FR2658791A1 - Tamper-evident window envelope - Google Patents

Abstract

Window envelope (1, 40, 50) arranged to reveal opposite a first portion of window, after marking a first internal zone (11, 43, 56) of the envelope, a second previously hidden internal zone (16, 44, 70), comprising a mobile sheet (17, 46, 56) inside the envelope comprising the said first zone, arranged to move opposite the window in an irreversible manner between a first position and a second position, a transparent sheet (21, 41, 61) for protecting the mobile sheet opposite the window and means of irreversible displacement (20 ' 60) in a predetermined direction, by an operator, of the mobile sheet between these two positions.

Description

INVIOLABLE WINDOW ENVELOPE
The present invention relates to an inviolable window envelope, of the type arranged to reveal, facing the window, after marking a first zone internal to the envelope, a second internal zone previously hidden, and this with the possibility of proving that the order of operations consisting in marking a first area and then revealing a second, has not been reversed.

 It finds a particularly important, although not exclusive, application in the field of comparative clinical trials of therapeutic treatments intended to treat the same type of patients, to ensure that the random allocation of treatments, recommending such or such therapeutic treatment to compare, has been respected. It may be, in fact, that the prescribing doctor, after knowing the treatment, finally decides to keep it for another patient in the current trial.

 Such an attitude distorts the possibilities of statistically comparing groups of patients of the same type subjected to clinical trials of the therapeutic treatments to be tested.

 More generally, the invention is also applicable to any operation in which it is desired to make the obtaining of revealed information subject to the prior marking of certain information, whether for verification, authorization or other.

 Means are already known which make it possible to access revealed information only after registration, marking or, more simply, inevitable and subsequently tamper-proof communication, of specific information.

 These are essentially electronic means, implementing IT and telecommunications and / or means involving a third party, impartial witness and holder of the information disclosed.

 These means have drawbacks. They are expensive and difficult to implement discreetly.

 In the case of clinical trials, there is for example in France, a method consisting in interrogating by the network known under the brand MINITEL, a database which will communicate the treatment only after transmission of information by the doctor. There is also the possibility of providing a hotline, the operator questioned communicating the revealed information only after the determined information has been transmitted by telephone.

 Such means are found to be very troublesome by the practitioner, which is particularly off-putting to the idea of telephoning or requesting information in the presence of his patient.

 As mentioned above, they turn out to be very very expensive.

 The present invention aims to provide a device in the form of a tamper-evident envelope, which meets the requirements of practice better than those previously known, in particular in that it makes it possible to guarantee the revelation of information only after the marking of information determined (for example the initials of a patient) in a simple, discreet and inexpensive way.

 To this end, the invention provides in particular an envelope with a tamper-evident window arranged to reveal, opposite a first window portion, after marking a first zone internal to the envelope, a second internal zone previously hidden, comprising - a movable sheet internal to the envelope comprising said first zone, arranged to move irreversibly opposite the window in a determined direction between a first position, where the first zone is capable of being marked and the second zone is hidden, and a second position where the second zone is revealed through said first window portion, and the first zone is no longer alterable while being visible through a second window portion, - a transparent sheet for protecting the movable sheet opposite said second window portion, capable of preventing the alteration of said movable sheet at this location, without violation of the envelope, and - means of irreversible movement in said direction, by an operator, of the movable sheet between these two positions.

 In particularly advantageous embodiments, recourse is had to one and / or the other of the following arrangements - The first window portion and the second window portion are separated from each other by a opaque envelope part; - The first window portion and the second window portion are contiguous and provided with the same transparent sheet for protecting the moving sheet, capable of preventing the alteration of said moving sheet without violation of the envelope.

- The envelope includes a third window portion, for marking the first internal area, of the movable tongue.

- The envelope comprises internal means for marking the first internal zone, of the movable sheet, through the envelope, constituted by carbon paper or self-copying paper.

- The third window portion is contiguous to the previous two and provided with the same transparent protective sheet.

- The transparent protective sheet is made of material retaining the marking applied to its surface by the operator.

- The second internal zone is irremovable with respect to the walls of the envelope and arranged to be covered by the movable sheet in the first position and discovered by the movable sheet in the second position.

- The loose leaf is a tab.

- The means of irreversible movement in a determined direction comprise a pull cord on the tongue through the envelope.

- The irreversible movement means comprise means for guiding the tongue comprising a sheet internal to the envelope, of rigid material, provided with at least one passage slot adjusted from said tongue in one direction, said tongue being provided with means preventing it from passing through said slot, in the other direction.

- The means preventing the tongue from passing into the slot in the other direction, consist of notches on the edges of the tongue, directed in the direction of movement of said tongue.

 The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of particular embodiments, given by way of nonlimiting examples.

 The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which - Figures 1 and 1A show a first embodiment of the envelope according to the invention. Figure 1 gives the constituent elements of this embodiment and Figure 1A the stages of its assembly.

- Figures 2 and 2A show a second embodiment of the invention, the tongue being successively in the first position, marking (Figure 2), and in the second position, control (Figure 2A).

- Figures 3 and 3A show a third embodiment of the envelope according to the invention. Figure 3 gives the constituent elements of the envelope and Figure 3A gives the stages of its assembly.

- Figures 4 and 4A show the envelope of Figures 3 and 3A in the marking position (Figure 4) and in the control position (Figure 4A).

 Figure 1 shows the constituent elements of a first embodiment of the tamper-evident envelope according to the invention.

 The envelope 1, as a spare part in FIG. 1, comprises a first rectangular sheet 2, for example of 10 × 8 cm, made of strong cardboard or other rigid material, a second rectangular sheet 3, constituted by the upper sheet of a self-copying paper, for example of the type known under the brand NCR, of the same transverse and longitudinal dimensions as the first sheet and comprising a transverse slot 4, of width 1, for example of 3 cm, located in the upper part 5 of the second sheet , centered transversely, parallel to the upper edge 6, and produced at a first distance d from said upper edge 6, from the second sheet (for example at 1 cm).

 The envelope comprises a third rectangular sheet 7, of the same transverse and longitudinal dimensions as the first two, made of strong cardboard of the type, for example, known under the name "Bristol" paper.

 The third sheet 7 is provided with a rectangular notch or recess 8 of transverse dimension 1 identical to the width of the slot 4, open at its upper end, as shown in FIG. 1. The lower edge 9 of the recess is located at a second distance d 'from the edge 10 of the upper end of the sheet 7, greater than the first distance d (d' = 4 cm for example).

 When the sheets 3 and 7 are superimposed on each other, a rectangle 11 therefore appears (in the example and for the numerical values indicated here, of 3cm x 3cm) delimited by the lower edge 9 and the lateral edges 12 and 13 of the recess, and the slot 4.

 The sheet 7 also comprises in the middle and / or lower part, two additional transverse slots 14 and 15 parallel, of width 1 identical to that of the slot 4, at increasing distances d "and d" from the upper edge 10 of the sheet (for example 7 and 8 cm), the portion 16 of sheet 7 between the lower edge 10 of the recess and the slot 14 being of sufficient dimensions to allow the presence of a legible inscription "A", for an operator by example.

 The envelope 1 comprises a rectangular tongue 17 of width 1 ′ less than 1, to allow its passage through the slots and the notch of width 1. It is of length L sufficient to pass successively through said slots, in a first position, and discover the portion 16 of the sheet 7, in a second position.

 The tongue 17 is formed by the lower sheet of carbonless paper, the sheet 3 of which constitutes the upper sheet. It comprises for example notches 18 on the edges 19, directed towards the lower end 20 of said tongue. A pulling wire 20 ′, which may also, for example, be a thin strip of paper suitable for pulling on the tongue, and not pushing on the latter, is fixed to the lower end 20 of the tongue.

 The envelope comprises a transparent sheet 21, for example made of flexible transparent plastic, transparent thermoplastic polymer for example, or transparent paper known under the name "crystal" paper. This transparent sheet is advantageously provided to allow its marking by ink pen, for example with a ballpoint pen. It is of identical dimensions to the previous sheets.

 Finally, the envelope comprises an opaque sheet 22, for example of colored paper, comprising a rectangular central part 23 of transverse and longitudinal dimensions substantially identical to the dimensions of the preceding sheets, and 4 lateral parts 24, 25, 26 and 27, also rectangular, each integral with a respective side 28, 29, 30, 31 of the central part 23, and arranged so that they can be easily folded inwards of the central part, around the sides of the latter.

 The widths of the rectangular lateral parts, (their lengths being their dimensions parallel to the sides of the central part) are provided to leave an opening, or window, of sufficient width and height to allow visual access through the sheet 21, to the zones internal to the envelope 11 and 16, when said lateral parts are folded towards the central part, and as will be seen.

 The lower side 31 of the central part has a narrow passage, for example a hole 32 drilled in the center of said side.

 FIG. 1A shows the different main stages of mounting the casing 1 of FIG. 1.

