GB2324785A - Two-envelope package formed from single blank - Google Patents

Abstract

A package, Figure 2, comprises an envelope 22 and a larger envelope 23 that are connected along an edge 24 formed by a fold line 5 of the single blank, Figure 1, from which the package is made. Once small items such as money or keys have been put in the smaller envelope 22, it can be sealed by pressing together self-adhesive areas 'a' and 'e' and inserted into the larger envelope 23 by folding around lines 1, 2 and 5.

Description

A package and a blank for a package.

Field of the Invention The invention relates to packages suitable for holding and separating items of different sizes such as documents and money or keys.

Background It is often required to package items of different sizes and shapes in the same package whilst keeping the items separate. When the items are simply placed together into the same package they may move around during transport of the package and damage to the items can occur as they move against each other.

Also, the items may be damaged when they are taken out of the package and may get jumbled up. This often occurs for example when sending photographs and negatives through the post, or plant seeds and catalogues. Problems are also experienced when storing documents and keys or money in the same package.

Another problem is that the package itself may be torn or ripped as items move about inside the package. Manufacture of the package should also be as simple and inexpensive as possible since such packages are intended for once-only use.

Double or multi-compartment cartons are known. For example, GB-2141998 describes a double carton for storing floppy discs. Whilst this type of carton fulfils the stated storage function it is not particularly suitable for sending correspondence andlor magazines through the post together with a floppy disc.

Another form of multi-compartment envelope is described in US4,192447...

Once again, whilst this envelope can be used to separate two items, such as photographs and negatives, it is not suitable for direct despatch through the mail service. These two specifications are the closest prior art known to the Applicant.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a package and a blank for a package which overcomes or at least mitigates one or more of the problems noted above.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a package suitable for holding and separating items of different sizes comprising: (i) a first and a second envelope preferably formed from a single sheet of material; (ii) two openings, one in each of said envelopes, said openings sharing a common edge; and wherein the first envelope is smaller than the second envelope and the first envelope is adapted to be folded inside the second envelope. This provides the advantage that small items such as keys or money can be held in the smaller first envelope, within the larger second envelope. The small items are held together and in the same place so that they do not move about during handling and transit of the package. This means that any larger items in the second envelope, such as documents, are less likely to become damaged.

Preferably, each envelope comprises a front panel and an adjoining back panel formed by folding said single sheet, said panels being secured together at opposing side edges. Also, the second envelope comprises a closing flap, extending from one end of the back panel of the second envelope and adapted to be folded over and close the opening in the second envelope. This means that the whole package can be sealed, with the smaller envelope inside so that it does not swivel or unfold out of the package during handling.

It is preferred that the closing flap incorporates an expanding fold such that in use, when the filled first envelope is folded inside the second envelope, the closing flap is able to cover and close the opening in the second envelope.

Advantageously, the envelopes are self-sealing. For example, the first envelope can comprise adhesive applied to inner edges of its opening such that the first envelope can be sealed by pressing the sides of its opening together.

The invention also provides a blank for producing a package comprising a first and a second envelope said blank comprising: for each of said envelopes a substantially rectanguiar front panel and a back panel connected to a first edge of the front panel and adapted to be folded so as to overlie said front panel; for each of said front panels, a second edge, opposite said first edge; and wherein the envelopes are connected via the front panels, the second edges of which are connected, and the front and back panels for one of the envelopes are smaller than those for the other envelope. This provides the advantage that one sheet of material such as cardboard, plastics material or the like can be used to form the package. This keeps manufacturing costs down.

Preferably, the blank further comprises a closing flap extending from one end of the back panel of the larger envelope. This enables the package to be sealed. It is also preferred that the panels for the smaller envelope are approximately one quarter the size of the panels for the larger envelope. This enables the smaller envelope to be easily folded or swivelled into the larger envelope. Advantageously, each individual panel or closing flap is divided from the adjoining panel or closing flap by an embossed or scored fold line. This helps to make assembly of the package from the blank simpier and also enables the package to be used easily.

Description of the drawings The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the front face of a blank for the package in which numbers 1 to 9 indicate fold lines, and letters a to j indicate surfaces. The hatching indicates self-sealing gummed areas where the solid lines are on the front face of the blank and the broken lines are on the back face.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the package or sachet when it is ready for use.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the package or sachet when it is fully sealed.

Description of preferred embodiments Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only. These examples represent the best ways of putting the invention into practice that are currently known to the Applicant although they are not the only ways in which this could be achieved.

Figure 2 shows a package that is ready for use. The package 21 has a first envelope 22 and a second envelope 23 that are connected along edge 24. The first envelope 22 is smaller than the second envelope 23 and is designed to be folded or swivelled inside the larger envelope. Figure 2 shows the situation when the smaller first envelope is outside the package. In this situation the package 21 is ready for use and items such as keys, or seeds can be placed into the smaller first envelope 22. The small first envelope 22 is then sealed by pressing adhesive surfaces a and e together. The sealed first envelope 22 is then placed into the larger second envelope 23 by swivelling the first envelope 22 about fold line 24. Larger items can also be placed into the second envelope 23. Once the first envelope 22 is inside the second envelope 23 then the second envelope can be sealed by pressing surface i onto surface f.

describe the blank Figure 1 shows the inner surface of a blank for constructing the package or sachet. The blank is formed from a single sheet of material such as card, paper or flexible plastics material. Any other suitable material can also be used. The blank is divided up into panels, flaps or surfaces indicated by the letters a to j in figure 1.

These panels, flaps or surfaces are separated from each other by fold lines 1 to 9.

For example, these can be embossed or scored into the sheet of material. The larger second envelope is formed from panels i, j, g, f, and h. The smaller second envelope is formed from panels a, b, c, d, and e. Each envelope has a front and a back panel. For the smaller first envelope the front panel is shown as d and the back panel as b. For the larger second envelope the front panel is shown as f and the back panel as g. Figure 1 shows that the front and back panels for each envelope are adjoining. The larger second envelope has a closing flap indicated by surfaces i and j. Each envelope has an opening and the envelopes are connected along part of the edges of these openings 24.

The blank is assembled into a package as described below and as shown in figure 1.

1. Surface a is folded along line 1 onto the outer side of the blank.

2. Surface d is folded along line 2 to lie on top of surface e and then unfolded again.

3. Surface b is folded along line 3 to lie on top of surface d.

4. Surfaces c are folded over at lines 4 and secured to surface b to form the first envelope or pocket.

5. Surface e is folded under at line 5 to lie below surface f together with the rest of the pocket or first envelope.

6. Surfaces i and j are folded over at line 6 to lie on top of surface g and are then unfolded and straightened out again.

7. Surface i is folded over at line 7 to lie on top of surface j.

8. Surface f is folded over at line 8 to lie on top of surface g.

9. Surface h are folded under at lines 9 and secured to surface g to form the second envelope or pocket.

Once the sachet or packet has been assembled it can be used as described below.

Objects that are to be held in the small envelope or pocket are inserted into this pocket. For example, these could be valuable items or items that may damage the contents of the larger envelope. The small envelope is then sealed by pressing surface a to surface e. The small pocket or envelope is then folded over along lines 1 and 2 as shown in figure 2. The small envelope is fed into the large envelope by swivelling or folding it about lines 1 and 2 as well as line 5. After items have been inserted into the large envelope or pocket surfaces i and j are unfolded or extended and drawn over the opening in the large envelope in order to seal the package.

Surfaces i and j are folded about line 6 and surface i is sealed against surface f.

The package 21 is then sealed and ready for handling as shown in figure 3.

It is not essential for the envelopes to be self-sealing. Any other conventional means for sealing the envelopes can be used.

The package can be used for holding and separating items of different sizes such as keys and documents, or seeds and a catalogue. Examples of uses for the package include: work packets, job packets, seeds through mail order, photographs and negatives sent in the post, money, keys, anything needed to be kept apart, collections for charities with catalogue, valentine card and novelty, X-ray and report etc.

Claims (12)

1. A package suitable for holding and separating items of different sizes comprising: (I) a first and a second envelope formed from a single sheet of material; (ii) two openings, one in each of said envelopes, said openings sharing a common edge; and wherein the first envelope is smaller than the second envelope and the first envelope is adapted to be folded inside the second envelope.

2. A package as claimed in claim 1 wherein each envelope comprises a front panel and an adjoining back panel formed by folding said single sheet, said panels being secured together at opposing side edges.

3. A package as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the second envelope comprises a closing flap, extending from one end of the back panel of the second envelope and adapted to be folded over and close the opening in the second envelope.

4. A package as claimed in claim 3 wherein the closing flap incorporates an expanding fold such that in use, when the filled first envelope is folded inside the second envelope, the closing flap is able to cover and close the opening in the second envelope.

5. A package as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the envelopes are self-sealing.

6. A package as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first envelope comprises adhesive applied to inner edges of its opening such that the first envelope can be sealed by pressing the sides of its opening together.

7. A blank for producing a package comprising a first and a second envelope said blank comprising: for each of said envelopes a substantially rectangular front panel and a back panel connected to a first edge of the front panel and adapted to be folded so as to overlie said front panel; for each of said front panels, a second edge, opposite said first edge; and wherein the envelopes are connected via the front panels, the second edges of which are connected, and the front and back panels for one of the envelopes are smaller than those for the other envelope.

8. A blank as claimed in claim 7 which further comprises a closing flap extending from one end of the back panel of the larger envelope.

9. A blank as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the panels for the smaller envelope are approximately one quarter the size of the panels for the larger envelope.

10. A blank as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9 wherein each individual panel or closing flap is divided from the adjoining panel or closing flap by an embossed or scored fold line.

11. A package substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any combination of the accompanying drawings.

12. A blank substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.