Hanging file folder assembly apparatus and method

An apparatus for assembling file folders having a folder blank with a leading edge and first and second opposing edges and first and second prefabricated folder rails, each with an elongate metal strip and a pair of runners secured to opposite ends of the metal strip, comprising:

• a crimping station adapted to receive the folder blank;
• a hopper containing a plurality of prefabricated folder rails adjacent said crimping station;
• a dispensing system coupled to said hopper and adapted to dispense the prefabricated folder rails therefrom;
• and
• a crimper adapted to secure individual prefabricated folder rails into the opposing edges of the folder blank.

A method of assembling a file folder from a folder blank having first and second opposing edges and at least one elongate, prefabricated folder rail having first and second opposing sidewalls, comprising:

• positioning the folder blank at a crimping station;
• vertically orienting the folder rail in a hopper proximate the crimping station and adjacent one of the first and second opposing edges;
• dispensing the folder rail from the hopper;
• reorienting the folder rail substantially horizontally so that one of the first and second edges of the folder blank may be received between the first and second sidewalls of the folder rail;
• engaging the folder rail with the edge of the folder blank, lengthwise along the edge;
• and
• crimping the edge of the folder blank between the first and second sidewalls of the folder rail.

An apparatus for assembling file folders from a folder blank having first and second opposing edges, the apparatus comprising:

• a crimping station adapted to receive the folder blank;
• at least one hopper adjacent said crimping station and containing a plurality of elongate, prefabricated folder rails, said folder rails including first and second opposing sidewalls;
• a dispensing system coupled to said hopper and adapted to dispense said folder rails therefrom;
• and
• at least one crimper adapted to secure the one of the first an second edges of the folder blank between said first and second sidewalls of said folder rail.