CA1221600A - Composite strip for preparing a substrate edge for application of labels thereto and method of making same - Google Patents
Composite strip for preparing a substrate edge for application of labels thereto and method of making sameInfo
- Publication number
- CA1221600A CA1221600A CA000417987A CA417987A CA1221600A CA 1221600 A CA1221600 A CA 1221600A CA 000417987 A CA000417987 A CA 000417987A CA 417987 A CA417987 A CA 417987A CA 1221600 A CA1221600 A CA 1221600A
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- carrier web
- tab
- edge
- extension member
- file
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
A composite strip for preparation of a substrate edge for application of labels is disclosed. The composite strip comprises an elongated carrier web having an upper surface and a lower surface with the lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing covered with a removable release sheet. A high tensile strength film, such as that sold under the trademark "Mylar" by DuPont made of a polyethylene terephthalate, is directly bonded to the upper surface of the carrier web by a further adhesive. This film provides a receptor surface for receiving labels. The film is of a width equal to or less than the width of the carrier web and of a width to receive a label therein. This composite strip has proven useful in preparing a substrate, such as on existing file folder tab or the edge of an x-ray jacket for the subsequent application of a discrete series of labels applied about the edge of the substrate. Such discrete series of labels may also be applied to the composite strip before its application to the edge of the substrate. The composite strip is also advantageously used in combination with a tab extension to provide an add-on assembly.
A composite strip for preparation of a substrate edge for application of labels is disclosed. The composite strip comprises an elongated carrier web having an upper surface and a lower surface with the lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing covered with a removable release sheet. A high tensile strength film, such as that sold under the trademark "Mylar" by DuPont made of a polyethylene terephthalate, is directly bonded to the upper surface of the carrier web by a further adhesive. This film provides a receptor surface for receiving labels. The film is of a width equal to or less than the width of the carrier web and of a width to receive a label therein. This composite strip has proven useful in preparing a substrate, such as on existing file folder tab or the edge of an x-ray jacket for the subsequent application of a discrete series of labels applied about the edge of the substrate. Such discrete series of labels may also be applied to the composite strip before its application to the edge of the substrate. The composite strip is also advantageously used in combination with a tab extension to provide an add-on assembly.
Description
12216~)0 l EIELD OE THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a composite strip for use in preparing an edge of a substrate for reception of labels or for attaching labels to such substrate edge and a method of making the composite strip.
BACKGROUND OF TXE INVE~TION
It is common to add a tab to a file edge to provide a new code for the file, a colour coded arrangement for the file or to add machine readable data to a file. There are commercially available simple add-on tabs which permit the application of a code or name to a file folder such as disclosed in Heimann United States Patent 3,747,242 or Turner, United States Patent 4,201,403. These forms of add-on tabs are servicable; however, they are very flimsy and can add to the thickness of the file folder and in some situations may be readily torn from the file folder.
Another example of a more rigid add-on tab for a file folder is disclosed in Barber at al United States Patent 4,204,639. This type of add-on tab, although of somewhat stronger construction than other add-on tabs, substantially increases the thickness of the file folder and may still be ripped from the file folder due to a bending of the tab causing the tab where it abut~ the folder edge to separate.
Cunningham Canadian Patent 934,261 discloses an add-on tab for a file folder; however, with that arrangement individual tabs are applied to the folder edge. In a situation where a plurality of labels are required, individual tabs are applied and thus permit relative movement between the tabs resulting in the individual tabs being caught and damaged or torn from the folder edge. The 1 tabs AS prodllced each have t}le ~lame sublject matter thereon so that d:if~orQn-t ro:Lls of such t~b~J are requlred to provide the necessary diffe:ren-t types of indi.c:ia in form:ing a new code :for a file folder.
It has been discov0red that the application of the high tensile strength film directly onto a carrier web and then optionally applying labels to the film provides a product which is useful in preparing an edge of a substrate for reception of labels to designate at least in part a code peculiar to such substrate~ Optionally, the composite strip may be used with an extension member to provide an add-on tab assembly for substrates.
SUMMARY OE THE INVENT
According to the present invention, a composite strip for preparation of a substrate edge for application vf labels comprises an elongated carrier web having an upper surface and a lower surface, with the lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing covered with a removable protective cover means~ A high tensile strength film means is bonded directly to the upper surface of the carrier web by a further adhesive and provides a receptor surface for receiving labels~ The film is of a width equal or less than the width of the carrier web and of a width sufficient to receive a label therein. This composite strip can be applied directly to a substrate edge to prepare the substrate edge for the subsequent application of labels or can already have the labels secured to the upper surface of the film prior to securement to the substrate with the labels representing the code for identifîcation of the substrate~ In addition, the composite strip may be used in 122~600 1 combination with an extension tab member to provide an add-on tab to an existing file folder or substrate.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the removable protective cover means of the composite strip is slit generally in the center of the width of the carrier web resulting in at least scoring of the carrier web to facilitate folding of the composite strip about the score in the carrier web. According to a further aspect of the invention~ the removable protective cover means of the composite strip is slit to provide at least three independently removable, longitudinally extending æections which are advantageously selectively removed during application of the composite strip to a substrate.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the composite strip includes a serieq of discrete labels affixed onto the upper surface and within the width of the high tensile strength film to designate at least in part a particular code for the substrate edge. The labels have an outer protective transparent surface of a material having properties comparable to the high tensile strength film means and are bonded to an underlying layer of paper stock having a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the lower surface of the paper stock. The labels and the high tensile strength film means cooperate in a manner whereby excellent adhesion is obtained between the labels and the high tensile strength film.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the composite strip is made with a high tensile film having a thickness of about .5 mil to 1 mil and is made of the material polyethylene terephthalate.
lZ216~:)0 1 According to yet a further aspect of the invention, an add-on tab asse~bly for application to a selected edge of a substrate comprising a carrier web, a high tensile strength film and a tab extension member is disclosed. The carrier web has an upper surface and a lower surface with the lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive with the high tensile strength film being bonded directly to the upper surface of the carrier web by a further adhesive. This high tensile strength film provides e receptor surface for receiving labels and is of a width equal to or less than the width of the carrier web and of a width to receive a label therein. The tab extension member is elongate and of a thickness comparable to the substrate to which it is to be applied. The extension member is secured to the lower surface of and intermediate the edges of the carrier web by a portion of said pressure sensitive adhesive backing. The carrier web, the tab extension member and the high tensile strength film are positioned relative to each other and are of related widths, whereby the carrier web and the high tensile strength film may be applied about a longitudinal edge of the extension member for securement thereto on both sides of said extension member in a manner to provide two extending portions of the carrier web and the high tensile strength film at the other longitudinal edge of the extension member. The carrier web further includes a removable protective cover member for the portions of the adhesive on the lower surface of the carrier web which are not secured to the extension member.
According to an aspect of the irvention, the add-on tab assembly has been adapted by at least scoring the lower 12~1600 1 surf`ace of the carrier web in the longitudinal direction of the carrier web to facilitate folding of the carrier web and the film for application to a æelected edge of a substrate.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the add-on tab assambly is longitudinally scored on the lower surface of the carrier generally either side of the tab extension member.
According to the invention, a method of manufacturing a composite ætrip for preparation of a substrate edge for the application of labels is disclosed. This method ccmprises the steps of applying a high tensile strength film to a carrier and securing the high tensile strength film by means of an adhesive. The carrier web has an upper surface of paper stock secured to the high tensile strength film and a lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive covered by a release cover means. After the high tensile strength film has been secured to the carrier web, it is passed through a slitting means to cut the release cover means longitudinally with respect to the carrier and in so doing, at least scoring the lower surface of the paper stock generally centrally in the width thereof.
