IP Library Granted Patent US 9,694,619
Granted Patent B2
US 9,694,619 · App. 15/090,304 · Granted Jul 4, 2017

Visually enhanced tab file system

Inventor: Darryll Dodson (Minneapolis, MN)
Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
B42F21/02B31B1/20B42F7/02B42F7/08B42F15/0011B42F21/025Y10T83/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,694,619
App. No.
15/090,304
Granted
Jul 4, 2017
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 (13)

1. A method making a file folder having increased writable and viewable area while maintaining the same overall folder height of an industry standard folder, an industry standard folder having front and back panels and a tab extension extending from the top edge of the back panel, a first height as measured from the bottom of the folder to the upper most edge of the tab extension, a second height as measured from the bottom of the folder to the top line edge of its back panel not in the area of the tab extension; a third height as measured from the bottom of the folder to the top edge of front panel, said second height being greater than said third height; comprising:

a) providing a folder blank of predetermined dimensions having a front and back panel, the back panel including a tab extension

extending from a top edge of the back panel of the folder a first predetermined height equal to said first industry standard height, the front 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; and

b) cutting away a portion of said top line edge of said back panel in an area not in the area of said tab extension, so that the height of the back panel is equal to the front panel height and which is equal to said third height;

c) cutting away said front panel, in the region adjacent and below the tab extension, the depth of said cut being generally equal to a fourth height being the height the tab extension is above the top edge of the back panel thereby increasing the writable space of the tab to a visible area generally equally to twice the area of tab extension is above the top line edge.

2. A method making a file folder having increased writable and viewable area while maintaining the same overall folder height of an industry standard folder, an industry standard folder having front and back panels and a tab extension extending from the top edge of the back panel,

a first height as measured from the bottom of the folder to the upper most edge of the tab extension,

a second height as measured from the bottom of the folder to the top line edge of its back panel not in the area of the tab extension;

a third height as measured from the bottom of the folder to the top edge of front panel, said second height being greater than said third height; comprising:

a) providing a folder blank of predetermined dimensions having a front

and back panel, said panels being joined together at their bottom edges, the back panel including a tab extension extending from a top edge of the back panel of the folder a first predetermined height equal to said first industry standard height the front 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; and

b) defining the edge of the blank to remove a portion of said top line edge of said back panel in an area not in the area of said tab extension, so that the height of the back panel is equal to the front panel height and which is equal to said third height;

c) defining the edge of the blank to remove a portion of said front panel, in the region adjacent and below the tab extension, the depth of said cut being generally equal to a fourth height being the height the tab extension is above the top edge of the back panel thereby increasing the writable space of the tab to a visible area generally equally to twice the area of tab extension is above the top line edge.

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 (6)
Continuation 14299720 · Jun 9, 2014
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 20160214423A1 · Jul 28, 2016