Claims
- 1. A method for manufacturing paper office supply folders having extended useful service lives, which comprises:
- determining at least two critical areas of the folder which are prone to wear and tear; and
- applying separate plastic reinforcements upon or adjacent to at least two of the critical areas of the folder to form laminates therewith for increasing the strength and resistance of the folder to such wear and tear, wherein at least one reinforcement extends substantially completely across the full length or width of the folder.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein one critical area comprises a fold crease in the folder, and which further comprises applying one plastic reinforcement substantially along the fold crease.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper office supply folder includes two or more edges which constitute the critical areas, and which further comprises applying the reinforcements to at least two of the edges.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper office supply folder includes a pocket with edges which constitute one of the critical areas, and which further comprises applying one of the plastic reinforcements along at least one of the pocket edges.
- 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper office supply folder includes a pocket with a lip which constitutes one critical area, and which further comprises applying one of the plastic reinforcements along the pocket lip.
- 6. The method of claim 1, wherein one critical area comprises portions of the paper office supply folder which surround one or more holes therein, and which further comprises applying one of the reinforcements adjacent the perimeter of at least one hole.
- 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the critical areas comprise portions of the paper office supply folder which surround a plurality of holes in the paper office supply, and which further comprises applying the reinforcement adjacent the perimeter of each hole.
- 8. The method of claim 1, wherein one critical area comprises a bottom portion of the paper office supply folder, and which further comprises applying one of the plastic reinforcements along the bottom portion.
- 9. The method of claim 1, wherein one critical area comprises a side portion of the paper office supply folder, and further comprises applying one of the plastic reinforcements along the side portion.
- 10. The method of claim 1, wherein one critical area comprises a region of the paper office supply folder that is subject to frequent abrasion or touching, and which further comprises applying one of the plastic reinforcements upon substantially all of such region.
- 11. The method of claim 1, wherein one critical area comprises a corner of the paper office supply folder, and which further comprises applying one of the plastic reinforcements along the corner.
- 12. The method of claim 1, wherein one critical area comprises a seam in the paper office supply folder, and which further comprises applying one of the plastic reinforcements substantially completely along the seam.
- 13. The method of claim 1, wherein one critical area comprises a portion where a first surface of the paper office supply folder is joined to a second surface of the paper office supply folder, and which further comprises applying one of the plastic reinforcements along the joined portions and onto the first and second surfaces.
- 14. The method of claim 1 which further comprises selecting the folder to be a hanging jacket, hanging file, hanging folder, a shelf file, a file jacket, a report cover, a portfolio, a divider folder or a binder.
- 15. The method of claim 1 which further comprises applying the plastic reinforcements as separated strips upon different areas of the folder.
- 16. The method of claim 15 wherein one of the separate strips of plastic reinforcement is applied over a portion of the other.
- 17. The method of claim 15 which further comprises applying plastic reinforcements to a plurality of different critical areas of the folder.
- 18. A method for manufacturing reinforced hanging box file folders having extended useful service lives, which comprises:
- determining at least two critical areas of the folder which are prone to wear and tear; and
- applying separate plastic reinforcements upon or adjacent to at least two critical areas of the folder to form laminates therewith for increasing the strength and resistance of the folder to wear and tear;
- wherein the folder includes a front panel member and a rear panel member attached to each other by connection means, the front and rear panel members each having top ends that are folded over onto themselves to form terminal folded portions, with the connection means defining the bottom and sides of the hanging box file; and
- wherein a first reinforcement in the form of a continuous strip of plastic material substantially completely covers the sides and bottom of the connection means and is laminated thereto.
- 19. The method of claim 18, which further comprises applying a second reinforcement in the form of a strip of plastic material upon and covering the terminal folded portion of at least one of the front and rear panel members.
- 20. The method of claim 18, which further comprises providing uniformly spaced slots on the inner surface of the terminal folded portions for receiving label tabs, wherein the color of the exterior of at least the terminal fold is a different color than the interior surface of the front and rear panel members, at least in the area of the terminal folded portions, such that the visible part of the material forming the slots contrasts in color with the material visible through the slots.
- 21. The method of claim 20, which further comprises applying a third reinforcement in the form of a strip of material upon and covering the terminal folded portions of the folder, excluding the slots.
- 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the connection means and the front and rear panel members define lower corners, and which further comprises applying a fourth reinforcement upon and covering the lower corners.
- 23. The method of claim 18, wherein the first reinforcement is applied to also cover portions of the front and rear panel members that are adjacent to the bottom and sides.
- 24. A method for manufacturing reinforced hanging file jacket folders having extended useful service lives, which comprises:
- determining at least two critical areas of the folders which are prone to wear and tear; and
- applying separate plastic reinforcements upon or adjacent to at least two critical areas of the folder to form laminates therewith for increasing the strength and resistance of the folder to wear and tear;
- wherein the folder includes a sheet of flexible material folded at a medial line to form an edge, and front and rear panel members joined at the edge, the rear panel member having a top end that is folded over onto itself to form a top terminal folded portion; and connection means for attaching the side edges of the front and rear panel members, with the connection means defining the sides of the hanging file jacket;
- wherein a first reinforcement in the form of a strip of plastic material is disposed substantially completely along the edge of the hanging file jacket.
- 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the first plastic reinforcement is applied to cover both the medial line and portions of the front and panel members adjacent the edge.
- 26. The method of claim 24, which further comprises applying a second reinforcement in the form of a strip of material which covers the terminal folded portion.
- 27. The method of claim 24, wherein the front and rear panel members define lower corners, and which further comprises applying a third reinforcement over the lower corners.
- 28. The method of claim 24, which further comprises providing means for hanging the folder on a standard filing frame in office storage equipment.
- 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the hanging means comprises a rod having notches complementary to the standard filing frame, the rods being disposed through the terminal folded portions.
- 30. The method of claim 29, which further comprises applying a second plastic reinforcement in the form of a strip of material disposed along the terminal folded portions.
- 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the second plastic reinforcement is applied to also cover the upper edge of the rear panel member.
- 32. The method of claim 29, which further comprises providing uniformly spaced slots on the inner surface of the terminal folded portion for receiving label tabs, wherein the color of the exterior of at least the terminal fold is a different color than the interior surface of the rear panel member, at least in the area of the terminal folded portion, such that the visible part of the material forming the slots contrasts in color with the material visible through the slots.
- 33. The method of claim 32, which further comprises applying a second reinforcement on the terminal folded portion and the top areas of the rear panel member, excluding the slots.
- 34. The method of claim 33, which further comprises selecting the folder to be made of one of colored paper, plastic and fiber, and the rods to be made of metal.
- 35. The method of claim 24, wherein a remote edge of the front panel member had a cut-out region that defines a lip with an edge, and which further comprises applying a fourth reinforcement in the form of a strip of material which covers the edge.
- 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the fourth reinforcement is a plastic film which is applied to extend onto the interior and exterior surfaces of the front panel member.
- 37. The method of claim 24, wherein the front panel member comprises upper corners, and which further comprises applying a fifth reinforcement on the upper corners and extending onto a corresponding surface on the rear panel member.
- 38. A method for manufacturing reinforced manila, kraft, reinforced top or colored file folders having extended useful service lives, which comprises:
- determining at least two critical areas of the folders which are prone to wear and tear; and
- applying separate plastic reinforcements upon or adjacent to at least two critical areas of the folder to form laminates therewith for increasing the strength and resistance of the folder to wear and tear;
- wherein the folder includes a sheet of flexible material folded at a medial line to form a fold edge, and front and rear sides joined at the fold edge; and a tab member affixed to one of the front or rear sides on an edge opposite the fold edge; and
- wherein a first reinforcement in the form of a strip of plastic material is disposed substantially completely along the fold edge.
- 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the first plastic reinforcement is applied to cover both the medial line and portions of the front and rear sides adjacent the fold edge.
- 40. The method of claim 38, wherein the front and rear sides comprise lower corners, and which further comprises applying the first reinforcement on the opposite side of the medial line to protect the lower corners.
- 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the first reinforcement is a single strip of plastic film which covers the lower corners, the medial line and the front and rear outer sides of the folder adjacent the fold edge.
- 42. The method of claim 38, which further comprises applying a second reinforcement in the form of a strip of plastic material upon the tab member.
- 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the second plastic reinforcement is applied to completely cover both sides of the tab member.
- 44. A method for manufacturing reinforced file jacket folders having extended useful service lives, which comprises:
- determining at least two critical areas of the folders which are prone to wear and tear; and
- applying separate plastic reinforcements upon or adjacent to at least two critical areas of the folder to form laminates therewith for increasing the strength and resistance of the folder to wear and tear;
- wherein the folder includes a sheet of flexible material folded at a medial line to form an edge, and front and rear panel members joined at the edge; and connection means for attaching the side edges of the front and rear panel members, with the connection means defining sides of the film jacket; and
- wherein a first reinforcement in the form of a strip of plastic material is disposed substantially completely along the edge of the file jacket and is laminated thereto.
- 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the first plastic reinforcement is applied to cover both the medial line and portions of the front and panel members adjacent the edge.
- 46. The method of claim 44, wherein the front and rear panel members comprise lower corners, and which further comprises applying a second plastic reinforcement in the form of a plastic strip or a laminated material which covers the lower corners.
- 47. The file jacket of claim 44, wherein the front and rear panel members include side edges and which further comprises applying a third reinforcement in the form of a plastic strip which covers the side edges.
- 48. The method of claim 44, wherein a remote edge of the front panel member has a cut-out region that defines a lip having an edge, and which further comprises applying a fourth reinforcement in the form of a strip of material which covers the edge of the lip.
- 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the fourth reinforcement extends onto the interior and exterior surfaces of the front panel member.
- 50. The method of claim 44, wherein the front panel member comprises upper corners, and which further comprises applying a fifth reinforcement on the upper corners and extending onto a corresponding surface on the rear panel member.
- 51. A method of manufacturing reinforced artist's portfolio folders having extended useful service lives, which comprises:
- determining at least two critical areas of the folders which are prone to wear and tear; and
- applying separate plastic reinforcements upon or adjacent to at least two critical areas of the folder to form laminates therewith for increasing the strength and resistance of the folder to wear and tear;
- wherein the folder includes a front panel member and a rear panel member attached to each other with connection means, the connection means defining a bottom and sides of the artist's portfolio; a cover connected to a top edge of the rear panel member; and a handle inserted through openings in the front and rear panel members;
- wherein the first plastic reinforcement in the form of a continuous strip of plastic material is disposed substantially completely along the sides and bottom and is laminated thereto.
- 52. The method of claim 51, wherein the first plastic reinforcement is applied to cover the sides, bottom and portions of the front and rear panel members adjacent thereto.
- 53. The method of claim 51, wherein the connection means and the front and rear panel members define lower corners, and which further comprises applying a second plastic reinforcement upon the lower corners.
- 54. The method of claim 51, wherein the front panel member comprises upper corners, and which further comprises applying a third reinforcement to the upper corners and extending to corresponding portions on the rear panel member to prevent separation of the front and rear panel members from the connection means.
- 55. The method of claim 51, which further comprises applying a fourth reinforcement along the connection between the cover and the top edge of the rear panel member.
- 56. The method of claim 55, wherein the fourth plastic reinforcement is applied to cover both the connection and portions of the cover and rear panel member adjacent the connection.
- 57. The method of claim 51, wherein the front and rear panel members have portions which surround the openings therein, and which further comprises applying a fifth reinforcement to the portions surrounding the openings.
- 58. A method of manufacturing reinforced binder folders having extended useful service lives, which comprises:
- determining at least two critical areas of the folders which are prone to wear and tear; and
- applying separate plastic reinforcements upon or adjacent to at least two critical areas of the folder to form laminates therewith for increasing the strength and resistance of the folder to wear and tear;
- wherein the folder includes a sheet of material having first and second score lines, the first score line defining a front cover and a portion of a spine, the second score line defining a rear cover and the remainder of the spine, the front and rear covers being configured and dimensioned to be folded along their respective score lines to form a protective cover; and a ring assembly attached to the same;
- wherein a first reinforcement in the form of a strip of plastic material is substantially completely disposed along the first score line; and a second plastic reinforcement in the form a of a strip of plastic material is substantially completely disposed along the second score line;
- wherein the first and second plastic reinforcements are laminated to the sheet.
- 59. The method of claim 58, wherein each of the first and second plastic reinforcements covers both the first and second score lines, respectively, and portions of the front and rear covers adjacent their respective score lines.
- 60. The method of claim 58, wherein the front and rear covers each have corners adjacent the spine, and wherein each of the first and second plastic reinforcements extends over the spine corners and onto the opposite sides of the front and rear covers.
- 61. The method of claim 58, wherein the front and rear covers each includes edges opposite the first and second score lines, and which further comprises applying third and fourth reinforcements along the opposite edges.
- 62. The method of claim 61, wherein the front and rear covers have inner and outer surfaces and wherein the third and fourth reinforcements each comprises a plastic film which covers the opposite edges and adjacent inner and outer surfaces of the front and rear covers, respectively.
- 63. The method of claim 62, wherein the opposite edges each have corners and wherein the third and fourth plastic reinforcements are applied to also cover the corners.
- 64. A method of manufacturing reinforced data binder folders having extended useful service lives, which comprises:
- determining at least two critical areas of the folders which are prone to wear and tear; and
- applying separate plastic reinforcements upon or adjacent to at least two critical areas of the folder to form laminates therewith for increasing the strength and resistance of the folder to wear and tear;
- wherein the folder includes a rigid sheet of material having a score line that defines a spine portion and a backboard portion, the backboard portion being configured and dimensioned to support a stack of documents; and a holding mechanism secured to the spine portion;
- wherein a first plastic reinforcement in the form of a strip of plastic material is substantially completely disposed along the score line.
- 65. The method of claim 64, wherein the first plastic reinforcement is applied to cover both the score line and the spine and backboard portions adjacent the score line.
- 66. The method of claim 65, wherein the data binder further comprises spine corners, and wherein the first plastic reinforcement is applied to extend over the spine corners.
- 67. The method of claim 65, wherein the backboard portion comprises an edge opposite the score line, and which further comprises applying a second reinforcement in the form of a strip of plastic material substantially completely along the opposite edge.
- 68. The method of claim 67, wherein the backboard portion has inner and outer surfaces, wherein the second plastic reinforcement is applied to cover the opposite edge and adjacent inner and outer surfaces of the backboard portion.
- 69. The method of claim 68, wherein the opposite edge has corners, and wherein the second plastic reinforcement is applied to cover the corners.
- 70. A method for manufacturing reinforced slash pocket folders having extended useful service lives, which comprises:
- determining at least two critical areas of the folders which are prone to wear and tear; and
- applying separate plastic reinforcements upon or adjacent to at least two critical areas of the folder to form laminates therewith for increasing the strength and resistance of the folder to wear and tear;
- wherein the folder includes inner and outer sheets of flexible material secured to each other around their peripheral edges, the sheets having a score line which defines a front cover and a rear cover, the inner sheet of the front cover having a slash with ends defining a pocket and lip; and
- wherein a first plastic reinforcement in the form of a strip of plastic material is substantially completely disposed along the outer surface of the score line.
- 71. The method of claim 70, wherein the first plastic reinforcement covers the score line and portions of the front and rear covers adjacent the score line.
- 72. The method of claim 71, wherein the front and rear covers define a corner at the top and bottom of the score line, and wherein the first plastic reinforcement is applied to extend over the corners.
