Postal envelope designed to contain one or more objects with two-dimensional development, in particular CDs, DVDs, or credit cards

0001The present invention relates to the sector of paper artwork and in particular regards a postal envelope designed to contain one or more objects with two-dimensional development, in particular at least one CD (Compact Disk) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), but even a credit card, or else a key or a chain.

0002More in particular, the envelope is formed starting from a sheet divided into at least two parts: a first part, designed to receive the CD, and a second part, which can be folded in book fashion on the previous one, to cover the CD, and which can be glued thereto.

0003The space for the name and address of the addressee, as well as for the stamps, can be provided on the face in view of one of the two parts.

0004According to the invention, the first part is provided with two opposite foldable flaps that prevent the CD from coming out, at the top or at the bottom, once the aforesaid parts have been glued.

0005There are other several patents (<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="WO2008017057A"><text>WO2008/017057</text></patcit><patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US4597591A"><text>US-A-4 597 591</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US3693869A"><text>US-A-3 693 869</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="DE29705549"><text>DE297 05 549</text></patcit> , <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="FR2852293A"><text>FR-A-2 852 293</text></patcit> and <patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="US2003183680A"><text>US2003/183680</text></patcit>), related to packaging and mailing apparatus for mailing of optical discs and other memory devices where a sheet having a substantial rectangular shape is divided into at least two parts: a first part which is designed to receive said disk and a second part which can be folded in book fashion and can be glued on said first part. <patcit id="pcit0007" dnum="US6905019B2"><text>US 6 905 019 B2</text></patcit> describes an insert for a magazine with a folded recording medium compartment corresponding to the preamble of the independent claim. However the disclosed solutions do not permit to provide an envelope having a large space for insertion of an advertising and /or promotional message, without any possibility for the CD contained therein coming out accidentally of the envelope, and in the same time easy to open.

0006Already known to the art is also a CD-holder card that is designed to incorporate a CD, in such a way that it can be removed therefrom, within an impression made in the thickness of one of its faces.

0007One disadvantage lies in the fact that it is possible for the CD, given that it is visible on one face of the card, to be removed by an ill-intentioned person before it reaches the addressee.

0008Consequently, the main task of the present invention is to overcome this disadvantage by providing an envelope designed to contain and hide one or more objects with two-dimensional development, in particular at least one CD/DVD, preventing this from possibly coming out of said envelope, unless there is an evident tampering with the envelope itself.

0009Advantageously, the postal envelope is a purposely designed envelope that is simple to produce.

0010This has been obtained starting from a sheet preferably having three parts set alongside one another: a central part designed to be occupied by the CD/DVD and provided with two opposed foldable flaps or tabs, which are designed to be folded over the central part itself, partially covering the edges of said CD/DVD; a foldable side part, which is designed to be folded in book fashion on said central part to cover the disk completely, until it comes into contact therewith, and which can be glued thereto; and a remaining side part dedicated to the data of the addressee and the stamps.

0011A better understanding of the present invention will be obtained from the ensuing detailed description with reference to the attached plates of drawings, which illustrate, purely by way of example, two preferred embodiments thereof.

0012In the plates of drawings: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> is a front view of the sheet that constitutes the postal envelope the invention in a first embodiment not forming part of, but useful for the understanding before the envelope is closed;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 2</figref> is a front view of the sheet represented in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> where the central part is occupied by a CD, and the two flaps that project from said central part are folded over said CD;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 3</figref> is a front view of the postal envelope in a closed configuration ready for dispatch;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figures 4 and 5</figref> show a second embodiment of the postal envelope of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> respectively before the envelope is closed and in a closed configuration ready for dispatch;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 6</figref> shows the postal envelope of <figref idref="f0002">Figure 5</figref> while the CD is being taken out by the addressee;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 7A</figref> is the front view of a third embodiment of the postal envelope not forming part of, but useful for the understanding of the invention before packaging of the envelope itself;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 7B</figref> is the rear view of <figref idref="f0003">Figure 7A</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 8</figref> shows the envelope of <figref idref="f0003">Figure 7A</figref> in a closed configuration ready for dispatch;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 9</figref> shows the envelope of <figref idref="f0004">Figure 8</figref> when the CD is taken out;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 10A</figref> is a front view of a fourth embodiment representing the invention, of the postal envelope of <figref idref="f0003">Figure 7</figref> before the envelope itself is closed;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 10B</figref> is a rear view of the embodiment of <figref idref="f0005">Figure 10A</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 11</figref> shows the envelope of <figref idref="f0005">Figure 10A</figref> in a closed configuration ready for dispatch; and</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 12</figref> shows the envelope of <figref idref="f0005">Figure 11</figref> while the CD is being taken out by the addressee; and</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Figures 13A-15</figref> show views, respectively similar to those of <figref idref="f0005">Figures 10A-12</figref>, of a variant of the fourth embodiment.</li></ul>

0013The ensuing description refers to a CD, but it is evident that it can be applied without modifications also to other objects with two-dimensional development such as, for example, DVDs, credit cards, chains, medals, etc., and other gadgets.

0014With particular reference to <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1 to 3</figref>, the postal envelope forming the subject of the invention is made up of a sheet having a substantially rectangular shape, which is preferably divided into three parts set alongside one another: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>a central part 1 reserved for receiving at least one CD;</li><li>a foldable side part 2, which is designed to be folded in book fashion on said central part 1 in order to be laid on top of it so as to cover the CD completely, and which can be glued thereto; and</li><li>a remaining side part 3, for the data of the addressee and the stamps.</li></ul>

0015According to a peculiar characteristic of the invention, the central part 1 is provided with two foldable flaps 4, 5, which project respectively from the bottom and top sides of said central part and are designed to be folded over the central part itself after the CD has been positioned on said central part so as to cover the CD partially.

0016Once the CD has been laid on the central part 1, in order to form the postal envelope, it is sufficient to fold first the two flaps 4, 5 on the central part 1, then fold in book fashion the side part 2 on the adjacent central part 1 until they are set on top of one another, and finally glue the end edge of the side part 2 with the corresponding area of the central part 1.

0017It is evident from the figures that the side part 2 has dimensions such as to cover the CD once it is folded over the central part 1, leaving simultaneously uncovered the side part 3 of the sheet provided with a space for the data of the addressee and the stamps.

0018In order to fix the end edge of the side part 2 to the corresponding area of the central part 1, it is preferable to provide an adhesive area A on the area of the central part 1 involved and/or on the end edge itself of the foldable side part 2.

0019To enable the side part 2 to be folded in book fashion on the central part 1, provided between said two parts 1 and 2 is a transverse folding line P1.

0020Likewise, to enable each flap 4, 5 to be folded over the central part 1, a respective longitudinal folding line P4, P5 is provided between each flap and said central part 1.

0021As may be seen in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 3</figref>, the CD that the sender intends to send is completely enclosed inside the envelope, and remaining in view there is only the opposite face of the side part 2 folded in book fashion and the side part 3 with the space for the data of the addressee and the stamps.

0022A first advantage is represented by the fact that folding of the two flaps 4 and 5 and of the side part 2 on the central part 1 creates a case for the CD contained therein without any possibility of said CD coming out of the envelope accidentally or of somebody managing to take the CD out of the envelope without tampering with it.

0023It is evident that the only way to take the CD contained in the envelope out is to detach the parts 1 and 2 that are gluedtogether. It is consequently easy to understand whether someone has tampered with the envelope.

0024A second advantage is represented by the fact that the face in view of the side part 2 is provided with a space for insertion of an advertising and/or promotional message and/or a picture and/or a decoration, so that, in addition to its specific postal use, the envelope has a function of promotional and/or advertising vehicle.

0025It is evident that the same advertising message, or else a different message, can be printed on each face in view of the other parts of the sheet, i.e., the central part 2 and the side part 3. Alternatively, the message can also involve the entire surface of the sheet that remains in view.

0026In a second embodiment, shown in <figref idref="f0002">Figures 4 to 6</figref>, it is envisaged that the foldable side part 2 will be provided with a line of perforations P2 designed to define a portion or area 6 of an appropriate shape, which can be separated, by being detached, from said side part 2.

0027According to a further peculiar characteristic of the invention, the detachable area 6 made on said side part 2 has a shape that substantially coincides with a flap 4 or 5 of the central part 1 and is in a position such that, when said side part 2 is folded over the central part 1, it is set on top of one of the flaps 4, 5 to facilitate opening thereof and removal of the disk.

0028In the second embodiment described, the two flaps 4, 5 have different shapes, and the area 6 has substantially the shape of the flap 5.

0029In this case, the person who receives the envelope will extract the CD by simply separating, by detaching it, the area 6 from the side part 2 and pulling out the flap 5 underlying said removed portion 6, without any need to detach the glued portions of the central part 1 and side part 2.

0030According to a peculiar characteristic of the invention, if only the area 6 has to be separated to take the CD out, it is advantageously possible to re-insert the CD in the envelope thus using the latter as CD case also once the area 6 has been removed.

0031According to the invention, it is possible to provide a further line of perforations to enable separation by detachment of the side part 3 assigned for the data of the addressee and the stamps from the envelope so as to limit the overall dimensions of the envelope, which can be used as case for CD.

0032As has been described in the previous example, it is possible to print one or more advertising messages on the envelope and render it a promotional vehicle. It is moreover possible to print an advertising and/or promotional message and/or a picture and/or a decoration also on the face in view of the removable area 6.

0033In a third embodiment, shown in <figref idref="f0003 f0004">Figures 7A to 9</figref>, the postal envelope is made up of a sheet having a substantially rectangular shape, which is preferably divided into three parts set alongside one another: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>a central part 1 reserved for receiving at least one CD;</li><li>a side part 3', reserved for the message and/or one or more images by the sender; and</li><li>a foldable side part 2' , which is designed to be folded in book fashion on said central part 1 in order to be laid on top of it so as to cover the CD completely, and which can be glued thereto, as well as being provided with a space for the data of the addressee and the stamps.</li></ul>

0034Said space on the envelope for the data of the addressee and the stamps is positioned on the side part 2' in such a way as to remain on the face in view of the envelope, once said part 2' has been folded over the central part 1.

0035In other words, when the envelope is formed, the foldable side part 2' is glued to the first part 1 so as to cover the disk, whilst the side part 3' contains the message of the sender.

0036In order to glue the end edge of the foldable side part 2' on the corresponding area of the central part 1, an adhesive area A is provided on said corresponding area of the central part 1 and/or on said end edge of the side part 2'.

0037To enable the disk to be taken out of the envelope easily, it is preferable to provide on the foldable side part 2' a tear-away tab 7 designed to be raised in order to be separated, by being detached, from the side part 2' itself.

0038For said purpose, said tab 7 is defined by a line of perforations.

0039It is worthwhile noting that, in order to enable the disk to be taken out, the length of said tear-away tab 7 must be at least equal to the diameter of the disk contained in the envelope.

0040In the example described, said tab 7 is substantially transverse to the envelope itself.

0041Consequently, to take the disk out, it is sufficient to lift said tab 7 tearing it away from the foldable side part 2', without having to detach the parts 1 and 2' that are glued together.

0042In a fourth embodiment shown in <figref idref="f0005">Figures 10A-12</figref> which represents the invention, in order to hide appropriately from view the message and/or the images of the sender, written or printed on the side part 3', it is envisaged that the latter will be divided into two adjacent portions: a first portion 3'A, which is set alongside the first part 1, and a second, end, portion 3'B, which can be folded in book fashion on said first portion 3'A and can be glued thereto.

0043To enable the second, end, portion 3' B to be folded in book fashion on the adjacent one 3'A, a transverse folding line is provided between said two portions.

0044It is preferable to envisage that said folding line will be perforated to enable the user to separate, by detaching it, the second, end, portion 3' B from the first portion 3' A.

0045In order to glue the end edge of the second portion 3'B to the corresponding area of the first portion 3' A an gluing area A' is provided on the area involved of the first portion 3'A and/or on the end edge itself of the foldable portion 3'B.

0046Said end edge is delimited by a line of perforations 20 designed to enable opening of the portions 3' A and 3'B by the addressee.

0047In fact, in order to read the message and/or see the images of the sender, it is sufficient to tear the portion 3'B from its end edge and open said portion 3'B.

0048As has been described in the previous examples, said second portion 3'B is provided on its face in view with a space reserved for an advertising and/or promotional message and/or a picture and/or a decoration and/or a further message by the sender.

0049According to the invention, in the example described, the side part 3' is to the left of the central part 1, whilst the side part 2' that can be folded on said central part 1 is to the right of the latter.

0050In a variant of this fourth embodiment, shown in <figref idref="f0006">Figure 13A-15</figref>, it is envisaged that the space for the data of the addressee and the stamps is on the side part 3' reserved for the message and/or for one or more images by the sender. Said space for the data of the addressee and the stamps is on the face in view of the portion 3'B, instead of on the face in view of the side part 2' . On the latter there may be written or printed an advertising and/or promotional message and/or a picture and/or a decoration and/or a further message by the sender.

0051In the example that is described, the side part 3' is to the right of the central part 1, whilst the side part 2', which can be folded on said central part 1, is to the left of the latter.

0052Advantageously, it is possible upon request of the sender, to print the message on the side part 3' at the moment of closing of the envelope, instead of being written by hand by the sender himself.

0053The present invention has been described and illustrated according to some preferredembodiments, but it is understood that modifications and/or equivalent replacements may be made any person skilled in the branch, without thereby departing from the sphere of protection of the present industrial patent right as defined in the appended claims. For example, it is evident that the envelope can have different dimensions according to the dimensions of the disk that it is to contain. In particular, the is provided an envelope for containing a 3 ½" CD and an envelope for containing a 5 ¼" disk.