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(11) | EP 2 502 844 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Security envelope for documents and/or valuables and relevant realizing method |
| (57) The present invention concerns a security envelope (10) for documents and/or valuables
comprising: a sheet of paper (20), board or like, having a first face (21) and a second
face (22) and two opposite lateral edges (23, 24), said sheet (20) being folded so
as to arrange two portions of said first face (21) at least partially faced, overlapping
each other said lateral edges (23, 24); said envelope (10) further comprising a first
(41) and a second (42) coupling strip, each one of said coupling strips (41, 42) being
applied respectively in correspondence of the overlapped portions of the lateral edges
(23, 24) of said sheet (20), in order to realize the containment space (50). The present invention concerns also a method for realizing a safety envelope (10) for documents and/or valuables. |
[0002] More specifically, the invention concerns an envelope, a container, a bag or similar, studied and realized to contain and protect documents and/or valuables, allowing to detect breakings, but that is at the same time both highly resistant and it allows easy adaptation to ecological standards.
[0003] As it is well known, there are currently several kinds of security containers or bags, which should not be opened by anyone other than the recipient, for their uses and the contents. In other words, any attempt at breaking or fraudulent opening, shall be evident and easily detectable.
[0004] The envelopes that currently have this advantage are made of polyethylene, which is a material that allows welding of the edges of the envelope during the production, which can no longer therefore be separated, said material having a low melting point.
[0005] Paper security envelopes are well known in the prior art and are made using acrylic or vinyl glues, which, despite ensuring a "strong" adherence of the edge of the envelope, they can then be removed, for example by heat or steam, enabling an easy break of the envelope.
[0006] The technical problem of the envelopes according to the prior art is that they have a lower strength, so that they can be accidentally broken both because of a rather heavy object contained therein, as well as for the introduction of a voluminous object, even by the same sender. In the latter case, broken envelopes have to be replaced.
[0007] A further limitation of the above envelopes is that they are polluting. It has to be noted, in fact, that in the near future new requirements set by the European Union (European directive EN13432) will be introduced, which will involve the obligation for packages to be biodegradable and compostable. Therefore, the envelopes made of polyethylene will no longer be marketable.
[0008] In light of the above, it is, therefore, object of the present invention to provide a security envelope for documents and/or valuables that has a high level of strength.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is that the security envelope according to the invention is ecological, i.e. biodegradable and compostable.
[0010] These and other results are obtained according to the invention with a security envelope for documents and/or valubles realized by a sheet of paper, cardboard or the like folded to form a first wall and a second wall facing each other, such as to form a folding line corresponding to the bottom of the envelope; the side edges of said walls are laterally joined to form the envelope that is realized by the application of coupling means between the two walls.
[0011] It is therefore a specific object of the present invention a security envelope for documents and/or valuables comprising: a sheet of paper, board or like, having a first face, a second face and two opposite lateral edges, said sheet being folded so as to arrange two portions of said first face at least partially faced, overlapping each other said lateral edges; said envelope further comprising a first and a second coupling strip, each one of said coupling strips being applied respectively in correspondence of the overlapped portions of the lateral edges of said sheet, in order to realize a containment space.
[0012] Always according to the invention, each one of said strips could comprise a first support layer and a second coupling plastic material layer coupled each other by an adhesive or like.
[0013] Still according to the invention, said second plastic material layer could be polyethylene or a plastic material of vegetable origin, such as Mater-B® and/or any other similar product that is biodegradable and compostable.
[0014] Further according to the invention, said first support layer could be made of paper, board or like or kraft.
[0015] Advantageously according to the invention, said coupling strips could be "V" folded along a longitudinal folding line, so that said coupling plastic material layer is arranged on the external surface and each one of said coupling strips is welded along said external surface to said first face of said sheet, coupling the faced edges.
[0016] Preferably according to the invention, each one of said coupling strips could be arranged so that said support layer is turned toward the inside of said containment space delimiting it, or toward the outside of said containment space.
[0017] Always according to the invention, said coupling strips could be "V" folded along a folding longitudinal line, so that said coupling plastic material layer is arranged on the internal surface and each one of said coupling strips is welded along said internal surface to said second face of said sheet coupling the faced edges.
[0018] Still according to the invention, said coupling strips could be "W"-folded along three substantially parallel longitudinal folding lines, so as to define two "V"-shaped internal coupling surfaces, said plastic material layer being arranged on the face of said strips that has two internal "V"-shaped coupling surfaces, each one of said coupling strips being welded by each of said of said internal "V"-shaped coupling surfaces to one of the two overlapped edges of said sheet to said first face and said second face of said sheet, so as to realize a bellow.
[0019] Advantageously according to the invention, each one of said coupling strips could be made with only a single layer of plastic material, polyethylene or polypropylene or polyester, or a material such as Mater-Bi and/or any other similar product biodegradable or compostable, each one of said coupling strips being welded to said first face of said sheet.
[0020] Further according to the invention, each one of said strips could comprise a first support layer, a second coupling plastic material layer applied to a first face of said first support layer, and a third coupling plastic material layer applied to a second face of said first support layer, each one of said strips being welded to said first face of said sheet by said second and third coupling plastic material layers.
[0021] Advantageously according to the invention, said first face could comprise an foldable edge for closing said envelope, and said envelope comprises a security tape that can be applied to said edge.
[0022] Always according to the invention, said sheet could be folded along a folding line that defines the bottom of said envelope.
[0023] It is further object of the present invention a method for realizing a security envelope for documents and/or valuables comprising the following steps:
- (a) providing a sheet of paper, board or like, having a first face and a second face and two opposite lateral edges;
- (b) folding said sheet so as to arrange two portions of said first face at least partially overlapped, by overlapping said lateral edges each other;
- (c) providing a first and a second coupling strip; and
- (d) applying each coupling strip respectively in correspondence of the overlapped lateral edges of said sheet, so as to realize the containment space.
[0024] Always according to the invention, said step (c) could comprise the following sub-step:
- "V"-folding said coupling strips along a longitudinal folding line, so that said coupling plastic material layer is arranged on the external surface; and
- welding by heat each of said coupling strips along said external surface to said first face of said sheet, coupling the faced edges.
[0025] Further according to the invention, each one of said coupling strips could comprise a first support layer and at least one second coupling plastic material layer.
[0026] Still according to the invention, said step (c) could comprise the following sub-step:
- "V"-folding said coupling strips along a folding longitudinal line, so that said coupling plastic material layer is arranged on the internal surface; and
- welding by heat each one of said coupling strips along said internal surface to said second face of said sheet coupling the faced edges.
[0027] Further according to the invention, said folding step comprises the following sub-step:
- "W"-folding said coupling strips along three substantially parallel longitudinal folding lines, so as to define two "V"-shaped internal coupling surfaces, said plastic material layer being arranged on the face of said strips that has two "V"-shaped coupling internal surfaces; and
- welding by heat each one of said coupling strips by each of said "V"-shaped coupling internal surfaces to one of the two overlapped edges of said sheet to said first face and said second face of said sheet, so as to realize a bellow.
[0028] The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:
figure 1 shows the structure of a security envelope for documents and/or valuables according to the present invention;
figure 2 shows a coupling strip of an envelope according to figure 1;
figure 3a shows a first embodiment of a security envelope for documents and/or values according to the present invention;
figure 3b shows the envelope shown in figure 3a;
figure 3c shows a sectional view along the coupling strip and the facing lateral edges of the envelope shown in figure 3a;
figure 3d shows a sectional view along the coupling strip and the lateral edges of a second variant of figure 3a;
figure 4a shows a second embodiment of a security envelope for documents and/or valuables according to the present invention;
figure 4b shows the envelope according to figure 4a;
figure 4c shows a sectional view along the coupling strip and the facing lateral edges the of the envelope according to figure 4a;
figure 5a shows a third embodiment of a security envelope for documents and/or valuables according to the present invention;
figure 5b shows the envelope according to figure 5a, and
figure 5c shows a sectional view along the coupling strip and the facing lateral edges of the envelope shown in figure 5a.
