U.S. patent application number 12/338638 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-18 for bound envelopes.
Invention is credited to James Bettinger.
Application Number | 20090152153 12/338638 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40751801 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090152153 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bettinger; James |
June 18, 2009 |
Bound Envelopes
Abstract
An envelope package is provided, comprising an upper cover, a
lower cover, a plurality of envelopes disposed between the upper
cover and the lower cover, and a spiral binding disposed along the
spine of the envelope package that joins the upper cover, lower
cover, and the plurality of envelopes.
Inventors: |
Bettinger; James;
(Shorewood, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ST. ONGE STEWARD JOHNSTON & REENS, LLC
986 BEDFORD STREET
STAMFORD
CT
06905-5619
US
|
Family ID: |
40751801 |
Appl. No.: |
12/338638 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61014616 |
Dec 18, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/450 ;
206/472; 229/300; 229/69; 229/76; 493/267 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 27/00 20130101;
B42D 1/003 20130101; B42D 1/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/450 ;
206/472; 229/69; 493/267; 229/300; 229/76 |
International
Class: |
B65D 27/10 20060101
B65D027/10; B65D 71/50 20060101 B65D071/50 |
Claims
1. An envelope package, comprising: an upper cover; a lower cover;
a plurality of envelopes disposed between said upper cover and said
lower cover; and a binding disposed along a spine of the envelope
package.
2. The envelope package according to claim 1, wherein said
plurality of envelopes are 41/8''.times.91/2'' envelopes.
3. The envelope package according to claim 1, wherein said
plurality of envelopes are 9''.times.12'' envelopes.
4. The envelope package according to claim 1, wherein said
plurality of envelopes are 10''.times.13'' envelopes.
5. The envelope package according to claim 1, wherein each of said
plurality of envelopes comprises: a rectangular front panel; a pair
of side flaps at opposite sides of said front panel, each of the
side flaps being folded over the front panel along a vertical fold
line there between; a back panel extending from and folded over the
front panel along a horizontal fold line there between, wherein
said back panel is secured to said side flaps by an adhesive to
define a pocket of the envelope; and a closure flap extending from
the front panel along a horizontal fold line there between for
folding over the back panel to close the pocket and seal the
envelope.
6. The envelope package according to claim 5, wherein said closure
flap comprises a series of punched holes at one end of the closure
flap away from and parallel to the horizontal fold line between the
closure flap and the front panel.
7. The envelope package according to claim 5, wherein said upper
cover and said lower cover each comprise corresponding punched
holes along an edge of the covers aligned with the holes in said
closure flaps.
8. The envelope package according to claim 5, wherein said closure
flap further comprises an adhesive strip on said flap for securing
the closure flap to the back panel in order to close the
pocket.
9. The envelope package according to claim 8, wherein said closure
flap comprises a perforated line that is disposed between and
parallel to said punched holes and said adhesive strip.
10. The envelope package according to claim 1, wherein said upper
cover further comprises adhesive labels attached to the upper cover
by a releasable adhesive.
11. The envelope package according to claim 7, wherein said binding
comprises a wire helix that is wound through said holes in said
upper cover, said lower cover and said closure flaps to provide a
flexible hinge at the spine of the envelope package.
12. An envelope packaging comprising: an upper cover having a
series of punched holes at one edge; a lower cover having a series
of punched holes at one edge; a plurality of envelopes disposed
between said upper cover and said lower cover, each envelope
comprising a closure flap having a series of punched holes at one
end of the closure flap away from and parallel to a horizontal fold
line of the closure flap; and a spiral binding wound through said
holes in said upper cover, said lower cover and said closure flaps
to provide a flexible hinge at a spine of the envelope package;
wherein said closure flap further comprises a perforated line
disposed between and parallel to said punched holes; and wherein
said upper cover comprises adhesive labels attached to the upper
cover by a releasable adhesive.
13. The envelope package according to claim 12, wherein said
closure flap further comprises an adhesive strip on said flap for
securing the closure flap to a back panel of said envelope in order
to close the envelope.
14. A method for manufacturing an envelope package, comprising
steps of: providing a plurality of envelopes, each envelope having
a closure flap; placing said plurality of envelopes between an
upper cover and a lower cover; and securing said plurality of
envelopes in the envelope package with the envelopes in an open
state by binding said plurality of envelopes with said lower cover
and said upper cover along a spine of the envelope package.
15. The method for manufacturing an envelope package according to
claim 14, further comprising a step of punching a series of holes
along one edge of said upper cover and said lower cover.
16. The method for manufacturing an envelope package according to
claim 15, further comprising a step of punching a series of holes
at one end of each said closure flap away from and parallel to a
horizontal fold line of the closure flap.
17. The method for manufacturing an envelope package according to
claim 16, further comprising a step of providing an adhesive strip
on each said closure flap for securing the closure flap to a back
panel of each envelope in order to close the envelope.
18. The method for manufacturing an envelope package according to
claim 17, further comprising a step of providing a perforated line
disposed on each said closure flap between and parallel to said
punched holes and said adhesive strip.
19. The method for manufacturing an envelope package according to
claim 16, further comprising a step of winding a wire helix through
said punched holes in said upper cover, said lower cover and said
closure flaps in order to secure said plurality of envelopes in the
envelope package.
20. The method for manufacturing an envelope package according to
claim 14, further comprising a step of providing a plurality of
adhesive labels attached to said upper cover by a releasable
adhesive.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/014,616, filed on Dec. 18, 2007, the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to envelope packaging, in particular
to packaging of envelopes in a book or notebook manner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Traditionally envelopes are distributed or packaged by
packing envelopes in a cardboard shell, such as a box. The
cardboard shell forms a fixed volume that receives the envelopes.
When the envelope package is sold, typically the capacity of the
cardboard shell is filled with envelopes. In use, when a customer
removes the envelopes the cardboard shell retains its shape. Thus,
for a cardboard shell that has a capacity of 40 envelopes the
cardboard shell will continue to occupy a volume of space necessary
to hold 40 envelopes even though the cardboard shell may only have
one or two envelopes remaining in the cardboard shell. Another
deficiency with the cardboard shell is that it is opaque. As a
result, a customer cannot look at the cardboard shell and determine
how many envelopes are left. The customer is required to open and
inspect the contents of the cardboard shell to make such a
determination. If the customer fails to inspect the cardboard
shell, the customer may learn that it does not have a sufficient
number of envelopes available. Thus, while a cardboard shell may be
effective for distributing a fixed volume of envelopes prior to
sale, the cardboard shell serves as a poor storage container while
the customer uses the envelopes.
[0004] The use of a cardboard shell to distribute envelopes also
has disadvantages. Due to the needs of manufacturers to stream line
production processes and minimize costs, envelopes are typically
sold in standard quantities of 50 or 100 envelope packages. This
can be undesirable to customers who want to purchase intermediate
quantities of envelopes, such as 25 or 75 envelope packages.
[0005] Another problem with cardboard shell packaging is that
envelopes also require additional elements such as stamps, return
address labels and mailing labels that are combined with the
envelopes for the typical use of mailing a letter. A customer is
typically required to have separate containers for each of these
elements.
[0006] It is also important that the envelopes are packaged in a
completely assembled form, so that a consumer does not need to
perform any additional steps before mailing the envelope. U.S. Pat.
No. 6,419,150 to Papageorge teaches an envelope/page and mailer
combination that functions as a sign-in quest book or ledger. The
envelopes are provided in a flat disassembled state in order to
give them an appearance of pages of a typical guest book. After
guests write down their name and address on a page, a user is
required to tear the page out of the book and then assemble the
envelope by bending the page and adhering the sides of the page to
each other. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,803,338 to Elliott teaches a
mailing booklet with a plurality of leaves each constituting a
record retaining stub and a detachable envelope blank attached to
the stub. Each envelope blank requires additional folding and
sealing by a user before it is ready for mailing. Likewise, U.S.
Pat. No. 3,759,372 to Venema discloses a book of glueless envelope
blanks, wherein each blank needs to be folded to form an envelope.
However, one of the problems associated with the envelope blanks
described above is that a customer is required to assemble the
blanks himself or herself before mailing, which is inconvenient
because it takes much longer for the customer to prepare the
envelope for mailing. Additionally, older people with poor vision
or children might find it difficult to assemble the envelopes.
[0007] What is desired therefore is an envelope package that
adjusts in size according to the number of envelopes retained in
the package. It would be beneficial if the envelope package enabled
a customer to gauge the number of envelopes retained in the
package. Further, it would be beneficial if the envelope package
enables a manufacturer to increase the number of envelope packages
available for customers.
[0008] Also desired is an envelope package that includes
all-purpose envelopes in a pre-assembled form and that incorporates
additional elements that are typically used in connection with
envelopes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an envelope packaging that overcomes the deficiencies of
the prior art. It is also an object of the present invention to
provide an envelope package that provides retail envelopes in a
pre-assembled, ready to mail form and also incorporates other
elements typically used for mailing, such as address labels,
mailing labels, stamps, etc. It is further an object of present
invention to provide an envelope package that may be adjusted in
size according to the number of envelopes retained in the package
and also allows customers to easily determine the number of
envelopes retained in the package.
[0010] These and other objects are achieved by providing an
envelope package, including an upper cover, a lower cover; a
plurality of envelopes disposed between said upper cover and said
lower cover, and a binding disposed along a spine of the envelope
package.
[0011] The envelope package may include a plurality of
41/8''.times.91/2'' envelopes, 9''.times.12'' envelopes, or
10''.times.13'' envelopes.
[0012] In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of envelopes
may include a rectangular front panel, a pair of side flaps at
opposite sides of the front panel, each of the side flaps being
folded over the front panel along a vertical fold line there
between, a back panel extending from and folded over the front
panel along a horizontal fold line there between, wherein the back
panel is secured to the side flaps by an adhesive to define a
pocket of the envelope, and a closure flap extending from the front
panel along a horizontal fold line there between for folding over
the back panel to close the pocket and seal the envelope.
[0013] The closure flap may include a series of punched holes at
one end of the closure flap away from and parallel to the
horizontal fold line between the closure flap and the front
panel.
[0014] In certain embodiments, the upper cover and the lower cover
may each comprise corresponding punched holes along an edge of the
covers aligned with the holes in the closure flaps.
[0015] The closure flap may also comprise an adhesive strip for
securing the closure flap to the back panel in order to close the
pocket. The closure flap may further include a perforated line
disposed between and parallel to the punched holes and the adhesive
strip on the closure flap.
[0016] In some embodiments, the upper cover may further include
adhesive labels attached to the upper cover by a releasable
adhesive.
[0017] In certain embodiments, the binding consists of a wire helix
that is wound through the punched holes in the upper cover, the
lower cover and the closure flaps to provide a flexible hinge at
the spine of the envelope package.
[0018] In another embodiment, an envelope packaging is provided
including an upper cover having a series of punched holes at one
edge, a lower cover having a series of punched holes at one edge, a
plurality of envelopes disposed between the upper and the lower
covers, each envelope comprising a closure flap having a series of
punched holes at one end of the closure flap away from and parallel
to a horizontal fold line of the closure flap, and a spiral binding
wound through the holes in the upper cover, the lower cover and the
closure flaps to provide a flexible hinge at a spine of the
envelope package. The closure flap has a perforated line disposed
between and parallel to the punched holes for tearing off each
envelope. The upper cover also includes adhesive labels attached to
the upper cover by a releasable adhesive.
[0019] The closure flap may further include an adhesive strip for
securing the closure flap to a back panel of the envelope in order
to close the envelope.
[0020] Other objects of the present invention are achieved by a
method for manufacturing an envelope package. The method comprises
the steps of providing a plurality of envelopes, each envelope
having a closure flap, placing the plurality of envelopes between
an upper cover and a lower cover, and securing the plurality of
envelopes in the envelope package with the envelopes in an open
state by binding the plurality of envelopes with the lower and the
upper covers along a spine of the envelope package.
[0021] The method may further include a step of punching a series
of holes along one edge of the upper cover and the lower cover.
[0022] In some embodiments, the method also includes a step of
punching a series of holes at one end of each closure flap away
from and parallel to a horizontal fold line of the closure
flap.
[0023] In certain embodiments, an adhesive strip may be provided on
each closure flap for securing the closure flap to a back panel of
each envelope in order to close the envelope.
[0024] The method may further include a step of providing a
perforated line disposed on each closure flap between and parallel
to the punched holes and the adhesive strip.
[0025] In some embodiments, the method may further include a step
of winding a wire helix through the punched holes in the upper
cover, the lower cover and the closure flaps in order to secure the
plurality of envelopes in the envelope package.
[0026] The method for manufacturing an envelope package according
to claim 14, further comprising a step of providing a plurality of
adhesive labels attached to said upper cover by a releasable
adhesive.
[0027] Other objects of the invention and its particular features
and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the
following drawings and accompanying detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a one-dimensional top view of the envelope package
showing the package in open position according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a one-dimensional top view of the envelope package
showing the package in open position according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] The above-discussed objects of the invention are achieved by
an envelope package 100 as shown in FIG. 1. The envelope package
comprises an upper cover 110, a lower cover 120, a plurality of
envelopes 130 disposed between the upper cover and the lower cover,
and a spiral binding 140 disposed along the spine of the envelope
package. The plurality of envelopes 130 are standard #10 envelopes
with dimensions 41/8''.times.91/2''. It should be appreciated,
however, that any type of envelope may be used according to the
present invention.
[0031] In one embodiment, the plurality of envelopes can comprise a
standard envelope construction. Each envelope can comprise a
rectangular front panel 132, a pair of side flaps at opposite sides
of the front panel, each of the side flaps being folded over the
front panel along a vertical fold line there between, a back panel
134 extending from and folded over the front panel along a
horizontal fold line there between, the back panel is secured to
the side flaps by an adhesive to define a pocket or throat of the
envelope, and a closure flap 136 extending from the front panel
along a horizontal fold line there between for folding over the
back panel to close the pocket/throat and seal the envelope.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the envelopes are secured in the
envelope package with the envelopes 130 in an open state. The
closure flap comprises a series of punched holes 150 at the end of
the closure flap away from and parallel to the horizontal fold line
between the closure flap and the front panel. Similarly, the upper
cover 110 and lower cover 120 comprise corresponding punched holes
160 along the edge of the covers aligned with the closure flaps. A
wire helix 140 is wound (like a spring) through the holes to
provide a flexible hinge at the spine of the envelope package.
[0033] The closure flaps further comprises means for securing 170
the closure flap to the back panel in order to close the
pocket/throat. The securing means can be in the form of an adhesive
strip 172 that is covered over by a releasable barrier strip 174 of
known construction. In this respect, once the barrier strip 174 is
removed, the adhesive strip 172 is exposed and can be used to seal
the envelope construction in a closed condition. Alternatively, the
securing means can be a standard envelope adhesive layer known in
the art that is activated upon moistening.
[0034] An envelope package 200 of similar construction for
9''.times.12'' and 10''.times.13'' envelopes 230 is shown in FIG.
2. The envelope package 200 comprises an upper cover 210, a lower
cover, a plurality of envelopes 230 disposed between the upper
cover and the lower cover, and a spiral binding 240 disposed along
the spine of the envelope package.
[0035] Each envelope 230 can comprise a rectangular front panel
231, a pair of side flaps 232, 233 at opposite sides of the front
panel 231, each of the side flaps being folded over the front panel
along a vertical fold line there between, a back panel 234
extending from and folded over the front panel along a horizontal
fold line there between, the back panel is secured to the side
flaps by an adhesive to define a pocket/throat, and a closure flap
235 extending from the front panel along a horizontal fold line
there between for folding over the back panel to close the
pocket/throat and seal the envelope.
[0036] The closure flap comprises a series of punched holes 250 at
the end of the closure flap away from and parallel to the
horizontal fold line between the closure flap and the front panel.
Similarly, the upper cover 210 and lower cover comprise
corresponding punched holes 260 along the edge of the covers
aligned with the closure flaps. A wire helix 240 is wound (like a
spring) through the holes to provide a flexible hinge at the spine
of the envelope package.
[0037] The closure flap further comprises means for securing 270
the closure flap to the back panel in order to close the
pocket/throat. The securing means can be in the form of an adhesive
strip 272 that is covered over by a releasable barrier strip 274 of
known construction. In this respect, once the barrier strip 274 is
removed, the adhesive strip 272 is exposed and can be used to seal
the envelope construction in a closed condition. Alternatively, the
securing means can be a standard envelope adhesive layer known in
the art that is activated upon moistening.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows that closure flap 235 can comprise a perforated
line 280 that is disposed between and parallel to punched holes 250
and the securing means 270. The perforated line 280 enables the
upper edge of closure flap 235 to be detached from envelope package
200 with a smooth, clean upper surface. Without the perforated
edge, detaching the envelope from the package by tearing closure
flap 235 from the wire helix 240 can be undesirable due to the
creation of a visually unappealing frayed surface. The perforated
edge depicted in FIG. 2 can be incorporated in the envelopes 130 of
package 100.
[0039] FIG. 2 further shows that the upper cover 210 incorporates
adhesive labels 290. Labels 290 are attached to upper cover 210 by
a releasable adhesive that permits the labels 290 to be detached
from upper cover 210 and attached to envelopes 230. Labels 290 can
be labels typically attached to envelopes such as return address
labels, mailing labels, handling instructions, confidentiality
labels, or stamps. The labels incorporated in the envelope package
of FIG. 2 can be incorporated in the envelope package of FIG.
1.
[0040] FIG. 2 still further shows that the envelope package can
comprise envelopes of a different type of construction.
[0041] Even though the example identified in this application
depicts a spiral bound spine for the envelope package, it is
envisioned that the envelope package could incorporate other types
of spines such as a single or double wire spine, an adhesive bound
spine, a sewn spine, a staple bound spine, a velo bound spine and
other types of spine binding known to those skilled in the art.
[0042] The envelope package according to the present invention may
also include note cards, writing paper, holiday cards or other
stationary disposed between the upper and the lower cover and bound
together with the plurality of envelopes. A user can write a note
on a sheet of paper provided in the package, detach the sheet from
the package, insert it into one of the envelopes, detach the
envelope and attach an address label and a stamp also provided in
the package. Thus, the present invention provides a convenient
all-in-one mailing package eliminating the need to purchase
additional items.
[0043] The upper cover and the lower cover may include any
desirable printing, such as advertising material or holiday themes.
Each of the plurality of envelopes may also include any kind of
printing.
[0044] Although the invention has been described with reference to
a particular arrangement of parts, steps, features and the like,
these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements, parts,
steps or features, and indeed many other modifications and
variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.
* * * * *