Storage device with label tag

Abstract

A storage device having a first member and a second member between which is a storage space. Adjacent the top of the first member there is an upwardly projecting integral portion of the first member which forms a first element of a label tag. The first element of the label tag is provided with an open window. Behind the window is a separate cover sheet, which is secured to the first element of the label tag so that a label can be inserted and retained behind the window. The cover sheet provides a writing surface facing the window and in the absence of a label this can be written by means of a writing implement which extends through the window. The writing surface may act as a whiteboard and may have enhanced dry erase performance, for example by having a glossy finish.

Claims

1. A storage device comprising a first member and a second member between which is provided a storage space, the storage device comprising a top and a bottom, wherein a label tag being defined by a front element and a rear element projects from a top of the first member, the front element being provided with an open window; the front and rear elements defining a pocket configured to receive a label to be viewed through the open window; wherein the front element of the label tag comprises an extension that projects upwardly from the top of the first member and that is integral with the first member, and the rear element of the label tag comprises a piece of material which is separate from the first and second members and is secured to the front element of the label tag behind the open window, the rear element providing a whiteboard writing surface facing the open window, wherein the whiteboard writing surface is configured to receive markings deposited by a writing implement when at least a portion of the writing implement extends through the open window.

2. The storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the whiteboard writing surface of the rear element of the label tag is configured to assist in erase performance.

3. The storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front element of the label tag is defined partly by the extension that projects upwardly from the top of the first member, and partly by an adjoining part of the first member.

4. The storage device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the open window is provided partly in the extension that projects upwardly from the top of the first member, and partly in the adjoining part of the first member.

5. The storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear element of the label tag is attached to a back of the extension that projects upwardly from the top of the first member, and to an adjoining part of the first member.

6. The storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least portions of the first and second members comprise a rigid or semi-rigid material, and the rear element of the label tag comprises a material that is more flexible than the rigid or semi-rigid material of the at least portions of the first and second members.

7. The storage device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rear element of the label tag comprises a flexible plastic film.

8. The storage device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rear element of the label tag comprises polypropylene and the whiteboard writing surface is provided with a glossy finish.

9. The storage device as claimed in claim 1, in the form of a pouch manufactured from a strip of plastic material which is folded to provide the first and second members and a closure flap, the first and second members being joined along edges thereof, the closure flap being defined by the extension that projects upwardly from the top of the first member, and the front element of the label tag being at least partially defined by a cut line in the closure flap that defines a tab extending away from the top of the first member.

10. The storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein first and second parallel channel portions are defined on opposite sides of the open window, to receive edges of a label upon insertion of the label into the pocket.

11. A storage device comprising a first member and a second member between which is provided a storage space, the storage device comprising a top, a bottom, and two sides, wherein, adjacent a top of the first member, an upwardly projecting integral portion of the first member forms a first element of a label tag; the first element of the label tag being provided with a cut out region which defines an open window with a window periphery having opposed first and second sides interconnected by opposed third and fourth sides; and a second element of the label tag, which comprises material separate from the first element of the label tag, is positioned behind the open window defined in the first element of the label tag and is secured to the first element of the label tag, the second element extending beyond the first and second sides of the window periphery, the first element and the second element of the label tag defining opposed first and second channel portions extending from adjacent the first and second sides of the window periphery, respectively; and at the third side of the window periphery, the second element is not secured to the first element and the first and second channel portions have open ends, so that a label can be inserted behind the open window between the first element and the second element, and be retained in the first and second channel portions; wherein the second element of the label tag provides a whiteboard writing surface that faces the open window and that, if the label is not present, is configured to receive markings deposited by a writing implement when at least a portion of the writing implement extends through the open window.

Description

(1) Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a view of a sheet to form a pouch, with label apparatus in accordance with the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows how the pouch is formed;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the pouch with a flap closing the opening into the pouch:

(5) FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the label assembly; and

(6) FIG. 5 is an end view of the label assembly.

(7) FIG. 1 illustrates a foldable sheet 1 of plastics material such as semi-rigid polypropylene. This defines a rear member 2, joined to a front member 3 by a fold line 4 and to a closure flap 5 by a fold line 6. A cut line 7 defines a tab area in the closure flap 5. A rectangular aperture 8 is provided, defining an open window through the sheet 1, in the region defined by the cut line 7 and by the adjoining region of the rear member 2.

(8) FIG. 2 shows the front member 3 folded over the rear member 3 to form a pouch 9 with an open top, the front and rear members being joined along the lines 10 and 11 adjacent the edges of the members. This can be achieved by heat sealing, for example. FIG. 4 shows the pouch 9 with the closure flap 5 folded down over the front member 3. This provides a tab 12 projecting up from the top of the rear member 2.

