Mailing Device

Abstract

An elongated sheet is divided into four panels by three score lines with the two intermediate panels containing openings, so that when these panels are folded about their common score line, the openings are in face to face alignment. An article is mounted on one of the intermediate panels so that it is visible through the openings. The two end panels are foldable about their corresponding fold lines to cover the openings and are fastened for mailing. These intermediate panels have indicia and designs thereon for mailing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to improvements in mailing devices, and it relates particularly to an improved mailing device which removably contains an article positively held within the mailing device and visible prior to mailing.

Heretofore mailing devices for carrying articles, such as flat discs for coins or records, or the like, had elaborate structures for mounting the articles to prevent inadvertent displacement or disengagement while the article was viewed or examined. These prior art mailing devices are usually expensive in nature and used an involved structure for preventing disengagement of the article. Further, these mailing devices required a separate covering for the article, and hence were usually of a very limited application, and otherwise left much to be desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the principal object of the invention to provide an improved mailing device carrying an article.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mailing device carrying a record and providing a message, which allows the record and the message to be examined without surreptitiously being removed.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mailing device carrying a record, which is easily mounted in assembly but cannot be removed clandestinely without effectively destroying the mailing piece.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved mailing device, which is easy to fabricate and assemble, pleasant to view and easy to use.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment thereof.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a mailing device comprising a first and second body member folded about a centerfold line in superimposed relation, with each of these members containing an opening in face to face alignment. A record is mounted on one of the members and positioned between them when in folded position, and is visible through the openings. A side flap extends from each of the edges of the first and second members diametrically opposite to the centerfold line. The flaps are foldable back on their corresponding body members to overlie their respective openings. Securing means secure the flaps in the folded position for mailing. Various indicia, directions and designs are placed on the outer surfaces of the flaps for providing a message to the receiver .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an elongated sheet, punched, pressed, and printed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the opposite face of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is the strip folded about its centerfold line containing a record, and displayed for sale;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, on an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the piece in mailing position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference numeral 10 generally designates a mailing device, which as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is formed from an elongated strip of material 11, made of cardboard or heavy paperboard or the like. Strip 11 is divided into four panels 12, 14, 16 and 18. Intermediate panels 14 and 16, are body members and are separated by a fold line 20 which also bisects strip 11. Panels 14 and 16 each contain an opening 22 and 24 respectively therein, which are so positioned that when strip 11 is folded about fold line 20, openings 22 and 24 are in face to face alignment. As seen best in FIGS. 1 and 2, panel 14 has a plurality of circumferential slits 26 equally spaced about opening 22. Advantageously, panels 16 and 18 have a design or message or other indicia, if desired. FIG. 2 shows the opposite side of strip 11 with surface 12a of flap 12 containing a place for the address to where piece 10 will be mailed.

Positioned between body member 14 and flap 12 is a score line 28 for folding flap 12 in a direction opposite to that of fold line 20, so that surface 12a faces outwardly in folded position. Similarly, between member 16 and flap 18 is a score line 30 which folds in a direction opposite to fold line 20. A record 32 is mounted on member 14, so that its peripheral edge is received within slits 26. Hence, slits 25 have a radius which is slightly smaller than the radius of record 32. Record 32 is slipped through slits 26, which firmly hold record 32 in position, so there is no danger of it becoming dislodged. Spaced equidistant from fold line 20 and axially aligned in panels 14 and 16 respectively, are pair of openings 34 and 36 respectively, which are in face-to-face alignment when members 14 and 16 are folded about fold line 20.

After record 32 is mounted in slits 26, strip 11 is folded about fold line 20 so as to position record 32 between the faces 14a and 16a. Suitable adhesive or securing means is positioned on the faces 14a and 16a respectively as shown at 38, for preventing separation of members 14 and 16. In this form, mailing device 10 is placed in a clear plastic bag or transparent envelope (50) and affixed through openings 34 and 36 on a wall peg 40, as seen best in FIG. 4 for display.

To use, mailing device 10 is removed from the transparent envelope and the address or message is placed on the appropriate panels. Flap 18 is folded about fold line 30 to abut panel 16 and overlies opening 24, and flap 12 is folded about score line 28 to abut panel 14 and overlies opening 22. Flaps 12 and 18 are secured by means of a sticker 42, as seen in FIG. 5, or by staples, locking tabs or similar locking means.

While record 32 was shown held in position on panel 14 by means of circumferential slits 26, it can also be held in position by means of radial slots to form locking tabs. Sticker 42 is preferably placed in the display bag so as to be available when needed.

The present device allows the record or article to be viewed and examined while displayed, but protects the article from pilferage and during mailing. While records were described as the article being carried, other flat discs, such as coins, or photographs can be used. Also, panels 12, 14, 16 and 18 are shown being of equal sizes, however, they may vary if desired.

While there has been described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

What I claim is:

1. A mailing device comprising a pair of first and second body members folded about a fold line in superimposed relation, each of said first and second members having an opening therein in face-to-face alignment, a flat article positioned between said first and second members and visible through said openings, at least one of said first members having radial slits extending from said opening therein for forming tongues for overlying said article and retaining said article on said first member, a side flap extending from the edge of each of said first and second members diametrically opposite to the first-mentioned fold line, said flaps being foldable back on its corresponding member to overlie said openings therein, and means securing said flaps in said folded position for mailing.

2. A mailing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said edges of first and second members opposite said fold line are adapted to fold over said openings in said first and second member, and means for engaging the edges of said flaps for retaining said members in folded position.

3. A mailing device in accordance with claim 1, further including a passageway through said first and second members adjacent to said first mentioned fold line for receiving a wall peg, and a transparent envelope encompassing said body members and their corresponding side flaps in coplanar relation for allowing examination of any design and indicia on the outer surfaces of said members and flaps, and viewing an article through the opening in said members.

4. A mailing device comprising a pair of first and second body members folded about a fold line in superimposed relation, each of said first and second members having an opening therein in face-to-face alignment, a flat, generally circular article positioned between said first and second members and visible through said openings, at least one of said first members having a plurality of circumferential slits arranged about said opening for receiving said article, the radius of said slits being smaller than the radius of said article, a side flap extending from the edge of each of said first and second members diametrically opposite to the first-mentioned fold line, said flaps being foldable back on its corresponding member to overlie said openings therein, and means securing said flaps in said folded position for mailing.

5. A mailing device as in claim 4, wherein said article is a phonograph record.