Patents Assigned to Smead Manufacturing Company
  • Patent number: 10807404
    Abstract: A tab system for a folder (10a), and a method of making same is disclosed. The tab is enlarged to carry more information/indicia. The visual indicia space (16a), i.e. the viewable space on the front (32a, 36a) of the folder which allows viewing of the enlarged tab is achieve without violating the overall size restrictions (40a) of the file folder. Instead, the front of the folder adjacent to the tab on the back panel, is cut away (32a,34a) to expose a greater portion of the back panel (14a) and allow an increase in visual indicia space. The remaining portion of the front panel, not adjacent to the tab may also be cut away (34a) to allow other enlarged tab files, with offset tabs,(22, 21a) to be viewable behind the present file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Darryll Dodson
  • Patent number: 10538123
    Abstract: Installable and removable inserts for pocket folders and their method of manufacturer are shown and described. Inserts have spaced part divider panels which are anchored to a base plate or form a base plate. In one embodiment, a single plate divider also forms the base and one upright divider while another element with two dividers is bonded to the base. In another embodiment two separate upright dividers are bonded together at a common upright wall and the pair is then bonded to a base. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kirk, GinAnn Matsch, Scott Wiegrefe
  • Patent number: 10286721
    Abstract: A tab system for a folder (10a), and a method of making same is disclosed. The tab is enlarged to carry more information/indicia. The visual indicia space (16a), i.e. the viewable space on the front (32a, 36a) of the folder which allows viewing of the enlarged tab is achieve without violating the overall size restrictions (40a) of the file folder. Instead, the front of the folder adjacent to the tab on the back panel, is cut away (32a,34a) to expose a greater portion of the back panel (14a) and allow an increase in visual indicia space. The remaining portion of the front panel, not adjacent to the tab may also be cut away (34a) to allow other enlarged tab files, with offset tabs, (22d, 21a) to be viewable behind the present file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Darryll Dodson
  • Patent number: 10065444
    Abstract: Installable and removable inserts for pocket folders and their method of manufacturer are shown and described. Inserts have spaced part divider panels which are anchored to a base plate or form a base plate. In one embodiment, a single plate divider also forms the base and one upright divider while another element with two dividers is bonded to the base. In another embodiment two separate upright dividers are bonded together at a common upright wall and the pair is then bonded to a base. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kirk, GinAnn Matsch, Scott Wiegrefe
  • Patent number: 10065446
    Abstract: A folder and method of making a panel with a plurality of foldable tab extensions. The extensions include first and second regions extending away from the panel, and having scored fold lines therebetween. The uppermost tab region has a releasable adhesive as does a portion of the panel. The panel has a releasable coating or surface such when the tab extensions are folded, either at the first or second region along the fold lines, adhesive on the second region will mate with surface on the panel. To reduce memory effect at the fold, the score lines can be triple scored by parallel two or three parallel score lines. The central score line can be shallower than the parallel scores on either side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Marvin J. Halfen, Dennis Bowen, Anthony Kramer
  • Patent number: 9994065
    Abstract: A hanging file folder frame is disclosed in several embodiments one of which is constructed of three segments. Two frames are joined together by rails. The frame includes a slot of a particular profile and the rails have a similar profile to slide into the slots. On the bottom of the frame are recesses sized to receive a portion of a wireframe leg. The leg is prevented from being ejected from the frame by a spanning flange which bridges part of the recess and confines a part of the leg between the recess walls and the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Marvin J. Halfen, Tony Kramer, Daniel Darst, Dan Johnson
  • Patent number: 9956809
    Abstract: An add-on pocket affixable to a folder or a stair-step, expandable file folder or other product with a front face is disclosed. The add-on pocket has a portion which is affixed to the front on the folder and a flap portion which wraps over the front. The remainder of the pocket is formed from a bottom portion and front portion which includes retaining tabs. The tabs mate to form the sidewalls of the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Glenda Young, Daniel Seleski
  • Patent number: 9902189
    Abstract: A vertical file folder system is disclosed in several embodiments. The folder (10) has a plurality of pocket segments 20, 30, 32 which are joined together at their bottom by living hinges 38 which maintain the bottoms edges 16, 116, 216 spaced apart. Port 28 also allow for expansion as do slots 60. An alternative embodiment (FIG. 9-10) show a folder which has a bottom flap 320, side flap 322 and top flap 318 which overlie each other to create a three sided boundary for papers or other contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David J. Gilbertson, Daniel Seleski
  • Patent number: 9839937
    Abstract: A prong style file fastener, and method of manufacturer, is disclosed which has a protective element to prevent damage to paper documents and personal injury. In one embodiment, the prongs of the fastener are covered with a powder coating which is melted thereon. In the case of the powdercoat covering, the production line uses a cam drive sprocket retractor system to release the line onto a takeup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Harold Peter Lindelof, Marvin J. Halfen, David J. Gilbertson
  • Patent number: 9694619
    Abstract: A tab system for a folder (10a), and a method of making same is disclosed. The tab is enlarged to carry more information/indicia. The visual indicia space (16a), i.e. the viewable space on the front (32a, 36a) of the folder which allows viewing of the enlarged tab is achieve without violating the overall size restrictions (40a) of the file folder. Instead, the front of the folder adjacent to the tab on the back panel, is cut away (32a,34a) to expose a greater portion of the back panel (14a) and allow an increase in visual indicia space. The remaining portion of the front panel, not adjacent to the tab may also be cut away (34a) to allow other enlarged tab files, with offset tabs, (22d, 21a) to be viewable behind the present file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Darryll Dodson