[0030] Making reference to figure 1, there is a security envelope 10 for documents and/or valuables, according to the present invention.
[0031] This envelope 10 is realized by a sheet 20 of paper, cardboard or the like, having a first and a second face, respectively indicated with numerical references 21 and 22, and two opposite side edges 23 and 24. Said sheet 20 is folded along a fold line 30, which forms the bottom of envelope 10, in order to arrange, at least partially, two portions of said first face 21 facing. The part of the edge 23 (or 24) of a portion of said sheet 20 overlaps with the part of the same edge 23 (or 24) of the other portion.
[0032] Said overlapping edges 23 and 24 are coupled respectively by a first and a second strip 41 and 42, so as to close the sides of envelope 10, forming the containment space or pocket 50, thus identifying the mouth 51 for the introduction of content.
[0033] Said first face 21 also has an edge 21' for closing said mouth 51 through a traditional system, such as a security tape, according to the prior art.
[0034] As can be seen in figure 2, said strips 41 or 42 comprise a support layer 41 a (or 42a) and a plastic material layer 41 b (or 42b) arranged on a face of said support layer 41 a (or 42a) and coupled with it by a glue, such that, by simply applying heat by means of bars, each one of said strips 41 or 42 welds with said sheet 20. Said plastic layer 41 b (or 42b) is applied to said paper layer 41 a (or 42a) by a coating process or by coupling.
[0035] The support layer 41 a (or 42a) can be paper or kraft. The latter is a very resistant and ecological type of paper.
[0036] Moreover, in a first embodiment, the material of said plastic layer 41 b (or 42b) is polyethylene, which, as well known, is capable to weld the edges 23 or 24 of the envelope 10 (which therefore can no longer be separated), during the production phase, having a relatively low melting point.
[0037] In a second embodiment, the plastic material layer 41 b or 42b is a plastic made of plant fibers such as Mater-B® and/or any other similar biodegradable and compostable product that meets the European directive EN13432, which offers the same performances of polyethylene, but unlike this, it is biodegradable and compostable. This material has a cost much higher than the traditional plastic, but taking advantage of the compromise adopted to be applied only on a small number of coupling strips 41 and 42, it allows creating a paper envelope 10 with specific characteristics of safety and respect for the environment.
[0038] The coupling strips 41 and 42 may be welded to the edges 23 or 24 of the sheet 20 of the envelope 10 in different ways. In particular, referring to figures 3a-3c, said strips 41 or 42 are "V"-folded along a longitudinal folding line and the plastic material layer 41 b or 42b is arranged on the external surface and welded by heat with a bar to the first internal face 21 of said sheet 20 of the envelope 10. In this way, a bellow envelope 10 is obtained, which, if broken, would imply the separation of one or both of the strips 41, 42 with the evidence of a possible break of the envelope 10 itself.
[0039] Figure 3d shows a variant of the embodiment of envelope 10 shown in figure 3a, in which the strips 41 or 42, when welded to the first face 21, have the support layer 41 a or 42a turned toward the inside of the containment space 50, laterally delimitating it (figure 3d), rather than toward the outside of the containment space 50, as shown in figure 3c.
[0040] Figures 4a - 4c show a second embodiment of the envelope 10, wherein said strips 41 or 42 are again "V"-folded along a longitudinal folding line, but the plastic material layer 41 b or 42b is now arranged on the internal surface and welded to the second face 22 of the external envelope 10 by heat of a bar. This configuration allows conferring a particular strength to envelope 10, since, if the two portions of the sheet 20 were separated without a tear, there would be a shear stress, i.e. tangential to the coupling surface between the sheet 20 and the coupling strip 41 or 42. Moreover, in this embodiment any breakings of the envelope 10 would be better detected, which would involve the detachment of the strip 41 or 42 from the second face 22 of sheet 20.
