GB2422352A

GB2422352A - Box file

Info

Publication number: GB2422352A
Application number: GB0501178A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arthur Maddox; Gerry Shawcross
Original assignee: Shawcross & Dickinson Ltd
Current assignee: Shawcross & Dickinson Ltd
Priority date: 2005-01-20
Filing date: 2005-01-20
Publication date: 2006-07-26
Also published as: GB0501178D0

Abstract

A box file for the philatelic market having a first part (20) for forming a receptacle for receiving papers and a second part (40) for forming a lid, the first and second parts being constructed such that the second part can overlap the upper edges of the receptacle, the first part having a hinged flap (25).

Description

Title Box File

DESCRiPTION

The present invention relates to an improved box file, particularly but not exclusively a box file for the phulatelie market Box files for the storage of documents are known in the art. Normally, the box file comprises a main storage section having a base panel with four upstanding side walls and a lid section which is hingedly mounted with respect to a leading edge of a side wall to allow opening and closing of the file. A catch may be provided to fasten the front section to the opposing side wall in the closed configuration.

Additionally, a suitable mechanism is attached to the inside of the file for holding the documents in position, such as a sprung lever or filing clips.

Whilst the aforementioned box file is entirely acceptable for the storage of non-valuable papers, utis not suitable for the storage of stamps or other archival papers that must be kept in prime condition. The box file allows dust to enter the interior thereof and the internal fastenings may damage the articles. Furthermore, the materials of the box file gradually attack the articles overtime. There is a need to provide a box file that does not cause damage to the documents stored therein.

It is object of the preseiit invention to provide an alternative box file, particularly but not exclusively for the storage of stamps or other archival papers, that aims to overcome, or at least alleviate the abovementioncd drawbacks.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a box file compnsing a first part for forming a receptacle and a second part for forming a lid, the first and second part being constructed such that the second part can overlap the upper edges of the receptacle, the first part having a hinged flap.

More preferably, the first part of the box file comprises a rectangular main body-forming panel having side walls extending from each edge thereof wherein three side walls are secured together substantially at nght angles to each other and a fourth side wall is secured only to the main body-forming panel to form the hinged flap and the second part compnses a rectangular main body-forming panel having one edge hingedly mounted to the side wall of the first part opposing the hinged flap and three side walls extending from each of the other edges of the panel that are secured together substantially at nght angles to each other but are not secured to the first part.

The first and second parts are dimensioned such that the side walls of the second part overlap the side walLs of the first part (or vice versa) to entirely enclose at least the upper edges of the first or second part thereby providing a dust-free environment within the intenor of the box file In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side walls of both the first and second parts are substantially it! entical in theiT dimensions but the main body forming panel of the second part is slightly larger than the main body formtng panel of the first part. Preferably, the main body forming panel of the second part is larger than that of the first part by approximately the breadth of the side walls of' the first part.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the height of the side walls (i e the distance between the edge of the side wall that is connected to the main body-forming panel and parallel free edge of the wall) of the second part may be less than the height of the corresponding side wall of the first part, so long as the top of the first part is surrounded by the second part to form a dust-free environment within the box file.

The side walls of the first part may be indented whereby the leading edge of the side walls of the second part abut a ledge formed by the indent when the box file is in the closed configuration or vice versa. Preferably, the ledge extends diagonally across the side wall. In such an embodiment, the breadth of the side walls of the second part is substantially the same as the breadth of the ledge The aforementioned construction enables the intenor of the box file to be closed to the environment without the need for any external or internal fastenings.

Preferably, a tab is provided to assist iii pulling apart the two parts from the closed configuration to the open configuration. Preferably, the tab is provided on the hinged hap.

Thc box file is preferably formed from separate pieces of matenal which are joined together by suitable means, such as adhesive Hinge pieces may be provided between the appropnate pieces The main body forming panels are preferably formed of cardboard and the side walls are preferably formed of chipboard. All pieces should be covered externally with a matenal that is preferably acid-free, water-repellent and water-resistant, such as the acid-free resin sold under the trade name Buckram. l'he inner sides of the box-file are preferably lined with an acid-free paper, such as Cropper's paper.

The box file may be assembled from a suitably constructed blank.

Whilst papers may be simply placed within the box file, it is preferably to include means for keeping any papers upnght within the file but which cannot cause aiiy damage to the papers In a preferred embodiment, at least one layer of foam is provided within the interior of the box file. Preferably, the foam is acid-free.

Preferably, the foam insert is dimensioned to fit snugly within the box file.

Itis to be appreciated that the pieces may be provided as a kit of pans for forming a box file.

Thc external surface of the side wall of the first part that forms the spine of the box file may be constructed to have the appearance of an antique book. The spine is preferably formed as a moulding. The moulding may be detachable from the side wall, for example by means of a clip or screw mechanism. Preferably, the spine is extruded plastic which is lightweight but durable. Gold leaf or brushing may be applied to the plastic which may then be covered with a suitable lacquer. More preferably, a recess is provided between the side wall of the first part and at least one end of the spine to enable easy removal of the box file from a bookshelf For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be earned into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective front view of an open box file according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective rear view of the box file of Figure 1, shown in between the open and closed configuration; Figure 3 is an end perspective view of the closed box file of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of an insert for a box file according to the present invention; Figure 5 isa perspective front view of an open box file according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 is an exploded view showing the individual parts of the box file shown in Figure 5.

Figures 1 to 3 of the accoinpwiying drawings illustrate one embodiment of a box file according to the present invention. A box file comprises a first part 20 for receiving papers and a second part 40 for forming a lid. The first part has a rectangular main body-fonning panel 21 with three side walls 22, 23, 24 extendrng substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The side walls 22 and 24 are adhered to side wall 23 to form erect sides. A fourth side wall 25 extends from a side edge of the main body forming panel but is not secured to the adjacent side walls thereby forming a hinged flap Side walls 22, 24 have an indented region extending diagonally across the upper half of the wall to form a ledge 27.

The second part 20 of the box file also has a rectangular main bodyforming panel 41 having an edge 4le that is hingedly connected to the side wall 23 of the first part opposite the hinged flap 25. The other edges of the panel are provided with side walls 42,44,45 that are secured together substantially at right angles to each other but which are not connected to the first part 20. The front side wall 45 is rectangular but the adjacent walls 42,44 are tnangular. The first and second parts are dimensioned such that the side walls of the second part overlap the side walls of the first part to entirely enclose the upper edges of the first part when the box is closed (see Figure 3) thereby providing a dust-free environment within the interior of the box file. The edges of the triangular side walls 42,44 abut the ledge 27 in the closed box The box file is formed from separate pieces of matenal which are joined together by suitable means, such as adhesive. The adhesive must be acid-free to ensure that is does not attack the contents of the box. lunge pieces may be provided between the appropriate pieces (see Figure 6) The main body forming panels are formed of cardboard and the side walls are formed of ehipboard. All pieces are covered externally with a matenal that is acid-free, water-repellent and water- resistant, such as the acid-free resin sold under the trade name Buckram. The inner sides of the box-lile are lined with an acid-free paper, such as Cropper's paper. This ensures that the matenal of the box file do not attack the content of the box whilst the particular construction of the box prevents dust and other pollutants entering the box which could damage the contents.

The hinged flap 25 may be provided with a tab (not shown) for assisting in the opening of the box file.

The construction of the box file is such that no external or internal flistenings need to be used which may damage the contents of the box. Furthermore, means may be provided for keeping any papers upright within the box. It is desirable to provide a box file that does not have any mechanical fastenings for filing of the papers.

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a foam insert is provided for keeping the papers upnght. Again, the foam insert should be acid-free.

Ideally, at least two foam inserts 80 are provided wherein the papers can be held between the inserts (see Figure 4) In order to improve the appearance of the box file, an antique-effect spine 60 may be attached to the outer side wall 23 of the box file. The spine may be from extruded plastic having gold leaf or brushing applied to the spine to provide an antique effect. Itis preferable to provide a gap 61 between the side wall and the spine at one or both cnds of the side wall to assist in removing thc box file from a shelf: Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention Identical features to those shown in Figures 1 to 3 are given the same reference numerals and only the differences will be discussed in detail The box file again compnses a first part 20 and a second part 40 as hereinbefore described but each of the side walls 42', 44', 45' of the second part are rectangular and dimensioned to overlap the entire area of the corresponding parts 22'.

24', 25' of the first part. In this embodiment, the side walls 22', 24' of the first part are not provided with an indent across the outer surface thereof Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings illustrates the component parts that make up the box file of Figures The side walls and main-body forming panels are connected together by means of adhesive and hinge pieces 100 are provided between the side wall 23 of the first part and main body-forming panel 41 of the second part and between the flap 25 and the main body-forming panel 21 of the first part. The pieces that are on the outside of the box file are covered in an acid- free, waterrepellent, water-resistant material which is cut to an appropriate size and shape (indicated by the reference numeral 50 in Figure 5). A pull tab 90 is secured between the covering material 50 and the flap 25

Claims

A box file compnsing a first pan for fonmng a receptacle and a second pan for fonuing a lid, the first and second part being constructed such that the second part can overlap the upper edges of the receptacle, the first pad having a hinged flap.

2. A box file as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first part compnses a rectangular main body-forming panel having side walls extending from each edge thereof wherein three side walls are secured together substantially at nght angles to each other and a fourth side wall is secured only to the marn body-forming panel to form the hinged flap and the second pad compnses a rectangular main body-forming panel having one edge liingcdly mounted to the side wall of the first part opposing the hinged flap and three side walls extending from each of the other edges of the panel that are secured together substantially at nght angles to each other but that are not secured to the first part.

3 A box file as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first and second parts are dimensioned such that the side walls of the second part overlap the side walls of the first part to entirely enclose at least the upper edges of the first part.

4. A box file as claimed in claim 2 wherein the side waLls of both the Iirst and second parts are substantially identical in their dimensions but the main body-forming panel of the second part is slightly larger than the main body forming panel of the first panel.

A box file as claimed in claim 3 wherein the main body-forming panel of the second part is larger than that of the first part by approximately the breadth of the side walls of the first part 6. A box file as claimed in claim 2 wherein the height of the side walls (i e.

the distance between the edge of the side wall connected to the main bodyforming panel and the free edge of the wall) of the second part is less than the height of the corresponding side wall of the first part 7 A box file as claimed in claim 2 wherein the side walls of the first or second part are provided with an indent to form a ledge across the wall for abutment with the leading edge of the corresponding side wall of the second or first part in the closed box.

8. A box file as claimed in claim 6 wherein the ledge extends diagonally across the side wall.

9. A box file as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 whcrein the breadth of the corresponding side wall of the second or first part is substantially the same as the breadth of the ledge.

10. A box file as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a tab is provided on the hinged flap.

11 A box file as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein all external parts of the file are covered with a material that is acid-free, water-repellent and/or water-resistant.

12 A box file as claimed in claim 10 covered with BukrumrM.

13. A box file as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the interior of the box is lined with an acid-free paper 14. A box file as claimed in claim 12 wherein the paper is Cropper's paper 15. A box file as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising at least one foam insert within the box.

16 A box file as claimed in claim 14 wherein the insert is acid-free.

17. A box file as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the foam insert is dimensioned to fit snugly within the box file.

18 A box file as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 16 wherein the external surface of the side wall of the first part that forms the spine of the box file is constructed to have the appcarance of an antique book.

19. A box file as claimed in claim 17 wherein the antique spine is formed as a separate moulding for attachment to the side wall.

20. A box file as cLaimed in claim 18 wherein a recess is provided between the side wall of the first part and at least one cud of the spine moulding.

21 A box file substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures I to 3, Figure 4 or Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.