U.S. patent application number 11/685746 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for frangible envelope portion with tear line.
Invention is credited to Jong Hak Choi.
Application Number | 20080223914 11/685746 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39761640 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080223914 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Choi; Jong Hak |
September 18, 2008 |
Frangible Envelope Portion with Tear Line
Abstract
Disclosed is to an easy-open envelope having a tear-line located
within a length of the envelope's seam fastened to frangible
portions of the envelope created by strategically placed
perforations creating an envelope mailer with an integral opener
that eliminates the need for using a knife or letter opener
potentially damaging the envelope contents or using a finger which
leaves the envelope ragged.
Inventors: |
Choi; Jong Hak; (Syosset,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jong Hak Choi
17 Russell Park Rd
Syosset
NY
11791
US
|
Family ID: |
39761640 |
Appl. No.: |
11/685746 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 27/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/311 |
International
Class: |
B65D 27/38 20060101
B65D027/38 |
Claims
1. An envelope mailer comprising: a) an envelope housing having a
front wall and a rear wall with seams therebetween; b) said
envelope having a plurality of perforations placed radially
encompassing a corner of said housing; c) an envelope frangible
portion formed at the corner of the mailer by applying said
perforations about said corner; and, d) a tear-line fastened
between a housing corner and said frangible portion within an
envelope seam whereby said tear-line can be used to sever a housing
seam.
2. The envelope mailer as recited in claim 1, wherein said
frangible portion perforations are symmetrically arrayed around a
vertices forming corner.
3. The envelope mailer as recited in claim 2, wherein said
symmetrically arrayed perforations have a leftmost perforation
piercing the mailer housing on its edge forming a nook within said
housing that will aid in separating the frangible portion from the
mailer housing under application of appropriate pressure.
4. The envelope mailer as recited in claim 1, wherein the spacing
between perforations can vary to vary the required force need to
perform separation of the frangible portion from the mailer
housing.
5. The envelope mailer as recited in claim 1, comprising an
unassembled mailer having a corner forming a vertices for radially
positioned perforations so that when the mailer is assembled the
arc of perforations will overlay each other.
6. The envelope mailer as recited in claim 1, wherein said
frangible portion once separated from the envelope housing is used
as a handhold to manipulate the tear-line in severing the housing
seam.
7. The envelope mailer as recited in claim 1, wherein the envelope
housing has two opposing frangible portions formed therein with
said tear-line fastened therebetween whereby opening said envelope
can be performed using either frangible portion.
8. The envelope mailer as recited in claim 7, wherein the opposing
frangible portions are adjacent to one another.
9. The envelope mailer as recited in claim 7, wherein the opposing
frangible portions are diagonally oriented to one another.
10. The envelope mailer as recited in claim 1, wherein said means
of tear-line fastening to the frangible portion is taken from the
group of adhesive bonding, thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding and
combinations thereof.
11. The envelope mailer as recited in claim 1, wherein said
frangible portion has indicia imprinted thereon that may serve as
instructional information.
12. The envelope mailer as recited in claim 1, wherein the mailer
housing incorporates an instructional aid in the location of the
frangible portion with said instructional aid taken from the group
of picture, image, graphic, letter and any combination thereof.
13. An envelope mailer comprising: a) an envelope housing having a
front wall and a rear wall with seams therebetween; b) said
envelope having a plurality of perforations placed radially
encompassing a corner of said housing; c) an envelope frangible
portion formed at the corner of the mailer by applying said
perforations about said corner; d) a tear-line fastened to the
frangible portion and extending outward of the envelope housing;
and e) a decorative article fastened to the free end of the tear
line.
14. The envelope mailer as recited in claim 13, wherein said
attached article is taken from the group of static articles,
articulated articles, illuminatable articles, audio articles,
deformable articles, inflatable articles and combinations thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to mailers and, more
specifically, to an easily opened envelope having a tear-line
located within a length of the envelope's seam fastened to
frangible portions of the envelope created by strategically placed
perforations.
[0003] The easy-open envelope has an array of perforations
encompassing at least one corner of the envelope with the tear-line
fastened to the frangible envelope portion created by said
perforations. Creating an envelope mailer with an integral opener
eliminates the need for one to use a knife or letter opener
potentially damaging the envelope contents or using a finger which
leaves the envelope ragged. While it is expedient to rip it open
with one's finger, many times the mailer is retained for want of
the return address, the contents require some future processing,
the mailer and postal mark serve as historical record and stamp
collecting. All of these require the careful opening of the mailer,
which involves some type of opener. Considering the special needs
of children, the elderly and the physically challenged also points
to a need for a mailer having an integral opener.
[0004] The present invention further provides that the mailer of
the present invention while having been described as having at
least one frangible corner also provides for any two corners, as
well as three or four, being separable from the mailer having the
tear-line fixed to the frangible mailer portions whether to
adjacent corners or diagonal corners.
[0005] The easy-open mailer of the present invention also provides
that the tear-line may extend beyond the mailer whereby a
decorative article can be attached thereto. In which case, no
frangible portions of the envelope may be required. The tear-line
would be fastened in the envelope seam and extend to the attached
article enabling the attached article to be used in similar fashion
as the envelope frangible portions as a handhold for manipulating
the tear-line. The attached article includes static articles,
articulated articles, illuminatable articles, audio articles,
deformable articles, inflatable articles and combinations
thereof.
[0006] Furthermore, the easy-open mailer of the present invention
provides that the tear-line may be embedded within the mailer stock
or bonded only to the mailer frangible portion(s) or bonded to the
mailer seam with the bonding selected from either adhesively,
ultrasonically or thermally bonded.
[0007] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0008] There are other mailers designed with tear stripes. While
these mailers may be suitable for the purposes for which they were
designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the
present invention, as hereinafter described.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0009] A primary object of the present invention is to provide an
envelope mailer that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior
art.
[0010] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
an envelope mailer incorporating a tear-line serving as an envelope
opener.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
envelope mailer with a frangible portion having the tear-line fixed
thereto.
[0012] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
an envelope mailer wherein said frangible portion provides means
for manipulating the tear-line.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
envelope mailer wherein said frangible portions aids children, the
elderly and the physically challenged in opening envelopes.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
envelope mailer wherein said mailer body has perforation arrayed
about a corner forming said frangible portion.
[0015] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide an envelope mailer wherein said separable frangible portion
can be any corner or all corners or any combination thereof.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
envelope mailer wherein said tear-line extends between adjacent
corners.
[0017] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
envelope mailer wherein said tear-line may extend diagonally.
[0018] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide an envelope mailer wherein said tear-line extends outwardly
from said mailer whereby an article can be attached thereto.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
envelope mailer wherein said attached article includes static
articles, articulated articles, illuminatable articles, audio
articles, deformable articles, inflatable articles and combinations
thereof.
[0020] Additional objects of the present invention will appear as
the description proceeds.
[0021] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the
prior art by providing an easy-open envelope having a tear-line
located within a length of the envelope's seam fastened to
separable frangible portions of the envelope created by
strategically placed perforations encompassing at least one corner
of the envelope so that when sufficient pressure is applied to
separate the frangible portion from the envelope, the frangible
portion can be used to manipulate the tear-line severing the seam.
Also provided for is a tear-line extending beyond the envelope body
whereby decorative articles can be attached.
[0022] The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear
from the description to follow. In the description reference is
made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and
in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in
which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be
described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art
to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other
embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention. In the
accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same
or similar parts throughout the several views.
[0023] The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be
taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention
is best defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0024] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it
will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the
accompanying drawing in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the present invention in
use.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a front view of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a front view of the easy-open mailer of the
present invention.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention in a
partially open position.
[0030] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a tab of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a method of manufacture.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a front view of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a front view of the frangible portion in another
location.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a front view of the frangible portion in another
location.
[0035] FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 12 depicts various views of the decorative article and
tear-line extension of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS
[0037] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar
reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several
views, the Figures illustrate the hybrid induction motor of the
present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the
following numbering is used throughout the various drawing Figures.
[0038] 10 easy-open envelope [0039] 12 user [0040] 14 mailer body
[0041] 15 vertical seam [0042] 16 mailer seam [0043] 17 horizontal
seam [0044] 18 mailer corner [0045] 19 tear aid perforation [0046]
20 mailer perforations [0047] 22 mailer frangible portion [0048] 24
frangible seam [0049] 26 tear-line [0050] 28 tear-line anchor
[0051] 30 indicia [0052] 32 perforation radial offset [0053] 34
mailer adjacent tear-line [0054] 36 mailer diagonal tear-line
[0055] 38 tear-line extension [0056] 40 decorative article [0057]
42 directional aid
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0058] The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment
of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This
discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the
invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in
the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For
definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is
directed to appended claims.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 1, shown is an illustrative view of the
present invention in use. The present invention provides a mailer
10 comprising mailer housing 14 having frangible portions 22
connected by anchor 28 to tear-line 26 whereby user 12 can grasp
the envelope body 14 with one hand and with the other supply
sufficient pull to remove frangible portion 22 from body 14 at
frangible portion seam 24. Mailer body 14 has corners 18 with seam
16 extending therebetween. The easy-open envelope of the present
invention provides layment of a tear-line adjacent at least one
seam 16 and anchored to frangible portion 22. Frangible portion 22
is formed by providing an array of perforations 20 from one seam to
another encompassing a corner 18 so that when sufficient pressure
is applied the frangible portion 22 separates from the body along
frangible seam 24 and is used to manipulate tear-line 26 to sever
seam 16. Also shown is indicia 30 and hand 42, which can be used
for instructional purposes, as illustrated.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 2, shown is a front view of the present
invention. Illustrated is the mailer 10 of the present invention
prior to assembly. The mailer 10 is comprised of mailer housing 14
having frangible portions 22 formed by applying perforations 20 to
a portion of envelope 14 encompassing a corner 18 so that when
assembled, frangible portion 22 is separable from the envelope body
14. The easy-open envelope of the present invention provides
layment of tear-line 26 adjacent at least one seam 16 and anchored
28 to frangible portion 22 and seam 16 so that when sufficient
pressure is applied the frangible portion 22 separates from the
body along frangible seam 24 and is used to manipulate tear-line 26
to sever seam 16. Also shown is indicia 30, which can be used for
instructional purposes, as illustrated. Optionally having the tear
line 26 fastened to the envelope at one or more points serves to
guide the tear line along seam 16.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 3, shown is a front view of the present
invention. Illustrated is a mailer 10 of the present invention
prior to assembly. The mailer 10 is comprised of mailer housing 14
having frangible portions 22 formed by taking an unassembled mailer
10 and using radial offset 32 applying perforations from a corner
18 having vertical seam 15 and horizontal seam 17 so that when the
mailer is assembled perforation 20 to the left of vertical seam 15
are in alignment with those to the right of 15 and when the bottom
is folded up they too will align with the others and further
placing a perforation 19 on vertical seam 15 to aid the user by
compromising the mailer housing 14 at desired point 19 and it is
further provided that spacing perforation 20 closer together at
seam 15 will further aid the user in separation by decreasing the
initial pressure required to initiate separation of frangible
portion 22 from envelope body 14. The easy-open envelope of the
present invention provides layment of a tear-line adjacent at least
one seam 16 and anchored to frangible portion 22. so that when
sufficient pressure is applied the frangible portion 22 separates
from the body along frangible seam 24 and is used to manipulate
tear-line 26 to sever seam 16. Also shown is indicia 30, which can
be used for instructional purposes, as illustrated.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 4, shown is a front view of the easy-open
mailer of the present invention. The present invention provides a
mailer 10 comprising mailer housing 14 having frangible portions 22
connected by anchor 28 to tear-line 26 whereby a user can grasp the
envelope body 14 with one hand and with the other supply sufficient
pull to remove frangible portion 22 from body 14 at frangible
portion seam 24. Mailer body 14 has corners 18 with seam 16
extending therebetween. The present invention further provides that
the mailer of the present invention 10 provides for any two corners
18 being separable from the mailer 14 having the tear-line 26 fixed
to the frangible mailer portions 22 whether to adjacent corners 34
or diagonal corners 36.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 5, shown is a front view of the present
invention in a partially open position. As aforementioned, when
sufficient pressure is applied to frangible portion 22 it separates
from the body 14 along frangible seam 24 and is used to manipulate
tear-line 26 to sever seam 16. The frangible portion 22 can have
indicia 30 imprinted thereon for instructional purposes.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 6, shown is an enlarged view of a tab of
the present invention. Illustrated is an enlarged view of a corner
18 of the mailer 10 of the present invention showing mailer housing
14 having frangible portion 22 connected by anchor 28 to tear-line
26 whereby a user can grasp the envelope body 14 with one hand and
with the other supply sufficient pull to remove frangible portion
22 from body 14 at frangible portion seam 24.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 7, shown is an illustration of a method of
manufacture. The general assembly of a typical envelope and the
envelope opening device could be as follows:
(Step 1) the tear-line 26 and the perforated envelope blanks 14 are
combined along the same linear path locating the tear-line 26 on a
desired location and position of the envelope blank. (Step 2) the
envelope 10 is folded around the envelope opening device 26. (Step
3) the tear-line 26 of the envelope opening device is cut
separating the individual envelops 10.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 8, shown is a front view of the present
invention. The present invention also provides that a single corner
18 of mailer 14 can have a frangible portion 22. When sufficient
pressure is applied to frangible portion 22 it separates from the
body 14 along frangible seam 24 and is used to manipulate tear-line
26 to sever seam 16 to anchor 28 of corner 18.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 9, shown is a front view of the frangible
portion in another location. The present invention provides a
mailer 10 comprising mailer housing 14 having frangible portions 22
connected by anchor 28 to tear-line 26 whereby user 12 can grasp
the envelope body 14 with one hand and with the other supply
sufficient pull to remove frangible portion 22 from body 14 at
frangible portion seam 24. Mailer body 14 has corners 18 with seam
16 extending therebetween. The easy-open envelope of the present
invention provides layment of a tear-line adjacent at least one
seam 16 and anchored to frangible portion 22. Frangible portion 22
is formed by providing an array of perforations 20 from one seam to
another encompassing a corner 18 so that when sufficient pressure
is applied the frangible portion 22 separates from the body along
frangible seam 24 and is used to manipulate tear-line 26 to sever
seam 16. Also shown is indicia 30, which can be used for
instructional purposes, as illustrated.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 10, shown is a front view of the frangible
portion in another location. The present invention provides a
mailer 10 comprising mailer housing 14 having frangible portions 22
connected by anchor 28 to tear-line 26 whereby a user can grasp the
envelope body 14 with one hand and with the other supply sufficient
pull to remove frangible portion 22 from body 14 at frangible
portion seam 24. Mailer body 14 has corners 18 with seam 16
extending therebetween. The present invention further provides that
the mailer of the present invention 10 provides for any two corners
18 being separable from the mailer 14 having the tear-line 26 fixed
to the frangible mailer portions 22 whether to adjacent 32 corners
18 or diagonal 30 corners.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 11, shown is a detailed view of the
present invention. Shown is an enlarged view of a corner 18 of the
mailer 10 of the present invention showing mailer housing 14 having
frangible portion 22 connected by anchor 28 to tear-line 26 whereby
a user can grasp the envelope body 14 with one hand and with the
other supply sufficient pull to remove frangible portion 22 from
body 14 at frangible portion seam 24.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 12, depicted are various views of the
decorative article 36 and tear-line extension 34 of the present
invention 10. The envelope opening device can have various
configurations for the decorative article 36 and/or the tear-line
extension 34. Shown here are some different shapes for pull tab.
The string can also extend beyond the envelope body to create a
tassel style pull string.
[0071] While certain novel features of this invention have been
shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it
is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will
be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions
and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and
in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
[0072] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying
current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications
without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or
specific aspects of this invention.
* * * * *