U.S. patent application number 10/776722 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-11 for envelope with multiple pockets.
Invention is credited to Kranz, Richard.
Application Number | 20050173500 10/776722 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34827426 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050173500 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kranz, Richard |
August 11, 2005 |
Envelope with multiple pockets
Abstract
An envelope includes a rear panel and a front panel with a
closure flap. The front and rear panels are connected by an
expandable sidewalls formed by joining end flaps of the front and
rear panel. The sidewalls have an intermediate line of weakness
that allows bending and expansion. A liner is secured to the rear
panel and forms a relatively small pocket and a relatively large
pocket within the envelope. An additional pocket or receptacle is
joined to the rear panel. The envelope is especially suited for
receiving photographic film or digital storage means when delivered
to the retailer for processing and for returning photographic
prints, negatives and/or digital media to the consumer.
Inventors: |
Kranz, Richard; (Leawood,
KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LATHROP & GAGE LC
2345 GRAND AVENUE
SUITE 2800
KANSAS CITY
MO
64108
US
|
Family ID: |
34827426 |
Appl. No.: |
10/776722 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/72 ;
229/67.3; 229/67.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 31/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/072 ;
229/067.3; 229/067.4 |
International
Class: |
B65D 027/00 |
Claims
What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as
follows:
1. An envelope comprising: a) a front panel; b) a rear panel
connected to the front panel along bottom edges thereof; c) first
and second expandable side panels connecting said front and rear
panels along opposite sides thereof; d) an intermediate liner
secured to at least a portion of an inner surface of the rear panel
to form at least one pocket therebetween; and e) a receptacle
secured to the rear panel and extending generally forward thereof
as the envelope is presented in a folded condition.
2. The envelope according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate
liner defines two pockets on said rear panel, each of said two
pockets being operably sized and configured to hold one of a memory
module and a storage disk.
3. The envelope according to claim 1 wherein each of said
expandable side panels are constructed by joining a rear side flap
extending from the rear panel with a front side flap extending from
said front panel; for each side panel a first of said front side
flap and said rear side flap including an inner section and an
outer section joined by a folding line of weakness and the second
of said front side flap and said rear side flap being fixedly
joined to said outer section, being positioned inwardly of said
line of weakness relative to said envelope, and including a backing
strip extending on both sides of said line of weakness so that said
expandable side panels are urged to fold inwardly with respect to
the envelope when said front and rear panels are urged toward one
another and said expandable side panels are restricted from folding
outwardly by said backing strips.
4. The envelope according to claim 1 wherein said rear panel
includes at least one cutout at the top thereof, said cutout being
aligned with the at least one pocket to allow ease of use
thereof.
5. The envelope according to claim 1 wherein said front and rear
panels are connected along the bottom edges thereof by an
expandable bottom strip cooperating with said first and second
expandable sides and said intermediate expandable strip to allow
expansion of said envelope during usage.
6. The envelope according to claim 1 further comprising a closure
flap joined to said front panel for closing said envelope.
7. An envelope comprising: a) a rear panel having an inner surface;
b) a front panel connected to the rear panel along bottom edges
thereof; c) first and second side panels connecting said front and
rear panels along opposite sides thereof, said front panel, rear
panel and first and second side panels defining a first pocket
therebetween; d) a liner secured to the inner surface of the rear
panel, the liner being selectively secured to the rear panel to
define a second pocket and a third pocket between the liner and the
rear panel; and e) a closure flap joined to said front panel and
having an open position allowing access to said first pocket,
second pocket and third pocket and a closed position covering said
first pocket, second pocket and third pocket.
8. The envelope according to claim 6 wherein: a) said front and
rear panels are connected by expandable side and bottom strips and
said intermediate strip is expandable so as to allow expansion of
said envelope during usage.
9. The envelope according to claim 6 further comprising a back
pocket pivotally joined to the rear panel of the envelope such that
the back pocket hangs on the exterior side of the rear panel upon
the assembly of the envelope.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to an expandable envelope
having multiple, variously sized compartments to present the
customer properly-sized compartments for receiving various
photographic storage means, such as conventional film, disks, or
memory modules for deposing the storage means and for returning the
negatives to the customer.
[0002] Recently, many major technological breakthroughs in consumer
electronics have really built around the same basic process:
converting conventional analog information into digital
information. The digital camera is an example of this shift. All
digital cameras have a built-in computer and record images in an
entirely electronic form.
[0003] Early generations of digital cameras had fixed storage
inside the camera. You needed to connect the camera directly to a
computer by cables to transfer the images. Although most of today's
cameras are still capable of connection to a computer, they usually
provide the consumer with some sort of removable storage device.
There are a number of storage systems currently used in digital
cameras, such as: SmartMedia Cards, which are small flash memory
modules; CompactFlash, another form of a flash memory card, similar
to but slightly larger than SmartMedia cards; Memory Stick, a
proprietary form of flash memory used by Sony, or a disk, which are
small built-in hard disks, or PCMCIA hard-disk cards, for image
storage. Finally, some of digital cameras are using writeable CD
and DVD drives to store images.
[0004] The present photographic-development envelopes for receiving
and separate work pockets for returning film and negatives are
generally unsuited for the new digital format. The compartment for
the envelopes are too large for either the disk or flash memory
modules. This is undesirable because during handling the disks and
cards tend to float within the envelope, which may impair the
stored images. For example, the disk surface may get scratched due
to excessive movement within the envelope. This is especially true
if the consumer includes more than one form of film, i.e., when the
consumer includes both a disk storage device and a film canister in
the same compartment.
[0005] In addition to not being designed for memory modules and
disks, another concern for the photographic industry is the
numerous envelopes used in order to complete one process request. A
"counter bag" is commonly used for holding the film or photographic
negatives of a customer. These counter bags were typically
envelopes or pockets having a space for customer-identification
information and a tear-off strip with indicia that identifies the
customer's envelope. These envelopes are provided by the retail
store and either a clerk or the customer completes the
customer-identification section for processing.
[0006] The counter bag is then inserted in a separate envelope
referred to as a "print pocket" or "work pocket." The work pocket
is designed to carry the counter bags with the film, negatives,
memory stick, prints, or other from the retailer to the processing
laboratory. The work pocket includes information such as the
customer's requested processes, size and number of prints, disk or
other options. The work pocket further includes a
pocket-identification number, a claim check, which includes the
same pocket-identification number, the retail store information,
and the customer information. The work pocket is forwarded to a
photo-finishing laboratory. The work pocket accompanies the
customer's film or other work through the finishing process. Upon
completion, the negatives, memory module or other storage means is
placed in a negative pocket, which is inserted into a photo wallet
along with the prints and/or disk. The photo wallet is placed back
into the work pocket and returned to the retailer. The customer
then picks up the work pocket with the other envelopes inserted
therein. As is evident, this process requires numerous envelopes or
pockets.
[0007] Even retailers that provide in-house photo processing may
provide counter pockets of different sizes or shapes depending on
whether the customer is depositing film, negatives, prints or
memory modules. Upon completion of the processing, the retailer
inserts the negatives, memory module or other storage means in a
negative pocket, which is inserted into a photo wallet along with
the prints and/or disk. The photo wallet is placed back into the
original counter pocket and returned to the customer.
[0008] Consequently, it is desirable to have an envelope that is
suitable for the photographic business and, in particular, a single
envelope for receiving and returning photographic images stored on
any of various storage means, the underlining negatives, and in the
case of digital storage means, storage device itself to a customer
in a single envelope.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An envelope includes a front panel and a rear panel
connected at the bottom thereof so as to form an enclosure. An
expandable end wall is formed by extensions of the front and rear
panels on either side thereof. The expandable end walls are formed
by a double folded flap forming inner and outer portions joined to
the back panel and a flap joined to the front panel which allow
folding inward of the end wall relative to the remainder of the
envelope. In particular, the end wall is formed by joining the
outer portion of the rear wall flap to the front wall flap. The
envelope thus defines a first pocket.
[0010] A liner is secured to the rear panel. The liner is secured
by areas of adhesive and at the areas of nonadhesive define a
second comparatively smaller pocket and a third larger pocket.
[0011] A hinged back pocket is joined to the rear panel at a line
of weakness. The hinged back pocket is configured to hang on the
exterior surface of the rear panel and the receptacle defines a
fourth pocket.
[0012] The envelope further includes a cover panel which is
attached to the front panel and which extends over the top of the
envelope to enclose the small and large pockets from the top.
[0013] The envelope is especially useful for depositing, storing
and transporting photographs, memory modules, storage disks and
negatives.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the envelope subsequent to
construction of the envelope from the blank of FIG. 6 and showing
the envelope with the closure flap thereof open.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an envelope for use in
accordance with the present invention with all parts of the
envelope blank except the closure flap in a folded configuration
subsequent to manufacture of the blank.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the envelope shown in
FIG. 2 with the closure flap in an open configuration thereof.
[0017] FIG. 4 is an enlarged and fragmentary cross sectional view
of the envelope, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 5 is an enlarged and fragmentary cross sectional view
of the envelope, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of an envelope blank of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0021] The reference numeral 1 generally designates an envelope in
accordance with the present invention. A cut envelope blank 3 is
illustrated in FIG. 6 from which the envelope 1 is manufactured.
With reference to FIG. 6, the envelope blank 3 is constructed by
well-known methods of cutting from a larger single piece of paper
stock, web, or roll of paper, and various lines of weakness, which
facilitate folding along the lines, are formed on the envelope
blank 3 by conventional and well-known methods. It is to be
understood by those skilled in the art that lines of weakness may
be perforations, score lines or fold lines, or other lines that
weaken the blank in certain locations to enable the folding or
bending of a portion of the envelope.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 2 and as will be described in greater
detail below, the envelope 1 is constructed to have a pocket 47 to
enclose photographs, an additional pocket 79 to hold film
negatives, a third pocket to hold a storage disk 55, and a fourth
pocket to hold any of various digital flash memory modules 53.
[0023] The envelope 1, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a rear
panel 10, a front panel 11, a closure or seal flap 12, and a
negatives holder 13. The front panel and rear panel are connected
near a lower end thereof as seen in FIG. 1, by a bottom strip 15.
The bottom strip 15 is joined along each side thereof to the rear
panel 10 and front panel 11 at lines of weakness 16 and 17
respectively. There is also a center line of weakness 18 in the
bottom strip 15 that runs parallel to the lines of weakness 16 and
17. The strip 15 folds or bends at the lines 16, 17 and 18 to allow
expansion or compression of the envelope 1, that is, greater
spacing between or less spacing between the rear panel 10 and front
panel 11, respectively. As shown in the Figures, lines of weakness
16, 17, and 18 preferably are fold lines.
[0024] The rear panel 10 and front panel 11 are generally
rectangular in shape and are relatively parallel to one another
when the envelope is completed such as is shown in FIG. 1.
Preferably, the front panel is provided with an area for a
photo-finisher to provide any commentary regarding the requested
services or the quality of the print, or any other statements.
[0025] The closure flap 12 is attached to the upper side of the
front panel 11. The closure flap includes a top section 21 and a
front cover section 22. The top section 21 is connected to the
front panel 11 at a line of weakness 24. The top section 21 and
cover section 22 are likewise connected at a line of weakness 25.
There is also a center line of weakness 26 in the top section 21
that runs parallel to the lines of weakness 24 and 25. The lines of
weakness 24, 25 and 26 allow folding therealong so that the closure
flap 12 may be folded from an open configuration thereof to a
closed configuration along any of the lines of weakness. Lines of
weakness 25 and 26 likewise allows folding of the top section 21 so
as to be folded further relative to the cover section 22 to enable
the closure flap to be moved into the closed configuration when the
envelope is in an expanded mode, e.g., full of developed prints. As
shown in the Figures, lines of weakness 24, 25, and 26 preferably
are fold lines.
[0026] Cover section 22 preferably includes one or more areas 27 of
a releasable adhesive on n inner surface of cover section 22. The
adhesive areas 27 enable a consumer to seal the deposit envelope to
insure that the contents are secure. The outer surface of cover
section 22 of the closure flap preferably is provided with customer
identification blanks for the customer to write in when depositing
the envelope with the retailer.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 6, extending longitudinally from closure
flap 12 is a return receipt section 19 that is connected to the
closure flap at a line of weakness 20. Line of weakness 20 is
preferably perforated such that a consumer who is dropping off an
item to be developed, can remove this section. Preferably, this
section has a unique identification numeral printed thereon which
matches an identification number printed on either the front panel
or closure flap to match the person that delivered the item for
processing.
[0028] Extending laterally outward from each side of the front
panel 11 when the envelope is still in the blank 3 form, are a pair
of side flaps 29 and 30 (FIG. 6). The side flap 29 is joined to the
remainder of the front panel 11 at a line of weakness 31 and there
is a second line of weakness 32 which is parallel to the line 31
that substantially separates the side flap 29 into a first or inner
segment 33 and a second or outer segment 34 and facilitates folding
therebetween. Lines of weakness 31 and 32 preferably are fold
lines.
[0029] The side flap 30 is likewise joined along one side thereof
to the front panel 11 at a line of weakness 35 and has a second
line of weakness 36 parallel to the first line of weakness 35 and
which separates the side flap 30 into a first or inner segment 37
and a second or outer segment 38. As with the other lines of
weakness described herein the lines 35 and 36 allow and facilitate
relative folding of adjacent elements separated by the lines of
weakness. Lines of weakness 35 and 36 preferably are fold
lines.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, the rear panel 10 has laterally
extending side flaps 41 and 42. The side flap 41 is attached to the
rear panel 10 at a line of weakness 43 and the side panel 42 is
attached to the rear panel 10 at a line of weakness 44. Lines of
weakness 41 and 42 preferably are fold lines.
[0031] As best can be seen in FIG. 5, the front panel side flap 41
is fixedly joined with the back panel side flap outer segment 34 so
as to overlap therewith and to be positioned inside thereof
relative to the envelope 1. The side flap 41 is secured to the
segment 34 by an adhesive, such as glue, or the like. Likewise the
flap 42 is fixedly secured to the segment 38. In this manner the
side flaps 29 and 41 form an expandable sidewall 45 and the flaps
30 and 42 form an expandable sidewall 46.
[0032] A first pocket 47 is thus formed between the rear panel 10,
the front panel 11, the sidewalls 45 and 46 and the bottom strip
15. The first pocket 47 is generally completed by placing the
closure flap 12 in the closed configuration thereof.
[0033] A multiple pocket-forming intermediate liner 51 is attached
to the rear panel 10 and extends substantially between opposite
sides of this panel and from the top edge of the rear panel 10 to
line of weakness 16. The liner 51 defines on the rear panel of the
envelope a first comparatively small compartment 53 and another
comparatively large compartment 55. The liner 51, as can be seen in
FIG. 6 and in an end view in FIG. 4, is constructed of a
rectangular sheet of paper stock, stiff card or the like. An
adhesive is used to secure the liner 51 to the rear panel. As shown
in FIG. 6, the adhesive is applied in specific adhesive areas on
the rear panel to form the second pocket 53 and third pocket 55.
Specifically, second pocket 53 is formed by adhesive area 56
applied around an edge bottom and middle portion of rear panel 10.
The second pocket is operably sized and configured to receive a
digital memory module or similarly sized objects. The third pocked
is formed by the middle portion of adhesive area 56 and a second
adhesive area 57 positioned on the lower portion of the opposite
side of rear panel 10. This area 56 only extends a portion of the
height of rear panel 10. This configuration allows third pocket 55
to be operatively configured to receive a storage disk.
[0034] As used herein any directional connotations refer to the
envelope as aligned in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. That is, with the envelope
1 being generally upright and the rear panel 10 and front panel 11
being generally vertically aligned with the closure flap 12 at the
upper end of the envelope. While these specific directional
connotations are utilized herein to better describe the invention
relative to the drawings, it is foreseen that the envelope 1 can
assume a wide variety of alignments and is often used with the
front panel 11 positioned downwardly. Consequently, directional
connotations as used herein are for description purposes only and
are not intended to be limiting upon the scope of the
invention.
[0035] The rear panel 10 is formed with a pair of cutouts 65, 66 to
facilitate the insertion of cards or disks in or the removal of
cards or disks from the second and third pockets, 53, 55.
Particularly, a first cutout 65 is formed near the upper left-hand
corner of the rear panel 10, as is seen in FIG. 1. This cutout 65
is preferably positioned immediately in front of the second pocket
53 to allow easier access to the contents of the second pocket 53.
The second cutout 66 is preferably formed near the upper right-hand
corner of the rear panel to allow easier access to the third pocket
55.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, hinged back pocket 13 extends
longitudinally from rear panel 10 when the envelope is still in the
blank 3 form. The hinged back pocket 13 comprises
[0037] a rear section 71 and a front cover section 72. The rear
section 71 is connected to the rear panel 11 at a line of weakness
74. The rear section 71 and cover section 72 are likewise connected
at a line of weakness 75. The line of weakness 75 allows folding
therealong so that the front cover section 72 may be folded to face
rear section 71. The rear panel 10 and front panel 11 are generally
rectangular in shape and are relatively parallel to one another
when the envelope is completed such as is shown in FIG. 1. The
hinged back pocket 13 is preferable sized such that both the rear
section 71 and the front cover section 72 are smaller in height
than the front and rear panel, 10, 11, respectively.
[0038] Extending laterally outward from each side of the rear
section 71 of the hinged back pocket 13 are a pair of side flaps 76
and 78 (FIG. 6). The side flap 76 is joined to the remainder of the
rear section 71 at a line of weakness 80. Side flap 78 is likewise
joined along one side thereof to the rear section 71 at a line of
weakness 82. As with the other lines of weakness described herein
the lines 80 and 82 allow and facilitate relative folding of
adjacent elements separated by the lines of weakness.
[0039] As best can be seen in FIG. 5, the side flaps 76, 78 are
fixedly joined with the rear surface of front cover section 72 so
as to overlap therewith and to be positioned inside thereof
relative to the envelope 1. The side flaps 76, 78 are secured to
the front cover section 72 by an adhesive, such as glue, or the
like. In this manner, the rear section 71, front cover section 72,
and side flaps 76, 78 define the fourth pocket 79. The cover
section 22 of the closure flap 12 overlaps the hinged back pocket
13 in the closed position.
[0040] As discussed with rear panel 11, rear section 71 of the
hinged back pocket 13 is formed with cutouts 65, 66 to facilitate
the insertion of cards or disks in or the removal of cards or disks
from the second and third pockets, 53, 55. Particularly, first
cutout 65 is formed near the upper left-hand corner of the rear
section 71, as is seen in FIG. 1. This cutout 65 is preferably
positioned immediately in front of the second pocket 53 to allow
easier access to the contents of the second pocket 53. The second
cutout 66 is preferably formed near the upper right-hand corner of
the rear section 71 to allow easier access to the third pocket
55.
[0041] During use of the envelope 1, the envelope 1 is configured
as in FIG. 1 and the photographs (shown in ghost lines), the disk
(shown in ghost lines), the memory module (shown in ghost lines),
the negatives, or any combination thereof are placed in the
envelope 1. The closure flap 12 is closed and the customer
identification information is completed by the customer or
retailer. The return receipt section 19 is removed and the envelope
1 is then ready to be transferred by the retailer to a
photo-finishing developer.
[0042] In this fashion, the envelope 1 of the present invention
operates as a counter bag.
[0043] Upon receiving the prints, film, memory cards and/or compact
disk, the photo-finishing developer processes the requests and
inserts the prints in the first pocket 47, returns the flash memory
module, if provided, in the second pocket 53, inserts the disk, if
provided, in the third pocket 55, and places any negatives in the
fourth pocket 79. The developer then reseals the adhesive areas 27
on the rear panel and returns the packet to the retailer, who, in
turn, returns the envelope of the present invention to the
customer. In this fashion, the envelope 1 of the present invention
operates as a work bag.
[0044] It is to be understood that while certain forms of the
present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is
not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts
described and shown.
* * * * *