(9) FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the tab 12 and the adjoining part of the rear member 2, illustrating the label assembly. This comprises the open window and a rectangular covering sheet 13 of flexible plastics material such as polypropylene at the back of the tab 12 and the rear member 2, behind the open window 8. The covering sheet 13 is attached to the rear member along a lower line 14, and is attached to the tab along an upper line 15. It is also attached to the rear member and the tab along a left side line 16. Attachment may be achieved by heat sealing. The covering sheet defines a writing area 17 which acts like a whiteboard having a glossy finish and can be accessed through the open window 8. The covering sheet provides a white background for the writing area 17.

(10) The line upper 15 is spaced from the upper edge of the window 8, so that an upper channel 18 is defined. The lower line 14 is spaced from the lower edge of window 8 so that a lower channel 19 is defined. A flexible label card 20 is inserted through an opening 21 at the right side of the label apparatus, and is pushed into the channels 18 and 19 so that it is located between the material of the tab and the front member, and the material of the covering sheet 13. In this embodiment there is also a channel 22 defined at the left side of the apparatus between the line 16 and the left side of the window 8. The label card can be pushed fully in so that its end projects into this left channel 22. FIG. 5 is an end view showing the label card inserted into the label assembly through the opening 21.

(11) The label apparatus in accordance with the invention has many advantages. In all filing systems it is preferable that the label areas all look the same. People like to see uniformity in labelling and the size of the labelling area always remains constant. This is achieved if using the present invention.

(12) When using adhesive labels, because the labels are placed by hand it is not that easy to ensure that every label, on every file, is perfectly level and is in exactly the same position as all of the other labels. Uniformity is easily lost. The present invention assists a user to achieve this because there is a rectangular window within which an adhesive label can be placed.

(13) In addition, just as people prefer to see pictures in a frame it is also true that in filing systems people prefer to see the label area framed. For this reason many labelling systems simply print a thin line around the outer edge of the paper label to create the famed look. With the system of the present invention this framed look is automatically achieved. This can be assisted if there is a contrast between the colour of the pouch, which can be dark, and the colour of the writing area. A contrast between the dark outer frame of the pouch and the whiteboard automatically creates the framed look. In addition because the label is slightly recessed, it further enhances the framed look.

(14) Many labelling systems use thick plastic tabs into which a label slides. The problem is that when a number of these folders are grouped together the combined thickness of each plastic label holder causes the folders to fan out on one side. Preferred embodiments of the invention do not have this problem. A pouch or wallet incorporating the invention can be very thinthe only additional thickness is that of the covering sheet behind the window and, if used, a label card which is inserted.

(15) The invention can be viewed from a number of other aspects. Thus, viewed from another aspect the invention provides label apparatus for an object, comprising a first element and a second element; wherein the first element defines an open window with a periphery having opposed first and second sides interconnected by opposed third and fourth sides; the second element is secured to the first element behind the window, the second element extending beyond the first and second sides of the window periphery and being secured to the first element at portions spaced from the first and second sides of the window periphery, the first element and the second element thus defining opposed first and second channel portions extending respectively from adjacent the first and second sides of the window periphery; and at the third side of the window periphery, the second element is not secured to the first element and the channel portions have open ends, so that a label member can be inserted behind the window between the first element and the second element, and retained in the first and second channel portions; wherein the second element has a writing surface facing the window so that, if a label member is not retained, markings can be written directly on the writing surface by means of a writing implement which extends through the window, or a label can be positioned on the writing surface through the window. Viewed from a further aspect there is provided a storage device having a first member and a second member between which is provided a storage space, the storage device having a top, a bottom and two sides, wherein adjacent the top of the device, there is provided label apparatus as described immediately above. The first element could be provided by a portion of a substrate, such as a tab of a folder, in which is provided a cut out region defining the window. The second element is then secured to the back of the portion of the substrate, behind the window. Alternatively, the first element could be in the form of a window frame. In one embodiment of such an arrangement the window frame could be secured to a portion of a substrate and the portion of the substrate could serve as the second element. In another embodiment of this type of arrangement, the window frame could first be secured to a separate second element, and the complete assembly could then be secured to a portion of a substrate.

(16) Viewed from another aspect there is provided a storage device having a first member and a second member between which is provided a storage space, the storage device having a top, a bottom and two sides, wherein adjacent the top of the device, there is label apparatus which comprising a first element and a second element; wherein the first element of the label apparatus is provided with a cut out region which defines an open window with a periphery having opposed first and second sides interconnected by opposed third and fourth sides; and the second element is positioned behind the window and extends beyond the first and second sides of the window periphery, the first element and the second element defining opposed first and second channel portions extending respectively from adjacent the first and second sides of the window periphery; and at the third side of the window periphery, the second element is not secured to the first element and the channel portions have open ends, so that a label member can be inserted behind the window between the first element and the second element, and retained in the first and second channel portions; characterised in that the second element of the label apparatus provides a surface facing the window which is adapted as a writing surface on which markings can be written directly on the writing surface by means of a writing implement which extends through the window, and on which markings can be erased; the second element being of flexible plastics material which acts as a whiteboard and which is separate from the material of the first and second members of the storage device and from the material of the first element of the label apparatus, the second element being secured to the first element at portions spaced from the first and second sides of the window periphery; wherein the arrangement is such that, alternatively, a label can be positioned on the writing surface through the window.

