Abstract:
A combination envelope and greeting card having a detachable card structure which is removable from the envelope and can function separately as a greeting card. Portions of some of the panels of the envelope can be separated from the envelope along lines of perforation, forming cards having two or more panels. The combination envelope and greeting card structure can also comprise a detachable display strip which includes an adhesive display assembly for securing the card structure when displayed in a standing position. Photograph retaining structures can also be included on one or more card panels.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to envelopes, and more specifically, to envelopes having a greeting card combined therewith. In particular, this invention relates to an envelope and a greeting card made from a single envelope blank, wherein the greeting card is separable from the envelope by lines of perforation. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the greeting card industry, manufacturers must utilize not only the appropriate machinery for producing the cards, but also the appropriate machinery for producing the envelopes in order to affect cost savings. Thus, at a minimum, two expensive pieces of machinery, as well as two separate manufacturing processes, must be employed by the greeting card manufacturers to accomplish the task of manufacturing each greeting card. 
     In addition, standard bi-fold greeting cards are often displayed by their recipients by standing them up on a level surface. This method is not always satisfactory, as such a bi-fold card lacks adequate stability to withstand even light breezes, which can be caused by simply walking past the displayed card. 
     It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide a combination envelope and greeting card, wherein a single blank can be formed, on a single machine and in a single process, into both the mailing envelope and the greeting card. 
     It is another advantage of the present invention to provide an envelope which includes a greeting card, wherein upon opening the envelope and unfolding the card panels thereof, a greeting card is formed which can be separated from the envelope by lines of perforation. 
     It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a combination envelope and greeting card, which further includes a detachable display strip for displaying the greeting card in a stable manner. 
     Additional advantages, objects, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a combination envelope and greeting card formed from a single blank. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a combination envelope and greeting card made from a blank is disclosed and comprises a front panel having opposed side edges and a back panel having opposed side edges, the front and back panels being connected along a line of perforation or a fold line, two side flap receiving panels extending from the back panel at the side edges thereof and connected thereto along a line of perforation, the side flap receiving panels adapted to receive a portion of the back panel when the blank is formed into an envelope, a seal flap structure extending from the front panel opposite the back panel and connected thereto at a fold line, and a detachable card structure, the detachable card structure comprising the back panel, and at least one additional panel extending from the back panel. The front panel can further comprise two side flaps extending from therefrom at the side edges thereof, each side flap connected to the front panel along a fold line. The seal flap structure can include an adhesive strip assembly and a detachable display strip portion. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for use in the construction of the combination envelope and greeting card of the present invention, which is adapted for use first as a mailing envelope and subsequently as a bi-fold greeting card which is capable of being displayed. 
     FIG. 2 is a rear view of the blank of FIG. 1, with the side flaps and the seal flap structure folded over and sealed to form an assembled envelope for mailing. 
     FIG. 3 is plan view of the blank of FIG. 1, depicting portions of a side flap receiving panel and of the seal flap structure being removed from the envelope blank along lines of perforation. 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternative embodiment of the blank of FIG. 1, depicting a photograph retaining structure incorporated onto one of the card panels. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the greeting card portion of the type of blanks of FIGS. 1 and 4, wherein the greeting card portion has been removed from the blank along lines of perforation, and is shown being displayed on a detachable display strip removed from the seal flap structure of the blank. 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a blank for use in the construction of the combination envelope and greeting card of the present invention, which is adapted for use first as a mailing envelope and subsequently as a tri-fold greeting card which is capable of being displayed. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the greeting card portion of the blank of FIG. 6, wherein the tri-fold greeting card portion has been removed from the blank along lines of perforation, and is shown being displayed on a detachable display strip removed from the seal flap structure of the blank. 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of an envelope blank for use in construction of the combination envelope and greeting card of the present invention, which is adapted for use first as a mailing envelope and subsequently as a bi-fold greeting card which is capable of being displayed, showing a photograph retaining structure positioned on one of the card panels. 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view of another embodiment of an envelope blank for use in construction of the combination envelope and greeting card of the present invention, which is adapted for use first as a mailing envelope and subsequently as a tri-fold greeting card which is capable of being displayed, showing a photograph retaining structure positioned on one of the card panels. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the greeting card portion of the blank of FIG. 8, wherein the bi-fold greeting card portion has been removed from the blank along lines of perforation, as is shown being displayed on a detachable display strip removed from the seal flap structure of the blank. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawing depicted in FIG. 1, a blank  10  for making a combination envelope and greeting card is depicted. The blank  10  for the combination envelope/greeting card comprises a front panel  14  and a back panel  16  connected by a perforated fold line  18 , a seal flap structure  20  connected at a fold line  22  to front panel  14  opposite back panel  16 . First and second side flaps  24 ,  26  are connected to front panel  14  at fold lines  28  and  30 , respectively, and first and second side flap receiving panels  32  and  34  are connected to back panel  16  at perforated lines  36  and  38 , respectively. A first card panel  40  is connected at a fold line  42  to back panel  16  opposite front panel  14 . 