 Step a consists of introducing the tongue 17 into the slot 4 of the sheet 3, as shown in FIG. 1A.

 Step b consists in introducing the third sheet 7 under the tongue, by passing the latter through the recess or notch 8. The tongue is then introduced into the slot 14 to bring it out by its end 20 provided with the wire 20 'through the slot 15. During step c, the first sheet 2, made of strong cardboard, is placed on the back of the preceding sheets, then (step ftd, the transparent sheet 21 is placed above the assembly thus formed.

 Finally, the assembly is placed (step el on the central part 23 of the sheet 22, the lateral parts of which are closed on the transparent sheet, by fixing them inviolably to one another, in the position shown in the figure. 1A, and this in a manner known per se, by gluing for example, the wire 20 ′ also passing through the hole 32 of the sheet 22.

 A window 33 is thus formed, arranged to allow, after marking through the window, a first zone internal to the envelope constituted by a portion of the tongue initially located opposite zone 11 of the recess, (see FIG. 1A ), a second internal zone constituted by zone 16 of the sheet 7, after displacement of the tongue 20 by traction on the wire 20 '.

 FIGS. 2 and 2A show a second embodiment of an envelope 40 with window 41, inviolable according to the invention arranged to reveal opposite a first portion 42 of window, after marking a first zone 43 internal to the 'envelope, a second internal zone 44 previously hidden by an opaque part 45 of the envelope.

 It includes a movable tongue 46 (in dashed lines) internal to the envelope comprising said first zone 43, and arranged to move opposite the window in direction 47 irreversibly between a first position (FIG. 2) where the zone 43 is capable of being marked and the second zone is hidden, and a second position (FIG. 2A) where the second zone is revealed through said first window portion 42 and the first zone 43 is no longer alterable, while being visible through a second window portion 48.

 In the first position, the area 43 can be marked, for example, by means of carbon paper (not shown) located inside the envelope, at the level of the lower portion 49, indicated in phantom on the Figures 2 and 2A ,, of the opaque part 45 of the envelope.

 Figures 3 and 3A show another embodiment of the envelope according to the invention.

 Figure 3 shows, in parts, an envelope 50 having a first sheet 51, for example made of rigid material of the cardboard type known under the name "Bristol", said sheet being provided with 3 parallel transverse slots 52, 53 and 54 arranged at increasing distances d, d 'and d "from the upper edge 55 of the sheet. A tab 56, comprising a first part 57 of white paper (allowing writing on it) and a second part 58 of blackened paper, (allowing the tongue has, in the lower part 59, a pulling wire 60. The envelope also includes a sheet of paper 61, rectangular, transparent, for example of the transparent tracing paper type, comprising a rectangle 62, arranged in the upper part, centered transversely on the rectangular sheet 61 and made of carbon paper, for example glued to the back of the transparent sheet, a rigid sheet 63, for example n carton, comprising a central part 64 and four side parts 65, 66, 67, 68 capable of being folded over the central part, is provided. The lower lateral part 68 has a hole 69 through which the wire 60 of the tongue can be introduced.

 FIG. 3A shows the assembly of the envelope of FIG. 3.

 During step a, the paper tab 56 is passed successively through the first slot 52 of the sheet 51, over said sheet 51, to hide the second internal zone 70, through the slot 53, behind said sheet 51, then through slot 54 to come out through its lower part 59 terminated by wire 60, on the front of sheet 51.

 Step b consists of superimposing the first three parts of FIG. 3, the sheet 61 of the tracing paper type being superimposed on the assembly constituted by the tongue 56 and the sheet 51. During the step, c the assembly is placed in the sheet 63 which is then closed on the sheet 61, the wire 60 having passed through the hole 69. The assembly is fixed by gluing, in a tamper-evident manner and known per se, to present the window 71.

 We will now describe the mode of use of the tamper-evident envelope according to the invention with particular reference to Figures 4 and 4A implementing the envelope described in Figures 3 and 3A.

 In Figure 4 appears the envelope 50 ready to be used. The operator first writes specific information with respect to carbon paper, for example in the case of application to clinical trials, the initials (X, Y, Z) of the patient he is examining.

 FIG. 4A shows the envelope after it has been used by the operator. The tongue 56 has been pulled down by the wire 60, it thus reveals the information A initially hidden by the blackened area 58, and written beforehand, before closing the envelope, between the slots 52 and 53 of the sheet 51 , while keeping visible the inscription X, Y, Z, and this in an unalterable manner, without violation of the envelope (protected by the transparent sheet 61).

