TEY CHING @ CHENG SHIAW GEN (681-11, Jalan MerantiKulai Besar, Kulai, Johor, 81000, MY)
CHIN, Tey Yu (681-11, Jalan MerantiKulai Besar, Kulai, Johor, 81000, MY)
| CLAIMS 1. An envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use comprising: a front section (10) comprising an elongated opening near a top portion of said front section; a temporary strip (15) enclosing said elongated opening, said strip (15) providing a temporary seal around said elongated opening during a first use and said strip (15) easily removable to expose said elongated opening during a subsequent use; a rear section (20) connected at a bottom side to a bottom side of said front section (10) and folded at said connection with front section; a pair of side flaps (42, 44), each side flap extending from each side of said front section (10), said side flaps folded in relation to said front section and provided with adhesive means (43, 45) for adhesion to said rear section (20), so that said front section, rear section and side flaps form an envelope pouch; an outer flap (50) connected to a top side of said front section, and provided with adhesive means (52) for adhesion to said rear section (20) so as to enclose the said envelope pouch during said first use; an inner flap (30) connected to a top side of said rear section (20), said inner flap folded at said connection with rear section so that said inner flap resides within said envelope pouch during first use, and said inner flap able to slide through said elongated opening and adhere to a portion of said front section (10) so as to cover any undesirable markings during said subsequent use. 2. An envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use according to claim 1, wherein said undesirable markings comprises any of: destination address, stamps and postal markings. 3. An envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use comprising: a front section (10) comprising an elongated opening near a top portion of said front section and a transparent window (12); a temporary strip (15) enclosing said elongated opening, said strip (15) providing a temporary seal around said elongated opening during a first use and said strip (15) easily removable to expose said elongated opening during a subsequent use; a rear section (20) connected at a bottom side to a bottom side of said front section (10) and folded at said connection with front section; a pair of side flaps (42, 44), each side flap extending from each side of said front section (10), said side flaps folded in relation to said front section and provided with adhesive means (43, 45) for adhesion to said rear section (20), so that said front section, rear section and side flaps form an envelope pouch; an outer flap (50) connected to a top side of said front section, and provided with adhesive means (52) for adhesion to said rear section (20) so as to enclose the said envelope pouch during said first use; an inner flap (30) connected to a top side of said rear section (20), said inner flap folded at said connection with rear section so that said inner flap resides within said envelope pouch during first use, and said inner flap able to slide through said elongated opening and adhere to a portion of said front section (10) so as to cover any undesirable markings during said subsequent use, and said inner flap (30) shaped so that said transparent window (12) is not covered by said inner flap during said subsequent use. 4. An envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use according to claim 3, wherein said undesirable markings comprises any of: stamps and postal markings. 5. An envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said transparent window ( 2) allows viewing of any specifically positioned markings located within said envelope. 6. An envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use comprising: a front section (10) comprising an elongated opening near a top portion of said front section; a temporary strip (15) enclosing said elongated opening, said strip (15) providing a temporary seal around said elongated opening during a first use and said strip (15) easily removable to expose said elongated opening during a subsequent use; a rear section (20) connected at a bottom side to a bottom side of said front section (10) and folded at said connection with front section; a means of sealing both sides of said front section (10) to said rear section (20), so that said front section and rear section form an envelope pouch; an outer flap (50) connected to a top side of said front section, and provided with adhesive means (52) for adhesion to said rear section (20) so as to enclose the said envelope pouch during said first use; an inner flap (30) connected to a top side of said rear section (20). said inner flap folded at said connection with rear section so that said inner flap resides within said envelope pouch during first use, and said inner flap able to slide through said elongated opening and adhere to a portion of said front section (10) so as to cover any undesirable markings during said subsequent use. 7. An envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use according to claim 6, wherein said undesirable markings comprises any of: destination address, stamps and postal markings. 8. An envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use comprising: a front section s(10) comprising an elongated opening near a top portion of said front section and a transparent window (12); a temporary strip (15) enclosing said elongated opening, said strip (15) providing a temporary seal around said elongated opening during a first use and said strip (15) easily removable to expose said elongated opening during a subsequent use; a rear section (20) connected at a bottom side to a bottom side of said front section (10) and folded at said connection with front section; a means of sealing both sides of said front section (10) to said rear section (20), so that said front section and rear section form an envelope pouch; an outer flap (50) connected to a top side of said front section, and provided with adhesive means (52) for adhesion to said rear section (20) so as to enclose the said envelope pouch during said first use; an inner flap (30) connected to a top side of said rear section (20), said inner flap folded at said connection with rear section so that said inner flap resides within said envelope pouch during first use, and said inner flap able to slide through said elongated opening and adhere to a portion of. said front section (10) so as to cover 5 any undesirable markings during said subsequent use. and said inner flap (30) shaped so that said transparent window (12) is not covered by said inner flap during said subsequent use. 9. An envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use according to claim 8, wherein said undesirable markings comprises any of: stamps and postal markings. 10 10. An envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said transparent window (12) allows viewing of any specifically positioned markings located within said envelope. 11. An envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use according to any of claims 6 through 10, wherein the said means of sealing both sides of said front 15 section (10) to said rear section (20) comprise a laser means. 12. A blank for an envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use comprising: a front section (10) comprising an elongated opening near a top portion of said front section; a -temporary strip (15) enclosing said elongated opening, said strip (15) providing a temporary seal around said elongated opening during a first use and said strip (15) easily removable to expose said elongated opening during a subsequent use; a rear section (20) connected at a bottom side to a bottom side of said front section (10) and foldable at said connection with front section: a pair of side flaps (42, 44), each side flap extending from each side of said front section (10), said side flaps foldable in relation to said front section and provided with adhesive means (43, 45) for adhesion to said rear section (20), so that said front section, rear section and side flaps are able to form an envelope pouch; an outer flap (50) connected to a top side of said front section, and provided with adhesive means (52) for adhesion to said rear section (20) so as to enclose the said envelope pouch during said first use; an inner flap (30) connected to a top side of said rear section (20), said inner flap foldable at said connection with rear section so that said inner flap is able to reside within said envelope pouch during first use, and said inner flap able to slide through said elongated opening and adhere to a portion of said front section (10) so as to cover any undesirable markings during said subsequent use. 13. An envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use according to claim 12, wherein said undesirable markings comprises any of: destination address, stamps and postal markings. 14. A blank for an envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use comprising: a front section (10) comprising an elongated opening near a top portion of said front section and a transparent window (12); a temporary strip (15) enclosing said elongated opening, said strip (15) providing a temporary seal around said elongated opening during a first use and said strip (15) easily removable to expose said elongated opening during a subsequent use; a rear section (20) connected at a bottom side to a bottom side of said front section (10) and foldable at said connection with front section; a pair of side flaps. (42, 44), each side flap extending from each side of said front section (10), said side flaps foldable in relation to said front section and provided with adhesive means (43, 45) for adhesion to said rear section (20), so that said front section, rear section and side flaps are able to form an envelope pouch; an outer flap (50) connected to a top side of said front section, and provided with adhesive means (52) for adhesion to said rear section (20) so as to enclose the said envelope pouch during said first use; an inner flap (30) connected to a top side of said rear section (20), said inner flap foldable at said connection with rear section so that said inner flap is able to reside within said envelope pouch during first use, and said inner flap able to slide through said elongated opening and adhere to a portion of said front section (10) so as to cover any undesirable markings . during said subsequent use, and said inner flap (30) shaped so that said transparent window (12) is not covered by said inner flap during said subsequent use. 15. An envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use according to claim 14, wherein said undesirable markings comprises any of: stamps and postal markings. 16. An envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said transparent window (12) allows viewing of any specifically positioned markings located within said envelope. |
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a reusable envelope and. in particular, to a reusable envelope that is easily constructed from a blank. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The current mailing system typically makes use of paper envelopes to enclose written or printed information or letters to their destination. A stamp is usually placed on the front . of the envelope, and the . destination address is also written or printed on the front of the envelope. Once received, the envelope is opened, the contents removed and the envelope is discarded as rubbish or sometimes returned for recycling. Discarding the envelope is highly wasteful of the paper or cardboard resources used to make the envelope. Even recycling, while allowing the paper or cardboard to be reused, is wasteful because it is a process that requires energy.
Furthermore, many businesses often like to use return envelopes for documents that must be returned, such as invoices. Return envelopes are available that have been found to increase the speed with which an invoice is met, but the provision of return envelopes means that extra items must be stuffed into the original envelope and also the return envelope is necessarily either of a smaller size than the first envelope which affects the size of the invoice or other material which must be returned or leads to awkwardness in placing the return document into the return envelope, such as having to fold said return envelope for insertion into the first envelope which increases the complexity and therefore the cost of the first mailing.
There is therefore a need in the art for an envelope which allows a single re-use. In view of the above application, it is also desirable for a single reuse envelope to allow the return addresses to be pre-printed without causing confusion during the first sending.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates to an envelope that allows a first and subsequent use comprising: a front section comprising an elongated opening near a top portion; a temporary strip enclosing said elongated opening, said strip providing a temporary seal around said elongated opening during a first use and easily removable to expose said elongated opening during a subsequent use; a rear section connected at a bottom side to a bottom side of said front section and folded at said connection with front section; a pair of side flaps extending from each side of front section and provided with adhesive means for adhesion to rear section, so that said front section, rear section and side flaps form an envelope pouch; an outer flap connected to a top side of said front section, and provided with adhesive means for adhesion to said rear section so as to enclose the said envelope pouch during said first use; an inner flap connected to a top side of rear section and folded at said connection so that it resides within the envelope pouch during first use, and able to slide through the elongated opening and adhere to a portion of front section so as to cover any undesirable markings such as a destination address, stamps and/or postal markings during said subsequent use.
This invention also relates to an envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use comprising: a front section comprising an elongated opening near a top portion of said front section and a transparent window; a temporary strip enclosing said elongated opening, said strip providing a temporary seal around said elongated opening during a first use and said strip easily removable to expose said elongated opening during a subsequent use; a rear section connected at a bottom side to a bottom side of said front section and folded at said connection with front section; a pair of side flaps extending from each side of said front section, said side flaps folded in relation to said front section and provided with adhesive means for adhesion to said rear section, so that said front section, rear section and side flaps form an envelope pouch; an outer flap connected to a top side of said front section, and provided with adhesive means for adhesion to said rear section so as to enclose the said envelope pouch during said first use; an inner flap connected to a top side of said rear section, said inner flap folded at said connection with rear section so that said inner flap resides within said envelope pouch during first use, and said inner flap able to slide through said elongated opening and adhere to a portion of said front section so as to cover any undesirable markings such as stamps and/or postal markings during, said subsequent use, and. said inner flap shaped so. that said transparent window is not covered by said inner flap during said subsequent use. The transparent window allows viewing of any specifically positioned markings such as a destination address located on a document within said envelope.
This invention further relates to a blank for an envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use comprising: a front section comprising an elongated opening near a top portion of said front section; a temporary strip enclosing said elongated opening, said strip providing a temporary seal around said elongated opening during a first use and said strip easily removable to expose said elongated opening during a subsequent use; a rear section connected at a bottom side to a bottom side of said front section and foldable at said connection with front section; a pair of side flaps, each side flap extending from each side of said front section, said side flaps foldable in relation to said front section and provided with adhesive means for adhesion to said rear section, so that said front section, rear section and side flaps are able to form an envelope pouch; an outer flap connected to a top side of said front section, and provided with adhesive means for adhesion to said rear section so as to enclose the said envelope pouch during said first use; an inner flap connected to a top side of said rear section, said inner flap foldable at said connection with rear section so that said inner flap is able to reside within said ' envelope pouch during first use, and said inner flap able to slide through said elongated opening and adhere to a portion ' of said front section so as to cover any undesirable markings such as a destination address, stamps and/or postal markings during said subsequent use.
This invention further relates to a blank for an envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use comprising: a front section comprising an elongated opening near a top portion of said front section and a transparent window; a temporary strip enclosing said elongated opening providing a temporary seal around said elongated opening during a first use and said strip easily removable to expose said elongated opening during a subsequent use; a rear section connected at a bottom side to a bottom side of said front section and foldable at said connection with front section; a pair of side flaps, each side flap extending from each side of said front section, said side flaps foldable in relation to said front section and provided with adhesive means for adhesion to said rear section, so that said front section, rear section and side flaps are able to form an envelope pouch; an outer flap connected to a top side of said front section, and provided with adhesive means for adhesion to said rear section so as to enclose the said envelope pouch during said first use; an inner flap connected to a top side of said rear section, said inner flap foldable at said connection with rear section so that said inner flap is able to reside within said envelope pouch during first use, and said inner flap able to slide through said elongated opening and adhere to said front section so as to cover any undesirable markings such as stamps and/or postal markings during said subsequent use, and said inner flap shaped so that said transparent window is not covered by said inner flap during said subsequent use. The transparent window allows viewing of any specifically positioned markings such as a destination address located on a document within said envelope. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a plan view of a blank with a transparent window prior to folding in an embodiment of this invention.
Figure 2 shows a plan view of a blank without a transparent window prior to folding in an embodiment of this invention.
Figures 3 a through 3e show steps for reusing an envelope with a transparent window in an embodiment of this invention.
Figures 4a through 4e show steps for reusing an envelope without a transparent window in an embodiment of this invention.
Figure 5 shows a side view of a first use of an envelope in an embodiment of this invention.
Figure 6 shows a side view of a subsequent use of an envelope in an embodiment of this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
It should be noted that the following detailed description is directed to an reusable envelope and is not limited to any particular size or configuration but in fact a multitude of sizes and configurations within the general scope of the following description.
Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a blank for an envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use having a front section (10), said front section provided with an elongated opening near a top portion of said front section (10). The front section (10) also having a transparent window (12) constructed of any clear and flexible material such as clear plastic, through which said transparent window (12) contents of said envelope may be viewed from the outside. This may include the destination address to which the envelope is to be delivered. A temporary strip (15) initially encloses said elongated opening, said temporary strip (15) providing a temporary seal around said elongated opening during a first use of said envelope. This temporary strip (15) is easily removable by a user to expose said elongated opening for a subsequent use of said envelope. A rear section (20) is connected at a bottom side to a bottom side of said front section (10) and foldable at said connection with front section (10). The front section (10) may have an additional fold near a bottom side to allow a bottom section (70) so as to provide some thickness to the said envelope. A pair of side flaps (42, 44) extending from each side of said front section (10) is foldable in relation to said front section and provided with adhesive means (43, 45) for adhesion to said rear section (20), so that said front section, rear section and side flaps may be folded to form an envelope pouch. An outer flap (50) is connected to a top side of said front section (10), and provided with adhesive means {52) for adhesion to said rear section (20) so as to enclose the said envelope pouch during said first use of the envelope. An inner flap (30) is connected to a top side of said rear section (20), said inner flap foldable at said connection with rear section (20) so that said inner flap (30) resides within said envelope pouch during said first use. After said first use, and- to reuse the envelope for a subsequent use, the inner flap (30) is slid through said elongated " opening and adhered to a portion of said front section (10) by adhesive strips (33) so as to cover any undesirable markings such as stamps and postal markings from the said first use. The inner flap (30) is constructed in an L-shape so that it does not cover the transparent window (12) during said subsequent use.
Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a blank for an envelope allowing a first use and a subsequent use having a front section (10), said front section provided with an elongated opening near a top portion of said front section (10). A temporary strip (15) initially encloses said elongated opening, said temporary strip (15) providing a temporary seal around said elongated opening during a first use of said envelope. This temporary strip (15) is easily removable by a user to expose said elongated opening for a subsequent use of said envelope. A rear section (20) is connected at a bottom side to a bottom side of said front section (10) and foldable at said connection with front section (10). The front section (10) may have an additional fold near a bottom side to allow a bottom section (70) so as to provide some thickness to the said envelope. A pair of side flaps (42, 44) extending from each side of said front section (10) is foldable in relation to said front section and provided with, adhesive means (43, 45) for adhesion to said rear section (20), so that said front section, rear section and side flaps may be folded to form an envelope pouch. An outer flap (50) is connected to a top side of said front section (10), and provided with adhesive means (52) for adhesion to said rear section (20) so as to enclose the said envelope pouch during said first use of the envelope. An inner flap (30) is connected to a top side of said rear section (20), said inner flap foldable at said connection with rear section (20) so that said inner flap (30) resides within said envelope pouch during said first use. After said first use, and to reuse the envelope for a subsequent use, the inner flap (30) is slid through said elongated opening and adhered to a portion of said front section (10) by adhesive strips (33) so as to cover any undesirable markings such as the destination address, stamps and postal markings from the said first use.
Figures 3 a through 3e show in steps how the envelope in a first embodiment is transformed after a first use so that it can be reused for a subsequent use. The envelope having a transparent window (12) at a front section (10), said transparent window (12) constructed of any clear and flexible material such as clear plastic, through which said transparent window (12) contents of said envelope may be viewed from the outside. This may include the destination address to which the envelope is to be delivered. The front section (10) also typically contains used stamps (19) and other markings from the first use. To prepare the envelope for a subsequent use, a temporary strip (15) is pulled open to reveal an elongated opening located near and parallel to a top side of said front section (10). This elongated opening allows access to the inside of the envelope, allowing any contents (60) from the first use to be removed. An inner flap (30) is then pulled out from within the envelope through the said elongated opening to overlap a portion of the front section (10) so as to cover any undesirable markings such as stamps (19) and postal markings from the first use. The inner flap (30) is constructed in an L- shape so that it does not cover the transparent window (12) during said subsequent use. The inner flap (30) is adhered to the front section (10) using adhesive strips (33). New stamps (39) may then be placed on the inner flap (30) for a subsequent use of the envelope. Figures.4a through 4e show in steps how the envelope in another embodiment is transformed after a first use so that it can be reused for a subsequent use. The front section (10) typically contains the destination address (17), used, stamps (19) and other markings from the first use. To prepare the envelope for a subsequent use, a temporary strip (15) is pulled open to reveal an elongated opening located near and parallel to a top side of said front section (10). This elongated opening allows access to the inside of the envelope, allowing any contents (60) from the first use to be removed. An inner flap (30) is then pulled out from within the envelope through the said elongated opening to overlap a portion of the front section (10) so as to cover any undesirable markings such as the destination address (17), stamps (19) and postal markings from the first use. The inner flap (30) is adhered to the front section (10) using adhesive strips (33). The inner flap (30) may contain an area for a new address (37) to be printed or ' written for a subsequent use of the envelope. New stamps (39) may also be placed on the inner flap (30) for a subsequent use of the envelope.
Figure 5 shows a side view of an envelope in an embodiment of this invention during a first use of said envelope. As can be seen, a front section (10), bottom section (60), and rear section (20) along with side flaps (not shown) form an envelope pouch into which contents (60) may be placed. The envelope pouch is enclosed by an outer flap (50) and sealed by adhesive means (52) located on the outer flap (50). An inner flap (30) is folded within the envelope during this first use.
Figure 6 shows a side view of an envelope in an embodiment of this invention during a subsequent use of said envelope. As can be seen, an inner flap (30) has been slid through an elongated opening located near to and parallel with a top side of the a front section (10). The elongated opening was created by the removal of a temporary strip (not shown). The front section (10), bottom section (60), rear ■ section (20), outer flap (50), along with side flaps (not shown) form an envelope pouch into which contents (60) may be placed by sliding said content through said elongated opening. The inner flap (30) is then adhered to the front section (10) thus sealing said contents (60) within the envelope and at the same time covering any undesirable markings such as the destination address (17), stamps (19) and postal markings from the first use. The inner flap (30) also provides a new surface for the destination address (17), stamps (19) and postal markings the subsequent use.
While several particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, it should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to embrace such changes, modifications, and areas of application that are within the spirit and scope of this invention.