     The seal flap structure  20  is comprised of an adhesive seal strip  44  positioned toward the edge of the seal flap structure  20 , and a detachable display strip  46  positioned between adhesive seal strip  44  and fold line  22 . Adhesive seal strip  44  includes an adhesive seal assembly  45  which can be any suitable adhesive means, including a pressure sensitive adhesive covered by a removable protective strip, a remoistenable strip of glue, or the like. Detachable display strip  46  is bounded on two sides by perforation lines  48  and  50 , which are parallel to fold line  22  and extend across the entire width of seal flap structure  20 . Detachable display strip  46  includes an adhesive display assembly  52 . Similarly, adhesive display assembly  52  can be any suitable adhesive means, including a pressure sensitive adhesive covered by a removable protective strip, a remoistenable strip of glue, or the like. Detachable display strip  46  can be disassociated from the seal flap structure  20  at the perforation lines  48  and  50 , and is then available for use in displaying the detachable card structure  54 , as will be described below. In FIG. 3, the adhesive seal strip  44  of the seal flap assembly  20  is shown being detached from display strip  46  along perforation line  48 . Similarly, in use, display strip  46  can then be completely detached from the envelope at perforation line  50 . 
     Alternatively, the relative positioning of the adhesive seal strip  44  and the detachable display strip  46  could be reversed without departing from the teachings of the present invention. This alternative seal flap structure  20  is equally useful with the envelope blanks depicted in the FIGS. 6,  8  and  9 . 
     A detachable card structure  54  comprises back panel  16  and first card panel  40 . Detachable card structure  54  can be disassociated from the blank at lines of perforation  18 ,  36  and  38 . FIG. 3 shows side flap receiving panel  34  being removed from back panel  16  along perforation line  38 . Similarly, side flap receiving panel  32  can also be removed from back panel  16  along perforation line  36 . Finally, back panel  16  can be detached from front panel  14  along perforated fold line  18 . Upon disassociation, detachable card structure  54  functions as a complete, separate greeting card  72 , as can best be seen in FIG.  5 . The embodiment of the type shown in FIGS. 1-4 includes a greeting card  72  which comprises a bi-fold card. This card can be displayed by standing it up, and if desired to more securely display the card  72  in such a manner, a portion of the bottom of card  72  can be adhered to the adhesive display assembly  52  of the detachable display strip  46  to securely display the card  72 . 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the pouch  56  of the envelope of the present invention is formed by folding the side flaps  24  and  26  along fold lines  28  and  30 , respectively. Card panel  40  is first folded over back panel  16  along fold line  42 , and detachable card structure  54  is then folded over front panel  14  along perforated fold line  18 . Side flaps  24  and  26  are thus received by side flap receiving panels  32  and  34 , respectively. Alternatively, side flaps  24  and  26  can be positioned over side flap receiving panels  32  and  34 . To close the envelope, seal flap structure  20  is folded over the exterior surface  58  of back panel  16  along fold line  22 . When it is desired for the envelope to be sealed, adhesive seal assembly strip  45  is adhered to the back panel exterior surface  58 . 
     Of course, it is understood that alternative envelope structures are within the scope of the present invention. As one example, an envelope can be formed from an alternative blank similar to that depicted in FIG. 1, but without side flaps  24  and  26 . In this embodiment, side flap receiving panels  32  and  34  would simply be received onto front panel  14 . Similar alternatives could be useful in connection with the blanks depicted in FIGS. 6,  8  and  9 , discussed below. 
     What is important with any alternative envelopes suitable for use in connection with the present invention is that the formation of the envelope does not require the use or placement of adhesives on the greeting card structure  72  which would mar the surfaces of that structure  72 . Fugitive adhesives, of course, could be positioned on the greeting card structure  72  if needed, as long as the surfaces of the structure  72  are not marred. 
     In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, card panel  40  includes a photograph retaining structure  60 . This structure  60  comprises a transparent cover  62  affixed by an adhesive assembly  64  to the interior surface  66  of the card panel  40 . As depicted in the drawing, the adhesive assembly  64  comprises a c-shaped strip of adhesive which fixedly receives a first portion  68  of the periphery of the transparent cover  62  to secure the cover  62  to the interior surface  66  of the card panel  40 . A second portion  70  of the periphery of the transparent cover  62  remains open, or unsealed, to allow a photograph or other item to be displayed to be placed or slid under the transparent cover  62 . First periphery portion  68  comprises a sufficient amount of the periphery of the cover  62  so as to ensure that the cover  62  and any item displayed thereunder will be secured onto the card panel  40 , and second periphery portion  70  comprises a sufficient amount of the periphery of the cover  62  so as to allow the item to be displayed to be inserted under the cover  62 , while being securely retained therein. It is understood that the photograph retaining structure  60  can be positioned on either first card panel  40  or back panel  16 , or alternatively, both panels  16  and  40  can include a photograph retaining structure. 
     While the photograph retaining structure  60  is shown as being generally rectangular in shape, it is understood that any suitable shape is within the scope and understanding of the present invention. Likewise, the adhesive assembly  64  which is to be associated with any such shape of the photograph retaining structure  60  can be of any shape which is suitable to secure the corresponding photograph retaining structure  60 . 
     In another aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, more than one card panel can be included in the combination envelope and greeting card of the present invention. This embodiment provides an envelope blank  110  similar to that depicted in FIG. 1 above. The blank  110  for this embodiment comprises a front panel  114  and a back panel  116  connected by a perforated fold line  118 , a seal flap structure  120  connected at a fold line  122  to front panel  114  opposite back panel  116 . First and second side flaps  124  and  126  are connected to front panel  114  at fold lines  128  and  130 , respectively, and first and second side flap receiving panels  132  and  134  are connected to back panel  116  at perforated lines  136  and  138 , respectively. A first card panel  140  is connected at a fold line  142  to back panel  116  opposite front panel  114 . A second card panel  141  is connected at a fold line  143  to first card panel  140  opposite back panel  116 . 
     The seal flap structure  120  is similar to that in the first embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3, and includes an adhesive seal strip  144  positioned toward the edge of the seal flap structure  120 , and a detachable display strip  146  positioned between adhesive seal assembly  144  and fold line  122 . Adhesive seal strip  144  includes an adhesive seal assembly  145  which can be any suitable adhesive means, including a pressure sensitive adhesive covered by a removable protective strip, a remoistenable strip of glue, or the like. Detachable display strip  146  is bounded on two sides by perforation lines  148  and  150 , which are parallel to fold line  122  and extend across the entire width of seal flap structure  120 . Detachable display strip  146  includes an adhesive display assembly  152 . Similarly, the adhesive display assembly  152  can be any suitable adhesive means, including a pressure sensitive adhesive covered by a removable protective strip, a remoistenable strip of glue, or the like. Detachable display strip  146  can be disassociated from the seal flap structure  120  at the perforation lines  148  and  150 , and is then available for use in displaying the detachable card structure  154 , as will be described below. 
     The detachable card structure  154  of this embodiment comprises back panel  116 , first card panel  140 , and second card panel  141 . As discussed above with respect to the first embodiment, the detachable card structure  154  can be disassociated from the blank  110  at lines of perforation  118 ,  136  and  138 . Upon disassociation, detachable card structure  154  functions as a complete, separate tri-fold greeting card  172 . As can best be seen in FIG. 7, tri-fold greeting card  172  can be displayed by standing it up, and if desired to more securely display the card  172  in such a manner, a portion of the bottom of card  172  can be adhered to the adhesive display assembly  152  of the display strip  146  to securely display the card  172 . Although not depicted in the drawings, card panels  140 ,  141  or back panel  116 , or any combination of these panels, can include a photograph retaining structure  160  similar to that described above. 
     In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the envelope can be similarly formed, with second card panel  141  first being folded over first card panel  140  along fold line  143 , and then this combination of panels  140  and  141  is next folded over back panel  116  along fold line  142 . As with the embodiment in FIG. 2, the detachable card structure  154  can then be folded over front panel  114  along perforated fold line  118 . Side flaps  124  and  126  are thus received by side flap receiving panels  132  and  134 , respectively. To close the envelope, seal flap structure  120  is folded over the exterior surface of back panel  116  along fold line  122 . When it is desired for the envelope to be sealed, adhesive seal assembly strip  145  is adhered to the exterior surface of back panel  116 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 8, an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown. A blank  210  is depicted and comprises a front panel  214  and a back panel  216  connected by a fold line  219 , a seal flap structure  220  (similar to those discussed in connection with the above embodiments) connected at a perforated fold line  223  to front panel  214  opposite back panel  216 . Seal flap structure  220  includes an adhesive seal strip  244  positioned toward the edge of the seal flap structure  220 , and a detachable display strip  246  positioned between adhesive seal assembly  244  and fold line  222 . Adhesive seal strip  244  includes an adhesive seal assembly  245  which can be any suitable adhesive means, including a pressure sensitive adhesive covered by a removable protective strip, a remoistenable strip of glue, or the like. Detachable display strip  246  is bounded on two sides by perforation lines  248  and  250 , which are parallel to fold line  222  and extend across the entire width of seal flap structure  220 . Detachable display strip  246  includes an adhesive display assembly  252 . Similarly, the adhesive display assembly  252  can be any suitable adhesive means, including a pressure sensitive adhesive covered by a removable protective strip, a remoistenable strip of glue, or the like. Detachable display strip  246  can be disassociated from the seal flap structure  220  at the perforation lines  248  and  250 , and is then available for use in displaying the detachable card structure  254 , as will be described below. First and second side flaps  224 ,  226  are connected to front panel  214  at fold lines  228  and  230 , respectively, and first and second side flap receiving panels  232  and  234  are connected to back panel  216  at perforated lines  236  and  238 , respectively. Perforated lines  236  and  238  also extend across front panel  214  from fold line  219  to perforated fold line  223 . Photograph retaining structure  260  (similar to that discussed above in connection with the previous embodiment) is shown positioned on front panel  214 . It is not essential that the photograph retaining structure  260  be positioned on the front panel  214 . As an alternative to the blank displayed in FIG. 8, the photograph retaining structure  260  can instead be positioned on the back panel  216 , or separate photograph retaining structures  260  can be positioned on both on panels  214  and  216 . In yet another alternative embodiment, the blank does not include a photograph retaining structure. 
     A detachable card structure  254  comprises front panel  214  and back panel  216 , and can be disassociated from the blank  210  at lines of perforation  223 ,  236  and  238 . Upon disassociation, detachable card structure  254  functions as a complete, separate greeting card  272 , as can best be seen in the embodiment of FIG.  10 . Greeting card  272  comprises a bi-fold card which can be displayed by standing it up, and if desired to more securely display the card  272  in such a manner, a portion of the bottom of card  272  can be adhered to the adhesive display assembly  252  of the detachable display strip  246  to securely display the card  272 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 9, another embodiment of the present invention is depicted, wherein a blank  310  comprises a front panel  314  and a back panel  316  connected by a fold line  319 , and a seal flap structure  320  (similar to those discussed in connection with the above embodiments) connected at a perforated fold line  323  to front panel  314  opposite back panel  316 . First and second side flaps  324 ,  326  are connected to front panel  314  at fold lines  328  and  330 , respectively, and first and second side flap receiving panels  332  and  334  are connected to back panel  316  at perforated lines  336  and  338 , respectively. Perforated lines  336  and  338  also extend across front panel  314  from fold line  319  to perforated fold line  323 . A first card panel  340  is connected at a fold line  342  to back panel  316  opposite front panel  314 . Photograph retaining structure  360  (similar to that discussed above in connection with the previous embodiments) is shown positioned on front panel  314 . It is not essential that the photograph retaining structure  360  be positioned on the front panel  314 . As an alternative to the blank displayed in FIG. 9, the photograph retaining structure  360  can instead be positioned on the back panel  316  or the first card panel  340 , or on any combination of the panels  314 ,  316  and  340 . In yet another alternative embodiment, the blank does not include a photograph retaining structure. 
     A detachable card structure  354  comprises front panel  314 , back panel  316  and first card panel  340 . This card structure  354  can be disassociated from the blank  310  at lines of perforation  323 ,  336  and  338 . Upon disassociation, detachable card structure  354  functions as a complete, separate tri-fold greeting card. Although not depicted in the drawings, as with the previous embodiments, this tri-fold greeting card can be displayed using the detachable display strip  346  and associated adhesive display assembly  352 . 
     The combination envelope and greeting card of the present invention is adapted for use first as an envelope, if so desired. Subsequent to such use, or as an alternative to such use, the greeting card portion can be utilized as follows. With the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-7, the combination envelope and greeting card can be sold in the form of a kit, wherein the envelope blank is either not folded or is folded with the sides unsealed, allowing the greeting card to be personalized by the sender prior to the formation of the envelope. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein a photograph retaining structure is included, a photograph or other item to be displayed can be positioned under the transparent cover prior to formation of the envelope by folding the blank. Alternatively, the envelope can be preformed and presealed, eliminating the ability to include any personalization on the inside of the card. 
     With the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8-10, the envelope can either be sold as a kit (i.e., unfolded or folded with the sides unsealed, as discussed above), or alternatively the envelope can first be formed from the blank prior to use. In this situation, the positioning of the photograph retaining structure  260 ,  360  on the front panel  214 ,  314  of the blank allows the user to access an unsealed portion of the periphery of the transparent cover  270 ,  370  for inserting a photograph or other item to be retained therein, even after the blank has been formed into an envelope with the sides sealed. 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
     Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.