According to an aspect of the method of the present invention, labels are automatically applied onto the upper surface of the high tensile strength film to provide a series of discrete labels which designate at least in part a particular code.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, a file of a file system, having an add-on tab connected to one side of the file folder edges to provide an extension for the file is disclosed. The add-on tab comprises a tab extension member of a thickness comparable to that of the 12;~16~)0 1 file edge and having parallel spaced-apart longitudinally extending edges with one of the longitudinally extending edges of the extension member being secured adjacent the selected file edge by a carrier web means of a length approximately that of the extension member. ~he carrier web means is bonded to a first side of said file along the selected edge and bonded to both sides of the extension member and to the second -side of the file to secure said extension member in substantial abutment with the selected file edge. A reinforcing high tensile strength film i8 secured directly onto the carrier web means and positioned to bridge the transition between the tab extension member and said selected file folder edge on both sideæ of the file folder.
According to the present invention, a method for adding a reinforced tab to a file folder edge of a file folder of a file system is also disclosed. This method comprises bonding a high tensile strength film directly onto a face of a carrier web to reinforce the carrier web. The carrier web has a pressure sensitive adhesive backing on its other face, which is covered by a removable protective strip arrangement. ~he carrier web is used to secure the tab extension member, which is of a length equal to the length of the carrier web along a folder edge. The extension member is approximately the same thickness as the folder edge and the carrier web is of a width of more than twice the width of the extension member to overlap the spaced sides along the folder edge where the reinforcing film is of a sufficient width to overlap the sides and equal to or less than the width of the carrier web. In order to secure the 1 extension member, the pro-tec-tive strip nrrnneement i.~
removed :~rom the cnrri.er web and the carrier web 1~ appl:i.ed to both of the sides of the folder wi-th the exten.sion member secured between folded, opposing adhesive portions of the carrier web. The carrier web thus holds an edge of the extension member against the folder edge to provide on the file of a file sytem a unique~ unitary tab which forms a file folder extension.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a partial exploded perspective view of a composite strip used for preparing a substrate edge for application of labels;
Figure 2 is a partial per~pective view of the composite strip and a tab extension member;
Figure 3 is a partial perspec-tive view of the composite strip with a tab extension member secured to the lower surface of the strip;
Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the composite strip and an associated tab extension member with a ~eries of discrete labels affixed to the top surface of the high tensile strength film;
Figure 5 is a partial perspecti.ve view similar to Figure 3 wherein the extension tab member has been directly secured to the lower surface of the carrier web;
Figure 6 i3 a partial perspective view of one method of manufacturing the composite strip of Figure l;
Figure 7 is a partial perspective view illustrating a further proces~ step performed to the lower surface of the carrier web;
1 Figure 8 is n perspective view of a portion of the composite strip wherein one of the intermediate layers of the composite strip has been scored after completion of the process steps shown in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of the composite strip wherein the lower surface of the strip has been slit in a manner different from that of Figure ~;
Figure 10 is a partial perspective view showing the composite strip and an associated tab extension member being applied to the edge of a substrate;
Figure 11 is a partial perspective view similar to Figure 10 with the composite strip being applied about the free end of the tab extension member;
Figure 12 is a partial perspective view showing the composite strip and an associated label being applied to the edge of a substrate; and, Figure 13 is a partial perspective view showing the composite strip and a series of discrete labels being applied to the edge of a file folder having an expandible side portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMLODIME~TS
-The composite strip of Figure 1 is used for preparing the edge of a substrate for the application of labels. Such a strip could be used to reinforce the edge of an existing tab on a file folder and also serves to present a surface to which labels can be affixed which is more compatible with the structure of the labels. The composite strip is generally shown as 200 and includes an upper film surface 202 which is made of a material having a high tensile strength, such as that normally sold under the 1 trademark "Mylar" which is made of a polyethylene terephthalate. It should be noted that 202 i8 a film surface and, therefore, is of a thickness generally less than 1 mil and preferably about .5 mil.
On the lower surface of the high tensile ætrength film 202 is a pressure sensitive adhesive 203 which allows the film to be directly applied to the upper surface of the carrier web 204. The lower surface of the carrier web has an adhesive 206 applied thereto to facilitate applying the strip to a substrate. A cover means 208 is secured beneath the presæure sensitive adhesive 206 to protect the same until it is required. I'he composite strip of Figure 1 may be sold in rollæ or may be sold in individual fixed length strips. The strip i8 easy to handle in that the carrier web gives it some structural stability thereby minimizing damage or creasing of the strip. The film by itself would be difficult to apply as creasing would be a problem. The carrier web i9 preferably made of a paper ætock, having a thicknesæ in the range of about 3 to 6 mils.
Figure 2 shows additional details of the composite strip and the cover means 208 has been slit in the longitudinal direction of the carrier web to define separate release cover sections 210 through 213. Each of these sections is independent of the adjacent sectionq and therefore a clean cut iæ provided beween these sections.
The depth of the cuts can be seen at the one end of the composite strip generally as 214, 216 and 218. In addition to the cover means being slit, the underlying carrier web 204 has at least been scored adjacent these locations and this facilitates bending of the composite strip about these ~;~21600 1 score lines~ As can be appreciated, in order to assure that the release cover sections are independent from one another they must be cut through and it is very difficult in production to accurately determine the depth of the cut.
Therefore, some scoring of the under lying web 204 will result and in fact this web in some circumstances may be cut. However, it should be noted that the outer high tensile strength film 202 is essentially protected from any scoring or cutting by the web carrier 204.
~he folding of the composite strip about these score lines is important in that it facilitates removal of the individual release sections 210 through 213 and also allows folding of the composite strip about the score line 216 for application of the strip about the edge of a file folder.
As can be appreciated this greatly simplifies the application of the composite strip to the edge of a substrate. Therefore, the lower surface of the composite strip is generally divided into the four sections 210 through 213 and the widths of sections 211 and 212 are e~sentially equal to the width of the extension tab member 220. Preferably sections 210 and 213 are half an inch in width and sections 211 and 212 are three quarters of an inch in width. The independently removable sections also assist in aligning the composite strip during application to a substrate and in aligning the extension during securement thereof.
In some circumstances one may wish to sell the composite strip of Figure 2 with separate tab extension members 220. It should be also noted that the composite strip of Figure 2 could be sold independently of an 1 extensl.on tab and the end user could cut his own, As shown in Figure 3, the compos.ite ~trip can a:L~o be sold with extension member 220 di.rect:Ly secured to the adhesive on the lower surface of the carrier web 204. In order to secure -tab exten~ion member 220 cover section 212 has been removed and the extensiorl tab has been pressed against the exposed adhesive of the carrier web. During application of the composite strip and tab extension to a substrate, cover section 211 will be removed to engage the exposed surface of the tab extension member 220 and cover sections 210 and 213 will be removed to engage the sub~trate either side thereof and secure the tab extension member adjacent a selected edge of the substrate. In order to provide positive stiffening of the tab extension member the high tensile strength film 202 is of a width to bridge the point of transition between the extension member and the selected edge of a substrate to which the assembly is to be applied. As the tab extension member is preferably about the same thicknes~ of the substrate to which it is to be applied and the carrier web and high tensile strength film are quite thin relative to the substrate, the substrate edge is not appreciably thickened, In addition to the three products generally shown in Fi.gures 1 through 3, a series of discrete labels 22~ may be applied to either of the products of Figures 2 and 3 and are generally shown in Figures 4 and 5. ~his series of discrete labels can also have a machine readable section 226 located to one side o~ the labels and each of these sections are generally aligned with respect to the longitudinal direction of the web. As can be appreciated, the ~coring in the ~2~1~iiO0 1 center portion of the web becomes important when machine readable codes are provided on the labels as these must align and if the fold line i5 not predetermined it could be offset or at an angle to the longitudinal section of the composite strip resulting in random positioning of the readable portions 226 with re~pect to the width of the composite strip. The individual labels 224 are applied across the width of the composite strip and are of a length less than the width of the strip. The labels are preferably colour coded as a portion of the label other than the machine readable area 226 would be coloured and may have further indica on them. Thus, the composite strip may have a series of discrete labels affixed onto the upper surface of the high tensile strength film to designate at least in part a particular code for a substrate. In the case of colour coded labels the colour would be visible along the edge of the substrate thu~ providing all the benefits already known with respect to colour coding of edges. It is important that the labels traverse the fold line defined by the score 16 such that they are visible along the edge of the file. While the arrangement of Figure 5 is the preferred arrangement, it is understood the labels can be applied under the film which would be transparent.