  • Patent number: 9642457
    Abstract: A hanging file folder frame is disclosed in several embodiments one of which is constructed of three segments. Two frames are joined together by rails. The frame includes a slot of a particular profile and the rails have a similar profile to slide into the slots. On the bottom of the frame are recesses sized to receive a portion of a wireframe leg. The leg is prevented from being ejected from the frame by a spanning flange which bridges part of the recess and confines a part of the leg between the recess walls and the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Marvin J. Halfen, Tony Kramer, Daniel Darst, Dan Johnson
  • Patent number: 9586432
    Abstract: An integral tab system for a 2-D or 3-D tab for a folder, and a method of making same is disclosed. The integral 2-D (flat) tab (20) is provided in the hanging folder itself without the need for additional tabs being affixed. The 3-D tab version (120) is created by an extension which is folded onto itself so that one edge surface is at an angle relative to the panels of the file folder allowing it to be read from the side. These tabs may also be supplied in a detachable form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Steven Charles Black, Duane Christensen, David Fasbender
  • Patent number: 9511616
    Abstract: A stair-step, expandable file folder is disclosed, in which each pocket in the folder has the same depth, rather than the back pockets being deeper than the front pockets. The folder is formed from a unitary insert divider web. The divider is suspended above the floor of the folder by tabs which are affixed to the folder walls and by attachment to the inside from and back panels of the folder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Glenda L. Young, Daniel Seleski
  • Patent number: 9469148
    Abstract: A stair-step, expandable file folder is disclosed, in which each pocket in the folder has the same depth, rather than the back pockets being deeper than the front pockets. The folder includes a series of dividers that form the front and back sides of the pockets of the folder. The top edges of the dividers have increasing height, from the front to the back of the folder. The dividers are folded to form the bottoms of the pockets, with the folded portions also increasing in height from the front to the back of the folder. Each divider extends downward to form the back face of a pocket, is folded forward to form the bottom face of the pocket, and is folded downward to extend toward the bottom edge of the folder. The troughs in an expandable gusset support the sides of the dividers. Above the fold portion, the divider laterally extends into one trough. Below the fold portion, the divider laterally extends into the adjacent trough toward the front of the folder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Duane Christensen, Tim Blegen, Dennis Bowen, Harold Lindelof
  • Patent number: 9346588
    Abstract: A vertical file folder system is disclosed in several embodiments. The folder (10) has a plurality of pocket segments 20, 30, 32 which are joined together at their bottom by living hinges 38 which maintain the bottoms edges 16, 116, 216 spaced apart. Port 28 also allow for expansion as do slots 60. An alternative embodiment (FIG. 9-10) show a folder which has a bottom flap 320, side flap 322 and top flap 318 which overlie each other to create a three sided boundary for papers or other contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David J. Gilbertson, Daniel Seleski
  • Patent number: 9346311
    Abstract: A pocket folder with increased document capacity and method of manufacturing same is disclosed. The folder has two cover panels 14-16, joined along a longitudinal joint or score line, a pair of pocket flaps 40a-40b and a top flap 70. Top flap 70 folds along a score line 72a-72b and a midline score 74 and a plurality of parallel scores 78 to accommodate expansion. At the pockets, a v-shaped notch 52 between the pockets prevents bunching and a circular cut away 90a-90b provides greater access to the documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Leonard, Scott Leonard
  • Patent number: 9302442
    Abstract: A tab system for a folder (10a), and a method of making same is disclosed. The tab is enlarged to carry more information/indicia. The visual indicia space(16a), i.e. the viewable space on the front (32a, 36a) of the folder which allows viewing of the enlarged tab is achieve without violating the overall size restrictions (40a) of the file folder. Instead, the front of the folder adjacent to the tab on the back panel, is cut away (32a,34a) to expose a greater portion of the back panel (14a) and allow an increase in visual indicia space. The remaining portion of the front panel, not adjacent to the tab may also be cut away (34a) to allow other enlarged tab files, with offset tabs,(22d, 21a) to be viewable behind the present file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Darryll Dodson
  • Patent number: 9296247
    Abstract: Pocket folders for holding documents and method of manufacture are shown in various embodiments. In one embodiment, a single unitary blank is cut and folded into a double slot folder without the need to glue pieces together. The blank is cut to have adjacent panels and an extension panel cut so that they are folded one panel atop the other to form a unitary pocket folder with two pockets. In a second embodiment, a two pocket folder is formed likewise with three adjacent panels as in the first embodiment, but the extension panel is then wrapped with a back panel to create a second pocket which can be folded outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Duane Christensen, David J. Gilbertson
  • Patent number: 9290033
    Abstract: A file folder with multiple pockets and a method of making is disclosed. Cover panels (16,18) are joined along a central axis (11), at least one primary pocket is formed with a pocket panel (18a), a second pocket panel (40) is located in a primary pocket space (24) thereby subdividing the pocket space into a first pocket space between the first pocket panel and the second pocket panel and a second pocket space between the second pocket panel and one of the cover panels, the second pocket panel (40) includes an extension (50) which is folded over and affixed to the first pocket panel thereby forming a closed inner edge on the front pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James Russell, Daniel Seleski
  • Patent number: D819731
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kirk, Glenda Young, Daniel Seleski