Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02764301 2012-01-10
TITLE OF INVENTION
CLEAR CLASP REUSABLE ENVELOPE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Noon The present invention relates generally to a self-sealing system
for use in an envelope. More specifically, to a reusable adhesive sealing
system for use in envelopes that can be opened and resealed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Sealing systems in envelopes generally follow one of two types
of systems. Single-use sealing systems and reusable sealing systems.
Single-use sealing system, such as the one used to send folded 8.5" by 11"
letters, generally includes a dried adhesive on the flap of the envelope. To
seal the envelope the user applies a small amount of liquid to the adhesive,
such as through the user licking the envelope, or through a sponge. The
liquid mixes with the dried adhesive, activating the adhesive. The user then
presses down on the flap, against the envelope, to seal the envelope.
[0003] Some envelopes include an adhesive that is not liquid activated.
The adhesive is covered by a protective strip, generally made of plastic,
which
can be removed from the adhesive without affecting the strength of the
adhesive. To seal the envelope, the user removes the protective strip from
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the adhesive and discards the strip. The user presses the flap firmly against
the envelope to seal the flap to the envelope. While both of the above
envelopes provide for an easy and cheap solution to sealing an envelope,
neither method allows the envelope to be reused after its first use. The
adhesive cannot be reused, and any attempt to open the envelope destroys
the envelope, preventing it from being used again. To overcome this problem
a metallic sealing system has been introduced.
[0004] In a metallic sealing system, the flap of the envelope includes a
hole sized for two metallic protrusions to fit through. The envelope itself
includes a metal clasp attached to the envelope with either an adhesive or
with a metallic attachment to the envelope. The metal clasp has two metallic
protrusions on opposite ends. Each metallic protrusion is flexible, and is
capable of being deformed either flat against the envelope, or at any angle in
relation to the envelope. To close the envelope, the user bends the two metal
protrusions to an angle approximately perpendicular to the envelope. The
envelope flap is closed against the envelope, as the two protrusions are
inserted into the hole in the envelope. The two metal protrusions are then
bent back towards the envelope, holding the envelope flap against the
envelope, and providing a closure against anything falling out of the
envelope.
[0005] While the above metal closure has been an easy system for
opening and closing an envelope multiple times, this known closure has many
problems associate with it. First, it is expensive to produce each envelope as
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the metal adds an extra cost, above a standard adhesive, and the attachment
of the metal clasp to the envelope is more difficult than placing an adhesive
on the envelope. Second, the metal clasp is subject to breakage after only a
few folds of the clasp during the opening and closing of the envelope. Third,
the United States Postal Service charges an extra fee per envelopes if the
envelope includes a metal closure. Finally, an envelope closed with a metal
clasp does not lie perfectly flat, making it more difficult to print on the
envelope.
[0006] It is thus desirable to develop an envelope that can be opened
and closed over and over again that is cheap to manufacture, cheap to print
on, does not require a fee from the Post Office, and that is not subject to
failure after only a few uses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention is directed toward a reusable adhesive on an
envelope that allows the envelope to be opened and sealed over and over
again. The design allows for a cheap solution to a resealable envelope that is
easy to manufacture and is not subject to failure.
[00os] Another object of the present invention is to provide a resealable
envelope that does not require an extra fee to be mailed by the United States
Post Office.
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[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a
resealable
envelope that can lay flat to make printing easier.
[0010] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by
provision of a resealable envelope having a front panel and a rear panel
attached to
the front panel forming a pouch between the front panel and the rear panel. A
flap
extends from the rear panel, the flap having an opening that is less than 1.5
inches
wide and is shaped as a rectangle with rounded edges. The opening further has
two circular protrusions from the top and the bottom of the elongated width;
the
height from the top circular protrusion to the bottom circular protrusion
being less
than 1 inch. A first adhesive has an adhesive layer on one side and a
releasable
surface on the opposite side; the first adhesive located at a top portion of
the front
panel such that the opening is in contact with the first adhesive strip when
the flap
is closed. A second adhesive strip covers the opening and a second adhesive
strip
having an adhesive on one side, the second adhesive strip being placed over
the
opening on the exterior of said flap, the second adhesive strip being
transparent.
The envelope is sealed when the flap is pressed against the front panel
causing the
second adhesive strip to adhere to the releasable surface layer of the first
adhesive. The envelope can be sealed and unsealed a plurality of times without
damaging the envelope.
[0011] In some of these embodiments the opening is located in the middle
of the width of the envelope. In some of these embodiments the second adhesive
is
transparent. In certain of these embodiments the first adhesive is metallic in
color.
In certain of these embodiments the opening is shaped as a metal clasp from a
standard metal clasp envelope. In some of these embodiments the second
adhesive is less than 1.5 inches wide and 1 inch long.
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[0012] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an
envelope comprises a front panel and a rear panel attached to the front panel
forming an interior pouch between the front panel and the rear panel. A flap
extends from the rear panel. The flap having an opening with and elongated
width
with two circular protrusions from the top and the bottom of the elongated
opening.
The elongated width being greater than the height including the two circular
protrusions. A first adhesive strip has an adhesive on one side and a
releasable
layer on the opposite side. The first adhesive is located at the top portion
of the
front panel such that the opening is in contact with the first adhesive when
the flap
is closed. A second adhesive strip covers the opening, and the envelope is
sealed
when the flap is pressed against the front panel causing the second adhesive
to
adhere to the releasable surface layer of the first adhesive. The said second
adhesive strip has an adhesive on one side, said second adhesive strip being
placed over the opening on the exterior of said flap. The envelope can be
sealed
and unsealed a plurality of times without damaging the envelope.
[0013] In some of these embodiments the opening is located in the middle
portion of the envelope. In some of these embodiments the second adhesive is
transparent. In some of these embodiments the first adhesive is metallic in
color. In
certain of these embodiments the envelope is resealable. In certain of these
embodiments the opening is shaped like a metal clasp from a standard metal
clasp
envelope. In certain of these embodiments the opening has a width between 0.75
inches and 3 inches. In certain of these embodiments the opening has a height
between 0.5 inches and 1 inch.
[0014] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention
there is a method of manufacturing an envelope comprising the steps of:
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providing a resealable envelope having a front panel, a rear panel attached
to said front panel forming an interior pouch between said front panel and
said rear
panel, and a flap extending from said rear panel;
placing a first adhesive strip on a top portion of the front panel of the
envelope, the first adhesive strip having an adhesive on one side and a
releasable
surface layer on an opposite side;
cutting an opening in a flap of the envelope, the flap extending from a rear
panel of the envelope, the opening having an elongated width with two circular
protrusions from a top and bottom portion of said elongated width, said
opening
having a width greater than a height, and the opening being in contact with
said first
adhesive when said flap is closed;
placing a second adhesive strip on an exterior of the flap covering the
opening such that said envelope is sealed when said flap is pressed against
said
releasable surface layer, the second adhesive strip being transparent; and
placing a protective strip over the opening on an interior of the flap.
[0015] In some of these embodiments the envelope is resealable. In some
of these embodiments the opening has an elongated width shaped as a rectangle
with rounded edges, with two circular protrusions emanating from the top
portion
and the bottom portion of the elongated width; the opening having its width
greater
than its height. In certain of these embodiments the second adhesive is
transparent. In certain of these embodiment the first adhesive is metallic in
color
and has a releasable surface layer. In some of these embodiments the opening
is
shaped like a metallic clasp from a standard metallic clasp envelope.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00is] FIG. 1 is a view of an envelope according to the present
invention in a closed position.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a view of an envelope according to the present
invention in an open position.
[0018] FIG. 3 is perspective view of an envelope according to the
present invention in an open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00is] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be
further understood with reference to the following description and the related
appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same
reference numerals.
[0020] Referring first to figure 1 is an envelope 100. Envelope 100 can
be of any standard such as A2, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10 No. 6 3/4, No. 7 3/4, No.
9.
No. 10, No. 11, No. 12, No. 14 or any other standard size. Envelope 100 can
further be any non-standard or custom sized depending on the contents to be
held in envelope 100. Envelope 100 includes a front panel 105 and a rear
panel 305 (see Figure 3). Front panel 105 and rear panel 305 are connected
together at sides 135. A lower flap 130 is located at the bottom of rear panel
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305 and extends off of rear panel 305 such that lower flap 130 can be folded
over front panel 105 and sealed to front panel 105 forming an interior pouch
between front panel 105, rear panel 305, and lower flap 130. Lower flap 130
is preferably less than 1 inch, however, lower flap 130 can be of any size.
Lower flap 130 can be sealed with an adhesive tape or glue, and is preferably
permanently sealed to prevent anything from falling out of envelope 100.
[0021] Rear panel 305 has an upper flap 110 extending from rear panel
305. Upper flap 110 is preferable under 2 inches in height, however, upper
flap can be of any size. Upper flap 110 is folded over front panel 105
creating
the upper closing portion of the interior pouch of envelope 100. Upper flap
110 includes an opening 115. Preferably opening 115 is shaped similar to the
shape of a metal clasp in a standard metal clasp envelope. Opening
preferable has an elongated with that is rectangular in shape with rounded
edges instead of the standard 90 degree angles of the rectangle. Opening
115 has two protrusions 140 extending from the top and bottom of opening
115. The two protrusions are circular in shape and extend from approximately
the middle of the width of opening 110. The two protrusions, while
aesthetically reminding the user of standard metal clasp envelopes allows for
an easier release of the upper flap from front panel 105, as will be described
below.
[0022] Opening 115 is preferably less than 1.5 inches wide and 1 inch
high. This size is similar to the size of a metal clasp in a standard metal
clasp
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envelope. The center of opening 115 is located at the approximate center of
the width of upper flap 110, and is located approximately 2/3 of the way down
of the height of upper flap 110. While opening 115 has been described in
detail above, it should be noted that opening 115 can be of any size and
shape not limited to the embodiment above. Furthermore, opening 115 can
be located at any place on flap 110 not limited to the middle of the width and
2/3 of the way down of the height.
[0023] Flap 110 has an adhesive strip 120 covering opening 115.
Adhesive strip 120 can be square or rectangular, or of any regular or regular
shape such that adhesive strip 120 covers the entire portion of opening 115.
Adhesive strip 120 can even be of the same or substantially the same size
and shape of opening 115 to make it more aesthetically pleasing. Adhesive
strip 120 is preferably transparent or substantially transparent, and is
colorless. Although adhesive strip 120 need not be transparent, and can be
of any color. Adhesive strip 110 preferable has a removable protective plastic
layer covering the portion exposed through opening 115. This protective layer
protects adhesive 120 until envelope 100 is used for the first time.
[0024] Referring now to Figure 2, envelope 100 contains a second
adhesive strip 125 located on front panel 105. Adhesive strip 125 has an
adhesive layer that is used to adhere adhesive strip 125 to front panel 105.
Adhesive strip 125 has a releasable surface layer on the opposite side of the
adhesive. The releasable surface layer is designed such that adhesive strip
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120 can adhere to adhesive strip 125, however, the bond between adhesive
strip 125 and front panel 105 is stronger than the bond created between
adhesive strip 120 and the releasable surface layer of adhesive strip 125 such
that adhesive strip 120 can be released from adhesive strip 125 without
damaging envelope 100.
[0025] Envelope 100 further includes a third adhesive 205. Adhesive
205 is a dried adhesive, similar to dried adhesives on standard sealable
envelopes. Dried adhesive 205 allows the user to convert resealable
envelope 100 into a permanently sealed envelope. This allows the user to
secure the contents of envelope 100 from anyone attempting to see what it is
inside.
[0026] To seal envelope 100 the user presses flap 110 against front
panel 105. Preferably pressing firmly over opening 115. Adhesive strip 120
comes in contact with adhesive strip 125 and the adhesive of adhesive strip
120 temporarily bonds to the releasable surface layer of adhesive strip 125.
The bond between adhesive strip 120 and the releasable surface layer of
adhesive strip 125 is strong enough to prevent the contents of envelope 100
from falling out if envelope 100 were flipped upside down. To unseal envelope
100 the user pulls up on flap 110, the force of which breaks the adhesive
bond between adhesive strip 120 and the releasable surface layer of adhesive
strip 125. As stated above, having circular protrusions emanating from
opening 115 allows for easier release of adhesive strip 120 from adhesive
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strip 125 as the user initially only needs to overcome a small surface area of
bond between the two adhesives to remove the entire adhesive strip. This
makes sealing and unsealing the envelope significantly easier, and prolongs
the life of the resealing elements as the wear and tear on the adhesive has a
greater effect on the circular protrusion than on the main body of opening
115.
This allows the main body of adhesive strip 120, located in opening 115, to
maintain a greater bond between adhesive strip 120 and adhesive strip 125.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment adhesive strip 125 is metallic in
color. This creates an aesthetically please look to the user as it reminds
them
of a standard metal clasp envelope. When the user seals envelope 100, the
user sees the metallic color through the opening 115 since adhesive strip 120
is transparent. This reminds the user of a standard metal clasp envelope.
However, adhesive strip 125 can be of any color, or can be transparent similar
to adhesive strip 125.
[0028] Referring now to Figure 3, a perspective view of envelope 100 is
shown. Rear panel 305 can be seen connected to front panel 105 at the
sides of front panel 105 and rear panel 305 forming an interior pouch.
[0029] To manufacture the resealable envelope, the manufacturer first
folds a piece of paper into the desired envelope shape. The manufacturer
then places an adhesive strip at the top portion of the front panel of the
envelope. A hole is cut into the flap of the envelope, and a second adhesive
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is placed over the hole on the rear of the flap. Finally, a protective strip
is
placed on the front portion of the flap, covering the opening, protecting the
envelope until its first use. While the steps above show an exemplary method
of manufacturing a resealable envelope, it should be noted that the order of
the steps above may be rearranged into any order. Further, the method of
manufacture can be performed by a single machine or multiple machines to
achieve the desired resealable envelope.
[0030] The present invention, therefore, provides a resealable envelope
which uses an adhesive that bonds to a releasable surface layer of a second
adhesive to allow the envelope to be sealed and unsealed over and over
again.
[0031] Although the invention has been described with reference to a
particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended
to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other
modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the
art.
