IP Library Granted Patent US 8,079,127
Granted Patent B2
US 8,079,127 · App. 12/640,159 · Granted Dec 20, 2011

Slip resistant file folders

Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,079,127
App. No.
12/640,159
Granted
Dec 20, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A folder made from a roll of folder material stock. The folder has a front flap having a first top edge and a first width, and a rear flap connected to said front flap by a folder bottom, the rear flap having a second top edge and a second width. A slip-resistant portion is disposed on at least one of the flaps near said first or second top edge. The folder material stock comprises paper and a polymer material. A method of making the folder includes the steps of providing folder material stock comprising polymeric material, providing embossing dies in spaced, operable, mating relationship, positioning the folder material stock appropriately in the embossing dies, applying force to at least one of the embossing dies so as to decrease the spaced relationship, and deforming the folder material stock.

Claims (19)

1. A folder made from a roll of folder material stock and comprising a front flap having a first top edge and a first width, a rear flap connected to said front flap by a folder bottom, said rear flap having a second top edge and a second width, a slip-resistant region being disposed on at least one of said flaps near said first or second top edge, said folder being made of at least one paper layer and at least one polymer layer, said polymeric layer being generally restricted to a discrete band in the region of the slip resistant region and wherein said layers are bonded together before deformation thereof so that fibers in the paper layer are prevented from rupturing during deformation.

2. The folder of claim 1 , wherein said folder material stock comprises polymer coated paper.

3. The folder of claim 1 , wherein said folder material stock comprises polymer fibers.

4. The folder of claim 1 , wherein said slip resistant region is inwardly positioned central to said flaps with relation to said width.

5. The folder of claim 1 , wherein said folder comprises a file folder.

6. The folder of claim 1 , wherein said folder comprises an expanding file.

7. The folder of claim 6 , wherein said embossments form patterns of raised ridges and undeformed regions.

8. The folder of claim 1 , wherein said folder comprises a hanging folder.

9. The folder of claim 1 , wherein said slip resistant region comprises foil embossed portions.

10. A method of strengthening the structure of embossing on portion of a file folder having a slip resistant portion, said folder having a front and rear sidewalls and a portion of said sidewalls being embossed or debossed to provide an area of higher friction for better gripping said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing folder material stock comprising at least one layer of paper material and a discrete band of stretchable polymeric material integrated as a layer in the stock material at the location where the increased gripping friction is required;

(b) embossing the stock material only in the region where increased gripping friction is required whereby the stock material is deformed in that region to simultaneously deform the paper and polymeric layers.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said folder material stock comprises polymer coated paper.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein said folder material stock comprises polymer fibers.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein said polymeric material is plastic laminate.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said plastic laminate is stretchable and bonded to the paper material, so that fibers of the paper are bonded to said laminate and are prevented from tearing during deformation.

15. The method of claim 10 further including heating embossing dies before embossing.

16. The method of claim 10 further including heating the folder before embossing.

17. The method of claim 10 further including heating the folder in the region of the polymeric material prior to embossing.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 28, 2025
From: THE SMEAD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 072272/0097 →
ENTITY CONVERSATION Recorded Jul 16, 2025
From: THE SMEAD MANUFACTURING COMPANY
To: THE SMEAD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 071979/0916 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 24, 2019
From: BULLOCK, RODDY MCKEE
To: SMEAD MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Reel/Frame 049845/0287 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 12014343 · Jan 15, 2008
Related Publication 20100089984A1 · Apr 15, 2010