Envelope obtained from a continuous web

Abstract

 The invention relates to an envelope obtained from a continuous web, which is divided into equal lengths.
The lengths of web are divided into three panels (6, 7, 8) by transverse fold lines (4, 5). The first panel (6) and the second panel (7) are folded one over the other and bonded along lines of adhesive (10) to form a bag open on one side and adapted to receive an insert. The third panel (8), which is smaller than the others, constitutes a flap provided with a transverse line of adhesive (11) for the final closing of the en­velope.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an envelope ob­tained from a continuous web by cutting the latter into equal lengths, folding these lengths into panels of shorter length, and bonding these panels to one another.

[0002] In the patent Fr-A-2.431.964 there is de­scribed an envelope of the type indicated above, which is obtained by folding each length of web into three panels of equal length with the aid of a Z-fold with the panels bonded to one another, one of the panels carrying the address on one face and the other panels carrying information on the same face, the address and the information being printed in the course of the same passage through a printer. This envelope, which has the advantage of being made from a single continuous web, has the disadvantage that it is not possible to insert a document into it after the folding and the bonding of a part of the envelope.

[0003] The present invention seeks to provide an en­velope of the kind indicated above, with which it is possible to effect a part of the bonding so as to form an open bag into which it will be possible to insert documents, the envelope then being closed by the remain­der of the bonding operations.

[0004] In order to achieve this result the present in­vention provides an envelope of the kind indicated in the preamble of the present text, which has the particu­lar feature that it comprises:
- a first panel intended to receive an original address on a first face and carrying on a second face a horizon­tal line of adhesive close to each of its longitudinal edges;
- a second panel carrying on its second face a longitud­inal line of adhesive close to each of its longitudinal edges, the lines of adhesive on the two panels being superposed and bonded to one another after folding, and the second panel being slightly shorter longitudinally than the first panel and being connected to the latter by a fold line, and
- a third panel, smaller longitudinally than the second panel but longer than the difference in length between the first and second panels, said third panel being joined to the first panel on the opposite side to the second panel by a fold line and carrying on its second face a transverse line of activatable adhesive situated close to that transverse edge of the third panel which is opposite to the second panel.

[0005] The invention will be explained in greater detail with the aid of a practical example, which is illus­trated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a length of web intended to form an envelope, its second face not being visible, and

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the en­velope thus formed, before its final closing.

Figure 1 shows a length of web 1 bounded by the two edges 2 of the web and by transverse cut lines 3.

[0006] In the present text it is to be understood that "transverse" indicates a direction at right angles to the length of the original web and that "longitudinal" indicates a direction parallel to that length. Similar­ly, the expressions "first face" and "second face" each relate to one respective face of the original web.

[0007] As has been stated, Figure 1 shows a length of web, of which only the second face is visible. The length is divided by two fold lines 4, 5 into three suc­cessive panels: a central or first panel 6 is situated between the two transverse fold lines 4 and 5, a second panel 7 is situated between the first transverse fold line 4 and a cut line 3, and the third panel 8 is situ­ated between the second transverse fold line 5 and the other transverse cut line 3 bounding the length.

[0008] Near the longitudinal edges of the panels are shown lines of drive holes 9 intended for driving and feeding the web through a printer and through the various treatment stations. Two lines of adhesive 10 extend parallel to the long­itudinal edges of the panels 6 and 7, further inside said panels than the drive holes. These lines of adhesive cross the first fold line 4, but stop a short distance from the second cut line 3 bounding the panel 7 and from the fold line 5. The lines of adhesive 10 con­sist of an adhesive material which adheres to itself through pressure and/or heating.

[0009] The panel 8 carries a transverse line of adhesive 11 situated a short distance from the cut line 3. This line of adhesive consists of an adhesive of the type activatable by moisture, of the type found on commerci­ally available envelopes.

[0010] The length of the first panel 6 exceeds by a few millimeters that of the second panel 7, which is almost twice that of the panel 8.

[0011] In Figure 2 the panels 7 and 8 have been fixed to one another by folding along the line 4 and bonding to themselves the lines of adhesive 10. A bag has thus been formed which is closed on three side and open on the fourth side, and into which it is possible to insert a document. As the first panel 6 is larger than the sec­ond panel 7, a part of the first panel 6 is not covered by the second panel and is visible in Figure 2.

[0012] After insertion of a document into the bag, the envelope can be closed by folding the third panel 8 about the fold line 5, in the direction of the arrow 12. The third panel 8 thus forms a closure flap, which is applied against the first face, visible in Figure 2, of the second panel 7. For the final closing of the en­velope the line of adhesive 11 will first have been activated by moisture, and it then adheres to the panel 7.

[0013] An original address to which the envelope is to be sent is shown on the first face (not vis­ible in the drawings) of the first panel 6.

[0014] In Figure 2 the envelope has been shown with the longitudinal margins, carrying the drive holes 9, re­moved. The resulting envelope thus has an appearance very close to that of the envelopes at present in use.

Claims

1. An envelope obtained from a continuous web by cutting the latter into equal lengths, folding these lengths into panels of shorter length, and bonding these panels to one another, which envelope comprises:
- a first panel (6) intended to receive an original ad­dress on a first face and carrying on a second face a longitudinal line of adhesive (10) close to each of its longitudinal edges;
- a second panel (7) carrying on its second face a longitudinal line of adhesive close to each of its longitudinal edges, the lines of adhesive (10) of the first and second panels being bonded to one another after folding, and the second panel being slightly shorter longitudinally than the first and being con­nected to the latter by a fold line (4), and
- a third panel (8), smaller longitudinally than the second panel (7) but longer than the difference in length between the first and second panels, said third panel being joined to the first panel (6) on the oppo­site side to the second panel by a fold line (5) and carrying on its second face a transverse line of acti­vatable adhesive (11) situated close to that transverse edge (3) of the third panel (8) which is opposite to the first panel (6).

2. An envelope as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the longitudinal lines of adhesive (10) of the first and second panels are continuous from one panel to the other across the fold line (4) separating them, and stop a short distance from the opposite edges of said first and second panels.

3. An envelope as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the transverse line of adhesive (11) carried by the third panel (8) consists of an adhesive of the type activatable by moisture.

4. An envelope as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 3 and obtained from a continuous web provided on its mar­gins with drive perforations (9), wherein the lines of adhesive (10) on said continuous web are placed further inside than said drive holes, so that the latter can be removed before despatch of the envelope.

5. An envelope as claimed in Claims 1 to 4, wherein the longitudinal lines of adhesive (10) of the first and second panels consist of an adhesive material which ad­heres to itself through pressure and/or heating.

Drawing