Patent US5090732A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5090732A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inexpensive laminated universal sales presentation or security folder having many uses
Assignee: Spiral Binding Co Inc
•
Filing: 1991-05-28
•
Granted: 1992-02-25
•
Expires: 2011-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A single configuration presentation folder is provided, enabling a user to heat laminate custom printed sheets to the face of the folder without the use of a conventional paper carrier. Portions of the folder are scored to produce folders with one or two pouches holding sales literature or pouchless versions for stand-up displays, or folders containing saddle-stitched data sheets therein or laminated data sheets mounted within a loose leaf or spiral bound cover. Various arrays of fiducials are provided for enabling easy, accurate manual positioning of variable sized insert sheets with respect to the folder edges. The fiducials may be made to disappear upon lamination or are otherwise visually non-obtrusive to the eye. The fiducials may consist of disappearing ink, readily releasable adhesive, grid lines formed in the heat activatable adhesive of the cover sheet, indentations in the folder or inks having low visual contrast. Warpage is prevented by the use of a special plastic backing sheet and a secured file using carbonless paper thwarts fraudulent compromise of critical data therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger J. Kuhns
- 👤 Timothy S. McLaren
- 👤 Robert L. Nathans
- 👤 Robert F. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:16
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42D; B42D3/00; B42D3/02; B42D15/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24851; Y10T428/24868; Y10T428/24876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A universal folder comprising: (a) a rectangular folder sheet having a vertically oriented fold extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (b) at least one pouch forming flap attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a first score line to facilitate upward folding of said flap to form a pouch or alternatively to enable manual separation of said flap from said folder sheet; (c) a first light transmissive rectangular plastic cover sheet attached to a minor portion of a face of said folder sheet and having a heat activatable portion facing said folder sheet for enabling a customized insert sheet to be laminated between said plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A universal folder comprising: (a) a rectangular folder sheet having a vertically oriented fold extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (b) at least one pouch forming flap attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a first score line to facilitate upward folding of said flap to form a pouch or alternatively to enable manual separation of said flap from said folder sheet; (c) a first light transmissive rectangular plastic cover sheet attached to a minor portion of a face of said folder sheet and having a heat activatable portion facing said folder sheet for enabling a customized insert sheet to be laminated between said plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The folder of claim 1 further including a score line formed in said vertically oriented fold to facilitate manual separation of the first and second major portions of said folder sheet from each other if desired.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The folder of claim 2 including a second plastic backing sheet heat laminated to major portions of said folder sheet on a face portion of said folder sheet opposite a face portion of said folder sheet facing said plastic cover sheet, said backing sheet having comparable physical characteristics relative to said cover sheet for producing a flat laminated presentation folder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The folder of claim 1 including a second plastic backing sheet heat laminated to major portions of said folder sheet on a face portion of said folder sheet opposite a face portion of said folder sheet facing said plastic cover sheet, said backing sheet having comparable physical characteristics relative to said cover sheet for producing a flat laminated presentation folder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
139 words
A universal display folder comprising: (a) a folder sheet having a vertically oriented first score line extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (b) at least one pouch forming flap attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a second score line to facilitate upward folding of said flap to form a pouch or alternatively to enable manual separation of said flap from said folder sheet; and (c) a light transmissive plastic cover sheet attached to a face of said folder sheet and having an adhesive portion facing said folder sheet for enabling an indicia bearing insert sheet to be laminated between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
A universal display folder comprising: (a) a folder sheet having a vertically oriented first score line extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (b) at least one pouch forming flap attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a second score line to facilitate upward folding of said flap to form a pouch or alternatively to enable manual separation of said flap from said folder sheet; and (c) a light transmissive plastic cover sheet attached to a face of said folder sheet and having an adhesive portion facing said folder sheet for enabling an indicia bearing insert sheet to be laminated between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The folder of claim 5 wherein first and second pouch forming flaps are attached to bottom portions of said first and second major portions of said folder sheet respectively, via a second score line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The folder of claim 6 further including a score line formed in said vertically oriented fold to facilitate manual separation of the first and second major portions of said folder sheet from each other if desired.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The folder of claim 7 including a second plastic backing sheet heat laminated to major portions of said folder sheet on a face portion of said folder sheet opposite a face portion of said folder sheet facing said plastic cover sheet, said backing sheet having comparable physical characteritic relative to said cover sheet for producing a flat laminated folder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The folder of claim 6 including a second plastic backing sheet heat laminated to major portions of said folder sheet on a face portion of said folder sheet opposite a face portion of said folder sheet facing said plastic cover sheet, said backing sheet having comparable physical characteristics relative to said cover sheet for producing a flat laminated presentation folder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
