Notebook Dividers

PROBLEM:


In this picture, there is a standard binder, used for holding notebook paper or anything similar.  On the right edge you can see tabs sticking out.  These are plastic notebook dividers, used to organize the binder into subcategories.  The are made to be plastic so that the last longer, but there is a huge flaw in these tabs that counteracts that aim.  These tabs protrude out from the side of the binder, so that every time it is put in or taken out of a bag, the tabs catch.  It doesn't take long for these tabs to wear out and begin to tear and otherwise fall a part.  Once the taps are ripped off, the functionality of these dividers is greatly reduced.  And the tears created at the tabs continue to grow until they've rendered the whole divider useless.


SOLUTION:


There are a couple of solutions that could combat this problem.  First, the binder could be made so that it covers these tabs.  Most notebooks like the one pictured utilize dividers similar to these, so if some company went ahead and lengthened the covers of their binders, the would add satisfaction to their customers and gain an edge on the competition.  There is a limited to how much you could shorten the divider, because the pocket of the divider needs to be able to hold a standard sheet of notebook paper.  Because of this need, there isn't a way to shorten the divider so that the tabs were covered by this standard notebook.  Another approach could be to place the tabs on the top of the binder instead of on the side.  Most binders like this are carried in backpacks.  Tabs on the top of the binder wouldn't catch going in and coming out of a backpack, so the wear out problem would be greatly reduced.