Ticket Envelope

Abstract

A multiple pocket envelope having a front panel, a rear panel folded over the front panel and a bottom flap secured to the front panel to form a first pocket between the panels. Sheet material bonded to the inner face of the rear panel in overlying relation to a slot in the rear panel forms a second pocket within the first pocket.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to envelopes and, more particularly, to multiple pocket envelopes for receiving and retaining travel tickets, baggage claim checks, and the like.

It is a common practice in the purchase of travel tickets, such as airline tickets for example, for the ticket agent to deliver the tickets to the buyer in an envelope, and when the user's baggage is checked at the terminal, the baggage claim checks often are tucked in a common pocket along with the travel tickets. Withdrawing either the travel ticket or the baggage claim checks from the common pocket interferes with the other and one may be inadvertently misplaced from the pocket. Efforts to avoid this by stapling or otherwise fastening the baggage claim checks to the ticket envelope are inconvenient and time consuming, not only to the ticket agent, but also to the user when he wants to remove the baggage checks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful ticket envelope having a separate pocket for the reception of baggage claim checks.

It is another object of this invention to provide a multiple pocket envelope which is inexpensive and simple in construction and which can be made with existing machinery.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved method for forming a multiple pocket envelope.

In one aspect thereof, a ticket envelope of the present invention is characterized by the provision of a separate pocket in a panel of the envelope which panel also serves as one face of another larger pocket. The separate pocket is formed by cutting a slot in the panel which comprises one face of the usual ticket pocket and bonding a sheet of material on the inner face of such panel to provide a pocket within a pocket panel.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of the present invention will become clearly apparent from the ensuing detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, taken together with the accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters denote like parts throughout the various views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a multiple pocket envelope of the present invention, shown with the closure or cover panel open;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank from which the envelope of FIG. 1 is formed, the blank being shown prior to folding; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken about on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a ticket envelope constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally designated 10 (FIG. 1) formed from a unitary blank, generally designated 12 (FIG. 2). Blank 12 is die cut or otherwise formed from any suitable paper stock and comprises a front panel 14, a rear panel 16, a closure panel 18, and a bottom flap 20. Panels 14 and 18 are substantially equal in width and panel 16 is slightly narrower to facilitate folding thereof into the closed position shown in FIG. 1. These panels and flap have inner faces identified by reference numerals 22, 24, 26 and 28, respectively (FIG. 2).

Front panel 14 is generally rectangular in plan and is joined to rear panel 16 along a score or fold line 30 defining one side edge thereof. Rear panel 16 has a bottom edge slightly raised or offset from the bottom edge of panel 14, a relatively short opposite side edge 32 extending from the bottom edge in substantial parallelism with fold line 30 and a top edge 34 inclined upwardly (as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2) at an angle from side edge 32 to fold line 30, intersecting the latter slightly above the midpoint thereof. It should be understood that panel 16 can be made longer with the inclined top edge 34 thereof raised to intersect fold line 30 anywhere along the length thereof, if desired. Rear panel 16 is adapted to be bent along fold line 30 in overlying relation to the lower portion of front panel 14 with inner faces 22 and 24 in opposed relation.

Flap 20 extends substantially the entire width of front panel 14 and is joined thereto along a score or fold line 36 extending at generally a right angle to fold line 30. A strip of adhesive 38 is applied to inner face 28 of flap 20 and extends generally parallel to fold line 36 across flap 20. Flap 20 is adapted to be folded along fold line 36 into overlying relation with the bottom portion of the outer face of rear panel 16 when the latter has been folded against panel 14, and to be secured thereto by adhesive 38 to form a first pocket for receiving and retaining tickets therein. If desired, however, flap 20 can be folded along fold line 36 into an underlying relation with the inner face of rear panel 16 when the latter has been folded against panel 14. Of course with such an arrangement, adhesive 38 would be applied to the outer face of flap 20. The mouth or inlet of such pocket is located along edges 32 and 34 of rear panel 16 in its folded position.

Closure panel 18 generally corresponds in shape and size to front panel 14 and is joined thereto along a score or fold line 40 defining the opposite side edge of panel 14 and generally parallel to fold line 30. Closure panel 18 is adapted to be bent along fold line 40 into a closed position overlying the pocket formed between front panel 14 and rear panel 16.

A significant feature of this invention is the provision of a second pocket in rear panel 16, which also serves as one face of the first pocket. This second pocket is formed by providing an elongated opening or slot 42 in rear panel 16 extending in a direction generally normal to fold line 30. A sheet of material 44, such as glassine for example, of a generally rectangular configuration, is bonded to inner face 24 of rear panel 16. Any suitable adhesive can be applied to rear panel 16 or sheet 44 along an inverted U-shaped outline 48 (FIG. 2) prior to rear panel 16 being bent into its folded position, thereby to form a second pocket within the pocket formed by front and rear panels, 14 and 16, respectively. Slot 42 constitutes the mouth or inlet of the second pocket. Although sheet 44 is conveniently formed of a translucent glassine material, it should be understood that such sheet can be formed of any suitable material.

In forming envelope 10 after sheet 44 has been attached to face 24 of rear panel 16, blank 12 is first folded along line 30 to bring face 24 of rear panel 16 into face-to-face relation with face 22 of front panel 14. Bottom flap 20 is then bent inwardly along fold line 36 into overlying relation with the bottom portion of the outer face of rear panel 16 and secured thereto along adhesive line 38. Thus, a pocket is formed between front panel 14, rear panel 16 and bottom flap 20 for receiving a ticket, such as an airline travel ticket identified by reference numeral 50 in FIG. 1. Edges 32 and 34 define a mouth for such pocket through which the ticket is inserted and removed.

Inner face 24 of rear panel 16 and sheet 44 form a second pocket within the first pocket for receiving baggage claim tickets 52 (FIG. 1) introduced through slot 42, which defines the mouth or inlet of the second pocket. Closure panel 18 can then be folded along line 40 to a closed position overlying the two pockets to safely retain the tickets and checks contained therein.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the objects of the present invention have been fully accomplished. As a result of this invention, an improved ticket envelope is provided with a separate or second pocket formed on a panel which also serves as one face or wall of a first pocket. Thus, a separate pocket is provided within a ticket pocket for the reception and retention of baggage claim checks or other accessory stubs. The sheet material 44 divides the pocket between panels 14 and 16 into separate ticket and baggage check pockets. Although the multiple pocket envelope of this invention has been described and illustrated as a convenient envelope for travel tickets and baggage claim checks, it should be understood that it is not restricted to use with such articles, but has utility for the reception and retention of a wide range of items, such as bank account books, receipt stubs, coupons and the like.

A preferred embodiment of this invention having been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that this has been done by way of illustration only .

Claims

I claim:

1. An envelope comprising: a first panel having an inner face, a second panel joined to said first panel along one side thereof and having an inner face in opposed relation to said inner face of said front panel, a flap closing the space between said first and second panels adjacent one end thereof to form a first pocket between said panels, said first pocket being open along the opposite side and end of said second panel, said second panel having a slot therein extending generally normal to said one side of said first panel, a sheet of material overlying said slot between said first and second panels and secured to the inner face of said second panel to form a second pocket between said first and second panels, said slot forming an inlet for said second pocket, and a closure panel joined to said first panel along the opposite side thereof and foldable along said opposite side into a closed position overlying said first and second pockets to provide a common closure therefor, said closure panel generally corresponding in shape and size to said first panel, said second panel extending along said one side of said first panel from adjacent said one end thereof and terminating short of the opposite end thereof, the portion of said second panel adjacent said one end thereof being slightly narrower than said first panel.

2. An envelope as set forth in claim 1, wherein said flap is joined to said one end of said first panel and is adhesively secured to said second panel.

3. An envelope as set forth in claim 1, said sheet being secured to said inner face of said second panel along lines spaced slightly above and exteriorly of the opposite sides of said slot.

4. An envelope as set forth in claim 1, wherein said panels and said flap comprise a unitary construction, said sheet of material overlying said slot comprising a separate sheet secured to said second panel.

5. An envelope as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second pocket is within said first pocket.