US3367340A - Backing strip-stud component for flexible folders - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 6, 1968 R. C. DAVID ET AL BACKING STRIP-STUD COMPONENT FOR FLEXIBLE FOLDERS Original Filed Aug 24, 1964 H 3 3 3 2 4 2 3 l 3 4 l\ 5 2 8 W 7 0 Z 2 Q m United States Patent G 3,367,340 BACKING STRIP-STUD COMPUNENT FUR FLEXIBLE FOLDERS Robert C. David, Deerfield, and Herbert Gratz, Elrnhurst, 11]., and Robert H. Miller, 5415 Grand Ave., Western Springs, 111. 60558; said David and said Gratz assignors to said Miller Continuation of application Ser. No. 391,685, Aug. 24, 1964. This application Mar. 16, 1967, Ser. No. 643,758 2 Claims. (Cl. 129--39.5)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A folder device having top, bottom and overlapping sections and a single backing strip which forms a spine member, the strip having at least one stud cast integral therewith, the stud being adapted to retain removable filler sheets.

This is a continuation application of Ser. No. 391,685 filed Aug. 24, 1964, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to folders having filler sheets therein and more particularly relates to an improvement in folders having fused cover sheets of one material and filler sheets of another material.

A number of folders presently available and used for retaining brochures, documents, advertising and the like, range from ring type units which are extremely bulky, to plastic carrying cases having heat sealed covers and filler sheets which are attached to the carrying case by a cumbersome, costly, mechanical fastening means that often times is visible to a person viewing the carrying case when it is in a closed or locked position. Thus, many of the conventional filler sheet folders on the market today are unsatisfactory because of their cost and/or unattractive appearance.

In order to obviate these deficiencies and to eliminate the need for employing tools presently required for installing or removing filler sheet fastening means, a compact assembly has been invented which not only enhances the overall appearance of the folder but additionally reduces the unit folder cost. This compact folder has been the subject of an application filled by Robert H. Miller, Apr. 7, 1964, SN. 358,018, now Patent No. 3,324,918. In the folder application referred to, an outer cover and inner cover, each preferably made of vinyl, are fused together with stiffener members encased within the covers to form a hard-back folder cover. Filler sheets made from a second material such as polyethylene or polyurethane, can be attached to the fused folder cover either by means of heat sealing or through the use of various fastener means.

In our present invention, we have discovered a new and novel improvement for attaching the filler sheets to the hard-back cover. In our improved folder, filler sheet retaining studs are preferably made integral with the folder backing strip to form a unitary component, the effect being that the filler sheets can be readily pressed onto the studs after which a plastic filler sheet retention strap is snapped onto the studs thus completing the folder assembly. With this improved folder, savings are not only effected due to a reduction in folder assembly time, but additionally the cost of the backing strip, retaining studs, and sheet retention strap are significantly reduced over elements presently utilized to attach filler sheets to the hard-back cover.

Moreover, our novel unitary backing strip-stud component and backing strap can be employed for use with a flap that is part of the hard-back cover. A card index folder such as disclosed and claimed in the Robert H. Miller application, Ser. No. 344,053, filed Feb. 11, 1964, now Patent No. 3,280,820, can be, if desired, attached to 3,367,340 Patented Feb. 6, 1968 the studs located on the cover flap to provide a folder having both filler sheets and card index holder.

Other features and advantages are inherent in the construction claimed and disclosed which will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detail description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 shows the folder in an open position without filler sheets and with a portion of the inner or lining cover removed. A portion of a retention strap is shown snapped onto the stud located on the backing strip;

FIGURE 2 shows the folder with the filler sheets inserted and a card index holder snapped onto studs extending outwardly from a flap on the folder cover;

FIGURE 3 shows an enlarged view of the retention stud as an integral part of a portion of a backing tab having a stud thereon, the integral backing tab and stud component being heat sealed to the inner cover of the flap shown in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 shows an enlarged fragmentary view of the integral stud backing strip component and the filler sheets and retention strap positioned relative to the retention stud, the stud shaped in a different embodiment than that shown in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 shows a retention button used in place of the retention strap.

In FIGURE 1, outer cover 10 has stiffener members 9 and 11 disposed thereon at selected locations. The stiifener members are generally made of multi-ply cardboard and serve to provide the folder with a study, flexible, hard-back cover. Positioned between stiffener members 11 is a backing strip or spine 12 which is preferably made of plastic material such as polyethylene; however, if desired, the backing strip could be made of other material. Integral with backing strip 12 are retaining studs 13, the unitary strip and stud component being conveniently made in a single mold injection operation. The studs are made of a material harder than the vinyl cover sheets, e.g., polyethylene. As viewed from FIGURES 3 and 4, studs 13 each have a neck portion 14 and a head portion 15', one end of neck portion 14 terminating as the lower end of head portion 15 while the remaining end of the neck portion terminates as part of attached strip 12 in FIGURE 4 and a flange as shown in FIGURE 3. In FIG- 'URE 3 flange 8 is sealed to tab 30.

With backing strip-stud component in position, an inner or lining cover 17 made of the same material as outer cover 10 and having apertures 18 located therein is laid over both stiifeners 9 and 11 and backing strip 12 with apertures 13 being inserted over head portion 15 of sheet retaining studs 13. Covers 10 and 17 are fused to each other at the outer edges as Well as along the edges of stiffeners 9 and 11 and backing strip 12, the sealing serving to retain the stiffener members and backing strip in their proper positions.

