Desktop printable file folder blank and filing system

• US 6,969,092 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2003
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: MacWilliams, Steve C., Calkins, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks, Derris H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HENDERSON, MARK T
• Application Number:
  US10/602,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20040051296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 283/36, 283/39, 283/41, 283/45, 116/319, 116/327, 403/59, 406/41, 270/58.32, 281/29, 281/31, 281/38, 281/45, 281/51
• US Class Current: 283/36
• CPC Class Codes: B42F 21/00 Indexing means; Indexing tabs or protectors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B42F 21/02 Tabs integral with sheets, papers, cards, or suspension files
• CPC Class Codes: B42F 7/02 Filing appliances comprising only one pocket or compartment, e.g. single gussetted pockets

Abstract

A file folder blank can be folded to form a file folder. The file folder blank is designed for single side printing. The file folder blank can be folded to reveal printed indicia to two directions of a single panel. The printed indicia can be printed by a standard desktop type of printer. The printed indicia can include graphics, location indicator, content indicators, pictures, graphs or the like. In addition, top taps or side tabs are integrally formed with the file folder blank that can be printed with identifying indicia. In some applications, the identifying indicia comprises a repeating set of color bars that can be individualized during printing of the folder blank.

Claims

1. A folder blank for a continuous-feed printer folder system, comprising:

a plurality of alternatingly sequentially connected first panels and second panels, said first panels being detachably connected to said second panels in pairs, so that when a first and second panel are detached from the plurality of first panels and second panels, said first and second panels are connected and are capable of being folded to form a folder sized to hold documents of the type ordinarily found in a business office,

said first panel comprising an elongated tab extending at east partially along one side of said folder blank,

said tab comprising a length, a width and an edge surface that extends along said length of said tab, said tab being foldable along a first fold line extending along the length of said tab and extending parallel to said one side of said folder blank, whereby when said tab is folded along said first fold line any identifying indicia which may be printed on the tab on one side of said first fold line can be seen from a front of the folder and any identifying indicia which may be printed on the tab on the other side of said first fold line can be seen from a back of the folder,

said second panel including an elongated portion extending at least partially along said one side of said folder blank,

said elongated portion comprising a length, a width and an edge surface that extends along said length of said elongated portion, said elongated portion being foldable along a second fold line extending along the length of said elongated portion and extending parallel to said one side of said folder blank, whereby when said elongated portion is folded along said second fold line said elongated portion reinforces at least a portion of said second panel.

2. The blank of claim 1, wherein said identifying indicia comprises a repeating pattern of a plurality of color bars.

3. The blank of claim 2, wherein said plurality of color bars comprises bars of four colors and said pattern repeats four times.

4. The blank of claim 2, wherein said folder blank has a first color and said first color forms one bar of said plurality of color bars.

5. The blank of claim 2, wherein said plurality of color bars are monochromatic.

6. A folder blank for a continuous-feed printer folder system, comprising:

a plurality of alternatingly sequentially connected first panels and second panels, said first panels being detachably connected to said second panels in pairs, so that when a first and second panel are detached from the plurality of first panels and second panels, said first and second panels are connected and are capable of being folded to form a folder sized to hold documents of the type ordinarily found in a business office,

said first panel comprising an elongated tab extending at least partially along one side of said folder blank,

said tab comprising a length, a width and an edge surface that extends along said length of said tab, said tab being foldable along a first fold line extending along the length of said tab and extending parallel to said one side of said folder blank, whereby when said tab is folded along said first fold line any identifying indicia which may be printed on the tab on one side of said first fold line can be seen from a front of the folder and any identifying indicia which may be printed on the tab on the other side of said first fold line can be seen from a back of the folder,

said second panel including an elongated portion extending at least partially along said one side of said folder blank,

said elongated portion comprising a length, a width and an edge surface that extends along said length of said elongated portion, said elongated portion being foldable along a second fold line extending along the length of said elongated portion and extending parallel to said one side of said folder blank, whereby when said elongated portion is folded along said second fold line said elongated portion reinforces at least a portion of said second panel,

a first set of printer-feed elements along said one side of said folder blank; and

a second set of printer-feed elements along a second side opposite said one side, so that said first and second sets of printer-feed elements may engage a feeding mechanism in a tractor-feed printer.

7. The blank of claim 6, wherein the first set of printer-feed elements comprises a first set of tractor-feed holes, and the second set of printer-feed elements comprises a second set of tractor-feed holes.

8. The blank of claim 7, wherein said first set of tractor-feed holes is disposed on a removable release liner.

9. The blank of claim 7, wherein said second set of tractor-feed holes is substantially covered by said elongated portion when said elongated portion is folded along said second fold line.