(17) Viewed from another aspect there is provided a storage device having a first member and a second member between which is provided a storage space, the storage device having a top, a bottom and two sides, wherein adjacent the top of the device, there is label apparatus which comprising a first element and a second element; wherein the first element of the label apparatus is provided with a cut out region which defines an open window with a periphery having opposed first and second sides interconnected by opposed third and fourth sides; and the second element is positioned behind the window and extends beyond the first and second sides of the window periphery, the first element and the second element defining opposed first and second channel portions extending respectively from adjacent the first and second sides of the window periphery; and at the third side of the window periphery, the second element is not secured to the first element and the channel portions have open ends, so that a label member can be inserted behind the window between the first element and the second element, and retained in the first and second channel portions; characterised in that the second element of the label apparatus provides a surface facing the window which is adapted as a writing surface on which markings can be written directly on the writing surface by means of a writing implement which extends through the window, and on which markings can be erased; the second element being of flexible plastics material which acts as a whiteboard and which is separate from the material of the first and second members of the storage device and from the material of the first element of the label apparatus, the second element being secured to the first element at portions spaced from the first and second sides of the window periphery; wherein the arrangement is such that, alternatively, a label can be positioned on the writing surface through the window.

(18) Viewed from another aspect, the invention provides a storage device having a first member and a second member between which is provided a storage space, the storage device having a top, a bottom and two sides, wherein adjacent the top of the first member there is an upwardly projecting integral portion of the first member which forms a first element of a label tag; the first element of the label tag being provided with a cut out region which defines an open window with a periphery having opposed first and second sides interconnected by opposed third and fourth sides; and a second element of the label tag, which is of material separate from the first element of the label tag, is positioned behind the window in the first element of the first element of the label tag and is secured to the first element of the label tag, the second element extending beyond the first and second sides of the window periphery, the first element and the second element of the label tag defining opposed first and second channel portions extending respectively from adjacent the first and second sides of the window periphery; and at the third side of the window periphery, the second element is not secured to the first element and the channel portions have open ends, so that a label member can be inserted behind the window between the first element and the second element, and retained in the first and second channel portions; wherein the second element of the label tag provides a surface facing the window which is adapted as a writing surface on which, if a label member is not present, markings can be written by means of a writing implement which extends through the window and from which markings can be erased.

(19) Viewed from another aspect the invention provides a storage device having a first member and a second member between which is provided a storage space, the storage device having a top and a bottom, wherein projecting from the top of the first member of the storage device there is a label tag defined by a front element and a rear element, the front element being provided with an open window; the front and rear elements defining a pocket which can receive a label to be viewed through the window; characterised in that the front element of the label tag comprises an upwardly projecting extension from the top of the first member of the storage device, which is integral with the first member of the storage device, and the rear element of the label tag is a piece of material which is separate from the first and second members of the storage device and is secured to the front element of the label tag behind the window, the rear element providing a writing surface facing the window on which markings can be written by means of a writing implement which extends through the open window, the writing surface being such as to assist in dry-erase performance.

(20) Viewed from another aspect the invention provides a storage device having a first member and a second member between which is provided a storage space, the storage device having a top and a bottom, wherein projecting from the top of the first member of the storage device there is a label tag defined by a front element and a rear element, the front element being provided with an open window; the front and rear elements defining a pocket which can receive a label to be viewed through the window; characterised in that the front element of the label tag comprises an upwardly projecting extension from the top of the first member of the storage device, which is integral with the first member of the storage device, and the rear element of the label tag is a piece of material which is separate from the first and second members of the storage device and is secured to the front element of the label tag behind the window, the rear element providing a writing surface facing the window on which markings can be written by means of a writing implement which extends through the open window, the writing surface being of a contrasting colour to the colour of the front element of the label tab. Preferably, the writing surface is of a light colour as compared to the colour of the front element of the label tab. Preferably the writing surface is such as to assist in dry-erase performance.

(21) It will be appreciated that all of the detailed and optional features which are set out in the introduction in relation to the first aspect of the invention apply also to these additional aspects of the invention.

(22) Thus, in certain embodiments of the invention there is provided a storage device (1) having a first member (2) and a second member (3) between which is a storage space. Adjacent the top of the first member (2) there is an upwardly projecting integral portion of the first member which forms a first element (12) of a label tag. The first element of the label tag is provided with an open window (8). Behind the window (8) is a separate cover sheet (13), which is secured to the first element (12) of the label tag so that a label member (20) can be inserted and retained behind the window (8). The cover sheet (13) provides a writing surface (17) facing the window (8) and in the absence of a label member (20) this can be written by means of a writing implement which extends through the window (8). The writing surface (17) acts as a whiteboard and may have enhanced erase performance, as compared to the first and second members of the storage device and the first element of the label tag, for example by having a glossy finish.