GB2234736A

GB2234736A - Opening envelopes

Info

Publication number: GB2234736A
Application number: GB9016848A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alain Gabriel Bouvier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-08-08
Filing date: 1990-08-01
Publication date: 1991-02-13
Also published as: DE4024439A1; DK179690A; IE902762A1; IT9021208A1; LU87778A1; KR910004437A; JPH03176361A; DK179690D0; CA2022333A1; PT94829A; GB9016848D0; SE9002518D0; FR2650809A1; DK178890D0; GR900100577A; SE9002518L; OA09257A; IT9021208A0; NL9001747A

Abstract

Flat envelopes or bags have incorporated within one edge fold an opening thread 2 and adjacent this edge a weakened area substantially centrally of the edge. This area is formed by at least two aligned cuts 1 through respective walls of the envelope substantially parallel to the edge to define a detachable area in which the opening thread is gripped. <IMAGE>

Description

A 1 JY t 1

PACKET OPENING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention

The present invention concerns an easy opening device for a flat package such as an envelope or bag, enabling the package to be opened easily and its contents removed safely.

Description of the Drior art

Flat packages such as envelopes and bags usually comprise a polygonal pocket closed on three sides and having on the fourth side a closing flap that can be folded down and fixed, for example stuck, to a corresponding external part of the pocket.

For many years a pocket or envelope of this kind has been opened using a tool such as a paper knife with the result that opening the mail has been a relatively time-consuming operation, as opening the envelope is dependent on the dexterity of the person and on the difficulty of inserting the tip of the paper knife under the flap of the envelope. What is more, it is not unusual for a nervous person to tear the envelope or even its contents.

In an attempt to facilitate the opening of such packages, and in particular mailing envelopes, some manufacturers have envisaged enclosing in one of the folded over sides of the envelope, in particular the closing flap, an opening thread extending along the entire length of the flap and projecting outwardly to le.,Rve a part of the thread which is grasped and pulled to open the envelope. Trials showed that this system was inappropriate because of the traction force exerted on the entire length of the thread, which usually caused crumpling of the upper part of the envelope and even frequent random tearing.

Subsequently consideration was given to pulling the 2 middle of the thread instead of one end so that the two halves of the thread to either side of the area in which traction is applied simultaneously open two halves of the envelope.

The problem was then to obtain access to the thread enclosed within the folded over part of the envelope. One proposal was to provide in the middle of the fold and near the location of the thread a semi-circular cut-out providing access to the thread from the outside. This solution was not successful technically or commercially for the following reasons:

- Post office regulations require that the contents of the mails remain inviolate and that third parties have no access or knowledge to any part of what an envelope contains. However, a semi-circular cut-out clearly provides at least partial access to the contents of the envelope, especially when the two sides of the envelope are separated.

- The semi-circular cut-out cannot be used on envelopes that do not require the adhesive to be moistened as this area favors running of the glue, which is obviously unacceptable to the manufacturer and the user alike. Also, manufacturers currently prefer a synthetic material thread to a cotton thread, extruded into the folded over part of the envelope, near the folded edge. Such extrusion cannot be carried out with the cut-out present as the latter constitutes a relatively important discontinuity in the support.

Other proposals entail substituting for the semi- circular cut-out a line of perforations as used for detachable flaps or coupons on administrative forms. Unfortunately, this system was also rejected by manufacturers and users on the grounds that the line of perforations, whatever the size of the holes, did not allow clean removal of the detachable part enclosing the 1 A# 3 thread. Tests showed that, whether the nails were used or not, it was virtually impossible for a person to exert sufficient traction on a small amount of material, even if this were pre-perforated. What is more, the force applied by the person in an attempt to detach the portion of the paper in which the thread is retained was usually such that the envelope might be torn at some place other than the intended detachable area. The user also risked tearing or crumpling at least part of the contents of the envelope.

It was therefore necessary to find a new way of grasping the thread enabling clean removal of the detachable part enclosing the opening thread and consequently clean opening of the envelope.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention makes it possible to achieve this objective using means whose application was not obvious even to those skilled in the art (judged by the number of decades for which the problem has been in existence and the number of unsuccessful solutions attempted in the past) and entails providing in the median plane of the envelope, that is to say substantially equidistantly from the two sides adjoining and at right angles to the edge in which the opening thread is accommodated, at least two aligned cuts in a plane substantially parallel to said edge; these cuts or slits, which extend through both walls of the pocket, define a detachable part which is retained only by its two ends and encloses in its fold the opening thread. This embodiment makes it easy to grasp simultaneously the detachable part and the thread which it encloses in order to apply traction to the combination to tear immediately said portion of paper and so provide free access to the opening thread.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description of

4 one embodiment of the invention given by way of non limiting example only and with reference to the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a closed envelope provided with the opening device in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 shows- the envelope from figure 1 when open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The opening device in accordance with the invention will be described in relation to a conventional envelope.

The opening device consists in an opening thread 2 disposed within and along the entire length of the fold of an envelope 4, without projecting at its end. The opening thread 2 is held in place by any adhesive means.

It may be accommodated in the fold of the closing flap 3 or in the fold of any other side of the envelope 4.

To provide access to the opening thread 2 and to enable application of the necessary traction to remove a detachable part to open the envelope 4 cleanly, at least two cuts 1 are provided in both walls of the envelope; they may be in the body of the envelope and in the closing flap 3, for example, as shown in figure 2.

The cuts pass through the respective envelope walls on the side accommodating the opening thread and are located as close as possible to the edge and in a plane substantially parallel to it.

They therefore define a detachable portion of the paper within which the opening thread 2 is accommodated.

When the envelope is closed the thread 2 is trapped inside the fold and above the cut. To open the envelope (see figure 1), the person grasps the detachable part, which is substantially equidistant from the adjoining two sides at right angles, and applies a slight traction force to detach it.

The opening device in accordance with the invention is applicable in particular to the opening of mailing envelopes but can also be employed for any other flat packaging made from a flexible material that can be torn and of the kind comprising a container in the form of a polygonal pocket with at least one fold-over closing flap which is stuck to the corresponding outside part of the pocket. Also, the opening thread can be accommodated in the opening flap side or any other side of the pocket.

This system is the only viable one enabling the orderly and clean opening of pockets without the risk of random tearing, damage to the contents or hesitations leading to time wasting, especially when opening the mail.

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Claims

I CLAIM:

1. Flat package made from a flexible material that can be torn, such as an envelope or bag, of the type comprising a container in the form of a polygonal pocket 4 comprising at least one fold-over closing flap which is stuck to an external part of the pocket, an opening thread being accommodated in the fold and over the entire length of one side of said pocket, which includes at the edge along which the thread is disposed and substantially equidistantly from two other edges at right angles thereto a weakened area formed by at least two aligned cuts passing through respective walls of the pockets, the cuts being as close as possible to the edge of the pocket and in a plane substantially parallel thereto to define a detachable area in which the opening thread is gripped.

2. Package according to claim 1 wherein said opening thread is accommodated in the fold and along the entire length of said closing flap and said weakened area is on the side including said closing flap and substantially equidistant from two adjoining sides at right angles thereto.

Published 1991 at 7be patent ofrice. state House.66/71 High Holborn, LDndanWCIR47?. Further copies Tnay be obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6. Nine Mile Point. Cwrnfefinfacb. Cross Keys, Newport. NPI 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques- lid, St Mary Cray, Kent i A