Abstract: A file substrate of paper stock such as a file backer or file folder having a reinforced edge portion is disclosed. Such file substrate has at least one straight edge with a tear resistant plastic film secured either side of the substrate and about the straight edge. This film reinforces the substrate straight edge without significantly increasing the thickness thereof. A colored adhesive may be used for securing a clear reinforcing film to the folder. This provides a color band down a side of the folder to distinguish a group of files in a file system. Method and apparatus are disclosed for applying the reinforcing film to file folder blanks.

Abstract: A file substrate of paper stock such as a file backer or file folder having a reinforced edge portion is disclosed. Such file substrate has at least one straight edge with a tear resistant plastic film secured either side of the substrate and about the straight edge. This film reinforces the substrate straight edge without significantly increasing the thickness thereof. A colored adhesive may be used for securing a clear reinforcing film to the folder. This provides a color band down a side of the folder to distinguish a group of files in a file system. Method and apparatus are disclosed for applying the reinforcing film to file folder blanks.

Abstract: A composite strip for preparation of a substrate edge for application of labels is disclosed. The composite strip comprises an elongated carrier web having an upper surface and a lower surface with the lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing covered with a removable release sheet. A high tensile strength film, such as that sold under the trademark "Mylar" by DuPont made of a polyethylene terephthalate, according to the preferred embodiment is directly bonded to the upper surface of the carrier web by a further adhesive. This film provides a receptor surface for receiving labels. The film is of a width equal to or less than the width of the carrier web and of a width to receive a label therein. This composite strip has proven useful in preparing a substrate, such as on existing file folder tab or the edge of an x-ray jacket for the subsequent application of a discrete series of labels applied about the edge of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for adding a reinforced labelled tab to a folder edge of a file folder of a file system is disclosed. The tab is prepared by applying a plurality of labels to a carrier web which has a pressure sensitive adhesive backing covered by a removable protective strip. A transparent reinforcing high tensile strength film is bonded to the carrier web and over the labels. A tab extension member is added to an edge of a file folder by use of the carrier web. The extension member is approximately the same thickness as the folder edge and the carrier web is of a width more than twice the width of the extension member so as to be securable to the spaced sides along the folder edge. The protective strip is removed and the carrier web applied to both of the folder sides with the extension member secured between folded opposing adhesive portions of the web to provide a unitary labelled tab on a folder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a file hanging system consisting of a file edge backing member provided with a T-shaped portion having a pair of essentially identical arm portions and a bracket provided with a groove for engaging either one of the arm portions. The bracket includes a base flange and the file edge backing is provided with a raised portion to either side of the T-shaped portion. The system is one in which a file to which the file edge backing is affixed moves through file imbalance to a secured position on the bracket where the bracket base flange is trapped between the T-shaped portion and the raised portion on the file edge backing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manually controlled wand which is particularly suited for use in a file control system in which the files are provided with machine readable codes located along an edge of the file. The wand is adapted by the provision of a jig used to bear against the edge of the file for locating the wand in a read position over the code and riding along the file edge to guide and steady the manual movement of the wand to provide an accurate reading of the code.

Abstract: The present invention provides a label jig adapted to guide accurate manual application of an adhesive label or label cover at an edge of a file panel. The jig includes a file edge guide, a label edge guide, raised relative to the file edge guide and a seat portion between and at generally right angles to the edge guides at the top of the file edge guide and at the base of the label edge guide. The seat portion which is used to seat only part of the label has low affinity for the adhesive on the label so as not to detract from its adhesiveness when the seated part of the label is removed from the seat portion of the jig.

Abstract: A conveyor is disclosed for labelling apparatus. The conveyor comprises a plurality of clamps and endless carrier for the clamps. Each clamp is urged to a closed position by a spring and is adapted to be held in an open position for receiving an unlabelled folder. Means closes each clamp to grip sheet material and hold it while it is being labelled for purposes of accurate receipt of applied labels. The body portion presents a base which supports clamped material. A moveable clamp jaw is secured to a member which is adapted to slide in and out of the body portion. The spring means is associated with the member to urge the clamp jaw towards the clamp base. The member has mounted thereon, remote from the jaw, a roller means adapted to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the member. A slider cam is laterally moveable in the body portion and is in contact with the roller. The slider cam has upper and lower cam segments to provide respectively open and closed positions for the clamp.

Abstract: A process for labelling a system of file folders comprises printing a label for the system, where each printed label is different from other printed labels for the system. Each label has a field in which a set of indicia is printed, where the indicia are both machine and visually readable. The printed indicia is machine read for directing a labeler's application to a file folder flap of individual color coded labels. Each color coded label, as applied, has an indicium corresponding to one of the machine read indicium.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a file hanging system consists of a file edge backing means provided with a T-shaped member and bracket means provided with a U-shaped groove for engaging the T-shaped member, the arrangement is such that when the T-shaped member is inserted in the U-shaped groove, the weight of the file on which the backing edge is secured, moves the T-shaped member to a locking engagement in the groove, regardless of its direction of its insertion.

Abstract: The invention resides in utilizing a servo motor to drive the label feed and employing a control system for the servo motor which is responsive to the rate of feed or speed of the surface to be labelled as it is advanced to the labeller. The control system on receiving an instruct-to-label signal accelerates the servo motor smoothly from zero to the desired labelling speed while the surface to be labelled is advanced toward the labeller a predetermined distance and on receiving an end to labelling signal decelerates the servo motor smoothly from labelling speed to zero while the label feed is advanced a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A file binding system according to the present invention comprises a pair of elongated rigid support members for supporting a file along its edge and securing members for securing the support members in position. The support members are fully separable from one another and from the file edge with the securing members being independent of the support members other than in the securing position, thereby adapting the arrangement for use with essentially any file size. Furthermore, each of the securing members includes securing portions for securing the support members from their outer sides along the file edge. This latter feature not only facilitates binding adjustment but also provides an extremely effective clamping of the file edge between the support members.

Abstract: A label sensor adapted for use with a labeller comprises an emitter, a receiver and a fibre optic bundle for transmitting an emitted beam to the receiver. The labeller is of the type which separates spaced-apart labels from a carrier by passing the carrier around the free end of a label splitter tongue member. An end of the fibre optic bundle is positioned in an opening of the splitter tongue near its free end to detect the leading portion of a label as the carrier passes over the bundle end. The use of a fibre optic bundle and its manner of mounting in the tapered end permits the positioning of the relatively bulky emitter or receiver remote of the compact free end of the splitter tongue member and provides a precise label sensing.

Abstract: Process and apparatus is disclosed for replacing file folders, such as required in the conversion of a filing system. Apparatus comprises a support for supporting fastened file material next its fastener during and after fastener withdrawal and fastener remover for withdrawing fastener and file folder away from supported file material. The supported material may be clamped to facilitate replacement of new file folders with corresponding fasteners. The process comprises the steps of inserting a support between file material and file folder fastened thereto by a fastener to position the support next to the fastener, clamping the fastened file material, stripping the file folder with fastener away from the supported clamped material, replacing file folder with new folder and fastener, releasing the clamped material and closing the fastener to secure the file material in the replacement folder.

Abstract: In labelling apparatus for precision application of labels to continuously conveyed articles, labels are applied which have a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing releasably carried by a web. To provide precision in application, the leading portion of the label next to be applied is sensed and is separated from the web. A control device, on receiving a sensed label signal, determines the extent to which the leading portion of separated label extends from the web preparatory to article application. The control device resumes web movement to marry label speed with conveyed article speed in applying label to desired article location.

Abstract: Alphabetic labelling of articles includes the use of a label having on a portion of its face a first set of indicia and on another portion of its face a second set of indicia which relate to the same subject matter as the first set. The second set of indicia is oriented in reverse and upside down relative to the first set. A machine readable code unique to the subject matter of the sets of indicia is located on one of the face portions of the label. The label when folded about its length isolates the two fields and on application to an article, provides visual identification of the article from two of its sides. The label may be provided with a machine readable indicia code which is representative of at least one indicium of either of the sets. An article labelling system may be adapted to read the indicia code and apply as controlled by the reading operation, one or more labels having letters corresponding to the coded indicia.

Abstract: The specification describes a label used for the codification of various articles such as files, tapes, cassettes, and the like. The labels are color-coded and each label bears to one side of its colored field a machine readable marking with a pair of visual readable indicium in the colored field. Each label is identifiable by color, by its machine readable marking, and by its visual indicium. When working with labels as described above, there is no need to provide additional labels to complete the code. The code on each article in the system is a unique one, so that each article is readily discernable from all other articles in the system by both visual and machine inspection.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying at predetermined positions within a predetermined location on a carrier surface predetermined discrete pieces of indicia which in combination provide a predetermined indicia presentation particular to the carrier surface location as part of a scheme of marking like surface locations with indicia presentations which may vary from location to location; the apparatus comprising a plurality of indicia applying sources consisting of a source for each discrete piece of indicia to be called for by the scheme, means for feeding the carrier surface past each of the indicia applying sources so that each predetermined point within the predetermined location is presented for the application thereto of indicia from each source, and a control unit for controlling the indicia applying sources in response to input thereto of input control data for the predetermined surface location defining the discrete pieces of indicia and position thereof required therefor, the control unit operating to activate any