WO2000061380A1

WO2000061380A1 - A file cover assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2000061380A1
Application number: PCT/IB2000/000438
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Balfour Dugmore; Murray Basil Blumberg
Original assignee: Press Products (Proprietary) Limited
Priority date: 1999-04-09
Filing date: 2000-04-10
Publication date: 2000-10-19
Also published as: AU2000236662A1

Abstract

A board file cover assembly (89) comprises first and second rectangular cover panels (12 and 14) hinged to and spaced apart from one another by a rigid spine (16), with the hinged zones being defined by indented score lines (18). A rigidifying flap (90) extends from and is hinged to the free edge of the first file cover panel along a score line (24). The free end (68) of the second cover (14) is fitted with a cover connector (92) having an S-shaped profile and including an outer arm (112) formed with a plurality of inwardly directed ribs (118) which locate within corresponding grooves (120) defined in the outer surface of the second file cover. An intermediate arm (114) is similarly formed with a pair of ribs (122) which locate within corresponding grooves (124) defined in the inner surface of the cover in a sliding or snap fit. A flap connector (91) comprises a U-shaped flap connecting portion (94), with the ends of the U terminating in inwardly directed ribs (96) and (98) for locating within respective complemental grooves (100 and 102) adjacent the free end of the flap (90) in a sliding fit. A tongue-receiving socket (126) is defined between the intermediate and inner arms (114 and 116), and includes a pair of inwardly directed ribs (128) arranged to locate within the corresponding recesses (110) in the tongue (104) of the flap connector (91) in a snap fit. Both the flap connector (91) and the cover connector (92) extend the length of the flap and cover edges, and are extruded from a hard plastics material.

Description

A FILE COVER ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a file cover assembly for ring binder and lever arch- type files, and in particular to ring binder and lever arch-type board files.

Partly filled files of this type generally have a triangular or trapezoidal profile, which is not amenable to stable or compact stacking, in either a horizontal or vertical configuration.

Further, as the file covers are open on three sides, they are not held uniformly at right angles to the spine, and in lever arch-type files, typically the entire weight of the file contents is supported by only one file cover, resulting in an imbalance in vertical shear between the opposing covers of the file. In combination these disadvantages result in progressive deformation of the file cover, in particular when the file is nearly full and is in an upright position. The irregular shape of files deformed in this manner not only renders such files in live filing applications both untidy in appearance and inconvenient to use, but also makes archiving of such files problematic. Whilst box files avoid this problem to some extent, they are generally more expensive, and are not as convenient to use.

It is an object of this invention to provide an economical file cover assembly which improves both the appearance and convenience-in-use of live files, whilst at the same time offering improved archiving convenience and convertibility of these files after they are retired from active use.

CΌMFIRMATICN COPY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a file cover assembly comprising first and second planar covers hinged to and spaced apart from one another by a rigid spine and formed from a sheet of board material, a rigidifying flap hinged to a free edge of the first cover remote from and parallel to the spine, and flap fastening means for fastening the flap detachably to the second cover so as to form a rigid rectangular cylinder with the first and second covers being opposed and parallel to one another and the file spine and the flap being opposed and parallel to one another, the flap fastening means comprising at least one flap connector having first mounting means for mounting the flap connector towards a free edge of the rigidifying flap, at least one corresponding cover connector having second mounting means for mounting the cover connector towards a free edge of the second cover, the flap connector and cover connector including respective engaging and complemental engaging formations which are detachably engageable with one another.

In a preferred form of the invention, the first mounting means comprises a flap embracing formation integral with the flap connector for embracing a free edge of the flap in a snug, non-return fit, and the second mounting means comprises a cover embracing formation integral with the cover connector for embracing a free edge of the second file cover in a non-return fit.

Conveniently, the flap and cover embracing formation has a substantially U- shaped profile, and detent means extend inwardly from an inner face of at least one of the arms of the U for detaining the flap embracing formation in position in the non-return fit.

Typically, the detent means comprise at least a pair of opposed ribs extending inwardly from the inner faces of both of the arms of the U, and a pair of corresponding grooves defined towards the free edges of the flap in opposed faces thereof for accommodating the opposed ribs in a sliding or push fit.

Advantageously, the cover embracing formation has a substantially U-shaped profile, and detent means extend inwardly from an inner face of at least one of the arms of the U for detaining the cover embracing formation in position in a non-return fit.

Preferably, the detent means comprise at least a pair of opposed ribs extending inwardly from the inner faces of both of the arms of the U, and a pair of corresponding grooves defined towards the free edges of the cover in opposed faces thereof for accommodating the opposed ribs in a sliding or push fit.

The cover connector typically has an S-shaped profile defined by the outer U of the cover embracing formation joined to an inner inverted U which constitutes the complemental engaging formation.

Advantageously, the engaging formation on the flap connector comprises a tongue extending perpendicularly from the inner arm of the U-shaped flap embracing formation, the inner inverted U of the cover connector including a tongue-receiving socket for receiving the tongue in a snap fit.

Typically, the arms of the U are inwardly biased, a plurality of grooves are defined towards the free edges of the cover in the opposed faces thereof, and a corresponding plurality of mating ribs extend inwardly from the inner faces of both of the arms of the U.

In a preferred form of the invention, the flap is integral with the first and second file covers, with the spine, the flap and the covers being formed from a unitary sheet of board material which has been formed with a series of parallel score or fold lines delineating the first and second covers, the spine and the flap.

Alternatively, the flap comprises a separate flap panel having a hinged end and a free end, the hinged end being fitted to the free edge of the first cover by a flap and cover interconnector, the interconnector being formed with a flap embracing formation for embracing a hinged end of the flap in a non-return fit, and a cover embracing formation for embracing a free edge of the first file cover in a non-return fit.

The interconnector typically has an S-shaped profile defined by an outer U joined to an inner inverted U, with the outer U constituting the first file cover embracing formation and the inner U being arranged to embrace, in a nonreturn fit, a tongue hinged to the flap panel along an integral groove or score line.

In one form of the invention, the file cover assembly includes at least one rigidifying cover mountable to an operatively upper or lower open end of the file cover assembly, the rigidifying cover including mounting formations arranged to embrace the opposed upper or lower file cover edges so as to stabilize the hinged connections between the covers, the spine and the flap and to enhance the rigidity of the rectangular cylinder.

Preferably, the file cover assembly includes a pair of rigidifying covers mountable to both open ends of the file cover assembly.

Typically, the flap connector and the cover connector extend for the length of the free edges of the respective rigidifying flap and second cover, and are extruded from a hard plastics material. The interconnector may also extend for the entire length of the free edge of the first file cover and the hinged end of the flap, and may be extruded from a hard plastics material.

The invention extends to a rigidifying flap assembly which is connectable to an existing board file cover having first and second covers hinged to and spaced apart from one another by a rigid spine, the rigidifying flap assembly comprising a flap panel formed with an integral hinge, a flap and cover interconnector for interconnecting a hinged end of the flap panel to a free edge of the first file cover, a flap connector mountable towards a free edge of the flap panel, and a cover connector mountable towards a free edge of the second cover, the flap connector and cover connector including respective engaging and complemental engaging formations which are detachably engageable with one another so as to form a rigid rectangular open-ended cylinder.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of archiving a file containing a bundle of documents, the method including the steps of providing a file incorporating a file cover assembly comprising first and second planar covers hinged to and spaced apart from one another by a rigid spine, a rigidifying flap hinged to a free edge of the first cover remote from and parallel to the spine, and flap fastening means for fastening the flap detachably to the second cover so as to form a rigid rectangular open-ended cylinder with the first and second covers being opposed and parallel to one another and the spine and the flap being opposed and parallel to one another, the method including the further step of wrapping the file with a protective transparent film in such a way that at least an operatively uppermost open ends of the filled file are covered so as to protect the file contents. The method conveniently includes the preliminary step of fitting a rigidifying cover to at least one of the open ends of the file cover so as to enhance the rigidity of the rectangular cylinder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a disassembled top plan view of a first embodiment of a file cover assembly of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a top plan detail of the file cover assembly of Figure 1 with the flap and cover connectors mounted in position;

Figure 3 shows a top plan detail of the flap and cover connectors in an engaged position;

Figure 4 shows a top plan partly disassembled detail of a second embodiment of a file cover assembly of the invention;

Figure 5 shows a pictorial view of a cover connector used in the first and second embodiments of the file cover assembly;

Figure 6 shows a pictorial view of a flap connector used in the first and second embodiments of the file cover assembly;

Figure 7 shows a pictorial view of a detachable flap connector used in the second embodiment of the file cover assembly;

Figure 8 shows a disassembled top plan view of a third embodiment of a file cover assembly of the invention; Figure 9 shows a top plan assembled detail of the flap and cover connectors of the third embodiment of the invention,

Figure 10 shows a top plan detail of a fourth embodiment of a file cover assembly of the invention,

Figure 11 shows a pictorial view of a cover connector used in the third and fourth embodiments of the invention,

Figure 12 shows a pictorial view of a flap connector used in the third and fourth embodiments of the invention,

Figure 13 shows a pictorial view of a detachable flap connector used in the fourth embodiment of the invention,

Figure 14 shows a pictorial view of a first embodiment of a rigidifying dust cover optionally forming part of the file cover assembly of the invention, and

Figure 15 shows a pictorial view of a second embodiment of a rigidifying dust cover optionally forming part of the file cover assembly of the invention

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to Figure 1 , a board file cover assembly 10 comprises first and second planar rectangular cover panels 12 and 14 hinged to and spaced apart from one another by a rigid spine 16, with the hinged zones being defined by indented score lines 18 A rigidifying flap 20 extends from and is hinged to a free edge 22 of the first cover panel along a score line 24 Towards its free end, the flap 20 is bent into a U-configuration 26 along respective indented score lines 28 and 30. The re-entrant portion of the U is in turn bent transversely at right angles along a score line 32 to define a connector- engageable tongue 34. The bends in U-configuration 26 defines by score lines 28, 30 and 32 are bonded together by adhesive 35 during the folding process to ensure rigidity of the U in use. The aforementioned cover panels, flap and spine define a unitary file cover which is formed from a single sheet of cardboard material which is die cut, scored and then folded into the illustrated configuration. The cardboard or board material may be covered on at least one face with paper, plastics sheeting such as vinyl, bookbinding cloth or the like.

A flap connector 36, which is extruded from a hard plastics material but may equally be pressed from sprung or mild steel, has a U-configuration, with first and second arms 38 and 40 embracing the outer and inner faces of the tongue 34 in a snug fit in the manner illustrated in Figure 2. The second arm 40 terminates in an inwardly directed tang 42 which rides over and locates behind a rearmost face 44 adjacent a rear inner corner 46 of the tongue 34. The arm 40 is formed with a projecting rib 48 for forming a snug yet reversible fit within a complemental rib-receiving recess 50 defined within a cover connector 52. The cover connector 52 is similarly extruded from hard plastics material or pressed from sprung or mild steel, and has an S-shaped profile comprising an outer U and an inverted inner U. The outer U comprises an outer arm 54, a first bight portion 56 and an intermediate common arm 58, and the inverted inner U comprises the common arm 58, a second inner bight portion 60 and an inner arm 62. The outer arm 54 has an inwardly bent terminal portion 64 and an inwardly directed barb 66.

The arms of the flap connector 36 as well as the arms of the cover connector are angled towards one another when in the relaxed position. As a result, when fitted to the respective tongue 34 and free edge 68 of the second file cover 14, each of the connectors are biased inwardly, with their arms firmly embracing the outer surfaces of the board of the tongue 34 and the free edge 68 of the second cover panel 14. In the assembled Figure 2 position, it can clearly be seen how the cover connector 52 is prevented from dislodgment by virtue of the barb 66 biting into the outer surface 70 of the second cover 14. The inwardly bent terminal portion 64 bears firmly against the outer surface 70 providing a smooth snag-free transition between the outer surface 70 and the outer arm 54 of the connector.

Once the flap and cover connectors are press-fitted into position in the manner illustrated in Figure 2, the flap 20 carrying the flap connector 36 can be brought into engagement with the second cover 14 carrying the cover connector 52. The arm 62 terminates in an outwardly flared end guide 72 for guiding the leading bight 74 of the flap connector 36 into the inner inverted U-shaped connector-receiving portion 76 of the cover connector defined by the opposed arms 58 and 62 and the bight portion 60. In the closed Figure 3 position, the file cover assembly forms a rigid rectangular open-ended cylinder, with the first and second file cover panels 12 and 14 being held apart in a rigid parallel configuration.

Referring now to Figure 4, a second embodiment of a file cover assembly 78 is shown in which a detachable as opposed to integral rigidifying flap 80 is provided for retro-fitting to an existing conventional board file having first and second cover panels 12A and 14A. The rigidifying flap assembly 80 comprises a rigidifying panel portion 82 terminating in an inwardly directed tongue 34A which has the same configuration as the tongue 34 of the Figure 1 embodiment. An identical inwardly directed tongue 34B is provided at the opposite end of the panel portion 82. The score lines 28A, 30A and 32A defining the U-shaped portion 26A are identical to the aforementioned score lines 28, 30 and 32. The score lines 28B, 30B and 32B define a similar adhesively bonded U-shaped portion 26B and tongue 34B. The flap connector 36 and the second cover connector 52 are identical to the flap and cover connectors of the first embodiment.

A flap and cover interconnector 86 is provided to interconnect the hinged end of the flap 80 and the first cover 12A. The interconnector 86 is effectively a combination of the separate flap and cover connectors 36 and 52. It is provided with a similar inwardly directed terminal portion 64B and barb 66B which engage the outer surface 88 of the first file cover 12A in a snug nonreturn fit. The opposite end of the interconnector 86 is formed with an inwardly directed tang 44B which is similar to the tang 44 shown in detail in Figure 6, in that it serves to locate the interconnector firmly over the tongue 34B in a similar snug non-return fit. Once the interconnector is fitted in position over the free edge 90 of the first file cover, the rigidifying flap 80 operates in the same manner as the flap 20 of Figure 1.

In Figure 5, a pictorial view of the cover connector 52 is shown. In this embodiment, the cover connector 52 is formed from sprung steel, and a series of cover connectors are fitted at evenly spaced intervals to the free edge 68 of the second file covers 14 and 14A. In another embodiment, a cover connector having the identical profile may extend the entire length of the free edge 68 of the second cover 14A. In this case, the connector may be formed from a hard resilient plastics material rather than sprung steel.

In Figure 6, a pictorial view of the flap connector 36 is shown. A series of shorter sprung steel flap connectors may be used, or alternatively an elongate flap connector corresponding to the elongate cover connector may be provided. The same alternatives are applicable in respect of the interconnector 86 illustrated in Figure 7.

In Figures 8 and 9, a third preferred embodiment of a file cover assembly 89 of the invention is shown. Those components which are identical or substantially identical to the Figure 1 embodiment are identified with the same numerals. The file cover assembly is formed with an integral flap 90, the free end of which is fitted with a flap connector 91. The free end 68 of the second cover 14 is fitted with a cover connector 92.

The flap connector 91 comprises a U-shaped flap connecting portion 94, with the ends of the U terminating in inwardly directed ribs 96 and 98 for locating within respective complemental grooves 100 and 102 adjacent the free end of the flap 90 preferably in a sliding or alternatively in a snap fit. More particularly, the U-shaped flap connecting portion 94 conveniently slides into position from a top or bottom edge of the flap, with the ribs 96 and 98 mating with the complemental grooves 100 and 102. A bead of glue may initially be drawn along the grooves to bond the flap connector firmly in position. An integral tongue 104 extends from an inner arm 106 of the U, and terminates in a bulbous head 108 defined by a pair of indents 110. The cover connector 92 has an S-shaped profile including an outer arm 112, an intermediate common arm 114 and an inner arm 116. The outer arm 112 is formed with a plurality of inwardly directed ribs 118 which locate within corresponding grooves 120 defined in the outer surface and towards the free end 68 of the second file cover. The intermediate arm 114 is similarly formed with a pair of ribs 122 which locate within corresponding grooves 124 defined in the inner surface of the cover in a sliding or snap fit in the manner described above with reference to the flap connector 91. A tongue-receiving socket 126 is defined between the intermediate and inner arms 114 and 116, and includes a pair of inwardly directed ribs 128 arranged to locate within the corresponding recesses 110 in the tongue 104 of the flap connector 91 in a snap fit.

Referring now to Figure 10, a still further embodiment of a rigidifying flap assembly 130 is shown comprising a flap panel 132, one end of which is fitted with the flap connector 91 and the other end of which is fitted with a flap and cover interconnector 134. The hinged end of the flap panel 132 is formed with a pair of opposed grooves 140 and 142 defining a weakened hinged zone 44 for allowing the flap panel 132 to pivot freely between open and closed positions. The grooves 140 and 142 are also designed to receive re-entrant ribs 146 forming part of a U- shaped formation 148 as detailed in Figure 13 defining a flap-receiving recess 150 for receiving a hinged end 152 of the flap panel 132. The interconnector 134 is also formed with inner and outer arms 154 and 156 defining a cover- receiving recess 158 for receiving a free edge of a first cover panel 160. The inner and outer surfaces of the first cover panel 160 adjacent its free edge are formed with a series of parallel grooves 162 which form a sliding or snap fit with a series of ribs 164 which extend inwardly from the arms 154 and 156 of the interconnector 134.

