Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02302431 2000-03-23
UNITED STATES PATENT APPLICATION
FILE FOLDER WITH CARRIER AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME
Background of the Invention
This invention relates to file folders of the type used to store documents and
other things,
in a drawer or on a shelf storage system and the method of making the folder.
File folders which include front and rear covers that are hingedly connected
along a fold
line at the bottom edge of the covers, are known for receiving and storing
papers. It is also
known to cut the top edge of the front cover so as to provide a label
receiving or indicia receiving
area on the rear cover for indicating subject matter to which the contents are
related. These file
folders are generally used in drawer types of filing where the top edge is
visible. In some
situations shelf filing is used where the top edge is not visible but a side
edge is marked and is
visible.
It has been found to be desirable to provide a file folder which is useful in
both shelf and
drawer filing depending upon the type of filing system available.
Moreover, it has been found that it is desirable to file 3'/~ inch computer
discs, CD ROMS
or envelops containing CD ROMs in the file folder. These items have been filed
loose in the file
folder.
It is another object of this invention to provide a file folder wherein a
structure is provided
in association with the file folder to carry such computer discs, CD ROMs and
the like.
It is another object of this invention to provide a method for producing file
folders of the
type indicated above from the blank.
These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the
following
description and appended claims.
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Summary of the Invention
There is provided by this invention an improved file folder which meets the
foregoing
objects. Such a file folder includes a front cover and a rear cover hingedly
connected along the
respective bottom edges and the rear cover includes top and side labeling
portions that extend
beyond the front cover and are visible either from the side or the top. Thus
the file folder is useful
in drawer or shelf filing storage systems.
In addition, a structure which defines an object carrier is provided in
association with the
file folder which structure includes a plurality of slits therein and permits
the carrier to carry planar
objects such as a 3'/~ inch computer disc, a CD Rom disc or a CD Rom disc in
an envelope. These
slits are cut so as to permit selective storage of different items.
A unique blank is provided for manufacturing the above-identified folder. A
method is
set out for forming the above-identified blank into the folder.
Brief Description of the Drawinszs
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing three file folders for use in a drawer
or on a shelf
filing system;
Figure 2 is a plan view of a folder as in Figure 1 opened and in a flat
position showing the
cover and 3'/~ inch computer disc in the object carrier;
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a fragment any portion of the
file folder and
the object carrier with a CD Rom in place;
Figure 4 is a plan view of a blank for manufacturing the file folder disclosed
herein; and
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the method or manner in which the blank
is folded
to form the folder.
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Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring io Figure I, there is shown a file folder 10 which can be positioned
in a drawer
12 or on a shelf 14. The folder includes a front cover 16 and a rear cover 18.
The rear cover 18
includes a top label receiving section 20 and a side label receiving section
22. Each of the sections
20 and 22 extend beyond the front cover 16. As shown, the label receiving
sections join at the
upper right hand corner of the folder.
Referring now to Figure 2, it is seen that the front cover includes a top edge
16A, a
bottom fold or hinge line 16B and a pair of side edges 16C and 16D. The rear
cover includes a
top edge 18A and a bottom fold or hinge line 18B and a pair of side edges 18C
and 18D. Hinge
lines 16B and 18B can be coincident.
The top label receiving section 20 is formed along the top edge 18A of the
rear cover and
the side label receiving section 22 is formed along the side edge 18D of the
rear cover.
An object carrier 24 is hingedly associated with the rear cover and forms a
Sap or pocket
so that papers such as 26 can be inserted between the rear cover and the
object carrier 24. The
carrier is attached to the rear cover along a fold line 27 that ties along the
top edge 18A of the
rear cover. A bottom flap 28 is along the side edge 18D of the rear cover can
be adherently
secured to the object carrier so that when the carrier 24 is positioned
against the rear cover the
bottom flap can be adhered to the object carrier so as to form a pocket.
The object carrier 24 is also slit so as to provide a first curved side slit
30 adjacent the rear
cover top edge and a second curved side slit 32 spaced therefrom and adjacent
the rear cover
bottom. A third curved bottom slit 34 is formed between the slits 30 and 32,
but adjacent one
side of the rear cover. A pair of fourth and fifth staggered curved slits 36
and 38, one spaced
from the other, are formed toward the other side edge, opposite the third slit
34 and can be
selectively used for storage of objects of different sizes. It is noted that
the slits are curvod
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inwardly with respect to a receiving area therebetween. In Figure 2 a 3'/z
inch computer disc 40
is shown positioned between sets 30, 32, 34 and 36. However, a larger CD Rom
39 (or a CD in
an envelope) can be stored in the carrier using slits 30, 32, 34 and 36. Thus
the file folder will
carry both papers and computer discs for storage.
Referring now to Figure 4, the blank 42 from which the file folder is
fabricated is shown.
The blank 42 defines sections for the front cover 16, the rear cover 18, the
objerx carrier 24 and
the flap 28. It will be appreciated that the blank 42 is made from a larger
sheet of cardboard such
as 44. The exterior shape of the file folder is shown in solid lines and can
be die cut. The slits 30,
32, 34, 36 and 38 can also be cut at the same time.
In terms of fabricating the folder, as seen in Figure 5 the carrier 24, which
is integal with
the top edge 18A of the rear cover 18, is folded against the rear cover and
then the bottom flap
28 can be adhesively secured to the carrier flap 24 with adhesive strip 46, so
as to form the pocket
mentioned above. The front cover 16 can thereafter be folded over the flap and
rear cover so as
to form the file folder.
It will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications can be made to
the
embodiment shown herein without departing from the spirit and scope of this
invention.
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