The folder of claim 5 including a plastic backing sheet heat laminated to said folder sheet on a face portion of said folder sheet opposite a face portion of said folder sheet facing said light transmissive plastic cover sheet, said backing sheet having physical characteristics which produce substantial bowing of said backing sheet and said folder sheet after said backing sheet and said folder sheet are laminated together by the application of heat and pressure thereto and wherein said adhesive portion of said light transmissive cover sheet is heat activatable and wherein said light transmissive plastic cover sheet has physical characteristics which would produce substantial bowing of said light transmissive cover sheet after being laminated to said folder sheet in the absence of said backing sheet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The folder of claim 10 wherein said light transmissive plastic cover sheet has an approximate size at least as great as a file folder when folded.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The folder of claim 11 wherein said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said plastic backing sheet are congruent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The folder of claim 10 wherein said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said plastic backing sheet are congruent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The folder of claim 10 including insert positioning fiducial markings indented in said folder sheet, enabling said fiducial markings to disappear due to the flow of heat activatable adhesive produced while heat laminating said plastic cover sheet to said folder sheet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The folder of claim 14 wherein said fiducial markings are L-shaped.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The folder of claim 14 wherein said cover sheet is made of structured plastic having a polyester base layer and a heat activatable adhesive layer thereon, the polyester base layer having a minimum thickness of four mils, and the adhesive layer having a minimum thickness of six mils.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The folder of claim 10 including an array of indented fiducial markings in the heat activatable adhesive portion of said cover sheet, enabling said fiducial markings to disappear due to adhesive flow upon heat laminating said cover sheet to said folder sheet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The folder of claim 17 wherein said array of fiducial markings are formed in a rectangular grid configuration.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The folder of claim 18 wherein said fiducial markings comprise two set of straight lines perpendicular to each other.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The folder of claim 18 wherein said fiducial markings are dots.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The folder of claim 7 wherein said fiducial markings are L-shaped, enabling their alignment with lower corner portions of customized insert sheets.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
96 words
The folder of claim 10 including heat seal means for joining said cover sheet to said folder sheet adjacent upper congruent edges thereof, and further including fiducial markings spaced from said heat seal by a distance equal to the height of customized insert sheets, whereby the top edge of a customized insert sheet is positioned adjacent said elongated heat seal and said customized insert sheet is laterally shifted until side edges thereof are coincident with a fiducial marking to provide proper lateral positioning of said insert sheet with respect to edge portions of said folder sheet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
The folder of claim 22 wherein said fiducial markings are L-shaped.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The folder of claim 10 further including insert sheet positioning fiducial markings printed upon portions of said folder with an ink which substantially disappears upon the application of heat thereto during heat lamination of said plastic cover to said folder sheet.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The folder of claim 5 including an array of insert sheet positioning fiducial markings printed upon folder sheet and which are small in size so as to be visually non-obtrusive.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The folder of claim 25 wherein said fiducial markings are of a color having a low visual contrast with respect to the color of said folder sheet.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The folder of claim 26 wherein said fiducial markings comprise a rectangular array dots.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The folder of claim 25 wherein said fiducial markings are L-shaped, enabling their alignment with lower corner portions of customized insert sheets.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The folder of claim 5 wherein said folder sheet has fiducial markings thereon consisting essentially of readily releasable pressure sensitive adhesive.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of utilizing a universal display folder comprising: (a) providing said universal display folder which comprises: (a-1) a folder sheet having a vertically oriented first score line extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (a-2) at least one pouch forming flap attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a second score line to faciliate upward folding of said flap to form a pouch or alternatively to enable separation of said flap from said folder sheet; and (a-3) a light transmissive plastic cover sheet attached to a face of said folder sheet and having an adhesive portion facing said folder sheet for enabling an indicia bearing insert sheet to be laminated between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; (b) upwardly folding said flap about said second score line; (c) affixing said flap to said folder sheet to form a pouch; and (d) laminating an indicia bearing insert sheet between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of utilizing a universal display folder comprising: (a) providing said universal display folder which comprises: (a-1) a folder sheet having a vertically oriented first score line extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (a-2) at least one pouch forming flap attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a second score line to faciliate upward folding of said flap to form a pouch or alternatively to enable separation of said flap from said folder sheet; and (a-3) a light transmissive plastic cover sheet attached to a face of said folder sheet and having an adhesive portion facing said folder sheet for enabling an indicia bearing insert sheet to be laminated between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; (b) upwardly folding said flap about said second score line; (c) affixing said flap to said folder sheet to form a pouch; and (d) laminating an indicia bearing insert sheet between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
210 words
A method of utilizing a universal display folder comprising: (a) providing said universal display folder which comprises: (a-1) a folder sheet having a vertically oriented first score line extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (a-2) at least one pouch forming flap attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a second score line to facilitate upward folding of said flap to form a pouch or alternatively to enable separation of said flap from said folder sheet; and (a-3) a light transmissive plastic cover sheet attached to a face of said folder sheet and having an adhesive portion facing said folder sheet for enabling an indicia bearing insert sheet to be laminated between said plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; (b) separating said flap from said folder sheet along said second score line; (c) laminating an indicia bearing insert sheet between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; and (d) separating the first major portion of said folder sheet from the second major portion of said folder sheet along said first score line to form a unitary plastic laminate.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
210 words
A method of utilizing a universal display folder comprising: (a) providing said universal display folder which comprises: (a-1) a folder sheet having a vertically oriented first score line extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (a-2) at least one pouch forming flap attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a second score line to facilitate upward folding of said flap to form a pouch or alternatively to enable separation of said flap from said folder sheet; and (a-3) a light transmissive plastic cover sheet attached to a face of said folder sheet and having an adhesive portion facing said folder sheet for enabling an indicia bearing insert sheet to be laminated between said plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; (b) separating said flap from said folder sheet along said second score line; (c) laminating an indicia bearing insert sheet between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; and (d) separating the first major portion of said folder sheet from the second major portion of said folder sheet along said first score line to form a unitary plastic laminate.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 31 including the step of punching at least one aperture in the unitary plastic laminate produced in accordance with step (d) and utilizing said aperture to mount said unitary plastic laminate upon a ring binder.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
208 words
Method of utilizing a universal display folder comprising: (a) providing said universal display folder which comprises: (a-1) a folder sheet having a vertically oriented first score line extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (a-2) at least one pouch forming flap attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a second score line to facilitate upward folding of said flap to form a pouch or alternatively to enable separation of said flap from said folder sheet; and (a-3) a light transmissive plastic cover sheet attached to a face of said folder sheet and having an adhesive portion facing said folder sheet for enabling an indica bearing insert sheet to be laminated between said plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; (b) inserting said indicia bearing sheet between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; (c) folding said folder sheet about said vertically oriented first score line in a direction causing said folder sheet to enclose said plastic cover sheet; and (d) laminating said indicia bearing insert sheet between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
208 words
Method of utilizing a universal display folder comprising: (a) providing said universal display folder which comprises: (a-1) a folder sheet having a vertically oriented first score line extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (a-2) at least one pouch forming flap attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a second score line to facilitate upward folding of said flap to form a pouch or alternatively to enable separation of said flap from said folder sheet; and (a-3) a light transmissive plastic cover sheet attached to a face of said folder sheet and having an adhesive portion facing said folder sheet for enabling an indica bearing insert sheet to be laminated between said plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; (b) inserting said indicia bearing sheet between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; (c) folding said folder sheet about said vertically oriented first score line in a direction causing said folder sheet to enclose said plastic cover sheet; and (d) laminating said indicia bearing insert sheet between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 33 including separating said flap from said folder sheet along said second score line to provide a no-pouch version of said display folder.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 34 including separating said first major portion of said folder sheet from said second major portion of said folder sheet along said first score line to provide a unitary plastic laminate.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 33 including folding said flap upwardly about said second score line and thereafter attaching said flap to a face of said folder not facing said light transmissive plastic cover sheet.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of utilizing a universal display folder comprising: (a) providing said universal display folder which comprises: (a-1) a folder sheet having a vertically oriented first score line extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (a-2) at least one pouch forming flap attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a second score line to facilitate upward folding of said flap to form a pouch or alternatively to enable separation of said flap from said folder sheet; and (a-3) a light transmissive plastic cover sheet attached to a face of said folder sheet and having an adhesive portion facing said folder sheet for enabling an indicia bearing insert sheet to be laminated between said plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; (b) separating at least one flap from said folder sheet along said second score line; and (c) laminating an indicia bearing insert sheet between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of utilizing a universal display folder comprising: (a) providing said universal display folder which comprises: (a-1) a folder sheet having a vertically oriented first score line extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (a-2) at least one pouch forming flap attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a second score line to facilitate upward folding of said flap to form a pouch or alternatively to enable separation of said flap from said folder sheet; and (a-3) a light transmissive plastic cover sheet attached to a face of said folder sheet and having an adhesive portion facing said folder sheet for enabling an indicia bearing insert sheet to be laminated between said plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; (b) separating at least one flap from said folder sheet along said second score line; and (c) laminating an indicia bearing insert sheet between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 37 including the step of stiching double sized indicia bearing sheets to said first vertically oriented score line.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 37 including the step of folding said folder sheet about said first vertically oriented score line to produce a free-standing display.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of utilizing a universal display folder comprising: (a) providing said universal display folder which comprises: (a-1) a folder sheet having a vertically oriented first score line extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (a-2) at least two flaps attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a second score line; and (a-3) a light transmissive plastic cover sheet attached to at least one face of said folder sheet and having an adhesive portion facing said folder sheet for enabling an indicia bearing insert sheet to be laminated between said plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; (b) laminating an indicia bearing insert sheet between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet to form a unitary plastic laminate; (c) folding said flaps about said second score line until said flaps are at right angles to said folder sheet; and (d) affixing said flaps to each other to form a stable base for a stand-up display.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of utilizing a universal display folder comprising: (a) providing said universal display folder which comprises: (a-1) a folder sheet having a vertically oriented first score line extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (a-2) at least two flaps attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a second score line; and (a-3) a light transmissive plastic cover sheet attached to at least one face of said folder sheet and having an adhesive portion facing said folder sheet for enabling an indicia bearing insert sheet to be laminated between said plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; (b) laminating an indicia bearing insert sheet between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet to form a unitary plastic laminate; (c) folding said flaps about said second score line until said flaps are at right angles to said folder sheet; and (d) affixing said flaps to each other to form a stable base for a stand-up display.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of utilizing a universal display folder comprising: (a) providing said universal display folder which comprises: (a-1) a folder sheet having a vertically oriented first score line extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (a-2) at least one pouch forming flap attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a second score line to facilitate upward folding of said flap to form a pouch or alternatively to enable separation of said flap from said folder sheet; and (a-3) a light transmissive plastic cover sheet attached to a face of said folder sheet and having an adhesive portion facing said folder sheet for enabling an indicia bearing insert sheet to be laminated between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; and (b) laminating an indicia bearing insert sheet between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of utilizing a universal display folder comprising: (a) providing said universal display folder which comprises: (a-1) a folder sheet having a vertically oriented first score line extending from a top portion of said folder sheet to a bottom portion of said folder sheet for dividing said folder sheet into a first major portion and a second major portion; (a-2) at least one pouch forming flap attached to a bottom portion of said folder sheet via a second score line to facilitate upward folding of said flap to form a pouch or alternatively to enable separation of said flap from said folder sheet; and (a-3) a light transmissive plastic cover sheet attached to a face of said folder sheet and having an adhesive portion facing said folder sheet for enabling an indicia bearing insert sheet to be laminated between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet; and (b) laminating an indicia bearing insert sheet between said light transmissive plastic cover sheet and said folder sheet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4386795A
Cited
US4121961A
Cited
US4121856A
Cited
US4496961A
Cited
US4407524A
Cited
US4892335A
Cited
US4932681A
Cited
US4951970A
Cited
US4971361A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-02-24 | 1995-08-26 | 1996-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-24 | 1999-08-26 | 2000-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-24 | 2003-08-26 | 2004-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |