WO2001032438A1

WO2001032438A1 - A box file arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2001032438A1
Application number: PCT/IB2000/001602
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Balfour Dugmore
Original assignee: Blumberg, Murray, Basil
Priority date: 1999-11-05
Filing date: 2000-11-06
Publication date: 2001-05-10
Also published as: AU1542301A

Abstract

A box file arrangement (56) is provided for facilitating the direct transfer and subsequent archiving of documents (92) from a lever arch file (76) having a pair of spaced apart covers (78 and 80) joined by a spine (82). The box file arrangement is locatable on an inner surface of the file cover (80) via a pair of apertures (52) in the base panel (12) of the box file (56). Inner and outer side wall panels (28 and 14) extend upwardly from the base panel, as do end wall panels (20 and 22). A lid panel (16) is joined to the outer side wall panel, and terminates in a closure flap (38). The post arms (88) of the lever arch mechanism are passed through the apertures (52) in the base file, whereafter the sheaf of documents (92) is transferred into the box file via the arches (86). The lid (16) is then closed and the file cover is folded closed over the lid and secured in position. In an alternative version, the box file and documents contained therein are separated from the lever arch file after the document transfer process for archiving purposes.

Description

A BOX FILE ARRANGEMENT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a box file arrangement.

Conventional box files are particularly well suited for archiving purposes, in that the documents contained therein are completely protected against dust and damage. Such files are generally not suited for use as live files. The documents contained within a box file cannot normally be rearranged or transferred easily. Once unsheaved, these documents tend to get muddled, in addition, documents contained within box files are not always readily accessible.

In contrast, files provided with document transfer mechanisms such as lever arch files, ring binders or "pipe" files are more suited to live filing applications, as the transfer mechanisms readily allow for the transfer and rearrangement of documents. In addition, the files can easily be opened and closed. As these files are open-ended, they are not particularly well suited to archiving applications, as the documents within the files tend to gather dust and are directly exposed to damaging influences such as damp and abrasion of the unprotected edges of the filed document stack. Further, the trapezoidal profile of such files makes them notoriously difficult to stack in an archiving application.

In order to overcome this problem, special document transfer mechanisms are employed to remove documents from lever arch files, bundle them in the correct order and then deposit the sheaved bundle of documents into a box file for storage. This procedure is time consuming and laborious, and also necessitates the relabelling of box files. Whilst not being used, the empty box files also tend to take up unnecessary space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a box file arrangement for facilitating the transfer of documents from a document retaining file thereto, the document retaining file being of the type including a pair of spaced apart covers joined by an intermediate spine, and a document retaining mechanism affixed to the spine and/or to one of the covers, the box file arrangement including mounting and transfer enabling means for enabling a box file to be mounted to the document retaining mechanism and the documents to be transferred into the box file via the document retaining mechanism.

In a preferred form of the invention, the mounting and transfer enabling means are arranged to allow the documents to be transferred directly into the box file.

Preferably, the box file arrangement is eatable on an inner surface of one file cover and is arranged to be sandwiched between opposed file covers of the arch file.

Conveniently, the box file arrangement comprises a rectangular base panel, a pair of opposed end walls and an outer side wall extending upwardly from the rectangular base panel, the base panel incorporating the mounting means for enabling the box file to be mounted on the document retaining mechanism.

Preferably, the box file arrangement includes an inner side wall extending upwardly from the rectangular base panel between the opposed end walls and opposite the outer side wall, the height of the inner side wall of the box file arrangement being less than that of the end and outer side walls.

Advantageously, the box file further includes a lid which is hinged to one of the side or end walls, the lid being arranged to form a closed box file, with the opposed cover of the document retaining file being locatable over the lid.

Alternatively, the lid may be discrete.

The document retaining file is typically a lever arch or post file.

The mounting means preferably comprises at least a pair of apertures formed in the base panel adjacent the inner side wall in a position which enables documents to be transferred freely into the box file via transfer means on the document retaining mechanism, the base panel being dimensioned to receive the transferred documents in a comfortable fit.

The apertures may advantageously be provided with reinforcing means, the reinforcing means typically being defined by broached patches of a durable material such as metal or plastic which may be adhered onto the inner and/or outer surface of the base panel in register with the apertures.

The reinforcing means may alternatively constitute one or more flanged bush arrangements locatable within and at least partially transfixing the apertures. The bush arrangements may comprise co-operating male and female components arranged to mate in a lockable compression click fit.

Alternatively, the reinforcing means may comprise a rectangular plate arranged to locate in snug alignment within the corners defined by the end and inner side walls of the box file arrangement, the plate being provided with apertures matching and in register with those in the base plate. The transfer means on the document retaining mechanism may comprise two or more arches. Alternatively, the transfer means may be constituted by two or more inter-engageable male-and-female pillar arrangements of the type typically employed in Japanese "pipe" files.

The transfer enabling means is preferably constituted by the extent of spacing of the base panel apertures from the inner side wall.

Where arches are employed in the document retaining mechanism, the transfer enabling means preferably also includes the gap defined by the reduced height of the inner side wall, which provides sufficient freeboard between the top of the inner side wall and the arches of the document retaining mechanism for enabling documents to be transferred freely and directly into the box file on the arches of the retaining mechanism.

The arches of the document retaining mechanism may include at least a pair of respective fixed post and pivotable jib arms, the ends of which are arranged to co-operate with one another to form a pair of closed arches which in turn form part of a lever arch mechanism.

Alternatively, the arches may be formed from co-operating sprung semi-rings forming part of a ring binder mechanism.

Typically, the lid of the box file terminates in a closure flap which may be arranged to extend over the arches of the document retaining mechanism inwardly of the spine of the arch file.

Alternatively, the flap and/or the lid may be formed with slots or apertures for accommodating part of the arches and/or posts of the document retaining mechanism when the flap and/or lid is brought down into the closed position. In one form of the invention, the box file arrangement is arranged to provide for the archiving of documents in conjunction with the arch or pipe file, with the invention extending to a file storage assembly including the box file arrangement and the co-operating arch or pipe file.

Retaining means may be provided for holding the opposed covers of the arch or pipe file together, with the box file arrangement being sandwiched therebetween.

The retaining means may be pre-existing retaining means, as is the case when the box file arrangement is preferably used in conjunction with an ADAPTAFILE®, wherein the retaining means comprises a rigidifying flap of the type described in US patent 5,897,141.

Alternatively, the box file arrangement may be arranged independently to store documents once they have been transferred from the arch or post file, in which case the box file arrangement includes supplemental document retaining means for retaining the documents in a bundle as and after they are transferred from the arch or post file.

The supplemental document retaining means may include one or more separable post arms forming part of the existing document retaining mechanism of the arch or pipe file.

Alternatively, and preferably, the separable document retaining means may include a base prong arrangement in the form of one or more hollow base prongs having flared bases, the prongs being arranged to fit over corresponding posts forming part of the document retaining mechanism prior to the documents being transferred into the box file. Conveniently, the prongs may be joined at their flared bases

The invention extends to a blank for forming a box file arrangement of the type described above, the blank comprising a rectangular base panel, a pair of opposed end wall panels and a pair of inner and outer side wall panels each joined to the base panel along fold lines, the base panel incorporating mounting means for enabling the assembled box file to be mounted on the document retaining mechanism of a document retaining file, whereby documents may be transferred, preferably directly, into the assembled box file via the document retaining mechanism

Preferably, a lid panel is joined to one of the side or end wall panels

Advantageously, the height of the inner side wall panel is less than that of the end and outer side wall panels

Conveniently, each of the end wall panels include an outer end wall panel joined to the base panel and an inner end wall panel joined to the outer end wall panel along parallel fold lines, with end wall flaps extending from the inner and outer side wall panels, whereby the inner end wall panels are arranged to be folded over the end wall flaps to engage with panel retaining slots defined in the base panel so as to provide triple layer end walls

Typically, the blank includes a separate reinforcing insert arranged to form a double layer side wall in conjunction with the outer side wall panel

Advantageously, the reinforcing insert may include at least one tie arranged to pass through apertures defined in the outer side wall panel for securing together opposite covers of the document retaining file BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a top plan view of a blank of a first embodiment of a box file arrangement of the invention;

Figures 2 & 3 show top perspective views of the blank of Figure 1 being folded into a box file;

Figure 4 shows a top perspective view of the box file of Figures 2 and 3 after it has been mounted in position on the post arms of a lever arch file;

Figure 5 shows a top perspective view of the box file of Figure 4 with the bundle of documents in position on the jib arms of the lever arch file;

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional side view of parts of the box and lever arch files showing documents being transferred into the box file;

Figure 7 shows a top perspective view of a file assembly with the box file in a closed position;

Figure 7A shows a cross-section on the line 7A-7A of Figure 7;

Figure 8 shows a top perspective view of a closed file assembly of Figures 7 and 7A ready for archiving;

Figure 9 shows a top perspective view of a supplemental document retaining sub-assembly for use in conjunction with the box file arrangement; Figure 10 shows an end-on view of a base prong arrangement forming part of the document retaining sub-assembly of Figure 9 in position on the posts of a lever arch file;

Figure 11 shows a top plan view of a blank of a second embodiment of a box file arrangement of the invention;

Figure 12 shows a top perspective view of a closed box file arrangement formed from the blank of Figure 11 mounted in position on a lever arch file; and

Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional side view of part of a third embodiment of a box file arrangement of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to Figure 1 , a blank 10 for a box file arrangement of the invention is die-cut from corrugated cardboard. Solid lines between the various panels denote fold lines. The blank 10 comprises a rectangular base panel 12 joined to an outer side wall panel 14 and a top or lid panel 16 by parallel fold lines 18. End walls 20 and 22 each including outer and inner end wall panels 24 and 26 extend from the base panel 12, as does an inner side wall panel 28 from which end wall flaps 30 and 32 extend. The end wall flaps 30 and 32 are arranged to mate with corresponding end wall flaps 34 and 36 extending from the outer side wall panel 14 to form part of the end walls 20 and 22. A closure flap 38 carrying tags 39 extends from the free end of the lid panel 16, and tongues 40 and 42 protrude from opposite sides of the lid panel. A rectangular reinforcing insert 44 is arranged to form a double wall in conjunction with the outer side wall panel 14. An elastic tie 46 terminating in tagged ends 46A passes through a pair of apertures 48 provided in the insert, the pair of apertures 48 being arranged to register with a corresponding pair of apertures 50 formed in the outer side wall panel 14 through which the tagged ends 46A are passed. A pair of apertures 52 is formed in the base panel 12 a distance "d" away from the fold line 54 between the base panel 12 and the inner side wall panel 28.

The partly formed box file 56 of Figure 2 is folded from the blank 10 of Figure 1 in the following manner. The end wall flaps 30 and 32 and the corresponding end wall flaps 34 and 36 are folded inwardly in the direction of arrows 58. Subsequently, the inner side wall panel 28 and the outer side wall panel 14 are folded inwardly in the direction of arrows 60, with the result that the tongues 62 on the end wall flaps 30 and 32 mate with the grooves 64 defined within the end wall flaps 34 and 36 in the manner illustrated in Figure 2. Subsequently, the inner end wall panels 26 are folded over the joined end wall flaps 30 and 32 in the direction of arrow 66 to a position in which tabs 68 extending from the outer end wall panels 26 locate snugly within slots 70 defined within the base panel 12.

Referring now to Figure 3, the box file 56 is closed by folding the tongues 40 and 42 inwardly so that they locate within slots 72 formed in the upper edges of the end walls 20 and 22 between the end wall panels 24 and 26. The flap 38 is then folded inwardly, with the laterally extending tags 39 locating within elongate openings 74 defined between the inner faces of the outer end wall panels 24 and the outer faces of the end wall flaps 30 and 34 and 32 and 36.

In Figure 4, the box file 56 is shown mounted in position on a lever arch file 76. The lever arch file 76 comprises a pair of spaced apart covers 78 and 80 joined by an intermediate spine 82 along parallel fold lines 84. A conventional lever arch mechanism 85 is mounted to the inner face of the file cover 80. The lever arch mechanism comprises a pair of pivoting jib arms 86 which mate with a corresponding pair of stationary post arms 88 when the lever 90 is in the closed position to form a pair of closed arches. As can more clearly be seen in Figure 6, the post arms 88 extend through the corresponding mounting apertures 52 defined in the base panel 12. The lever 90 is initially raised so as to allow the jib arms 86 to pivot away from the post arms 88 so that the free ends of the post arms can be fed through the apertures 52. When in position on the inner face of the file cover 80, the base panel 12 of the box file assembly rests completely thereon.

Referring now to Figure 5, a sheaf or bundle of documents 92 of a standard format, such as A4 or foolscap, are conventionally punched with holes 94 so as to allow them to be held captive on the file arches. Before the box file assembly 56 is positioned on the file, the bundle of documents 92 is transferred from a stowed position in which they are located on the posts 88 to a temporary transfer position indicated in Figure 5 in which the bundled documents are supported on the jib arms 86. After the box file arrangement 56 has been positioned on the post arms 88, the bundle of documents 92 is then flipped over or transferred into the box file compartment in the direction of arrows 100, as is apparent from Figure 6.

It will be appreciated that the base panel 12 is dimensioned and the apertures 52 are located so as to ensure that the documents 92 are transferred freely to form a comfortable fit within the box file compartment. From Figure 6, it is clearly apparent how the height of the inner side wall panel 28 is lower than the other side and end wall panels by a distance "e". The distance "e", in combination with the transverse distance "d" between the apertures 52 and the inner side wall panel, provides sufficient spacing between the closed arch 89 and the documents 92 held captive on the closed arch so as to ensure that the documents can be freely transferred into the box file assembly without the upper edge of the inner side wall panel 28 interfering with the transfer. This is achieved by ensuring that the minimum distance "f" between the arches and the upper edge of the inner side wall panel 28 is at least equal to the distance "d", which is in turn greater than the distance "g" between the punched apertures 94 and the side edges of the documents 92.

After the bundle of documents 92 has been transferred into the box file, the lid 16 of the box file is folded over in the manner previously described with reference to Figure 3. As is clear from Figure 7A, the lid panel 16 overhangs the base panel 12 by a distance "h", which is sufficient to ensure that the arches 89 are completely enclosed by the end flap 38 when in the folded down Figure 7A position, but insufficient to overhang the fold line 84. This is also achieved by virtue of the fact that the height of the end walls 24 and the width of the flap 38 is greater than the maximum height of the arches 89 relative to the file cover 80. As a result, the box file arrangement 56 completely encloses the documents 92. The file cover 78 can then be folded over the closed box file arrangement 56 in the direction of arrow 104 to the Figure 8 position. In order to hold the file covers 78 and 80 together, the tagged ends 46A of the elastic cord 46 carried on the reinforcing inset 44 are fed through the apertures 50 so that the insert presses against the inner face of the outer side wall panel 14. The file cover 78 is formed with a pair of apertures 106, as is the file cover 80, and the tagged ends of the elastic cord 46 are passed through these apertures in the manner illustrated in Figure 8 so as to hold the file covers firmly together, with the box file arrangement 56 sandwiched therebetween. The resultant box and lever arch file assembly can then be archived.

One advantageous feature of the box file assembly is that the outer surface of the spine 82 does not have to be relabeled for archiving purposes, and the original labeled references can be utilized. In addition, the document transfer method described above is particularly easy to effect. As the bundled documents are not removed from the arches at any stage during the transfer process, there is no chance that they can become muddled. In combination, these features make the box file assembly particularly suited to an automatic transition from live filing to archiving - and vice versa. The closed box file 56 provides additional protection for the documents in either state.

The structure of the box file assembly is particularly well suited to archiving, in that the end walls are triple layered, and the outer side wall in conjunction with the insert is double layered, as is the inner side wall 28 in conjunction with the closure flap 38. Naturally, if an ADAPTAFILE® is utilized, then the rigidifying flap effectively replaces the reinforcing insert 44, and provides a double wall in conjunction with the outer side wall panel 14. The spine 82 of the file, together with a spaced apart cover 78 and 80, further serve to reinforce the entire structure when archived, making it possible to stack a large number of file assemblies on top of one another in either a vertical or horizontal stacking configuration without the lowermost file assemblies being crushed or compacted.

Referring now to Figure 9, a document retaining sub-assembly 108 includes a base prong arrangement 110 in the form of a rectangular base 112 from which a pair of flexible hollow prongs 114 project. A conventional transversely lockable document clamp 116 is formed with a pair of irregular apertures 118 arranged to pass over the hollow prongs 114. As is clear from Figure 10, the post arms 88 of the lever arch assembly are fed through the hollow prongs 114 of the base prong arrangement, after which the steps illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 are followed. When it is deemed desirable to use the box file arrangement 56 as a discrete archiving product, the document clamp 116 is first released, after which the jib arms 86 are disengaged from the post arms 88. The box file arrangement 56 is then lifted clear of the post arms together with the document retaining sub-assembly 108, after which the document clamping device 116 is passed over the hollow prongs 114 and re-clamped into position. The box file arrangement incorporating the bundle of documents which are held in position by means of the document retaining sub-assembly can then be archived. As an alternative embodiment, the base prong arrangement 1 10 may comprise two hollow prongs which are separate from one another, and which are each formed with flared disc-shaped bases or heads illustrated in broken outline at 119. As a further preferred option, each of the hollow prongs 114 are completely floppy and flexible, in that they are formed from a thin walled plastics material which enables the prongs 119A of a conventional metal file fastener 119B to be passed through the hollow prongs 114 and fastened into position using a conventional document clamping device customarily used with the file fastener 1 19B. Appropriate recesses may be provided in the outer face of the base panel 12 of the box file 56 so that the base of the file fastener 119B and/or the disc-shaped heads 119 and/or the rectangular base 112 do not stand proud of the outer surface of the base panel of the box file.

In an alternative procedure, the hollow prongs 114 of the base prong arrangement can be slid over the post arms 88 at the initial stage of document transfer illustrated in Figure 5, after which the bundle of documents 92 can be transferred into the box file. In this arrangement, the document retaining sub- assembly is thus completely enclosed within the box file, so that the base 112 of the base prong arrangement does not present an exposed snagging obstacle.

Referring now to Figure 11 , a blank 120 for a second embodiment of a box file arrangement of the invention is similar to the blank 10 of Figure 1 , save that the lid panel 16A does not extend as far as the lid panel 16, and the flap 38 of Figure 1 is replaced with a flap arrangement 122 comprising first, second and third flap panels 124, 126 and 128 separated by arch-receiving slots 130 divided into respective inner and outer halves 124A and 124B, 126A and 126B and 128A and 128B. The inner halves 124A, 126A and 128A are provided with tabs 132 which locate within corresponding slots 134 when the inner halves are folded over the outer halves. The slots 130 are positioned to receive the jib arms of the lever arch file 76, in the manner illustrated in Figure 12. The slots may extend into the lid 16A to accommodate the full height of the jib arm, thereby increasing the vertical component of the space available within the box file. As a possible alternative, the slots 130 may be replaced with apertures 136 through which the jib arms 86 are arranged to pass.

Referring now to Figure 13, part of the file assembly 138 is shown incorporating a third embodiment of a box file arrangement 140 held captive within a Japanese pillar-type file 142. The pillar-type file 142 includes a pair of opposed covers 78A and 80A joined by a spine 82A along fold lines 84A. A document retaining mechanism includes a hollow pipe 88A mounted at its base to a hinge plate 146, which is in turn hinged to a back plate 148 along a piano-type hinge 150. A prong arrangement 152 includes a pair of prongs, one of which is shown at 154, extending from a bridging plate 156. The bridging plate 156 is in turn held captive within a sprung plate assembly 158 when the pipe file 142 is folded into a closed position.

The box file arrangement 140 includes a lid 16B formed with an overhanging flap 38A, a base panel 12A and an inner side wall 28A which is overlapped by the lid flap 38A. Lower and upper apertures 52A and 136A are defined in the respective base and lid panels 12A and 16B of the box file arrangement 140. The aperture is spaced a sufficient distance from the inner side wall 28A so as to ensure that a stack of documents 92A conventionally punched with apertures 94A can be accommodated within the box file arrangement. In order to transfer documents from the pipe-type file into the box file arrangement, the documents are initially removed with the prong arrangement 152 from the pipes 88A, after which the apertures 52A and the box file assembly are threaded over the pipes 88A. Thereafter, the stack of documents 92A is fed back from the prong arrangement 152 onto the pillars 88A, the prong arrangement 152 is removed, the lid 16B of the box file assembly 140 is folded down into position, and the prong assembly 152 is replaced. The file cover 78A is then folded down into position, with the sprung plate assembly 158 sliding into locking engagement with the bridging plate 156.

The pillar-type file 142 may be formed with an ADAPTAFILE®-type rigidifying flap opposite the spine 82A. Alternatively, a reinforcing insert similar to the reinforcing insert 44 may be provided to hold the opposite file covers 78A and 80A together.

As the blanks of Figures 1 and 11 can easily and rapidly be folded into corresponding box file arrangements, these can be assembled as and when they are required, and can as a result be stored and transported in the space- and freightage-saving blank configuration.

It will be appreciated that the box file arrangement can be configured to cooperate with many differing types and sizes of files, including lever arch files, post and pipe files, ring binders and the like.

Claims

C LAI MS

1. A box file arrangement for facilitating the transfer of documents from a document retaining file thereto, the document retaining file being of the type including a pair of spaced apart covers joined by an intermediate spine, and a document retaining mechanism affixed to the spine and/or to one of the covers, the box file arrangement including mounting and transfer enabling means for enabling a box file to be mounted to the document retaining mechanism and the documents to be transferred into the box file via the document retaining mechanism.

2. A box file arrangement according to claim 1 in which the mounting and transfer enabling means are arranged to allow the documents to be transferred directly into the box file.

3. A box file arrangement according to either one of the preceding claims 1 or 2 in which the box file arrangement is locatable on an inner surface of one file cover and is arranged to be sandwiched between opposed file covers of the document retaining file.

4. A box file arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims which comprises a rectangular base panel, a pair of opposed end walls and an outer side wall extending upwardly from the rectangular base panel, the base panel incorporating the mounting means for enabling the box file to be mounted on the document retaining mechanism.

5. A box file arrangement according to claim 4 in which the box file arrangement includes an inner side wall extending upwardly from the rectangular base panel between the opposed end walls and opposite the outer side wall, the height of the inner side wall being less than that of the end and outer side walls.

6. A box file arrangement according to either one of claims 4 or 5 which further includes a lid which is hinged to one of the side or end walls, the lid being arranged to form a closed box file, with the opposed cover of the document retaining file being locatable over the lid.

7. A box file arrangement according to any one of claim 4 to 6 in which the mounting means comprises at least a pair of apertures formed in the base panel adjacent the inner side wall in a position which enables documents to be transferred freely into the box file via transfer means on the document retaining mechanism, the base panel being dimensioned to receive the transferred documents in a comfortable fit.

8. A box file arrangement according to claim 7 in which the transfer enabling means is constituted by the extent of spacing of the base panel apertures from the inner side wall, in combination with a gap defined by the reduced height of the inner side wall, which provides sufficient freeboard between the top of the inner side wall and retaining arches of the document retaining mechanism for enabling documents to be transferred freely and directly into the box file on the arches of the retaining mechanism.

9. A box file arrangement according to claim 6 in which the lid of the box file terminates in a closure flap which is arranged to extend over document retaining arches of the document retaining mechanism inwardly of the spine of the arch file.

10. A box file arrangement according to claim 6 in which the lid and/or a closure flap extending from the lid is formed with slots or apertures for accommodating part of document retaining arches or posts of the document retaining mechanism when the flap and/or lid is brought down into the closed position.

1 1. A box file arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims which is arranged independently to store documents once they have been transferred from the document retaining file, the box file arrangement including supplemental document retaining means for retaining the documents in a bundle as and after they are transferred from the document retaining file.

12. A box file arrangement according to claim 11 in which the supplemental document retaining means includes at least one separable post arm forming part of the existing document retaining mechanism of the document retaining file.

13. A box file arrangement according to claim 11 in which the separable document retaining means includes a base prong arrangement in the form of at least one hollow base prong having a flared base, the prong being arranged to fit over a corresponding post forming part of the document retaining mechanism prior to the documents being transferred into the box file.

14. A box file arrangement according to claim 13 in which the prongs are joined at their flared bases.

15. A file storage assembly for archiving documents, the file storage assembly including a file storage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 14 in conjunction with a co-operating document retaining arch or post file.

16. A file storage assembly according to claim 15 in which retaining means are provided for holding the opposed covers of the arch or post file together, with the box file arrangement being sandwiched therebetween.

17. A file storage assembly according to claim 16 in which the retaining means is in the form of a rigidifying flap extending from a free edge of one of the spaced apart covers and connectable to a free edge of the other cover.

18. A blank for forming a box file arrangement, the blank comprising a rectangular base panel, a pair of opposed end wall panels and a pair of inner and outer side wall panels each joined to the base panel along fold lines, the base panel incorporating mounting means for enabling the assembled box file to be mounted on a document retaining mechanism of document retaining file, whereby documents may be transferred directly into the assembled box file via the document retaining mechanism.

19. A blank according to claim 18 in which a lid panel is joined to one of the side or end wall panels.

20. A blank according to either one of claims 18 or 19 in which the height of the inner side wall panel is less than that of the end and outer side wall panels.

21. A blank according to any one of the preceding claims 18 to 20 in which each of the end wall panels include an outer end wall panel joined to the base panel and an inner end wall panel joined to the outer end wall panel along parallel fold lines, with end wall flaps extending from the inner and outer side wall panels, whereby the inner end wall panels are arranged to be folded over the end wall flaps to engage with panel retaining slots defined in the base panel so as to provide triple layer end walls.

22. A blank according to any one of the preceding claims 18 to 21 in which the blank includes a separate reinforcing insert arranged to form a double layer side wall in conjunction with the outer side wall panel.

23. A blank according to claim 22 in which the reinforcing insert includes at least one tie arranged to pass through apertures defined in the outer side wall panel for securing together opposite covers of the document retaining file.