Figures 11 to 13 illustrate the cover connector 92, the flap connector 91 and the interconnector 134 respectively. In this embodiment, these three components are typically extruded from a hard plastics material, and preferably extend the entire length of the flap and cover edges. Alternatively, they may be spaced at intervals along these edges. The first and second file cover panels 160 and 161 may form part of a conventional board lever arch or ring binder which is slightly modified by the addition of the grooves or score lines 120, 122 and 162.

The rigidifying characteristics of the various embodiments of the file cover assembly may conveniently be enhanced by fitting them with rigidifying dust covers of the type illustrated at 166 and 168 in Figures 14 and 15 respectively. The dust cover 166 includes a top panel 170, the opposite edges of which are fitted with interconnectors 172 and 174 having a first inwardly directed U- shaped formation 176 within which the major side edges of the panel 170 locate in a snug friction fit. The inner walls defining the U-shaped formation 176 may be provided with a series of ribs similar to those indicated by numeral 164 on interconnector 134 in Figure 13, designed to form a sliding or snap fit with a complemental series of grooves adjacent and running parallel to the major side edges of panel 170. The interconnectors 172 and 174 are also formed with a downwardly directed inverted U-shaped formation 178 for receiving the top edges of the cover panels 12 and 14 in a snug friction fit.

The rigidifying dust cover 168 of Figure 15 comprises a centre panel 179 formed with an integral pair of downwardly directed end flanges 180 and 182 which fit over the outer faces of the file cover panels 12 and 14. Inner flanges 184 and 186 may optionally be provided to define cover panel-receiving recesses for receiving the cover panels 12 and 14 in a snug friction fit.

As a preferred file storage alternative, files of the type illustrated in Figures 1 to 10 may be shrunk- or cling-wrapped for archiving purposes. To this end, a dedicated shrink wrapping station may be provided at each archiving centre. The uniform and rigid rectangular configuration of the file cover assemblies, particularly when reinforced with the rigidifying dust flaps, make them particularly well suited to a shrink- or cling-wrapping procedure, which is not the case with conventional open-ended files. More particularly, such open- ended files have distortable three-sided covers formed with two hinge points. Shrink-wrapping of a single open-ended file will tend to further distort the file cover, typically by angling the file spine at an acute angle relative to one of the file covers and an obtuse angle relative to the other, and also accentuating the inward tapering of the file covers at their free ends. The resultant asymmetrical and irregular structure is ill-suited for stacking or archiving purposes both in an upright and in a prone or sheaved format. It will be appreciated that the rigidifying dust flaps may take the form of rigidifying inserts which only partly cover the open ends of the file covers, so as to fulfil a wholly rigidifying rather than a combined rigidifying and dust cover-type role for maintaining the rectangular configuration of the file covers during the shrink-wrapping process and subsequently in storage, especially when stacked. The shrink- or cling-wrap film is typically a fine gauge transparent plastics film which may be economically removed and discarded, and subsequently replaced, so as to allow sporadic access to the contents of an archived file.

The filled files, particularly in the absence of rigidifying dust flaps, may be wrapped using an appropriate pre-former having a bed and at least a pair of hinged flaps, with the film being positioned between the former and the filled file. The initial wrapping direction may be parallel or perpendicular to the file spine.

Claims

A file cover assembly comprising first and second planar covers hinged to and spaced apart from one another by a rigid spine and formed from a sheet of board material, a rigidifying flap hinged to a free edge of the first cover remote from and parallel to the spine, and flap fastening means for fastening the flap detachably to the second cover so as to form a rigid rectangular cylinder with the first and second covers being opposed and parallel to one another and the file spine and the flap being opposed and parallel to one another, the flap fastening means comprising at least one flap connector having first mounting means for mounting the flap connector towards a free edge of the rigidifying flap, at least one corresponding cover connector having second mounting means for mounting the cover connector towards a free edge of the second cover, the flap connector and cover connector including respective engaging and complemental engaging formations which are detachably engageable with one another

A file cover assembly according to claim 1 in which the first mounting means comprises a flap embracing formation integral with the flap connector for embracing a free edge of the flap in a snug, non-return fit, and the second mounting means comprises a cover embracing formation integral with the cover connector for embracing a free edge of the second file cover in a non-return fit

A file cover assembly according to claim 2 in which the flap and cover embracing formation has a substantially U-shaped profile, and detent means extend inwardly from an inner face of at least one of the arms of the U for detaining the flap embracing formation in position in the nonreturn fit

4. A file cover assembly according to claim 3 in which the detent means comprise at least a pair of opposed ribs extending inwardly from the inner faces of both of the arms of the U, and a pair of corresponding grooves defined towards the free edges of the flap in opposed faces thereof for accommodating the opposed ribs in a sliding or push fit.

5. A file cover assembly according to either one of claims 3 or 4 in which the cover embracing formation has a substantially U-shaped profile, and detent means extend inwardly from an inner face of at least one of the arms of the U for detaining the cover embracing formation in position in a non-return fit.

6. A file cover assembly according to claim 5 in which the detent means comprise at least a pair of opposed ribs extending inwardly from the inner faces of both of the arms of the U, and a pair of corresponding grooves defined towards the free edges of the cover in opposed faces thereof for accommodating the opposed ribs in a sliding or push fit.

7. A file cover assembly according to either one of the preceding claims 5 or 6 in which the cover connector has an S-shaped profile defined by the outer U of the cover embracing formation joined to an inner inverted U which constitutes the complemental engaging formation.

8. A file cover assembly according to claim 7 in which the engaging formation on the flap connector comprises a tongue extending perpendicularly from the inner arm of the U-shaped flap embracing formation, the inner inverted U of the cover connector including a tongue-receiving socket for receiving the tongue in a snap fit.

9. A file cover assembly according to claim 6 in which the arms of the U are inwardly biased, a plurality of grooves are defined towards the free edges of the cover in the opposed faces thereof and a corresponding plurality of mating ribs extend inwardly from the inner faces of both of the arms of the U.

10. A file cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which the flap is integral with the first and second file covers, with the spine, the flap and the covers being formed from a unitary sheet of board material which has been formed with a series of parallel score or fold lines delineating the first and second covers, the spine and the flap.

11. A file cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4 in which the flap comprises a separate flap panel having a hinged end and a free end, the hinged end being fitted to the free edge of the first cover by a flap and cover interconnector, the interconnector being formed with a flap embracing formation for embracing a hinged end of the flap in a non-return fit, and a cover embracing formation for embracing a free edge of the first file cover in a non-return fit.

12. A file cover assembly according to claim 11 in which the interconnector has an S-shaped profile defined by an outer U joined to an inner inverted U, with the outer U constituting the first file cover embracing formation and the inner U being arranged to embrace, in a non-return fit, a tongue hinged to the flap panel along an integral groove or score line.

13. A file cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims which includes at least one rigidifying cover mountable to an operatively upper or lower open end of the file cover assembly, the rigidifying cover including mounting formations arranged to embrace the opposed upper or lower file cover edges so as to stabilize the hinged connections between the covers, the spine and the flap and to enhance the rigidity of the rectangular cylinder.

14. A file cover assembly according to claim 13 which includes a pair of rigidifying covers mountable to both open ends of the file cover assembly.

15. A file cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which the flap connector and the cover connector extend for the length of the free edges of the respective rigidifying flap and second cover, and are extruded from a hard plastics material.

16. A file cover assembly according to either one of the preceding claims 11 or 12 in which the interconnector extends for the entire length of the free edge of the first file cover and the hinged end of the flap, and is extruded from a hard plastics material.

17. A rigidifying flap assembly which is connectable to an existing board file cover having first and second covers hinged to and spaced apart from one another by a rigid spine, the rigidifying flap assembly comprising a flap panel formed with an integral hinge, a flap and cover interconnector for interconnecting a hinged end of the flap panel to a free edge of the first file cover, a flap connector mountable towards a free edge of the flap panel, and a cover connector mountable towards a free edge of the second cover, the flap connector and cover connector including respective engaging and complemental engaging formations which are detachably engageable with one another so as to form a rigid rectangular open-ended cylinder.

18. A method of archiving a file containing a bundle of documents, the method including the steps of providing a file incorporating a file cover assembly comprising first and second planar covers hinged to and spaced apart from one another by a rigid spine, a rigidifying flap hinged to a free edge of the first cover remote from and parallel to the spine, and flap fastening means for fastening the flap detachably to the second cover so as to form a rigid rectangular open-ended cylinder with the first and second covers being opposed and parallel to one another and the spine and the flap being opposed and parallel to one another, the method including the further step of wrapping the file with a protective transparent film in such a way that at least an operatively uppermost open ends of the filled file are covered so as to protect the file contents.

19. A method according to claim 18 which includes the preliminary step of fitting a rigidifying cover to at least one of the open ends of the file cover so as to enhance the rigidity of the rectangular cylinder.