GB2195979A - Improved envelope - Google Patents

Abstract

An envelope (1) includes a detachable panel (5) beneath which lies a sheet of carbonless paper (8) so that the paper 8 maintains a permanent record of any matter written on the panel 5 prior to its removal. The panel (5) is detachable from the remainder of the envelope along a line of weakening (6) which comprises a line of perforations and an end tab (7). The envelope preferably includes a group of holes in its reverse face so that a Bank Teller can check to see whether there is anything in the envelope before opening it. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved envelope This invention relates to an envelope which is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for use with Bank Deposit Systems.

When paying money into a Bank, it is normally necessary for the person paying the money into his or her account to have to queue for some time and to hand over to the Bank teller a written record of the amount of money being paid in. Envelopes have been developed including means for recording the paying-in details thereon, a part of the envelope being detachable to act as a written receipt. T.he problem with these envelopes is that their construction has tended to be complicated.

It is an object of the invention therefore to provide an improved envelope of simple construction an which a permanent record of the transaction details can be retained, the user having a detachable part with the same transaction details thereon which can be kept as a record of the transaction.

According to the invention, there is provided an envelope with a detachable panel in one face thereof, the envelope having a recording medium associated with the detachable panel whereby when the latter is removed from the rest of the envelope, a permanent record of any written or otherwise recorded matter on the panel is left on the recording medium on the envelope.

Preferrably the detachable panel is defined by a line of weakening around its perimeter.

This line of weakening can extend around the whole of the perimeter of the detachable panel. Preferrably the envelope face is fully cut through at one end of the panel along one end edge and part of the way along the contiguous side edges to provide a lift-up tab in the line of weakening at one end of the panel, the remainder of the perimeter being perforated to permit detachment of the panel from the remainder of the envelope.

Alternatively, the envelope face can additionally be fully cut through along a line spaced from said one end of the panel and the portion of the detachable panel between said spaced line and said one end can be removed to provide an opening to facilitate access to the end of the detachable panel to facilitate detachment thereof. Conveniently the spaced line is curved along its length to provide the iift-up tab.

The envelope preferrably includes a foldover flap to close and seal the envelope, the flap being large enough to cover the detachable panel when sealed in position against the face of the envelope including the panel.

An important preferred feature of the invention is that the face of the envelope opposite to that containing the detachable panel can be provided with means whereby the contents of the envelope can be seen visibly. This means can take the form of one or more apertures formed in the envelope, the or each aperture being located in an end region of the envelope. Conveniently, the aperture or group of apertures extends more than half way across the width of the envelope, as wells extending along the length of the envelope by distance less than the size of a bank note folded in half.

If a single aperture is used, it can be closed by a transparent window.

Preferrably the recording medium is a sheet of carbonless copy paper attached to the inside face of the envelope containing the detachable panel but other materials can be used.

A preferred embodiment of an envelope of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of an envelope of the invention, Figure 2 is a rear view of the envelope of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of the envelope of Figures 1 and 2 shown in its unfolded blank form, and Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown an envelope 1 having a front face 2 and fold over flap 3. The flap 3 has a line of adhesive 4 extending along its top edge.

The front face has a detachable panel 5 provided therein defined by a line of weakening 6 around its perimeter. Substantially the whole of the perimeter 6 is perforated except for one end portion which is fully cut through along a continuous line to provide a lift up tab 7. A sheet of carbonless paper 8 is attached to the inside face of the front flap 2 for reasons which will be explained hereafter. It should be noted that the perforations and cuts made along the perimeter line 6 or to provide the lift-up tab 7 do not extend through the sheet of carbonless paper 8.

Opposite face 9 of the envelope to that containing the detachable panel 5 is provided with a series of holes 10 which are located at one end of the envelope and extends across its width by a distance which is more than half the width of the envelope. The group of holes 10 also extend along the length of the envelope by a distance which is less than the size of a bank note when folded in half and inserted into the envelope. These holes are an important preferred feature of the invention because they ensure that anyone handling the envelope can readily see whether there is money contained in it, for reasons which will be explained hereafter.

