IP Library Granted Patent US 9,272,565
Granted Patent B2
US 9,272,565 · App. 14/047,313 · Granted Mar 1, 2016

Integrated tab hanging file system

Inventors: Steven Charles Black (Hastings, MN); Duane Christensen (Hastings, MN); David Fasbender (Hastings, MN)
Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
B42F7/02B42F21/025
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,272,565
App. No.
14/047,313
Granted
Mar 1, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An integral tab system for a 2-D or 3-D tab for a folder, and a method of making same is disclosed. The integral 2-D (flat) tab ( 20 ) is provided in the hanging folder itself without the need for additional tabs being affixed. The 3-D tab version ( 120 ) is created by an extension which is folded onto itself so that one edge surface is at an angle relative to the panels of the file folder allowing it to be read from the side. These tabs may also be supplied in a detachable form.

Claims (25)

1. A hanging file folder having an integral variable angle display tab for which the user can select the desired display angle, comprising:

a) first and second panels having top and bottom edges and inner and outer surfaces, said bottom edges being joined to form a folder with inner surfaces facing each other;

b) the top edge of said second panel being divided into a plurality of lateral regions thereacross, one of said lateral regions having a foldable portion configurable to create a three dimensional protruding display tab which extend above said top edge, said display tab comprising:

1. a first extension section of predetermined width dimension, extending from and integral with said top edge of said second panel;

2. an intermediate section connected to said extension section having a pair of parallel fold lines on either side of thereof;

3. an attachment section extending from said intermediate section at one of said fold lines; an adhesive for selective affixation thereof at various angles by affixing said inner surface of said second panel to said attachment section at one of a plurality of user selectable location to create a tab with the intermediate section having a selectable display angle of 0-180 degrees by user selective affixation; so that said folder includes an integral three dimensional display tab viewable at a selectable angle.

2. The folder of claim 1 wherein said intermediate section is more rigid than said first extension section.

3. The folder of claim 1 wherein said intermediate section includes a rigidifying material.

4. The folder of claim 1 wherein said attachment section includes a hook and loop repositional adhesive which allows selective affixation at various display angles.

5. The folder of claim 1 wherein said folder is formed from a blank and wherein said blank includes said first and second panels and said extension as a unitary item.

6. A hanging file folder having an integral variable angle display tab, comprising:

a) first and second panels having top and bottom edges and inner and outer surfaces, said bottom edges being joined to form a folder with inner surfaces facing each other;

b) the top edge of said first panel being divided into a plurality of lateral regions thereacross, one of said lateral regions spanning less that the entire lateral length of the top edge and having a foldable portion;

c) the top edge of said second panel having at integral foldable portions, first and second foldable portions being narrower than the width of the top edge and configurable to create a three dimensional protruding display tab which extend above said top edge, said display tab comprising:

1. a first extension section of predetermined width dimension, extending from said top edge of said second panel;

2. an intermediate section connected to said extension section having a pair of parallel fold lines on either side of thereof;

3. an attachment section extending from said intermediate section at one of said fold lines; an affixation means for user selective affixation of the inner surface of said second panel with said attachment section at a user selectable location to create a tab with the intermediate section having a user selectable display angle of 0-180 degrees; so that said folder includes an integral three dimensional display tab viewable at a user selectable angle.

7. A method making a file folder having a top edge and an integral three dimensional variable angle display tab with user selectable display angle between 0-180 degrees, comprising:

a) dividing said edge into a plurality of lateral portion segments, together spanning the extent of the edge, providing at least one integral extension piece extending beyond one of said segments from the edge, the extension piece having a proximal end extending from to said folder and a distal free end,

a) scoring the piece with two parallel scores, the space between the scores constituting one face of the tab;

b) providing an adhesive to either a portion to the distal end of the extension or the folder or both;

c) providing a region on said the folder for receiving said distal end of said extension at a plurality of users selectable affixation points on the extension on the file folder to permit the user to select any display angle between 0-180 degrees for the tab; so that when said extension piece is folded along said scores, a 3-dimensional tab is formed and is attachable to said folder at a user selectable position to select the desired display angle between 0-180 degrees.

8. The method of claim 7 further including the step of rigidifying the space between said scores.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the rigidifying further includes the step of affixing an inlay to the space defined between the scores.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the user may affix the receiving said distal end of said extension with a repositionable hook and loop adhesive.

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: BLACK, STEVEN CHARLES; CHRISTENSEN, DUANE; FASBENDER, DAVID
To: SMEAD MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Reel/Frame 049845/0151 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 13172971 · Jun 30, 2011
Continuation 11833389 · Aug 3, 2007
Provisional Application 60835373 · Aug 3, 2006
Related Publication 20140151441A1 · Jun 5, 2014