Abstract:
A method of forming an origami envelope from a sheet of material is provided. The method comprises folding the sheet of material to create at least five fold lines. The origami envelope is formed from the sheet of material comprising at least five steps. In some embodiments, the method comprises an optional folding step. The optional folding step includes folding the sheet width wise to create an optional crease line.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to envelopes, and methods of making same. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Numerous envelopes are used on a daily basis, to deliver messages or objects such as letters, notes, cards, gift cards, coupons, promotional materials, and money from one person to another. Conventional envelopes can be environmentally wasteful and costly because such envelopes are typically limited to a one-time use once the envelope has been printed on, or is sealed. 
         [0003]    Origami envelopes (envelopes made from a folded piece of paper) can be substituted for conventional envelopes. However, existing origami envelopes are typically folded in a way such that the folded envelopes are oddly-shaped and sized and/or do not resemble conventional envelopes in shape or function. Such designs of folded envelopes are impractical since these oddly-shaped and sized envelopes may be more prone to being lost in the mail, and/or may not hold objects which are not easily foldable, such as cash. In addition, prior art origami envelopes are typically folded using square-sized paper (i.e. where the width and the length of the paper are substantially equal) which is typically less readily available than other sizes of paper. In addition, some prior art origami envelopes may be constructed from folding irregular shaped sheets of paper (e.g., with protruding sections and cut-outs). In such cases, an operator must first manually trace and then cut out the sheet of paper in accordance with a template prior to folding. This can be very time-consuming. 
         [0004]    There is a general desire for apparatus and methods that address at least some of the aforementioned problems. 
         [0005]    The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    One aspect relates to a method of forming an origami envelope. Another aspect relates to an origami envelope formed by such method. The origami envelope is folded using a sheet of material. The sheet of material has a top right corner, a top left corner, a bottom right corner, and a bottom left corner, a top edge extending between the top right corner and the top left corner, a bottom edge opposite of the top edge, extending between the bottom right corner and the bottom left corner, and a first and second side extending between the top and bottom edges, the first side extending between the top left corner and the bottom left corner, and the second side opposite of the first side, extending between the top right corner and the bottom right corner. The sheet of material is first oriented such that the top and bottom edges extend width wise, and the first and second sides extend length wise. The sheet of material is folded to create at least five fold lines. The at least five fold lines comprises: a first fold line extending diagonally between a first midpoint positioned at one of the first and second sides and a first point positioned at one of the top and bottom edges, a second fold line extending diagonally between the first midpoint and a second point positioned at the edge that is opposite of the edge having the first point, a third fold line extending diagonally between a second midpoint and a third point positioned adjacent to one of the first and second points, a fourth fold line extending diagonally between one of the top corners and a fourth point positioned adjacent to the second midpoint, and a fifth fold line extending diagonally between the first or second point that is positioned at the top edge and a fifth point positioned adjacent to the second midpoint, wherein the second midpoint is positioned between the fifth point and the fourth point. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the method of forming the origami envelope comprises at least five steps. The at least five steps comprises: a first step of folding the sheet of material along the first fold line to create a first substantially triangular structure, a second step of folding the sheet of material along the second fold line to create a second substantially triangular structure, a third step of folding the sheet of material along the third fold line to create a quadrilateral structure, a fourth step of folding the sheet of material along the fourth fold line to create a top and a bottom layer and a third substantially triangular structure extending from the top layer, and a fifth step of folding the sheet of material along the fifth fold line to extend the third substantially triangular structure from the top layer over to the bottom layer. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the method of forming the origami envelope further comprises folding the sheet width wise to create an optional crease line extending between the first and second midpoints. 
         [0009]    Another aspect relates to an origami envelope constructed from a sheet of material having a top edge extending between a top left corner and a top right corner, a bottom edge opposite of the top edge, extending between a bottom left corner and a bottom right corner, a first side extending between the top left corner and the bottom left corner, and a second side opposite of the first side, extending between the top right corner and the bottom right corner. The origami envelope comprises: a top envelope side and a bottom envelope side opposite of the top envelope side, a left envelope side and a right envelope side opposite of the left envelope side, a top layer having a front surface and a back surface opposite of the front surface, and a bottom layer having an exterior side and an interior side opposite of the exterior side, wherein the back surface of the top layer is in contact with the interior side of the bottom layer, and wherein the top layer extends to the exterior side of the bottom layer over a portion of the top envelope side and wherein the exterior side of the bottom layer comprises a triangular closure flap. 
         [0010]    In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top view of an unfolded configuration of an origami envelope showing the fold lines in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates an optional step in construction of an origami envelope in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a first step in construction of an origami envelope in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a second step in construction of an origami envelope in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a third step in construction of an origami envelope in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a fourth step in construction of an origami envelope in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a fifth step in construction of an origami envelope in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a top front view of a folded configuration of an origami envelope in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top back view of a folded configuration of an origami envelope in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates an unfolded sheet  10  which may be folded into an origami envelope  11  according to a particular embodiment. Any suitable type of paper or any foldable materials such as plastic, foil, fabric, cardboard, cloth, napkin, and the like may be used as sheet  10 . 
         [0023]    Sheet  10  has a rectangular shape defined by a set of top corners  16 ,  18 , and a set of bottom corners  20 ,  22  positioned opposite of their respective top corners  16 ,  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, sheet  10  may comprise a width W which is shorter than a length L. Width W is defined as a top edge  10 A or a bottom edge  10 B. Top edge  10 A extends between top corners  16 ,  18 . Bottom edge  10 B, positioned opposite of top edge  10 A, extends between bottom corners  20 ,  22 . Length L is defined as a first side  10 C or a second side  10 D. First side  10 C extends between top corner  16  and bottom corner  20 . Second side  10 D, positioned opposite of first side  10 C, extends between top corner  18  and bottom corner  22 . 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, sheet  10  may have dimensions of a standard letter-size paper (i.e., 8½ by 11 inches, or 216 mm by 279 mm). In some embodiments, sheet  10  may have dimensions of a A4-sized paper (i.e. 8½ by 14 inches, or 210 mm by 297 mm). However, sheet  10  may have different dimensions in other embodiments. For example, sheet  10  may comprise a square or near-square shape, wherein a length is equal to or approximately equal to a width. 
         [0025]    In the illustrated embodiment, sheet  10  has six fold lines  24 ,  30 ,  34 ,  38 ,  42 , and  46  to make the origami envelope. An optional crease line  24  intersecting a center point  14  of sheet  10 , extends substantially horizontally from a midpoint between top left corner  16  and its respective bottom left corner  20  (i.e. a first midpoint  26 ) to a midpoint between top right corner  18  and its respective bottom right corner  22  (i.e. a second midpoint  28 ), such that optional crease line  24  extends substantially parallel to the width W of sheet  10 . 
         [0026]    A first fold line  30  extends diagonally from the first midpoint  26  to a point positioned off-centered from the center point  14  along top edge  10 A (i.e. a top point  36 ). In the illustrated embodiment, top point  36  is located more proximate to second side  10 D than first side  10 C. Top point  36  is located at approximately ⅔ of the width W of sheet  10  from first side  10 C and approximately ⅓ of the width W of sheet  10  from second side  10 D. 
         [0027]    A second fold line  34  extends diagonally from the first midpoint  26  to a point positioned along bottom edge  10 B opposite of the top point  36  (i.e. a first bottom point  32 ). Thus, similar to top point  36 , first bottom point  32  is located approximately ⅔ of the width W of sheet  10  from first side  10 C and approximately ⅓ of the width W of sheet  10  from second side  10 D. Additionally, second fold line  34  and first fold line  30  are mirror images of each other having an axis of symmetry which extends along optional crease line  24 . 
         [0028]    A third fold line  38  extends diagonally from the second midpoint  28  to a point positioned off-centered from the center point  14  along bottom edge  10 B, adjacent to the first bottom point  32 , and is located more proximate to the first side  10 C than the second side  10 D (i.e. a second bottom point  40 ). In some embodiments, second bottom point  40  is located at approximately ⅓ of the width W of sheet  10  from first side  10 C and approximately ⅔ of the width W of sheet  10  from second side  10 D. Additionally, third fold line  38  is positioned substantially parallel to the first fold line  30  and perpendicular to second fold line  34 . 
         [0029]    A fourth fold line  42  extends from top corner  16  to a point off-centered from center point  14  along second side  10 D, and which such point is located more proximate to the bottom edge  10 B than the top edge  10 A (i.e. a first right point  44 ). First right point  44  is located at approximately 0.77 of the length L of sheet  10  extending from top edge  10 A, and approximately 0.23 of the length L of sheet  10  extending from bottom edge  10 B. Additionally, fourth fold line  42  is positioned substantially parallel to third fold line  34  and perpendicular to first fold line  30  and third fold line  38 . 
         [0030]    A fifth fold line  46  extends from top point  36  to a point off-centered from the center point  14  along the second side  10 D, located adjacent to first right point  44  but more proximate to the top edge  10 A than the bottom edge  10 B (i.e. a second right point  48 ). Second right point  48  is located at approximately 0.27 of the length L of sheet  10  from top edge  10 A, and approximately 0.73 of the length L of sheet  10  from bottom edge  10 B. Additionally, fifth fold line  46  is positioned substantially parallel to second fold line  34  and fourth fold line  42  and perpendicular to first fold line  30  and third fold line  38 . 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, sheet  10  includes only five fold lines  30 ,  34 ,  38 ,  42 , and  46 . In other words, optional crease line  24  is optional. Optional crease line  24  may merely be a pre-crease fold line. The pre-crease fold line is not required for the folding on the final product, but may be beneficial for aligning the other folds. 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 1 , sheet  10  is shown with an inside surface  12  of sheet  10  facing up. Outer surface  13  (not seen in  FIG. 1  but shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) is on the opposite side of sheet  10  and is facing down. Inside surface  12  of sheet  10  is not visible when envelope  11  is in its folded configuration. In some embodiments, messages may be written or printed directly on inside surface  12  so that addresses and stamps may be placed on an outer surface  13  when envelope  11  is in its folded configuration as shown in  FIG. 8 . In some embodiments, a separate piece of paper containing the message may be inserted into envelope  11  so that envelope  11  may be used as a folder or compartment. In some embodiments, objects such as greeting cards, gift cards, business cards and the like may be inserted into envelope  11 . In some embodiments, envelope  11  may comprise both a printed message written on inside surface  12  and a separate message and/or object inserted into envelope  11 . 
         [0033]    The size of sheet  10  determines the size of the folded configuration of origami envelope  11 . The object that could fit into origami envelope  11  would thus depend on the size of sheet  10 . For example, if one wishes to insert a standard gift card (i.e. having dimensions of about 3⅜ by 2⅛ inches, or 85.725 mm by 53.975 mm) into origami envelope  11 , sheet  10  having dimensions of approximately 6½ by 5 inches (165.1 mm by 127 mm) may be used. Accordingly, the size of sheet  10  may be customized to accommodate the different sizes of objects that are to be inserted into envelope  11 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 2 to 9  illustrate the steps in making origami envelope  11 . Origami envelope  11  may be constructed by five or six folding actions. To construct origami envelope  11 , sheet  10  must first be oriented such that the top  10 A and bottom  10 B edges extend along the width W of the sheet  10 , and the first  10 C and second  10 D sides extend along the length L of the sheet  10 .  FIG. 2  illustrates an optional step. The optional step is a pre-crease operation (i.e. fold, crease, and unfold) to generate optional crease line  24 , which optional crease line  24  extends substantially parallel to the width W of sheet  10 . This is done by folding sheet  10  in half width wise, such that top corners  16  and  18  are substantially aligned with their respective bottom corners  20  and  22 . Folding sheet  10  is creased, and then unfolded. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a first step in the construction of origami envelope  11  is shown. In this step, a first corner is folded down diagonally along first fold line  30  to meet optional crease line  24 . This creates a first triangle  31  (as best seen in  FIG. 4 ). In the illustrated embodiment, top left corner  16  is folded down to form first triangle  31 . Thus, first triangle  31  is folded from a portion of first side  10 C of sheet  10 . This is not mandatory, however. In some embodiments, the first triangle  31  may be folded from a portion of second side  10 D. In such embodiment, first fold line  30  may be created by folding down top right corner  18  to meet optional crease line  24 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  illustrates a second step in the construction of origami envelope  11 . In this step, a second triangle  33  is created by folding a second corner diagonally to meet optional crease line  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second triangle  33  is created by folding up bottom left corner  20  diagonally along second fold line  34  to meet optional crease line  24  so that bottom left corner  20  is positioned adjacent to top left corner  16 . 
         [0037]    Second triangle  33  and first triangle  31  are mirror images of each other having an axis of symmetry extending along optional crease line  24 . In such embodiment, the two triangles are formed by folding the respective top and bottom corners that are positioned at the same side of sheet  10  in steps  2  and  3  (i.e. folding top left corner  16  and bottom left corner  20  or folding top right corner  18  and bottom right corner  22 ). In some embodiments, second fold line  34  may be positioned on the right side of sheet  10 . In such embodiment, second fold line  34  may be created by folding up bottom right corner  22  to meet optional crease line  24 . 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, folding along second fold line  34  can occur before folding along first fold line  30 . In other words, step  2  as illustrated in  FIG. 4  may occur before step  1  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0039]    In alternate embodiments, first  31  and second  33  triangles are not mirror images of each other as illustrated. In such embodiments, first  31  and second  33  triangles are formed by folding top and bottom corners that are positioned at opposite sides of sheet  10  (i.e. folding top left corner  16  and bottom right corner  22  or folding top right corner  18  and bottom left corner  20  in steps  1  and  2 ). 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  illustrates a third step in the construction of origami envelope  11 . In this step, a third corner is folded up or down to meet optional crease line  24  to form a quadrilateral  35  and triangular layer  36 . In the illustrated embodiment, bottom right corner  22  is folded up diagonally along third fold line  38  subsequent to folding top left corner  16  down diagonally along first fold line  30  and bottom left corner  20  up diagonally along second fold line  34  to meet optional crease line  24  in steps  1  and  2 . Following these particular folds, triangular layer  36  is positioned having a corner at first midpoint  26  (as best seen in  FIG. 6 ). However, any third corner may be folded up or down. For example, for the configuration of  FIG. 5 , top right corner  18  may alternatively be folded down to meet optional crease line  24 . The third corner may be any corner which has not been folded down or up to meet optional crease line  24  in the previous steps; as such, the third corner may be any of top corners  16  and  18 , or bottom corners  20  and  22 . The position of triangular layer  36  changes depending on which of the three corners of sheet  10  are folded in steps  1  to  3 . For example, for the embodiment which top left corner  16  and bottom right corner  22  of sheet  10  are folded down and up along first fold line  30  and third fold line  38  respectively to meet optional crease line  24  in steps  1  and  2  (in any order) and bottom left corner  20  is folded up along second fold line  34  to meet optional crease line  24  in step  3 , triangular layer  36  is positioned having a corner at second midpoint  28 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  illustrates a fourth step in the construction of origami envelope  11 . In step  4 , the bottom of the folded product formed by second fold line  34  is folded up to meet line  51  by folding along fourth fold line  42 . In other words, first midpoint  26  and fold point  41  is folded up to meet left top point  36  and point  52 , respectively. This fourth folding action produces a top and bottom layer of envelope  11 , and a substantially triangular structure referred to as a closure flap  53 . Top layer of envelope  11  includes a front surface (as seen in  FIG. 8  which shows the front view of envelope  11 ) and a back surface opposite of the front surface (not shown). Bottom layer of envelope  11  includes an exterior side (as seen in  FIG. 9  which shows the back view of envelope  11 ) and an interior side opposite of the exterior side (not shown). The back surface of the top layer is in contact with the interior side of the bottom layer when the top and bottom layers of envelope  11  are formed in the fourth step. 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  illustrates a fifth step in the construction of origami envelope  11 . Step  5  involves folding closure flap  53  down along sixth fold line  46  to produce a finished origami envelope  11 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 8  (showing a front view of origami envelope  11 ) and  FIG. 9  (showing a back view of origami envelope  11 ). Fifth fold line  46  substantially aligns with line  51 . Closure flap  53  may be optionally sealed to secure the contents in origami envelope  11  using adhesive tape, glue, staples, a sticker and the like. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 8  which shows the front view of origami envelope  11 , origami envelope  11  comprises a top envelope side  54 A, a bottom envelope side  54 B, a left envelope side  54 C and a right envelope side  54 D. In the illustrated embodiment, the side which extends along the top envelope side  54 A and the bottom envelope side  54 B is length L 11 , and the side which extends along the left envelope side  54 C and the right envelope side  54 D is width W 11 . Length L 11  is greater than a width W 11 . In some embodiments, width W 11  is approximately ⅔ of length L 11 . 
         [0044]    In the illustrated embodiment, origami envelope  11  comprises a triangle  57  positioned at a top left corner of origami envelope  11 . Triangle  57  comprises two substantially equal length sides  59 A and  59 B perpendicularly positioned to form a right angle, and a side  59 C having a length longer than  59 A and  59 B, positioned opposite of the right angle. In some embodiments, side  59 A may extend along a portion of top envelope side  54 A, and side  59 B may extend along a portion of left envelope side  54 C. In alternative embodiments, side  59 A may extend along a portion of top envelope side  54 A, and side  59 B may extend along a portion of right envelope side  54 D. 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, side  59 C of origami envelope  11  may be constructed from a portion of length L of sheet  10 . Side  59 C of envelope  11  may be constructed from the portion of second side  10 D which extends between second midpoint  28  and second right point  48 . 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, triangle  57  is created by extending the top layer of envelope  11  to the bottom layer over a portion of the top envelope side  54 A. In some embodiments, a ratio between the portion of the top envelope side and the top envelope side is approximately 0.65 to 0.75. In such embodiments, a ratio between side  59 A of triangle  57  and the top envelope side  54 A is thus between 0.25 to 0.35. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 9  which shows a back view of origami envelope  11 , as discussed in relation to  FIG. 7 , origami envelope  11  comprises closure flap  53 . Closure flap  53  comprises a triangle having two substantially equal length sides  62 A and  62 B perpendicularly disposed to form a right angle at top right corner  18 , and a side  62 C having a length longer than  62 A and  62 B positioned opposite of the right angle. 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, side  62 B of envelope  11  may be constructed from a portion of length L of sheet  10 . Side  62 B may be constructed from the portion of second side  10 D which extends between second right point  48  and top right corner  18 . In some embodiments, side  62 A may be constructed from a portion of width W of sheet  10 . Side  62 A may be constructed from the portion of top edge  10 A which extends between top right corner  18  and top point  36 . 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, sheet  10  is not pre-creased and one would be required to create fold lines  24 ,  30 ,  34 ,  38 ,  42 , and  46  or fold lines  30 ,  34 ,  38 ,  42 , and  46  manually to produce origami envelope  11 . In some embodiments, sheet  10  may be pre-creased with folds lines  24 ,  30 ,  34 ,  38 ,  42 , and  46  or fold lines  30 ,  34 ,  38 ,  42 , and  46  by a machine. 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, a printed message may first be written on inside surface  12  of sheet  10  prior to the construction of origami envelope  11  according to the five or six steps that are illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 9 . First triangle  31 , second triangle  33  and quadrilateral  35  are concealed within envelope  11  and thus referring to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , additional messages may be printed on first triangle  31 , second triangle  33 , and/or quadrilateral  35  in steps  2 ,  3 , and  4  respectively. 
         [0051]    In some embodiments, objects such as gift cards, cards, letters, and the like may be inserted into envelope  11  during which the envelope  11  is being constructed. For example, such objects may be inserted into envelope  11  between steps  3  and  4  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) when the compartment of envelope  11  has been constructed. The compartment of envelope  11  includes opposing edges  54 A,  54 B and opposing sides  54 C,  54 D (as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). 
         [0052]    The contents inside envelope  11  may be secured by attaching closure flap  53  onto envelope  11 . Closure flap  53  is depicted in  FIG. 9 . Closure flap  53  may be attached to envelope  11  by using glue, tape, a sticker, staples and the like. In addition, the front of the envelope, as best seen in  FIG. 8 , can include the name and/or address of the recipient, as well as a mailing stamp. 
         [0053]    To access the contents within origami envelope  11 , a recipient can lift closure flap  53  (i.e. unfold fold line  46 ), and unfold each of fold lines  42 ,  34 ,  30  and  38  to return to the unfolded configuration, i.e. unfolded sheet  10  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In other words, one can reverse each of the folding steps  1 - 5  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3-7  to unfold envelope  11 . 
         [0054]    Origami envelope  11  has many advantages over existing origami envelopes. Origami envelope  11  can be substituted for conventional envelopes. Unlike prior art origami envelopes which are often constructed using irregular shaped paper or the conventional square sized origami paper, origami envelope  11  can be constructed using paper sizes which are readily available, in particular, rectangular-dimensioned paper such as legal or A4-sized paper. In addition, origami envelope  11  can be easily constructed by as few as five folding actions, without using additional tools such as scissors. 
         [0055]    While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.