[0041] Figures 5a - 5c show a third embodiment of the envelope 10, which is a variant of the one above described and shown in figures 4a - 4c, wherein said strips 41 or 42 are "W"-folded along three substantially parallel longitudinal folding lines. The plastic material layer 41 b or 42b is again arranged on the face of the coupling strip 41 or 42 which has two internal surfaces. Each coupling strip 41 and 42 is again welded by heat of a bar, as shown in figure 5c, on the facing edges 23 or 24 coupling both to the first face 21, and to the second face 22 of sheet 20.
[0042] This bellow configuration of the envelope 10 makes the envelope 10 according to the present invention particularly resistant, for example by providing that edge 23 is glued on both the first 21 and the second 22 face by the strip 41. Therefore, in case of a heavy object is contained, the coupling strips detach prior from the first internal face 21, then from the second external surface 22. This double coupling renders the envelope 10 very resistant, allowing the same to contain objects of greater weight.
[0043] In a further embodiment according to the present invention, the coupling strips 41 and 42, in addition to be made of a coupled support of paper support first layer and plastic material, Mater-Bi or polyethylene or any other similar product biodegradable and compostable, as described above, are realized only with a single plastic layer, polyethylene or polypropylene or polyester, or a material such as Mater-Bi and/or any other similar product biodegradable or compostable.
[0044] Any further embodiments may provide, for example, a couple of strips, each treated by a layer of plastic material on both sides, interposed between two overlapping edges and welded to the first internal face 21.
[0045] The advantages of the present invention relate to the fact that the envelope is fully biodegradable and compostable, it is capable to transport documents of weights rather high, even up to 4-5 kg., and it offers particular strength even in the weakest points, i.e. along the welds.
[0046] The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.
1. Security envelope (10) for documents and/or valuables comprising:
a sheet of paper (20), board or like, having a first face (21), a second face (22) and two opposite lateral edges (23, 24), said sheet (20) being folded so as to arrange two portions of said first face (21) at least partially faced, overlapping each other said lateral edges (23, 24);
said envelope (10) further comprising a first (41) and a second (42) coupling strip, each one of said coupling strips (41, 42) being applied respectively in correspondence of the overlapped portions of the lateral edges (23, 24) of said sheet (20), in order to realize a containment space (50).
2. Security envelope (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that each one of said strips (41, 42) comprises a first support layer (41 a, 42a) and
a second coupling plastic material layer (41b, 42b) coupled each other by an adhesive
or like.
3. Security envelope (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said second plastic material layer (41 b, 42b) is polyethylene or a plastic material
of vegetable origin, such as Mater-B® and/or any other similar product that is biodegradable and compostable.
4. Security envelope (10) according to anyone of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said first support layer (41 a, 42a) is made of paper, board or like or kraft.
5. Security envelope (10) according to anyone of claims 2-4, characterized in that said coupling strips (41, 42) are "V" folded along a longitudinal folding line, so
that said coupling plastic material layer (41 b, 42b) is arranged on the external
surface and each one of said coupling strips (41, 42) is welded along said external
surface to said first face (21) of said sheet (20), coupling the faced edges (23,
24).
6. Security envelope (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that each one of said coupling strips (41, 42) is arranged so that said support layer
(41 a, 42a) is turned toward the inside of said containment space (50) delimiting
it, or toward the outside of said containment space (50).
7. Security envelope (10) according to anyone of claims 2-4, characterized in that said coupling strips (41, 42) are "V" folded along a folding longitudinal line, so
that said coupling plastic material layer (41 b, 42b) is arranged on the internal
surface and each one of said coupling strips (41, 42) is welded along said internal
surface to said second face (22) of said sheet (20) coupling the faced edges (23,
24).
