US3736680A

US3736680A - Microfilm holder

Info

Publication number: US3736680A
Application number: US00077582A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Dahl
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-10-02
Filing date: 1970-10-02
Publication date: 1973-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-05

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to microfiche types of microfilm strip holders and more particularly to microfilm strip holders adapted for use in a fanning type magnetic file tray system. An embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings comprises front and rear rectangular panels of transparent and flexible synthetic plastic material, commonly referred to as a microfiche master, which provides a plurality of horizontal pockets for receiving microfilm strips. At least one of these pockets has mounted therein a magnetic strip, the opposite extremities of which terminate adjacent the vertical edge portions of the microfiche master or holder in position for cooperation with the magnets of a filing tray, to effect fanning apart of the upper margins of a predetermined group of holders.

Description

United States Patent 1 DahLJr.

[ 1 June5,1973

[22] Filed:

l 5 MICROFILM HOLDER [76] Inventor: Ernest A. Dahl, Jr., 729 Greenwood Avenue, Wilmette, [11.60091 Oct. 2, 1970 [21] Appl. No: 77,582

[52] U.S. CL. ..40/l05.5, 40/159 [51] Int. Cl G09f 7/10 [58] Field of Search ..40/159, 105.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3 238,655 3/1966 Engelstein ..40/159 3,553,439 l/l97l Dorman 3,363,631 l/l968 Dahl, Jr....;..

2,722,936 11/1955 Mathiesen...

2,762,373 9/1956 Rosenberg ..40/l05.5

Primary Examiner--Robert W. Michell Assistant ExaminerJ. H. Wolff Attorney-Olson, Trexler, Wolters & Bushnell [57] ABSTRACT The present invention relates generally to microfiche types of microfilm strip holders and more particularly to microfilm strip holders adapted for use in a fanning type magnetic file tray system. An embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings comprises front and rear rectangular panels of transparent and flexible synthetic plastic material, commonly referred to as a microfiche master, which provides a plurality of horizontal pockets for receiving microfilm strips. At least one of these pockets has mounted therein a magnetic strip, the opposite extremities of which terminate adjacent the vertical edge portions of the microfiche master or holder in position for cooperation with the magnets of a filing tray, to effect fanning apart of the upper margins of a predetermined group of holders.

2 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 5 I975 3.736580 SHEET 3 BF 3 I MICROFILM HOLDER SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates the provision of a novel and practical microfiche type of microfilm strip holder particularly adapted for use in a fanning mag netic filing tray system and to novel and practical methods of production.

One of the problems incident to the manufacture of microfilm strip holders of the type adapted for use with magnet equipped filing trays is that of associating magnetic strip material between the front and rear rectangular panels of the holder. It has heretofore been the practice in the manufacture of such holders to longitudinally feed adhesively treated spacer strip material be tween transparent flexible synthetic plastic material fed from supply rolls. The present invention contemplates methods whereby magnetic strip material may be positioned between the synthetic plastic sheets contemporaneously with the association therewith of the abovementioned spacer strips.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide microfilm strip holders of the type referred to above wherein the magnetic strip stock may be in the form of continuous strip material or in the form of individual magnetic strip sections positioned within opposite extremities of a holder pocket.

The present invention also contemplates a microfilm strip holder as set forth above wherein the magnetic strip material may function as a panel spacer as well as means for effecting the fanning apart of the upper margins of a predetermined group of holders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS I The foregoing, and other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a microfiche master or holder for microfilm strips, the second pocket from the top of the holder. having magnetic strip means associated therewith;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a group of microfilm holders as seen from the right of FIG. 1, the holders being mounted within a magnet equipped filing tray;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the right extremity of the microfilm strip holder of FIG. 1, disclosing the manner in which a microfilm strip, as well as applicant's magnetic strip, may be manually inserted within a holder pocket;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a magnetic strip wherein the intermediate bottom portion is relatively narrow so as to function as a spacer strip, and integrally joins spaced magnetic plate members;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of a modified form of a magnetic strip wherein said intermediate portion connects medial portions of the magnetic plate members;

