Suspension file and method for the manufacture thereof
The invention relates to a suspension file for use in drawers and the like, comprising two closing surfaces, mutually connected on a first side by hinging means, wherein, on the side facing away from the hinging means, each closing surface is provided with hook means for suspending the suspension file, which suspension file is manufactured in one piece from plastic.
The invention relates to a suspension file.
Suspension files are known and are used, for instance, to store paper in drawers and cabinets, such as desk drawers and filing cabinets. These are suitably provided with parallel suspension rails from which the suspension files can be suspended with suspension hooks.
These known suspension files are manufactured from folded cardboard, with two opposing longitudinal edges of the cardboard being provided with a metal or plastic strip projecting on both sides to form the above suspension hooks. Such suspension files are expensive because the metal strips must be provided, while, moreover, they are vulnerable as a result of the cardboard and the connection with the strip.
The invention contemplates to provide a suspension file. In particular, the invention contemplates to provide a suspension file which is less vulnerable than the known suspension file and, moreover, is preferably relatively inexpensive in manufacture. These and further objects are at least partly achieved with a suspension file according to the invention.
A suspension file according to the invention is characterized by the features according to claim 1 and is substantially manufactured from plastic. Preferably, a suspension file according to the invention is characterized in that it is injection molded, at least manufactured in a mold in one piece, with hinging means being co-formed, in particular as so-called living hinges. Thus is achieved in one go a suspension file which can be easily folded and can be suspended in a suitably designed arrangement, such as a desk or filing cabinet or the like.
In a suspension file according to the invention, the hook means are preferably designed as extensions of a longitudinal edge of a closing surface, with the longitudinal edge being slightly thicker than the thickness of the closing surfaces. This ensures that the suspension file can easily be suspended, is sufficiently stiff, while the closing surfaces are relatively flexible and, moreover, require little material. In a suspension file according to the invention, the hinging means comprise at least one and preferably more than one living hinge, for instance two or three living hinges extending substantially parallel to each other. Thus a suspension file can easily be adapted in thickness to the matters to be stored therein, such as papers. It is preferred that on at least one side, in particular an outer side of a closing surface, a suspension file is provided with surfaces which can be written on, so that notes can easily be made on the suspension file, for instance concerning the contents thereof.
In a longitudinal edge of a closing surface of a suspension file according to the invention, an insert can easily be included, for instance a metal or plastic stiffening strip, around which plastic is preferably completely or partly injected. Optionally, a transponder may be included as insert, with which the suspension file can be made individually traceable.
A suspension file according to the invention may, for instance, have an opened length between 400 and 550 mm and a width between 270 and 350 mm, such that paper of A4 format can easily be received therein, while the suspension file can be suspended in existing filing cabinets and the like. Of course, these dimensions should in no way be understood as limitative and may be adjusted in accordance with the desired use of the suspension file.
A suspension file according to the invention is preferably substantially injection molded in flat condition, which facilitates manufacture.
The invention further relates to a label holder for a suspension file according to the invention, provided with a clamping profile which can fittingly be clamped to an upper edge of a closing surface.
The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a suspension file, characterized by the features according to claim 11.
The use of a mold with a mold cavity in which at least one movable wall part of the mold cavity is provided gives the advantage that plastic can be introduced into the mold cavity with relatively little counterpressure, at least a particularly favorable mold flow index (MFI), while during or after the plastic is introduced into the mold cavity, the above movable wall part can be moved to a position in which the desired relatively small wall thickness of at least the closing surfaces is achieved. During this movement, the plastic is displaced by the moving wall part, so that complete filling of the mold cavity is achieved. Thus can be obtained a wall thickness which is not otherwise possible with mold forms without particularly high injection pressures and/or particularly high closing pressures of the mold being necessary.
In a method according to the present invention, the mold may be of such design that the hinging means are substantially formed by the or each movable part. This offers the advantage that during injection of the plastic the hinges as such do not form a flow impediment to the plastic, while relatively thin film hinges, at least living hinges, can be formed.
In a further advantageous embodiment, a method according to the invention is characterized by the features according to claim 14.
In such an embodiment, after injection of the plastic, the closing surfaces are brought to thickness by movement of the or each movable wall part. The wall thickness of the closing surfaces thereby becomes particularly small. An additional advantage of a method according to the invention is that stresses in the plastic and hence in the final product can be controlled very well, can particularly be reduced to a minimum, so that undesirable deformations of the final products are prevented.
In explanation of the invention, exemplary embodiments of a suspension file, label holder and method according to the invention will be elucidated in more detail with reference to the drawing. In this drawing:
In this specification, similar or corresponding parts have similar or corresponding reference numerals.
In the embodiment shown in
A suspension file 1 as shown in
As shown, the longitudinal edges 6 are slightly thicker than the rest of the closing surfaces 2, 3.
After bringing the plastic, sufficient to form the suspension file 1, into the mold cavity 23, with the mold in the position shown in
In an advantageous embodiment, the slide or plate 24 is, in a method according to the invention, moved so rapidly that adiabatic heat development occurs in the plastic, so that the flow behavior of the plastic is advantageously affected.
In this embodiment, each closing surface 2, 3 is provided with a raised edge 44 between the hinges 4 and the longitudinal edge 6. In the closed condition of the suspension file 1, as shown above in
As shown in
In a suspension file 1 according to the invention, the longitudinal edge 6, at least a strip 66 and/or a closing surface 2, 3, may be provided, near the longitudinal edge 6, with a projection 67 or the like, which can rest on a rod 62. This can prevent the suspension files 1 from tilting and standing, at least hanging crooked. Optionally, such a projection may also be provided on the label holder 14.