- 73. The method of claim 70, which further comprises applying a second plastic reinforcement on the inner sheet of the front cover adjacent the ends of the slash.
- 74. The method of claim 70, which further comprises applying a third reinforcement in the form of a strip of material along the lip of the pocket.
- 75. The method of claim 74, wherein the lip has inner and outer surfaces, and wherein the third reinforcement is a plastic film which covers the lip and the inner and outer surfaces of the folder adjacent the lip.
- 76. The method of claim 70, wherein the front and rear covers comprise edges opposite the score line, and which further comprises applying fourth and fifth reinforcements in the form of strips of plastic material along the opposite edges.
- 77. The method of claim 76, wherein the fourth and fifth reinforcements each is a plastic film which covers the opposite edges and adjacent inner and outer sheets of the front and rear covers, respectively.
- 78. The method of claim 77, wherein the opposite edges each have corners, and wherein the fourth and fifth plastic reinforcements are applied to cover the corners.
- 79. A method for manufacturing reinforced divider folders having extended useful service lives, which comprises:
- determining at least two critical areas of the folders which are prone to wear and tear; and
- applying separate plastic reinforcements upon or adjacent to at least two critical areas of the folder to form laminates therewith for increasing the strength and resistance of the folder to wear and tear;
- wherein the folder includes a rigid sheet of material having a score line that defines a flap portion and a backboard portion, the backboard portion having two holes therein that are aligned with two holes in the flap portion, the holes being configured and dimensioned to receive a holding mechanism therethrough; and a tab member integrally formed with an edge of the backboned portion that is opposite to the score line; and
- wherein a first plastic reinforcement in the form of a strip of plastic material is substantially completely disposed along the score line.
- 80. The method of claim 79, wherein the first plastic reinforcement covers the score line and portions of the flap and backboard adjacent the score line.
- 81. The method of claim 80, wherein the folder further comprises flap corners, and wherein the first plastic reinforcement extends onto the flap corners.
- 82. The method of claim 79, wherein the backboard portion has areas which surround the holes therein, and which further comprises applying a second reinforcement in the form of a plastic film which covers the areas surrounding the holes.
- 83. The method of claim 79, wherein the flap portion has areas which surround the holes therein, and which further comprises applying a third plastic reinforcement in the form of a plastic film which covers the areas surrounding the holes.
- 84. The method of claim 79, wherein the backboard portion comprises lower corners with inner and outer surfaces, and which further comprises applying a fourth reinforcement in the form of a plastic film on the inner and outer surfaces of the lower corners.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 769,001 filed Sep. 30, 1991, still pending which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 483,094 filed Feb. 21, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,045.
US Referenced Citations (83)
Foreign Referenced Citations (17)
Number |
Date |
Country |
563159 |
Dec 1957 |
BEX |
630978 |
Nov 1963 |
BEX |
1216486 |
Jan 1987 |
CAX |
0001167 |
Mar 1979 |
EPX |
891985 |
Oct 1953 |
DEX |
1236472 |
Mar 1967 |
DEX |
3009430 |
Sep 1981 |
DEX |
3047230 |
Jul 1982 |
DEX |
1463195 |
Nov 1966 |
FRX |
2278500 |
Feb 1976 |
FRX |
2300685 |
Sep 1976 |
FRX |
2477504 |
Sep 1981 |
FRX |
2623749 |
Jun 1989 |
FRX |
WO9003890 |
Apr 1990 |
WOX |
141053 |
Sep 1930 |
CHX |
926225 |
Jan 1935 |
GBX |
1123130 |
Aug 1968 |
GBX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (4)
Entry |
"WIMP?" Brochure, Smead Manufacturing Co. |
Quill's Semi-Annual Office Products Catalog of May, 1991, p. 62F. |
Smead Catalog No. 89, 1988, pp. 37, 38. |
Ames Color-File Media Products and Accessories Catalog, 1991, pp. 2,3 6, 12, 34. |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
483094 |
Feb 1990 |
|
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
769001 |
Sep 1991 |
|