WO1998005563A1

WO1998005563A1 - Temporary filing tray

Info

Publication number: WO1998005563A1
Application number: PCT/IL1997/000254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kfir Luzzatto
Original assignee: ELUV Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: ELUV Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 1996-08-05
Filing date: 1997-07-27
Publication date: 1998-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 1999-02-05
Also published as: IL119009A0; IL119009A

Abstract

A tray (10, 25, 30, 35) for storing similarly shaped sheets in a plurality of partially overlapping, angularly different positions, comprises at least a first seat adapted for receiving a portion of a sheet in a first angular position and a second seat adapted for receiving a portion of a sheet in a second angular position, any one of the sheets which is in the first angular position partially overlapping any other one of the sheets which is in the second angular position.

Description

TEMPORARY FILING TRAY

Field of the Invention

This invention refers to temporary -filing trays, and more specifically, to trays for temporarily storing sheets and groups of sheets having different destinations, for the purpose of apportioning them either among units of outgoing mail or among units of a filing system. More specifically, this invention relates to a tray of this kind, which is intended and adapted for preventing the erroneous insertion of one or more sheets into outgoing mail envelopes or office files to which they do not belong.

Background of the Invention

In office work, it is customary temporarily to store outgoing or incoming mail in a tray. The outgoing mail tray often contains items, such as long letters or documents, having more than one sheet or having enclosures. When papers, which are intended for different addressees and must be introduced into separate envelopes, are piled one above the other into the outgoing mail tray, it may occur, and it occurs relatively often, that one or more papers, that had one addressee and should have gone into a specific envelope, are mixed with papers that have a different addressee and should have gone into a different envelope, and thus one addressee receives papers that were not intended for him and the other addressee fails to receive papers that were intended for him. A similar inconvenience occurs, when incoming mail or interoffice communication material is temporarily stored and is later apportioned among different files. It is generally attempted to avoid these inconveniences by connecting to one another by means of clips papers that are related and should remain together, but this is not always possible or an efficient way of dealing with the problem.

It is a purpose of this invention to provide a very simple and inexpensive means for assuring that papers having different addressees or belonging to different files will not be mixed together and will remain separate, without requiring any complication in office work.

It is another purpose of this invention to provide a tray which is so constructed that it permits to superimpose papers, having different addressees or belonging to different files, while maintaining them separate, and this without the interposition of any additional mechanical objects.

It is a further purpose of this invention to provide such means and tray which will be equally operative for outgoing and for incoming or interoffice mail.

It is a still further purpose of this invention to provide such means and tray that can be appropriately shaped to accommodate any shape of papers.

It is a still further purpose of the invention to provide such means and tray that are useful in connection with any rectangular sheets, both of normal printing paper, of cardboard, of plastic, or of any other material, it only being required that they be all essentially of the same general shape and of limited thickness.

Other purposes and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. Summary of the Invention

The invention provides a tray for storing sheets in a variety of partially overlapping, angularly different positions which comprise at least a first seat adapted for receiving a portion of a sheet in a first angular position and a second seat adapted for receiving a portion of a sheet in a second angular position, any one of said sheets which is in said first angular position partially overlapping any one of said sheets which is in said second angular position.

In a preferred form of the invention for most widespread use, the sheets are rectangular, and therefore the invention will be described with reference to rectangular sheets. However, it is apparent that it may be applied to sheets that are not rectangular, as long as they are similarly shaped and particularly so shaped that, when two of them are superimposed in different angular positions, they will define a common, overlapping portion and other portions extending from it which are exclusive to one or the other sheet.

In a preferred form of the invention, the possible angular positions of the sheets are two, and the aforesaid first and second seats of the tray, which are then the only ones, comprise each two symmetrical, opposite portions, each of said portions matching the shape of one of the end portions of the rectangular sheets and said portions being so spaced from one another that the distance between the most distant edges thereof be at least equal to length of the longest rectangular sheets that the tray is intended to receive, and the distance between the closest edges of said portions is less than the length of the shortest rectangular sheets that the tray is intended to receive. It will be apparent that it is preferable that the distance between the most distant edges of the two portions be approximately equal or slightly larger than the length of the rectangular sheets. If it is considerably larger, the tray can still be used, but, apart from being more cumbersome, it will be less satisfactory, because of the possibility of shifting of the sheets one way or the other; and if the distance between the said edges is excessive, the tray may become inoperative because it permits the sheets laid therein to become angularly displaced. However, it may be desirable to design a tray in such a way that it may receive sheets of different sizes, at least within limits.

The angle between angular positions of the sheets received in the tray can vary between fairly wide limits. By "angle", without further specification, the acute angle is meant. If said positions are only two, and the sheets have an axis of symmetry, said angle is the angle between the two angular positions of the axis of symmetry. If the sheets have two axes of symmetry, as in the case of rectangular sheets, reference could be made to either axis, but in general, the axis parallel to the longest side of the sheets will be considered. The acute angle between the two angular positions will of course be at most 90° and preferably should be at least 30°, although no absolute limit can be given. When the angle is 90°, the tray is substantially cross-shaped, and is functioning very satisfactorily, but a tray constructed with a smaller angle between the two angular positions will occupy less space than a cross-shaped one and operates similarly.

Preferably, the tray according to the invention has a bottom with raised edges which define its boundaries, although of course the tray may extend for other purposes beyond said edges. Viewing the tray in plane view, the edges define a horizontal opening which is preferably adapted to receive sheets, in particular rectangular sheets, only in one of two positions, that are angularly displaced with respect to one another. The edges will prevent the introduction of any sheet into the tray, except in one of the two rectangular positions, in the flat condition of the sheet.

Of course, the tray could be so made that it would receive sheets in more than two angularly displaced positions. For instance, it could be shaped as four rectangular sheets, superimposed to one another, and angularly displaced with respect to one another by angles of 45°. However, such a tray would have no significant advantage over a tray having only two angular positions, as will be apparent from the following description, and therefore it will be in general not desirable.

The tray can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, sheet metal, wood, and so forth. Plastic trays of thermoplastic material, which can be easily injection-molded or vacuum molded, are particularly convenient. Metal sheet trays can be made in various ways, e.g., by stamping.

It will be understood that the edges of the tray do not fully define the periphery of the tray, resulting from the superimposition of two sheets at an angle to one another, but may define only part of it, as long as that part is sufficient to prevent sheets from being laid in the tray except in the predetermined angular positions. In fact, it may be desired to create gaps in said edges, to facilitate grasping and removing the sheets. The tray could be provided, if desired, with a cover of matching shape, or with an insert of matching shape for pressing down on the sheets and holding them in flat position. Other constructional variants that can be adopted will be evident to skilled persons.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings:

- Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective view a tray according to one embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 2 is a plane view from above of the same tray;

- Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of the tray of Figs. 1 and 2, taken along one of the planes of symmetry thereof, e.g. plane III-III of Fig. 2, showing a number of sheets laid in the tray, the thickness of the sheets being exaggerated for illustrative purposes;

- Fig. 4 is a plane view of a tray according to another embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a tray according to still another embodiment of the invention; and

- Fig. 6 is a plan view of a tray according to still another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The tray according to an embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figs. 1-3, is cross-shaped, viz. the angle between superimposed sheets belonging to different files is 90°. The tray, generally indicated at 10, comprises a bottom 11 which includes a square center 12 (see Fig. 2) and four arms, 13a, b, c, and d. The broken fines which, in Fig. 2, separate the center 12 from the arms 13, does not exist structurally, but are indicated in the drawing merely for illustrative purposes. Each arm 13 of the cross comprises three raised edges: an end edge 14 and side edges 15 and 15'. The height of the edges can vary according to the requirements of each individual case, and particularly on the amount of sheets which it is intended to store temporarily in the tray.

Assuming that the rectangular sheets to be temporarily stored in the tray have a long side of A centimeter and a short side of B centimeters, it is apparent that the center 12 of the tray bottom will have the shape of a square having a side of B centimeters. The distance between two opposite end edges of the arms of the cross, such as 14a and 14c, must be at least A centimeters and the width of each arm of the cross will of course be B centimeters. However, if it is desired to use the tray for sheets of somewhat different sizes, these measures will apply to the largest sizes, viz. to the largest length and the largest width of any sheet that is to be stored in the tray. The sheets that have shorter length or smaller width will have a certain freedom of displacement within the tray, but this does not necessarily inhibit or significantly hinder the use of the tray.

When the tray is used, the stack of papers which have a common destination (addressee or file) and must remain together, will first be placed in one of two angular positions, say, that defined by arms 13a and 13c. Then the sheets that constitute the next stack, or which for any reason must not be mixed with those that have been already introduced, will be placed in the other angular position, viz. that defined by arms 13b and 13d. The result is seen in the cross-section of Fig. 3. The stack of sheets 20 has been laid first on the bottom of the tray, and then the stack 21 is superimposed to it in the other angular position, and stack 22 is laid, once again, in the first angular position, and so on.

Fig. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, wherein the angular displacement between superimposed files is approximately 30°. It is seen that the resulting star-shaped tray 25, defined by two rectangles, having corners 26a, b, c, and d, and 27a, b, c, and d, respectively, superimposed at an angle of 30°, is smaller than that of Figs. 1-3, although its use may be slightly less convenient. It is seen that its bottom comprises an irregular octagon, which defines an area common to both rectangles (indicated in the drawing by a shading, for purposes of illustration), and eight cuspids.

