Pendaflex® SureHook™ Comparitive Analysis Study Description

Both comparative analysis testing and a customer preference study confirms that the new Pendaflex® SureHook™ Reinforced Hanging Folder is tougher than the competition where we believe it counts and preferred by customers.

How were the comparative analysis tests performed?

An independent testing facility performed four separate tests with five samples of the Pendaflex® SureHookTM Reinforced Hanging Folder and a leading competitive product.



The first test measured rod deflection, or bending or bowing in the middle, by securing a rod from a Pendaflex® SureHookTM Reinforced Hanging Folder on its flat side (Side 1) onto a flat surface with ten inches (10”) of the rod extending horizontally beyond the end of the surface. A measurement was taken from the unsupported end of the rod to a parallel flat surface placed below the rod. Next, a 3oz weight was hung from the rod hook on the unsecured portion of the rod. A measurement was taken from the weighted end of the rod to the flat surface placed below the rod. The deflection, or bending, of the rod was then measured by subtracting the value of the new measured distance from the initial measured distance. This test was performed five times. Next, this test was performed five times using a 6oz. weight in lieu of the 3oz weight. The rod was then secured on its reverse side (Side 2) and the entire test was then repeated (five times) with the 3oz. weight and (five times) with the 6oz. weight. At the end, the distance of deflection for each side of each rod was added up and averaged. In calculating deflection during the tests, any natural bend or curvature of the rod was subtracted from the final results. The test was repeated using a leading competitive product.
The second test measured ease of sliding of the rod by inserting ¼ of a ream of paper (0.543”) into 20 separate legal size insert folders (five reams of 20lb paper total). These insert folders were inserted into 20 separate legal size Pendaflex® SureHookTM Reinforced Hanging Folders. The hanging files were placed on the rails of a frame fixture simulating a file drawer and positioned between labeled marks. A sled fixture was used to apply pressure to the first hanging folder until the last hanging folder was seen to move. This test was performed five times using three different points of pressure (one, three and six inches from the edge of the frame). At the end, the force applied at each point of pressure was added up and averaged. The test was repeated using a leading competitive product.
The third test measured the force at which the Pendaflex® SureHookTM Reinforced Hanging Folder and a leading competitive product would derail by inserting ¼ of a ream of paper (0.543”) into two separate legal size interior folders (1/2 ream of 20lb paper total). These interior folders were inserted into one legal size Pendaflex® SureHookTM Reinforced Hanging Folder, which was placed on the rails of a frame fixture simulating a file drawer with a stop positioned along one rail. The back hook of the hanging folder was placed against the stop and the hook opposite was positioned on a mark. A sled fixture was used to apply pressure to the hanging folder until the hanging folder “jammed” on the rail, at which point a measurement was taken of the distance the unstopped hook had moved along the rail from the first mark. The sled fixture was then used to apply additional pressure to the hanging folder until one of the hooks derailed. This test was performed five times using three different points of pressure (one, three and six inches from the edge of the frame on which the unstopped hook was hung). At the end, the force to “jam”, the angle of the folder at the point of “jam” and the force to derail for each point of pressure was added up and averaged. This test was repeated using a leading competitive product.
The fourth test measured the force at which the rod hook in the Pendaflex® SureHookTM Reinforced Hanging Folder and a leading competitive product would bend, or “yield”. A rod from a Pendaflex® SureHookTM Reinforced Hanging Folder was inserted into a vice grip, and the jaws of the vice were closed on the rod such that the rod hook extended one inch beyond the portion of the rod gripped in the vice. A sled fixture was used to apply pressure to the rod hook on the exposed portion of the rod until the hook bent, or “yielded”, at which point a measurement was taken of the force required to bend the hook. This test was performed five times. At the end, the force to bend the hook was added up and averaged. This test was repeated using a leading competitive product.