FIG. 7 is a semidiagrammatic perspective view illustrating in general the manner in which magnetic strips contemplated by the present invention may be longitudinally fed from a supply roll thereof into secured position between plastic sheet material;

FIG. s is a plan view illustrating the manner in which the panel material and parts assembled therewith may be transversely severed;

FIG. 9 diagrammatically illustrates the manner in which transverse severance illustrated in FIG. 8 may be accomplished;

FIG. w is a diagrannnatic illustration of the manner in which individual magnetic strip sections may be fed in proper spaced relation and adhered to the inner surfaces ot the plastic sheet stock;

FIG. Ill is a fragmentary diagrammatic view in plan of the arrangement disclosed in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view to illustrate the manner in which the plastic stock and parts associated therewith may be severed at predetermined intervals.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings more in detail, wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be seen that a microfiche master or microfilm holder of the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 14. The microfilm strip holder 14 comprises a front rectangular panel 16 of transparent plastic material and a superimposing rear transparent panel 18. Spacer strips 20 adhere to the inner surfaces of the panels or sheets 16 and I8, and cooperate therewith to present a plurality of horizontally disposed pockets 22. The upper margins of the

panels

16 and 18 are extended to provide a title or other. identifying strip 24.

The pockets 22 are adapted to telescopically accommodate microfilm strips 26. To facilitate initial insertion of the microfilm strips 26,.the front panel 16 is provided with a series of slots 28. The second pocket 22 from the top of the holder 14 accommodates a magnetic strip designated generally by the numeral 30 in a manner later to be described. The strip 30 may be in the nature of an extremely thin magnetic metal sheet. The magnetic strip 30 includes a pair of laterally spaced plate sections 32 integrally joined by an intermediate narrow section 34. The section 34 has a width similar to the width of the spacerstrips 20. Thus it will be apparent from FIG. 1 that when the magnetic strip 30 is properly mounted within the holder 14, the narrow intermediate portion 34 will function as a spacer strip for the

panels

16 and 18, similar to the previously mentioned elongate spacer strips 20.

One of the distinct advantages of employing a magnetic strip having the structural characteristics of the strip 30 is that it may be assembled with the panel members 16 and I8 in the same manner as the spacer strips 20 are assembled with the panels. FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates the manner in which both the spacer strips 20 and the magnetic strips 30 may be assembled between a pair of transparent panel sheets. The

transparent panel sheets

16 and 18 may be fed from supply rolls Ida and 18a respectively to guide

rollers

36 and 38. Spacer strips 20 may be fed from supply rolls 20a over guide rollers 40, and then beneath an ad hesive applying device 42. From this point the spacer strips 20 are directed longitudinally over a second adhesive applying device, and ultimately between the

sheets

16 and 18. During this strip feeding operation a continuous magnetic strip having a series of configurations conforming with the magnetic strip 30 is fed from a supply roll 3% over the guide roll 40, and then beneath the adhesive supplying device 42. It will be apparent from FIG. 7 that no adhesive is applied by the device 44 to the underside of the strip sections 32. Hence, as the series of connected magnetic strips 30 are fed between the

panel sheets

16 and 18, only the upper surface of the laterally spaced magnetic strip sections 32 will be adhered to the underside of the transparent sheet material 16. It will be understood, however, that both sides of the intermediate strip sections 34 will be adhesively treated and therefore subsequently adhered to the

panel sheets

16 and 18.

Suitable severing means 46 may be employed to transversely sever the associated panel members, spacer strips and magnetic strips along the dot-anddash lines 48 indicated in FIG. 8. A magnetic strip 30b of modified form is illustrated in FIG. 6. This magnetic strip includes a pair of laterally spaced plate sections 32b joined integrally with an intermediate narrow strip section 34b. By having the narrow connecting intermediate section 34b of the magnetic strip 30b positioned along the lower margin thereof, an area is provided between the plate section 32b which will accommodate a strip of microfilm slightly shorter than the previously mentioned film strips 26. The presence of the connecting narrow strip section 34b of the magnetic strip 30b will prevent the insertion of the aforesaid shorter microfilm strip between the magnetic plate sections 32b. However, the strip 30b, unlike the strip 30, may be manually inserted within the panel pocket if desired. The microfilm strip positioned between the plate sections 32 of the magnetic strip 30 is designated by the numeral 50, FIGS. 1 and 4.

The previously described method of assembling the spacer strips 20 and the magnetic strips 30 and 30b between the

rectangular panel sheets

16 and 18 contemplates feeding the magnetic material in strip form from a supply roll. In FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, a method is disclosed for feeding individual thin magnetic plates 30c to the panel sheet material, as distinguished from the previously mentioned strips 30 and 30b. FIG. is a diagrammatic representation of means for applying the individual magnetic plate sections 320 from a stack thereof in a housing 52. A rotatable plate carrier member 54 is adapted to grip individual plate sections 320 from the lower extremity of a stack thereof by suction. The rotary plate holder 54 incorporates

channels

56 and 58 which communicate with

apertures

60 and 62 respectively formed in the periphery of the member 54. Thus, for example, when passage 56 is in the upper position shown in FIG. 10, suction is applied from a suitable source (not shown) and this causes the lowermost magnetic plate 32c to be drawn into a peripheral recess. As the member 54 rotates in a counterclockwise direction the withdrawn plate member 32c is moved into contact with a suitable adhesive applying device 64, and as the withdrawn plate 320 reaches the lower position, 180 from the above-mentioned-position, air under pressure is forced into the passage 56, thereby causing the plate member to be discharged from the rotary member 54 and urged into adhesive contact with the upper surface of a transparent sheet 180, corresponding with the previously mentioned panel sheet 18. The sheet 18c is withdrawn from a suitable roll supply over a guide roller 38c. Spacer strips c corresponding with the previously mentioned spacer strips 20 will have been previously withdrawn from a supply roll and fed beneath and above adhesive applying mechanisms as previously described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the panel sheet 180 moves horizontally with the spacer strips 200 adhered thereto. As previously indicated, when the magnetic plate section 320 reaches the lowermost position on the roller 54, air pressure within the passageway or channel 56 causes the magnetic plate to be urged into adhesive attachment to the upper surface of the transparent sheet 18c. As the magnetic sheet 320 is thus being applied to the upper surface of the plastic sheet 18c, another plate member is contemporaneously being removed by suction from the bottom of the stack in the housing 52. Hence as one magnetic plate is being adhesively applied to the panel sheet 18, another plate is being withdrawn from the bottom of the stack into the oppositely disposed peripheral recess in the rotary member 54. Suitable valve means 66 (FIG. 11) may be employed to timingly control the air suction and air pressure condi tions within the

passageways

56 and 58.

The panel sheet 18c with the magnetic plate member 320 applied thereto is advanced beneath the panel sheet guided by a roller 360. From this point the combined panel sheets 16c, 18c, spacer strips 20c, and the spaced magnetic plate members 32c are fed to a severing station designated generally by the numeral 460. At this station severance is made along the dotand-dash lines 480, indicated in FIG. 12. The diameter of the rotary plate feed member 54 will be determined by the desired degree of spacing of the magnetic plate sections or members 32c.

In FIG. 3, microfiche masters or holders 14 are shown in association with a filing tray designated generally by the numeral 68. This tray includes a bottom section 70, and oppositely inclined end walls 72 and 74. Adjacently traversing the opposite vertical edges of the microfilm holders 14 are horizontally disposed magnets, FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. FIG. 3 also discloses handle 4

members

78 and 80, traversing opposite extremities of the tray 72. The magnets 76 cooperate with the magnetic strip means supported by the transparent panel members to facilitate farming of the upper margins of the holders as shown in FIG. 3. By merely urging a portion of the upper margins of the holders 14 in one direction and another portion in the opposite direction, the desired fanning effect is obtained. In other words, the magnetic means or strips mounted in the second pocket from the top of each holder magnetically repel each other and thus cause fanning or lateral separation thereof. I

