Abstract:
A CD mailer and pocket file, the pocket file having a two-ply front wall and a single ply rear wall. The two-ply wall has a slot in one of the plies to receive a CD into a CD retaining recess between the plies. A mailer flap connected to one of the walls along a fold line is folded over the two-ply wall to close the open end of the pocket and cover the CD receiving slot for mailing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a mailer for compact disks and more particularly, to a compact disk mailer that include an integral file folder. 
   Compact disks, DVD disks and the like containing a software program, photographs, music, video or other stored digital data are often sent through the mails. The mailers for such disks usually comprise a generally square or rectangular paperboard envelope having a slot for receiving the disk and a closure flap which folds over the slot to seal in the disk. 
   The mailer often is used to store the disk and the inside surface of the closure flap can contain operational instructions or other information pertinent to the digital information on the disk. The flap surface also can contain blank space where the user can hand record information identifying the disk or its contents. Generally, however, space on the mailer is limited and there is little room for instructional material or for recording information. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved compact disk mailer. 
   Another object is to provide an improved compact disk mailer that includes storage for printed instruction or other information relevant to the digital information stored on the disk being mailed. 
   A further object is to provide a mailer including a holder for at least one compact disk and file folder associated with the disk holder for storage of printed or written information. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In the present invention, a compact disk mailer is provided that includes room for the storage or papers and the like in addition to the compact disk itself. In this respect, the mailer has a pocket for accommodating the disk and an attached file folder for receiving other materials such as printed instructions, drawings, photographs or other papers that may have a relationship to the digital information contained on the disk. A mailer panel is foldable over both the compact disk pocket and file folder and is sealed for mailing. The mailing panel thereafter may be separated and discarded by the user leaving only the compact disk holder and attached file folder for storage in the drawer of a conventional filing cabinet. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes an elongated blank made of paperboard or any other suitable material that can be cut and scored to form foldable panels. Four such generally rectangular panels are formed in the blank by transverse fold lines made by scoring the blank. A first and second of the panels are folded together to form a double ply wall with a pocket therebetween for holding a compact disk. Access to the pocket is provided by a slit in one of the panels. 
   These two panels, in turn, are connected by a fold line to a third panel. The third panel folds and attaches to the double ply wall for forming the pocket of a file folder between the third panel and the double ply wall. A fourth panel that connects to the third panel at another fold line is folded over and is sealed to the double ply wall for mailing. Preferably, a separation line such as a line of perforation is provided across the fourth panel. This allows separation and removal of the fourth panel after mailing thereby leaving only the compact disk holder and attached file folder. 
   The construction provides a folder having front and back walls wherein either wall has at least two plies. The space between the walls defines a file folder pocket having an opening at one end for inserting materials into the file folder. The double ply construction of one of the folder walls allows for the insertion of a disk into a recess or pocket between the plies through a slot in one of the plies. A mailer panel that is foldably attached along an edge of one of the walls is arranged to fold over both the open end of the file folder and the disk access slot to close the folder for mailing. A separation line allows the mailer panel to be removed and discarded after receipt of the folder. 
   Accordingly, the present invention may be characterized in one aspect thereof by a compact disc mailer and file folder comprising: 
   a) a file folder having a front wall and a back wall defining a materials-receiving file pocket therebetween having an open top end and a closed bottom, one of the front and back walls formed of two plies, one of the plies having a slot providing access to a disk retaining recess between the plies; and 
   b) a mailer panel attached along a fold line to one or another of the front and back walls of the file folder, the mailer panel being foldable over the open top of the file folder to close the folder for mailing. 
   In another aspect, the present invention may be characterized by a blank cut and scored for folding to form a compact disk mailer and file folder, the blank comprising: 
   a) first and second panels foldable along a first fold line to form a double ply wall comprising one wall of a file folder, one of the panels having a slot to provide access to a compact disk receiving recess between the two plies; 
   b) a third panel foldable along a second fold line to form a second wall of the file folder wherein the second fold line defines a closed bottom of the file folder; and 
   c) a fourth panel that is foldable along the third fold line to provide a mailer panel that is foldable over the file folder for mailing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a blank for making a compact disk mailer and file folder according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows a first step in the converting the blank of  FIG. 1  to a compact disk mailer and file folder; 
       FIG. 3  is a view taken generally along lines  3 — 3  of  FIG. 2  showing a portion of the structure on a larger scale after the completion of the first step; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing partial completion of a second step in forming the disc mailer and file folder; 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view, on a smaller scale showing the compact disk mailer and file folder after completion of the partial step shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the plies of the completed compact disk mailer and file folder ready for mailing; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing separation of a protective mailer flap from the remaining portion of the invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  only showing another embodiment of the blank of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a compact disk mailer and file folder made from the blank of  FIG. 8  and with a protective mailing flap removed as in  FIG. 7 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a blank of the present invention generally indicated at  10 . The blank is made of paperboard or any other rigid or semi-rigid material such as a composite, plastic or corrugated cardboard that can be die cut and scored for folding. The blank is elongated having free ends  12 ,  14  at opposite ends of the blank. For purposes of orientation, the obverse surface  16  of the blank is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   The blank is divided into four panels  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  by three transverse fold lines  26 ,  28  and  30 . The fold lines preferably are scored to facilitate the folding the panels one relative to another as set out herein below. Preferably the scores are such that the panels all easily fold in the same direction. The first panel  18  includes the first free end  12  and is about equal in size to the second panel  20 . The third and fourth panels  22 ,  24  each are slightly longer to facilitate folding along the fold lines as described herein below. 
   A portion of the surface of the first panel  18  has an adhesive coating  32 . The adhesive coating is applied so as to leave at lease one and preferably two circular adhesive-free areas  34 . In addition, three orthogonal die cuts made in the first panel adjacent the fold line  26  form the sides of a file tab  36 . The area of the file tab also is adhesive free. When the panels are folded, the file tab will comprise a portion of the second panel  20  that extends out from the fold line. 
   The second panel also is die cut to remove one and preferably two semicircular sections  38 . Directly below the semicircular cutout sections  38  are semicircular sections  40  that are embossed from the obverse surface of the blank so the embossed semicircular sections  40  extend slightly out from the plane of the opposite surface of the blank (the reverse surface). As further described herein below the adhesive free areas  34  of the first panel coincide with the circular areas defined on the second panel by combination of the semicircular sections  38  and  40 . As an alternative, the adhesive coating  32  may be applied to the second panel  20  about the circular areas defined by the semicircular cut outs  38  and embossed areas  40 . 
   The third panel  22  has adhesive strips  42  along each side edge  44  of the panel. The third panel also has a transverse tear line  46 . The tear line can be formed by a line of perforations or other weakness in the material of the blank so that the blank can be torn along this line. The tear line is located a distance “x” from the fold line  30 , this distance being at least equal to the height of the file tab  36  as measured from the fold line  26 . 
   Completing the structure is the fourth panel  24 , which is a mailer panel or flap used in the mailing of a compact disk and file folder. In this respect the fourth panel has an adhesive strip  48  adjacent the free edge  14  and an easy open means such as a tear strip  50  just inboard of the adhesive strip. 
   The formation of a compact disk mailer and file folder from the blank  10  is described beginning with  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  shows the reverse surface  52  of the blank. As a first step, the first panel  18  is folded along fold line  26  in the direction of arrow  54 . The folding superimposes the portions of the blank obverse surface  16  defined by the first panel and second panels  18 ,  20  one against the other. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the adhesive  32  coating adheres the two panels together except in the circular areas defined by the adhesive free areas  34  that extend around the semicircular cutouts and embossed sections  38 ,  40  respectively. The result is that the first and second panels  18 ,  20  form a double ply wall having a circular recess  56 . The recess includes a semicircular pocket  58  as defined between the embossed section  40  and the first panel  18  wherein access to the pocket is through a slit defined by the semicircular cutout section  38  in the second panel  20 . 
   In a next step as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the double ply wall formed by the superimposed first and second panels  18 ,  20  is folded along the second fold line  28  in the direction shown by arrow  60 . This folding superimposes the portion of the blank obverse surface  16  defined by the third panel  22  and the portion of the blank reverse surface  52  defined by the first panel  18 . Adhesive strips  42  then seal each side edge  44  of the third panel  22  to the first panel. The result as shown in  FIG. 5  is that the third panel  22  and first panel  18  form a file folder pocket  62  therebetween. More particularly, a file folder including pocket  62  is defined by a double ply front wall (the adhered first and second panels  18 ,  20 ) and a single ply rear wall (the third panel  22 ). The end of the file folder opposite the fold line  28  is open, the fold line  28  defines the closed bottom of the file folder and the side edges of the file folder are closed by the adhesive strips  44  sealing together the side edges of the first and third panels. 
   To use the compact disk mailer and file folder of the present invention, the user first inserts a compact disk (not shown) through a cutout  38  and into a pocket  58  so the disk is retained in a circular recess  56  between the first and second panels  18 ,  20  respectively. The fourth panel or mailing flap  24  then is folded along fold line  30  in the direction of arrow  64  ( FIG. 4 ) so it overlies the second panel and any disk retained in a recess  56 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the adhesive strip  48  is used to seal the mailing flap  24  to the reverse surface  52  of the second panel  20 . The fourth panel or mailing flap  24  thus protects and retains a disk in the recess. The fourth panel also folds over the opening of the pocket  62  of the file folder so any item or sheet of paper is retained in the pocket during mailing. 
   When the sealed article is received in the mail, the recipient uses the tear strip  50  to release the mailer flap (fourth panel  24 ) from the second panel  20  so the disk mailer can be opened. This provides access to both the compact disks retained in the recesses  56  as well as providing access to the contents of the file folder pocket  62 . The recipient then can tear the mail flap  24  along the tear line  46  as shown in  FIG. 7 . This allows the mailer flap to be removed and discarded at the option of the recipient. When the flap is torn away, there remains a combination compact disk retainer and a file folder unit generally indicated at  66  having a file tab  36  extending from the top of the file for receiving a contents identifier. 
   In the arrangement as shown the front wall of the file folder is the double ply wall having a recess for holding a compact disk and the back wall of the folder has a single ply. Also, in the embodiment as shown, compact disks are stored or retained on a outwardly facing surface of the front wall and the pocket of the file folder for the storage of papers or other materials associated with the disks is behind the disks. However by folding the third panel in a direction opposite to arrow  60  ( FIG. 4 ), the double ply wall will comprise a back wall of the folder and the panel  22  will form a single ply front wall of the folder. Also, where the double ply wall is a back wall of the folder, the compact disks are stored or retained on a surface that faces inward into the folder. 
   A slightly different embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In this respect, the adhesive strips  42  of  FIG. 1  are moved outboard of the third panel to wings  68  that extend out from opposite sides of the third panel  22  ( FIG. 8 ). In particular the strips are located on the surface of the wings comprising a portion of the reverse surface  52  of the blank. These wings then are folded along lines  70  so the tabs are adhered to the reverse surface  62  of the first panel  18  ( FIG. 9 ). This construction allows increases the volume of the file folder. 
   It should be appreciated that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. For example, as noted above, panels  18  and  20  may be folded opposite to the directions shown so that the reverse surfaces  52  of each panel are laid one against the other. This will locate the disk holding recesses on an inward facing surface of the file folder. In a further modification, the semicircular cut outs and embossed areas can be provided on the front panel  18  and cuts made in the second panel  20  to form the file tab  36 . With this arrangement, following the folding sequence shown in  FIG. 4  locates the disk holding recesses  56  in a double ply rear wall of the file folder. 
   The wings  68  on the third panel  22  can comprise a pleated structure so that the file folder is expandable to accommodate a greater amount of material. It also is within the skill of the art to extend the length of the fourth panel so as to provide a foldable portion containing the adhesive strip  48  and tear strip  50 . It also is apparent that there are other folding schemes available to provide the double and single ply walls of the compact disk mailer and file folder as described herein. 
   Thus, it should be appreciated that the present invention accomplishes it intended objects in providing an improved compact disk mailer including both a retainer for one or more compact disks as well as storage for printed instruction or other information relevant to the digital information stored on the disks. The invention further provides a mailer including a holder for at least one compact disk and a file folder associated with the disk holder for storage of printed or written information.