EP1809545A4 - Enveloppe postale a temoin de contaminant - Google Patents

Enveloppe postale a temoin de contaminant

Info

Publication number
EP1809545A4
EP1809545A4 EP05811942A EP05811942A EP1809545A4 EP 1809545 A4 EP1809545 A4 EP 1809545A4 EP 05811942 A EP05811942 A EP 05811942A EP 05811942 A EP05811942 A EP 05811942A EP 1809545 A4 EP1809545 A4 EP 1809545A4
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mail container
mail
container
contaminant
front side
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05811942A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1809545A2 (fr
Inventor
James T Wood
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1809545A2 publication Critical patent/EP1809545A2/fr
Publication of EP1809545A4 publication Critical patent/EP1809545A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D27/00—Envelopes or like essentially-rectangular containers for postal or other purposes having no structural provision for thickness of contents
    • B65D27/04—Envelopes or like essentially-rectangular containers for postal or other purposes having no structural provision for thickness of contents with apertures or windows for viewing contents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
    • B65D2401/55—Tamper-indicating means based on a change or a contrast in colour

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to mail containers such as envelopes, mailing tubes, boxes, etc, and more particularly to a mail container with contaminant indicator that includes a transparent window provided along a perimeter edge of the mailing container for allowing a mail recipient to verify that the mail container is free from particulate contaminates such as powders, granules, particles, etc.
  • contaminant indicator that includes a transparent window provided along a perimeter edge of the mailing container for allowing a mail recipient to verify that the mail container is free from particulate contaminates such as powders, granules, particles, etc.
  • mail is used to encompass items delivered by the United States Postal Service as well as other well known express shipping companies that deliver overnight letters, parcels, and other packages.
  • particulate matter may be contained in a mail container
  • One object of the invention is to provide mail container with contaminant indicator that includes a transparent window provided along a perimeter edge of the mailing container for allowing a mail recipient to verify that the mail container is free from particulate contaminates such as powders, granules, particles, etc.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a mail container with viewing openings for allowing a mail recipient to verify that the mail container is free from particular contaminants such as powders, granules, particles, etc.
  • Still another object of this invention is to provide a mail container as above which conforms to postal regulations.
  • Still another object of this invention is to provide a mail container as above that can be utilized with commercial high speed mail sorting equipment.
  • a mail container with contaminant indicator includes a mail container that includes a transparent window in the mailing container for allowing a mail recipient to verify that the mail container is free from particulate contaminates such as powders, granules, particles, etc.
  • Figure 1 is a front plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the mail container with contaminant indicator of the present invention in the form of a legal size envelope.
  • Figure 2 is a back plan view of the mail container with contaminant indicator of Figure 1 with the mail item insertion flap in the open position.
  • Figure 3 is plan view of a die-cut paper blank used to form the envelope of Figures 1 and 2 showing the contaminant viewing holes cut out along what will form the perimeter edges of the envelope and the crease lines along which the blank is folded to from the envelope seen in Figures 1 and 2.
  • Figure 4 is a plan view of the die-cut blank of Figure 3 showing areas of construction adhesive, four clear plastic hole cover strips each permanently affixed to the paper blank in a manner to sealing cover a number of the contaminant viewing holes; a section of each of the cover strip covering each hole having a quantity of transparent, restickable adhesive provided thereon for trapping contaminants in particulate form, such as powders, granules, etc.
  • Figure 5 is a partial plan view of a bottom edge of a second exemplary mail container with contaminant indicator of the present invention in the form of a box having a bottom edge provided with six contaminant viewing holes formed through a bottom front edge wherein the contaminant viewing holes are sealing covered with a transparent plastic cover; each transparent cover having a quantity of transparent, restickable adhesive provided thereon for trapping contaminants in particulate form, such as powders, granules etc. that are deposited onto the plastic cover in a manner to spell out the message "DANGER" to a mail recipient should particulate contaminants adhere to the adhesive areas.
  • Figure 6 is the rear view of an alternate embodiment of the mail container.
  • Figure 7 is the front view of the mail container of Figure 6.
  • Figure 8 is the rear view of an alternate embodiment of the mail container.
  • Figure 9 is the front view of another alternate embodiment of the mail container of Figure 8.
  • Figures 1-5 show various aspects of exemplary embodiments of the mail container with contaminant indicator of the present invention generally designated 10,10a.
  • Mail container with contaminant indicator 10 is a legal sized envelope, generally designated 12, is formed from a die-cut paper blank, generally designated 14 ( Figures 3,4) having contaminant viewing holes, generally designated 16, cut out across crease lines 18 along what will form the perimeter edges 20 of the envelope 12.
  • contaminant viewing holes generally designated 16
  • Four clear plastic hole cover strips 38a-d are each permanently affixed to the paper blank 14 in a manner to sealing cover a number of the contaminant viewing holes 16 such that all the contaminant viewing holes 16 are sealed.
  • one half of each section of plastic hole cover strip 38a-d covering each contaminant viewing hole 16 has an adhesive area 42 having a quantity of transparent, restickable adhesive provided thereon for trapping particulate contaminants for ready viewing by the mail container recipient. Restickable adhesive is used to prevent mail items from being damaged by adhesion to the adhesive areas 42.
  • Figure 5 shows a portion of a second exemplary mail container in the form of a box 10a having a forward bottom edge 50 provided with six contaminant viewing holes 16 formed through forward bottom edge 50 wherein the contaminant viewing holes 16 are sealing covered with a transparent plastic cover 54 and each transparent cover 54 has an adhesive area 42 shaped in the form of a letter having a quantity of transparent, restickable adhesive provided thereon for trapping contaminants in particulate form, such as powders, granules etc. that are deposited onto the plastic cover in a manner to spell out the message "DANGER" to a mail recipient should particulate contaminants adhere to the adhesive areas 42.
  • a transparent plastic cover 54 has an adhesive area 42 shaped in the form of a letter having a quantity of transparent, restickable adhesive provided thereon for trapping contaminants in particulate form, such as powders, granules etc. that are deposited onto the plastic cover in a manner to spell out the message "DANGER" to a mail recipient should particulate contaminants adhere to the adhesive areas 42
  • FIG. 6 In order to comply with mail system specifications and manufacturer's tooling requirements, another embodiment of the mail container with contaminant indicator is possible. This embodiment is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.
  • a plurality in this exemplary embodiment, four
  • approximately one-eighth inch top ridge holes 102 are configured at the top of envelope 101, at approximately one inch spacing, and about two inches from either side of envelope 101.
  • bottom ridge holes 104 at the bottom edge of envelope 101 facing the front, two of them starting two inches from the bottom left side edge of envelope 101 and about one-eighth inch in width, separated by one inch from one another.
  • the last of three bottom ridge holes 104 is separated from first two bottom ridge holes 104 by about five and one-half inches and is about one inch from the bottom right side of the edge of envelope 101, allotting space for bar code imprinting for mail sorting, etc.
  • window 105 on the front of envelope 101 about one and one-quarter inches wide and six and one-half inches long starting about one and one-half inches from the top edge of envelope 101 and about two inches from the top edge of envelope 101 and seven-eighths of an inch from the bottom edge of envelope 101.
  • Large window 105 can also have adhesive operatively affixed to the inner side of itself, such that contaminant matter will adhere to such adhesive, making it obvious that the envelope contains such contaminants. This adhesive can be applied to large window 105 to spell out words, or give any other indication, such as an exclamation point, a stop sign, or the like.
  • At least one plastic-covered window 106 (in this embodiment, two are pictured) on the back of the envelope are one-quarter inch by six and three-quarters inches in length, separated one-half inch apart from each other.
  • Each window 106 starts about one and one-half inches from the right and left side edges of envelope 101 with a flap fold on the back of envelope 101. Similar to large window 105, this window can have adhesive operatively affixed to the plastic in order to spell out or otherwise indicate the presence of a contaminant that would adhere to such adhesive.
  • this embodiment has at least one side slit 107 on each side end edge about two inches vertically of the envelope that is hidden from the actual plain eye view of the prospective user.
  • Such slits 107 are not required to be covered in plastic, but can be if the application calls for such.
  • FIGS 8 and 9 illustrate another preferred embodiment of the mail container.
  • a "#10" envelope 201 is shown having a plurality of top ridge holes 202, 203, and 204 positioned on the back side 201A of envelope 201. These holes are spaced apart to allow corresponding top ridge holes 205 and 206 in the front side 201B of envelope 201 to be positioned between the back side ridge holes 202-204 as shown. It is preferred that each hole 202-206 be covered by a plastic sheet 207. In an alternate embodiment transparent plastic sheet 207 can be sized to cover only one or more of the holes.
  • the back side bottom ridge holes 210 and 211 be spaced apart to allow corresponding front side bottom ridge holes 212 and 213 to be positioned so as not to overlap with the back side bottom ridge holes 210 and 211. It is further preferred that the bottom ridge holes 210-213 be covered by a transparent plastic sheet 214. Ln an alternate embodiment transparent plastic sheet 214 can be sized to cover one or more of the holes. It is further preferred that the bottom ridge holes 210-213 be positioned away from the mail container edges 208 and 209 to reduce interference with the processing of the mail container through the conventional mail sorting machines.
  • mail container 201 be provided with a back side window 215 and a front side window 216 each covered with a transparent plastic sheet 217 and 218 respectively. It is preferred that back side window 215 be elongated with its horizontal side sections 216 and 217 be spaced sufficiently away from mail container edges 208 and 209 respectively to minimize the possibility that the mail container 201 will be hung up or torn by the mail sorting equipment during processing. In still another preferred embodiment transparent plastic sheets 207, 214,
  • the glue line should be 0.05 inches or less from the hole perimeter, most preferably about 0.032 inches or less, to facilitate better stacking during processing. It can be seen from the preceding description that mail container with contaminant indicator has been provided.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Optical Measuring Cells (AREA)

Abstract

Cette enveloppe postale à témoin de contaminant est constituée d'une enveloppe à fenêtre permettant au destinataire de vérifier que l'enveloppe ne contient pas de produit de contamination particulaire tel que des poudres, des granulés, des particules, ou une autre matière similaire.
EP05811942A 2004-10-15 2005-10-11 Enveloppe postale a temoin de contaminant Withdrawn EP1809545A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/966,292 US20050051609A1 (en) 2001-10-23 2004-10-15 Mail container with contaminant indicator
PCT/US2005/038249 WO2006045115A2 (fr) 2004-10-15 2005-10-11 Enveloppe postale a temoin de contaminant

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1809545A2 EP1809545A2 (fr) 2007-07-25
EP1809545A4 true EP1809545A4 (fr) 2009-01-21

Family

ID=36203748

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05811942A Withdrawn EP1809545A4 (fr) 2004-10-15 2005-10-11 Enveloppe postale a temoin de contaminant

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20050051609A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1809545A4 (fr)
AU (1) AU2005295163A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2584126A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006045115A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10611526B2 (en) * 2018-01-19 2020-04-07 Gary M. Bell Enveloping mailing container with transparent security window

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR895459A (fr) * 1942-11-23 1945-01-25 Enveloppe permanente
GB1140254A (en) * 1966-03-25 1969-01-15 Lamson Paragon Ltd Improvements in or relating to window envelope assemblies
US20030075593A1 (en) * 2001-10-23 2003-04-24 Wood James T. Mail container with contaminant indicator
US20030085261A1 (en) * 2001-11-06 2003-05-08 Wierer Michael H Safety and privacy envelope
US20030178478A1 (en) * 2002-03-20 2003-09-25 Berry Robert J. Method and apparatus for evaluating the contents of a mailed envelope and if the envelope is safe to open

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US30980A (en) * 1860-12-18 John b
US20342A (en) * 1858-05-25 Improvement in gang-plows
US705470A (en) * 1901-06-04 1902-07-22 Herman E L Beyer Means for detecting tampering with sealed envelops.
US1041827A (en) * 1912-02-16 1912-10-22 Luther D Macnaughton Envelop.
US1264451A (en) * 1914-10-08 1918-04-30 Us Envelope Co Window-envelop.
US1150524A (en) * 1915-01-29 1915-08-17 William F Krone Envelop.
US1201519A (en) * 1916-06-20 1916-10-17 Arvid C Sorensen Safety-envelop.
US1387717A (en) * 1919-10-03 1921-08-16 Hogan George Francis Envelop
US3015438A (en) * 1958-07-18 1962-01-02 John L Knight Envelope construction
US4475661A (en) * 1982-12-03 1984-10-09 Griffin Robert B Tamper-indicating container assembly
US4597591A (en) * 1984-06-06 1986-07-01 Westvaco Corporation Envelope with concealed message window
JPS6122779U (ja) * 1984-07-14 1986-02-10 利宗 増井 ティッシュペーパー収納箱
US4729506A (en) * 1987-02-04 1988-03-08 Transkrit Corporation Mailer with transparent patch
US5400915A (en) * 1994-03-21 1995-03-28 Kennedy; Michael R. Container window seal
US5894986A (en) * 1996-11-07 1999-04-20 Focus Direct, Inc. Mailing envelope incorporating decorative transparency
US6029883A (en) * 1997-11-26 2000-02-29 Hechinger; Stanley L. Envelope
US20030075592A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-04-24 Richard Fuisz Envelope, shipping tube or shipping carton with holes
US20040046009A1 (en) * 2001-10-31 2004-03-11 Arlene Weisenberg Hazardous materials safe envelope
US6709018B2 (en) * 2001-10-31 2004-03-23 Verify First Technologies, Inc. Security envelope detectable for foreign substances
US6588650B1 (en) * 2001-11-13 2003-07-08 Anthony Polidori Anthrax detecting envelope system
US20030127503A1 (en) * 2001-12-03 2003-07-10 Palombi Carlo Aldo Peek through mail
US7188538B2 (en) * 2002-09-30 2007-03-13 Pitney Bowes Inc. Hazardous material detector for detecting hazardous material in a mailstream

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR895459A (fr) * 1942-11-23 1945-01-25 Enveloppe permanente
GB1140254A (en) * 1966-03-25 1969-01-15 Lamson Paragon Ltd Improvements in or relating to window envelope assemblies
US20030075593A1 (en) * 2001-10-23 2003-04-24 Wood James T. Mail container with contaminant indicator
US20030085261A1 (en) * 2001-11-06 2003-05-08 Wierer Michael H Safety and privacy envelope
US20030178478A1 (en) * 2002-03-20 2003-09-25 Berry Robert J. Method and apparatus for evaluating the contents of a mailed envelope and if the envelope is safe to open

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2584126A1 (fr) 2006-04-27
EP1809545A2 (fr) 2007-07-25
WO2006045115A2 (fr) 2006-04-27
WO2006045115A3 (fr) 2006-06-15
US20050051609A1 (en) 2005-03-10
AU2005295163A1 (en) 2006-04-27

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