 As is obvious and as it follows from the above, the invention is not limited to the embodiments more particularly described here; on the contrary, it embraces all the variants thereof and in particular those where - The envelope comprises several windows separated by opaque parts and making it possible to register and reveal the different zones according to the invention. In particular, the information can for example be entered directly through an unprotected window via a transparent sheet, directly on the tab. This is then pulled irreversibly through the envelope, and is arranged to appear (simultaneously with the area revealed) in front of a window portion this time protected against alteration.

- The means suitable for preventing the tongue from going up include, for example, notches, folds, notches or wider peripheral parts, preventing said tongue from going up once it has been pulled down. It is also possible, for example, to fold the upper end of the tongue laterally, or to fold it initially over the edge of the rigid sheet.

- The tongue is a circular sliding sheet rotating in one direction around a central axis in an envelope, for example rectangular. A peripheral portion of the circular sheet makes it possible to rotate it, an internal device preventing it from rotating in the opposite direction.

- The envelope further comprises a first internal sheet comprising said second area previously hidden, and a second internal sheet, opaque, placed on said first sheet and provided with at least one window arranged to reveal said second internal area of said first leaf, when discovered by the loose leaf.

 - Said second internal sheet further comprises a second window arranged to let appear permanently through the window of the envelope, a third internal area belonging to said first internal sheet, whatever the position of the movable sheet.

 The first sheet can thus include a first piece of information, written in the third internal area, for example a number, which remains permanently visible, and a second piece of information, for example the indication of a treatment, written in the second internal area, area which is initially obscured before being irreversibly discovered. This first sheet can, for example, be introduced (for a particular use) into the envelopes according to the invention, prepared in advance, before sealing them.

Claims (14)

 1. Tamper-evident envelope (1, 40, 50) with window (33, 41, 71), arranged to reveal opposite a first window portion, after marking a first internal area (11, 43, 56) at the envelope, a second internal zone (16, 44, 70) previously hidden, comprising - a movable sheet (17, 46, 56) internal to the envelope comprising said first zone, arranged to move opposite the window of irreversibly in a determined direction between a first position, where the first zone is capable of being marked and the second zone is hidden, and a second position where the second zone is revealed through said first window portion, and the first zone is no longer alterable while being visible through a second window portion, - a transparent sheet (21, 41, 61) for protecting the movable sheet opposite said second window portion, capable of preventing the alteration of said tongue to this place, without violation of the envelope, and - irreversible displacement means (20 ′, 60) in said direction, by an operator, of the sheet movable between these two positions.  2. Envelope according to claim 1, characterized in that the first window portion and the second window portion are separated from each other by an opaque part.  3. Envelope according to claim 1, characterized in that the first window portion and the second window portion are contiguous, and provided with the same transparent sheet for protecting the movable sheet, capable of preventing the deterioration of said sheet mobile, without violation of the envelope.  4. Envelope according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a third window portion, for marking the first internal area, of the movable sheet.  5. Envelope according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes internal means for marking the first internal zone of the movable sheet, through the envelope, consisting of carbon paper or carbonless paper. .  6. Envelope according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the third window portion is contiguous to the previous two and provided with the same transparent protective sheet.  7. Envelope according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transparent protective sheet is made of material retaining the marking applied to its surface by the operator.  8. Envelope according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second zone internal to the envelope is fixed relative to the walls of the envelope, and arranged to be covered by the movable sheet in the first position and uncovered by the movable sheet in the second position.  9. Envelope according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable sheet is a tongue.  10. Envelope according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means of irreversible movement in a determined direction comprises a cord (20 ′, 60) of traction on the tongue through a wall of the envelope.  11. Envelope according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a first internal sheet comprising said second area previously hidden, and a second internal sheet, opaque, placed on said first sheet and provided with at least one window arranged to reveal said second internal zone of said first sheet, when it is discovered by the movable sheet.  12. Envelope according to claim 11, characterized in that said second internal sheet further comprises a second window arranged to let appear permanently through the window of the envelope, a third internal area belonging to said first internal sheet, which 'whatever the position of the loose leaf.  13. Envelope according to claim 9, characterized in that the irreversible displacement means comprise means for guiding the tongue comprising a sheet (13, 7, 51) internal to the envelope of rigid material, provided with at least one slot (4,14,15) adjusted passage of said tongue in one direction, said tongue being provided with means (18) preventing it from passing through said slot, in the other direction.  14. Envelope according to claim 13, characterized in that said means (18) preventing the tongue from passing into the slot in the other direction, consist of notches on the edges of the tongue, directed in the direction of movement of said tongue.