Composite file folder
The reinforced file folder has a paper substrate which is reinforced with a breathable film having desirable properties with respect to wear. Preferably, the film is a cellulous based material adhered to the paper substrate in a manner that renders the product easily recycled. The cellulose film with a matte finished upper surface provides strong adhesion with file folder labels. The film preferably covers most of the outer surface of the front and back panels with the film applied either side of the labeling tab.
1. A composite file folder comprising a front panel, a back panel and a labeling tab along one edge of said back panel with said back panel and front panel being integral along one edge with a fold axis between said panels, said folder having a paper substrate support layer with a reinforcing film adhered to exterior surfaces of said front and back panels across said fold axis and applied to each side of labeling tab, said reinforcing film being a multi-layer breathable film having a matte finish outer surface consisting of a cellulose acetate film with an underlying water based adhesive layer adhered to said paper substrate support layer, said reinforcing film covering at least 50% of an outside surface of said file folder and allowing moisture exchange from said paper substrate support layer through said reinforcing film.
2. A composite file folder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reinforcing film has printed indicia in permanent ink on the matte finish outer surface.
3. A composite file folder as claimed in claim 2 wherein said printed indicia is strongly bonded or adhered to said matte finish outer surface wherein said printed indicia is printed using a UV curable permanent ink.
4. A composite file folder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reinforcing film is clear and said paper substrate support layer includes printing on the surface thereof visible through said reinforcing film.
5. A composite file folder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reinforcing film covers at least 75% of the outside surface of said paper substrate support layer.
6. A composite file folder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said paper substrate support layer has a thickness in the range of 10 to 16 thousandths of an inch and said reinforcing film has a thickness of less than 0.6 mils.
7. A composite file folder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reinforcing film is secured to generally cover both the inside and outside surfaces of said front panel and said back panel.
8. A recyclable file folder comprising a paper stock substrate folded to form a front panel, a back panel and a labeling tab along one edge of said back panel, said file folder further including a cellulose based reinforcing film adhered to both a front and rear side of said labeling tab and extending over at least a border region on an exterior surface of said back panel, said reinforcing film being a breathable layer allowing moisture exchange therethrough and wherein said cellulose based reinforcing film is adhered to said paper substrate by water based adhesive.
9. A recyclable file folder as claimed in claim 8 wherein said reinforcing film has a matte exterior finish.
10. A recyclable file folder as claimed in claim 9 including a series of discrete labels adhered to said labeling tab, each discrete label including an outer cellulose based film layer.
11. A recyclable file folder as claimed in claim 10 wherein each discrete label includes water based adhesive layer securing the label to the reinforcing film.
12. A recyclable file folder as claimed in claim 8 wherein said reinforcing film has an exterior textured surface providing improved adhesion with water based adhesives and improved adhesion with cooperating inks.
13. A recyclable file folder as claimed in claim 12 wherein said reinforcing film extends over and generally covers the exterior surfaces of said front and back panels and is colored to determine the color of said exterior surfaces.
14. A recyclable file folder as claimed in claim 13 wherein said reinforcing film includes printed indicia on the surface of the reinforcing film.
15. A recyclable file folder as claimed in claim 14 wherein reinforcing film provides an erasable surface for conventional ink and pencil markings.
16. A recyclable file folder as claimed in claim 8 wherein said reinforcing film covers exterior surfaces of said front and back panels of said file folder and is colored to determine the exterior color of said file folder.
17. A recyclable file folder as claimed in claim 16 wherein said reinforcing film has an exterior matte finish and provides a receptor surface for receiving adhesive labels thereon and a manual recording surface for receiving ink or pencil markings while allowing manual erasing thereof.