Abstract:
The present invention is related to a safety and privacy envelope for providing a mail handler and/or recipient to partially view the contents of an envelope without compromising the confidentiality of the contents. This may be an envelope having a front panel comprised of a top edge, bottom edge, left edge and right edge and a rear side comprised of a top edge, bottom edge, left edge and right edge, wherein at least one of said edges has at least one window portion substantially near said edge. The window portion may be along at least one edge including the bottom edge, right edge, left edge and/or top edge of at least one side and the length of the window portion is less than or equal to the length of the bottom edge. The envelope may be further comprised of a single continuous piece of transparent material that is affixed to the window portion. The single continuous piece of transparent material may be folded to form an edge. The window portion may also be further reinforced along at least one said edge.

Description:
[0001]    This patent was originally filed as Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/333,211 filed Nov. 6, 2001 and titled, “Envelope Safety and Privacy System.” 
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to envelopes and more specifically it relates to a safety and privacy envelope for providing a means for a mail recipient or mail handler to partially view the contents of an envelope to detect any unwanted materials, such as potentially hazardous substances, without compromising the confidentiality of the legitimate contents.  
           [0003]    It can be appreciated that envelopes have been in use for years. Envelopes are typically comprised of a single, piece of paper and adhesive, which is cut so that there is a flap. It should be understood envelopes may be a number of different sizes and be comprised of more than one piece of paper. Materials are placed within the envelope, and the flap is secured, for instance with glue, so as to contain the materials. Such envelopes provide a manner in which materials can retain their confidentiality. However, such envelopes do not provide sufficient visibility of the contents that may include potentially dangerous chemicals or other hazardous materials unknown to the postal letter carrier and the mail recipient.  
           [0004]    Transparent or translucent envelopes are also known within the art. Such envelopes are not desirable, though, because they allow handlers and mail recipients to view the contents. This is undesirable to many senders and recipients of mail. Confidentiality of the mail is a necessity, as it may be undesirable to allow anyone with access to the mail to read private information.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,423 issued to Murray discloses an envelope, which has a window through which an address can be seen. Such an envelope allows for materials to retain their confidentiality, and to allow for easy labeling of the desired recipient. This is accomplished by allowing the papers inside the transparent window to serve as the address label. However, such a window, because it is placed in the middle does not allow for the recipient to easily ascertain whether certain contents are contained wherein. Rather, the window allows the sender to easily address letters. Further, because the window is placed in the middle it does not easily allow for a person to check for contents that have settled to the bottom.  
           [0006]    It has become more and more important as a matter of safety that mail recipients and handlers be able to assess the integrity of mail prior to and during its handling. Anthrax and other biological weapons sent via the mails are causing a multitude of problems. These include increased mail time, many postal workers fearing for their safety, mail recipients not knowing whether to open packages and letters, and other general fears.  
           [0007]    Currently, solutions are being sought which irradiate biological hazards. For instance, the Postal Service announced it will buy eight electronic pasteurization systems from Titan Corporation, a San Diego-based company that owns the SureBeam technology. These irradiation units generate controlled, non-radioactive electronic beams to kill harmful bacteria. However, such systems can cause a great deal of harm to the mail contents. For instance, it could expose unexposed film, damage plants, and prevent seeds from germinating.  
           [0008]    Also known within the state of the art is the use of radiation from radioactive elements. These, however, are difficult to contain and present a great deal of risks. Such systems are complex, expensive, need be adjusted for different possible hazards and are not practical for every post office in the country. Because of this smaller towns may not receive the protection they too require.  
           [0009]    Accordingly, there is a need for a safety and privacy envelope that substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides a means for a mail recipient to partially view the contents of an envelope to detect a potentially hazardous substance without compromising the confidentiality of the contents.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    A safety and privacy envelope comprising of front panel in communication with a rear panel so that the front panel and rear panel provide an opening and closed surfaces on at least one edge. Also provided is a rear panel flap sufficient to provide closure to said opening and at least one window means located on the peripheral margin, said window means adapted to provide the user with a view of the contents thereof.  
           [0011]    According to another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a safety and privacy envelope having a front panel or side comprised of at least three edges and a rear panel or side comprised of at least three edges, wherein a portion of at least one of the edges has a window portion. The width of the window portion may be less than 1.5 inches from the corresponding edge. The length of the window portion may be less than or equal to the length of the corresponding edge. It should be understood that the window portion is an opening or cut out and may possess a single continuous piece of transparent material substantially larger than said window portion and glued to the inside of the envelope. This material may be made of a polymer type material. The single continuous piece of transparent material may be affixed to at least one of said edges. It may also be affixed to the window portion, which is folded. According to this embodiment, the folded portion of the single continuous piece of transparent material may act as the edge of the envelope. It should be understood the window portion may also be left open.  
           [0012]    According to a preferred embodiment, an envelope having a front panel comprised of a top edge, bottom edge, left edge and right edge and a rear panel comprised of a top edge, bottom edge, left edge and right edge, wherein at least one of said edges has at least one window portion substantially near said edge. The window portion may be along at least one edge including the bottom edge, right edge, left edge and/or top edge of at least one side and the length of the window portion is less than or equal to the length of the bottom edge. The envelope may be further comprised of a single continuous piece of transparent material that is affixed to the window portion. This may be folded to form an edge. The window portion may also be further reinforced along at least one said edge.  
           [0013]    According to preferred embodiment the window portion may be less than 1.5 inches from at least one said edge. A multitude of window portions may be along at least one edge and provide a portion of at least one edge to be transparent and a portion of same said edge to be opaque.  
           [0014]    Also disclosed is a blank suitable for use in making an envelope, comprising a first, second, third, fourth and fifth contiguous areas for folding over one upon the other to form front side and a rear side, and at least one window portion placed at or substantially near a portion of the area to be folded, where information contained within the envelope should not be visible. The blank may be further comprised of a transparent material fixedly attached to said opening.  
           [0015]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a front view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a back view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 shows a blank, which can be used to make an envelope according to the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a front view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a back view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a front view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is a back view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a front view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 is a back view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 11 is a front view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 12 is a back view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 13 is a front view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 14 is a back view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 15 is a front view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 16 is a back view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 17 is a front view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 18 is a back view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 19 is a front view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 20 is a back view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0036]    Turning now descriptively to the drawings, wherein similar reference numbers denote similar elements throughout the several views, the attached figures illustrate a safety and privacy envelope, which comprises an envelope equipped with transparent viewing portions permitting the viewing of certain contents while retaining the integrity and confidentiality of other items contained therein. Previously, envelopes did not allow for the viewing of possible substances within the envelope without opening the envelope and exposing oneself to anything contained therein.  
         [0037]    Provided is a safety and privacy envelope comprising a front panel in communication with a rear panel so that the front panel and rear panel provide an opening and closed surfaces on at least one edge. Also provided is a rear flap sufficient to provide closure to said opening and at least one window means located on the peripheral margin, said window means adapted to provide the user with a view of the contents thereof. The peripheral margin is defined as the area near the edge of the envelope. The edge of the envelope may be comprised of folded material, at least two pieces affixed to each other or an opening or window portion which is covered by a transparent piece of material and folded.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 depict a front panel  10 , back panel  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 , unfolded blank  146  and perspective view of an envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, a single piece of paper or other material can be folded so as to form a front panel  10  and back panel  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 . It should be understood that a number of pieces may also be used to form a similar invention without departing from the spirit contained herein, also a number of different materials may be used to make the envelope. These may include paper that is capable of detecting contaminants, and paper that performs other duties. As shown the front panel  10  of the envelope may be opaque and may have a first window portion  149 , second window portion  148  and third window portion  147 . It is also envisioned that the window portion may be substantially along an edge, including being just inside the edge portion such that the envelope is sturdy. A single continuous piece of material, such as plastic may be affixed within said window portion to contain materials within the envelope. As shown a first piece of transparent material  12  is affixed to said first window portion  149 , a second piece of transparent material  14  is affixed to the second window portion  148  and a third piece of transparent material  16  is affixed to a third window portion  147 . The window portions,  147 ,  148  and  149  should be substantially close to the edge, though, preferably within a half an inch from said edge. Where the window portion is open on both sides and a piece of transparent material affixed it should be understood the transparent material is folded and comprises an edge. The edge may also be reinforced. The length of the window portion should be less than the length of the corresponding edge of the envelope. By way of example, the length of second window portion  148  is less than the length  21  of the bottom edge. Also, according to a preferred embodiment, the width of the window portion, as measured from the edge may be less than 1.5 inches. By way of example, the width  23  of the second window portion  148  is less than 1.5 inches.  
         [0039]    The back panel of the envelope may be comprised of a left flap  24 , bottom flap  22 , right flap  20  and top flap  18 . Left flap  24 , right flap  20  and bottom flap  22  are folded and affixed. The top flap  18  is affixed by the user upon placement of materials within the envelope by means of a sealing means like an adhesive. This results in an envelope with four edges. In accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2 top edge  13 , right edge  15 , bottom edge  17  and left edge  19 . It should be understood that a number of different envelopes may be utilized, including triangular, circular, and rectangular envelopes with a number of different edges. Also, as stated previously the transparent material may fold to form a portion of the edge.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view according to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. As shown, the first piece of transparent material  12  may be affixed to the first window portion  149 , second piece of transparent material  14  may be affixed to the second window portion  148  and third piece of transparent material  16  may be affixed to the third window portion  147 . The respective transparent materials should be larger than the corresponding window portion and fixed to the inside of the envelope. As shown, the envelope is closed and contained when the top flap  18  is folded over the left flap  24 , right flap  20  and bottom flap  22 . The first window portion  149 , second window portion  148  and third window portion  147  allow material along the edge to be viewed. This may be particularly useful to detect the presence of a powder. The powder may be contained, and the envelope quarantined so that any potential hazard is contained. By way of example, any biological hazard contained within could be detected. This may also be useful to detect the presence of drugs or other contraband. The envelope shown in FIG. 3 is opaque or, at least, much less transparent than the window portions.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 4 depicts a blank suitable for making an envelope. An envelope suitable for use in making an envelope may comprise contiguous areas. First area may be comprised of right flap  20 , second area may be comprised of top flap  18 , third area may be comprised of left flap  24 , fourth area may be comprised of bottom flap  22  and fifth area may be comprised of front panel  10  folded over one upon the other to form a front side and a rear side. The envelope may be generally rectangular when folded and comprised of opposing flaps, left flap  24  opposes right flap  20  and bottom flap  22  opposes top flap  18 . There may be at least one opening placed at or substantially near a portion of at the area to be folded. The window portions may also be substantially near the folds or edges. As shown a first piece of transparent material  12  is within left flap  24 , a second piece of transparent material  14  is within the bottom flap  22 , and a third piece of transparent material  16  is within the right flap  20 . The transparent materials are affixed to window portions substantially covering the window portions, yet allowing the contents in that area to be viewed. According to one embodiment, the transparent portion are affixed to the inside of the envelope.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 depict another embodiment according to the present invention. As shown, the window portion may be along the folded portion of at least one side of the envelope  31 . According to the embodiment shown, the front panel  30  of the envelope may have a first piece of transparent material  28 , second piece of transparent material  32  and third piece of transparent material  36 . According to a preferred embodiment the transparent materials are fixed to the inside of the envelope and are larger than their corresponding window portions. The front panel  30  may be the area where one places the address of an intended recipient. The back area may be formed by folding the left flap  40 , right flap  36 , bottom flap  38  in any order and preferably the top flap  34  over the other flaps.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 depict another embodiment according to the present invention. As shown, the window portion may be along the folded portion of at least one side of the envelope  41 . According to the embodiment shown, the back of the envelope  41  may have a first piece of transparent material  44 , second first piece of transparent material  46  and third first piece of transparent material  48 . The front panel  42  may be formed of a solid opaque material and act as the area where one places the address of the intended recipient. The back area may be formed by folding the left flap  52 , right flap  56 , bottom flap  54  in any order and preferably the top flap  50  over the other flaps. According to the embodiment shown, the back panel of the envelope may have a first piece of transparent material  48 , second piece of transparent material  46  and third piece of transparent material  44 . The front panel  42  may be the area where one places the address of an intended recipient. The back panel or area may be formed by folding the left flap  52 , right flap  56 , and bottom flap  54  in any order and preferably the top flap  50  over the other flaps.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 depict another embodiment according to the present invention. As shown, the window portion may be placed in a multitude of positions and a number of windows or portions along or substantially along the folded portion of at least one side of the envelope  61 . According to the embodiment shown, the back  60  of the envelope  61  may have a first piece of transparent material  62 , second first piece of transparent material  64 , third piece of transparent material  66 , fourth piece of transparent material  68 , fifth piece of transparent material  70 , and sixth piece of transparent material  72 . The front panel  60  may be formed of a solid opaque material and act as the area where one places the address of the intended recipient. The back area may be formed by folding the left flap  74 , right flap  78 , bottom flap  76  in any order and preferably the top flap  80  over the other flaps.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 depict another embodiment according to the present invention. As shown, the window portion and transparent materials may be placed in a multitude of positions and sizes along or substantially along the folded portion of at least one side of the envelope  81 . According to the embodiment shown, the front panel  86  of the envelope may have a first piece of transparent material  82 , second piece of transparent material  84 , third piece of transparent material  88 , fourth piece of transparent material  90 , fifth piece of transparent material  92 , and sixth piece of transparent material  94 . The front panel  86  may be formed of a solid opaque material and act as the area where one places the address of the intended recipient. The back area may be formed by folding the left flap  102 , right flap  98 , bottom flap  100  in any order and preferably the top flap  96  over the other flaps.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 depict another embodiment according to the present invention. As shown, the window portion may be placed in a multitude of positions and a number of windows or portions along or substantially along the folded portion of at least one side of the envelope  103 . According to the embodiment show, the front panel  104  of the envelope may be solid. The back panel may have a first piece of transparent material  106 , second piece of transparent material  108 , third piece of transparent material  110 , fourth piece of transparent material  112 , fifth piece of transparent material  114 , and sixth piece of transparent material  116 . The front panel  104  may be formed of a solid opaque material and act as the area where one places the address of the intended recipient. The back area may be formed by folding the left flap  120 , right flap  124 , bottom flap  122  in any order and preferably the top flap  118  over the other flaps.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 depict another embodiment according to the present invention. As shown, the window portion may be a single continuous opening placed in a multitude of positions along at least one side of the envelope  129 . According to the embodiment show, the front panel  126  of the envelope may have a first piece of transparent material  131 . The front panel  126  may be formed of a solid opaque material with an opening which is covered by said first piece of transparent material  131 . The back area may be closed by folding the top flap  128  over a bottom flap  130 . Previously mentioned embodiments are envisioned as being incorporated into an envelope comprised of at least two flaps.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 depict another embodiment according to the present invention. As shown, the window portion may be a single continuous opening placed in a multitude of positions along at least one side of the envelope  131 . According to the embodiment shown, the front panel  132  of the envelope may have a first piece of transparent material  134 . The front panel  132  may be formed of a solid opaque material, with a window portion or opening covered by the first piece of transparent material  134 . The transparent material  134  may comprise the edge of the envelope. The back area may be closed by folding the top flap  136  over a bottom flap  138 . Previously mentioned embodiments are envisioned as being incorporated into an envelope comprised of at least two flaps.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 depict another embodiment according to the present invention. As shown, the window portion may be a single continuous opening placed along the perimeter of the envelope  141 . According to the embodiment show, the back of the envelope may have a first window portion covered by a piece of transparent material  146 . The front panel  140  may be formed of a solid opaque material and act as the area where one places the address of the intended recipient. The back area may be closed by folding the a top flap  142  over a bottom flap  144 . Previously mentioned embodiments are envisioned as being incorporated into an envelope comprised of at least two flaps.  
         [0050]    A number of different envelope types may be used and are envisioned, and the previously mentioned examples are merely representative. Envelopes may be of a multitude of different sizes and shapes. The present invention may be used with traditional window envelopes, where the window is used to show the address or other information. Also, a number of different manners may be used to affix the flaps to one another. This may include glue, tape, folds or any other manner known within the art.  
         [0051]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to preferred embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.