GB2323350A

GB2323350A - Easy-open envelope

Info

Publication number: GB2323350A
Application number: GB9806040A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Votor Manuel Jesus Sarmento
Original assignee: PAPELARIA FERNANDES IND STRIA
Current assignee: PAPELARIA FERNANDES IND STRIA
Priority date: 1997-03-20
Filing date: 1998-03-20
Publication date: 1998-09-23
Also published as: DE19812405A1; PT9367T; FR2761050A1; GB9806040D0

Abstract

An easy-open envelope has an adhesive zone 3 for closure, its adhesive being protected by a releasable strip 4 prior to use, and at least one rectilinear line 9 of perforations whereby the envelope can be opened by tearing along said line starting from either of its ends. The line(s) of perforations may be in the flap 2 or the body 5 of the envelope. As shown, a single perforated line 8, 9 defines the lower edge of a tearaway portion 7 of the envelope body to which the adhesive zone 3 is stuck. Alternatively, Figure 3, a tearaway strip (10) may be defined in the envelope flap 2 by a parallel pair of lines of perforations (9) extending the full width of the flap with pull tabs extending from each end. It is evident if any attempt has been made to open the envelope.

Description

ENVELOPE WITH EASY TO OPEN TAMPER-PROOF SYSTEM This invention refers to an envelope with an easy to open tamper-proof system.

Certain tamper-proof opening systems for envelopes are already known.

Amongst the envelopes of the prior art which feature such systems, the most relevant is the one shown in Figure 1 which contains a strip on the back of same with duly weakened serrated tear lines 20. One of the main disadvantages of this system is the fact that the tearing can only be done from right to left in virtue of the inclination of the serrated part, and this requires more complex and thus more expensive marking and cutting instruments.

In order to overcome and minimise these problems, the applicant has designed a system in which the serrated part is substituted by a weakened line formed by uniformly spaced perforations, which make up a rectilinear tear line which can be opened either from left to right or from right to left. Obviously, the marking or cutting instruments used to make the tear line are considerably cheaper than those necessary for the corresponding operation in envelopes of the prior art.

For a better understanding of the description which follows, drawings are attached hereto, without any restrictive character, in which: Figure 1 represents an opened envelope with an opening system of the prior art; and Figure 2 represents an envelope which is the subject matter of the invention.

Figure 3 represents a different embodiment of the envelope which is the subject matter of the invention.

As you can observe, the envelope 1 which is the subject matter of the invention has the same shape as the traditional envelopes already known; there is an adhesive zone 3 on the upper flap 2 which is duly protected by a removable strip 4. When the flap 2 is pressed down onto the main part 5 of the envelope, by using the fold 6, the aforementioned adhesive zone 3 will be on top of a weakened zone 7 which is trapezoidal in shape, but which is part of the envelope 1. This zone 7 contains a tear line 8 duly weakened by the insertion of perforations 9 made by the appropriate marking or cutting instrument. As soon as the protective strip 4 is removed to close the envelope, the upper flap 2 can be stuck to the main part of the envelope 1.

Once the aforementioned zone 3 is stuck to the weakened area 7, the envelope remains closed. In order to start opening same, it is necessary to life the flap 2 which results in the tearing and complete serration of the area 7, to which the adhesive zone 3 remains stuck. The opening is easily made along the tear line 8 as this is duly prepared for this purpose by the insertion of perforations 9. It can be opened in any direction, i.e. from left to right or from right to left. It is easy to verify and guarantee that the envelope has not been tampered with before it is opened by the addressee. In fact, not only does this system not permit the envelope to be restuck as the adhesive zone 3 remains on the non-removable tearaway area after it has been opened, but it also reveals any opening by the tearing of the area 7 which is stuck to the adhesive zone 3 of the flap 2 and not fixed by the perforations to the main part of the envelope.

Figure 3 represents another embodiment of the model. In this case, the envelope 1 also features an upper flap 2, and an adhesive zone 3 duly protected by a removable strip 4. The aforementioned flap 2 contains a weakened area made by a strip 10 perfectly marked out by the insertion of perforations 9.

When the flap 2 is pressed down onto the main part 5 of the envelope, by using the fold 6, the aforementioned adhesive zone will be on top of the main part 5 of the envelope 1. As soon as the protective strip 4 is removed to close the envelope, the upper flap 2 can be stuck to the main part 5 of the envelope 1. In order to open the envelope, it is necessary to lift the whole of the strip 10 and remove it totally from the flap 2. Any attempt at opening by the adhesive zone also results in the separation of at least the lower part of the strip 10 by the perforations 9.

The invention which is described based on Figures 2 and 3 shall not be limited to the above embodiments. There are possible alternatives to the preferred embodiments, namely as regards the dimensions of same, which do not change the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Envelope with easy to open tamper-proof system of the type which features an adhesive zone protected by a removable strip and a duly weakened tearaway zone, characterised in that it consists of a rectilinear weakened line composed of perforations uniformly distributed along a lower edge of the tearaway zone, which permits an easy opening of the envelope either from left to right or from right to left.

2. Easy to open envelope, in accordance with the above claim, characterised by the fact that the weakened tearaway zone may be composed of a strip immediately stuck onto the adhesive zone and which is protected. This strip is perfectly marked out by the insertion of perforations.

3. A tamper-evident envelope including a flap which bears an adhesive area covered by a removable strip of release material and which may be folded over, after removal of the release material, to bring the adhesive area into adhesive contact with a region of the body ofthe envelope, the flap or the said region of the body of the envelope including a weakened tearaway zone defined by at least one rectilinear line of perforations, whereby the envelope may be readily opened from either side but opening results in tearing along the line of perforations.

4. An envelope as claimed in Claim 3 in which the weakened tearaway zone extends across the entire width of the flap between the adhesive area and the line about which the flap may be folded over.