GB2303334A

GB2303334A - Multiple-compartment suspended file with L-shaped separators

Info

Publication number: GB2303334A
Application number: GB9516691A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jacques Treillet
Original assignee: Treillet SA J
Current assignee: Treillet SA J
Priority date: 1995-07-10
Filing date: 1995-08-15
Publication date: 1997-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 2015-08-15
Also published as: FR2736588A1; GB2303334B; GB9516691D0

Description

A MULTIPLE-COMPARTMENT SUSPENDED FILE The present invention relates to a suspended file having multiple compartments.

Most suspended files are constituted by a folder made of card or of plastics material and comprising two flaps united in a V-shape or via a reinforced flat bottom. The top edge of each flap is fitted with a suspension bar and each end thereof projects beyond the side edges of the corresponding flap, and is hook-shaped so that the file can be suspended from two parallel rails.

Suspended files for placing in cupboard-like cabinets are accessed from one side, whereas those received in a drawer are accessed from above.

In order to achieve finer classification, it is sometimes necessary to subdivide the space inside a suspended file in order to classify the documents concerned. To this end, it is known to place separator walls or elements between the flaps of the folder to subdivide the space inside the folder into a plurality of compartments, each dedicated to some given classification. Usually, the intermediate walls are fixed via their bottom edges to the fold line of the folder (see, for example, document FR-A-2 621 865). It is also known to provide two bellows-type side walls uniting the intermediate walls via their side edges (see, for example, document FR-A-2 653 709).

However, in both cases, the inside volume in each compartment is limited by the total inside volume of the folder. In addition, hen the folder is filled with a large quantity of documents, the documents are pressed together at their bottom edges by the bottom edge of the folder which, since it is folded in a V-shape, tapers downwards.

An object of the invention is to provide a multiplecompartment suspended file of a structure that provides a significant saving of material and a considerable reduction of bulk compared with existing files.

The present invention provides a multiplecompartment suspended file comprising an outer folder having top edges fitted with suspension bars having hooks, and at least one intermediate element subdividing the inside space of the folder into a plurality of compartments, in which the outer folder has a U-shaped cross-section and comprises two flaps united at their bottoms by an enlarged base, and in which each of the intermediate elements has an L-shaped cross-section, comprising a main flap forming a separator wall whose top edge is fitted with a suspension bar having hooks, and a base that is fixed flat against the enlarged base of the outer folder.

The width of each compartment is thus increased without significantly complicating the structure of the file which remains particularly simple to manufacture, while nevertheless guaranteeing that the total weight to be supported is well distributed both over the flaps of the U-shaped outer folder and over the individual intermediate elements. In addition, a significant saving of material is obtained compared with existing files having the same number of compartments.

Advantageously, the outer folder and the intermediate elements are made of plastics material, and preferably of polypropylene.

Also advantageously, the base of each of the intermediate elements is fixed to the base of the outer folder by means of two lines of spot welds.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention appear on reading the following description of a particular and non-limiting embodiment given with reference to the sole figure of the accompanying drawing, which is a fragmentary perspective view of a multiple compartment suspended file of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a multiple-compartment suspended file D of the invention. The file D comprises an outer folder 1 having a U-shaped cross-section and including two flaps 3, 5 that are united at their bottom edges by an essentially plane enlarged base 7. The top edges of the flaps 3 and 5 are fitted with suspension bars 9. In conventional manner, each of the ends of the bars 9 projects beyond the corresponding side edge of the flap and is in the form of a hook 11 for suspending the folder 1 on two parallel rails 13, only one of which is represented by chain-dotted lines in Figure 1.

Intermediate elements 15, of which there are three in tis case, are disposed inside the folder 1 to subdivide the inside space of this folder into a plurality of compartments, in this case four compartments. Each intermediate element 15 has an Lshaped cross-section comprising a main flap 17 that forms a separator wall, and a base 19 that is fixed flat onto the enlarged base 7 of the outer folder 1.

Each of the separation walls 17 has a top edge fitted with a suspension bar 21 identical to the suspension bars 9 of the folder 1 and likewise possessing hook-shaped ends 23 for suspending the intermediate elements 17 on the above-mentioned rails 13.

In this case, the outer folder 1 and the intermediate elements 15 are all made of plastics material, and preferably of polypropylene. The base 19 of each intermediate element 15 is fixed to the base 17 of the outer folder 1, in this case by means of two lines of spot welds 25, thereby ensuring that each intermediate element is secured reliably even when one or both adjacent compartments is completely full.

It should be observed that there are no double walls for defining the compartments so there is no danger of a document slipping between two walls.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but on the contrary it extends to any variant using equivalent means to reproduce the essential characteristics specified above.

For example, although the base of each intermediate element in the above-described example is fixed to the base of the outer folder by means of two lines of spot welds, it is also possible to achieve such fixing by means of a single line of spot welds, or by any other means, e.g. merely gluing one face to another.

Similarly, although the outer folder and the intermediate elements in the example shown are all made of plastics material, it would also be possible to use some other material, and in particular card.

Finally, it should be understood that the number of compartments may vary. In practice, the optimum number of compartments in a structure of the kind described above lies in the range four to six.

Claims

1. A multiple-compartment suspended file comprising an outer folder having top edges fitted with suspension bars having hooks, and at least one intermediate element subdividing the inside space of the folder into a plurality of compartments, wherein the outer folder has a U-shaped cross-section and comprises two flaps united at their bottoms by an enlarged base, and wherein each of the intermediate elements has an L-shaped cross-section, comprising a main flap forming a separator wall whose top edge is fitted with a suspension bar having hooks and a base that is fixed flat against the enlarged base of the outer folder.

2. A suspended file according to Claim 1, wherein the outer folder and the intermediate elements are made of plastics material.

3. A suspended file as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the plastics material is polypropylene.

4. A suspended file according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base of each of the intermediate elements is fixed to the base of the outer folder bs means of two lines of spot welds.

5. A suspended file substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawing.