DE29708454U1 - Set of back labels for files or books - Google Patents

Description

· *: * · I***:**'*: :* Dipl. - Pliys. Konrad Schaefer

Schaefer & Emmel ^DipL " ^{BioL Dr Thonias Emml}

European Patent Attorneys Tel:(0)-40-6562051 Fax:-6567919

Postbank 22 / 58226 BIz 200 40 000 Gehölzweg 20, D-22043 Hamburg Postbank 225058 - 208 BIz 200 10 020

12 May 1997 Reference: 01717

Michael Klaibor

Set of spine labels for folders or books.

The invention relates to a set of spine labels, such as can be used in particular e.g. in the office area for folders, but also for book spines, e.g. of encyclopedias, etc.

In particular, for example, filing folders used in the office must be labelled in such a way that, in case of doubt, quick access to a desired folder is possible or that several folders can be easily placed in the desired order.

Conventional folders have a transparent tab for labels on their spines. The labels can be individually labelled with various graded sorting criteria. For example, it is possible to note a letter of the alphabet as the overarching criterion, which then

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Letters should be numbered consecutively and details of the individual processes should be given on the individual folders. If you want to find a process filed under the letter A, the search is usually limited to a quick search through the back labels of the folders that exist under the letter A. However, secure and reasonably easy access is only guaranteed if the folders are always returned to the right place after they have been removed. If a folder is not returned to its original place, the search for it can be laborious (if it has only been moved a few positions) or extremely time-consuming if a large number of folders have been stored completely unsorted.

Similar problems can occur with books, especially reference works, which are arranged alphabetically or by year, etc.

The object of the invention is therefore to create devices which enable the orderly storage of folders or books in a simple manner and, in addition, allow particularly rapid detection, in particular of a folder which has been placed incorrectly.

This object is achieved with a set of back labels which has the features of claim 1.

It is then provided that the back labels of a set each have different optical markers which are coordinated with one another in such a way that they produce a defined optical pattern when arranged next to one another in a defined order.

The term set is to be interpreted quite broadly. In a theoretically possible, but not particularly sensible, case, it could be just two labels. As a rule, however, a set of folder labels is designed so that it contains enough labels for, for example, folders in a standard row of shelves.

Optical markers include all optically detectable designs of the label. It is conceivable, for example, that the labels show parts of an image. The defined pattern resulting from the correct arrangement of the back labels would then be considered to be the correct reproduction of the entire image or, if there are not yet a sufficient number of folders available, a partial section of the image.

Of course, the defined pattern could also be a non-horizontal line or a geometric figure etc. if the spine labels are arranged correctly. Another particularly simple possibility would be to create clearly detectable dots etc. on the labels, which in turn, if the folders are arranged correctly, would create a descending or ascending dotted line.

Finally, another possibility would be to assign different shades of a color to the back labels. The defined pattern would then be, for example, a graduated gray or other color scale.

In all cases, it is easy to determine whether a folder is missing from a folder unit or whether the folders have been placed in the wrong order when the folders are provided with the labels according to the invention. If a folder were to end up in a completely different place, it would be detectable at a glance, provided that other sets of spine labels are used in this area.

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However, in order to clearly assign the folders to their place, it is necessary that the labels of a set each have different optical markers.

The labels can be produced as adhesive labels or as insert strips. The production is particularly simple if, for example, a film or adhesive paper is printed with the optical pattern and the labels are then made from it by punching etc.

Another possibility is to cover a sheet of paper or cardboard with the optical pattern and then simply provide it with perforations etc. that delimit the individual labels. The labels can then be torn off the sheet in the correct order and used if required, which makes handling and storage even easier.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a figure.

The illustration shows several folders 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d placed next to each other in the back view. The folders each have labels 11, on which information about the contents can be provided. Spine labels 12a - 12d are also arranged on the spines of the folders 10a - 10d. The spine labels 12a - 12d each have different marks 13a, 13b, 13b', 13c, 13c' and 13d. The optical marks 13a - 13d are surface elements which, when placed together in a defined order, form a horizontal triangle as an optical pattern 130. The optical markers 13b', 13c', on the other hand, are line representations which, when placed correctly together, form a pebble representation 130' as an optical pattern.

In all cases, it can be seen that the folders must be arranged next to one another in a defined order to display the defined optical pattern 130, 130', which ensures a particularly simple organizational function. It goes without saying that any optical pattern can be defined. The only condition is that the spine labels forming the overall pattern (i.e. the labels of a set) each have different optical markers, so that a clear position of each folder marked with the labels in relation to a storage location is guaranteed.

The main advantage of the invention is that in this way an optically easy-to-detect filing system is created, particularly for office files, but also reference works, etc.

Claims (3)

Patent attorneys &Iacgr;■'.. \ I'···.. '·..: .· Schaefer & Eminei '"''"'"'' ^Dipl " ^{Bio1 Dr TllomasEimnel} European Patent Attorneys Tel:(0)-40-656205 I Fax:-6567919 Commerzbaiik 22 / 58226 BIz 200 40 000 Gehölzweg 20. D-22043 Hamburg Postbank 225058 - 208 BIz 200 10 020 12 May 1997 Reference: 01717 Michael Klaibor EXPECTATIONS: 1. Set of spine labels for folders or books, characterized by that the back labels (12a - 12d) of a set each have different optical markers (13a - 13d, 13b', 13c') which are coordinated with one another in such a way that the back labels (12a - 12d) of a set arranged next to one another in a defined order produce a defined optical pattern (130, 130'). 2. Set according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical pattern is an image (130, 130'). 3. Set according to one of claims I or 2, characterized in that the back labels (12a - 12d) are punched from a film or an adhesive paper. 'MI 0(172 &Igr;&iacgr;&idigr;&Igr;· ¹