U.S. patent application number 10/826594 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-20 for envelope adhesives with flavors and scents.
Invention is credited to Belbis, Manuel, Johnson, Gregory L..
Application Number | 20050230459 10/826594 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35095263 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050230459 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson, Gregory L. ; et
al. |
October 20, 2005 |
Envelope adhesives with flavors and scents
Abstract
An envelope adhesive, in an exemplary embodiment, includes a
polymeric material, a flavor substance that produces a
predetermined taste upon application of moisture to the envelope
adhesive material, and a fragrance corresponding to the flavor.
Inventors: |
Johnson, Gregory L.;
(Wilmette, IL) ; Belbis, Manuel; (Palos Hills,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John S. Beulick
Armstrong Teasdale LLP
Suite 2600
One Metropolitan Square
St. Louis
MO
63102
US
|
Family ID: |
35095263 |
Appl. No.: |
10/826594 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2203/12 20130101;
B65D 27/00 20130101; B65D 27/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/080 |
International
Class: |
B65D 027/14 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An envelope adhesive material comprising: a polymeric material;
a flavor substance that produces a predetermined taste upon
application of moisture to said envelope adhesive material; and a
fragrance corresponding to said flavor.
2. An envelope adhesive in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
flavor comprises at least one of popcorn flavor, chocolate flavor,
cinnamon flavor, lemon flavor, orange flavor, peppermint flavor,
pumpkin flavor, strawberry flavor, apple flavor, and vanilla
flavor.
3. An envelope adhesive in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
fragrance comprises at least one of popcorn fragrance, chocolate
fragrance, cinnamon fragrance, lemon fragrance, orange fragrance,
peppermint fragrance, pumpkin fragrance, strawberry fragrance,
apple fragrance, and vanilla fragrance.
4. An envelope adhesive in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
polymeric material comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate
copolymer.
5. An envelope comprising: a seal flap; and an adhesive covering at
least a portion of said seal flap for sealing said envelope, said
adhesive comprising: a polymeric material; a flavor substance that
produces a predetermined taste upon application of moisture to said
envelope adhesive material; and a fragrance corresponding to said
flavor.
6. An envelope in accordance with claim 5 wherein said flavor
comprises at least one of popcorn flavor, chocolate flavor,
cinnamon flavor, lemon flavor, orange flavor, peppermint flavor,
pumpkin flavor, strawberry flavor, apple flavor, and vanilla
flavor.
7. An envelope in accordance with claim 5 wherein said fragrance
comprises at least one of popcorn fragrance, chocolate fragrance,
cinnamon fragrance, lemon fragrance, orange fragrance, peppermint
fragrance, pumpkin fragrance, strawberry fragrance, apple
fragrance, and vanilla fragrance.
8. An envelope in accordance with claim 5 wherein said polymeric
material comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.
9. An envelope comprising: a front panel; a rear panel; a seal
flap; and an adhesive covering at least a portion of said seal flap
for sealing said envelope, said adhesive comprising: a polymeric
material; a flavor substance that produces a predetermined taste
upon application of moisture to said envelope adhesive material,
said flavor comprises at least one of popcorn flavor, chocolate
flavor, cinnamon flavor, lemon flavor, orange flavor, peppermint
flavor, pumpkin flavor, strawberry flavor, apple flavor, and
vanilla flavor; and a fragrance corresponding to said flavor.
10. An envelope in accordance with claim 9 wherein said fragrance
comprises at least one of popcorn fragrance, chocolate fragrance,
cinnamon fragrance, lemon fragrance, orange fragrance, peppermint
fragrance, pumpkin fragrance, strawberry fragrance, apple
fragrance, and vanilla fragrance.
11. An envelope in accordance with claim 9 wherein said polymeric
material comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.
12. A method of fabricating an envelope comprising: providing a
substrate; forming an envelope blank from the substrate, the
envelope blank comprising a front panel, a rear panel secured to
the front panel, a seal flap secured to the front panel, and two
side panels secured to opposing sides of the front panel; applying
an adhesive gum to at least a portion of the seal flap; folding the
rear panel; and securing the rear panel to the two side flaps; the
adhesive gum comprising: a polymeric material; a flavor substance
that produces a predetermined taste upon application of moisture to
the envelope adhesive material; and a fragrance corresponding to
the flavor.
13. An method in accordance with claim 12 wherein the flavor
comprises at least one of popcorn flavor, chocolate flavor,
cinnamon flavor, lemon flavor, orange flavor, peppermint flavor,
pumpkin flavor, strawberry flavor, apple flavor, and vanilla
flavor.
14. An method in accordance with claim 12 wherein the fragrance
comprises at least one of popcorn fragrance, chocolate fragrance,
cinnamon fragrance, lemon fragrance, orange fragrance, peppermint
fragrance, pumpkin fragrance, strawberry fragrance, apple
fragrance, and vanilla fragrance.
15. An method in accordance with claim 12 wherein the polymeric
material comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to envelopes, and more
particularly to envelopes containing an adhesive material that has
a flavor and a corresponding fragrance.
[0002] Known envelopes include a seal flap having a moisture
activated adhesive or glue for sealing the envelope. Users
typically lick the glue to activate the glue. However, the glue of
known envelopes typically have an unpleasant taste and/or
smell.
[0003] Users have used wet rags or wet sponges to moisten the
envelope glue to avoid having to lick the unpleasant tasting glue.
Also, some envelope users have resorted to using moisture
applicators that have been developed to moisten the glue on an
envelope seal flap. However, these methods of envelope glue licking
avoidance are typically messy and require clean-up of the envelope
and/or the surface that the envelope was resting when the wet rag
or moisture applicator was used. Another problem with messy
moisture applicators and wet rags and sponges is the possibility of
smearing the writing on the envelope, which typically includes the
mailing address, because of excess water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect, an envelope adhesive material is provided.
The envelope adhesive includes a polymeric material, a flavor
substance that produces a predetermined taste upon application of
moisture to the envelope adhesive material, and a fragrance
corresponding to the flavor.
[0005] In another aspect, an envelope is provided. The envelope
includes a seal flap and an adhesive covering at least a portion of
the seal flap for sealing the envelope. The adhesive includes a
polymeric material, a flavor substance that produces a
predetermined taste upon application of moisture to the envelope
adhesive material, and a fragrance corresponding to the flavor.
[0006] In another aspect, a method of fabricating an envelope is
provided. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate,
forming an envelope blank from the substrate, the envelope blank
comprising a front panel, a rear panel secured to the front panel,
a seal flap secured to the front panel, and two side panels secured
to opposing sides of the front panel, applying an adhesive gum to
at least a portion of the seal flap, folding the rear panel, and
securing the rear panel to the two side flaps. The adhesive gum
includes a polymeric material, a flavor substance that produces a
predetermined taste upon application of moisture to the envelope
adhesive material, and a fragrance corresponding to the flavor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a planar schematic illustration of an envelope in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a planar schematic illustration of the envelope
blank used for forming the envelope shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Envelopes that include an adhesive gum that has an
incorporated flavor and corresponding scent or aroma are describe
below in detail. The envelopes with the flavored and scented
adhesive are easily sealed and provide a fun flavor and scent for
the user to enjoy instead of an unpleasant tasting adhesive used on
known envelopes. Users will not have to resort to wet rags, wet
sponges, or messy moisture applicators to moisten the envelope glue
to avoid having to lick an unpleasant tasting glue. The envelopes
with flavored and scented adhesive gum can be used as seasonal
greeting card envelopes incorporating fun flavors targeted for
specific holiday themes, for example Halloween, Christmas, and
Valentines Day. The envelopes are also suited for Birthday cards to
provide a fun flavor and scent for the birthday celebration.
[0010] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a planar schematic
illustration of an envelope 10 in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a planar schematic
illustration of an envelope blank 12 that is used in forming
envelope 10. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, envelope 10 includes a
front panel 14, a seal flap 16, a rear panel 18, and side flaps 20
and 22. Seal flap 16 extends from a first side 24 of front panel 14
and is foldably connected to front panel 14 by a fold line 26. Rear
panel 18 extends from a second side 28, opposed to first side 24,
of front panel 14 and is foldably connected to front panel 14 by
fold line 30. Side flaps 20 and 22 extend from opposed third and
fourth sides 32 and 34 of front panel respectively. Side flaps 20
and 22 are foldably connected to front panel 14 by fold lines 36
and 38 respectively.
[0011] An envelope adhesive gum 40 covers at least a portion of an
inside surface 42 of seal flap 16. In the exemplary embodiment,
adhesive 40 covers a peripheral area 44 of seal flap 16. Adhesive
gum 40 is formed from a polymeric material, a flavor material, and
a fragrance. Any suitable polymeric material that is moisture
activated and is capable of sealing envelope 10 can be used. In one
embodiment, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer type adhesive resin is
used. In another other embodiment, the polymeric material is a
modified ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer containing polyvinyl
alcohol. In other alternate embodiments, the polymeric material is
at least one of a modified ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer,
polyvinyl alcohol, starches, dextrines, and animal glues and
mixtures thereof.
[0012] The flavor material is selected to impart the desired flavor
to envelope adhesive 40, for example, popcorn flavor, chocolate
flavor, cinnamon flavor, lemon flavor, orange flavor, peppermint
flavor, pumpkin flavor, strawberry flavor, apple flavor, and
vanilla flavor. The flavoring can be any suitable natural or
synthetic organic material that produces the desired taste when a
user licks envelope adhesive 40 to moisten the adhesive prior to
sealing envelope 10. The flavor material is added to envelope
adhesive 40 prior to applying envelope adhesive 40 to seal flap
16.
[0013] The fragrance is selected to produce the scent that
corresponds to the flavor material used in envelope adhesive 40.
For example, if envelope adhesive 40 includes a chocolate
flavoring, the fragrance used produces a chocolate scent or aroma
so that a user smells chocolate and tastes chocolate when sealing
envelope 10. The fragrance can be any suitable natural of synthetic
organic material that produces the desired scent or aroma. In one
embodiment, essential oils are added to envelope adhesive 40 to
produce the desired scent. To satisfy U.S. regulations, the
materials used to form envelope adhesive 40 are approved by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
[0014] To form envelope 10, envelope 12 is cut to the desired
dimensions and fold lines 26, 30, 36, and 38 are formed in envelope
blank 12. Envelope adhesive 40 is applied to peripheral portion 44
of inside surface 42 of seal flap 16. Rear panel 14 and side flaps
20 and 22 are folded into position and rear panel 14 is secured to
side panels 20 and 22 with, for example, an adhesive. Seal flap is
folded into place over rear panel 14 and envelope 10 is packaged
for shipment.
[0015] While the invention has been described in terms of various
specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit
and scope of the claims.
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