GB2192379A - Envelopes - Google Patents

Abstract

An envelope 10 has a flap 12 which can be releasably secured by press stud fittings, 14, 15. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Envelopes This invention concerns envelopes of the kind used for the transmission of documents and more particularly those of the kind intended for continued re-use for the transmission of internal mail in a large organisation for example.

Such envelopes intended for repeated use are usually provided with means for their temporary closure. If no such means is provided the users will usually extemporize with adhesive tape or office staples, for example, causing considerable damage to the envelope and shortening its useful life.

One known means of temporary closure comprises a pair of washers secured at their centres to the flap and body of the envelope and a short length of string which can be wound around the washers. Whilst this means is generally effective it can be inconvenient especially when a previous user has wound the string very tightly or to the extent that the string end is lost beneath one of the washers.

Another known means comprises a reinforced hole in the flap of the envelope which can be located over a pair of metal leaves secured to the body of the envelope, the leaves then being folded or bent outwardly to overlie the flap on opposite sides of the hole.

Again this means is generally satisfactory, but has the disadvantage that the metal ieaves can easily fracture before the envelope has completed the intended number of journeys.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an envelope having improved means for effecting temporary closure thereof and which overcomes the disadvantages aforesaid.

According to the present invention there is provided an envelope comprising a pocket having a flap extending from the opening thereto which can be folded over to close the envelope and first and second press stud fittings secured to the flap and pocket respectively which may be engaged to secure the flap in its pocket closing position and disengaged to release it.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawing, which show, by way of example only, one form of envelope embodying same.

Of the drawing Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the envelope in an open condition; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the envelope in a closed condition; and Figure 3 shows a fragmentary cross-section on the line Ill-Ill of Figure 1 and on an enlarged scale.

Referring now to the drawings it will be seen that the envelope 10 comprises a pocket 11 and flap 12 extending from the pocket 11 on one side of the opening 13 to the pocket.

The flap 12 may be folded over the opening 13 to close the pocket 11 and temporariiy secured in this closing position by engagement of a first press-stud part 14 secured to the flap 12 with a second press-stud part 15 secured to the pocket 11. The parts 14 and 15 may be pulled apart to release the flap to enable the envelope to be opened.

The press-stud parts are of a plastics material.

As best seen from Figure 3 the first pressstud part 14 is secured to the flap 12 by a mount 16 having a stud 17 which passes through a hole 18 in the flap 12 and which has been deformed by a special tool to lock the part 14 to the mount 16 with the flap 12 sandwiched therebetween.

The second press-stud part 15 is of similar construction and is similarly secured to the pocket 11.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.

1. An envelope comprising a pocket having a flap extending from the opening thereto which can be folded over to close the envelope and first and second press stud fittings secured to the flap and pocket respectively which may be engaged to secure the flap in its pocket closing position and disengaged to release it.

2. An envelope according to claim 1 wherein said press stud fittings are of a plastics material.

3. An envelope according to claim 2 wherein the first press stud fitting is secured to the flap by a mount having a stud which passes through a hole in the flap and which is deformed to lock the part to the mount with the flap sandwiched therebetween.

4. An envelope according to either claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the second press stud fitting is secured to the pocket by a mount having a stud which passes through a hole in the pocket and which has been deformed to lock the fitting to the mount with the pocket sandwiched therebetween.

5. An envelope substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the figures of the accompanying drawing.

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

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Envelopes This invention concerns envelopes of the kind used for the transmission of documents and more particularly those of the kind intended for continued re-use for the transmission of internal mail in a large organisation for example. Such envelopes intended for repeated use are usually provided with means for their temporary closure. If no such means is provided the users will usually extemporize with adhesive tape or office staples, for example, causing considerable damage to the envelope and shortening its useful life. One known means of temporary closure comprises a pair of washers secured at their centres to the flap and body of the envelope and a short length of string which can be wound around the washers. Whilst this means is generally effective it can be inconvenient especially when a previous user has wound the string very tightly or to the extent that the string end is lost beneath one of the washers. Another known means comprises a reinforced hole in the flap of the envelope which can be located over a pair of metal leaves secured to the body of the envelope, the leaves then being folded or bent outwardly to overlie the flap on opposite sides of the hole. Again this means is generally satisfactory, but has the disadvantage that the metal ieaves can easily fracture before the envelope has completed the intended number of journeys. It is an object of the present invention to provide an envelope having improved means for effecting temporary closure thereof and which overcomes the disadvantages aforesaid. According to the present invention there is provided an envelope comprising a pocket having a flap extending from the opening thereto which can be folded over to close the envelope and first and second press stud fittings secured to the flap and pocket respectively which may be engaged to secure the flap in its pocket closing position and disengaged to release it. The invention will be further apparent from the following description with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawing, which show, by way of example only, one form of envelope embodying same. Of the drawing Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the envelope in an open condition; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the envelope in a closed condition; and Figure 3 shows a fragmentary cross-section on the line Ill-Ill of Figure 1 and on an enlarged scale. Referring now to the drawings it will be seen that the envelope 10 comprises a pocket 11 and flap 12 extending from the pocket 11 on one side of the opening 13 to the pocket. The flap 12 may be folded over the opening 13 to close the pocket 11 and temporariiy secured in this closing position by engagement of a first press-stud part 14 secured to the flap 12 with a second press-stud part 15 secured to the pocket 11. The parts 14 and 15 may be pulled apart to release the flap to enable the envelope to be opened. The press-stud parts are of a plastics material. As best seen from Figure 3 the first pressstud part 14 is secured to the flap 12 by a mount 16 having a stud 17 which passes through a hole 18 in the flap 12 and which has been deformed by a special tool to lock the part 14 to the mount 16 with the flap 12 sandwiched therebetween. The second press-stud part 15 is of similar construction and is similarly secured to the pocket 11. It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof. CLAIMS

1. An envelope comprising a pocket having a flap extending from the opening thereto which can be folded over to close the envelope and first and second press stud fittings secured to the flap and pocket respectively which may be engaged to secure the flap in its pocket closing position and disengaged to release it.

2. An envelope according to claim 1 wherein said press stud fittings are of a plastics material.

3. An envelope according to claim 2 wherein the first press stud fitting is secured to the flap by a mount having a stud which passes through a hole in the flap and which is deformed to lock the part to the mount with the flap sandwiched therebetween.

4. An envelope according to either claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the second press stud fitting is secured to the pocket by a mount having a stud which passes through a hole in the pocket and which has been deformed to lock the fitting to the mount with the pocket sandwiched therebetween.

5. An envelope substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the figures of the accompanying drawing.