Filler sheets 20 having apertures 21 therein are inserted over head retention portion 15 of studs 13, the apertures 21 in the sheets and apertures 18 in inner cover 17 being smaller in diameter than the maximum diameter of the studs 13. The diameters of the apertures in the sheets 2% and inner cover 17 are smaller than at least part of the portion of the stud over which they are pulled during assembly such that the portion of the stud above the positioned sheets and cover 17 serves as a positive means for retaining the sheets and cover in position. (See FIG- URE 4.)

The folder assembly is completed when sheet retention strap 22 having apertures 23 is pressed over studs 13, the strap being frictionally retained in position by studs 13, the maximum diameter of the studs being slightly larger than the diameter of the apertures 23 in strap 22.

Strap 22 preferably made of vinyl with the edges surrounding both the strip and apertures 23 being heat sealed, is semi-flexible in that it can be bent along its longitudinal length but is sufficiently rigid to provide creasing edges along the marginal longitudinal edges of the strap for sheets 20 when the folder is in a closed position. Further, the filler sheets, inner cover and retention strap are all resilient enough that, in use, they can be stretched to fit over the head portion 15 of stud 13 where they then return to their normal dimensions and surround the reduced diameter of the neck or lower portion of the studs.

In addition to employing a novel backing strip and stud component for retaining the filler sheets and backing strap, we are also able to incorporate this type of component for use with a card index holder which can be attached to flap 25 which is part of the hard-back cover of the folder. A backing tab 30 having studs 31, shown in an enlarged view in FIGURE 3, is sealed between inner cover 17 and outer cover 10 on flap 25. A card index holder 32, with apertures 33 is then fastened to studs 31, the studs 31 each having a head and neck portion corresponding to studs 13. A retention component 34, corresponding to strap 23, can then be snapped onto the studs thus holding the index holder in position within the folder.

Although a retention strap has been employed in the instant application, it is appreciated the sheets could be made so that upon assembly they could be retained without the need for a retention member, the studs 13 serving as the sole means for holding the filler sheets and index holder in position. Also, instead of using a backing strap 22 to retain the filler sheets in position, other retention members such as retention button 26, preferably made of plastic, could be utilized for retaining filler sheets 20 in position.

The dimensions of the folder can vary as desired; however, we have found for a suitable application, the hardback cover in an open position as indicated in FIGURE 1 is about 24 inches long and about 11 /2 inches wide. The backing strip-stud component, formed from a polyethylene strip is about A; inch wide and about 11% inches long with the studs being approximately inch in height and spaced apart about 9 inches, center to center. Backing strap .22 is about 10 inches long and about /2 inch wide and has apertures which are also spaced about 9 inches apart, center to center.

The diameter, of the apertures in the inner cover and filler sheets is about inch whereas the maximum diameter of the stud, which is located at that end of neck portion 14 which terminates as an end of head portion 15, is about W inch while the minimum diameter of the neck portion is about & inch. The diameter of the apertures in retention strap 22 is also about /32 inch such that it will provide a tight fit for the strap when positioned with respect to stud 13.

Instead of using backing strip 12 having stud 13 formed integrally therewith, a cardboard or metal backing strip may be used and the stud 13 may be fused to either the inner cover 17 or the outer cover 10.

The foregoing description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A folder adaptable for having filler sheets removably afl-ixed thereto, said folder comprising:

an outer cover made of a first material;

an inner cover made of said first material;

spaced stiffener members disposed between said inner and outer covers;

said inner and outer covers being sealed together along the corresponding marginal edges of said covers and along the edges of said stiffener members whereby a top section, a bottom section and an overlapping section are formed;

a single backing strip disposed between and immediately adjacent said inner and outer covers and positioned between and in spaced relation to said stiffener members forming said top and bottom sections;

said backing strip having at least one retaining stud cast integral therewith to form a unitary strip and stud member, whereby said strip forms a spine for filler sheets and said stud projects through and upward from said inner cover;

said stud having a neck portion rigid with said strip and a blunt head portion positioned on said neck portion, said head portion having a larger diameter than said neck portion;

a plurality of plastic filler sheets each having at least one aperture about the mid portion thereof, said filler sheets being removably attached to said stud at the location of said aperture which is placed in registry upon said stud; and,

a retention member having substantially the same width as said backing strip, said retention member being formed of a semi-flexible material and having at least one aperture therein for registry with said apertures of said filler sheets and suitable for accommodating said stud whereby said filler sheets are retained in position by said retention member.

2. A folder in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second covers are made of vinyl and said backing strip is made of polyethylene.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 281,682 7/1883 Gibbs 28l16 1,117,609 11/1914 Smith 281-16 2,136,186 11/1938 Frost 281--19 2,486,330 10/1949 Schade 281-29 2,727,550 12/1955 Montessi 129-395 X 2,888,055 5/1959 Dingman. 3,159,411 12/1964 McKowen 281-36 X 3,167,328 1/1965 Dengle et al. 28136 X FOREIGN PATENTS 220,340 8/ 1957 Australia.

27,440 1913 Great Britain. 812,971 2/ 1937 France.

0 JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner.

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