GB2267268A

GB2267268A - Document envelopes

Info

Publication number: GB2267268A
Application number: GB9310814A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Wilkinson
Original assignee: KEN STOKES PRINTING Ltd
Current assignee: KEN STOKES PRINTING Ltd
Priority date: 1992-05-26
Filing date: 1993-05-26
Publication date: 1993-12-01
Also published as: GB9310814D0; GB9211152D0

Abstract

An envelope having one or more removable data slips, all formed from paper or the like, may be formed from two sheets (10, 12) sealed together around three sides, one (12) projecting beyond the open mouth to provide a closure flap (14) having an adhesive strip. The removable data slips 20 are attached to the other side of the flap (14). The envelope may be used for documents to be sent by courier. <IMAGE>

Description

DOCUMENT ENVELOPES The present invention relates to document envelopes, and particularly to envelopes for use in sending documents by a courier service or the like, for which purpose an envelope must be provided with multiple data sheets which are externally accessible, such that one or more of them is selectively detachable to serve as delivery notes etc.

It isqknown to use an envelope of plastics material, with a separate set of data slips (of paper) adhered to it.

Broadly, the present invention concerns the provision of a document envelope assembly in which the envelope and the data slips can all be formed of paper or the like material. Thus all can be formed using similar equipment, possibly in a single manufacturing process.

In one preferred form, an envelope assembly comprises two envelope-forming sheets in overlapping array sealed together along three sides to produce an envelope having an open end; one of the sheets extending beyond the open end to provide a closure flap which is adapted to be folded over and sealed to the second envelope forming sheet; the face of the flap which is then exposed carrying at least one removable data sheet.

In another type of embodiment, an envelope is again formed from two envelope-forming sheets, one of which also provides a closure flap; and one or more removable data sheets is provided on the exterior of the envelope remote from the closure flap end. For example, an end region of one envelope forming sheet may be printed with data so that it constitutes a non-removable data sheet.

Whether it is used in this way or not, that region of the sheet may have adhered or otherwise connected to it one or more removable data sheets. There may be a first removable data sheet or set thereof secured to the envelope forming sheet; a plastics film overlying the first sheet or set; and a further data sheet mounted externally of the plastics sheet. This external data sheet may, for example, be given to a customer when a package is consigned to the carrier. The other data sheets are then held securely under the plastics film, but can easily be accessed when required.

Of course, the data sheets will generally be printed, and have copying features such that information written on a top sheet is recorded on at least some of the underlying sheets.

One or more of the sheets may carry information in the form of a bar code.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of the rear face of an envelope assembly embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the rear face; and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the envelope assembly, on a larger scale.

The illustrated assembly includes an envelope formed from a front envelope sheet 10 and a rear envelope sheet 12. Both are generally rectangular and of the same width, but the rear sheet 12 is longer. They are glued together to form an envelope, with the extra length of the rear sheet 12 providing a closure flap 14. The sheets 10,12 are adhered together by strips of adhesion 16 around three sides. For an envelope that is to be capable of holding up to 30 A4 sheets of paper, the glue strips should be quite wide, e.g. 2-3 cms. The front face of the flap 14 carries a strip of adhesive tape 18 protected by a release paper, so that the flap 14 can be closed over and used to seal the envelope. On the other side, the flap is printed as a data sheet. Furthermore, a plurality of like data sheets 20, all in register with it, are mounted over it. They are connected together in the outer marginal region 22 which is delimited by a tear-line 24, so that data sheets 20 can be torn off individually as required (except, of course, for that provided by the flap itself). The data sheet carry printed data and have spaces for insertion of data. They may carry a bar code 26.

Figs 1 and 2 show the envelope assembly as having a line of perforations 28 adjacent each longitudinal end.

This merely reflects the manner in which the sheets are conveyed during the manufacturing process. These apertured regions may be retained in the finished product, or trimmed off.

Claims

1. A document envelope assembly comprising an envelope and one or more removable data slips connected to the envelope: wherein the envelope and the slip(s) are all formed of paper or the like material.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 which comprises two envelope-forming sheets in overlapping array sealed together along three sides to produce an envelope having an open end; one of the sheets extending beyond the open end to provide a closure flap which is adapted to be folded over and sealed to the second envelope forming sheet; the face of the flap which is then exposed carrying at least one removable data sheet.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 which comprises two envelope-forming sheets in overlapping array sealed together along three sides to produce an envelope having an open end; one of the sheets extending beyond the open end to provide a closure flap which is adapted to be folded over and sealed to the second envelope forming sheet; there being one or more removable data sheets provided on the exterior of the envelope remote from the closure flap end.

4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein an end region of one envelope forming sheet is printed with data so that it constitutes a non-removable data sheet, and has adhered or otherwise connected to it one or more removable data sheets.

5. An assembly according to any preceding claim having a first removable data sheet or set thereof secured to an envelope forming sheet; a plastics film overlying the first data sheet or set; and a further data sheet mounted externally of the plastics sheet.

6. A document envelope assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

7. A method of producing a document envelope assembly according to any preceding claim comprising locating sheets to constitute envelope forming sheets and at least one data slip in register, and connecting them together.