The invention is in no way limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the specification and drawing. Many variations thereof are possible within the scope of the invention defined by the claims.
For instance, the longitudinal edges 6 may have other profiles, for instance partly open on one side, as in the form of a U-profile or I-profile. Also, several movable wall parts 24 may be provided, which may be moved successively or simultaneously, while, moreover, movement of the movable wall parts is possible during insertion of the plastic, which may be advantageous if the plastic must be kept moving during injection, so as to prevent premature solidification. Other inserts may be provided as well, for instance transponders with which the suspension files can become electronically traceable. It will be clear that all combinations of different parts and features of the shown embodiments also fall within the scope of protection of the claims.
A mold according to the invention may also be of vertical design. The hinging means may be designed as film hinge.
These and many comparable variations are considered to fall within the scope of the invention defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A suspension file for use in drawers and the like, comprising two closing surfaces, mutually connected on a first side by hinging means, in which, on the side facing away from the hinging means, each closing surface is provided with hook means for suspending the suspension file, which suspension file is manufactured in one piece from plastic.
2. A suspension file according to claim 1, wherein the suspension file is substantially manufactured by injection molding, at least mold forming, with the hinging means being integrated as living hinges.
3. A suspension file according to claim 1, wherein the hook means are designed as extensions of a longitudinal edge of a closing surface, which longitudinal edge is slightly thicker than the thickness of the closing surfaces.
4. A suspension file according to claim 1, wherein the hinging means comprise at least one living hinge.
5. A suspension file according to claim 4, wherein the hinging means comprise at least two and preferably at least three living hinges extending substantially parallel to each other.
6. A suspension file according to claim 1, wherein on at least one side, in particular on at least one outer side of a closing surface, a profile is provided in which surfaces are included which can be written on.
7. A suspension file according to claim 1, wherein in at least the longitudinal edge of each closing surface where the hook means are provided at least one insert is provided, around which plastic is at least partly and preferably completely injected.
8. A suspension file according to claim 1, wherein in flattened, opened condition the suspension file measured approximately at right angles to the hinging means has a length between approximately 400 and 550 mm and a width between approximately 270 and 350 mm, which width is measured between the hook means.
9. A suspension file according to claim 1, wherein the suspension file is injection molded in substantially flat condition.
10. A label holder for a suspension file according to claim 1, wherein the label holder is provided with a clamping profile which can fittingly be clamped to an upper edge of a closing surface.
11. A suspension file according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the and preferably each of the closing surfaces is provided with a raised edge, which raised edges, when closing the suspension file, fall against or over each other to substantially enclose a space located between the closing surfaces, at least articles, in particular sheets, received therein during use.
12. A suspension file according to claim 11, wherein closing means are provided to keep the suspension file in closed condition.
13. A suspension file according to claim 1, wherein the suspension file is provided with a clamping element with which papers and the like can be fixed in the suspension file.
14. A suspension file according to claim 13, wherein the clamping element is detachably connected with the suspension file.
15. A clamping element for use in a suspension file according to claim 13, which clamping element is provided with a base element with at least one fastening element with which the clamping element is fixable on a closing surface of a suspension file, said base element being connected with a closing element which, during use, can be arranged on a side of a stack of paper or the like to be received in the clamping element, which side is located opposite the base element.
16. An assembly of at least one suspension file, according to claim 1 and a box in which the suspension file or suspension files can be packaged in flat condition, which box is foldable to a position in which the or each suspension file can be suspended from two opposing wall parts of the box, in particular with the hook means.
17. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the box has a tray-shaped lower part, to which, on at least two opposing sides, side wall parts are attached, are preferably pivotably connected therewith, which side wall parts, when the box is closed, extend over at least the tray-shaped part and suspension files received therein and, when the box is open, extend above the tray-shaped part such that the suspension files can be suspended therefrom.
18. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the box is substantially manufactured in one piece, in particular by a mold-forming technique.
19. A method for manufacturing a suspension file by means of a mold in which a mold cavity with at least one movable wall part is provided, wherein plastic is brought into the mold cavity while said at least one movable wall part has been or is brought into a withdrawn position in which, during and/or after introducing the plastic into the mold cavity, said at least one movable wall part is brought to a moved-forward position, while displacing the plastic so as to result in complete filling of the mold cavity.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein said at least one movable wall part is so designed as to substantially form the hinging means.
21. A method according to claim 19, wherein, during manufacture with said at least one movable wall part, at least the wall thickness of the two closing surfaces is at least partly reduced, in particular to less than matching the MFI for the respective closing surface.
22. A method according to claim 19, wherein the two closing surfaces are provided with a thickened longitudinal edge opposite the hinging means, wherein during manufacture the plastic is brought into the mold cavity while over practically the whole closing surfaces of the suspension file a space is provided for a wall thickness which approximately corresponds with the wall thickness of the two longitudinal edges, while subsequently the at least one movable wall part is moved such that the wall thickness of the closing surfaces between the hinging means and the respective longitudinal edges is reduced, preferably to less than half the wall thickness of the respective longitudinal edges.
23. A method for packaging suspension files, wherein the suspension files are stacked on each other in a box, which box has been or is provided with at least two side wall parts which are attached or fixable to a tray-shaped lower part of the box, such that these two wall parts extend above said tray-shaped part, and that the suspension files can be suspended therefrom.
24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the suspension files are stacked in said tray-shaped part and, subsequently, the side wall parts are laid thereover.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 30, 2003
Publication Date: May 11, 2006
Inventor: Hendricus Hoogland (Krommenie)
Application Number: 10/533,163
International Classification: B65D 27/00 (20060101);