[0001] This invention concerns envelopes used in correspondence, and particularly the construction
of such envelopes so that they can be printed on ink jet printers.
[0002] Ink jet printers are quickly becoming a printer of choice for the rapid printing
of a variety of documents. Such printers are particularly useful in printing images
on a large scale basis. However, one type of document that has not been readily printed
in this manner is the envelope. The reason is that a prepared envelope does not behave
like a single sheet of paper in the automatic paper handling mechanism of the printer
and thus cannot be fed into the printer using the automatic feed, or otherwise handled
correctly. The problem is particularly acute in printers that use a rotating drum
support and a vacuum holddown, as shown for example in U.S. Patent No. 4,237,466,
issued on December 2, 1980. Because of the folded portions of the envelope forming
the pocket, the envelope is too rigid to flex out of its preferred plane to conform
to the circumference of the drum, even when using the vacuum hold-down.
[0003] The problem then, prior to this invention, has been to construct an envelope that
could be fed into and handled automatically on ink jet printers, particularly those
that used a rotating drum support for the paper being printed. This problem has been
aggravated by the necessity to have an envelope that otherwise has the appearance
of an ordinary envelope. This appearance requirement occurs because of constraints
of acceptable envelope aesthetics demanded by the end-user.
[0004] In accord with one aspect of the invention the problem has been solved by an envelope
comprising a central panel, two side panels, a bottom panel, and a sealing flap, the
side panels, bottom panel and sealing flap being foldably connected to the central
panel with the side and bottom panels being joined together along overlapping respective
edges by joining means to form, with the central panel, the pocket of the envelope,
one of the side and bottom panels being on top of the other. The envelope is characterized
in that at least a portion of the joined edges of the side panels or the bottom panel
that are underneath the respective overlapping edge of the other of the joined panels,
includes slits of a shape and spacing effective to allow the joined respective edges
to stretch while still joined, when the envelope is wrapped around a drum, whereby
the envelope can be printed on a printer using a support drum during printing.
[0005] In accord with another aspect of the invention, the envelope noted above is characterized
in that at least one of the bottom panel and the central panel is scored along a line
extending at least the majority of the width of the envelope, the scoring being done
from a side of the paper comprising the envelope that encourages the envelope to flex
in one direction only, to approximate a curve with the pocket on the inside of the
curve, whereby the envelope can be printed on a printer using a support drum during
printing.
[0006] Thus, it is an advantageous feature of the invention that envelopes constructed in
accordance with the invention will readily flex out of their preferred plane, and
particularly will take on the radius of the support drum in a printer.
[0007] It is a related advantageous feature of the invention that such an envelope is constructed
so that the features encouraging such flexing are not readily discemable in the finished
envelope.
[0008] Yet another advantageous feature of the invention is the provision of an improved
perforation for more readily removing for discard, a leader extension used for feeding
the envelope to a printer.
[0009] The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the back side of an envelope constructed in accordance with
the invention;
Fig. 2 is a plan view similar to that of Fig. 1, but illustrating the envelope's configuration
before the bottom and side flaps are joined together along their overlapping edges;
Fig. 3 is a section view taken generally along the line III-III of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the envelope of Fig. 3, after it has been completely
formed prior to printing;
Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a support drum in an ink jet printer, with the
envelope of the invention mounted thereon having an exaggerated thickness for clarity;
Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view similar to Fig. 5, but of a comparative example;
and
Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along the line VII-VII of Fig. 1.
[0010] This invention is described hereinafter primarily in connection with the preferred
embodiments particularly useful in ink jet printers. That is, the envelope preferably
includes slits along one of the overlapping, joined edges of the bottom and side panels,
as well as the scoring lines adjacent the bottom edge of the pocket, described hereinafter.
In addition, the invention includes envelopes constructed with each of such features
separately, and regardless of the printing technology used.
[0011] An envelope 10 prepared in accordance with the invention comprises, Fig. 1, a pocket
portion 12 into which the contents (not shown) are placed, and a sealingflap 14 connected
to pocket portion 12 along fold line 15. To ensure that the envelope will feed into
an ink jet printer properly, a leader extension 16 is provided on flap 14. The leader
extension is readily removed after printing by tearing along perforated line 18. Adhesive
is applied at portion 20 adjacent to line 18, as is conventional. Preferably, for
best feeding results, comers 22 on leading edge 23 of leader extension 16 are relatively
sharp comers.
[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, perforated line 18 is constructed
so as to have break-away perforations in a portion 19 that is approximately midway
between ends 21 and 25 of the perforation line. (The lengths of the cuts in portion
19 are exaggerated for clarity.) The remainder portions 27 of the line are tear perforations.
As used herein, "break-away" perforations mean those that will sever at the ties merely
by pushing an object through portion 19. It has been found that a useful example of
a break-away perforation, in contrast to a tear perforation, is one in which the length
of the cut is at least 1.5 mm and the length of the tie is 0.2mm.
[0013] The use of the break-away perforation allows the user to more readily initiate the
tearing off of the leader extension 16 prior to sealing flap 14 to the pocket portion.
[0014] As is conventional, pocket portion 12 comprises a central panel 30, two side panels
32 and 34 hingedly connected thereto, and a bottom panel 36 also hingedly connected
to panel 30 along a fold line 38. Panels 32, 34 and panel 36 overlap along their respective
edges 42, 44 and 46, respectively, Fig. 2. Panels 32 and 34 do not extend down to
fold line 38, so that comers 47 adjacent line 38 are double ply only, for easier handling
on the printer.
[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, of the panels 32, 34 and 36 that
are underneath when assembled (in this embodiment, panels 32 and 34), at least a portion
of the panels' overlapping area, shown stipled, Fig. 2, is slit to provide tooth portions
50 extending along most of the overlapping edge. Tooth portions 50 allow panels 32
and 34 to slip, relative to panel 36, and thus the joined edges to stretch, when the
envelope is forced out of the plane of the drawing, Figs. 1 and 2. The slits and therefore
the teeth can have a variety of shapes, such as half-moons, and the number, spacing
and size of the slits are not believed to be critical. However, each tooth must be
complete; that is, the two sides of the "V" must join at the point. Furthermore, it
is preferred that each tooth extend into the next tooth to provide a nesting of the
teeth, in case the adhesive discussed below spreads out beyond its desired location.
Also, the tooth portions 50 can be arranged to point in the opposite direction as
well. By way of example, each edge 42 and 44 has adjacent thereto about 14 teeth formed
by V slits that are about 7 mm long on each side of the "V", spaced apart about 3
mm.
[0016] Adhesive of conventional composition is applied along edges 42, 44 to join them to
the overlapped edge 46. Preferably the adhesive is applied at the tips only of each
tooth. Most preferably, tooth portions 50 form an alignment 58 that extends diagonally
to fold line 15, that is, along a line which, when extended, intersects line 15 at
non- orthogonal angles.
[0017] The effect of this arrangement is to provide a plurality of strips each with the
shape «, the point 52, Fig. 7, in each strip being secured by adhesive to panel 36.
The ends 53 of each strip are still attached to panel 32 or 34 out of which they are
severed. As a result, the strips can hinge up, arrow 57 out of the plane of panel
32 or 34, allowing the panel 36 attached to the tip of each tooth to slip, Figs. 1
and 2, with respect to panels 32 or 34. It is this relative sliding motion that aids
in wrapping the envelope, and specifically pocket 12, about the drum support of a
printer (shown).
[0018] In accord with another aspect of the invention. pocket 12 is preferably formed so
as to be predisposed to flex fold line 38 up away from plane A, Figs. 3 and 4, which
is otherwise the preferred plane of the envelope. The reason is that many print heads
on ink jet printers have a very close spacing away from the rotating support drum.
If the object on the drum protrudes much from the surface, e.g., as much as 0.8 mm,
there is in many ink jet printers a high probability that the print head will physically
strike the object, instead of just the jet of ink striking it. Such striking will
cause a smearing of ink as well as potential harm to the print head.
[0019] It will be readily appreciated that a relatively stiff object, such as paper with
several folds, as in an envelope, will tend to have its extreme edges project off
the drum when held by a vacuum on the drum. Thus, it is preferred that the envelope
be constructed so that edge 38 is biased to curve into the drum, particularly for
printers having a close print head spacing. This is preferably accomplished as follows:
Panels 30 and 36 have inner surfaces 54 and 56, respectively, and outer surfaces 60
and 66, respectively, Fig. 3. To cause such bias to edge 38, inner surface 54 of panel
30 and outer surface 66 of panel 36 are scored along at least the majority of the
width of each panel, forming score lines 74 and 76, respectively. Most preferably,
score lines 74 and 76 extend the full width of the panel, as shown. Less than full
width, or even discontinuous scoring, is useful for print heads having a greater spacing,
and in some cases, the score lines can be omitted entirely. Alternatively (not shown),
only one of the two panels can be scored if less bias of edge 38 out of plane A is
needed. As is well known, the surface of a sheet that is scored tends to form a concave
surface, and if the score is linear, the curve of the concave surface will be cylindrical
about an axis parallel to such linear score. Because panel 36 is bent back over panel
30, the scoring is done on opposite surfaces 54 and 66, so that the flexing after
assembly by folding, Fig. 4, is in the same direction for both panels, e.g., about
an axis of curvature above the plane A as shown in Fig. 4.
[0020] Most perferably, score lines 74 and 76 are located relative to fold line 38 so that
the two lines are superimposed when pocket 12 is fully formed. A useful, but not limitive,
example is one in which the score lines are 1 cm from edge 38.
[0021] It will be readily appreciated that score line 76 is not readily discemable by the
ultimate user of the envelope, and further, that tooth portions 50 that allow relative
slippage between panels 32 and 34, and panel 36, are also relatively non-discernable
while covered and sealed by the outer panel 36.
[0022] When bottom panel 36 is folded over to seal against panels 32 and 34, tooth portions
50 are covered, and the envelope appears to be conventional. Alternatively, panel
36 can be the one that is folded under, so that panels 32 and 34 are on top of it
(not shown). In that case, tooth portions 50 are formed in the overlapped portions
of panel 36 adjacent to edges 46.
[0023] With the above features, the envelope will readily accommodate itself to the support
drum of an ink jet printer. That is, Fig. 5, such a drum 100 has a radius of curvature
R centered on an axis of curvature 110, and a support surface 120. As an example,
R can be about 5 cm. Envelope 10 is placed onto the drum with flap extension 16 leading
and the pocketside (12) down, or in other words, flipped over from the position shown
in Fig. 4. It is held this way by vacuum, most preferably, for the actual printing.
The vacuum is applied at least at flat portions 130 and 140, which line up with the
leading and trailing edges 23 and 38 of the envelope. A preferred construction is
one in which angle
6 is about 245°. It will be readily apparent that the predisposed flexure of pocket
12 in one direction only, out of plane A, Fig. 4, causes it to curve about an axis
of rotation that favors the wrapping of the envelope about surface 120.
[0024] Failure to provide score lines 74 and/or 76 tends to cause envelope 10 to mount as
shown in Fig. 6, with edge 38 protruding too far from surface 120.
1. In an envelope (10) comprising a central panel (30), two side panels (32, 34),
a bottom panel (36), and a sealing flap (14), said side panels, bottom panel and sealing
flap being foldably connected to said central panel with said side and bottom panels
joined together along overlapping respective edges (42, 44, 46) by joining means to
form, with said central panel, the pocket (12) of the envelope, one of said side and
bottom panels being on top of the other,
characterized in that at least a portion of said joined edges (42, 44, 46) of said
side panels (32, 34) or said bottom panel (36) that are underneath the respective
overlapping edge of the other of said joined panels includes slits (see teeth 50)
of a shape and spacing effective to allow said joined respective edges to stretch
while still joined, when said envelope is wrapped around a drum.
2. In an envelope comprising a central panel - (30), two side panels (32, 34), a bottom
panel (36), and a sealing flap (14), said side panels and bottom panel being foldably
connected to said central panel and joined to said bottom panel and side panels, respectively,
along overlapping respective edges (42, 44, 46) by joining means to form, with said
central panel, the pocket (12) of the envelope - (10),
characterized in that at least one of said bottom panel (36) and said central panel
(30) is scored along a line (76; 74) extending at least the majority of the width
of said envelope (10), said scoring being done from a side of the paper comprising
said envelope that encourages the envelope to flex in one direction only to approximate
a curve with said pocket on the inside of said curve.
3. An envelope as defined in claim 2, characterized in that the scoring (76; 74) is
in both said bottom (36) and said central panels (30), for the full width of said
panels.
4. In an envelope comprising
a central panel (30),
two side panels (32, 34) and a bottom panel (36) foldably connected to said central
panel so that the side panels and bottom panel are joined to each other along respective
overlapping edges (42, 44, 46) to form, with said central panel, the pocket - (12)
of the envelope (10),
and a sealing flap (14), foldably connected to said central panel,
characterized in that said side (32, 34), central (30) and bottom panels (36) are
constructed to permit flexure of the envelope out of a single plane, said constructed
panels including,
a) in at least a portion of said joined edges of said side panels or said bottom panel
that are underneath the respective overlapping edges of the other of said joined panels,
means (50) defining slits of a shape and spacing effective to allow said joined respective
edges to stretch while still joined, when wrapped around an axis extending parallel
to said plane,
and scoring lines (76; 74) in said bottom panel - (36) and said central panel (30),
said lines a) extending at least the majority of the width of said envelope and parallel
to said axis, and b) being formed to flex said panels in one direction only to approximate
a curve favoring wrapping of the envelope around said axis.
5. An envelope as defined in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said central (30)
and said bottom panels (36) each have an inner surface - (54) and an outer surface
(66), the inner surfaces being faced together to form said pocket, said score lines
(74; 76) being formed in the inner surface of said central panel and the outer surface
of said bottom panel.
6. An envelope as defined in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said bottom panel
(36) is folded relative to said central panel (30) so as to cause said score lines
(74; 76) to be superimposed one above the other in the finished pocket (12).
7. An envelope as defined in claim 1 or 4, characterized in that said slits form teeth
(50) on a line (58) that extends non-orthogonally to the line - (15) of foldable connection
of said sealing flap (14) to said central panel (30).
8. An envelope as defined in claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the sealing flap
(14) is provided with a leader extension (16) which is attached to the sealing flap
by a perforated line (18).
9. An envelope as defined in claims 1 or 4 and 8, characterized in that approximately
in the middle portion (19) of line (18) the perforation is a break-away perforation.