US 5,720,427 AGranted

Reinforced expandable folders

AssigneeSmead Manufacturing Company

InventorsTheodore V. Kachel, Jonathan B. Rivlin, Robert E. Hawes, Jr., Lee A. Boy, Setsuo Kanamoto, Eric R. Aaldenberg, John Heffernan, James J. Lynch, Cheryl Dellacroce-Steinberg, Duane Christensen

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Abstract

An expandable folder is provided which includes a front panel member, a rear panel member, and an expandable gusset which connects the panel members and forms the bottom and sides of the folder. Reinforcing means are provided upon critical or highly stressed locations to enhance the durability and useful life of the folder. Various types of reinforcement are provided about and, preferably, over the top of the gusset. The end portions of the gussets along the sides and, where applicable, the bottom, preferably have a width which is at least twice the width of the gusset folds. The outer surfaces of the inner front and rear panel members are also reinforced to strengthen the folder at least in the areas where the gusset is attached, and, for best results, on the entire outer surfaces of the panels.

Claims31

Dependent claims

An expandable folder comprising:

a) an integral member including, first and second sides, a first panel member having a first outside edge and a second panel member having a second outside edge, and a gusset intermediate said first and second panel members;
and
b) first and second fold lines extending substantially along a line from the first outside edge across the gusset to the second outside edge, cuts in each of the first and second fold lines, the cuts extending from each of the first and second outside edges to approximately the gusset, the cuts dividing each of the first and second panel members into at least two side panels and one central panel intermediate the side panels,
the expandable folder formed by folding all of the side panels and all of the central panels inward at approximately the gusset, folding the first and second side panels and their intermediate gussets inward at the respective first and second fold lines, and fastening the first and second side panels to substantially all of their respective first and second central panels, substantially all of said first and second central panels being in bonded contact with their respective first and second side panels, and the first side of the integral member forms the inner surface of the expandable folder and the second side of the integral member forms the outer surface of the expandable folder.

1 more element

An expandable folder comprising:

a) an integral member including first and second sides, a first portion, a second portion, and a gusset portion intermediate the first and second portions;
and
b) the first and second portions each including central panels intermediate oppositely disposed side panels, the central panels being separated from their respective side panels by cuts;
c) first and second fold lines extending at least across the gusset portion between the cuts, the first and second fold lines being substantially parallel to each other,
the expandable folder formed by folding all of the side panels and all of the central panels inward at approximately the gusset portion, folding the first and second side panels and their intermediate gusset portions inward at the respective first and second fold lines, and fastening the first and second side panels to substantially all of their respective first and second central panels, substantially all of said first and second central panels being in bonded contact with their respective first and second side panels, and the first side of the integral member forms the inner surface of the expandable folder and the second side of the integral member forms the outer surface of the expandable folder.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/672,296Filed 28 Jun 1996 · continuation
Priority: 21 Feb 1990
Granted: 24 Feb 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B42F 7/08
Filing appliances comprising a plurality of pockets or compartments, e.g. portfolios or cases with a plurality of compartments: expansible
Y10S 493/918
Envelope: expandable
Y10S 493/947
Manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturing from a sheet or web: file folder
B42F
Sheets temporarily attached together

Family

Serial483,094Parent of this continuation · filed 21 Feb 1990
Serial748,291Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 21 Aug 1991
Serial769,001Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 30 Sep 1991
Serial867,952Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 13 Apr 1992
Serial259,356Parent of this continuation · filed 13 Jun 1994
US 5,161,731 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,261,636 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,066,045 AParent of this continuation
US 5,720,427 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.