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention contemplates a novel and very practical holder or microfiche master which may be used in association with magnet equipped filing trays. It will be equally apparent that the present invention also contemplates improved, practical methods whereby magnetic strips, plates and the like may be assembled with transparent holder panels equipped with conventional spacer strips. Obviously the thickness of the magnetic strip material, such as the magnetic elements 30 and 30c must be such as to permit the telescopic association of microfilm strips within the holder pockets containing these elements. The width of these elements may also be dictated by the space required to accommodate the microfilm strips. As previously indicated, the magnetic strips 30b may be inserted within the pocket of a conventional holder or automatically fed into position between the transparent panel sheets by practicing the above-described methods.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A microfilm strip holder adapted for use in a fanning magnetic filing tray system, said holder comprising two substantially rectangular panels of relatively thin,

transparent plastic sheet material, elongate spacer strips secured between said panels providing a plurality of vertically disposed horizontally extending elongate pockets presenting open extremities at one end thereof for receiving microfilm strips, and one piece magnetic strip within at least one of said pockets and including a narrow strip section of a width conforming substantially with the width of said spacer strips and adhesively secured to both adjacent panels and terminating in plate-like sections each of a width substantially equal to the width of the pocket in which it is enclosed and being located adjacent opposite extremities of the enclosing pocket in position for cooperation with a complementary rnagnetequipped filing tray, to effect fanning apart of the upper margins of a group of such holders in a complementary magnet-equipped tray.

2. A microfilm strip holder adapted for use in a fanning magnetic filing tray system, said holder comprising two substantially rectangular panels of relatively thin, v transparent plastic sheet material, elongate spacer tions of substantially the width of the enclosing pocket and adhered to one adjacent panel leaving the open extremity thereof accessible to receive a microfilm strip of a length to be exposedbetween the plate-like sec tions which are in position for cooperation with a complementary magnet equipped filing tray, to effect fanning apart of the upper margins of a group of such hold ers in a magnet-equipped tray.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,736,680 Dated June 5 1973 lnventofls) Ernest A. Dahl, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The term of this patent subsequent to Dec. 12, 1989, has been disclaimed.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of April 1375.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. IIARSI-ZALL DANE RUTH C. I'IASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P09 u.s. GOVERNMENT rnumuc orncs: a 93

Claims

1. A microfilm strip holder adapted for use in a fanning magnetic filing tray system, said holder comprising two substantially rectangular panels of relatively thin, transparent plastic sheet material, elongate spacer strips secured between said panels providing a plurality of vertically disposed horizontally extending elongate pockets presenting open extremities at one end thereof for receiving microfilm strips, and one piece magnetic strip within at least one of said pockets and including a narrow strip section of a width conforming substantially with the width of said spacer strips and adhesively secured to both adjacent panels and terminating in plate-like sections each of a width substantially equal to the width of the pocket in which it is enclosed and being located adjacent opposite extreMities of the enclosing pocket in position for cooperation with a complementary magnetequipped filing tray, to effect fanning apart of the upper margins of a group of such holders in a complementary magnet-equipped tray.

2. A microfilm strip holder adapted for use in a fanning magnetic filing tray system, said holder comprising two substantially rectangular panels of relatively thin, transparent plastic sheet material, elongate spacer strips secured between said panels providing a plurality of vertically disposed horizontally extending elongate pockets presenting open extremities at one end thereof for receiving microfilm strips, and magnetic strip means within at least one of said pockets and including a narrow strip section of substantially the width of a spacer strip to serve as such in the enclosing pocket and terminating in the lower margins of plate-like end sections of substantially the width of the enclosing pocket and adhered to one adjacent panel leaving the open extremity thereof accessible to receive a microfilm strip of a length to be exposed between the plate-like sections which are in position for cooperation with a complementary magnet-equipped filing tray, to effect fanning apart of the upper margins of a group of such holders in a magnet-equipped tray.