Package making – Methods – Group forming of contents into a unit
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-28
2001-08-28
Gerrity, Stephen F. (Department: 3721)
Package making
Methods
Group forming of contents into a unit
C053S474000, C053S542000, C053S157000, C211S051000, C211S059400, C220S529000, C220S534000, C220S559000, C312S183000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279299
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a device for supporting file folders within a storage container, a blank for making the device and a method of using the device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
File folders and the like are commonly stored in a storage container, such as a file drawer, a storage bin, or a storage box. In organizing or managing the file folders within such a storage container, the optimal resting position of the file folders for easy access and retrieval is vertical. File folders positioned vertically without proper support will eventually slide or topple down, thus making access and retrieval difficult. File supporters are used to maintain the file folders vertical within the file container.
The vertical file supporters are typically installed in a file drawer by having an engaging member on the support latch on a rail along the bottom of the drawer or fit into notches in the bottom of the drawer. Generally, these types of file folder supporters have many parts for installation. As a result, their constructions are complicated, which increases the cost. Further, the installation of these file supporters to the drawer or container is inconvenient, and adjustment or movement of the file supporter is difficult and time consuming.
A type of file supporters which hangs file folders generally creates a wasted space under the bottom of the file folders hung within a file drawer or container. Further, index tabs of the file folders, which are located at the upper tip of the folder, are often damaged due to rubbing against the ceiling or top panel while the drawer or container is opened or closed.
Therefore, a need exists for a file supporter which is simple in structure, and thus easy to make and less expensive than the existing file supporters. Further, a need exists to use the space within a file drawer or container and to avoid the damage of the index tabs of the file folders.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforementioned needs are satisfied by several aspects of the present invention. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a device for supporting file folders is provided. The device comprises a substantially rectangular box with six substantially rectangular walls. Advantageously, the walls have no opening or perforation thereon. At least one of the walls of the rectangular box is configured to curve resiliently outward so that each curved wall creates pressure against the objects supported thereby. One or more boxes can be placed in the file drawer, oriented as needed to fill the spaces between the end of the drawer and the files, advantageously with the resilient wall urging the files together.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a blank for making a file block, which comprises a substantially rectangular box. The blank comprises six substantially rectangular wall portion defined by edges having a length or a width. Each of the wall portions does not have any opening or perforation thereon. The six wall portions are configured to form six walls of the rectangular box. At least one of the six wall portions is in either the length or the width thereof longer than those of corresponding wall portions so that the wall formed from the at least one wall portion having the longer length or width curves outward when the device is assembled from the blank.
There is thus advantageously provided an apparatus for supporting objects in a storage container. The apparatus has at least one hexahedral box having six substantially quadrilateral walls. At least one of the walls is configured to extend resiliently outward to resiliently contact an object in the storage container that is abutting the resilient wall. Advantageously the longest wall is sized to fit within a storage container. Preferably, the longest wall is shorter than the shortest major dimension of the storage container. Usually, the longest wall is shorter than the width of the storage container. Advantageously, each wall does not have any opening or perforation thereon. Desirably, at least one of the walls is resiliently urged outward. One way to achieve this is by having the outwardly urged wall be longer than the surrounding walls so as to cause the longer wall bow outward.
Another aspect of this invention comprises a kit for use in storing things in a storage container of predetermined size. The kit includes at least one blank of material configured to be formed into one or two, or even more boxes. The kit could include the formed or assembled boxes, but preferably includes the unassembled sheets of material. The boxes preferably comprise a hexahedral box having six substantially quadrilateral walls, and more preferably at least one of the walls is configured to extend resiliently outward to resiliently contact an object abutting the resilient wall. Preferably at least one of the boxes has a trapezoidal shape. Further, both boxes are preferably sized so they both fit within the storage container. Advantageously, the boxes are sized so the longest dimension is smaller than the shortest dimension of the storage container, although other dimensions are possible. Ideally, the kit includes one or more rectangular boxes and at least one trapezoidal box.
There is also provided a method for supporting objects in a walled storage container where the container has a predetermined length, width and height. This support is achieved by placing at least one file block in the container and positioning the file block so that the file block has a first surface abutting the object and an opposing surface abutting a supporting surface comprising one wall of the container or another object in the container. Advantageously, at least one file block has six substantially quadrilateral walls. The file blocks can be of different shape, but are advantageously rectangular in shape with the longest wall being shorter than the width of the container. The file blocks are preferably selected to have at least one file block with an inclined wall relative to an opposing wall. This inclined wall helps orientate files in the container. Further, you can place at least two file blocks in the container and select one of the file blocks to have an inclined wall relative to an opposing wall. The file blocks can be placed in various orientations to occupy a wide variation of space and provide support over a wide variety of distances. The file blocks can also be inserted among various files to help position and orientate them.
These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 993881 (1911-05-01), Rudolph
patent: 1121151 (1914-12-01), Ulrich
patent: 1675269 (1928-06-01), Hine
patent: 2248396 (1941-07-01), Terry
patent: 3269392 (1966-08-01), McLain
patent: 3495374 (1970-02-01), Ebbers et al.
patent: 3564811 (1971-02-01), Freeman
patent: 3632013 (1972-01-01), Rothenberg et al.
patent: 3746296 (1973-07-01), Dean
patent: 3785520 (1974-01-01), Spees
patent: 3814490 (1974-06-01), Dean et al.
patent: 3844415 (1974-10-01), Heimann
patent: 4067630 (1978-01-01), Stark et al.
patent: 4102470 (1978-07-01), Timmons
patent: 4782960 (1988-11-01), Mavrakis
patent: 4820001 (1989-04-01), Paul
patent: 4836390 (1989-06-01), Polvere
patent: 4838436 (1989-06-01), Bailey
patent: 4884692 (1989-12-01), Middlebrooks
patent: 5111959 (1992-05-01), Glickman
Gerrity Stephen F.
Stetina Brunda Garred & Brucker
LandOfFree
File block and method of using same does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with File block and method of using same, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and File block and method of using same will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2485615