The composition of the labels 224 are preferably an upper transparent film having properties comparable to that of the high tensile strength film 202, an intermediate paper stock having an indica printed thereon and a lower adhesive surface compatible with the high tensile strength film 202.
Because the upper surface of the labels and the high tensile 3trength film have comparable properties the labels have - been found to have superior adhesion and are not subject to 122~600 1 separation from the compo~ite strip.
One method of manufacturing the composite strip of the present invention is shown in Figure 6 where a supply of high tensile strength film 230 is being withdrawn and applied to a carrier web 204 havine a supply roll 236. As the film is withdrawn from the supply 230 a release backing paper 234 is removed from the film and accumulated on roll 232. ~emoval of this release paper exposes an adhe~ive on the lower surface of the film and permits direct bonding of the film to the upper surface of the carrier web 204.
Pressure is applied to the upper surface of the film and the lower surface of the carrier web by rollers 237 to assure adhesion between the film and the web. Downstream of the pressure rollers 237, a trim and cutting operation occurs to cut the sheet material into two strips 250. These strips 250 are the composite strip generally of the structure of Figure 1 after being trimmed by slitters 240 to precise dimensions. The center slitter 242 divides the stock in half. The strips 250 may be accumulated in a roll to provide a supply roll 252 as generally shown in Figure 7.
~he elongate strip 250 may then be fed through a cutting station 254 which cuts the cover means 208 into the individual sections 210 through 213.
~he maBnified view of Figure 8 clearly showq the preferred composite strip of the present invention. This strip has been divided into four sections which are generally directly above the cover sections 210 through 213. The center two sections 211 and 212 are generally centered with respect to the width of the carrier 204 and when the cover sections 211 and 212 are removed they are 122~i00 1 used to secure the tab extension 220 shown in the earlier figures or can be directly applied about an edge of a substrate without an extension member. The main advantage of the composite strip as shown in Figure 3 is that it is reversible and does not have a left hand and a right hand sense. As can be appreciated, either of the sections 211 or 212 can be removed for securing an extension member and the remaining three sections may be removed to secure the tab extension member and the composite strip to a substrate edge.
The composite strip of Figure 9 has only three longitudinally extending sections of the release cover means 208. These sections are identified as 215 and 217 and 219.
Release section 217 may be removed thereby allowing securement of a tab assembly directly to the exposed adhesive. This section 219 is used to adhere the composite strip to one edge of the substrate and section 215 which is generally equal to the combined width of areas 217 and 219 may be removed as one piece after the composite strip and tab assembly have been secured to one side of a substrate.
When section 215 is removed the composite strip may be applied about the outer edge of the extension member and wrapped around the extension member to secure the tab extension member on both qides thereof aa well as secure the composite strip, both ~ides of the substrate.
Application of the composite strip to a substrate is shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11 where the release cover section 219 has already been removed to secure the area immediately above this to the one side of the substrate 260. The tab extension member 220 has been brought into abutting position with the selected edge 262 of the ~221600 1 substrate and release section 217 is illustrated partially removed. After section 217 has been removed, the composite strip is secured to the tab extension member 220 and wrapped around the exterior edge 221 of the tab extension member.
The release section 215 is then removed and the exposed adhesive surface applied along the opposite face of the tab extension member and the opposite facing of the substrate 260 thereby secure the tab assembly generally as shown in Figure 11. As can be appreciated the substrate 260 has a straight edge 262 and therefore both edges ot' the tab extension member 220 are generally parallel.
~he finished tab assembly exhibits a number of excellent properties and is not prone to tearing away from the substrate 260 or creasing of the receptor surface provided by the upper surface of the high tensile strength film 202. One possible reason for the superior properties of the resulting add`-on tab assembly is the cooperation of the extension tab member 220 in abutting relationship to the substrate 260 and being maintained in this position by the composite strip 200. This composite strip serves to distribute forces exerted on the tab assembly to a larger portion of the body of the substrate 260 thereby minimizing the possiblitiea of tearing of the tab assembly.
Furthermore creaaing or folding of the tab at the junction of the tab extension member 220 and the abutting edge of the substrate 262 is minimized due to the propertiea of the high tensile strength film 202. ~his film has an excellent memory and therefore opposes any forces which would tend to cause hinging about this position.
Although the composite strip is e~tremely useful for 1 the -tab assembly as generally shown ln ~igure~ 9 -through lL, it can also be applied to the edge of a substrate SUCtl as an X-ray jacket, a file backer or one edge of a file folder 270 generally QS shown in Figure 12. Once applied to the substrate 270. The strip then serves as a receptor surface for receiving the series of discrete labels.
Turning to Figure 13, an expansion pocket file is shown where an add-on tab according to this inven-tion is applied thereto. The pocket file 280 has expandable portions, ~uch as at 282, along both sdides and bottom to provide an open top 284. The expandable portions interconnect pocket opposing flaps 286. The add-on tab 290 is applied to the rear edge 287 of the file. The expandable portion 282 has a plurality of gu~sets 283 where the carrier web 20~ of the add-on label arrangement is applied to the front and rear faces of flap 286 along edge 287. The carrier web and film is partially severed at 288 to permit gusset 283 adjacent edge 287 to more outwardly from flap 126 when the file is expanded. It i~ preferred that the extension tab member 220 be of the same or comparable thickness to the flap of the file folder.
It has been found that the reinforcing film provides a superior surface to which labels having presoure sensitive adhesive backings are secured. The reinforcing film may be of the high tensile strenght type, such as a type of film sold under the trademark "Mylar" by DaPont which consists of polyethylene terephthalate. The film may also be obtained from several other sources of supply, such as 'Celanar"
(trademark) from Celanese, "Meliex" (tradamark) from ICI
Americas, "Terphane" (trademark) from ~hodia, "Scotchpar"
l;:Z1600 l (trademark) from 3M and "Sheldahl" (trademark) from Sheldahl. Such film of substantially thinner construction than the carrier web 16 when applied to the carrier web, unexpectedly increases the strength of the carrier web such that when used in securing a tab extension to a folder edge, provides a tab extension which is quite rugged and has comparable str~ngth characteristics to a tab extension which is integral with a file folder flap.
The width of the "Mylar" film is equal to that of the carrier web when prepared in accordance with the method of ~igure 6. On the other hand, if the Mylar film is applied to the individual carrier webs, it may be of a width slightly less than the width of the carrier web to accommodate some misalignment in the application of the Mylar film to the carrier web.
~he essential point i8 that, when the extension tab is used -nd is abutted against the edge of the substrate, the joint between the extension tab and substrate be bridged on each side by both the carrier web and the reinforcing film bonded thereto and that such bridging carrier web with the reinforcing film bonded thereto be adhered to the extension tab and substrate over an appreciable width each side of the joint. It will be appreciated that with the aubstrate and extension tab of essentially the aame thickne~s the bridging portions of the carrier web and reinforcing film stretching across the joint and maintaining the extension tab and aubstrate in abutment will be essentially planar and the bridging portions on opposite sides of the joint will be essentially parallel.
According to a preferred form of labelling the add-on 1 extension tab, a color coding system may be used such as disclosed in Barber et al, United States patent 4,204,639.
One color coded label is shown in Figure 12, where each label 224 has a color field 227 in which an identical pair of indicia 225 is spaced apart in the color field 227. To the side of the color field is a machine readable bar code 226 which designates in machine language the indicia 225 in the color field. When all of these labels are applied to a folder edge, the color coding of each label provides the distinctive color array for that file and at the ~ame time numerically designates the file and also provides a machine readable code along the file to designate in computer readable format the file code. This provides a file system whereby the code for each file may be machine read to facilitate computerized fileroom control of the file system. The labelæ 224 may be manually applied to the reinforced carrier web by simply wrapping the labels around the blank add-on tab extension. In the alternative, such labels may be machine applied to the reinforced carrier web prior to using the reinforced carrier web for connecting the tab extension member to the file folder edge. An example of a labeller machine, which may be used to automatically apply labels to the carrier web, is that disclosed in United States patent 4,183,779. The labeller of that patent is controlled so as to apply to a moving web a predetermined sequential series of labels, where such series may be applied to the web in spaced-apart groupings. Thus, the composite strip of Figure 3 could be sold in rolls with the labels already applied.
As is disclosed in United States patent 4,183,779, the 1~2~600 1 machine is programmable 80 that each series of labels as applied to the carrier web is different from the next series in accordance with the program to provide the unique codes for each file folder to be labelled of the file system.
The product, according to this invention, provides an add-on tab having structural properties comparable to integral tabs. The product al~o provides for the preparation of individual unique color coded labelled add-on tabs which are machine readable for respective folders in a coded file system by using labels such as that disclosed in United States patent 4,204,639.
Although various preferred embodiments of the inrention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those 3killed in the art that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
This invention relates to a composite strip for use in preparing an edge of a substrate for reception of labels or for attaching labels to such substrate edge and a method of making the composite strip.
BACKGROUND OF TXE INVE~TION
It is common to add a tab to a file edge to provide a new code for the file, a colour coded arrangement for the file or to add machine readable data to a file. There are commercially available simple add-on tabs which permit the application of a code or name to a file folder such as disclosed in Heimann United States Patent 3,747,242 or Turner, United States Patent 4,201,403. These forms of add-on tabs are servicable; however, they are very flimsy and can add to the thickness of the file folder and in some situations may be readily torn from the file folder.
Another example of a more rigid add-on tab for a file folder is disclosed in Barber at al United States Patent 4,204,639. This type of add-on tab, although of somewhat stronger construction than other add-on tabs, substantially increases the thickness of the file folder and may still be ripped from the file folder due to a bending of the tab causing the tab where it abut~ the folder edge to separate.
Cunningham Canadian Patent 934,261 discloses an add-on tab for a file folder; however, with that arrangement individual tabs are applied to the folder edge. In a situation where a plurality of labels are required, individual tabs are applied and thus permit relative movement between the tabs resulting in the individual tabs being caught and damaged or torn from the folder edge. The 1 tabs AS prodllced each have t}le ~lame sublject matter thereon so that d:if~orQn-t ro:Lls of such t~b~J are requlred to provide the necessary diffe:ren-t types of indi.c:ia in form:ing a new code :for a file folder.
It has been discov0red that the application of the high tensile strength film directly onto a carrier web and then optionally applying labels to the film provides a product which is useful in preparing an edge of a substrate for reception of labels to designate at least in part a code peculiar to such substrate~ Optionally, the composite strip may be used with an extension member to provide an add-on tab assembly for substrates.
SUMMARY OE THE INVENT
According to the present invention, a composite strip for preparation of a substrate edge for application vf labels comprises an elongated carrier web having an upper surface and a lower surface, with the lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing covered with a removable protective cover means~ A high tensile strength film means is bonded directly to the upper surface of the carrier web by a further adhesive and provides a receptor surface for receiving labels~ The film is of a width equal or less than the width of the carrier web and of a width sufficient to receive a label therein. This composite strip can be applied directly to a substrate edge to prepare the substrate edge for the subsequent application of labels or can already have the labels secured to the upper surface of the film prior to securement to the substrate with the labels representing the code for identifîcation of the substrate~ In addition, the composite strip may be used in 122~600 1 combination with an extension tab member to provide an add-on tab to an existing file folder or substrate.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the removable protective cover means of the composite strip is slit generally in the center of the width of the carrier web resulting in at least scoring of the carrier web to facilitate folding of the composite strip about the score in the carrier web. According to a further aspect of the invention~ the removable protective cover means of the composite strip is slit to provide at least three independently removable, longitudinally extending æections which are advantageously selectively removed during application of the composite strip to a substrate.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the composite strip includes a serieq of discrete labels affixed onto the upper surface and within the width of the high tensile strength film to designate at least in part a particular code for the substrate edge. The labels have an outer protective transparent surface of a material having properties comparable to the high tensile strength film means and are bonded to an underlying layer of paper stock having a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the lower surface of the paper stock. The labels and the high tensile strength film means cooperate in a manner whereby excellent adhesion is obtained between the labels and the high tensile strength film.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the composite strip is made with a high tensile film having a thickness of about .5 mil to 1 mil and is made of the material polyethylene terephthalate.
lZ216~:)0 1 According to yet a further aspect of the invention, an add-on tab asse~bly for application to a selected edge of a substrate comprising a carrier web, a high tensile strength film and a tab extension member is disclosed. The carrier web has an upper surface and a lower surface with the lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive with the high tensile strength film being bonded directly to the upper surface of the carrier web by a further adhesive. This high tensile strength film provides e receptor surface for receiving labels and is of a width equal to or less than the width of the carrier web and of a width to receive a label therein. The tab extension member is elongate and of a thickness comparable to the substrate to which it is to be applied. The extension member is secured to the lower surface of and intermediate the edges of the carrier web by a portion of said pressure sensitive adhesive backing. The carrier web, the tab extension member and the high tensile strength film are positioned relative to each other and are of related widths, whereby the carrier web and the high tensile strength film may be applied about a longitudinal edge of the extension member for securement thereto on both sides of said extension member in a manner to provide two extending portions of the carrier web and the high tensile strength film at the other longitudinal edge of the extension member. The carrier web further includes a removable protective cover member for the portions of the adhesive on the lower surface of the carrier web which are not secured to the extension member.
According to an aspect of the irvention, the add-on tab assembly has been adapted by at least scoring the lower 12~1600 1 surf`ace of the carrier web in the longitudinal direction of the carrier web to facilitate folding of the carrier web and the film for application to a æelected edge of a substrate.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the add-on tab assambly is longitudinally scored on the lower surface of the carrier generally either side of the tab extension member.
According to the invention, a method of manufacturing a composite ætrip for preparation of a substrate edge for the application of labels is disclosed. This method ccmprises the steps of applying a high tensile strength film to a carrier and securing the high tensile strength film by means of an adhesive. The carrier web has an upper surface of paper stock secured to the high tensile strength film and a lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive covered by a release cover means. After the high tensile strength film has been secured to the carrier web, it is passed through a slitting means to cut the release cover means longitudinally with respect to the carrier and in so doing, at least scoring the lower surface of the paper stock generally centrally in the width thereof.
According to an aspect of the method of the present invention, labels are automatically applied onto the upper surface of the high tensile strength film to provide a series of discrete labels which designate at least in part a particular code.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, a file of a file system, having an add-on tab connected to one side of the file folder edges to provide an extension for the file is disclosed. The add-on tab comprises a tab extension member of a thickness comparable to that of the 12;~16~)0 1 file edge and having parallel spaced-apart longitudinally extending edges with one of the longitudinally extending edges of the extension member being secured adjacent the selected file edge by a carrier web means of a length approximately that of the extension member. ~he carrier web means is bonded to a first side of said file along the selected edge and bonded to both sides of the extension member and to the second -side of the file to secure said extension member in substantial abutment with the selected file edge. A reinforcing high tensile strength film i8 secured directly onto the carrier web means and positioned to bridge the transition between the tab extension member and said selected file folder edge on both sideæ of the file folder.
According to the present invention, a method for adding a reinforced tab to a file folder edge of a file folder of a file system is also disclosed. This method comprises bonding a high tensile strength film directly onto a face of a carrier web to reinforce the carrier web. The carrier web has a pressure sensitive adhesive backing on its other face, which is covered by a removable protective strip arrangement. ~he carrier web is used to secure the tab extension member, which is of a length equal to the length of the carrier web along a folder edge. The extension member is approximately the same thickness as the folder edge and the carrier web is of a width of more than twice the width of the extension member to overlap the spaced sides along the folder edge where the reinforcing film is of a sufficient width to overlap the sides and equal to or less than the width of the carrier web. In order to secure the 1 extension member, the pro-tec-tive strip nrrnneement i.~
removed :~rom the cnrri.er web and the carrier web 1~ appl:i.ed to both of the sides of the folder wi-th the exten.sion member secured between folded, opposing adhesive portions of the carrier web. The carrier web thus holds an edge of the extension member against the folder edge to provide on the file of a file sytem a unique~ unitary tab which forms a file folder extension.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a partial exploded perspective view of a composite strip used for preparing a substrate edge for application of labels;
Figure 2 is a partial per~pective view of the composite strip and a tab extension member;
Figure 3 is a partial perspec-tive view of the composite strip with a tab extension member secured to the lower surface of the strip;
Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the composite strip and an associated tab extension member with a ~eries of discrete labels affixed to the top surface of the high tensile strength film;
Figure 5 is a partial perspecti.ve view similar to Figure 3 wherein the extension tab member has been directly secured to the lower surface of the carrier web;
Figure 6 i3 a partial perspective view of one method of manufacturing the composite strip of Figure l;
Figure 7 is a partial perspective view illustrating a further proces~ step performed to the lower surface of the carrier web;
1 Figure 8 is n perspective view of a portion of the composite strip wherein one of the intermediate layers of the composite strip has been scored after completion of the process steps shown in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of the composite strip wherein the lower surface of the strip has been slit in a manner different from that of Figure ~;
Figure 10 is a partial perspective view showing the composite strip and an associated tab extension member being applied to the edge of a substrate;
Figure 11 is a partial perspective view similar to Figure 10 with the composite strip being applied about the free end of the tab extension member;
Figure 12 is a partial perspective view showing the composite strip and an associated label being applied to the edge of a substrate; and, Figure 13 is a partial perspective view showing the composite strip and a series of discrete labels being applied to the edge of a file folder having an expandible side portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMLODIME~TS
-The composite strip of Figure 1 is used for preparing the edge of a substrate for the application of labels. Such a strip could be used to reinforce the edge of an existing tab on a file folder and also serves to present a surface to which labels can be affixed which is more compatible with the structure of the labels. The composite strip is generally shown as 200 and includes an upper film surface 202 which is made of a material having a high tensile strength, such as that normally sold under the 1 trademark "Mylar" which is made of a polyethylene terephthalate. It should be noted that 202 i8 a film surface and, therefore, is of a thickness generally less than 1 mil and preferably about .5 mil.
On the lower surface of the high tensile ætrength film 202 is a pressure sensitive adhesive 203 which allows the film to be directly applied to the upper surface of the carrier web 204. The lower surface of the carrier web has an adhesive 206 applied thereto to facilitate applying the strip to a substrate. A cover means 208 is secured beneath the presæure sensitive adhesive 206 to protect the same until it is required. I'he composite strip of Figure 1 may be sold in rollæ or may be sold in individual fixed length strips. The strip i8 easy to handle in that the carrier web gives it some structural stability thereby minimizing damage or creasing of the strip. The film by itself would be difficult to apply as creasing would be a problem. The carrier web i9 preferably made of a paper ætock, having a thicknesæ in the range of about 3 to 6 mils.
Figure 2 shows additional details of the composite strip and the cover means 208 has been slit in the longitudinal direction of the carrier web to define separate release cover sections 210 through 213. Each of these sections is independent of the adjacent sectionq and therefore a clean cut iæ provided beween these sections.
The depth of the cuts can be seen at the one end of the composite strip generally as 214, 216 and 218. In addition to the cover means being slit, the underlying carrier web 204 has at least been scored adjacent these locations and this facilitates bending of the composite strip about these ~;~21600 1 score lines~ As can be appreciated, in order to assure that the release cover sections are independent from one another they must be cut through and it is very difficult in production to accurately determine the depth of the cut.
Therefore, some scoring of the under lying web 204 will result and in fact this web in some circumstances may be cut. However, it should be noted that the outer high tensile strength film 202 is essentially protected from any scoring or cutting by the web carrier 204.
~he folding of the composite strip about these score lines is important in that it facilitates removal of the individual release sections 210 through 213 and also allows folding of the composite strip about the score line 216 for application of the strip about the edge of a file folder.
As can be appreciated this greatly simplifies the application of the composite strip to the edge of a substrate. Therefore, the lower surface of the composite strip is generally divided into the four sections 210 through 213 and the widths of sections 211 and 212 are e~sentially equal to the width of the extension tab member 220. Preferably sections 210 and 213 are half an inch in width and sections 211 and 212 are three quarters of an inch in width. The independently removable sections also assist in aligning the composite strip during application to a substrate and in aligning the extension during securement thereof.
In some circumstances one may wish to sell the composite strip of Figure 2 with separate tab extension members 220. It should be also noted that the composite strip of Figure 2 could be sold independently of an 1 extensl.on tab and the end user could cut his own, As shown in Figure 3, the compos.ite ~trip can a:L~o be sold with extension member 220 di.rect:Ly secured to the adhesive on the lower surface of the carrier web 204. In order to secure -tab exten~ion member 220 cover section 212 has been removed and the extensiorl tab has been pressed against the exposed adhesive of the carrier web. During application of the composite strip and tab extension to a substrate, cover section 211 will be removed to engage the exposed surface of the tab extension member 220 and cover sections 210 and 213 will be removed to engage the sub~trate either side thereof and secure the tab extension member adjacent a selected edge of the substrate. In order to provide positive stiffening of the tab extension member the high tensile strength film 202 is of a width to bridge the point of transition between the extension member and the selected edge of a substrate to which the assembly is to be applied. As the tab extension member is preferably about the same thicknes~ of the substrate to which it is to be applied and the carrier web and high tensile strength film are quite thin relative to the substrate, the substrate edge is not appreciably thickened, In addition to the three products generally shown in Fi.gures 1 through 3, a series of discrete labels 22~ may be applied to either of the products of Figures 2 and 3 and are generally shown in Figures 4 and 5. ~his series of discrete labels can also have a machine readable section 226 located to one side o~ the labels and each of these sections are generally aligned with respect to the longitudinal direction of the web. As can be appreciated, the ~coring in the ~2~1~iiO0 1 center portion of the web becomes important when machine readable codes are provided on the labels as these must align and if the fold line i5 not predetermined it could be offset or at an angle to the longitudinal section of the composite strip resulting in random positioning of the readable portions 226 with re~pect to the width of the composite strip. The individual labels 224 are applied across the width of the composite strip and are of a length less than the width of the strip. The labels are preferably colour coded as a portion of the label other than the machine readable area 226 would be coloured and may have further indica on them. Thus, the composite strip may have a series of discrete labels affixed onto the upper surface of the high tensile strength film to designate at least in part a particular code for a substrate. In the case of colour coded labels the colour would be visible along the edge of the substrate thu~ providing all the benefits already known with respect to colour coding of edges. It is important that the labels traverse the fold line defined by the score 16 such that they are visible along the edge of the file. While the arrangement of Figure 5 is the preferred arrangement, it is understood the labels can be applied under the film which would be transparent.
The composition of the labels 224 are preferably an upper transparent film having properties comparable to that of the high tensile strength film 202, an intermediate paper stock having an indica printed thereon and a lower adhesive surface compatible with the high tensile strength film 202.
Because the upper surface of the labels and the high tensile 3trength film have comparable properties the labels have - been found to have superior adhesion and are not subject to 122~600 1 separation from the compo~ite strip.
One method of manufacturing the composite strip of the present invention is shown in Figure 6 where a supply of high tensile strength film 230 is being withdrawn and applied to a carrier web 204 havine a supply roll 236. As the film is withdrawn from the supply 230 a release backing paper 234 is removed from the film and accumulated on roll 232. ~emoval of this release paper exposes an adhe~ive on the lower surface of the film and permits direct bonding of the film to the upper surface of the carrier web 204.
Pressure is applied to the upper surface of the film and the lower surface of the carrier web by rollers 237 to assure adhesion between the film and the web. Downstream of the pressure rollers 237, a trim and cutting operation occurs to cut the sheet material into two strips 250. These strips 250 are the composite strip generally of the structure of Figure 1 after being trimmed by slitters 240 to precise dimensions. The center slitter 242 divides the stock in half. The strips 250 may be accumulated in a roll to provide a supply roll 252 as generally shown in Figure 7.
~he elongate strip 250 may then be fed through a cutting station 254 which cuts the cover means 208 into the individual sections 210 through 213.
~he maBnified view of Figure 8 clearly showq the preferred composite strip of the present invention. This strip has been divided into four sections which are generally directly above the cover sections 210 through 213. The center two sections 211 and 212 are generally centered with respect to the width of the carrier 204 and when the cover sections 211 and 212 are removed they are 122~i00 1 used to secure the tab extension 220 shown in the earlier figures or can be directly applied about an edge of a substrate without an extension member. The main advantage of the composite strip as shown in Figure 3 is that it is reversible and does not have a left hand and a right hand sense. As can be appreciated, either of the sections 211 or 212 can be removed for securing an extension member and the remaining three sections may be removed to secure the tab extension member and the composite strip to a substrate edge.
The composite strip of Figure 9 has only three longitudinally extending sections of the release cover means 208. These sections are identified as 215 and 217 and 219.
Release section 217 may be removed thereby allowing securement of a tab assembly directly to the exposed adhesive. This section 219 is used to adhere the composite strip to one edge of the substrate and section 215 which is generally equal to the combined width of areas 217 and 219 may be removed as one piece after the composite strip and tab assembly have been secured to one side of a substrate.
When section 215 is removed the composite strip may be applied about the outer edge of the extension member and wrapped around the extension member to secure the tab extension member on both qides thereof aa well as secure the composite strip, both ~ides of the substrate.
Application of the composite strip to a substrate is shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11 where the release cover section 219 has already been removed to secure the area immediately above this to the one side of the substrate 260. The tab extension member 220 has been brought into abutting position with the selected edge 262 of the ~221600 1 substrate and release section 217 is illustrated partially removed. After section 217 has been removed, the composite strip is secured to the tab extension member 220 and wrapped around the exterior edge 221 of the tab extension member.
The release section 215 is then removed and the exposed adhesive surface applied along the opposite face of the tab extension member and the opposite facing of the substrate 260 thereby secure the tab assembly generally as shown in Figure 11. As can be appreciated the substrate 260 has a straight edge 262 and therefore both edges ot' the tab extension member 220 are generally parallel.
~he finished tab assembly exhibits a number of excellent properties and is not prone to tearing away from the substrate 260 or creasing of the receptor surface provided by the upper surface of the high tensile strength film 202. One possible reason for the superior properties of the resulting add`-on tab assembly is the cooperation of the extension tab member 220 in abutting relationship to the substrate 260 and being maintained in this position by the composite strip 200. This composite strip serves to distribute forces exerted on the tab assembly to a larger portion of the body of the substrate 260 thereby minimizing the possiblitiea of tearing of the tab assembly.
Furthermore creaaing or folding of the tab at the junction of the tab extension member 220 and the abutting edge of the substrate 262 is minimized due to the propertiea of the high tensile strength film 202. ~his film has an excellent memory and therefore opposes any forces which would tend to cause hinging about this position.
Although the composite strip is e~tremely useful for 1 the -tab assembly as generally shown ln ~igure~ 9 -through lL, it can also be applied to the edge of a substrate SUCtl as an X-ray jacket, a file backer or one edge of a file folder 270 generally QS shown in Figure 12. Once applied to the substrate 270. The strip then serves as a receptor surface for receiving the series of discrete labels.
Turning to Figure 13, an expansion pocket file is shown where an add-on tab according to this inven-tion is applied thereto. The pocket file 280 has expandable portions, ~uch as at 282, along both sdides and bottom to provide an open top 284. The expandable portions interconnect pocket opposing flaps 286. The add-on tab 290 is applied to the rear edge 287 of the file. The expandable portion 282 has a plurality of gu~sets 283 where the carrier web 20~ of the add-on label arrangement is applied to the front and rear faces of flap 286 along edge 287. The carrier web and film is partially severed at 288 to permit gusset 283 adjacent edge 287 to more outwardly from flap 126 when the file is expanded. It i~ preferred that the extension tab member 220 be of the same or comparable thickness to the flap of the file folder.
It has been found that the reinforcing film provides a superior surface to which labels having presoure sensitive adhesive backings are secured. The reinforcing film may be of the high tensile strenght type, such as a type of film sold under the trademark "Mylar" by DaPont which consists of polyethylene terephthalate. The film may also be obtained from several other sources of supply, such as 'Celanar"
(trademark) from Celanese, "Meliex" (tradamark) from ICI
Americas, "Terphane" (trademark) from ~hodia, "Scotchpar"
l;:Z1600 l (trademark) from 3M and "Sheldahl" (trademark) from Sheldahl. Such film of substantially thinner construction than the carrier web 16 when applied to the carrier web, unexpectedly increases the strength of the carrier web such that when used in securing a tab extension to a folder edge, provides a tab extension which is quite rugged and has comparable str~ngth characteristics to a tab extension which is integral with a file folder flap.
The width of the "Mylar" film is equal to that of the carrier web when prepared in accordance with the method of ~igure 6. On the other hand, if the Mylar film is applied to the individual carrier webs, it may be of a width slightly less than the width of the carrier web to accommodate some misalignment in the application of the Mylar film to the carrier web.
~he essential point i8 that, when the extension tab is used -nd is abutted against the edge of the substrate, the joint between the extension tab and substrate be bridged on each side by both the carrier web and the reinforcing film bonded thereto and that such bridging carrier web with the reinforcing film bonded thereto be adhered to the extension tab and substrate over an appreciable width each side of the joint. It will be appreciated that with the aubstrate and extension tab of essentially the aame thickne~s the bridging portions of the carrier web and reinforcing film stretching across the joint and maintaining the extension tab and aubstrate in abutment will be essentially planar and the bridging portions on opposite sides of the joint will be essentially parallel.
According to a preferred form of labelling the add-on 1 extension tab, a color coding system may be used such as disclosed in Barber et al, United States patent 4,204,639.
One color coded label is shown in Figure 12, where each label 224 has a color field 227 in which an identical pair of indicia 225 is spaced apart in the color field 227. To the side of the color field is a machine readable bar code 226 which designates in machine language the indicia 225 in the color field. When all of these labels are applied to a folder edge, the color coding of each label provides the distinctive color array for that file and at the ~ame time numerically designates the file and also provides a machine readable code along the file to designate in computer readable format the file code. This provides a file system whereby the code for each file may be machine read to facilitate computerized fileroom control of the file system. The labelæ 224 may be manually applied to the reinforced carrier web by simply wrapping the labels around the blank add-on tab extension. In the alternative, such labels may be machine applied to the reinforced carrier web prior to using the reinforced carrier web for connecting the tab extension member to the file folder edge. An example of a labeller machine, which may be used to automatically apply labels to the carrier web, is that disclosed in United States patent 4,183,779. The labeller of that patent is controlled so as to apply to a moving web a predetermined sequential series of labels, where such series may be applied to the web in spaced-apart groupings. Thus, the composite strip of Figure 3 could be sold in rolls with the labels already applied.
As is disclosed in United States patent 4,183,779, the 1~2~600 1 machine is programmable 80 that each series of labels as applied to the carrier web is different from the next series in accordance with the program to provide the unique codes for each file folder to be labelled of the file system.
