GB2031846A

GB2031846A - Envelope

Info

Publication number: GB2031846A
Application number: GB7839497A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: INT ENVELOPE DRG Ltd
Current assignee: INT ENVELOPE DRG Ltd
Priority date: 1978-10-05
Filing date: 1978-10-05
Publication date: 1980-04-30
Also published as: CA1124218A

Abstract

An envelope has score lines 5 transversely of the envelope, at a short distance from one end thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Envelope The invention relates to a new type of envelope.

More particularly, this invention relates to an envelope which is easier to open than standard envelopes, and at the same time, enables its contents to be removed without running the risk of damaging or defacing the documents or papers inside the envelope, as a result of the opening of the envelope.

There is an ever-present need for improving the standard envelope with a view to facilitating the process of inserting papers and documents inside the envelopes, the addressing of letters, the emptying of their contents, etc.

It has been found that a standard envelope can be substantially improved by providing score lines transversely of the envelope, at a short distance from one end thereof. The score lines should be formed on both faces of the envelope and be exactly opposite one another.

Preferably, the score lines should appear on the left end of the envelope, because the right end should be leftfree for affixing a stamp.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a strip of glue or of an adhesive material has been applied inside one face of the envelope, running in substantial parallel relationship with the score lines. It is understood that this strip of glue or of adhesive material should be as close as possible to the score lines without touching them, for it would then interfere with the tearing off operation. Also, this strip must have been positioned between the score lines and the end of the envelope near the score lines. This will enable the two faces of the envelope to seal together just past the score lines, in the tearing off portion of the envelope.This will, first of all, make sure that the documents or papers inside the envelope will not be in the way of the tearing off line which is made when opening the envelope, thus preventing any damage or defacing of the contents of the envelope. In addition, the gluing or adhesive material will obviously facilitate the tearing off of the envelope along the score lines.

This invention is applicable to the ordinary envelope as well as with those having end flaps.

The invention will be illustrated by the annexed drawings in which: Figure lisa perspective view of the envelope according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the opening of the envelope according to the invention.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the strip of glue or adhesive in cross section taken along Figure 4, line 3-3 of Figure 1 as applied to an end flap-type envelope.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the envelope 1 which is provided with a standard flap 3 is formed with a continuous score line the first portion 5 thereof appearing on the front face of the envelope, the second portion 7 being on the rear face of the envelope, while the remnant portion 9 of the score line being made on the flap 3. It should be noted that it is necessary that score lines 5 and 7 be exactly opposite one another when the envelope has been formed from a blank. Reference is made to Figure 1 of the drawings. Also, when the envelope is closed, it is also necessary that the score line 9 be immediately over score line 5. The reason for this is that in order to facilitate the tearing off of the end portion 11 of the envelope, the three score lines 5,7 and 9 should obviously be exactly superposed.

Otherwise, the tearing operation will be difficult and, in any case, the envelope would not be satisfactory.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that a strip of glue or of adhesive material should be as close as possible to the score lines 5,7 and 9 without touching them, for it would then interfere with the tearing off operation. As shown in Figure 3, another strip 19 should also covertheflap portion 17 where it will serve to seal the front face 21 of the envelope overtheflap 17.

Of course, this strip 13 must have been positioned between the score lines 5,7 and 9 and the end 23 of the envelope, near the score lines.

This technique can also be used with end flap type envelopes in which case, the end of the envelope opposite the flap has been shown in Figure 4. In this case, the rear face of the envelope 23 has a cut-out portion 25. The strip of glue or of adhesive material 27 is applied near the score lines 29 to cover both the outer rear face 31 of the envelope and the inner front face 33, all as shown in Figure 4. The end flap 35 of the end flap type envelope 23 is thereafter glued over the rear portion 31 as shown. At the same time slap 35 will be glued over the inner face of the front face 33 by means of the same strip portion. Again, this will make sure that the documents or papers inside the envelope will not be in the way of the tearing off line which is made when opening the envelope, thus preventing any damge or defacing of the contents of the envelope.

These envelopes can be produced in any known manner from a suitable blank, just by using standard perforations to produce the score lines, and applying glue where necessary, as pointed out above.

1. The invention substantially as described and as illustrated in the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

SPECIFICATION Envelope The invention relates to a new type of envelope.

More particularly, this invention relates to an envelope which is easier to open than standard envelopes, and at the same time, enables its contents to be removed without running the risk of damaging or defacing the documents or papers inside the envelope, as a result of the opening of the envelope.

There is an ever-present need for improving the standard envelope with a view to facilitating the process of inserting papers and documents inside the envelopes, the addressing of letters, the emptying of their contents, etc.

It has been found that a standard envelope can be substantially improved by providing score lines transversely of the envelope, at a short distance from one end thereof. The score lines should be formed on both faces of the envelope and be exactly opposite one another.

Preferably, the score lines should appear on the left end of the envelope, because the right end should be leftfree for affixing a stamp.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a strip of glue or of an adhesive material has been applied inside one face of the envelope, running in substantial parallel relationship with the score lines. It is understood that this strip of glue or of adhesive material should be as close as possible to the score lines without touching them, for it would then interfere with the tearing off operation. Also, this strip must have been positioned between the score lines and the end of the envelope near the score lines. This will enable the two faces of the envelope to seal together just past the score lines, in the tearing off portion of the envelope.This will, first of all, make sure that the documents or papers inside the envelope will not be in the way of the tearing off line which is made when opening the envelope, thus preventing any damage or defacing of the contents of the envelope. In addition, the gluing or adhesive material will obviously facilitate the tearing off of the envelope along the score lines.

This invention is applicable to the ordinary envelope as well as with those having end flaps.

The invention will be illustrated by the annexed drawings in which: Figure lisa perspective view of the envelope according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the opening of the envelope according to the invention.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the strip of glue or adhesive in cross section taken along Figure 4, line 3-3 of Figure 1 as applied to an end flap-type envelope.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the envelope 1 which is provided with a standard flap 3 is formed with a continuous score line the first portion 5 thereof appearing on the front face of the envelope, the second portion 7 being on the rear face of the envelope, while the remnant portion 9 of the score line being made on the flap 3. It should be noted that it is necessary that score lines 5 and 7 be exactly opposite one another when the envelope has been formed from a blank. Reference is made to Figure 1 of the drawings. Also, when the envelope is closed, it is also necessary that the score line 9 be immediately over score line 5. The reason for this is that in order to facilitate the tearing off of the end portion 11 of the envelope, the three score lines 5,7 and 9 should obviously be exactly superposed.

Otherwise, the tearing operation will be difficult and, in any case, the envelope would not be satisfactory.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that a strip of glue or of adhesive material should be as close as possible to the score lines 5,7 and 9 without touching them, for it would then interfere with the tearing off operation. As shown in Figure 3, another strip 19 should also covertheflap portion 17 where it will serve to seal the front face 21 of the envelope overtheflap 17.

Of course, this strip 13 must have been positioned between the score lines 5,7 and 9 and the end 23 of the envelope, near the score lines.

This technique can also be used with end flap type envelopes in which case, the end of the envelope opposite the flap has been shown in Figure 4. In this case, the rear face of the envelope 23 has a cut-out portion 25. The strip of glue or of adhesive material 27 is applied near the score lines 29 to cover both the outer rear face 31 of the envelope and the inner front face 33, all as shown in Figure 4. The end flap 35 of the end flap type envelope 23 is thereafter glued over the rear portion 31 as shown. At the same time slap 35 will be glued over the inner face of the front face 33 by means of the same strip portion. Again, this will make sure that the documents or papers inside the envelope will not be in the way of the tearing off line which is made when opening the envelope, thus preventing any damge or defacing of the contents of the envelope.

These envelopes can be produced in any known manner from a suitable blank, just by using standard perforations to produce the score lines, and applying glue where necessary, as pointed out above.

1. The invention substantially as described and as illustrated in the drawings.