8. Security envelope (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that said coupling strips (41, 42) are "W"-folded along three substantially parallel longitudinal
folding lines, so as to define two "V"-shaped internal coupling surfaces, said plastic
material layer (41 b, 42b) being arranged on the face of said strips (41, 42) that
has two internal "V"-shaped coupling surfaces, each one of said coupling strips (41,
42) being welded by each of said of said internal "V"-shaped coupling surfaces to
one of the two overlapped edges (23, 24) of said sheet (20) to said first face (21)
and said second face (22) of said sheet (20), so as to realize a bellow.
9. Security envelope (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that each one of said coupling strips (41, 42) are made with only a single layer of plastic
material, polyethylene or polypropylene or polyester, or a material such as Mater-Bi
and/or any other similar product biodegradable or compostable,
each one of said coupling strips (41, 42) being welded to said first face (21) of said sheet (20).
each one of said coupling strips (41, 42) being welded to said first face (21) of said sheet (20).
10. Security envelope (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that
each one of said strips (41, 42) comprises a first support layer (41 a, 42a), a second coupling plastic material layer (41 b, 42b) applied to a first face of said first support layer (41 a, 42a), and a third coupling plastic material layer applied to a second face of said first support layer (41 a, 42a),
each one of said strips (41, 42) being welded to said first face (21) of said sheet (20) by said second and third coupling plastic material layers.
each one of said strips (41, 42) comprises a first support layer (41 a, 42a), a second coupling plastic material layer (41 b, 42b) applied to a first face of said first support layer (41 a, 42a), and a third coupling plastic material layer applied to a second face of said first support layer (41 a, 42a),
each one of said strips (41, 42) being welded to said first face (21) of said sheet (20) by said second and third coupling plastic material layers.
11. Security envelope (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first face (21) comprises an foldable edge (21') for closing said envelope (10),
and in that said envelope (10) comprises a security tape that can be applied to said edge (21').
12. Security envelope (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sheet (20) is folded along a folding line (30) that defines the bottom of said
envelope (10).
13. Method for realizing a security envelope (10) for documents and/or valuables comprising
the following steps:
(a) providing a sheet (20) of paper, board or like, having a first face (21) and a second face (22) and two opposite lateral edges (23, 24);
(b) folding said sheet (20) so as to arrange two portions of said first face (21) at least partially overlapped, by overlapping said lateral edges (23, 24) each other;
(c) providing a first (41) and a second (42) coupling strip; and
(d) applying each coupling strip (41, 42) respectively in correspondence of the overlapped lateral edges (23, 24) of said sheet (20), so as to realize the containment space (50).
14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that each one of said coupling strips (41, 42) comprises a first support layer (41 a,
42a) and at least one second coupling plastic material layer (41 b, 42b).
15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that said step (c) comprises the following sub-step:
- "V"-folding said coupling strips (41, 42) along a longitudinal folding line, so that said coupling plastic material layer (41 b, 42b) is arranged on the external surface; and
said step (d) comprises the following sub-step:- welding by heat each of said coupling strips (41, 42) along said external surface to said first face (21) of said sheet (20), coupling the faced edges (23, 24).
16. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that said step (c) comprises the following sub-step:
- "V"-folding said coupling strips (41, 42) along a folding longitudinal line, so that said coupling plastic material layer (41 b, 42b) is arranged on the internal surface; and
said step (d) comprises the following sub-step:- welding by heat each one of said coupling strips (41, 42) along said internal surface to said second face (22) of said sheet (20) coupling the faced edges (23, 24).
17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that said folding step comprises the following sub-step:
- "W"-folding said coupling strips (41, 42) along three substantially parallel longitudinal folding lines, so as to define two "V"-shaped internal coupling surfaces, said plastic material layer (41 b, 42b) being arranged on the face of said strips that has two "V"-shaped coupling internal surfaces; and
said welding step comprises the following sub-step:- welding by heat each one of said coupling strips (41, 42) by each of said "V"-shaped coupling internal surfaces to one of the two overlapped edges (23, 24) of said sheet (20) to said first face (21) and said second face (22) of said sheet (20), so as to realize a bellow.