US3324918A - Folder with filler sheets fixed thereto and method for making same - Google Patents

Description

June 33. 1967 R H. MELLER 3,3243% FOLDER WITH FILLER snmzcrs FIXED THERETO AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME Filed April 7, 1964 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3 324,918 FOLDER WITH FILLER SHEETS FIXED THERETO AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME Robert H. Miller, 5415 Grand Ave., Western Springs, Ill. 60558 Filed Apr. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 358,918 4 Claims. (Cl. 15039) This invention relates generally to folders having filler sheets therein and the method for making the same, and, more particularly, to folders having fused cover sheets of one material and filler sheets of a second material.

Conventional folders having filler sheets presently available and used for holding papers, documents, brochures and the like, range from large bulky ring type units to plastic carrying cases having covers sealed together but whose filler sheets are fastened to the plastic case by some cumbersome, costly mechanical fastening means, The ring type units, while in most instances durable enough, are in many instances too bulky. When mechanical fastening means are used to retain filler or loose leaf sheets in the folder, the fastening means are frequently visible to a person viewing the folder when it is in a closed or locked position. As a result, many of the conventional filler sheet folders are deficient due to the undesirable appearance of the fastening means.

Moreover, using metal rings and other mechanical fastening means to maintain the tiller sheets in a fixed position within the folders increases the cost of the overall unit due to additional steps required in the assembly of the folders and their filler sheets. Further, because of the cost of fastening means presently used, the overall construction cost of a folder is increased.

T o obviate these deficiencies I have invented a compact folder which not only enhances the overall appearance of the folder but additionally reduces the unit cost due to the reduction of materials and assembly time required to make my novel folder.

In my invention, an inner cover is slit at several cations to provide at least one strip in the inner cover. Filler sheets, generally made from a different material than the cover, and having a plurality of apertures located in the sheet, are inserted between the strip and cover until the apertures are located beneath the strip and then an outer cover is fused to both the edges of the inner cover and to the strip. Positioned between the inner and outer covers are a plurality of stiffener members while a conventional lock mechanism is attached to the folder for positively maintaining the folder in a closed position. Because of the fusing operation, fastener means heretofore used are eliminated. At the same time I have provided a durable unit in that the filler sheets are permanently maintained in position, Further, with the elimination of conventional fastener means, the time for assembling a folder with its filler sheets is substantially reduced effecting a reduction in the unit construction cost.

If it is desired to have a heavy duty folder having an abundance of filler sheets over and above what is normally required, a fastening means, e.g., threaded fastener or the like, can be used for retaining the sheets in a fixed position in addition to the fusing operation. However, as opposed to conventional devices, the additional fastening means used in my invention is not visible to an individual when a folder is viewed in a closed position.

A further feature of my invention which enables me to reduce the overall construction cost of the folder is the use of a unitary stiffener member which is slotted at desired locations along the length or width of the member. This slotted stiffener member can be used in the assembly of a folder in such manner that no additional stiffener members are required. The advantage of this is apparent in that the step of adding a plurality of stiffener members is eliminated thus further serving as a reduction in construction cost.

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

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an assembled case having filler sheets fixedly attached thereto;

FIGURE 2 is a view showing filler sheets separated from the inner cover prior to final assembly;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view showing filler sheets inserted between the inner cover and strip;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view showing filler sheets positioned between the strip and cover follOWing the fusing or sealing operation; and

FIGURE 5 shows a cutaway of FIGURE 1 illustrating the stiffening members positioned between the inner and outer covers.

In FIGURE 2, inner cover 10, generally made of a vinyl material, is slit at 11 and 12 to form strip 13 which, as seen for example in FIGURE 2, is substantially longer in length than in width. Slits 11, 12 do not cut across the entire length of cover 10 but stop a short distance from each edge of cover 10. One or more filler sheets 14 having a plurality of apertures 15, generally located centrally of the filler sheets, are inserted between strip 13 and cover 10 until apertures 15 are located beneath strip 13, as illustrated in FIG- URE 3. The filler sheets, which act as envelopes for holding cards and the like, are ordinarily made of polyethylene or polyurethane, although, if desired, the sheets could be made of the same material as cover 10. Stiffener members 16 are then placed on cover 10 opposite the face upon which filler sheets 14 are situated and an outer cover 17, made of the same material as inner cover 10, is fused to cover 10 at the outer edges of the respective covers. Additionally, the covers are fused to one another near the location of slits 11 and 12 forming sealing edges 18 and 19. This sealing serves to retain stiffening members 16 in position. To maintain filler sheets 14 in a fixed position, strip 13 is fused to outer cover 17 as shown at 20 in FIGURE 4 where the fusing of strip 13 to cover 17 occurs within the area of the respective apertures 15.

The method for assembling the folder having the filler sheets fixed thereto, is shown in FIGURE 2 and comprises the steps of inserting filler sheets 14 between strip 13 and cover 10. Cover 10 is then placed in a die with the cover face up or on top of filler sheets 14. Stiffener members 16 are then positioned on top of cover 10 at desired locations after which outer cover 17 is placed on the stiffeners 16. The covers are then fused together with the use of a conventional heat sealing or electronic fusing machine. Upon removal of the completed case from the die, a conventional lock device 27 is attached to the case to lock it in a closed position.

Though in most instances the inner and outer covers and strips are made of the same material and the filler sheets are made of a different material, it is to be appreciated that the filler sheets and covers could be made of the same material. Generally the covers are made of vinyl whereas the filler sheets are made of polyethylene or polyurethane.

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

3 What is claimed is: 1. The method of forming a folder having at least one filler sheet fixed thereto according to the steps of:

slitting an inner cover made from a first material to form at least one strip in said cover;

inserting at least one filler sheet made from a second material and having a plurality of apertures therein between said strip and said inner cover until said apertures are covered by said strip;

placing a plurality of stiffener members adjacent said inner cover; and,

fusing an outer cover made from said first material to said inner cover and said strip through said apertures in said strip.

2. A folder having filler sheets fixed thereto, said folder comprising:

an outer cover made of a first material;

an inner cover made of said first material, said inner cover having a pair of substantially parallel slits located therein for a substantial portion along the length of said inner cover thereby forming an integral strip on said inner cover, said inner cover having a pair of substantially parallel inner edge portions corresponding to said parallel slits;

said strip formed in said inner cover being substantially longer in length than in width;

at least one filler sheet made of a second material, said filler sheet having a plurality of spaced apertures located along the length of said filler sheet;

said filler sheet positioned between said inner cover and said integral strip whereby said apertures in said sheet are positioned completely beh ind said strip;

stiffening members located between said first and second covers;

said covers being fused together along the respective marginal edges of said inner and outer covers;

at least part of each of said inner edge portions being fused to said outer cover to positively position said stiffening members; and,

said integral strip of the inner cover being fused to said outer cover within the area of said apertures whereby said filler sheet is fastened to said folder.

3. A folder in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first material is vinyl and said second material is polyethylene.

4. A folder in accordance with claim 2 further including a locking means connected to said outer cover for maintaining said folder in a closed position,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,486,330 10/1949 Schade 281 -29 2,657,726 11/1953 Silverman 30 2,678,673 5/1954 Sheils 150--39 2,911,024 11/1959 Miceli -51 X 3,019,486 2/1962 Stinson 281 21 X 3,146,816 9/1964 Osher l5039 3,190,678 6/1965 Peterson et al 281--29 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,280,663 11/ 1961 France.

682,075 10/1939 Germany.

687,249 1/1940 Germany.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Examiner.

M. L. MINSK, Assistant Examiner.

Dedication 3,324,918.-R0bert H. Miller, Western Springs, I11. FOLDER WITH FILLER SHEETS FIXED THERETO AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME. Patent dated June 13, 1967. Dedication filed Aug. 20, 1968, by the assignee, M ajor Plastics, I no. Hereby dedicates t0 the Public the remaining term of said patent.

[Oflicial Gazette September 24, 1.968.]

Claims (1)

1. THE METHOD OF FORMING A FOLDER HAVING AT LEAST ONE FILLER SHEET FIXED THERETO ACCORDING TO THE STEPS OF: SLITTING AN INNER COVER MADE FROM A FIRST MATERIAL TO FORM AT LEAST ONE STRIP IN SAID COVER; INSERTING AT LEAST ONE FILLER SHEET MADE FROM SECOND MATERIAL AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF APERTURES THEREIN BETWEEN SAID STRIP AND SAID INNER COVER UNTIL SAID APERTURES ARE COVERED BY SAID STRIP;

Images