AU2007240127A1 - An envelope with tear panel - Google Patents

Description

WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 An envelope with tear panel FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to envelopes, and in particular to envelopes adapted to carry indicia. 5 The invention has been primarily developed to allow for an envelope to carry marketing information and will be described herein with particular reference to that application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such a field of use, and is generally applicable to in a broader context. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 10 Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. It is known to include marketing information on an envelope, the underlying rationale being to extract additional value from the envelope itself. In some cases the 15 marketing information relates to the business of the sender, whilst in other cases the marketing information relates to the business of a third party that purchases marketing rights from the sender. Typically, the marketing information is printed on an exterior surface of the envelope. It has been appreciated by the inventor, however, that a consumer, upon receipt 20 of an envelope externally carrying marketing information, may make assumptions regarding the contents of the envelope. In particular, the consumer may assume that the envelope contains solely marketing-related materials - and on that basis discard the envelope and enclosed correspondence as junk mail. This perception makes it less likely for a sender to include external marketing information on an envelope that is to carry 25 relatively important correspondence such as invoices, bank statements, reminders, and so on. In such cases, the possible marketing value of envelopes is not realised. An alternate approach is to include the marketing information on an interior surface of an envelope. This involves increased envelope production costs due to the associated requirement of double-sided printing. Moreover, there are reasonable chances that the 30 marketing information will not be read by the recipient due to its concealed nature.

WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an envelope 5 including: first and second planar envelope portions interengageable to define a cavity for carrying an enclosure; an information panel defined on the first envelope portion, the panel being frangibly separable from the first envelope portion for providing access to the interior of 10 the envelope; and an information display surface on the information panel, the display surface being initially contained within the cavity such that frangible separation of the panel from the first portion provides external access to the display surface. In some embodiments the first and second portions are envelope halves having a 15 common edge. Preferably the information panel includes a primary layer integrally formed with the first envelope portion. More preferably the information panel includes a secondary layer mounted to the primary layer for defining the display surface. In a preferred embodiment the secondary layer is adhesibly mounted to the primary layer. 20 The secondary layer preferably has a periphery that substantially conforms to the periphery of the primary layer. In a preferred embodiment the information panel has a periphery defined by a perforated path on the first portion. Preferably this path is substantially rectangular. More preferably the path defines a tab portion on the information panel for finger engagement to 25 facilitate the frangible separation. In some preferred embodiments the path is perforated at between 6 and 10 teeth per inch, and preferably at about 8 teeth per inch. In some preferred embodiments the path is perforated with ties of between about 0.028 inches and 0.036 inches, and preferably about 0.032 inches. 30 In another preferred embodiment the panel is a postage card and more preferably a prepaid or reply paid postage card. Preferably the postage card includes address information disposed on the display surface.

WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 3 In yet another preferred embodiment the panel is a frangibly removable secondary envelope preferably including at least one region having remoistenable adhesive for selective sealing of said secondary envelope. Preferably the secondary envelope is a prepaid or reply paid secondary envelope. 5 According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for manufacturing an envelope, the system including: a first processing assembly for providing an envelope sheet including: first and second envelope portions interengageable to define a cavity for carrying an enclosure; 10 a panel defined on the first envelope portion, the panel being frangibly separable from the first portion for providing access to the interior of the envelope; and a second processing facility for providing a label mountable to the panel, the label including an information display surface that is initially contained within the cavity such that frangible separation of the panel from the first portion provides external access to the 5is display surface. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided method for manufacturing an envelope, the method including the steps of: providing an envelope sheet including: first and second envelope portions interengageable to define a cavity for carrying 20 an enclosure; a panel defined on the first envelope portion, the panel being frangibly separable from the first portion for providing access to the interior of the envelope; and providing a label mountable to the panel, the label including an information display surface that is initially contained within the cavity such that frangible separation of the 25 panel from the first portion provides external access to the display surface. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an envelope including: first and second planar envelope portions interengageable to define a cavity for carrying an enclosure; 30 a panel defined on the first envelope portion, the panel being frangibly separable from the first envelope portion; and WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 4 a patch mountable to the first portion for providing an information display surface, the display surface being initially concealed by the panel such that frangible separation of the panel from the first portion reveals the display surface. In an embodiment the panel is a postage card. Preferably the postage card is 5 prepaid or reply paid. Further, the postage card may include address information disposed such that the address information is initially concealed by the panel and frangible separation of the panel from the first portion reveals the address information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example 10 only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is rear view of an envelope according to an embodiment of the invention, shown in a folded configuration; Figure 2 shows the envelope of Figure 1 with marketing information partially revealed; 5is Figure 3 shows external surfaces of the envelope of Figure 1 in sheet configuration; Figure 4 shows internal surfaces of the envelope of Figure 1 in sheet configuration; Figure 5 schematically illustrates a system for manufacturing the envelope of Figure 1; Figure 6 is rear view of an envelope according to a further embodiment of the 20 invention, shown in a folded configuration; Figure 7 shows the envelope of Figure 6 with marketing information partially revealed; Figure 8 shows external surfaces of the envelope of Figure 6 in sheet configuration; Figure 9 shows internal surfaces of the envelope of Figure 6 in sheet configuration; 25 Figure 10 shows a patch from the embodiment of Figure 6; Figure 11 is a rear view of an envelope according to an embodiment of the invention, shown in a folded configuration; Figure 12 shows the envelope of Figure 11 with a prepaid or reply paid postage card partially revealed; 30 Figure 13 is a rear view of an envelope according to an embodiment of the invention, shown in a folded configuration; WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 5 Figure 14 shows the envelope of Figure 13 with a prepaid or reply paid postage secondary envelope partially revealed; Figure 15 is a front view of a portion of the secondary envelope of Figure 13; Figure 16 is a rear view of a portion of the secondary envelope of Figure 13; 5 Figure 17 is view of a portion of an alternate secondary envelope; Figure 18 is another view of a portion of Figure 17;. Figure 19 is view of a portion of an alternate secondary envelope; Figure 20 is another view of a portion of Figure 19; Figure 21 shows an alternative envelope shown in a folded configuration with a 10 frangible panel partially removed; Figure 22 is rear view of the envelope of figure 21; Figure 23 is rear view of an envelope according to an embodiment of the invention, shown in a folded configuration; Figure 24 shows the envelope of Figure 23 with a frangible panel partially 15 removed; Figure 25 is rear view of an envelope according to an embodiment of the invention, shown in a folded configuration; Figure 26 shows the envelope of Figure 25 with a frangible panel partially removed, 20 Figure 27 is rear view of an envelope according to an embodiment of the invention, shown in a folded configuration; and Figure 28 shows the envelope of Figure 27 with a frangible secondary envelope partially removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 25 Referring to the drawings, it will be appreciated that, in the different figures, corresponding features have been denoted by corresponding reference numerals. Referring to the drawings, and particularly Figures 1 to 4, an envelope 1 includes first and second planar envelope portions 2 and 3 defined on a paper substrate. These portions are interengageable to progress the envelope from a sheet configuration to a 30 folded configuration. Specifically, the interengagement defines an envelope cavity for carrying an enclosure 4 in the conventional manner. A frangibly separable information WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 6 panel 5 is defined on portion 2, and frangible separation of this panel from portion 2 provides one means of access to the envelope cavity. Another means of access is via closure flap 14 in the conventional manner. An information display surface 6 is provided on panel 5, and contained within the envelope cavity when the envelope is in the folded 5 configuration. Frangible separation of panel 5 from portion 2 externally reveals surface 6, as best shown in Figure 2. In the present embodiment, display surface 6 is used to carry indicia, for example marketing information 7. In overview, information 7 is not visible to a recipient upon initial receipt of envelope 1. However, in using panel 5 to access the envelope cavity, the 10 recipient reveals information 7. As a result, marketing information 7 is less likely to cause preconceptions regarding the contents of envelope 1, particularly when compared with prior art envelopes that externally carry marketing information. Further, marketing information 7 is more likely to be noticed as compared with prior art envelopes that internally carry marketing information. Additionally, the possibility of separating the 15 information panel 5 from portion 2 to reveal the marketing information 7 may advantageously elicit curiosity from at least some recipients of the envelope 1. In this manner the preferred embodiment may contribute to greater market penetration of the marketing information 7. Further, once the information panel 5 has been separated from the portion 2, the resultant additional means of access to the enclosure 4 within the 20 envelope 1 may contribute to higher readership rates for the information enclosed therein. The exterior surfaces 8 and 9 of portions 2 and 3 respectively define a back and a front of envelope 1. Recipient information 10 is provided on surface 9 in line with a conventional addressing method, such as printing, adhesion of a printed label, or provision of a transparent window for displaying information 10 maintained on enclosure 4. For 25 example, in some cases panel 5 is provided on portion 3, and address information is provided on the exterior side of panel 5. In overview, envelope 1 is folded along fold lines 11 and maintained in the folded configuration by adhesive portions 12. Enclosure 4 is inserted into the envelope cavity, and subsequently a closure flap 14 on portion 3 is folded along fold line 15. An adhesive 30 portion 16 on the interior surface of flap 14 seals this flap to a corresponding location 17 on surface 8 to close envelope 1. Subject to postage tariff requirements, envelope 1 is at that point in a form suitable for delivery.

WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 7 Although the present embodiments relate to an envelope design where portions 2 and 3 are envelope halves defined on a common paper sheet to include a common edge 18, in other embodiments two-part envelope construction is used. A relatively generic overall single sheet envelope design is disclosed for the purposes of illustration only, and it will be 5 appreciated that this is not to be regarded as limiting in any way. In the present embodiment, explanatory indicia 20 is provided to facilitate recognition and utilisation of panel 5 by a recipient for the purpose of opening envelope 1. It will be appreciated that a frangibly separable panel 5 presents a simple and convenient solution for opening an envelope, particularly when compared alternative approaches such 10 as the use of a letter-opener. Panel 5 is frangibly separable due to a perforated periphery 23, which is preferably cut into envelope 1 during the initial envelope manufacture process. In the present embodiment, panel 5 is completely separable from the remainder of portion 2 due to a wholly perforated periphery. In other embodiments one of the edges of panel 5 is 15 unperforated such that panel 5 remains partially connected to the remainder of portion 2 following frangible separation. In the present embodiment, panel 5 makes use of a laminar construction. More specifically, panel 5 is defined by a printed label 25 adhesibly mounted to the paper envelope substrate. This label 25 defines surface 6 and carries information 7. 20 Label 25 is sized such that it has a periphery 28 that substantially conforms to periphery 23. More precisely, periphery 28 defines a rectangle just inside of periphery 23. In other embodiments panel 5 is defined solely by the material used to form portion 2, and information 7 is printed directly to the interior surface of portion 2 in the region surrounded by periphery 23. However, laminar construction offers numerous non-trivial 25 advantages, as discussed below. SIncreased panel strength. In the present embodiment, panel 5 is intended to be used as a removable and redeemable voucher. As such, there is a need for some structural integrity in panel 5 to reduce the risk of damage to the panel upon its removal from the remainder of the envelope. Laminar construction 30 provides this structural integrity without the need to use a stronger material for the formation of envelope 1 as a whole. It will be appreciated that making use WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 8 of a stronger material for the envelope as a whole would add considerably to manufacturing costs. * Reduced show-through. Show-through refers to an effect where information printed on one side of a paper sheet is visible from the other side. This can 5 reduce the integrity of an envelope. Show-through is dramatically reduced by the use of label 25, primarily as a result of increased panel thickness. * Increased design flexibility. Envelope manufacturing equipment is typically designed with the objective of increasing throughput and reducing unit costs. As a result, the ability to print information 7 in full colour or with reasonable io levels of detail and intricacy is inhibited when using such equipment. By printing information 7 to label 25 outside of the general envelope manufacture process, more flexible printing equipment is available. * Avoidance of static printing constraints. Envelope manufacturing equipment is generally constrained to static printing methods. This means that every 5is envelope produced includes the same printed information. As a result, if information 7 were printed using envelope manufacture equipment, the same information 7 would appear on each envelope. However, using laminar construction, conventional label printing methods allow for labels 25 to be printed in series. This allows for a large increase in marketing flexibility. 20 Examples include labels including unique identifiers, and labels that provide probability based promotions where a given percentage of panels include "winning" information 7. An important consideration in the design of envelope 1 is to balance the need for convenient panel removal with the risk of inadvertent panel removal. This is in part 25 achieved by selection of a suitable perforation configuration. Perforation configuration is described in terms of "teeth per inch" (TPI) and tie width. The former relates to the spacing of teeth used in perforation forming machinery, the latter relating to the width of ties that span across the perforation and bridge the gap between perforations formed by the teeth. In the present embodiment, periphery 23 is perforated at 8 TPI with a tie length of 30 about 0.032 inches. That is: about 3.15 teeth per centimetre with a tie width of about 0.081 centimetres. Other embodiments preferably make use of perforations of between 6 and 10 WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 9 TPI (approximately 2.36 and 3.94 teeth per centimetre) with tie width of between about 0.028 inches and 0.036 inches (approximately 0.071 centimetres and 0.091 centimetres). While periphery 23 is substantially rectangular, a semicircular tab portion 31 is defined at one side. This tab portion is provided for convenient finger engagement of 5 panel 5 to assist in the removal of that panel 5 by a recipient. Indicia 20, in this case, includes an arrow 32 and "pull here" comment 33 to instruct an recipient in regard to the use of tab 31. A region 34 of periphery 23 defining the periphery of tab 31 is not perforated, and is instead cut such that tab 31 is easily grasped. In other embodiments alternate tabs or lifting formations are used. As an example, 10 in one embodiment a corner of panel 5 is cut rather than perforated. Panel 5 should preferably be sized both to allow removal of enclosure 4 from the envelope cavity and also to provide a suitably sized voucher. In the present embodiment the length of panel 5 is approximately 80% the width of portion 3, and in other embodiments sizes of between about 70% and 90% of this width are used. The height of 15 panel 5 is approximately 55% of the height of portion 3, and in other embodiments heights of between about 30% and 75% are used. Figure 5 illustrates a system 30 for the manufacture of envelope 1. It will be recognised that several distinct manufacturing facilities are used: * An envelope manufacture facility 41. This facility is responsible for the 20 cutting and printing of spooled paper to form printed envelope substrates. It is specifically noted that perforation of periphery 23 occurs at this point as part of the cutting process; * A label printing facility 42 for the printing of labels, such as label 25. * A labelling facility 43 for the mounting of labels to the manufactured 25 envelopes, thereby to define panels 5; and * A folding facility 44 for progressing envelopes 1 from the sheet configuration to the folded configuration. In one practical implementation, the entire process occurs in a common plant prior to distribution of envelopes 1. In such a case, a client places an order for a predetermined 30 quantity of envelopes, along with details for marking information that is to appear on those envelopes. Typically, a large number of envelopes are ordered, and these include envelopes having several different labels 25. Whilst facility 41 is better suited for running WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 10 large batches of a single type, facility 42 is suitably adapted to vary printing style continuously or intermittently. Unlabeled envelope substrates and printed labels are continuously spooled to facility 43, where labelling is carried out. The labelled envelopes are then passed to folding facility 44, packaged according to the marketing information 7 5 they carry, and shipped to the client. In other embodiments, label printing and adhesion is carried out at a client plant following delivery of blank envelope substrates. There are a number of business models possible on the basis of envelope 1. A few of these are outlined below: 10 * Providing a combined mailing and marketing service to a single customer. That is, the customer pays for envelopes to be manufactured, labels to be printed and attached on the basis of customer-defined marketing messages, and for enclosures to be placed in folded envelopes. These envelopes are subsequently sealed and delivered. 15 * Providing a low-cost or no-cost mailing service. In this case, a mailing service is provided to a first group of customers at low cost or no cost at all to the first group. On behalf of this first group of customers, correspondence is printed, inserted into envelopes, and delivered to the desired recipients. Marketing space, in the form of panels 5 on these envelopes, is sold to a second group of 20 customers. * Selling low cost envelopes to a first group of customers, these envelopes including labels 5 carrying marketing material of a second group of customers. This second group purchase marketing rights prior to envelope production. * Selling appropriately perforated envelopes with blank labels. A customer 25 purchases the envelopes and labels, prints marketing information to the labels using conventional office printing equipment, and subsequently affixes the printed labels to the perforation portions. Combinations and variations of these general models are also considered. A general notion is that marketing space on panels 5 is of value, and this value perhaps 30 outweighs the envelopes' material and production costs. It will be appreciated that the above disclosure allows for the manufacture of an envelope particularly well adapted for carrying marketing information. In summary, the WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 11 marketing information is internally carried by a frangibly removable panel. This panel is removed to gain access to the interior of the envelope, both encouraging a recipient to open the envelope and to inherently view the marketing material. The general notion is applicable purposes other than marketing. As an example, in some embodiments panel 5 is 5 a pre-addressed postage-paid docket that a recipient posts to confirm receipt of a document. Figures 6 to 10 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the invention, in the form of envelope 40. Envelope 40 makes use of substantially the same paper substrate as envelope 1. However, information 7 is carried by a patch 50 rather than, or in addition to, label 25. 10 Patch 50 has a first side 51 for carrying information 7, and an opposite second side 52. An adhesive periphery 53 on side 51 allows adhesion of patch 50 to the interior of envelope 40 such that information 7 is concealed by panel 6. Upon receipt of envelope 40, a recipient is urged by indicia 20 to remove panel 6. In this embodiment, removal of panel 6 reveals information 7 printed on side 51 of patch 50, as best shown in Figure 7. 15 Adhesive periphery 53 is defined between an inner rectangular periphery 54, and outer rectangular periphery 55. Inner periphery 54 is slightly larger than periphery 23, and patch 50 is adhered such that periphery 54 surrounds periphery 23. The rationale behind this adhesive configuration is to avoid adhesive connection of patch 50 to panel 6. An advantage of this embodiment is that upon removal of panel 6 envelope 40 20 remains generally structurally intact. This may be particularly advantageous for those recipients wishing to retain the contents of the envelope 40 within the envelope 40 subsequent to its opening. Figures 11 and 12 illustrate another embodiment, in the form of an envelope 60. Numbering conventions from the above example have been adopted for the sake of 25 convenience. In this embodiment, a prepaid or reply paid postage card 61 takes the place of information panel 5. Card 61 is frangibly removable from the remainder of envelope 60 by virtue of a perforated periphery 23, and includes an adhesive label 62 for carrying information including address information and a prepaid or reply paid postage identifier. As was the case in examples above, the use of such a label provides various advantages 30 associated with laminar construction. From a practical perspective, envelope 60 is particularly useful for facilitating two way communication between senders and recipients. For instance, a sender uses an WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 12 envelope 60 having the sender's return address (or in other embodiments another desired address) printed on label 62. A recipient, upon receipt of envelope 63, optionally frangibly removes postage card 61 and mails it free of charge to the sender as a form of return communication. In some such embodiments envelope 60 includes printed material 5 typically on label 62 for receiving information from a recipient. This printed material is preferably provided on label 62, and in some embodiments includes the likes of forms, checklists, voting means, and so on. In one embodiment a form is provided for a recipient to write personal information including his/her name and address. It will be appreciated that the address provided on card 61 need not correspond to 10 the sender in all embodiments. For example, in one embodiment the address identifies a third party. In another embodiment there is no address, and the recipient is effectively authorised to send card 61 to a party of his/her choosing. Examples of possible uses for envelope 60 include surveys and offers for goods and/or services. In one embodiment an envelope 60 is used to facilitate the payment of an 15 invoice. In one such embodiment information printed on label 62 corresponds to information printed on an enclosure of envelope 60. For example, the envelope contains an Invoice X for a Customer Y, and label 62 includes printed information indicative of Invoice X and Customer Y. In one embodiment Customer Y manually adds this information to label 62. Label 62 also includes printed material for allowing Customer Y 20 to provide credit card details or the like for the payment of invoice Y. In overview, the customer receives an envelope containing an invoice, and reviews the invoice. The customer optionally then takes steps to pay the invoice by providing a credit card number or other form of payment authorisation on card 61. The customer then places card 61 in a post box or at another suitable mail collection location. 25 It will be appreciated that information to be communicated by a recipient of envelope 60 using card 61 is on public display during the delivery of card 61. There may be instances where material contained in the return communication is sensitive (such as in the case of credit card information, as mentioned above). In such cases it may be advantageous to use an embodiment such as envelope 70 shown in Figures 13 and 14. In 30 overview, envelope 70 includes a frangibly removable secondary envelope 71. In the present embodiment secondary envelope 71 includes a prepaid or reply paid postage identifier 72 and carries address information (which in this embodiment is WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 13 indicative of the sender of envelope 70 to facilitate two-way communication). This secondary envelope is sealable to define a container for containing and concealing information and/or enclosures in much the same way as a conventional envelope. A recipient optionally frangibly removes secondary envelope 71 in a similar fashion to panel 5 5 above, provides within the secondary envelope information and/or enclosures, seals the secondary envelope, and subsequently mails it free of charge to the sender of envelope 70. Secondary envelope 71 includes a portion 75 defined by the perforations on the paper substrate of envelope 70 and bounded by periphery 23, an adhesive label 76 affixed to the interior of portion 75 for providing the abovementioned laminar construction 10 advantages, and a secondary envelope portion 77 of substantially the same size as portion 75. In this embodiment portion 75 and label 76 at least in part define one "half' of envelope 71, the other "half" being at least in part defined by portion 77. Portion 77 includes an external face 78 for carrying address information and prepaid or reply paid postage identifier 72. An internal face 79 is oppositely directed with 15 respect to face 78. This face 79 includes a region 80 for carrying an adhesive, typically a one-time use glue. Using such an adhesive, region 80 is, as part of the envelope manufacturing process, adhered adjacent to an edge of label 76 to connect the two envelope halves. Face 79 also includes a peripheral region 81 of remoistenable adhesive. This adhesive is moistened and portion 77 pressed against label 76 to define a cavity 20 within and allow sealing of secondary envelope 71 - a process optionally carried out by a recipient of envelope 70. That is, the adhesive at region 81 is maintained in an unmoistened state during assembly and delivery of envelope 70, and subsequently moistened by a recipient to allow sealing of secondary envelope 71 at an appropriate time. Prior to sealing secondary envelope 71, a recipient typically inserts information into 25 secondary envelope 71. In some embodiments this insertion includes inserting a physical enclosure carrying such information into secondary envelope 71 (such as a payment slip, ballot paper, or the like), whilst in some embodiments the insertion includes writing on to face 79 and/or label 75 ( for example where either or both of these faces include printed information such as surveys, checklists, or forms for completion by the recipient). In 30 either case, information provided by the recipient is able to be contained and concealed within secondary envelope 71 upon sealing of secondary envelope 71, and this information is subsequently able to be returned to the sender free of charge.

WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 14 Manufacture of envelope 70 is in one embodiment achieved by a process including the steps of: * Cutting perforations to define portion 75. * Adhering label 76 to portion 75. 5 * Adhering portion 77 to label 76. In some embodiments the perforations are cut after adhesion of either or both of label 76 and/or label 77. In other embodiments portion 77 and label 76 are sized such that portion 77 is adhered to portion 75 instead of to label 76, or to a combination of both portion 75 and label 76. In one embodiment label 76 is omitted altogether. 10 An alternate configuration for portion 77 is provided in Figures 17 and 18. In this case the shape and configuration of portions 80 and 81 are modified to provide a secondary envelope having an inherent cavity and opening. Another example is provided in Figures 19 and 20, where portion 77 includes a fold line 83. During the manufacturing process, this portion 77 is folded along line 83 and adhered to portion 75 using adhesive applied at a 15 region 84. It will be appreciated that in this embodiment portion 77 is adhered to portion 75 in much the same way as label 76 to provide a similar laminar construction, and as such label 76 is not required in embodiment such as this. On the opposite face of portion 77 to region 84 is a peripheral region 85 of remoistenable adhesive for allowing sealing of envelope 70. 20 It will be appreciated that various other configurations of portion 77 are used in further embodiments for providing a frangibly removable secondary envelope. Figures 21 and 22 illustrate another envelope 90, these figures respectively providing front and rear views. As is common in the field, envelope 90 includes on its front face 91 a transparent window 92. Window 92 allows external viewing of a part of an 25 enclosure, this part typically including address information to facilitate delivery of envelope 90. Envelope 90 also includes a secondary transparent window 93 which, at the time of delivery, is concealed by a frangible patch 94 similar to those patches used in examples above. Once patch 94 is removed, it allows viewing of other information contained on the enclosure, which in some cases includes marketing material or 30 information indicative of a prize or other offer. Figures 23 and 24 illustrate another embodiment, in the form of an envelope 100. Envelope 100 is similar to envelope 1, however upon frangible separation of panel 5, WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 15 enclosure 4 remains contained behind a transparent plastic window 101. In some embodiments marketing information is provided on the region of enclosure 4 revealed through window 101. In some such embodiments panel 5 does not carry information of its own, and in some such cases laminar construction of the panel is not necessary. 5 An underlying rationale behind envelope 100 is that a recipient is enticed to remove panel 5, and in doing so reveal information on enclosure 4. The recipient is therefore additionally enticed to remove and more thoroughly review enclosure 4. Figures 25 and 26 illustrate an embodiment in the form of envelope 110. Envelope 110 combines design features of envelope 1 and envelope 40. Specifically, envelope 110 10 includes a panel 5 having a laminar construction and optionally carrying information, and additionally a patch 50 that also optionally carries information. Figures 27 and 28 illustrate an embodiment in the form of envelope 120. Envelope 120 combines design features of envelope 40 and envelope 70. Specifically, envelope 120 includes a secondary envelope 71 having a laminar construction and optionally carrying 15 information, and additionally a patch 50 that also optionally carries information. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" 20 means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, 25 structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of 30 streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 16 recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. 5 Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. 10 Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element 15 described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention. In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques 20 have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any 25 other manner. In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or 30 steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 17 also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further 5 modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted 10 to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (28)

