the folder which is to be located. Also, since
these tabs are in a plane parallel to the planes of the side
sections 4 and 6, the identifying information on the tab cannot
be viewed head on. However, as can be seen in Figs. 1, 2, and
3b the first segment 34 and the second segment 36 of the end
section 8 are angled between the planes parallel to the side
sections and the plane perpendicular to the side sections.
Thus, the identifying information on the segments 34 and 36 can
be seen over a much wider range of angles than with existing
identifying tabs, from head on viewing all the way to viewing
almost parallel to the edge of the filing rack.
If less capacity is reguired for the file folder 2,
it may ~e configured as shown in Fig. 3a. Here, the width of
the bottom section 10 has been reduced as compared to the width
of the bottom section in Fig. 3b by folding the side section 4
along the score line 32d and the side section 6 along the score
line 32g. End flap 12 has been folded at the score line 32a
20286 1 6 - -
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and at the score 32b. Thus, the first segment 34 has been
folded into a plane perpendicular to the planes of sections 4
and 6. The second segment 36 and the flap extension 14 are
positioned to abut the inner surface 20 of the side section 6
in a plane parallel to the plane of the side section 6.
Although the folder has been described as having the
end flap 12 attached to the side section 4 it is clear that the
end flap 12 can just as well be attached to the side section 6
to provide the functions of the folder.
Spillage of the contents of the file folder 2 is
prevented by end section 8 when the folder is stored in the
filing racks. Moreover, the end section 8 and the flap
extension 14 provide protection of the contents of the folder
from damage. They also provide structure and stability to the
folder which is not present with folders which consist only of
opposing side sections without end flaps. It should be noted
here that accordion type folders provide protection and
stability as well. However, they are expensive to produce
requiring additional material and gluing operations and
identification cannot be put on the end sections of the
accordion types of folders.
It is also important to note that this invention,
with its improvements over existing file folders, may be used
with any type of shelving, in addition to the open racks
described above, as well as on flat surfaces with book ends or
their equivalent.
A file folder has been described which provides for
easier viewing of content identification, protection of the
contents of the folder, and prevention of spillage of the
contents of the folder when the file folders are stored in open
racks or on shelving.
Without further elaboration the foregoing will so
fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying
current or future knowledge, adapt the same for use under
various conditions of service.
