BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to envelopes, and more particularly to envelopes containing an adhesive material that has a flavor and a corresponding fragrance.

[0002] Known envelopes include a seal flap having a moisture activated adhesive or glue for sealing the envelope. Users typically lick the glue to activate the glue. However, the glue of known envelopes typically have an unpleasant taste and/or smell.

[0003] Users have used wet rags or wet sponges to moisten the envelope glue to avoid having to lick the unpleasant tasting glue. Also, some envelope users have resorted to using moisture applicators that have been developed to moisten the glue on an envelope seal flap. However, these methods of envelope glue licking avoidance are typically messy and require clean-up of the envelope and/or the surface that the envelope was resting when the wet rag or moisture applicator was used. Another problem with messy moisture applicators and wet rags and sponges is the possibility of smearing the writing on the envelope, which typically includes the mailing address, because of excess water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In one aspect, an envelope adhesive material is provided. The envelope adhesive includes a polymeric material, a flavor substance that produces a predetermined taste upon application of moisture to the envelope adhesive material, and a fragrance corresponding to the flavor.

[0005] In another aspect, an envelope is provided. The envelope includes a seal flap and an adhesive covering at least a portion of the seal flap for sealing the envelope. The adhesive includes a polymeric material, a flavor substance that produces a predetermined taste upon application of moisture to the envelope adhesive material, and a fragrance corresponding to the flavor.

[0006] In another aspect, a method of fabricating an envelope is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate, forming an envelope blank from the substrate, the envelope blank comprising a front panel, a rear panel secured to the front panel, a seal flap secured to the front panel, and two side panels secured to opposing sides of the front panel, applying an adhesive gum to at least a portion of the seal flap, folding the rear panel, and securing the rear panel to the two side flaps. The adhesive gum includes a polymeric material, a flavor substance that produces a predetermined taste upon application of moisture to the envelope adhesive material, and a fragrance corresponding to the flavor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a planar schematic illustration of an envelope in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 is a planar schematic illustration of the envelope blank used for forming the envelope shown in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Envelopes that include an adhesive gum that has an incorporated flavor and corresponding scent or aroma are describe below in detail. The envelopes with the flavored and scented adhesive are easily sealed and provide a fun flavor and scent for the user to enjoy instead of an unpleasant tasting adhesive used on known envelopes. Users will not have to resort to wet rags, wet sponges, or messy moisture applicators to moisten the envelope glue to avoid having to lick an unpleasant tasting glue. The envelopes with flavored and scented adhesive gum can be used as seasonal greeting card envelopes incorporating fun flavors targeted for specific holiday themes, for example Halloween, Christmas, and Valentines Day. The envelopes are also suited for Birthday cards to provide a fun flavor and scent for the birthday celebration. [0010] Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a planar schematic illustration of an envelope 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a planar schematic illustration of an envelope blank 12 that is used in forming envelope 10. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, envelope 10 includes a front panel 14, a seal flap 16, a rear panel 18, and side flaps 20 and 22. Seal flap 16 extends from a first side 24 of front panel 14 and is foldably connected to front panel 14 by a fold line 26. Rear panel 18 extends from a second side 28, opposed to first side 24, of front panel 14 and is foldably connected to front panel 14 by fold line 30. Side flaps 20 and 22 extend from opposed third and fourth sides 32 and 34 of front panel respectively. Side flaps 20 and 22 are foldably connected to front panel 14 by fold lines 36 and 38 respectively.

[0011] An envelope adhesive gum 40 covers at least a portion of an inside surface 42 of seal flap 16. hi the exemplary embodiment, adhesive 40 covers a peripheral area 44 of seal flap 16. Adhesive gum 40 is formed from a polymeric material, a flavor material, and a fragrance. Any suitable polymeric material that is moisture activated and is capable of sealing envelope 10 can be used. In one embodiment, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer type adhesive resin is used, hi another other embodiment, the polymeric material is a modified ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer containing polyvinyl alcohol. In other alternate embodiments, the polymeric material is at least one of a modified ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol, starches, dextrines, and animal glues and mixtures thereof.

[0012] The flavor material is selected to impart the desired flavor to envelope adhesive 40, for example, popcorn flavor, chocolate flavor, cinnamon flavor, lemon flavor, orange flavor, peppermint flavor, pumpkin flavor, strawberry flavor, apple flavor, and vanilla flavor. The flavoring can be any suitable natural or synthetic organic material that produces the desired taste when a user licks envelope adhesive 40 to moisten the adhesive prior to sealing envelope 10. The flavor material is added to envelope adhesive 40 prior to applying envelope adhesive 40 to seal flap 16. [0013] The fragrance is selected to produce the scent that corresponds to the flavor material used in envelope adhesive 40. For example, if envelope adhesive 40 includes a chocolate flavoring, the fragrance used produces a chocolate scent or aroma so that a user smells chocolate and tastes chocolate when sealing envelope 10. The fragrance can be any suitable natural of synthetic organic material that produces the desired scent or aroma. In one embodiment, essential oils are added to envelope adhesive 40 to produce the desired scent. To satisfy U. S. regulations, the materials used to form envelope adhesive 40 are approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

[0014] To form envelope 10, envelope 12 is cut to the desired dimensions and fold lines 26, 30, 36, and 38 are formed in envelope blank 12. Envelope adhesive 40 is applied to peripheral portion 44 of inside surface 42 of seal flap 16. Rear panel 14 and side flaps 20 and 22 are folded into position and rear panel 14 is secured to side panels 20 and 22 with, for example, an adhesive. Seal flap is folded into place over rear panel 14 and envelope 10 is packaged for shipment.

[0015] While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.