Fig. 5 illustrates in perspective a tray 30 similar to that of Fig. 1, but in which the end edges of the cross arms are interrupted and constituted each by two lateral portions 31a, b, c, and d, and 32 a, b, c, and d, separated by gaps 33 a, b, c, and d. The user can insert his fingers into said gaps, in order to grasp a stack of sheets and withdraw it.

Finally, Fig.s 6 illustrates in plan view a tray 35 designed to receive elliptical sheets in two positions at right angles to one another. It has a center 36, evidenced by shading for purposes of illustration, bound by four arcs of ellipse and curvilinear arms 36a, b, c, and d. While such trays will not be of very widespread use, it may be that in some cases they will be desirable and anyway, the invention extends to any shape of sheets.

It will be understood that the edges of the trays according to the invention need not be of one piece with the bottom or even rigidly connected thereto. E.g., they may be totally or partiaDy hinged to the bottom, so that they may by swung down to permit access to the sheets from the sides or swung toward the center to secure the sheets. The trays can also consist of several parts, and be assemblable and disassemblable. Also, the trays may be bounded not by partition-like edges, having gaps therein or not, but also by discontinuous edges, consisting e.g. of a plurality of pins or picks, or having a net-like structure - in other words, by any structure that is adapted to circumscribe a space, so as to confer to it a desired shape. It is also clear that each tray will be designed in view of the shape and size of sheets that of the sheets it is intended to receive.

A great number of different structural solutions can be adopted without difficulty by skilled persons.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described for the purpose of illustration, it will be understood that the invention may be carried into practice by skilled persons with many modifications, variations and adaptations, without departing from its spirit or exceeding the scope of the claims

Claims

1. Tray for storing similarly shaped sheets in a plurality of partially overlapping, angularly different positions, which comprises at least a first seat adapted for receiving a portion of a sheet in a first angular position and a second seat adapted for receiving a portion of a sheet in a second angular position, any one of said sheets which is in said first angular position partially overlapping any other one of said sheets which is in said second angular position.

2. Tray according to claim 1 for storing essentially rectangular sheets, which comprises at least a first seat adapted for receiving a portion of a rectangular sheet in a first angular position and a second seat adapted for receiving a portion of a rectangular sheet in a second angular position, any one of said sheets which is in said first angular position partially overlapping any other one of said sheets which is in said second angular position.

3. Tray according to claim 2, wherein the first and second seat match the shape of at least one of the end portions of the rectangular sheets.

4. Tray according to claim 3, wherein each of the first and second seat comprises two symmetrical, opposite portions, each of said portions matching the shape of one of the end portions of the rectangular sheets and said portions being so spaced from one another that the distance between the most distant edges thereof is at least equal to the length of the rectangular sheets and the distance between the closest edges of said portions is less than said length of the rectangular sheets.

5. Tray according to claim 4, wherein the distance between the most distant edges of the symmetrical, opposite portions of the first and second seat is approximately equal to the length of the rectangular sheets.

6. Tray according to claim 2, comprising a bottom and raised edges bounding the tray.

7. Tray according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the raised has a gap therein for permitting access from the side to the sheets stored in the tray.

8. Tray according to claim 2, where the first and second seats are rectangular and bounded on three sides by raised edges.

9. Tray according to claim 8, where the raised edge bounding the outermost side of at least one of the seats raised has a gap therein.

10. Tray according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the raised edges is hingedly connected to the bottom of the tray.

11. Tray according to claim 4, wherein the symmetrical, opposite portions of the first and second seat have a common center.

12. Tray according to claim 4, wherein the second seat is equal to the first seat rotated about a central point.

13. Tray according to claim 2, wherein the acute angle between the first and the second angular position is at least 30°.

14. Tray according to claim 2, which is shaped as two rectangular sheets superimposed and angularly displaced with respect to one another.

15. Tray according to claim 2, for temporarily storing rectangular sheets having a longer side of a cm. and a shorter side of b cm, shaped like a. cross having a central square portion of side equal about to b cm and four arms having substantially the same width as said central portion and a length of at least (a-b)/2 cm.

16. Tray according to claim 2, having a bottom shaped as two rectangular sheets superimposed and angularly displaced with respect to one another and raised boundary edges disposed about at least a substantial portion of said bottom.

17. Tray according to claim 2, having a bottom shaped as two rectangular sheets superimposed in such two positions that the axis of symmetry of one of them makes an angle with the axis of symmetry of the other, and having raised edges so shaped as to permit the tray to receive rectangular sheets only in one or the other of said two positions.

18. Tray according to claim 2, having boundary edges defining a horizontal opening therebetween for receiving substantially rectangular sheets of predetermined dimensions laid into the tray, said horizontal opening comprising only two portions having the dimensions of one of said rectangular sheets, said two portions being partially coincident and at an angle to one another.

19. Tray according to claim 18, wherein the angle is at least 30°.

20. Tray for storing similarly shaped sheets in a plurality of partially overlapping, angularly different positions, substantially as described

and illustrated.