Patent Application
20060226205
This invention relates to hanging document management articles such as hanging file folders or hanging binders.
Office organization often depends on having one or more file cabinets with hanging file folders or hanging binders to retain hard copy files, floppy disks, and other media, etc., in an orderly fashion. Hanging file folders and binders are supported by hooks or hangers that extend from the edges of the file and engage with rails within the file cabinet that support and hold the files in a vertical position in the cabinet.
Typically, the hooks or hangers are fixed in a permanent position, which makes the file folder or binder cumbersome to carry when removed from the cabinet. Protruding hooks or hangers can easily catch on clothing or scrape or cut persons handling the article.
It is known in the art to make hanging file folders and binders with retractable hooks as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,979,626 (Pitts) and 5,993,099 (Greenberg et al.). However, these hooks are relatively bulky and not very convenient for work in progress projects where the folders or binders are frequently removed from storage for access and use, carried from one location to another, etc. and then returned to storage.
There is a need in the art for retractable hooks or hangers that avoid the drawbacks of the conventional devices heretofore described.
The present invention provides retractable hooks or hangers for hanging file folders and binders that addresses problems of previously known hanger systems. The present invention provides hanging file folders or hanging binders or other articles with hooks or hangers that can be readily retracted or even removed as desired.
In one aspect, the invention provides a way to easily convert file folders to hanging file folders or binders to hanging binders without using bulky built in hooks that are more difficult to manage.
In brief summary, the present invention provides a hangable file folder or binder comprising a first side panel having outer and inner edges; a second side panel having outer and inner edges; a binding edge interposed between the inner edges of the first and second side panels for coupling the first and second side panels. The file folder or binder further comprises a track member that is arranged in parallel to the outer edge of at least one of the first or second side panels and comprises two or more ribs arranged substantially parallel to the outer edge of the side panel. The file folder or binder also typically further comprises two hangers selectively retractably mounted within the track member. The hangers are typically arranged to protrude from opposing ends of the track member. The hangers each have a main body, an outer end and an inner end opposite the outer end, the inner end being repositionably engaged with the track member. The file folder or binder is usable as a hanging file folder or binder, respectively, when each of the first and second hangers are extended out from the outer edges of the least one first or second side panels. The hangers can be repositioned on the track member so as to substantially not extend beyond the side panel. At least one of the track member and the hangers comprises two or more ribs extending longitudinally to the direction of retraction of the hangers.
The present invention also provides a kit for making file folders and binders of the invention.
The invention will be further described with reference to the following idealized drawings which are not to scale.
a-5d schematically show portions of a different illustrative track member of a file folder of the invention as it is interengaged with an illustrative hanger of the invention;
For convenience the invention will be explained in detail with reference to a file folder. It will be understood, however, that the invention may be similarly used with other hanging type document or article management articles such as binders, report covers, notebooks, media folders, etc.
As illustrated in
In other embodiments where the file folder comprises means to secure the contents to the file folder, e.g., with a compression clip, etc., the rings in a binder, etc., it may be desired to secure the article in a reversed orientation with the binding edge oriented to face upward. For example, this orientation enables the user to rely on indicia on the outside surface of the binding edge to be viewed in order to identify the article. In such embodiments, the track member is located nearer to the binding edge than it is to the opposite end of the side panel. An illustrative example of such an embodiment is shown in
By “repositionably engaged” it is meant that the tab member will remain in stable, and presumably desired, position on the track member until a significant repositioning force is applied to move the tab member to another location on the track member or even to disengage it from the track member and remove it therefrom entirely.
The track member 26 preferably extends substantially all the way to the sides 11a and 11b of side panel 12, but may be shorter if desired (or even longer though this may tend to reduce some of the advantages of the invention). Track member 26 is shown on the inside surface of side panel 12 but may alternatively be on the outside surface if desired.
File folder 10 further comprises two hangers 72 and 74 repositionably engaged with the track member 26. Hanger 72 is shown in extended position such that the file folder, when hanger 74 is also in extended position, can be used in a hanging configuration. Hanger 74 is shown in a retracted position. When both hangers are in this
In many embodiments (but not shown here), a track member and pair of hangers will also be provided on second side panel 18.
Hanger 72 comprises a main body which is made up of inner end or portion 78 opposite an outer end or portion 80. In this preferred embodiment, hanger 72 comprises a reduced width portion 82 which is useful for engaging more precisely with file cabinet or file drawer hanging racks. It will be understood that the relative size and shape of the reduced width portion can be changed as desired, or eliminated altogether.
Each hanger comprises two or more ribs arranged substantially parallel to the orientation of the track member and adapted to engage with the ribs of the track member on the side or face of the hanger facing the track member. The hanger may comprise such ribs on substantially all of that face of the hanger or may comprise such ribs only on the inner portion 78. In many instances the hanger will comprise such ribs on substantially all of the face as it is sometimes easier to produce such hangers and the hanger is less likely to come loose from the track member accidentally. By controlling the formation of the ribs, e.g., forming large deformed ends to the ribs at inner portion 78 end of the hanger 72, embodiments can be readily produced in which the hanger will readily slide along track member only so far as to withdraw the hanger to within the confines of side edge of the side panel.
File folders of the invention can be any known suitable material, e.g., plastic, paper, pasteboard, cardboard, or metal. They can be made in any desired size, e.g., a standard size such as letter size, legal size, A4, etc. or a specialty size, dependent in large part upon the file cabinets and other file storage devices which are being used.
The binding edge 24 may consist of a single fold, or in the case of larger capacity files, multiple folds, as is known in the art of file folders.
In one illustrative embodiment, the track member comprises a multiplicity of parallel, narrowly spaced, elastically deformable ribs projecting from a base sheet. The ribs comprising a stem portion attached to and substantially upright from the base sheet and at least one flange attached to each side of the stem portion and spaced from the base sheet. The cross-sectional profile formed by the ribs is substantially uniform over the length of the ribs. Similar structures are disclosed as self-mating, reclosable fasteners in U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,128 (Galkiewicz et al.) which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the track member will comprise a layer of adhesive 40 to secure the track member to the file folder as desired. A suitable adhesive may be readily selected dependent upon the nature of the track member, nature of the file folder, desired method of attaching the track member to the file folder, and whether permanent or temporary mounting is desired. Illustrative examples of suitable adhesives include pressure-sensitive adhesives, hot melt adhesives, repositionable adhesives, etc. The track member may be attached to the side panel by other means (not shown) if desired, e.g., mechanical means such as sewing or stapling through the base sheet 32.
In one illustrative embodiment, the ribs 30 are substantially continuous over their length. In other embodiments, however, the ribs are interrupted, as by cutting after extrusion and then stretching the base sheet to form a space 46 between the adjacent ends of the interrupted ribs. In addition, interruptions prepared by pressure on an extruded web, for example, with a hot wheel, can make the base sheet thicker in the area of the interruption (thickened, e.g., with the material of the ribs which has flowed under pressure of the hot wheel). These thickened regions may be useful to provide a barrier to relative sliding movement between the track member and a mating hanger or tab member, as discussed further below. Such interruptions can be conveniently formed by contact of the ribbed surface of an extruded web with projections on a heated wheel, whereby longitudinally spaced portions of the ribbed structure are periodically pressed down and accumulate as a raised structure or dam. The dam has a greater height or thickness than the base sheet. The height of the dam is sufficient that when the track member is mated with a tab member, at least the tallest ribs of the other tab member will engage the dam and impede relative sliding movement of the tab member along the track member. A dam may be provided on only one side or end of the track member to limit movement in one direction, or a dam may be provided on both ends of the track member nearest the side edges 11a and 11b of side panel 12. Instead of a dam taking the form of structure raised above the base sheet, rib deformations such as widening of the rib by pressing outer portions of the rib toward, but not all the way into contact with, the base sheet may be used, or cutting a thermoplastic rib with a hot knife as discussed above can be used.
Openings or interruptions in the ribs can provide points at which hangers and optional tab members can be more readily, as desired, removed from the file folder. The openings also permit hangers and optional tabs to be readily mated to the file folder by bending the file folder and track member so as to widen the opening, thereby permitting the tab member to slide past and off the track member. Such an embodiment is illustrated in
The interruptions permit the optional tab member to be moved along the track member in an indexed fashion, e.g., with stops or clicks, facilitating positioning it in a registered fashion. This facilitates organization of a set of files with the tab members positioned as desired. The interruptions are typically oriented substantially perpendicular or transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ribs. Preferably the interruptions are spaced at uniform distances apart to facilitate desired positioning of tab members. For example, in some embodiments, the interruptions will be spaced apart at a distance equal to the width of the tab members or slightly more. In this way, when multiple file folders of this configuration are placed together and index tabs engaged therein in accordance with the invention, the tabs on successive folders can be easily arranged in off-set fashion to reduce blocking by other tab members.
The interruptions may be of any desired width. In some embodiments, interruptions having an average width of from about 1/32 to ⅛ of an inch will be useful, though wider or narrower widths may be used in accordance with the invention. If the interruptions are too narrow, it may be relatively more difficult to remove tab members from the track member. If the interruptions are too wide, tab members may tend to derail or separate from the track member when it is merely desired to reposition the tab member to a different location on the track member to which it is repositionably engaged. In some embodiments, the height of the ribs will be substantially uniform and in other embodiments, the ribs will be of alternating high and low height as shown in
The interruptions permit the hangers to be moved along the track member in an indexed fashion, e.g., stops or clicks between protruding and retracted positions, or movement of an optional tab member, if any, in indexed fashion, facilitating positioning it in a registered fashion. The latter advantage facilitates organization of a set of files with the tab members positioned as desired.
In some embodiments, the height of the ribs will be substantially uniform and in other embodiments, the ribs will be to alternating high and low height as shown in
a-5d schematically illustrate an illustrative track member of the invention 53, and show it undergoing interengagement with the inner end portion of a hanger 52 having similar rib construction. The track member 53 includes ribs of different height, with tall ribs 54 alternating one-by-one with shorter ribs 55. This repeated deviation from the profile of a full population of identical (e.g., equally tall) symmetrical ribs facilitates a inner-force interengagement of the track member and tab member. As shown in
A further desirable performance characteristic of the track and hangers illustrated in
The difference in height between the tall rib 54 and short rib 55 may vary, but typically should not be so great as to prevent a significant number of tall and short ribs from having complete engagement, i.e., engagement involving the illustrated movement of the flanges of the tall ribs on one of the track member or hanger pair underneath the short ribs of the opposed member of the pair. The desired ratio of rib heights will be affected by a number of parameters such as material and thickness of the rib portions and shape of the ribs. Typically, the taller ribs will be about one-fourth to three-fourths again taller than the shorter ribs. With some embodiments of the invention tall ribs on the order of one-and-one-half times the height of the short ribs has achieved preferred results.
The rib in
In one embodiment, the height of a stem portion is preferably greater than the width of a flange attached to the stem portion. The result (assuming the same thickness and composition for stem and flange) is that the stem portion will tend to flex in preference to flexure of the flanges under the pressure placed on the ribs during interengagement with the ribs of an opposed tab member. Bending stiffness is generally proportional to W(T/L)3 for a long beam of length L, width W, and thickness T, when bending occurs in the thickness direction. Because the stem is typically longer than the arms, flexing occurs more easily in the stem if the flanges and stem have similar thicknesses and composition. The ease of flexing in both stem and flanges can be controlled by choice of structure, dimensions and modulus of elasticity of the material of the stem and of the flanges.
Track members and hangers of file folders of the invention may be made from a variety of materials but most commonly are made from polymeric materials, using generally any polymer that can be melt processed. Homopolymers, copolymers and blends of polymers are useful, and may contain a variety of additives. Inorganic materials such as metals may also be used. The composition is chosen to provide desired bending characteristics, including usually an elastic bending movement of the stem of the rib in a direction lateral to the length of the rib and little if any bending of the flanges during engagement and disengagement. Generally an elastic modulus of from 103 MPa to 107 MPa for the composition of the base sheet and ribs including any additives is satisfactory but this may change depending on the application.
The hangers should be strong enough to support that they can collectively support the article in a file cabinet or other storage arrangement as desired, e.g., without deforming or sagging undesirably. The track member and hanger should be selected such that when interengaged as discussed above that, the article will be desirably supported in a file cabinet. The ribs should not deform undesirably that the article will not be supported as desired.
If desired, the hanger or at least that portion which will be in contact with the rail of the file cabinet will be adapted to slide freely on the rails of the file cabinet. For example, reduced width portion 82 of hanger 72 in
Suitable thermoplastic polymers include, for example, polyolefins such as polypropylene or polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, acrylate-modified ethylene vinyl acetate polymers, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, nylon, polyvinylchloride, and engineering polymers such as polyketones or polymethylpentanes. Elastomers include, for example, natural or synthetic rubber, styrene block copolymers containing isoprene, butadiene, or ethylene (butylene) blocks, metallocene-catalyzed polyolefins, polyurethanes, and polydiorganosiloxanes. Mixtures of the polymers and/or elastomers may also be used.
Suitable additives include, for example, plasticizers, tackifiers, fillers, colorants, ultraviolet light stabilizers, antioxidants, processing aids (urethanes, silicones, fluoropolymers, etc.), low-coefficient-of-friction materials (silicones), conductive fillers to give the track member and tab member each a level of conductivity, pigments, and combinations thereof, as desired. Generally, additives can be present in amounts up to 50 percent by weight of the composition depending on the application.
Track members and hangers of file folders of the invention can be formed by extruding a polymeric web through a die having an opening cut, for example, by electron discharge machining.
The shape of the die is designed to generate a web with a desired cross-sectional shape or profile. The web is generally quenched after leaving the die by pulling it through a quenching material such as water. A wetting agent may be required in the quenching medium to assure good wetting of the whole surface of the extruded web, including spaces between ribs. The extruded web may be further processed, e.g., by cutting extruded ribs and stretching the web to form interruptions in the ribs or by forming structure to limit relative movement between paired track member and tab member. Track members and hangers are then formed, generally by cutting and slitting the extruded web.
In some embodiments, track members will be made via extrusion. Track members may also be made in other ways, for example, by injection molding or casting. The track member or hanger structure can be incorporated into the larger article in various ways, e.g., by inserting an already prepared ribbed portion into a mold and molding the rest of the article around the ribbed portion; or by configuring a mold surface with mold structure shaped to form a ribbed structure of the invention. When the ribbed structure of the invention is incorporated into a larger article, the term “base sheet” herein includes the structure of the article into which the ribbed structure is incorporated.
As previously stated, the body of a ribbed structure of the invention may include multiple layers, generally of different composition. Such multiple layers can be provided by coextrusion techniques (as described, for example, in published PCT Appln. No. WO 99/17630, published Apr. 15, 1999), which may involve passing different melt streams from different extruders into a multiple-manifold die or a multiple-layer feed block and a film die. The individual streams merge in the feed block and enter the die as a layered stack that flows out into layered sheets as the material leaves the die. The die is patterned so as to form the ribbed configuration of the track member and tab member. A track member of the invention thus may have a base sheet of one composition and ribs of a different composition. Or a portion of the ribs, e.g., the top edge-portion of the rib, may have a different composition from other portions of the rib. For example, the top portion of the rib may include a composition that forms a inner-friction surface than the rest of the rib.
The ribbed nature of track members and hangers of file folders of the invention provides a desired alignment feature to the articles.
In some embodiments of the invention, the surface of the base sheet opposite from the ribbed surface carries structure that specially adapts the track member to attachment to another substrate. Such structure may include ribbed surfaces of the invention in which the rib profile is the same or different from that on the first surface, as well as other mechanical fastening structure such as hooks or loops or headed elements as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,174, or various adhesive layers. Track members and tab members of the invention may also be attached onto a substrate by means separate from the member, e.g., by a separately applied adhesive, by sewing, welding of base sheet material to the substrate, and other means.
As shown in