The product, according to this invention, provides an add-on tab having structural properties comparable to integral tabs. The product al~o provides for the preparation of individual unique color coded labelled add-on tabs which are machine readable for respective folders in a coded file system by using labels such as that disclosed in United States patent 4,204,639.
Although various preferred embodiments of the inrention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those 3killed in the art that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (51)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A composite strip for preparation of a substrate edge for the application of labels comprising an elongated carrier web having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing covered with a removable protective cover means, and a high tensile strength film means bonded directly to the upper surface of said carrier web by a further adhesive and providing a receptor surface for receiving labels, said film means being of a width equal to or less than the width of said carrier web and of a width to receive a label therewithin.
2. A composite strip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said removable protective cover means is slit to provide at least three independently removable longitudinally extending sections.
3. A composite strip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said removable protective cover means is slit generally in the center of the width of said carrier web and said carrier web is at least scored adjacent the slit in said cover means thereby allowing folding of said composite about said the score line of said web.
4. A composite strip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier web is at least scored the length of said web generally in the center of the width and on the lower surface of said web to facilitate folding of said strip about the scored position.
5. A composite strip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protective cover means is divided longitudinally to provide four independently removable sections, spaced across the width of said carrier, the center two of said sections being disposed either side of the score of said web.
6. A composite strip as claimed in claim 1, including a series of discrete labels affixed onto the upper surface and within the width of said high tensile strength film to designate at least in part a particular code for such substrate edge.
7. A composite strip as claimed in claim 6, wherein said labels have an outer protective transparent surface of a material having properties comparable to said high tensile strength film means bonded to an underlying layer of paper stock having a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the lower surface of said paper stock.
8. A composite strip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said high tensile strength film means is of a thickness less than 1 mil.
9. A composite strip is claimed in claim 1 wherein said high tensile strength film means is made of polyethylene terephthalate and is less than 1 mil in thickness.
10. A strip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said high tensile strength film means is made of polyethylene terephthalate and is about .5 mil in thickness, said removable protective cover means having a number of longitudinal slits to facilitate removal of portions of said cover means.
11. A composite strip as claimed in claim 2 in combination with an elongate tab extension member, said tab extension member having generally parallel spaced-apart longitudinally extending edges and of a width equal to the width of said webs located above an intermediately positioned, with respect to the width of the web, longitudinally extending section of said removable protective cover means for securement thereto, said tab extension member being of a length approximating that of said carrier web.
12. A composite strip as claimed in claim 11, wherein said intermediately positioned section of said removable protective cover means is removed and said tab extension is secured to said carrier web by said pressure sensitive adhesive.
13. A composite strip as claimed in claim 11, wherein a series of discrete labels are affixed onto the upper surface and within the width of said high tensile strength film means to designate at least in part a particular code for such substrate edge.
14. A composite strip as claimed in claim 12, wherein a series of discrete labels affixed onto the upper surface and within the width of said high tensile strength film means to designate at least in part a particular code for such substrate edge.
15. A composite strip as claimed in claim 13, wherein said labels have an outer protective transparent surface of a material having properties comparable to said high tensile strength film means bonded to an underlying layer of paper stock having a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the lower surface of said paper stock.
16. A composite strip as claimed in claim 14, wherein said labels have an outer protective transparent surface of a material having properties comparable to said high tensile strength film means bonded to an underlying layer of paper stock having a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the lower surface of said paper stock.
17. An add-on tab assembly for application to a selected edge of a substrate comprising a carrier web, a high tensile strength film and a tab extension member; said carrier web having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive, and a high tensile strength film bonded directly to the upper surface of said carrier web by a further adhesive and providing a receptor surface for receiving labels, said film being of a width equal to or less than the width of said carrier web and of a width to receive a label therein, said tab extension member being elongate and of a thickness comparable to such substrate and secured to the lower surface of and intermediate the edges of said carrier web by a portion of said pressure sensitive adhesive backing; said carrier web, said tab extension member and said high tensile strength film being positioned relative to each other and of related widths whereby said carrier web and said high tensile strength film may be applied about a longitudinal edge of said extension member for securement thereto on both sides of said extension member in a manner to provide two extending portions of said carrier web and said high tensile strength film at the other longitudinal edge of said extension member; said carrier web further including a removable protective cover member for the portions of said adhesive on the lower surface of said carrier web not adhered to said extension member.
18. An add-on tab assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the lower surface of said carrier web is at least scored longitudinally to facilitate folding of said carrier web and said film for application to such selected edge of a substrate.
19. An add-on tab assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the lower surface of said carrier is longitudinally scored generally either side of said tab extension member.
20. An add-on tab assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein said tab extension member is secured to one side of the centre of said carrier web with respect to the width thereof, and said removable cover means includes three separately removable longitudinally extending sections, two of which are located the opposite side of the center of the web relative to said tab extension member, and wherein the lower surface of said carrier web is scored adjacent the abutting edges of said sections and the abutting edges of said sections and said tab extension member.
21. An add-on tab assembly as claimed in claim 17, including a series of discrete labels affixed onto the upper surface and within the width of said high tensile strength film means to designate at least in part a particular code for such substrate edge and wherein said high tensile strength film means is made of polyethylene terephthalate and is less than 1 mil in thickness.
22. An add-on tab assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein said labels have an outer protective transparent surface of a material having properties comparable to said high tensile strength film means bonded to an underlying layer of paper stock having a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the lower surface of said paper stock, and wherein said high tensile strength film means is of a thickness less than 1 mil.
23. A method of manufacturing a composite strip for preparation of a substrate edge for the application of labels comprising the steps of: applying a high tensile strength film to a carrier and securing said high tensile film by means of an adhesive; said carrier web having an upper surface of paper stock secured to said high tensile strength film and a lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive covered by a release cover means, passing the strip through a slitting means to cut said release cover means longitudinally with respect to said carrier and at least score the lower surface of the paper stock generally centrally in the width thereof.
24. A method as claimed in claim 23, including automatically applying a series of discrete labels onto said high tensile strength film to designate at least in part a particular code.
25. A method as claimed in claim 23, including cutting the composite strip into shorter lengths, removing a portion of the release cover means and applying an elongate tab extension member having parallel spaced-apart edges to the lower surface of said carrier intermediate the sides of the carrier and with one edge of said elongate tab extension member generally aligned and adjacent the at least score in said carrier web.
26. A file of a file system having an add-on tab connected to one of the file folder edges to provide an extension for the file, said add-on tab comprising a tab extension member of a thickness comparable to that of the file edge and having parallel spaced-apart longitudinally extending edges, one of the longitudinally extending edges of said extension member being secured adjacent the selected file edge by a carrier web means of a length approximately that of said extension member, said carrier web means being bonded to a first side of said file along said selected edge and bonded to both sides of the extension member and to the second side of said file to secure said extension member in substantial abutment with said selected file edge, a reinforcing high tensile strength film secured directly onto said carrier web means and positioned to bridge the transition between said tab extension member and said selected file folder edge on both sides of the file folder.
27. A file of claim 26, wherein said file comprises opposing folder flaps with said add-on tab secured to a selected flap edge.
28. A file of claim 27, wherein said add-on tab is approximately equal in length to the length dimension of said selected folder flap edge.
29. A file of claim 26, wherein said file comprises opposing folder flaps interconnected by expandable portions along file sides and bottom to provide a pocket expansion file, said add-on tab being secured to a selected flap edge.
30. A file of claim 29, wherein said carrier web and reinforcing film is partially severed at the junction of said expandable portion with the selected file flap.
31. A file of claim 26, wherein a series of discrete labels are affixed onto said reinforcing film to designate at least in part a particular code for the file of the file system.
32. A file of claim 30, wherein said discrete labels are colour coded, each label having a colour arrangement peculiar to the indicium such label represents, each label being applied to said carrier web to present said colour arrangement along the folded portion of said carrier web.
33. A method for adding a reinforced tab to a folder edge of a file folder of a file system comprising bonding a high tensile strength film directly onto a face of a carrier web to reinforce said carrier web, said carrier web having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing on its other face which is covered by a removable protective strip, using said carrier web to add a tab extension member of a length equal to the length of said carrier web along a folder edge, said extension member being approximately the same thickness as said folder edge, said carrier web being of a width of more than twice the width of said extension member to overlap thereby the spaced sides along folder edge where said reinforcing film is of sufficient width to overlap said sides and equal to or less than the width of said carrier web, in said step of adding said extension member removing said protective strip from said carrier web and applying said carrier web to both of said folder sides with said extension member secured between folded opposing adhesive portions of said carrier web and an edge of said extension member held against said folder edge to provide on such file of a file system a unique unitary tab which forms a file folder extension .
34. A method of claim 33, wherein a plurality of labels are applied to the reinforcing film which has been bonded directly onto the face of said carrier web, said plurality of labels designating at least in part a code peculiar to such file folder of a file system.
35. A method of claim 34, wherein said reinforcing film is of high tensile strength and has a pressure sensitive adhesive backing, applying such reinforcing film to said carrier web.
36. A method of claim 35, wherein said labels are applied automatically to said reinforcing film on said carrier web by moving said carrier web with said film through a labelling machine adapted to apply labels in predetermined serial sequences at spaced apart intervals along said carrier web with said film.
37. A method of claim 36 comprising severing from said label web, each serial sequence of labels for application to a respective folder of a file system.
38. A method of claim 34 comprising making a colour coded labelled tab by applying labels, each of which has at least one visually readable indicia printed thereon with a colour coding peculiar to a particular indicium.
39. A method of claim 34, wherein a machine readable code is provided on each label and oriented for machine reading along the length of said labelled tab.
40. A method of claim 33 comprising positioning said extension member with an edge adjacent and along said folder edge in a desired location, applying said carrier web with said protective strip removed to one of said folder sides and across a corresponding side of said extension member, wrapping the remainder of said web around said extension member and applying the remainder of said web to the other side of said extension member and to the other of said folder sides to complete adding said tab to a respective folder.
41. A method of claim 40 comprising using an extension member which is approximately equal to the length dimension of such folder edge.
42. A method of claim 41 comprising adding said add-on tab to a file folder which has at least two opposing flap portions, applying said carrier web with said extension member to a selected folder flap edge to provide an extension for such folder flap which is of substantially the same strength and flexibility of such folder flap.
43. A method of claim 33, wherein approximately one-half of the width of said carrier web is applied to one of said folder sides and across a side of said extension member.
44. An add-on tab assembly for application to a selected edge of a substrate comprising a carrier web having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing covered with a removable protective cover means, a high tensile strength film bonded directly to the upper surface of said carrier web and an elongate tab extension member having a substantially straight outer edge with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tab extension member and an inner edge complimentary to the edge of such substrate to which the tab assembly is to be applied, said tab extension member being of a thickness comparable to the thickness of the substrate and of a width substantially less than half the width of said high tensile strength film whereby said composite strip may be applied about such substrate and said tab extension member positioned substantially in abutment with the selected edge and secured thereto by removal of said protective strip to expose said pressure sensitive adhesive and allow securement of said carrier web to said tab extension and to such selected edge with said high tensile strength film being of a width to overlap the abutting edges of such substrate and said extension member on both sides of such substrate.
45. An add-on tab assembly to be applied to a selected edge of a substrate comprising an elongated carrier web having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing covered with a removable protective cover means; a high tensile strength film bonded directly to the upper surface of said carrier web by a further adhesive and providing a receptor surface for receiving labels, said film being of a width equal to or less than the width of said carrier web and of a width to receive a label therein; and an elongate tab extension member having a substantially straight outer edge and of a thickness comparable to the thickness of such substrate, said high tensile strength film being of a width whereby said tab assembly may be applied to such selected edge of such substrate by abutting said tab extension member with such selected edge and applying said carrier web and film about and secured to said tab extension and such selected edge upon removal of said cover means in a manner which that said high tensile strength film overlaps the selected edge of such substrate and the abutting edge of said extension member on both sides of such substrate.
46. A composite strip for preparation of a substrate edge for the application of labels comprising an elongated carrier web having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing covered with a removable protective cover means, and a high tensile strength film means bonded directly to the upper surface of said carrier web at least adjacent the edges thereof by a further adhesive, said composite strip providing a receptor surface for receiving labels, said film means being of a width equal to or less than the width of said carrier web and said composite strip being of a width to receive a label therewithin.
47. A composite strip as claimed in Claim 46, having a series of labels affixed centrally thereto.
48. A composite strip as claimed in Claim 47, wherein said labels are secured to said carrier web and said film means is transparent and adhered over said labels.
49. In combination an add-on tab and a file substrate having a straight edge to which said add-on tab is secured, said add-on tab comprising an elongate extension member in abutment with the straight edge of said file substrate and adhesively secured thereto by a carrier web having a thickness in the range of about 3 to 5 mils and of a length approximately equal to the length of said extension members a plurality of discrete pre-printed labels on the upper surface of the said web with each label spaced in the length of the carrier web and collectively defining a colour code for identifying a code substantially peculiar to such substrate, a transparent high tensile strength reinforcing plastic film of a thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 2 mils adhesively secured over said labels and said carrier web and extending the length of said carrier web, said carrier web and film being of a width greater than said extension member and being wrapped about said extension member and secured either side and about one edge of said extension member, said add-on tab being secured to said file substrate either side thereof by said carrier web and reinforcing film which bridge the junction of said extension member and said file substrate either side of said file substrate to provide a unitary add-on tab along an edge of said file substrate, said carrier web and said plastic film distributing localized loads applied to said tab along said tab and to said file substrate adjacent said straight edge.
50. An add-on tab as claimed in Claim 49, wherein said file substrate is a file folder.
51. An add-on tab as claimed in Claim 49, wherein said file substrate is a file folder having at least two opposed flap portions and said tab is secured to said file folder along a side edge thereof.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000417987A CA1221600A (en) | 1982-12-17 | 1982-12-17 | Composite strip for preparing a substrate edge for application of labels thereto and method of making same |
| EP83307653A EP0112177A3 (en) | 1982-12-17 | 1983-12-15 | Composite strip for labelling |
| AU22493/83A AU563746B2 (en) | 1982-12-17 | 1983-12-16 | Strip of indexing tabs |
| JP23772583A JPS59171694A (en) | 1982-12-17 | 1983-12-16 | Synthetic small piece for label |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000417987A CA1221600A (en) | 1982-12-17 | 1982-12-17 | Composite strip for preparing a substrate edge for application of labels thereto and method of making same |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1221600A true CA1221600A (en) | 1987-05-12 |
Family
ID=4124172
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000417987A Expired CA1221600A (en) | 1982-12-17 | 1982-12-17 | Composite strip for preparing a substrate edge for application of labels thereto and method of making same |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS59171694A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1221600A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5284362A (en) * | 1990-02-21 | 1994-02-08 | Esselte Pendaflex Corporation | Reinforced shelf filing folders |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5153044A (en) * | 1987-02-25 | 1992-10-06 | Komag, Inc. | Magnetic disk for longitudinal recording comprising an amorphous intermediate layer |
| US4786564A (en) * | 1987-02-25 | 1988-11-22 | Komag, Inc. | Method for manufacturing a magnetic disk having reduced bit shift, minimized noise, increased resolution and uniform magnetic characteristics, and the resulting disk |
-
1982
- 1982-12-17 CA CA000417987A patent/CA1221600A/en not_active Expired
-
1983
- 1983-12-16 JP JP23772583A patent/JPS59171694A/en active Pending
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5284362A (en) * | 1990-02-21 | 1994-02-08 | Esselte Pendaflex Corporation | Reinforced shelf filing folders |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS59171694A (en) | 1984-09-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |