U.S. patent application number 10/002692 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-11 for hazardous materials safe envelope.
Invention is credited to Weisenberg, Arlene, Weisenberg, Henry.
Application Number | 20040046009 10/002692 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31989862 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040046009 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weisenberg, Arlene ; et
al. |
March 11, 2004 |
Hazardous materials safe envelope
Abstract
A hazardous materials safe envelope having holes permitting
atmospheric communication between the interior and exterior of the
envelope. Such holes reduce the risk of the use of a sealed
envelope to transport hazardous materials (i.e. biological or
chemical agents) through the United States Postal Service or other
similar courier.
Inventors: |
Weisenberg, Arlene; (Simi
Valley, CA) ; Weisenberg, Henry; (Simi Valley,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Joseph A. Yanny
Yanny & Smith
1925 Century Park East, Suite 1260
Los Angeles
CA
90067
US
|
Family ID: |
31989862 |
Appl. No.: |
10/002692 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/68.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 27/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/068.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 027/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1) A hazardous materials safe envelope comprising: a standard
envelope having two or more edges, two or more corners, an interior
surface, an exterior surface, a front panel, a first side panel, a
second side panel, a back panel, and a closure panel; an adhesive
strip on the interior surface of the closure panel; and one or more
holes in one or more of said front panel, said first side panel,
said second side panel, said back panel, and said closure
panel.
2) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 1 wherein said
holes are located in close proximity to said two or more edges of
the envelope.
3) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 1 wherein said
holes are located in close proximity to said two or more corners of
the envelope.
4) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 1 wherein said
holes are located in close proximity to said two or more edges and
said two or more corners of the envelope.
5) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 1 wherein said
holes are located in immediate proximity to said two or more edges
of the envelope.
6) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 1 wherein said
holes are located in immediate proximity to said two or more
corners of the envelope.
7) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 1 wherein said
holes are located in immediate proximity to said two or more edges
and said two or more corners of the envelope.
8) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 1 wherein said
holes are located such that the holes are bisected by one of said
edges of the envelope.
9) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 1 wherein said
holes are located such that the holes are bisected by one of said
corners of the envelope.
10) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 1 wherein said
holes are located such that the holes are bisected by one of said
edges or one of said corners of the envelope.
11) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 1 wherein said
adhesive strip comprises a self-adhesive material.
12) A hazardous materials safe envelope comprising: a standard
envelope having two or more edges, two or more corners, an interior
surface, an exterior surface, a front panel, a first side panel, a
second side panel, a back panel, and a closure panel; an adhesive
strip on the interior surface of the closure panel; one or more
holes in one or more of said front panel, said first side panel,
said second side panel, said back panel, and said closure panel;
and said holes are located in close proximity to said two or more
edges of the envelope.
13) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 12 wherein said
holes are also located in close proximity to said two or more
corners of the envelope.
14) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 12 wherein said
adhesive strip comprises a self-adhesive material.
15) A hazardous materials safe envelope comprising: a standard
envelope having two or more edges, two or more corners, an interior
surface, an exterior surface, a front panel, a first side panel, a
second side panel, a back panel, and a closure panel; an adhesive
strip on the interior surface of the closure panel; one or more
holes in one or more of said front panel, said first side panel,
said second side panel, said back panel, and said closure panel;
and said holes are located in immediate proximity to said two or
more edges of the envelope.
16) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 15 wherein said
holes are also located in immediate proximity to said two or more
edges and said two or more corners of the envelope.
17) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 15 wherein said
adhesive strip comprises a self-adhesive material.
18) A hazardous materials safe envelope comprising: a standard
envelope having two or more edges, two or more corners, an interior
surface, an exterior surface, a front panel, a first side panel, a
second side panel, a back panel, and a closure panel; an adhesive
strip on the interior surface of the closure panel; one or more
holes in one or more of said front panel, said first side panel,
said second side panel, said back panel, and said closure panel;
and said holes are located such that the holes are bisected by one
of said edges of the envelope.
19) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 18 wherein said
holes are also located such that the holes are bisected by one of
said corners of the envelope.
20) The hazardous materials safe envelope of claim 18 wherein said
adhesive strip comprises a self-adhesive material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Description of Related Art
[0004] An envelope is a container, commonly made from paper,
designed to enclose materials for delivery or transport by the
United States Postal Service or other type of courier.
Traditionally, envelopes are opaque and completely seal the
contents from external access prior to the opening of the envelope
by the intended recipient. Such features provide adequate
assurances of privacy and security concerns in the contents of an
envelope.
[0005] Recent events in the world perceived as terrorist actions
have raised health and safety concerns over the contents of an
envelope. Such health safety concerns address the possibility that
a person sending an envelope by U.S. Postal Service or other
courier may enclose a hazardous material therein (i.e. biological
or chemical agent) designed to be released and cause exposure when
the envelope is opened.
[0006] 2. Field of the Invention
[0007] The present invention addresses health safety concerns by
providing an envelope that possesses one or more holes through the
panels of the envelope. The holes are arranged around the panels of
the envelope to greatly reduce the risk of a hazardous material
being contained therein.
[0008] The holes are of such size to provide ready airborne
communication between the inside and outside of a sealed envelope,
while still providing security and privacy. Security and privacy
are maintained by providing holes which are sufficiently small
enough to prevent (i) the removal of materials and (ii) observation
of the majority of information contained in the envelope. The holes
should be of sufficient size to still permit the passage of any
potentially hazardous material (i.e. powdered form of biological or
chemical agent).
[0009] Such holes are generally positioned in close proximity to
the edges of the envelope so that any hazardous material placed
near the edge of the envelope will still be subject to being
released through the holes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The main advantage of this invention is to provide an
envelope that reduces the risk of transmitting hazardous materials
while still providing privacy and security.
[0011] It is another advantage of this invention to provide an
envelope that provides increased comfort and peace of mind to both
couriers and recipients when handling sealed envelopes.
[0012] It is a further advantage of this invention to provide an
envelope that will prevent a person from sealing a hazardous
material agent therein without greatly increasing the risk of
exposure to himself.
[0013] It is still a further advantage of this invention to provide
an envelope that will provide the above benefits and will still
function in the sorting machines commonly used by the U.S. Postal
Service or other common courier services.
[0014] According to the present invention, any envelope may be
manufactured or prepared having holes to allow the passage of
materials from the inside to the outside of the envelope in
accordance with the teachings of this invention. Examples of two
styles of envelope with which the present invention is compatible
are: (i) the standard letter style envelope of varying sizes
ranging from 35/8".times.61/2" to 41/8".times.91/2"; and (ii) the
standard catalog/clasp style envelope of varying sizes ranging from
6".times.9" to 12".times.151/2". Envelopes of these types commonly
consist of a single sheet of paper divided into a front panel, a
back panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a closure
panel. Each such panel has an interior and an exterior surface.
[0015] Using either style of envelope, the present invention is
manufactured or prepared with one or more holes punched in the one
or more of the panels of the envelope. The holes may be of any size
or shape but are preferably made by a standard hole punch device.
In alternate embodiments, the holes may be shaped with a slight
bell curve to present less of a sharp edge and present less
opportunity for jamming in mail sorting machines. The holes should
be large enough to prevent sealing in of hazardous materials (i.e.
powdered biological or chemical agents) while still providing
adequate security and privacy.
[0016] There are three preferred embodiments of the envelope of the
present invention relating to varying placement of the holes around
the envelope. In the first preferred embodiment, the holes are
placed so that the edges or corners between two or more of the
panels bisect the hole. In the second preferred embodiment, the
holes are placed adjacent to the edges and corners between two or
more of the panels such that the edge is uninterrupted. In the
third preferred embodiment, the holes are placed in close proximity
to the edges and corners between two or more of the panels but
spaced from the edge such that the holes do not weaken the envelope
structure near the edge.
[0017] The holes in the envelope prevent unscrupulous persons from
using the United States Postal System or other courier service to
transmit hazardous materials by causing any hazardous materials
contained in the envelope to be likely exposed and released,
thereby lessening the likelihood of unknown contamination. While
this application describes three preferred embodiments, a person
skilled in the art will recognize that the principals can apply to
any other arrangement of holes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1a shows a front view of a standard letter style
envelope
[0019] FIG. 1b shows a back view of a standard letter style
envelope
[0020] FIG. 2 shows an unassembled view of a standard letter style
envelope
[0021] FIG. 3a shows a front view of a standard catalog/clasp style
envelope
[0022] FIG. 3b shows a back view of a standard catalog/clasp style
envelope
[0023] FIG. 4 shows an unassembled view of a standard catalog/clasp
style envelope
[0024] FIG. 5a shows a front view of the first preferred embodiment
using a standard letter style envelope
[0025] FIG. 5b shows a back view of the first preferred embodiment
using a standard letter style envelope
[0026] FIG. 6a shows a front view of the second preferred
embodiment using a standard letter style envelope
[0027] FIG. 6b shows a back view of the second preferred embodiment
using a standard letter style envelope
[0028] FIG. 7a shows a front view of the third preferred embodiment
using a standard letter style envelope
[0029] FIG. 7b shows a back view of the third preferred embodiment
using a standard letter style envelope
[0030] FIG. 8 shows a back view of the first preferred embodiment
using a standard catalog/clasp style envelope
[0031] FIG. 9 shows a back view of the second preferred embodiment
using a standard catalog/clasp style envelope
[0032] FIG. 10 shows a back view of the third preferred embodiment
using a standard catalog/clasp style envelope
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] The invention described herein presents a structure for
providing a hazardous materials safe envelope (10), to provide
protection and peace of mind in these times of heightened awareness
and security regarding the potential for transmitting hazardous
materials through the United States Postal Service or other
courier.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 2, the design and arrangement
of a standard letter style envelope (10) is shown. The envelope
(10) may be of varying sizes ranging from 35/8".times.61/2" to
41/8".times.91/2". Envelopes (10) of this type commonly consist of
a single sheet of paper divided into a front panel (20), a back
panel (30), a first side panel (40), a second side panel (50), and
a closure panel (60). Each such panel has an interior surface (22,
32, 42, 52, 62) and an exterior surface (24, 34, 44, 54, 64).
[0035] In forming the envelope (10), the first and second side
panels (40, 50) are hingedly connected to first and second side
edges (26, 27) of the front panel (20). The first and second side
panels (40, 50) are folded over such that the interior surface (42)
of the first side panel (40) and the interior surface (52) of the
second side panel (50) are adjacent to the interior surface (22) of
the front panel (20). The back panel (30) is hingedly connected to
bottom edge (28) of the front panel (20). The back panel is folded
over such that the interior surface (32) of the back panel abuts at
least a portion of the exterior surface (44) of the first side
panel (40) and at least a portion of the exterior surface (54) of
the second side panel (50). The interior surface (32) of the back
panel (30) is secured, commonly by adhesive, to at least a portion
of the exterior surface (44) of the first side panel (40) and at
least a portion of the exterior surface (54) of the second side
panel (50), thereby creating a pocket on the interior (12) of the
envelope (10).
[0036] To seal the envelope (10), the closure panel (60) is
hingedly connected to top edge (29) of the front panel (20). The
closure panel (60) may be folded over such that the interior
surface (62) of the closure panel (60) overlaps at least a portion
of the exterior surface (44) of the first side panel (40), at least
a portion of the exterior surface (54) of the second side panel
(50) and at least a portion of the exterior surface (34) of the
back panel (30). This overlap between the closure panel (60) and
each of the first side panel (40), the second side panel (50), and
the back panel (30) may be sealed using an adhesive, typically
glue, which must be moistened or may be self-adhesive. In this way,
the interior (12) of the envelope (10) is sealed from the exterior
(14) of the envelope (10).
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 4, the design and arrangement
of a catalog/clasp style envelope (10) is shown. The envelope (10)
may be of varying sizes ranging from 6".times.9" to
12".times.151/2". Envelopes (10) of this style are formed in and
operate in a manner similar to the standard letter style envelopes
with a few exceptions. In the catalog/clasp style envelope (10),
the interior surface (62) of the closure panel (60) typically only
overlaps at least a portion of the exterior surface (44) of the
first side panel (40) and at least a portion of the exterior
surface (54) of the second side panel (50). However, the closure
panel (60) is typically too distant to cover any portion of the
exterior surface (34) of the back panel (30). In addition, the
closure panel (60) may include an opening (66) designed to engage a
metal clasp (68) placed on either the exterior surface (44) of the
first side panel (40) or the exterior surface (54) of the second
side panel (50).
[0038] The various embodiments of the present invention comprise
placing holes around the surface of an envelope (10) to permit the
passage of materials from the interior (12) of the envelope (10) to
the exterior (14) of the envelope (10). The holes (16) may be of
any size or shape but are preferably made by a standard hole punch
device. In alternate embodiments, the holes (16) may be shaped with
a slight bell curve to present less of a sharp edge and present
less opportunity for jamming in mail sorting machines. The holes
(16) must be large enough to prevent sealing in of hazardous
materials (i.e. powdered biological or chemical agents) while still
providing adequate security and privacy.
[0039] Each of FIGS. 1b, 2, 3b, and 4 depict two different styles
of envelope (10) for use in the present invention. Each style of
envelope (10) depicted bears an adhesive strip (65) on the interior
surface (62) of the closure panel (60). This adhesive strip (65)
may take one of multiple forms. The first form of adhesive strip
(65) may consist of a dry layer of adhesive which may be moistened
to become sticky. A second form of adhesive strip (65) may consist
of a self adhesive layer which is not dry and need not be
moistened. Both types of adhesive strip (65) are known in the
art.
[0040] FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 8, depict the first preferred embodiment
of the present invention in use with either: (i) standard letter
style envelopes (FIGS. 5a and 5b); or (ii) catalog/clasp style
envelopes (FIG. 8). This embodiment of the present invention is
manufactured or prepared with one or more holes (16) punched in one
or more of the panels of the envelope (10). The holes (16) are
placed such that the edge line (18) or corner line (18) formed
between two or more panels bisects the hole (16). This arrangement
of holes (16) presents the greatest likelihood that any powdery or
granular hazardous material placed inside the envelope (10) will
pour out of one or more of the holes (16). A disadvantage to this
arrangement of holes is that the gaps or interruptions in the edge
lines (18) or corner lines (18) may cause the envelope (10) to
catch or jam in mail sorting machines.
[0041] FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 9 depict the second preferred embodiment
of the present invention in use with either: (i) standard letter
style envelopes (FIGS. 6a and 6b); or (ii) catalog/clasp style
envelopes (FIG. 9). This embodiment of the present invention is
manufactured or prepared with one or more holes (16) punched in one
or more of the panels of the envelope (10). The holes (16) are
placed in immediate proximity to the edges (18) or corners (18)
formed between two or more of the panels such that the edge (18) or
corner (18) is uninterrupted. Ideally, the holes (16) will be
adjacent to the edges (18) or corners (18) of the envelope (10)
such that the perimeter of the circle is tangentially close to the
edges (18) or corners (18).
[0042] This placement of holes (16) presents an increased
likelihood, over an unpunched envelope, that any powdery or
granular hazardous material placed inside the envelope (10) will
pour out of one or more of the holes (16). A disadvantage to this
arrangement of holes (16) is that the thin strip of material left
at the edges (18) or corners (18) may tear resulting in gaps or
interruptions in the edge lines (18) or corner lines (18)
potentially causing the envelope (10) to catch or jam in mail
sorting machines. In addition, a tear of this thin strip of
material and a subsequent jam in a sorting machine may result in a
substantially greater tear and a compromise of security or
privacy.
[0043] FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 10, depict the third preferred embodiment
of the present invention in use with either: (i) standard letter
style envelopes (FIGS. 7a and 7b); or (ii) catalog/clasp style
envelopes (FIG. 10). This embodiment of the present invention is
manufactured or prepared with one or more holes (16) punched in one
or more of the panels of the envelope (10). The holes (16) are
placed in close proximity to the edges (18) or corners (18) formed
between two or more of the panels. Ideally, the holes (16) will be
spaced a short distance from the edges (18) and corners (18) such
that the holes (16) do not weaken the envelope (10) structure near
the edges (18) or corners (18). This short distance should in no
event be greater than one-quarter of the distance from edge (18) to
opposite edge (18).
[0044] This placement of holes (16) presents an increased
likelihood, over an unpunched envelope, that any powdery or
granular hazardous material placed inside the envelope (10) will
pour out of one or more of the holes (16). However, the holes (16)
are spaced sufficiently from the edges (18) and corners (18) such
that if a foreign powdery or granular hazardous material is placed
in the interior (12) of the envelope (10), a small percentage of
such powdery or granular hazardous material may remain in the
envelope in the space between the holes (16) and the edges (18) or
corners (18). The arrangement of holes (16) provides the greatest
reliability in the stability of the holes (16) and the envelope
(10) while passing through a mail sorting machine. With the added
space between the holes (16) and the edges (18) and corners (18), a
tear and subsequent jam in a sorting machine is less likely to
occur.
[0045] In any of the above described embodiments, the envelope (10)
may also be prepared with a notice (not shown) printed on the
exterior surface (14) notifying the carrier and/or recipient that
the envelope is a hazardous materials safe envelope (10) designed
to protect the carrier and recipient and bring the carrier and
recipient peace of mind.
[0046] Each of the above described embodiments is capable of being
used in envelope styles other that those depicted. A skilled
artisan will recognize that each embodiment could be used on its
own or in combination with any of the other embodiments in various
envelope styles.
[0047] The above-described preferred embodiments are intended to
illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit its
scope. Other embodiments and variations of these preferred
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *