Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
20475 12
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TAMPER-EVIDENT SEALING SYSTEM FOR ENVELOPE HAVING A
PATTERN OF VISIBLY DISTINCT REFLECTIVE CHARACTERISTICS
THEREON AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Reference is hereby made to my related U.S. patent
4,733,817, issued on March 29, 1988, and my related U.S.
Patent 4,834,532.
This invention relates to an envelope and method of
making an envelope and, more particularly, to envelopes
having a tamper-evident feature to indicate when
tampering has occurred after the envelope has been
closed and sealed.
There is a continuous need for containers for the
shipment and handling of items, especially valuable
items. In addition to the use of such containers for
money, such as the deposit of daily money receipts in a
bank's night depository by retail establishments, other
items of value must
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,
be transferrcd between parties. These include
chccks, bonds, stocks, food stamps, coupons,
medical reports and samples, jewelry, confidential
documents, etc. Because of the underlying value
of such items, the containers used for such
transport and storage should be of high integrity.
The container, in addition to being capable of
being handled during transfer without breaking or
or opcning unintentionally to provide access to
the contents, must be capable of indicating when
its inte~rity has been compromised.
Containers of this type are known in the
prior art. For instance, U. S. Patent 4,483,018
discloses a container alleged to be disposable, of
high integrity and tamper resistant. The
container is formed of thermoplastic with an
opening to insert contents. A flap with adhesive
is closed over the opening and bonded to the
containcr material. The flap has a detachable
end, and both the flap and the detachable end have
identical identification indicia thereon. The
container also has tamper attempt indicating
perforations running through the adhesive and
indicia parallel to the envelope opening.
Another such security container is disclosed
in European Patent Application 8~308475.4,
published June 4, 1986. Here a single container
used as a security bag has a flap and lip which
unitc through activation of the adhesive. By the
us~ of this structure, the bag cannot be opened
without severing the material of the bag, thus
making the bag tamper-evident. Once an attempt to
opcn the bag is made, it is difficult to realign
the row of slits and pilferage becomes apparent.
The bond between the flap and the lip is
preferably greater than between the lip and the
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outcr surface of the rear panel. If the flap is
lifted from the surface of the rear panel, the
lifting action still would not result in peeling
the flap from the lip and opening the bag. When
the bag is used the authorized person signs his or
her signature on thc stripe 26 so that the
signaturc extends across the rows of slits. The
stripe 26 is called an added security feature.
A problcm has recently been uncovered
regarding the use of adhesive-type materials to
seal plastic envelopes. It has been found that
oncc the seal has been activated to secure the
contcnts in the envelope, the scal can be
reopened, some or all the contents removed and the
flap rcscaled, all without any indication that
tampcring with the cnvelope flap has occurrcd.
This can be carried out by the application of low
tcmperatures to the adhesive region. For
instance, a spray aimed from a can of freon-like
material or the application of dry ice directly to
the adhesive region will cause the adhesive to
separate from the plastic envelope so that the
flap can be lifted off the envelope and access
gained to the contents. After the removal of the
lo~ tcmperature for a short timc (approx. 1 - 5
minutes), the adhesive will readily reseal the
flap to the plastic envelope without any evidence
of tampering.
The present invention is a new and improved
approach to providing a tamper-evident seal for an
envclopc and method of making such an envelope.
20~7~12
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to - a
tamper-evident sealing system such as those used
with security envelopes or containers, and method
of making the same.
Thc envelope, in one embodiment, has two
sealing means for joining the flap of the envelope
to thc envelope body when the envelope is to be
closcd and sealcd. A first or primary adhesive
sealing mcans preferably provides a sufficiently
strong bond between the flap and the envelope so
as to act as the main seal between these elements.
A second tampcr-evident sealing means located over
the flap and adjacent panel of the envelope, when
thc envelope is sealed, provides an additional,
tampcr-evidcnt sealing means which must be visibly
violated should the first adhesive sealing means
be violatcd and the flap opened. The second
sealing mcans is located so that when the flap is
closed and sealed, any attempt to reopen the flap,
such as by applying hot or cold temperatures to
the first adhesive sealing means, to thereby at
l~ast temporarily release its adhesion, will
visibly show, even if the first or primary
adhesive sealing means appears to have remained
intact when reopened and then again closed and
scaled.
In another embodiment, the second sealing
means above can also carry out the function of the
primary sealing means so that a single sealing
means, namely the tamper-evident sealing means,
provides the primary sealing function as well as
the tamper-evident sealing function. This
approach is particularly useful in smaller
envelopes and/or envelopes made of thinner
plas~ics. Th~ single sealing means hcre can be
any suitablc material such as a paper stock with
an adhcsive. ~
In an embodiment of the sealing system, the
second sealing means is located at, and extends
beyond, the end of the flap. The portion of the
sccond adhesive means extending beyond the end of
thc flap may have one or more rcmovable protective
liner~ over it so that the adhesive will not
prematurely stick to adjacent objects. Whcn the
envelope is to be closed and sealed, the
protective liners are peeled from the first and/or
sccond sealing means, the flap folded down over
the envelope opening and pressure applied to the
first and second adhesive sealing means to seal
the envelope. Thc second adhesive sealing means
adhercs to the cnvelope and the flap in the region
of the end of the f lap thereby providing a
tamper-cvident seal if any attempt is made to lift
the flap.
In another embodiment of the invention the
tampcr-cvident sealing means, having a first side
facing the closing means or envelope upon which it
is located and a second side facing away from the
closing means or envelope upon which it is
located, is provided with a pattern of regions
thcreon or therein. One or more of the regions
may havc printing thercon. Some of the regions
havc visibly distinct reflective characteristics
from others of the regions whcn viewed from the
second side of the tamper-evident sealing means.
In another embodiment of the invention the
tampcr-cvident sealing means, having a first side
facing the closing means or envelope upon which it
is located and a second side facing away from the
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closing means or envelope upon which it is
located, is provided with a pearlaceous material
therein or thercon which is visible on the
tamper-evident means when viewed from the second
sidc. The pearlaceous matcrial can also be
iridcscent. The pearlaceous material may be in or
on the entire tamper-evident layer or only cover a
portion or multiple portions of the tamper-evident
sealing means such as in a stripe or other
pattcrn. It may also have a coating over it.
The invention also includes the manner and
method by which the second sealing means is
attached onto the flap. Tamper evidency, in a
preferred embodiment, can be enhanced by coloring
the second sealing means a different or
contrasting color compared to the envelope
material.
The invention further includes a method of
making a tamper-evident sealing system when
provided with a pattern of visibly distinct
reflective characteristics or a pearlaceous
material. The pattern or pearlaceous material may
be placed on the tamper-evident sealing means
before or after the the tamper-evident sealing
means is applied to the envelope system.
Other aspects of this invention are as follows:
A tamper-evident sealing system for use
with an envelope made at least partially of
plastic material comprising:
envelope pocket having an opening therein through
which contents can be placed into the pocket;
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6a
plastic closing means which when placed over and
secured to the plastic envelope material forms a closed
pocket, the closing means having at least one transverse
edge;
tamper-evident sealing means located on the closing
means and extending beyond the transverse edge of the
closing means, or, alternatively, on the envelope adjacent
to where the transverse edge of the closing means overlies
the envelope when forming a closed pocket in which case a
portion of the tamper-evident sealing means does not adhere
to the envelope, which enables the closing means and
envelope to be sealed to one another, the tamper-evident
sealing means upon sealing the envelope and closing means
together, becoming visibly distorted, broken apart, or of
disrupted continuity if attempts are made to reopen the
tamper-evident sealing means whereby tamper-evidency is
provided to the envelope system; and
the tamper-evident sealing means having a first side
facing the closing means or envelope upon which it is
located and a second side facing away from the closing
means or envelope upon which it is located, and a pattern
of exposed regions, some of the exposed regions having
visibly distinct reflective characteristics from others of
the exposed regions when viewed from said second side of
the tamper-evident sealing means.
A tamper-evident sealing system for use with an
envelope made at least partially of plastic material
comprising:
envelope pocket having an opening therein through
which contents can be placed into the pocket;
plastic closing means which when placed over and
secured to the plastic envelope material forms a closed
pocket, the closing means having at least one transverse
edge;
first pressure-activated adhesive sealing means,
located on the closing means or, alternatively, on the
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, " ."
6b
envelope where the closing means overlies the envelope when
forming a closed pocket, for sealing the closing means to
the plastic envelope material;
second, tamper-evident sealing means located on the
closing means and extending beyond the transverse edge of
the closing means, or, alternatively, on the envelope
adjacent to where the transverse edge of the closing means
overlies the envelope when forming a closed pocket in which
case a portion of the second, tamper-evident sealing means
does not adhere to the envelope, which enables the closing
means and envelope to be sealed to one another, the second,
tamper-evident sealing means, upon sealing the envelope and
closing means together, becoming visibly distorted, broken
apart, or of disrupted continuity if attempts are made to
reopen the second, tamper-evident sealing means whereby
tamper-evidency is provided to the envelope system even if
the first sealing means can be reopened and reclosed
without visual detection thereof; and
the second, tamper-evident sealing means having a
first side facing the closing means or envelope upon which
it is located and a second side facing away from the
closing means or envelope upon which it is located, and a
pattern of exposed regions, some of said exposed regions
having visibly distinct reflective characteristics from
others when viewed from said second side of said second
tamper-evident sealing means.
A tamper-evident sealing system for use with an
envelope made at least partially of plastic material
comprising:
plastic closing means which when placed over and
secured to the plastic envelope material forms a closed
pocket, the closing means having at least one transverse
edge;
first pressure-activated adhesive sealing means,
located on the closing means or, alternatively, on the
envelope where the closing means overlies the envelope when
f
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6c
forming a closed pocket, for sealing the closing means to
the plastic envelope material;
second, tamper-evident sealing means located on the
closing means and extending beyond the transverse edge of
the closing means which enables the closing means to be
sealed to the envelope when the closing means is secured to
the envelope to form a closed pocket, the second sealing
means, once being sealed to the envelope, becoming visibly
distorted, broken apart, or of disrupted continuity if
attempts are made to reopen the second sealing means
whereby tamper-evidency is provided even if the first
sealing means can be reopened and reclosed without visual
detection thereof; and
the second, tamper-evident sealing means having a
first side facing the closing means and a second side
facing away from the closing means, and a pattern of
exposed regions some of said regions having visibly
distinct reflective characteristics from others when viewed
from said second side of the second tamper-evident sealing
means.
A method of making a tamper-evident sealing system for
use with an envelope made at least partially of plastic
material, the envelope having at least one pocket having an
opening therein through which contents can be placed into
the pocket, and plastic closing means which when placed
over and secured to the plastic envelope material forms a
closed pocket, the closing means having at least one
transverse edge comprising:
placing a tamper-evident sealing means on the closing
means and extending beyond the transverse edge of the
closing means, or, alternatively, on the envelope adjacent
to where the transverse edge of the closing means overlies
the envelope when forming a closed pocket in which case a
portion of the tamper-evident sealing means does not adhere
to the envelope, which enables the closing means and
envelope to be sealed to one another, the tamper-evident
if~
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~J ~
2-
_
6d
sealing means, upon sealing the envelope and closing means
together, becoming visibly distorted, broken apart, or of
disrupted continuity if attempts are made to reopen the
second, tamper-evident sealing means whereby tamper-
evidency is provided to the envelope system even if the
first sealing means can be reopened and reclosed without
visual detection thereof, the tamper-evident sealing means
having a first side facing the closing means or envelope
upon which it is located and a second side facing away from
the closing means or envelope upon which it is located; and
providing the tamper-evident sealing means with a
pattern of exposed regions, some of said exposed regions
having visibly distinct reflective characteristics from
others when viewed from said second side of said second
tamper-evident sealing means.
A tamper-evident sealing system for use with an
envelope made at least partially of plastic material
comprising:
envelope pocket having an opening therein through
which contents can be placed into the pocket;
plastic closing means which when placed over and
secured to the plastic envelope material forms a closed
pocket, the closing means having at least one transverse
edge;
tamper-evident sealing means located on the closing
means and extending beyond the transverse edge of the
closing means, or, alternatively, on the envelope adjacent
to where the transverse edge of the closing means overlies
the envelope when forming a closed pocket in which case a
portion of the tamper-evident sealing means does not adhere
to the envelope, which enables the closing means and
envelope to be sealed to one another, the tamper-evident
sealing means upon sealing the envelope and closing means
together, becoming visibly distorted, broken apart, or of
disrupted continuity if attempts are made to reopen the
tamper-evident sealing means whereby tamper-evidency is
....
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' ~....
6e
provided to the envelope system; and
the tamper-evident sealing means having a first side
facing the closing means or envelope upon which it is
located and a second side facing away from the closing
means or envelope upon which it is located, and a
pearlaceous material which is visible when viewed from said
second side of the tamper-evident sealing means.
A tamper-evident sealing system for use with an
envelope made at least partially of plastic material
comprising:
envelope pocket having an opening therein through
which contents can be placed into the pocket;
plastic closing means which when placed over and
secured to the plastic envelope material forms a closed
pocket, the closing means having at least one transverse
edge;
first pressure-activated adhesive sealing means,
located on the closing means or, alternatively, on the
envelope where closing means overlies the envelope when
forming a closed packet, for sealing the closing means to
the plastic envelope material;
second, tamper-evident sealing means located on the
closing means and extending beyond the transverse edge of
the closing means, or on the envelope adjacent to where the
transverse edge of the closing means overlies the envelope
when forming a closed pocket in which case a portion of the
second, tamper-evident sealing means does not adhere to the
envelope, which enables the closing means and envelope to
be sealed to one another, the second, tamper-evident
sealing means, upon sealing the envelope and closing means
together, becoming visibly distorted, broken apart, or of
disrupted continuity if attempts are made to reopen the
second, tamper-evident sealing means whereby tamper-
evidency is provided to the envelope system even if the
first sealing means can be reopened and reclosed without
}~
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6f
visual detection thereof; and
the second, tamper-evident sealing means having a
first side facing the closing means or envelope upon which
it is located and a second side facing away from the
closing means or envelope upon which it is located, and a
pearlaceous material which is visible when viewed from said
second side of said second tamper-evident, sealing means.
A tamper-evident sealing system for use with an
envelope made at least partially of plastic material
comprising:
plastic closing means which when placed over and
secured to the plastic envelope material forms a closed
pocket, the closing means having at least one transverse
edge;
first pressure-activated adhesive sealing means,
located on the closing means or on the envelope where the
closing means overlies the envelope when forming a closed
pocket, for sealing the closing means to the plastic
envelope material; and
second, tamper-evident sealing means located on the
closing means and extending beyond the transverse edge of
the closing means which enables the closing means to be
sealed to the envelope when the closing means is secured to
the envelope to form a closed pocket, the second sealing
means, once being sealed to the envelope, becoming visibly
distorted, broken apart, or of disrupted continuity if
attempts are made to reopen the second sealing means
whereby tamper-evidency is provided even if the first
sealing means can be reopened and reclosed without visual
detection thereof; and
the second, tamper-evident sealing means having a
first side facing the closing means and a second side
facing away from the closing means, and a pearlaceous
material thereon or therein which is visible when viewed
from said second side of the second tamper-evident sealing
means.
t .,
6g
A method of making a tamper-evident sealing system for
use with an envelope made at least partially of plastic
material, the envelope having at least one pocket having an
opening therein through which contents can be placed into
the pocket, and plastic closing means which when placed
over and secured to the plastic envelope material forms a
closed pocket, the closing means having at least one
transverse edge comprising:
placing a tamper-evident sealing means on the closing
means and extending beyond the transverse edge of the
closing means, or, alternatively, on the envelope adjacent
to where the transverse edge of the closing means overlies
the envelope when forming a closed pocket in which case a
portion of the tamper-evident sealing means does not adhere
to the envelope, which enables the closing means and
envelope to be sealed to one another, the tamper-evident
sealing means, upon sealing the envelope and closing means
together, becoming visibly distorted, broken apart, or of
disrupted continuity if attempts are made to reopen the
second, tamper-evident sealing means whereby tamper-
evidency is provided to the envelope system even if the
first sealing means can be reopened and reclosed without
visual detection thereof, the tamper-evident sealing means
having a first side facing the closing means or envelope
upon which it is located and a second side facing away from
the closing means or envelope upon which it is located; and
providing the tamper-evident sealing means with a
pearlaceous material which is visible when viewed from said
second side of said second tamper-evident sealing means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the back side
of an envelope incorporating the first and second sealing
means before the closing means is closed over the access
opening and secured to the pocket material.
Figure 2a is the same envelope as shown in Fig. 2 but
with an alternative single liner which covers both the
first and second adhesive means.
~0~173~2
.,.
Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of the the
same envelope as shown in Fig. 1 along
cross-section 2-2.
Fig. 3 is the same envelope as shown in Flg.
2 after the protective liner(s) are removed from
thc first and second sealing means in preparation
to closing and sealing the flap over the opening.
23
Fig. 4 is the same envelope as shown in Fig.
3 after the flap i5 folded over the opening and
the first and second sealing means are pressed
into adhering relationship with the envelope
material to seal the flap thereon.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an
envelope similar to that shown in Fig. 2 except
that the flap is a separate component from the
cnvelope prior to it being sealed to the envelope.
Fig. 6 is the envelope shown in Fig. 5 after
the flap is sealed to the envelope over the
opening.
Fig. 7 depicts serrated edges, notches edges,
feather-cut edges, and kiss cut ~die cut)
techniques, respectively, that can be used alone
or in combination on the facestock to propagate
tearing.
Figs. 7a-c illustrate how printing can be
applied to the second, tamper-evident sealing
means to enhance its tamper-evidency
characteristics.
Fig. 8 is flow chart of a representative
manner by which the second, tamper-evident sealing
means can be automatically applied to the flap.
Fig. 8a is a schematic illustration of
feeding second sealing means stock from a supply.
~ 2~7512
Fiy. 8b is a schematic illustration of
separating a portion (along the width of the
stock) of the protective liner from the stock to
form a gap, the stock and tool being shown ~in
section.
Fig. 8c is a schematic illustration of moving
the stock relative to the flap to place the outer
transverse cdge of the flap into the gap between
the liner and the adhesive tape, the envelope and
stock being shown in section.
Fig. 8d is a schematic illustration of
applying pressure to the stock and flap to seal
the stock to thc flap, the flap and stock being
shown in section.
Fig. 8c is a schematic illustration o~
cutting the stock from its supply to separate the
flap from the stock supply.
Fig. 8' and 8a'-8d' are schematic
illustrations of an alternative method by which
the first and second sealing means can be applied
to the envelope.
Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of the
envelope with a flap bearing the second sealing
means as made according the the method described
in Fig. 8 and Figs. 8a-e, the envelope being shown
in section.
Figs. lOa and lOb are schematic illustrations
of an alternative embodiment of the sealing system
wherein the second, tamper-evident sealing means
is attached to the envelope body rather than the
flap before the envelope is sealed, Fig. lOa
depicting thc envelope before it is sealed and
Fig. lOb depicting the envclope after it is
sealcd, both views being in section.
Fig. 11 is a schematic illustration of the
tamper-evident sealing means having a pattern of
2047~12
.,
regions, some of the regions having visually
distinct reflective characteristics from others of
the regions, including pearlaceous material.
DETAILED D~SCRIPTION
OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Although the invcntion is described herein in
a particular environment, that of the shipment of
items, particularly valuable items in a sccure
manner, such as in a security envelope, it is to
be understood that the invention is not so
limitcd. It can be used to contain, ship, bundle,
store, etc. any type of item wherein a
tamper-evident means is desirable.
The figures herein are not shown to scale.
The thicknesses of the envelope material and the
sealing means components are exaggerated to
improve clarity of disclosure. Also the
proportions of the various components are not
necessarily shown to actual dimensions, the
proportions used showing the important features of
the invention more clearly.
As shown in the Figures, the container, here
an envelope having a single pocket, is a
relatively flat container which can be constructed
of any suitable material. The envelope material
in this embodiment is in sheet form and folded
upon itself to form a pocket with a base 12 and
two side seams 14, 16. The side seams may be
formed in any suitable manner such as by heat
welds formed by impulse welding,heat sealing as
commonly used in the industry, or by the
application of glue such as a thermoplastic glue.
The seams should be of adequate strength to
2~7~12
..,_
prcvent them from being compromised or easily
opencd. If desirable, double or multiple panels
of such material can be used to make the envelope.
Envelope 10 has a front panel 20 and a back
pancl 18 with access opening 22 at the edge 19 of
the back panel. The front panel has edge 21
which, in this embodiment, is substantially above
cdgc 19 to form a closing means or flap36. The
access opening Z2 provides an opening to the
interior of the envelope pocket for the placement
of items into the pocket. The front panel has a
securing means or , in this embodiment, first
adhesive sealing means or assembly 30 while the
back panel has a second, tamper-evident sealing
means or asscmbly 40. Assembly 30 includes first
adhesive tape 30a adhered to flap 36 and a
peelablc protective covering or liner 30b thereon.
Adhesive tape 30a has adhesive material on both
sides of the tape. Assembly 40 includes a second
adhesive tape 40a partially adhered to the other
side of flap 36 and a peelable protective covering
or liner 40b over the adhesive portion extending
beyond transverse edge 21 of the flap. In the
altcrnative, a single peelable protective covering
or liner 31, as shown in Fig. 2a, can be used over
adhesive means 30a and adhesive means 40a.
Adhesive tape 40a has adhesive material on the
side of the tape adjacent thc flap while the other
side of tape 40a is preferably without any
adhesive material.
By removing liners 30b and 40b, or
alternative liner 31, and then folding flap 36
over opening 22 and sealing adhesive tape 30a and
sealing tape 40a onto the back panel, a completely
sealed envelope is provided which will be
47 5 1 2 ~
tamper-evident if access to the envelope is
attempted by peeling back the flap and opening the
first adhesive sealing means. The adhesive
is preferably of the pressure-activated type. For
instance, the first adhesive sealing means can be
of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,483,018.
A tampcr-evident envelope system can be made
having multiple pockets and the pockets can be
optionally detachable, such as by perforations, or
non-detachable from one another, as described in
my US Patent 4,733,817. The pockets can be any
suitable size and shape for holding the items to
be contained therein. The pockets may be of
varying sizes, such as a relatively small pocket
and a relatively large pocket, or, in the
alternative, the pockets may be the same size.
The envelope system may be made of a single panel
of material or of multiple panels whether there is
a single pocket or multiple pockets.
Envelope system 10 is shown as being made of
a single panel or sheet. The panel is folded at
base 12 to form the front panel 20 and back panel
18 of the envelope system. In this embodiment
fold 12 forms the bottom portion of the pocket and
the side portions are formed by bonding the front
and back portions together in regions 14 and 16.
Bonding can be accomplished by any suitable
proccss such as the application of pressure and
heat to the envelope material where bonding is
intended as is well known in the art.
The cnvelope may be made of any suitable
material. If used for security shipments, the
pancl should be made of a high integrity, strong,
flexible matcrial which is resistant to tearing
20~75~
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12
and puncturing and which can take high impact
stresses and twisting and otherwise relatively
rough handling without ill effects. Examples of
suitable matcrials for the envelope shown in -the
Figurcs are plastic materials such as
polycthylene, polypropylene, polyolefin, etc. As
an cxample, thc envelope can be madc of
convcntional monolayer films or, altcrnatively,
multiple laycr cocxtruded or laminated films or
construction such as polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyolcfin, etc. In some applications the
immediately above materials may be combined with
nylon, surlyn, foils, polyesters, etc. depending
upon thc application requirements and cost
considcrations.
The materials disclosed in U. S. Patent
4,082,880 can also be used. The thickness of the
envclopc material can be any suitable dimension to
provide the characteristics of the envelope as
desired. For example, when using polyethylene or
polypropylene, it has been found that a thickness
of about .0002 inches (2 mils) and heavier works
well for a security envelope.
The envelope material may be in the form of a
single layer or multiple layer laminate or
extrusion. The material may be opaque,
translucent, transparent or any mixture thereof.
It can be in any desired color. The envelope is
desirably water-resistant and preferably
watertight and airtight. However, in some
applications, especially in large size envelopes,
it may be desirable to place strategically small
holes in the pockets to enable air trapped inside
the pocket to escape after it is closed. The
material may also be printed upon to affix
2047~ i 2
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13
indicia, identify the sender and/or receiver and
providc intended use and instructions thereon.
As described in the aforementioned U.S.
Patent 4,733,817, each envelope, whether it be~ a
single pocket envelope or a multiple pocket
cnvelope, may have identical or somewhat similar
indicia on the envelope and a detachable end
portion, such as end portion on thc end of the
flap so that when the end portion of the flap is
detached from the flap's main portion, a receipt
bearing identical or similar indicia as on the
pocket is provided. In using a detachable end
portion cxtending from edge 21 of the flap, the
end portion should be detached from the flap
before the liner 40b is removed and sealed to the
back panel. The indicia can be printed on the
main portion of the flap or placed on some other
part of the envelope such as in the center region
of the envelope. The indicia can be alphanumeric
or any other suitable indicia such as graphic, bar
code, colors, holographic, and so forth.
Alternatively, receipt numbering and a place for
the sender's signature can also be placed on the
liner or on a retainable portion of the liner.
The liner or such portion then can be signed and
used as a receipt once the liner is removed from
the envelope.
Adhesive assembly 40 may reside on the on the
main potion of the flap or, alternatively, on a
portion of the back panel over which the flap
ovcrlies when the flap closes on the envelope. In
the envelope shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the contents
are placed in the envelope, the liner peelcd from
adhcsive tapes 30a and 40a and discarded, or
alternatively used as a receipt, and the flap
folded over the opening to close the envelope.
6~
.~,...
14
Pressure is then applied to adhesive tapes 30a and
40a to scal the flap onto the envelope.
Many alternativcs and cnhancements can be
made to the invention as disclosed above. ~In
multiple pocket envelope systems, the number of
pockets in an cnvelope system can be matched to
the number of item types to be handled by a
system; e.g., 8, 12, 16 or more individual pockets
can be made into an envelope system. The envelope
material can be made in a relatively flat
configuration as vicwed from the side or can be,
made to receive thicker materials by such means as
providing cxpandable folds in the front and back
portions of the pockets. The front and/or back
portions of the envelope may have address windows
and areas which are particularly adapted to
receive stamps and typewritten or handwritten
addresses and instructions. In addition, an
envelope may have an additional envelope attached
to it for mailing purposes.
As mentioned above, it is also possible to
construct the pockets or envelopes without the
~lap attachcd as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In this
case the flap 140 can be a separate item which
would be applied over the opening 122 of the
envelope 100 with means to secure the opening,
such two adhesive assemblies 130 and two adhesive
assemblics 140 with a fold in between so that the
assemblies can be sealed to the front 120 and back
118 portions of the pocket as shown in Fig. 6 to
make it completely sealed around its periphery to
close the opening. In this case the flaps may be
preprinted with indicia to match that of the
pocket or envelope, or a particular envelope
system, or may have a region thereon for the user
to write in the indicia of the pocket or envelope.
20~7~12
As shown in Fig. Z, rather than using two separate
lincrs 130b and 140b, one singlc liner optionally
could extend over adhesivc assemblics 130a and
140a. ,
As dcscribed in U.S. Patent 4,483,018, high
inteyrity, tamper-evident containers or envelopes
made of plastic with pressure sensitive closing
mcans applicd on opposite matcable surfaces have
bccn disclosed in the past. In this typc of
cnvelopc it has been found that the adhesive will
unseal itself from the plastic with the
application of low temperatures to thc adhesive
strip area aftcr the envelope has been sealed.
The flap can then be opened, the contents or at
least some of the contents rcmoved, and the flap
rescaled aftcr the low tcmperature has dissipated
from the adhesive rcgion. This can be carried out
in such a manner that there is no evidence, visual
or otherwise, that unauthorized entry of the
cnvclope has occurred. Furthermore, this opening
procedure can be carried out quickly with the
application of dry ice or the spray of "Component
Cooler" catalog number 64-2321 sold by Radio Shack
under the brand name "Realistic", for example.
This material instantly reduces the temperature of
the first adhesive sealing means to approximately
-50 degrces F. Other chemicals in the
chlorofluorocarbon or nitrogen families can, upon
application, bring the temperatures to -200
degrccs F. and lower.
As described in the aforementioned patent,
perforation lines can be placed on the flap within
the adhcsive region and indicia disposed across
the perforations. It is the intent of this system
that any material distortion of the flap, such as
during tampering, will disrupt the specific
20~7512
16
relationship of the indicia and visibly show the
tampcring attempt. This is not believed to be a
rcliable method of detecting tampcring attempts,
cspecially in the instance where low temperat~re
is applied to the adhesive region, because most of
thc materials used in the manufacture of
disposable plastic envelopes are primarily
polyolcfins and are non-porous. Consequently, the
adhcsive does not penetrate into the plastic
material, due to close molecular structure, but
rathcr only adheres to the outer surface of the
plastic. Under extraordinary conditions, such as
upon application of low or high temperatures, the
adhesion dissipates or releases the bond as it
temporarily crystalizes and thc flap can bc opened
and then resealed as the adhesive relatively
quickly reyains its properties as it returns to
normal tcmperature.
A main feature of the invention herein is the
use of first adhesive sealing means, such as
adhesive tape 30a bctween flap 36 and the plastic
envelope panel to strongly and securely hold the
flap closcd under ordinary conditions together
with second, tamper-evident sealing means over the
flap and plastic envelope which is tamper-evident.
When extreme cold is placed against the first
adhesivc sealing mcans, such as by the application
of dry ice, to open the first seal, remove all or
part of the contents and then reseal the first
sealing means without any visible indication that
the first sealing means has been opened, the
second scaling means prevents the flap from being
lifted without applying force to the second
sealing means. When this is done and an attempt to
lift the flap and/or the sccond sealing means is
made, the second sealing mcans will visibly
17 20~7~12
distort or break apart. This will happen even if
extremc hot or cold temperatures are applied to
thc sccond sealing means because of their
destructible characteristic. Thus, the sec~nd
scaling means necd not be necessarily as strong as
the first sealing means, but only need to visibly
show that tampering has occurred. This is its
main function in the sealing system.
Any type of suitable destructible material
can be used. Layers 30a and 40a can optionally be
hot melt adhesive applied directly to the envelope
or an adhesive tape, for instance. As an example,
layer 40a can be an adhesive tape such as a
product made by 3M corporat on, Minneapolis,
Minnesota which is described in their product
brochure "ScotchMark Brand Identification Systems"
and called "Y-812 Red Tamper Resistant Tape" and
"Y-813 Transparent Tamper ~esistant Tape". These
are described as tapes which combine a fragile
transparent acetate film with an aggressive
adhesivc to form a highly destructible tamper
resistant tape. When the edges are serrated,
tamper resistance on packages is significantly
increased. Tape 40a preferably is provided in a
different or contrasting color compared to the
envelope material or has printing such as on the
adhesive side to enhance tamper-evidency. Also a
colored dye such as red can be used with the
adhesive to stain substrates if solvents are used
to removc the tape. The product specifications
are as follows:
2~7~
~,..~
18
PRODUCT APPROXIMATE
DESCRIPTION THICKNESS
.,
Facestock Mattc Transparent 0.0016 in.
Acetate Film (0.0406mm)
Adhesive #300 "Hi-Strength"0.0018 in.
(Y-812 has red dyet0.0457mm)
in adhesive)
Total Thickness0.0034 in.
(0.0863mm)
When the facestock is scrrated, notchcd, or
feather-cut, as depicted in Fig. 7, the edge tear
resistance is rcduced sharply. All of the above
mentioned types of edge treatments propagate
tcaring of acetate, paper, vinyl, or other
facestock materials. Especially when adhesive
tapes are provided in contrasting colors to the
envelope material or are printed such as in one or
more colors, the faccstock, as it is lifted off
the envelope, will break into small pieces,
distort, and or become of disrupted continuity.
As such it will become impossible to reconstruct
the tape to its original state and tampering will
bc easily rccognized. Consequently, when the tape
is applied as a security seal and allowed a short
period of dwell(15 minutes), attempts to remove
the tape in most cases will result in a tearing of
the film. Attempts to separate the adhesive from
a smooth or porous surface may leave a thin layer
of adhcsive. Solvents capable of removing the
adhesive may activate the red dye in the Y-812
model and may cause it to stain a paper or film
2047~i2
19
surface. The adhesivc develops an excellent bond
to smooth and porous papers, polyethylene,
polyestcr and many other smooth plastic surface
plastics. This product, when the cdgcs are
serrated, is suggested by the manufacturer for
tamper resistance on packages in the
pharmaccutical, food, cosmetic and law enforcjement
industries.
An alternative type of dcstructiblc tape for
use as the second, tamper-evident s~aling assembly
40 is one gencrally available in the marketplace
with a backing material made of acetate, vinyl,
papcr, ctc. with a lighter concentration of
adhesivc thcreon. This provides an adhesive that
will adhere more quickly to the envelope (and
lincr when used), is relatively strong in the
longitudinal direction, (which is important when
considering the automatic application of the tape
to the envelope), and relatively weak in the
transverse (width) direction for adequate
destructibility. An example of this tape is
catalog # S-730 or S-730B adhesive on 1.5 matte
acctatc, markcted by Fasson of Painesville, Ohio.
This type of tape is very desirable for the second
sealing means in that it generally is sold with a
liner such as paper which can be peeled back
selectively to enable the tape to be applied
automatically to the envelope.
The tape may be printed eithcr on its top or
facc side or on its backing and/or on the adhesive
to further enhance its tamper-evidency. Various
pattcrns of such printing and various methods of
application of the printing are possible. For
instance, as depicted in Figs. 7a-c, a multiple
printing scheme is shown. As shown in Fig. 7a,
the word "SECUR-PAK" is printed in a first
~ 2047~12
direction, such as on clear material, and in a
suitable color such red. Then, as shown in Fig.
7b, thc word is printed again, here in slightly
differcnt lettcr style, in a second direction wtith
alternate stripes of a suitable color such as
black in the area of the wording and between the
wording. The rcd stripe can be printed on top of
the tape betwcen the wording and/or on the bottom
of the tape in the area of the wording. Fig. 7c
shows the final product of the above steps. The
dcsign and printing techniques along with the use
of colors as described above further impedes any
possibility of a faithful reconstruction of the
second adhcsive means once it is lifted and breaks
apart.
It is preferred to place a protective
covering or liner over that portion of the second,
tampcr-cvident sealing means that extends beyond
the flap. As dcscribed beforehand, one liner can
be used to cover both the first and second
adhesive means. This liner enables the envelope
to be packed, stored, handled, etc. before closing
the flap without the adhesive on tape 40a
prematurel~ sticking to an adjacent object. If
tape such as the 3M Y-812 or Y-813 is used, the
liner will have to be applied to the portion of
thc tape extending beyond the transverse edge of
the flap cither before, during or after the tape
is placed on the flap. However, if the Fasson
acetate with S-730B label stock is used which
already has a liner thereon, the portion of the
liner to adhere to the flap will have to be
separated from the tape before the tape is pressed
onto the end of the flap. In any event the
placement of the second, tamper-evident sealing
means onto the envelope, whether it has a liner
2~7S~2
.~.~ . , .
21
pre-attached or not, can be accomplished by an
automatic process.
A process for quickly assembling the second
scaling means to the envclope flap is now
describcd in conjunction with Fig. 8 and Figs.
8a-e. In this case, the second scaling means
assembly 200 is provided from a supply, such as a
rcel, roll, or spool and it is of the variety that
already has the liner thereon. As shown in the
chart of Fig. 8, the first step is to provide
assembly stock 200 including the adhesive tape
200a with liner 200b. This can be done in any
suitable manner such as by feeding the stock from
reel 201 towards a liner separator tool 202.
The next step is to selectively separate the
portion of the liner 200b from the adhesive tape
that will adhcre to the flap. This is shown in
Fig. 8b wherein tool 202 and stock 200 are moved
relative to one another with the tip of the tool
inscrtcd betwecn the liner 200b and tape 200a to
the extent that tape 200b will overlap the flap
when assembled thereto. The tool creates a gap
between the liner and tape into which the end of
the flap will be placed. After the tool has
separated the preselected portion on the liner,
the tool is removed from the stock.
Next, the end of the flap 236 and gap between
liner 200b and 200a are moved relative to one
another so that the second sealing means 200 can
bc applied to the flap or bottom side of the
liner. Although first adhesive sealing means 230
is shown already on the flap, it could be applied
during or after the second sealing means. Then
pressure is applied to the stock and flap,
depicted as arrows "F" to seal the tape200a onto
the end of the flap as shown in Fig. 8d.
~0~7512
22
Thereafter, as shown in Fig.8e, the portion of the
stock adhering to the flap is severed from the
supply of stock, such as by a movable knife 220,
or a hot wire, so that the envelope just having
has its second, tamper-evident sealing means
applied can be rcmoved and thc process repeated
for the ncxt cnvelope.
Fig. 9 shows the completed envelope having
first adhcsive sealing means 230 and second
tampcr-evident sealing means 200. To use the
envclope, contents are placed into the envelope,
lincrs 200b and 230b are removed from the adhesive
tapes, thc flap folded over and pressure applied,
such as manually, over adhesive tapes 200a and
230a to scal the flap.
An alternative process for assembling the
seals onto the envelope is shown in Fig. 8' and
Figs. 8a'-8d'. Here the second adhesive means 200
is fed from supply roll 201 to separator 202 which
completcly separates the liner 200b from the
adhesivc tape 200a. The adhesive tape is then
placed on the flap of the envelope, a hot melt
adhcsive 230a placed on the othcr side of the flap
or on the liner for the first adhesive mcans, and
then a single liner 200b placed over the first
adhesive means 230a and second adhesive means
200a. The separator toolZ02 is used as a guide to
assure that both the liner and adhesive tape 200a
come back together properly. The adhesive means
and liner are then trimmed along the envelope
edge. To seal this envelope, liner 200b is
removed, the flap folded over, and pressure
applied over adhesive means 200a and 230a to seal
thc flap to thc envelope.
Other mcthods may bc used to place the second
scaling means onto the flap. For instance, when
20~7~12
23
the 3M tape is used, which is not generally
providcd with a liner, th~ tape can be placed on
the end of the flap with a portion of the adhesive
side of thc tape extending beyond the end of the
flap to form an exposed portion of the adhesive
side of thc tape. Thcn a liner material can be
fcd onto the exposed adhesive to avoid having it
prcmaturely stick to an object before intended
use. In thc case of applying a second sealing
assembly to the flap that has a liner already
attachcd, thc portion of thc liner described as
scparatcd from the tape in Fig. 8 and Figs. 8a-e
could be, instead, cut and totally removed from
the rcmainder of the stock so that the remaining
undisturbed lincr portion would be the only place
having liner material thereon.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown
in Figs. lOa and b. Here the second,
tampcr-evidcnt sealing assembly 440 is applied to
the back panel of the envelope before the flap is
closed and scaled as opposed to being applied to
thc flap itself. The flap still has first sealing
asscmbly 430 on it in this cmbodiment. Fig. lOa
shows the envelope before it is sealed. Second
seal assembly 440 has a liner 440b which extends
only over a portion of the adhesive tape 440a and
is located between the envelope material and
adhesive tape. When using this envelope, the
liners 430b and 440b arc peeled from the
assemblics 430 and 440, respectively, the flap
foldcd over and the end of it placed between the
envclopc and adhcsive tape 440a, and pressure
applicd to adhesive tapes 430a and 440a to seal
the envelopc.
The second, tamper-evident sealing means
provides evidence of tampcring with the sealed
~ -2~47~
24
flap when such occurs even by the application of
low tempcratures to th~ seal, because the forces
used to try to liEt thc flap to give access to the
contcnts of the envelope always breaks apart,
distorts, and disrupts the continuity of the
tampcr-cvidcnt means. Such distortion and
~reakage cannot be put back together if an attempt
i~ made to reseal the flap. The forces act in
this fashion on the the tamper-evident means
rcgardlcss of how the flap is actually separated
after the application of low temperature to the
scal system. It is believed that such breaking
apart and distortion always occurs in the
tamper-evidcnt means upon an attempt to lift the
flap bccause the fragile nature of the second
sealing means.
Thc tamper-cvident layer provides tamper
cvidence cvcn when low tcmperatures are placed in
thc regions of the first sealing means in stark
contrast to the prior art systems. When low
temperatures are applied to envelopes having only
the type of sealing systems described herein as
the first sealing means, the adhesive strip can be
readily pulled off and resealed without any
visible cvidence of tampering occurring on the
plastic envelope or flap or adhesive strip.
One problem that has rccently surfaced in the
use the tamper-evident sealing means described
abovc is that thc tamper-cvident scaling means,
such as 40a, once it has been sealed onto the
closing means and envelope, can be very carefully
cut with a razor blade such as horizontally or
parallcl across the closure. It is then possible
to rcmovc some or all of the contents of the
envclopc, such as with the aid of tweezers or
othcr implement without visibly disturbing the
CA 02047~12 1998-10-06
-25-
tamper-evident nature of the sealing means. The cut
then can be concealed from easy visual detection by
placing readily available mending tape over the cut
such as ordinary "Scotch" brand tape.
This is generally done by very carefully cutting
directly through the tamper-evident sealing means,
closing means and envelope to make a very narrow,
slit-type breech in the system without disturbing,
distorting, breaking apart, or disrupting the
continuity of the tamper-evident sealing means in a
sufficient manner to make such a violation readily
apparent or readily detectable by ordinary visual
inspection. Commonly available tapes such as "Scotch
Magic Tape", catalog No. 810, "Scotch Removable Magic
Tape", Catalog No. 811, "Scotch Transparent Tape"
catalog No. 600, and "Highland Permanent Mending Tape,
catalog No. 6200, are all examples of tapes that can
be applied over the slit to conceal it. "Scotch",
"Magic" and "Highland" are trademarks of 3M
Corporation of Minneapolis, MN. If the slit is made
carefully enough and the tape, or any other material
with adhesive that would match the surface of the
secondary sealing means, is placed over the slit and
smoothed out adequately, it may be very difficult to
determine that the tape and slit exist in the tamper-
evident sealing material.
It has been discovered that the existence of the
tape and slit are much more visually detectable if
there is a pattern of regions having visually distinct
characteristics placed on or in the tamper-evident
sealing tape which will highlight the existence of the
tape once it is placed on the sealing means. To
overcome this potential problem, the tamper-evident
sealing
26 20~7~12
means, having a first side facing the closing
means or envelope upon which it is located and a
second side facing away from the closing means or
envelope upon which it is located, is provided
with a pattern of regions thereon or therein, some
of the regions having visibly distinct reflective
characteristics from others of the regions when
viewed from the second side of the tamper-evident
sealing means. A representative embodiment of
this tamper-evident sealing system is shown in
Fig. 11. The tamper-evident sealing means 500 may
be used in lieu of adhesive tape 40a on envelope
10 in Figs. 1-4 herein.
Tamper-evident sealing means 500 has a
pattern of regions thereon, some of the regions
having visibly distinct reflective characteristics
from others of the regions when viewed from the
second side of the tamper-evident sealing means,
e.g., the side facing away from the closing means
or envelope. For example, in Fig. 11, regions 510
may have a matte-type finish while regions 520 may
have a gloss or semi-gloss type finish. In the
particular example shown in Fig. 11, a further
variation is used. There is an optional third
region, 530, which can be a transparent or
semi-transparent region, in this case acting as
stripes between each of the other regions 510 and
520. To further enhance the tamper-evidency of
the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, especially when
tapes are used to cover up tampering with the
envelope, regions 510 may optionally have a
particular color such as black along with the
matte-type finish while regions 520 may optionally
have a different color such as red along with the
gloss or semi-gloss type finish. Many variations
are possible such as printing indicia on the tape,
~ 27 2~47~'12
such as the trademark "SECUR-PAK", in a third
color, for example, white, and also printing the
stripe region 530 in white or even a fourth color.
It should be understood that the particular
characteristics of the regions on or in the
sealing means 500 may be any visually distinct one
from region to region as long as the effect is to
more readily detect when a tampering of the
sealing means is being covered up by the use of
tape or other similar means over the point of
entry. Similarly, various indicia and colors as
well as transparent regions, opaque regions, and
other characteristics can be used to advantage for
the intended purpose.
In another embodiment of the invention the
tamper-evident sealing means is provided with a
pearlaceous material therein or thereon which is
visible on the tamper-evident means when viewed
from the second side. The pearlaceous material
can also be iridescent. The pearlaceous material
may cover the entire tamper-evident sealing means
or only cover a portion or multiple portions of
the tamper-evident sealing means such as in a
stripe, or other pattern, as shown in Figure 11 as
stripe 510. The use of the pearlaceous material on
the tamper-evident sealing means enables the
presence of tape over an illicit slit to be
clearly seen. The pearlaceous material may also
have a coating over it as long as the material is
visible from the second side of the tamper-evident
sealing means. In addition, nacreous or
iridescent materials may be used for this purpose.
Pearlaceous material is one that resembles
mother of pearl or has a pearl-like appearance or
quality. Iridescent material is one that has or
shows an interplay of colors like the rainbow and
~Q475 ~ 2 -
28
has a prismatic quality. Any suitable material
that exhibits these characteristics can be used.
Examples of such materials are commercially
available from The Mearl Corporation, 41 East 42nd
Street, New York, New York 10017 and are sold
under the names of "Mearlin and Mearlite
Pearlescent Pigments and Iridescent Colors" and
"Mearlin Luster Pigments". "Mearlin" and
"Mearlite" are registered trademarks of The Mearl
Corporation.
For instance, in catalog number PCL-303
RR-11/89 entitled "Mearlin Luster Pigments", all
of the product numbers mentioned would be
suitable. Other catalogs of The Mearlin
Corporation disclosing suitable pearlaceous and
iridescent materials include catalog number RL888
entitled "Mearl Pearlescent Pigments for Use in
Printing Inks" and catalog number 89988-94/RL3099
entitled "Pearlescent Pigments & Iridescent Colors
for Industrial Applications".
The nature of pearlaceous materials is that
the individual particles are generally a very thin
crystalline platelet. The crystals are readily
oriented into parallel layers because of their
shape. Being transparent each crystal reflects
only part of the incident light reaching it and
transmits the remainder to the crystals below. It
is the simultaneous reflection of light from these
many microscopic layers that produces the
particular kind of shimmery luster which is called
pearlaceous or "pe~rlescence" by The Mearl
Corporation in their catalogs. The platelets are
most effective when they are individually
dispersed thereby presenting the maximum number of
2i~li7S~2
'~ 29
reflecting surfaces, and also when they are well
oriented thus achieving reflectivity in a uniform
direction. These materials are capable of
providing a variety of optical appearances from
brilliant luster to soft velvety sheen and come in
a wide variety of colors. These effects are well
suited to the present application.
These materials are typically made of mica
platelets coated with titanium dioxide andtor iron
oxide or plate-like crystals of bismuth
oxychloride. The Mearl Corporation products
"Mearlin Satin White", a titanium dioxide-coated
mica pigment characterized by its very fine
particle size and high reflectivity and
"Iridescent Glitter", catalog number PGL-422-015,
are suitable products for this application.
In the embodiment wherein the closing means
is separate from the envelope, two first adhesive
sealing means, one on each side of the envelope
opening, may be used to seal the closing means to
the envelope. Similarly, two second,
tamper-evident, sealing means, in operative
relationship with each transverse edge of the
closing means may be used to close the separate
closing means. In the embodiment wherein the
second, tamper-evident, sealing means is solely
used on the closing means to seal it to the
envelope and the closing means is separate from
the envelope, two tamper-evident sealing means may
be used to seal the closing means to the envelope,
one on either side of the envelope opening.
A suitable second, tamper-evident, sealing
means, whether used in conjunction with the first,
adhesive, sealing means or alone, to seal the
envelope is paperstock with an adhesive thereon.
~or instance, a 32 lb. computer printable light
2047~12
weight paper such as Technicote Product Number
1663 Lithopaper with a S0 lb. liner and a TS 523
Perm. Adhesive (substantially the same as that
disclosed above in relation to the 3M adhesive
tape) may be used. If printing is to be placed on
or in such a paperstock sealing means, Flair 100
(base-clear) or Flair 210 (interference violet)
marketed by EM Industries, Hawthorne, NY is a
suitable choice. Ordinary copier address labels
such as those that are relatively thin and /or are
relatively light weight can be used with success
for the tamper-evident sealing means, especially
for small, light guage, e.g., 1.5-2 mils, clear
plastic bags. Commonly available labels of this
type include "PRES-a-ply/ Self-Sticking Copier
Labels for plain bond copiers", catalog number
37-121, marketed by Dennison Manufacturing
Company, Framingham, MA, and "AVERY Self-Adhesive
Address Labels for Plain Paper Copiers", catalog
number 5360, marketed by Avery Label, Azusa, CA.
The Cheshire Company of Mundelein, IL also
produces labels of this type of relatively light
weight with serrated edges that have been found to
be suitable for this purpose. Such label stock
has the added advantage of allowing the user to
stamp or write identification indicia, dates, etc.
thereon.
The invention further includes a method of
making a tamper-evident sealing system with the
pattern of regions. ~he pattern of regions may
placed on the tamper-evident sealing means before
or after the tamper-evident sealing means is
placed on the closing means or envelope.
The additional step of placing another
adhesive sealing means on the closing means or on
the envelope where the closing means overlies the
20~751~
31
envelope when forming a closed pocket, for sealing
the closing means to the plastic, may also be
added to the method.
The application of the pattern of regions can
be accomplished in a variety of different known
techniques in the security envelope art. For
instance, the tamper-evident sealing means may be
processed through two coating steps in succession,
the first applying a matte-type coating only in
regions 510 and the second applying a gloss or
semi-gloss type coating only in regions 520. The
same technique may be used to apply the printed
indicia and regions 530. Another approach may be
to chemically or electrically treat the regions
510 and 520 within the tape itself to create the
different regions of the pattern. Printing could
also be applied to the surface(s) of the tape or
placed within layers of the tape to produce the
same effect. Although the pattern shown in the
embodiment of Fig. 11 is that of repeating
stripes, any suitable pattern may be used. For
instance, the pattern optionally may be
checkerboard, symbols of one visual characteristic
placed over a continuous undercoating of another
distinct visual characteristic, etc.
The same methods can be used when using
pearlaceous and iridescent materials. When such
materials are applied across the entire
tamper-evident sealing means a roller or flood
coat coating process can be used. Furthermore,
the tamper-evident sealing means, or for that
matter the entire security envelope, either
separately or together, can be coated with these
materials for maximum tamper-evidency.
The combination of pearlaceous materials
along with the pattern of regions having visibly
2Q47~12
32
distinct reflective characteristics from others
can be used. For instance, the tamper-evident
sealing means could be flood coated with the
pearlaceous material and then the combination of
matte and gloss stripes laid thereover with the
regions between the stripes being the pearlaceous
material. The reverse of this process could be
carried out wherein the pearlaceous material is
applied in only some regions of the tamper-evident
sealing means after the matte/gloss or semi-gloss
pattern is applied. Many other variations of the
process of applying these materials for the
intended effect are also possible.
It should be understood that the foregoing
description is only illustrative of the invention.
various alternatives and modifications can be
devised by those skilled in the art without
departing from the invention. Accordingly, the
present invention is intended to embrace all such
alternatives and variances which fall within the
scope of the appended claims.
