US4006980A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microfiche carrier
Assignee: Bell and Howell Co
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Filing: 1974-12-16
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Granted: 1977-02-08
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Expires: 1994-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A plastic microfiche carrier is made from two clear plastic sheets, which fit together in a face-to-face relationship to form an envelope that is open on one end and sealed on the other end and along two sides. One of the plastic sheets is embossed to provide a central clearance between the sheets for enabling insertion of a replaceable microfiche film. The clearance formed by the embossment on the other side enables the carrier to be slipped into a cartridge without binding in the thickness dimension. The corners of the carrier are tapered to facilitate an alignment of the microfiche library file within the cartridge. The edges of the carrier are notched to releasably hold the microfiche library film while it is inside the cartridge.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R. Wells
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:15
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03C; G03C11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A microfiche film carrier for use in a library file which supports a plurality of microfiche carriers in a spaced parallel side-by-side relationship, with a latch for normally securing the carriers in the file, said carrier comprising: a pair of transparent film sheets, one of said sheets being embossed in a window area having dimensions substantially corresponding to dimensions of a microfiche film, means for adhesively securing said pair of film sheets along three edges in face-to-face relationship with said embossed window area forming a relief area for receiving a microfiche film, the edges of said embossed sheet forming a relief area to prevent thickness binding between said carrier and its adjacent supporting structure in a library file, hooks formed on at least one side of said carrier for enabling an extraction of a selected microfiche carrier from a library file, and a latch receiving keeper notch along at least one side of said carrier, whereby a library file latch engages the latch receiving keeper notch to hold the microfiche carrier in a library file.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A microfiche film carrier for use in a library file which supports a plurality of microfiche carriers in a spaced parallel side-by-side relationship, with a latch for normally securing the carriers in the file, said carrier comprising: a pair of transparent film sheets, one of said sheets being embossed in a window area having dimensions substantially corresponding to dimensions of a microfiche film, means for adhesively securing said pair of film sheets along three edges in face-to-face relationship with said embossed window area forming a relief area for receiving a microfiche film, the edges of said embossed sheet forming a relief area to prevent thickness binding between said carrier and its adjacent supporting structure in a library file, hooks formed on at least one side of said carrier for enabling an extraction of a selected microfiche carrier from a library file, and a latch receiving keeper notch along at least one side of said carrier, whereby a library file latch engages the latch receiving keeper notch to hold the microfiche carrier in a library file.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
The microfiche film carrier of claim 1 wherein said latch receiving keeper notch is shaped so that a spring biased latch automatically drops into and catches said notch when a microfiche carrier is inserted into a library file, and said notch being further shaped so that said carrier is released only when said latch is retracted, whereby said carrier may be released by moving a latch against a spring bias when a library file is inserted into a microfiche reader.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
170 words
A microfiche film carrier for use in a library file which supports a plurality of microfiche carriers in a spaced parallel side-by-side relationship, with a latch for normally securing the carriers in the file, said carrier comprising: a pair of transparent film sheets, one of said sheets being embossed in a window area having dimensions substantially corresponding to dimensions of a microfiche film, means for adhesively securing said pair of film sheets along three edges in a face-to-face relationship with said embossed window area forming relief area for receiving a microfiche film, the edges of said embossed sheet forming a relief area to prevent thickness binding between said carrier and its adjacent supporting structure in a library file, said carrier being tapered on two corners in order to align said microfiche carrier as it is inserted within a library file, said tapered corners of each of said transparent sheets which first enter a library file being beveled to form a wedge shaped leading edge for guiding and directing said carrier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
170 words
A microfiche film carrier for use in a library file which supports a plurality of microfiche carriers in a spaced parallel side-by-side relationship, with a latch for normally securing the carriers in the file, said carrier comprising: a pair of transparent film sheets, one of said sheets being embossed in a window area having dimensions substantially corresponding to dimensions of a microfiche film, means for adhesively securing said pair of film sheets along three edges in a face-to-face relationship with said embossed window area forming relief area for receiving a microfiche film, the edges of said embossed sheet forming a relief area to prevent thickness binding between said carrier and its adjacent supporting structure in a library file, said carrier being tapered on two corners in order to align said microfiche carrier as it is inserted within a library file, said tapered corners of each of said transparent sheets which first enter a library file being beveled to form a wedge shaped leading edge for guiding and directing said carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
259 words
A microfiche film carrier for use in a library file which supports a plurality of microfiche carriers in a spaced parallel side-by-side relationship, with a latch for normally securing the carriers in the file, said carrier comprising: a pair of transparent film sheets, one of said sheets being embossed in a window area having dimensions substantially corresponding to dimensions of a microfiche film, means for adhesively securing said pair of film sheets along three edges in a face-to-face relationship with said embossed window area forming a relief area for receiving a microfiche film, the edges of said embossed sheet forming a relief area to prevent thickness binding between said carrier and its adjacent supporting structure in a library file a fourth edge of said carrier being open with a thumb cutout so that a microfiche film may be gripped to be inserted in or pulled from said carrier, said carrier having four tapered corners to facilitate alignment of said carrier within a library file, a pair of opposing hooks formed on opposite sides of said carrier near said fourth edge for enabling an extraction of a selected carrier from a library file, at least one keeper notche formed on at least one side of said carrier for receiving a spring biased latch to hold the carrier in a library file, whereby a latch automatically catches said notch when a carrier is inserted into a library file, and means for releasing a latch by operating it against a spring bias when a library file is inserted into a microfiche reader.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
259 words
A microfiche film carrier for use in a library file which supports a plurality of microfiche carriers in a spaced parallel side-by-side relationship, with a latch for normally securing the carriers in the file, said carrier comprising: a pair of transparent film sheets, one of said sheets being embossed in a window area having dimensions substantially corresponding to dimensions of a microfiche film, means for adhesively securing said pair of film sheets along three edges in a face-to-face relationship with said embossed window area forming a relief area for receiving a microfiche film, the edges of said embossed sheet forming a relief area to prevent thickness binding between said carrier and its adjacent supporting structure in a library file a fourth edge of said carrier being open with a thumb cutout so that a microfiche film may be gripped to be inserted in or pulled from said carrier, said carrier having four tapered corners to facilitate alignment of said carrier within a library file, a pair of opposing hooks formed on opposite sides of said carrier near said fourth edge for enabling an extraction of a selected carrier from a library file, at least one keeper notche formed on at least one side of said carrier for receiving a spring biased latch to hold the carrier in a library file, whereby a latch automatically catches said notch when a carrier is inserted into a library file, and means for releasing a latch by operating it against a spring bias when a library file is inserted into a microfiche reader.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-08 | 1980-08-09 | 1981-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-08 | 1984-08-09 | 1985-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-08 | 1988-08-09 | 1989-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |