Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Envelope – Including remailing means
Patent
1999-02-19
2000-10-10
Pascua, Jes F.
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Envelope
Including remailing means
229303, 229309, 229316, B65D 2706
Patent
active
061292699
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to easy-opening reusable envelopes, and particularly to such envelopes made from paper or card.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Easy-opening envelopes are known which comprise a plastics strip adhered to the inside of the envelope along one of the foldlines thereof. One or more perforations are provided in the material of the envelope at one end of the plastics strip to allow the user to tear the envelope in order to grasp one end of the plastics strip. The plastics strip is then pulled so as to tear along one of the foldlines of the envelope, thus opening the envelope and allowing its contents to be removed.
Reusable envelopes with which the invention is concerned allow a first person (the sender) to send the envelope on an outward journey to a second person (the receiver), who is able to open the envelope, examine the contents, insert new contents, reseal the envelope, and return the envelope on a return journey to the sender, or to some other address.
Reusable envelopes are also known in which one of the flaps (a reuse flap) of the envelope is loosely secured by two or three gum spots in a closed position, under the rear panel of the envelope and also provided with a moistenable adhesive for resealing the flap. When the envelope is received, the receiver is able to break the gum spots which loosely secure the reuse flap in order to remove the contents of the envelope, before moistening the moistenable adhesive and resealing the reuse flap to the outer surface of the rear panel of the envelope.
However, such a reusable envelope suffers from the disadvantage that the gum spots often do not provide a particularly secure closure for the reuse flap on the outward journey of the envelope. It is thus possible for the gum spots to break, and for the contents of the envelope to be lost. It is also possible for tampering with the contents of the envelope to occur. If a party breaks the gum spots, looks at the contents of the envelope and subsequently reseals the reuse flap using new gum spots, the receiver of the envelope may not be aware that the contents of the envelope have been tampered with.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention seeks to provide an envelope which is both reusable and easy-opening, and which provides a higher degree of tamper resistance than the prior art reusable envelopes described above.
According to the invention there is provided a two panel easy-opening reusable envelope for use in an outward journey from a sender to a receiver followed by a return journey from the receiver to the sender or some other person, the envelope comprising a first panel, a second panel, and a reuse flap, the reuse flap being connected to the first panel along a first foldline, the reuse flap having a free outer edge, the reuse flap comprising a first attachment portion for sealing said envelope during the outward journey, a second attachment portion for sealing said envelope during the return journey, and means enabling separation of said first attachment portion and said second attachment portion, wherein said reuse flap further comprises: said first attachment portion between said means enabling separation and the outer edge of the reuse flap for sealing the reuse flap to the second panel before the outward journey of the envelope, and panel and said second attachment portion between said means enabling separation and said first foldline for allowing the receiver to reseal the reuse flap to the second panel before reusing the envelope.
Preferably, said receiver-activated adhesive strip is located on said second attachment portion.
Preferably, said second adhesive strip is located on said first attachment portion.
Preferably, said second adhesive strip is a permanent adhesive strip to enable the first attachment portion of the reuse flap to remain permanently attached to the second panel after the receiver has opened the envelope using the means enabling separation of the first and second attachment portions.
In a further preferred embodiment, said means enabli
REFERENCES:
patent: 1433653 (1922-10-01), Rabb
patent: 2402821 (1946-06-01), Kosteling
patent: 2673680 (1954-03-01), Deutschmeister et al.
patent: 2681175 (1954-06-01), David
patent: 2759658 (1956-08-01), Sawdon
patent: 2964233 (1960-12-01), McFarland
patent: 3111257 (1963-11-01), Peach
patent: 3143280 (1964-08-01), Hiersteiner
patent: 3270948 (1966-09-01), Donovan
patent: 3360184 (1967-12-01), Greason
patent: 4190162 (1980-02-01), Buescher
patent: 4334618 (1982-06-01), Buescher
patent: 4403696 (1983-09-01), Newell
patent: 4563317 (1986-01-01), Kranz
patent: 4993624 (1991-02-01), Schlich
patent: 5169061 (1992-12-01), Buescher
patent: 5207373 (1993-05-01), Tighe
patent: 5232150 (1993-08-01), Solomons
patent: 5251810 (1993-10-01), Kim
patent: 5277362 (1994-01-01), Wilson
patent: 5285958 (1994-02-01), Buescher
patent: 5503328 (1996-04-01), Rocaforte et al.
patent: 5570835 (1996-11-01), Sung et al.
Leslie Martin, et al., PCT Publication No. WO 96/21593, "Reusable Envelopes", Jul. 18, 1996.
Pascua Jes F.
Rexam Australia Pty Limited
LandOfFree
Easy-opening reusable envelopes does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Easy-opening reusable envelopes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Easy-opening reusable envelopes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2250710