GB2432572A

GB2432572A - Fire retardant envelope

Info

Publication number: GB2432572A
Application number: GB0523959A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Kevin Boyd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-25
Filing date: 2005-11-25
Publication date: 2007-05-30
Also published as: GB0523959D0

Abstract

An envelope for storing important combustible documents, data or anything flammable which is fire retardant to the average fire and will protect the contents K from both fire and water damage. Preferably the envelope is tough, strong and tear resistant under normal postal conditions and may be reusable. The envelope may be constructed from soft fire retardant laminated fabric Y with a ceramic filling Z. Fire retardant fastenings such as metallic buttons L and loops M or bands J may be included. The envelope may comprise outer panels A, B, inner panels C, D and side flaps and may be used to post documents or data.

Description

1. 2432572 Fire retardant document or data storage medium The invention

relates to an envelope for document and/or data storage and/or postal that is fire retardant. The envelope is capable of withstanding a typical house or office fire to temperatures of up to 1000 degrees Celsius for up to 2 hours. The intention of the envelope is to preserve documents, papers, magnetic data storage and similar important materials from combustion or heat damage in a high temperature environment.

Fire retardant safes and filing cabinets have been around for a long time.

These products are expensive, inconvenient for everyday use, large and bulky, and often only used by businesses to protect important documents and data (i.e. Computer data backups) from fire. Fire retardant safes are also not very practical for everyday use and are often too small to hold large quantities of important documents, such as business information.

Few households have any form of fire protection for important documents and data such as; property deeds, passports, birth certificates, bank documents, computer backups, etc... A house fire can potentially lead to enormous problems concerning the loss of important paperwork.

Conventional envelopes are often used to store important household/office information, but these envelopes are as combustible as their contents and offer no protection from fire.

The objective of this invention is to provide users Ih a handy envelope which can store important documents and data which is fire retardant to the average fire and wilt protect the contents from both fire and water damage.

Because the envelope is of regular size, it can be kept handy and used regularly. It can also be stored locally to the user and filed in the area of use in normal filing conditions.

Another objective of this invention is that due to the nature of the invention being an envelope, it can be used to post important documents which will be able to withstand any encounters with fire in transit (such as vehicle/train/airplane fires, acts of terrorism, or postal service premises fires).

Another objective of this invention is that the envelope is simple to use, looks attractive in appearance and is simple to manufacture.

For general use, the invention provides a low cost, fire protection solution for everyday important documents, without the inconvenience of a large bulky safe being installed.

The essential feature of the invention is the fire retardant material from which it is made. The materials used have all been fully tested and rated by the 3 party manufacturer(s). Another key feature of the design is the template of the material (see diagram). This template is folded and seated to create a double protective layer of material on virtually all surfaces that could be exposed to fire and water. The final key feature of the invention is the method used to 2.

seal the seams. Fire retardant thread/staples are used to seal the edges and retain the integrity of the seal from being breeched by fire or water.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing(s); Figure 1 shows a front view of the assembled envelope sealed at the edges with bands to hold the front flap shut.

Figure IA shows an alternative, or additional closure device on the rear of the envelope, using two metallic buttons and a piece of wire to retain closure.

Figure 2 shows a view of the basic laminated fabric template once cut and prior to assembly of the envelope.

Figure 3 shows a section through the material template at X-X.

Figure 4 shows a view of the fabric template when viewed edge on.

Figure 5 shows a transparent view of the envelope once assembled and closed with contents inside.

As shown in Figure 1 the bands of material J are used as a mechanism for closing the envelope. The front panel A folds inside/underneath both these strips J at the front, under the base fold and back under the lower strip J at the rear of the envelope. Friction against these strips J prevents the flap A opening of its own accord. The opening flap A could also be secured closed by any other suitable manner without departing from the scope of this invention.

Figure IA shows such an alternative or additional closure mechanism whereby two metallic buttons L are bound together by a strip of metallic wire M at the rear of the envelope.

As shown in Figure 2 the main body of the envelope is made up of panels B and C. These panels form the opposed front and rear walls of the envelope and are connected along a fold at the envelope base.

Side flaps E,F,G and H are folded to form secondary sealing panels at the edges to help prevent any fire breeching this area of potential weakness.

Panel A forms a front flap which becomes the access into the envelope and can be opened and closed as much as required. This enables the envelope to be re-useable. Panel A is connected to B by an upper fold and folds down over the front of the envelope and back up the rear of the envelope to double protect the lower fold from fire.

Panel D forms an internal flap which is tucked in behind the contents, thus protecting the rear of the envelope further by creating a double fire retardant layer. This is more clearly seen in Figure 5. 3.

Figure 3 shows a section through the laminated fabric template at X-X. The fabric has an outer and inner layer of fire retardant material indicated by Y and these are both layers of the same material. The inner filling, Z is a layer of fire retardant ceramic cloth (or similar high temperature resistive fabric) which has good heat insulation properties and helps prevent heat transferring to the contents. The laminations of material are held together with fireproof thread.

Figure 4 shows an edge on view of the laminated fabric template, prior to final assembly. The outer fabric layers, V are show with the filler fabric 1. The inner fabric Z covers the entire length of the template in order to offer as many insulating layers of fabric as possible.

Figure 5 shows the side elevation of the envelope when it is closed up with contents inside. The hashed area Z shows the inner layer of insulation which forms the primary insulator in the invention. The outer layer V forms the flame barrier for the invention. The metallic buttons L are also shown on this drawing with the closure wire M. This forms an alternative or additional closure device. The envelope contents are indicated by K. 4.

Claims

Claims 1. A handy envelope which can store important combustible

documents and data (or anything flammable), which is fire retardant to the average fire and will protect the contents from both fire and water damage.

2. An envelope as claimed in claim I that will be water resistant and will keep the contents dry in case of the envelope being in contact with water.

3. An envelope as claimed in claim I that will be tough, strong and tear proof under normal, average postal conditions.

4. An envelope as claimed in claim 1 which is made from a fire retardant material and held together with other suitable fire retardant fastening systems.

5. An envelope as claimed in claim I that is re-useable.