Figure 3 shows the envelope of Figures 1 and 2 in its unfolded condition and it can be seen that it comprises the front flap 2, the rear flap 3, side flaps 11 and 12 and rear flap 9. The sheet of carbonless paper 8 is attached to the rear of the front flap 2 so as to overlay the detachable portion 5 thereof defined by the perimeter line of weakening 6.

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment to that shown in Figures 1 to 3 in which the end region of the detachable portion 5 is cut away completely at 12 to expose the carbón- less paper 8 beneath it. The perimeter 6' is perforated as with the previous embodiment.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the envelope is provided with a readily accessable tab 7 which, in the Figure 1 embodiment, is simply lifted up to enable the remainder of the detachable portion 5 to be removed from the envelope. In the Figure 4 embodiment, the user would insert his or her finger underneath the lift-up tab 7 using the space 12 and thereafter detach the panel 5 from the remainder of the envelope by tearing the it along perforation 6'.

-The manner in which the envelope is used is as follows. If a person wishes to pay the money into his or her bank account, they would write the relevant details on the detachable panel 5. The cheque or money would then be inserted in the envelope and the detachable panel 5 would be removed to provide the person with a written record of the transaction. A copy of that transaction would be retained on the sheet of carbonless paper 8 provided underneath the detachable panel 5.

The user would then insert the money or cheque into the envelope and seal down the flap 4 by means of the adhesive line 3 thereby covering up the details of the transaction on the front face of the envelope.

As already mentioned the holes 10 form an important preferred feature of the invention because it is not uncommon, when carrying out transactions using this type of envelope, for the customer to allege that the money was placed in the envelope when in fact this was never done. By means of the holes, the teller can check, before opening the envelope, whether there is in fact money or a cheque in it. This provides a useful security measure for the Banks.

Claims (16)

1. An envelope with a detachable panel in one face thereof, the envelope having a recording medium associated with the detachable panel whereby when the latter is removed from the rest of the envelope, a permanent record of any matter written or otherwise recorded on the panel is left on the recording medium on the envelope.

2. An envelope as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the detachable panel is defined by a line of weakening around its perimeter.

3. An envelope as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the line of weakening extends around the whole of the perimeter of the detachable panel.

4. An envelope as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the envelope face is fully cut through at one end of the panel along one end edge and part of the way along the contiguous side edges to provide a lift-up tab in the line of weakening at one end of the panel, the remainder of the perimeter being perforated to permit detachment of the panel from the remainder of the envelope.

5. An envelope as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the envelope face is additionally fully cut through along a line spaced from said one end of the panel and the portion of the detachable panel between said spaced line and said one end is removed to provide an opening to facilitate access to the end of the detachable panel to facilitate detachment thereof.

6. An envelope as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said spaced line is curved along its length to provide a lift-up tab.

7. An envelope as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a fold-over flap to close and seal the envelope.

8. An envelope as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the flap is large enough to cover the detachable panel when sealed in position against the face of the envelope including said panel,

9. An envelope as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the face of the envelope opposite to that containing the detachable panel is provided with means whereby the contents of the envelope can be identified.

10. An envelope as claimed in Claim 9 wherein said means comprises at least one aperture.

11. An envelope as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the or each aperture is located in an end region of the envelope.

12. An envelope as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the aperture or the group of apertures extends more than half way across the width of the envelope.

13. An envelope as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the aperture of the group of apertures extends along the length of the envelope by a distance less than the size of a bank note folded in half.

14. An envelope as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the recording medium is a sheet of carbonless copy paper attached to the inside of the face of the envelope containing the detachable panel.

15. An envelope as claimed in any one of Claims 10-13 wherein the aperture includes a transparent covering to provide a window.

16. An envelope substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.