1. An envelope including: first and second planar envelope portions interengageable to define a cavity for carrying an enclosure; 5 an information panel defined on the first envelope portion, the panel being frangibly separable from the first envelope portion for providing access to the interior of the envelope; and an information display surface on the information panel, the display surface being initially contained within the cavity such that frangible separation of the panel from the 10 first portion provides external access to the display surface.

2. An envelope according to claim 1 wherein the first and second portions are envelope halves having a common edge.

3. An envelope according to claim 1 wherein the information panel includes a primary layer integrally formed with the first envelope portion. 15

4. An envelope according to claim 3 wherein the information panel includes a secondary layer mounted to the primary layer for defining the display surface.

5. An envelope according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the secondary layer is adhesibly mounted to the primary layer.

6. An envelope according to claim 4 wherein the secondary layer has a periphery that 20 substantially conforms to the periphery of the primary layer.

7. An envelope according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the information panel has a periphery defined by a perforated path on the first portion.

8. An envelope according to claim 7 wherein the path is substantially rectangular. WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 19

9. An envelope according to claim 8 wherein the path defines a tab portion on the information panel for finger engagement to facilitate the frangible separation.

10. An envelope according to claim 7, claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the path is perforated at between 6 and 10 teeth per inch. 5

11. An envelope according to claim 10 wherein the path is perforated at about 8 teeth per inch.

12. An envelope according to any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein the path is perforated with ties of between about 0.028 inches and 0.036 inches.

13. An envelope according to claim 12 wherein the path is perforated with ties of about 10 0.032 inches.

14. An envelope according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said panel is a postage card.

15. An envelope according to claim 14 wherein said postage card is a prepaid postage card or a reply paid postage card. 15

16. An envelope according to claim 14 or 15 wherein said postage card includes address information disposed on said display surface.

17. An envelope according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said panel is a frangibly removable secondary envelope.

18. An envelope according to claim 17 wherein said secondary envelope includes at least 20 one region having remoistenable adhesive for selective sealing of said secondary envelope.

19. An envelope according to claim 17 or 18 wherein said secondary envelope is a prepaid secondary envelope or a reply paid secondary envelope. WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 20

20. A system for manufacturing an envelope, the system including: a first processing assembly for providing an envelope sheet including: first and second envelope portions interengageable to define a cavity for carrying an enclosure; 5 a panel defined on the first envelope portion, the panel being frangibly separable from the first portion for providing access to the interior of the envelope; and a second processing facility for providing a label mountable to the panel, the label including an information display surface that is initially contained within the cavity such that frangible separation of the panel from the first portion provides external access to the io display surface.

21. A method for manufacturing an envelope, the method including the steps of: providing an envelope sheet including: first and second envelope portions interengageable to define a cavity for carrying an enclosure; 15 a panel defined on the first envelope portion, the panel being frangibly separable from the first portion for providing access to the interior of the envelope; and providing a label mountable to the panel, the label including an information display surface that is initially contained within the cavity such that frangible separation of the panel from the first portion provides external access to the display surface. 20

22. An envelope including: first and second planar envelope portions interengageable to define a cavity for carrying an enclosure; a panel defined on the first envelope portion, the panel being frangibly separable from the first envelope portion; and 25 a patch mountable to the first portion for providing an information display surface, the display surface being initially concealed by the panel such that frangible separation of the panel from the first portion reveals the display surface.

23. An envelope according to claim 22 wherein said panel is a postage card. WO 2007/118283 PCT/AU2007/000499 21

24. An envelope according to claim 23 wherein said postage card is a prepaid postage card or a reply paid postage card.

25. An envelope according to claim 23 or 24 wherein said postage card includes address information disposed such that the address information is initially concealed by the panel 5 and frangible separation of the panel from the first portion reveals the address information.

26. An envelope according to any one of claims 22 to 25 wherein said panel is a frangibly removable secondary envelope.

27. An envelope according to claim 26 wherein said secondary envelope includes at least one region having remoistenable adhesive for selective sealing of said secondary envelope. 10

28. An envelope according to claim 26 or 27 wherein said secondary envelope is a prepaid secondary envelope or a reply paid secondary envelope.