US3263576A - Method of making envelopes - Google Patents

Description

Aug- 2, 1966 H. A. ELLENBoGL-:N 3,263,576

METHOD OF MAKING ENVELOPES AT TOR N EYS Allg- 2, 1965 H. A. ELLENBOGEN 3,263,576

METHOD OF MAKING ENVELOPES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Flled June 18, 1965 5N mon SQ 6/ ./l/

AfrroRN EYs United States Patent O 3,263,576 METHOD F MAKING ENVELOIES Herbert A. Ellenbogen, Buttcrnut Drive, New City, N.Y. Filed June 18, 1963, Ser. No. 288,743 1 Claim. (Cl. 93-61) The present invention relates to an envelope for holding packing lists or the like, and to a method for forming such envelopes.

It is now recognized that it is desirable to ship goods with a packing list attached to a container in which the goods are placed, the packing list providing an inventory of the goods being shipped. To facilitate handling of the goods when they are received, the packing list is placed on -the outside of a container, so that it may be consulted before the container or containers is opened. Normally, the packing list is enclosed in an ordinary paper envelope of a relatively heavy grade, which is yattached to the container.

It has been found, however, that these paper envelopes have a great many deficiencies, due to the usage to which they are put, and the conditions of that usage. For example, the containers are often stored in a dimly lit Warehouse or ships hold, so that it is difficult to see the envelope; this is particularly true when dust accumulates on them. Where the shipping container was subjected to moisture or water conditions, there was danger of deterioration of the packing list. Attachment of the envelope t-o the outside of the container was diicult and time consuming, requiring the use of a stapling machine, glue or adhesive tape. Any of these was apt to result in damage to the packing list, so that at least a part of it could not be read.

Also, it was not possible to see any of the writing on the packing list, which was often desirable, without removing the packing list from the envelope.

Where containers were to be transported by ships, paper envelopes coated with pitch 'were used, to provide waterproof security for the packing list. This overcame one of the noted disadvantages, but the others still remained.

An object of the present invention is to provide an envelope for packing lists or the like which is readily visible innormally lighted, poorly lighted, or even dark locations.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an envelope which is waterproof so as to protect the contents thereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an envelope whi-ch is readily and easily sealed.

A further `object of the present invention is the provision of an envelope which is easily attached to a container, and does not require the use of auxiliary attaching devices or implements.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an envelope which will permit viewing of at least part of the contents thereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of an envelope meeting the desideratum set forth above and which may be readily fabricated from economical and available material.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for making envelopes which is not only economical but which may be practiced with inexpensive Patented August 2, 1966 materials Iwithout requiring specially constructed and expensive equipment.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following specification and `drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a perspective View of a roll of film used in the practicing of the present inventive method and in the making of the envelope.

FIG. 2 is a view of a part of the film sheet shown in FIG. 1 after printing.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the film sheet after the application of adhesive patterns.

FIG. 4 is a view showing backing paper applied to the film sheet.

FIG. 5 is an end view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view to an enlarged scale after the structure shown in FIG. 4 has been slit.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the structure of the film strip after a portion Ithereof has been folded, `and after heat sealing.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an individual envelope after it has been severed from the strip shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. l0 is a perspective View, with parts partially peeled away, of the envelope shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 1l shows an envelope in accordance with the present invention :applied to a container.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like or corresponding reference numerals are used to designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several Views, there is shown in FIG. l a rolled-up sheet 20 of thermoplastic film, such as polyethylene, which sheet has a fluorescent dye incorporated therein, the dye being indicated by the cross hatching. The dye or pigment may be applied to the film after extrusion, or may be incorporated with the plastic prior to extrusion.

The film sheet 20 is passed through a suitable printing mechanism so that there are applied to the upper side thereof, as shown in FIG. 2, a first series 21 and a second series 22 of legends, the two series extending linearly along thev film sheet 20. The legends in the series 22 are inverted relative to the legends in series 21. As will be noted, the legends occupy zones which are spaced from each other and which are spaced inwardly from the edges of the film sheet 2t). Further, the zones containing the two series 21 and 22 are spaced from the center of the sheet 20.

After the printing of the legends, the sheet 2l) has three patterns of self-adhering adhesive applied to the printed face thereof, the three patterns of adhesive being designated 23, 24 and 2S. The patterns are parallel, and extend linearly of the film sheet 20. Patterns 23 and 25 are relatively broad and lie along the edges of the sheet 20, whereas pattern 24 is relatively narrow and lies generally at the center of the sheet 20. In practice, the distance between the adjacent edges of patterns 23 and 24, that is, the nonadhesive zone with legend series 21, is approximately the same as the `width of pattern 23, and the sheet 2t) is generally symmetrical with respect to its center line.

After having the three adhesive patterns applied to it, backing paper strips 26, 27 and 28 are applied over the adhesive patterns 23, 24 and 25, respectively, these back- Ving paper strips being heavily coatedlwith silicone, so

that the backing paper may be readily parted from the polyethylene film when desired, The backing paper strips 26, 27 and 28 are shown in FIG. S in their adhered and -overlying relationship with respect to the film sheet 20.

The film sheet 2d as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, is printed with ad-hesive patterns and backing paper. It is then slit longitudinally at the approximate center thereof so as to provide the structure shown in FIG. 6, the basic film now being designated and referred .to as a film strip, since it is one-half its original width. There is also shown in FIG. 6 the backing paper 26 and approximately one-half of the backing paper strip 27, designated 27.

While the processing of the structure shown in FIG. 6 will be described hereinbelow, it will be understood that the other strip, corresponding to strip 26', is similarly processed.

In FIG. 7, the film strip 20' has been folded linearly so that the marginal zone to which the adhesive pattern 23 had been applied underlies the zone containing the legend series 21. Thus, as will be seen from FIG. 8, the zone containing the printing and the zone containing lthe adhesive are in face to face relationship with each other, the backing strip 26 being still joined to the zone containing the adhesive pattern 23. Since the zone containing adhesive pattern 23 .and the backing paper 26 are substantially equal in width to the zone containing the legend series 21, the outer edge of backing paper 26 will underlie the inner edge of backing paper strip 27.

The two layers of film strip 20 are sealed together, as by heat sealing devices, to provide transversely extending linear seals 29 and 30, which are in spaced relation to each of the legends of the series. rThis thereby forms a strip 20 containing integrally joined envelopes having ends which are open, the open ends of the envelope lying just beneath the inner edge of backing paper 27', yand being spaced therefrom. Each envelope may be seen to have a pair of generally rectangular walls formed by a part of the zone containing legend series 21 and a part of the zone containing adhesive pattern 23. The walls are joined at t-hree sides, the fourth being open as above stated. rThe part of zone with pattern 24 underlying backing paper strip 27 forms a flap integral with the wall formed -by part of the zone containing legend series 2.1.

The strip 20 is cut transversely at each of the heat seals or seams 29, 30, etc., to provide individual envelopes. As will be understood, the severing and sealing may take place either sequentially or simultaneously, thereby providing the envelope 35 shown in FIG. 9.v

Referring to FIG. 10, the envelope is shown with the backing paper 26 partially peeled away, and with t-he flap formed by the zone containing the adhesive portion and with the portion of the film strip 20' 'having the backing paper 27 secured to it forming a flap 31 which has been folded over the open end or mouth of the envelope 35, to thereby close the mouth to retain papers placed in the envelope. For purposes of clarity, the backing paper strip Z7' is shown partially peeled Iaway from the flap 31.

In use, the envelopes 35 are supplied as shown in FIG. 9, and a packing list is placed in the envelope through the open end or mouth thereof, and then the backing paper 26 is partially peeled, as shown in FIG. 10. The flap 31 is then folded over, so as to seal the open end of the envelope, the adhesive which formed a part of pattern 23 securing the flap 31 in the closed position. The 'backing paper 27' is then peeled `from the ap 31, and it will be seen that the entire side of the envelope facing Vthe viewer in FIG. l0 is coated with the selfadhering adhesive. The backing paper 26 is then removed and the envelope is placed against a container 36, and is immediately secured thereto by the adhesive, as shown in FIG. 11.

As will be understood, the process may be practiced, also, by utilizing a single-width thermoplastic sheet, rather than a ldouble width one, as described hereinabove. In that event the single width sheet will be processed to obtain a single film strip like the film strip 20 shown in FIG. 6.

Thus, the envelope is easily sealed, andis readily attached to a container. It is made of waterproof material, is readily visible because of the fluorescent dye, and because of the transparent nature thereof permits viewing of the enclosed packing list.

There has been provided a method for fabricating envelopes, which method utilizes readily available material and which does not require expensive or unusual equipment to perform. The process is economical, therefore, both in material and equipment.

It will :be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the preceding description should be regarded as exemplary of the present preferred embodiments. Within the scope of modifications, for example, is the use of plastic material which does not have printing thereon, but which instead is free of printing and/ or specifically colored to indicate the contents of the envelope. Again, as will be appreciated, the width of the plastic sheet material used can be varied depending on the processing equipment used, as well as on the particular ultimate size of the final envelope used.

Bearing the above in mind,

What is claimed is:

The process for forming envelopes for packing lists or the like comprising the steps of:

(l) providing a sheet of thermoplastic film;

(2) printing a first transversely spaced series of legends along one surface of said film between the center and one side edge thereof;

(3) printing a second transversely spaced series of legends in inverted relationship to said first series of legends along said one surface of said lm between the center and the opposite side edge thereof;

(4) applying a first linearly elongated pattern of selfadhering adhesive to the printed `surface of said film between said one side edge and said first series of legends;

(5) applying a second linearly elongated pattern of self-adhering adhesive to the printed surface of said film between said rst and second `series of legends;

(6) applying a third linearly elongated pattern of self-adhering adhesive to the printed surface of said film between said second series of legends and said opposite side edge;

(7) providing backing paper strips having a coating on at least one surface thereof;

(8) applying a backing paper strip over each of said adhesive patterns with said coated surfaces being oriented toward said self-adhering .adhesive to form a backed article;

(9) centrally -linearly dividing said backed article to form a pair of substantially symmetrical strips, each having `an intermediate zone with a series of legends and a pair of marginal side zones having adhesive patterns with 'backing paper strips applied thereto;

(l0) folding said strip containing said rst series of legends until said first adhesive pattern underlies said first series of legends;

(1l) folding said strip containing said second series of legends until said third adhesive pattern underlies said second series off legends;

(l2) transversely heat sealing each of said folded strips between each of the legends in a series to seal the underlying portion of each folded strip to the overlying portion thereof and to thus convert each folded strip into `a series of interconnected envelopes each of which has one open end; and

Holmlund 93-63 XR Knuetter 93-35 Ribaco 229-80 Stein 93-35 Richmond 229-80 FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

Ei e) (13) transversely severing each of said folded strips 2,224,513 along each transverse heat seal to provide a plu- 2,265,075 rality of individual envelopes having one open end. 2,770,412

3,003,402 References Cited by the Examiner 5 3,070,280

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,636,495 7/ 1927 Widmaier 93--63 2,220,874 11/1940 Waters 93--35 I. F. GARRETT, D. M. BOCKENEK, Examiners.

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