GB2289437A

GB2289437A - Envelope-insert combination

Info

Publication number: GB2289437A
Application number: GB9409329A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy G Brettell
Original assignee: Access Co Ltd
Current assignee: Access Co Ltd
Priority date: 1994-05-11
Filing date: 1994-05-11
Publication date: 1995-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2014-05-11
Also published as: GB9409329D0; GB2289437B

Abstract

An envelope-insert combination suitable for releasably attaching a penalty charge notice to the window of a motor vehicle comprises an envelope 11 having a transparent window 6 adjacent an open side thereof, the envelope including a flap 4 extending from the open side having a portion coated with a self-adhesive material 5 covered with a peel-off plastics material, the flap being dimensioned to cover the window when folded over and secured to the envelope. An insert 10 releasably contained within the envelope includes an end portion 11 extending beyond the open side of the envelope and contains information for the recipient of the envelope, the extending end portion being arranged to be removed or folded over such that the insert can be contained entirely within the envelope when the flap member is folded over to close the envelope. The insert is normally be retained within the envelope by frictional resistance or by a tab. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVED ENVELOPE DEVICE The present application relates to an improved envelope device especially, but not exclusively, suitable for use as a means for attaching a parking ticket to an illegally parked vehicle.

The invention provides a combination consisting of an envelope open at one end and having an extending flap member having a portion, coated with an adhesive material, an insert slidably contained within the envelope and having an end section extending outwardly of the open end of the said envelope whereby the insert may be removed by applying a pulling force to the said section, the insert containing information for the recipient of the envelope and the extending edge being arranged to be removed or turned over such that the insert can be contained entirely within the envelope and the flap member sealed onto the envelope to close the said one end.

The envelope preferably contains a transparent window adjacent the open end thereof whereby certain of the information contained on the said insert is visible through the window, the flap member being preferably of sufficient dimensions to completely cover the window when turned over for sealing onto the envelope. When the device is used as a penalty charge notice for attachment to an illegally parked motor vehicle, the said information will relate to the said charge and payment thereof. The insert is preferably a close fit within the envelope to provide frictional resistance between the envelope and the insert thereby substantially preventing the insert from inadvertently sliding out of the envelope.

The end of the envelope opposite to the open end may include a removable stub having an adhesive on one side to enable the envelope to be affixed to an object, for example the windscreen of a motor vehicle.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is an illustration of the device as used as a penalty charge notice or parking ticket.

The device comprises an envelope 1 having an extending flap portion 4 partially coated within a self-adhesive 5 covered by a peel-off strip covering the adhesive when not required for use, a transparent polythene window 6 on the side of the envelope opposite to the extending flap portion, the length of flap 4 having sufficient to cover window 6 when the flap is turned over and secured to the envelope 1 by the adhesive.

The envelope includes the address of the ticket processing office on the side opposite to the transparent window and may be pre-paid under a business reply service. An insert consisting of a sheet or card 10 is contained within envelope 1 and is provided with a pull-out tab portion 11 perforated at 12 to allow the tab to be removed. The sheet 10 substantially covers the whole of one side of the inside of the envelope such that frictional resistance between the sheet and the inside of the envelope requires a pulling force on tab 11 to remove the sheet therefrom.

Details of the parking penalty are contained on an additional insert for display through window 6. The sheet also contains additional information relating to payment of the charge and on the reverse side thereof includes provision for the name and address of the person remitting the charge by use of the envelope.

A stub 7 is provided at end 3 of the envelope having a self-adhesive surface covered with a peel-off strip on the side opposite to the window 6. The stub 7 is perforated at 8 to enable it to be removed if the envelope is used for posting.

In use a traffic warden, for example, noting an illegally parked car can attach the penalty charge notice to the windscreen of the car by removal of the peel-off strip on the stub 7 and affixing the notice to the car windscreen via the adhesive 8.

On return to the car the owner will note through the transparent window information relating to the penalty charge and may remove the sheet by pulling on the extending section 11 whereby he will be able to note further information relating to the penalty charge and method of payment. In the event that the owner of the car wishes to pay by cheque he may complete his name and address on sheet 10, tear off the section 11 and insert cheque and sheet into the envelope, remove the peel-off strip from flap 4 to reveal the adhesive 5 and then seal flap 4 over the transparent window to close the open end of the envelope, remove the stub 8 and post the envelope in any convenient post box.

Although the invention has been described particularly with reference to its use as a means for attaching a penalty charge notice to a motor car, it may equally be used as a means for soliciting donations, in which case the sheet 11 may contain the name and address of the recipient for display through the open window and contains information regarding the cause for which the donation is solicited. As described above the envelope may be pre-paid and addressed to the appropriate office. In this use it would be normal for the envelope to be posted through the front door of a house in which case it will not be necessary to include the stub 7.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An envelope-insert combination comprising an envelope open at one side, a flap member extending from the said open side and having a portion coated with a self-adhesive material; an insert releasably within the said envelope and having an end extending outwardly of the said open side of the envelope whereby the insert may be removed by applying a pulling force to the said extending end, the insert containing information for the recipient of the envelope and the extending end being arranged to be removed or folded over such that the insert can be contained entirely within the envelope and the extending flap member thereof folded over the open side to close the envelope.

2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the envelope contains a transparent window adjacent the open side whereof, whereby certain of the information contained on the said insert is visible through the window, the flap member being dimensioned to completely cover the window when the said flap member is folded over to close the open side of the envelope.

3. A combination according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the insert is normally retained within the envelope by frictional resistance between the envelope and the insert.

4. A combination according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the insert is normally retained within the envelope by means securing the end of the insert opposite the extending end to the inside of the envelope which means can be disengaged from the envelope by pulling on the extending section.

5. A combination according to claim 4 wherein the means securing the insert within the envelope comprises a tab secured to a side of the envelope and being perforated across its width, the perforations being broken by pulling on the extending end of the said insert to remove the insert from the envelope.

6. A combination according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the self-adhesive material on the flap is covered by a peel-off plastics material.

7. A combination according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the side of the envelope opposite the open side includes a removable stub a portion of which is coated with an adhesive material.

8. A combination according to claim 7 wherein the self-adhesive material on the said stub is covered with a peel-off plastics material.

9. An envelope-insert combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when used for attaching a penalty charge notice to a motor vehicle.

10. An envelope-insert combination substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawing.