IP Library Granted Patent US 9,302,442
Granted Patent B2
US 9,302,442 · App. 14/299,720 · Granted Apr 5, 2016

Visually enhanced tab file system

Inventor: Darryll Dodson (Minneapolis, MN)
Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
B31B1/20B42F7/08B42F15/0011B42F21/02B42F21/025Y10T83/04
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,302,442
App. No.
14/299,720
Granted
Apr 5, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tab system for a folder ( 10 a ), and a method of making same is disclosed. The tab is enlarged to carry more information/indicia. The visual indicia space( 16 a ), i.e. the viewable space on the front ( 32 a, 36 a ) of the folder which allows viewing of the enlarged tab is achieve without violating the overall size restrictions ( 40 a ) of the file folder. Instead, the front of the folder adjacent to the tab on the back panel, is cut away ( 32 a, 34 a ) to expose a greater portion of the back panel ( 14 a ) and allow an increase in visual indicia space. The remaining portion of the front panel, not adjacent to the tab may also be cut away ( 34 a ) to allow other enlarged tab files, with offset tabs,( 22 d, 21 a ) to be viewable behind the present file.

Claims (9)

1. A method making a tabbed file folder having a tab with increased writable and viewable area greater than industry standard tab viewing area, while maintaining overall folder height to industry standard height, comprising:

a) cutting a folder blank to predetermined dimensions to have a front and back panel, the back panel including a tab extension portion extending from an edge of the folder, the back panel having a tab of predetermined height and not greater than an industry standard folder height, and the front panel likewise having a top edge defining predetermined height less than the back panel; the font panel overlying the back panel when the folder is in use thereby covering a substantial portion of the back panel except in a region immediately adjacent said tab extension;

b) cutting away a portion of the front panel along the top edge in the region adjacent the tab extension to expose a writable space on the tab which is not occluded by the front panel, the cut away portion from the top edge of the front panel constituting generally half of the visible portion of the tab, the other half of the visible portion of the tab extending above the top edge of the front panel; and

thereby increasing the writable space of the tab without increasing the overall height of the folder making it possible to use the folder in industry standard file cabinets.

2. The method according to claim 1 further including cutting away a portion of the back panel, except in the region of the tab.

3. A method making a tabbed file folder having a tab with increased writable and viewable area greater than industry standard tab viewing area, while maintaining overall folder height to industry standard height X, comprising:

a) cutting a folder blank to predetermined dimensions to have a front and back panel, the back panel including a tab extension portion extending from an edge of the folder, the back panel having a tab of predetermined height and not greater than an industry standard folder height, and the front panel likewise having a top edge defining predetermined height less than the back panel; the font panel overlying the back panel when the folder is in use thereby covering a substantial portion of the back panel except in a region immediately adjacent said tab extension;

b) cutting away a portion of the front panel along the top edge in the region adjacent the tab extension to expose a writable space on the tab which is not occluded by the front panel, the cut away portion from the top edge of the front panel constituting a first portion of a distance Y generally equal to the industry standard portion of the tab visible over the front panel plus a second portion generally equal to 2 times Y so that the total visible tab portion extending above the top edge of the front panel is Z while the overall height of the folder remains X,

thereby making it possible to increase the visible tab area without increasing the overall height of the folder so that it can be used in industry standard file cabinets.

Assignments (2)
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 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 13467380 · May 9, 2012
Continuation 12497243 · Jul 2, 2009
Continuation In Part 11965896 · Dec 28, 2007
Provisional Application 60877534 · Dec 28, 2006
Related Publication 20140283659A1 · Sep 25, 2014