AU617298B2 - Envelopes - Google Patents

Description

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 617298 (Original) FOR OFFICE USE Class Iit. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: ,iority: 00Do 'Related Art: e a e\ 0 1 3 L LAURENCE JOHN BELL Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): 110 Rathmines Road, Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122, Australia.

LAURENCE JOHN BELL Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON, Patent Attorneys, 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

Complete specification for the invention entitled:

"ENVELOPES"

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us 1 i 1,

"ENVELOPES"

This invention relates to an artic!e of stationery and in a particular aspect relates to envelopes.

The present invention provides an article of stationery in the form of an interconnected series of envelopes, the article comprising a continuous length of paper or other material suitable for envelope formation folded to define a plurality of envelopes wherein each envelope, excepting that one at one end of the length, partly overlaps and is attached, per the continuity of said length, t o a first adjacent envelope and, excepting that one at the other end of the length, is partly overlapped by and is attached, per the continuity of said length, to o another, second, adjacent envelope; wherein the envelope at said one end of the length is partly overlapped by, and attached to, the adjacent envelope and 0 o the envelope at said other end of said length partly overlaps, and is attached to, the adjacent envelope; wherein each envelope comprises a face and a back, wherein at least substantially the whole of the face of each envelope is not overlapped by an adjacent envelope, wherein said article of stationery is, at o:oo least substantially throughout the whole of its length and, at least substantially inboard of side edges of each envelope and notwithstanding such overlap, not i 20 more than 3 layers thick of said paper or other material suitable for envelope formation, wherein the envelopes have back side edges extending from the sides of the backs of the envelopes and integral therewith which are folded inwardly and secured to the inside of the front whereby to close the sides of the envelopes, the envelopes further having front side edges integral with the fronts uf the envelopes and extending laterally outwardly of the envelopes and provided with sprocket holes for use with a sprocket feed mechanism, wherein said front side edges are attached to the envelopes via a respective line of preferential tearing whereby said front side edges may be stripped from the envelope, and wherein said respective line of preferential tearing is located laterally outboard of the sides of the back of the envelopes.

91821ncm sspe.060,109501l,8 LL ;~rpr i 1.1 -2- Preferably, said article of stationery is, adjacent side edges of each envelope, and notwithstanding such overlap, not more than 4 layers thick of said paper or other material suitable for envelope formation.

Preferably, said article of stationery substantially inboard of side edges of each envelope is less than 3 layers thick of said paper or other material suitable cor envelope formation in regions along its length and wherein said regions are not more than 50mm in length, more preferably, not more than in length and still more preferably, are not more than 30mm in length, Preferably, said article of stationery adjacent side edges of each OO." 10 envelope is less than 4 layers thick of said paper or other material suitable for envepe formation in regions along its length and wherein said regions are not S more than 30mm in length, more preferably, not more than 10mm in length "and still more preferably not more than 5mm in length.

oooo! Preferably, said article of stationery substantially inboard of the side edges of each envelope is of a substantially constant thickness of 3 layers thick of said paper or other material suitable for envelope formation throughout its So length.

o 000 Alternatively, said article of stationery substantially inboard of the side edges of each envelope is of constant thickness of 3 layers thick of said paper 1 20 or other material suitable for envelope formation throughout at least 70% of S ,,its length.

Preferably, said article of stationery is adjacent side edges of each envelope, of a substantially constant thickness of 4 layers of said paper or other material suitable for envelope formation throughout its length.

Alternatively, said article of stationery adjacent side edges of each envelope is of constant thickness of 4 layers of said paper or other material suitable for envelope formation throughout at least 90% of its length.

Preferably, attached to the face of each envelope, per the continuity of said length, is a first tab adapted to be folded to the back of the envelope to seal the envelope.

Preferably, attacl,,ed to the back of each envelope, per the continuity of said length, is a second tab over or under which the first tab may be folded to 91O01.Csspe60,19SO5eI I I -3- 400 4 seal the envelope and wherein adjacent envelopes are attached to one another, per the continuity of said length, through the first tab of one envelope being attached and contiguous to the second tab of an adjacent envelope.

Preferably one or both of the first seal tab and the second seal tab is provided with an adhesive. That adhesive may be a moisture activatable adhesive but more preferably is a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

The second seal tab of one envelope is preferably attached to the first seal tab of the adjacent envelope so that the face of said one envelope overlaps the face of said adjacent envelope. That attachment is preferably via a line of preferential tearing along which the envelopes may be separated.

Preferably, the length of the first tab and the length of the second tab ,re such that at least substantially the o 0 09 9 o 00 00 0 0 0 0 00 a noa 9 9 9 B00 9 4 1 00 O a 9W821.cmsspe.00,1095410 .r i __i -4- 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 0 18 12 13 S0 24 o 14 15 16 17 Yo" 18 o* 0 19 21 22 23a 24 26 27 28 29 whole of the face of each envelope is not overlapped by an adjacent envelope.

More preferably, the length of the first tab and the length of the second tab are such that the whole of the face of each envelope is not overlapped by an adjacent envelope, Preferably, the sum of twice the length of the first tab and the length of the second tab is not less than the length of the face of the envelope.

Preferably, the sum of twice the length of the irst tab and the length of the second tab is not greater than the length of the face of the envelope plus not more than Preferably, the length of the first tab and the length of the second tab is such that, when the first tab is folded -to seal the envelope, the first tab overlies and wholly covers the second tab.

Preferably, the second tab of each envelope is Colded to overlie the back of the envelope, Preferably, the second tab is unfoldable from that position overlying the back whereby the first tab may be folded to overlie or underlie the second tab to seill the envelope.

Preferably, the second tab is secured to the bac'k of the envelope in such overlying the back of the envelope condition.

In one instance, the second tab is detachably sec-ured to the back of the envelope in such ovorlying the back of the envelope condition by an adhesive from which sec ut-ointn the second tab is capable of being de-adhered tI another instance, the second t:ab is secured to the iirefnpoi I, i 5 1 2 3 4 6 7 00;o 8 Set 10 0000 0 6 11 12 13 0 0 14 16 0 0. 16 17 a Or 18 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 back of the envelope in such overlying the back of the envelope condition by an adhesive from which the second tab is incapable of being de-adhered wi tho ut substantial likelihood of Lear i ng of said paper or other material suitable for envelope formation.

Preferably, the length of the first tab and the length of the second tab is such that, when the first tab is folded to seal the envelope, the first tab overlies and wholly covers the second tab, Preferably, the first tab is joined to the face via a line, real, imaginary or of preferential folding, and the back, at least adjacent the side edges thereof, extends substantially to that line.

Preferably, the first tab is joined to the face via a line, real, imaginary or of preferential folding, and the back, at least adjaeent the side edges thereof, extends substantially to that line and wherein the second tab is folded to overlie the back along a fold and wherein said fold line is relatively more adjacent the bottom of the envelope than those regions of the back adjaceemt the side edges thereof which are most proximate to that line between the first tab and 'the face.

In another instance the second seal tab or an extension thereof is so connected to the side edges of the respective envelope to cause folding of those side edges to overlap the back when the secmotd seal tab is unfolded as aforesaid.

Such folding of said side edges may be facilitated by lines of preferential folding spaced from said side edges and in the second seal tUb oe said extension, -I 6 1 2 3 4 6 7 040400 8 040 4 9 0 1 0 o 17 no o 18 20 21 22 4 24 25 n 13 26 4 16 17 28 29 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 To retain said side edges in such folded condition they and/or the back may be provided with an adhesive.

Said side edges may conveniently bi provided with sprocket holes for use with sprocket fed printers.

Preferably, such perforations, and/or lines of preferential bending which extend across the side edges either do not extend in lines which pass through the sprocket holes or extend in lines which pass through substantially the centre of a sprocket hole.

The face and back of each envelope may or may not be completely secured to one another along said side edges.

In one instance said side edges are attached to the envelopes via a line of preferential tearing whereby said side edges may be stripped from the envelopes.

Preferably, said side edges are continuous along the whole length of said article of stationery.

Preferably, said side edges comprises regions wherein said length of material is overlapped on'itself.

Preferably, said side edges are provided with adhesive regions whereby to secure such overlapped regions together.

Preferably, said adhesive regions are located such as to secure one envelope adjacent the bottom thereof to the adjacent envelope which is overlapped thereby.

In one instance the face and back of each envelope are bonded together inboard of said side edges.

Preferably, the face and back of each envelope are not scoured together in a region along their sile edges whereby to permit air entrapped in each envelope in passing through a mechanism to escape.

7- 1 2 3 '4 0000 0 0 0 0 0 #1 0 1 12 0 .0 o 0 12 00 1 t 9O 200 21 2' 4 16 27 Preferably, the envelopes have side edges extending f r 'm the sides of one of the front and the back which are f old ed i nwardly and secured to the other of the front and the back whereby to close the sides of the, envelopes.

More pre,,ferabl y the envelopes have side edges e~tendi ng from thfie sides of the back wh ich are folded inwardly and. secured to the inside of the front whereby to close the sides of the envelopes.

Preferably, the side edges extending fronm the sides of the back which are folded inwardly are provided wi th sprocket holes to facilitate transport of said length prior to such folding inwardly, I ri one instance) the front has sidle edges exteonding laterally outwardly of the envelopes and provided wi 1th sprocket holes for vise with sprocket, feed printers, Two or more such article.% of stationery may be arranged in side-by-side retation to produce a compos ite ar'ticle ha~ ing tWO or' more envelopes across i-ts Oidth.

Articles of stationery i n accordance w i th t his .invention may be in single sheet formn or continuous form.

In one instUance, the article of stationery is nfanfold form, t) ve fe rab ly there ave lines or preferential folding i a certLai n o nes of said envelopes to fac ili1ta te said fan folding.

P re f erab ly the I nes of p e feve nt ialI fol d.1ng t u fad 11 tate such fan foling pass only through the fOwe of Otc v'espeotive erlveloPes and niot also through the back oe ttrespectilve envelopes.

-8 1 2 4 6 7 8 9 12 13 14 0 0 21 17 00 Preferably said lines of preferential f oldi ng to facilitate such fanfolding pass through the face of -the r'espective envelopes intermediate the first seal tab and the back of the respective envelopes.

Preferably, the first tab is attached to the Face o f each envelope about a line of preferent ia] folding and said article of stationery is adapted to Fanfold at that line.

Preferably, the second tab or an extension thereof i s connected to the side edges of the respective envelope so as to cause folding of those side edges to overlap t h back when the second tab is unfolded as aforesaid.

Preferably, lines of preferential folding are provided spaced f rom s Ide edges and in the sec-,ao nd tab o r said extension to facilitate such folding of the side edge8.

Preferably, one of said back and said sido ed-ges i q provided with an adhesive adapted to rotAain said side edgaes in such folded condition, Preferably in no region of said article of stationery is more than thrree layers thick oV saidl paper or o therV material suitable for envelope formnation, In owe inst,~nce there is a second sot of sprooket holes In said s ide e dg es. o vtLbo ard o f r tL rs L m e n tio ned s roc(!k e t.

holes.

Preferably said second set of sprocket holes is S paced( from the first mentioned sprocket holes by a region having a line of ptreferoqti al touring whereby thait ptr~vt otf the side edges having said sooond set, of aprocket holes ma1ty be s tripped f romn the k. avelopes.

prrevabl' in the region~s of salI aRtleles o 9- 1 2 3 4 6 7 14P 200 2 5 2 pl 8 29V stationery in which part of one enrvelope overlaps part of another, adjac-ent, envelope the side edges of, respectively, the overlapping envelope or t he over Lapped envelope in way of the sprocketU ho les Lhvrt i n extend relativel1y more laterally than, respe t i veIy, the side edgaes of the overlapped envelope or tUhe overlapping envelope whereby, in use a sprocke t feed ineehari isi wil 1 ngage wii th Sprouke t holes in the parts of H ie sido edges which extend rel at ively m~ore laterally afid niot w resp!eLively, the side edges of the overlapped envelope or the overlapping envelopo.

Preferably, Rul acn t v ei t on pes are at tachod to one another viat at line of prefereniial tear inrg whereby sa id article of s tationery may he separated in to i udlividual enive lope,,, una ttached to onte arto her.

Preferably the first L ab is at tiehed to the bilck of an adjacent envelope per the eon .i nulity of said le ngth.

Alternatively, the first, tab is attached to an adIjacent envelope per the continuity of said lecngth via a dlisposable port ion, Alternatively, attached to the hack of' etwh envelope, per the continuity of saIdI lenigth, 1R ia second Lab over or under which the first tab may te Coldeod to seal thev enmlope arid where in, adjitent. evvlopes aro attached to ono anno thete per the cordtinulty or %alck Length thvough the VIIst, tab Or' one, enivelope being attached and rt ntiuomq Lo it disposable portiont Intex'uedlate, In the ('oritinild t' otf said tength, h11 fiL ab and tIAO seonmd tat) of' art adjfwent envelopte In such tristawes 4taid dIispo4able potlon hq deC tried by' linos of' prcf'erenriai Leaving at Intowsootlons, with tho 10

I

2 3 4 6 7 8 9 12 13 144 16 17 0 0 18 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 first -tab and the second tab.

In one instance, the article of stationery may include a backing sheet.

In one instance, the artic'- of stationtery may include a facing sheet.

The facing sheet may have apertures through which t yp e or other indicia may be applied to -the face of each envelope.

In another instance, the facing sheet may be sueh that when type or other indicia is applied thereto in a region a representation of that type or other indicia will appear on -the face of the envelope thor'ebelow.

Specific constructions of' aticles of stationer-y In accordance with this invention will now be described wi th the aid of the accompanying dr'awings In which:- Pig. I is a plan view from one side o~f a sheet of paper used to form an article of stat ionery in aocordance w!ith this invention, which article being showi in Fig, 3, Fig. '4 is a plan view from the opposite side of the sheet of Fig, 1, Fig, 3 is the article, of stattoner'y fromed by folding the sheet shown in Figs, 1 and 2, Fig. 4 is a ct-oss-section on line 4-41 in Fig, 3, Fig. 5 Is a perspective view of an inidividual envelope separated front the article of stationtery shown in Vig. 3, Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to Fig, 5 but showing the envelope In partly folded eaondition, Fig. 7 Is a view corresponding to Fig, 5 but showing the envelope Ln partly roldod condition, 11 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 12 13 144 17 244 21 29 Fig 8 is a vi ew corresponding to Fig. 5 but showing the envelope in fully folded condition, Fig, 9 is a, modlified versiori of -the sheet, of paper of Fig. 1, Fig, 10 Is a view covi'esporiding to Fig. 2 1but of' a Mnod I ied shee t, Fig I. 1 i a p lan vie w fromn one side of' a sheetL of paper ubod to Form art avt icie of s tat toner-y inr accordance with th .s ovnL n wh ich oti iu being .4howO !in Figs 13- 17, rig, 12 is a.t plan View from the oppos i te S de of the( sheet of' Fig .I 1, IFig, 13 is the articole or statione'y forated by folding 'the sheetL shown in Figs. 11 and 12 but showina it during formation and with parts omitted for ot1ari ty, Fig. lo4 Is the article of stationer~y formed by folding the sheet shown In Figs. It and 12, but showing it during formation and with parts omitted for Clatitvy FIg, 15 is the arttc'e or sttionery formeod by at the sheet shown to Fig-'' It and 120 rig. t6 Is the artile or7 4tationctry formecd by folding th Ie sheet showni in Figs. 1t and 12 but par'tially Wtoreosssec tion, Vig, 17 Is the article of stationery, ftiftled by foldling, the sheet shown In Ftgs, It and '12, but, partialy In t'ros sectLion, V1.18 Is ai plan vieW front onle s ide, oT n m ivo t ci paper used Lo fovMII an artilet of sttonery in wi"Ync With this Inventiton, which article being shcowit In P1m 0 12 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 14 126 I# 13 19 21 2 6, 17 29 Fig. 19 is a plan View fr'om the opposite side of the sheet of Fig. 18, Fig 20 is the article of stationevy formed by folding the sheet shown in Figs. 18 and 19 but showing it during Formation and with parts omitted for clar'ity, Fig. 21 is the article of stationery formed by folding the sheet shown in Figs. 18 and 19, Fig. 22 is -the article of stationery formed by folding the sheet shown in Figs, 18 and 19 and in fanfold form view from one side, and Fig, 23 is the article of stationery formed by folding -the sheet shown in Figs. 18 and 19 and in fanfold View from other, side, L~oggnd Tn facilitate understanding of the aecompanying drawings and in particular F)gs. 1I and 2, the fol lowing legend has beea used:-I a Long dash-2 short dagh-long dash, This iridlictes a lin.e of perforations.

W) Short. dashes. This indicates a fold line which is present in the articlo of stationery, Q) Long dash-sliort-dash-lo,"g dash. This indicates a old to be made in ose.

d1) Long dashes. ThIR indicates a fold iIn e w-,hich is present in the article of stationery but which is t o b e unfolded In use.

e) Stipple hatching This repi ageris adhes Ive type A.

V) Cross-hatolhing This represents adhesive type B u v i;i I I 13 1 type C.

2 g) Oblique dash hatching. This represents adhesive type 3 B.

4 The article of stationery shown in Figs. 3 and 4 comprises a plurality of envelopes 20 in fanfold form which R are attached to one another by a first seal tab 21 at the 7 top of each envelope being attached to a second seal tab 22 8 at the back of each envelope via a per'ofa Led tear line 23, 9 The sides of each of the envelopes has sprocket holes 24 to enable the article to pass through a sprocket feed 11 printer, 12 The form of each envelope 20 will be better understood 13 from Fig. 5 and Figs. 1 and 2.

1, !4 Referring to Fig, 5 and Figs. I and 2 each individual envelope 20 was formed with others by folding a sheet, 16 The sheet may be considered to have a front, as shown 17 in Fig. 1 on which the face 31 and rear 32 of each envelope 0. 18 is uppermost and a hack, as shown in Fig. 2 on which the 0 05 19 face 31 and rear 32 of each envelope is downward.

The sheet is provided with a line of preferential 21 folding 33 for the first said tab 21, lines 34 and 35 on 22 hich the sheet is actually folded to form each individual 23 onvelope and in respect of line 35 to be unfolded in use- to 24 erect the second seal tab 22 for sealing with the first seal tab 21 and the perforated tear line 23.

26 In addition, the sheet has side flaps 135 and 36 27 defined by perforated lines 37 and 38. In a modification 28 lines 37 aid 38 are lines of preferential folding.

29 The side flaps 36 and the second seal tab 22 have lines 14 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 A 9 a e 11 a 4 12 13 14 4 44 o "o 16 17 0 0 s v 19 21 22 23 24 26 21 28 29 of preferential folding 41 and 42.

Adhesive of type A is applied to regions A2 on the side flap 36 (defined by line 35, side edges 44 and line 41).

Adhesive of type B is applied to regions B1 (second seal tab 22), B2 (first seal tab 21), B3 (adjacent side edge 45), and B4 (side flaps 135).

Alternatively adhesive of type C may be applied to one of areas B1 and B2 and no adhesive is applied to the other of areas B1 and B2.

Adhesive of type A is intended to bond parts of the envelopes together after folding to form the article shown in Fig. 3 and in this respect areas A2 are brought into juxtaposition with the side flaps 135 to bond them by folding on lines Adhesive of types B and 0 are intended to bond parts of the envelope together after printing and separation from the article for sealing and dispatch to an addressee.

Adhesive of types A, B and C may be'one and the same if desired by may alternatively be different.

The sheet shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is folded and bonded and aforesaid to form the article of Fig. 3.

To enable the article of stationery shown in Fig. 3 to be in fanfold form each nth envelope is provided with a line of preferential folding G! where is the number of envelopes to be in ea.,h fold of the fanfold form. A convenient value for is The article of Fig, 3 can pass through print ers to print addresses and after printing the individual envelopes may be separated by teaing on lines 23 to form the I 3 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 4 E 4 4 «t 119 o a 40 10 4 t o 1 11 9 C 12 13 14 4 16 17 D 0 4 0 0 4 18 B 0a "o o 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 15 individual envelopes such as shown in Fig. Af er separation of the envelopes the second seal tabs 22 are unfolded as indicated in Figs. 6-8 and in so doing the side flap 135 will be caused to overlie the side edges 45 which are otherwise unbonded so that the adhesive areas B3 and B4 contact and bond, Thereafter, the first seal tab 21 can be folded over the second seal tab 22 and the adhesive areas BI and B2 can bond.

An alternative way of using the article shown in Fig. 3 is to strip the side flaps 135 and 36 from the article on perforation lines 37 and 38. However, if this is intended to be done then the adhesive areas B3 and B4 should be located as shown in Fig. It is to be noted that the adhesive in areas B3 and B4 in Figs. 1 and 2 and in Fig. 10 do not extend to line 34 so as ho allow a slight gap for escape of air which may be entrapped in passing through pinch rollers such as of a printer.

The nodifioatio, shown in Fig, 9 has additional sprocket holes in side edges 235 which may be separated on perforated lines 237. These additional sprocket holes may be found useful in the actual manufacture of the sheet shown in Fig. 9.

The article ct' stationery shown in Figs, 13-17 and the sheet of paper shown in Figs. 11 and 12 are similar ti those shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and I and 2 and like reierence numerals denot like parts, The following significant modifications are however to be noted.

ii r I: r" i r 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 a 49 o C4 0 a S 14 oo 16 17 18 0 0* 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 16 Adhesive areas B1, B3 and B4 are omitted.

Adhesive area B5 is provided and may be of a remoistenable type or pressure sensitive type. The purpose of this is, in the finished envelope, to secure the second seal tab 22 to the rear 32 to provide additional strength to the envelope particularly in the region of fold line 35 and may be required to enable the envelope to be used by a machine for placing a letter or other material into the envelope.

In this modification the adhesive area B2, which may be a re-moistenable (Figs. 14 and 16) or pressure sensitive (Figs. 13 and 17) adhesive will be used to seal the envelope by bonding that side of the first seal tab 21 seen in Fig.

12 to that side of the second seal tab 22 seen in Fig. 12.

The side flap regions 36 and the associated adhesive areas A2 are omitted.

The rear 32 is provided with side flaps 235 which are provided with adhesive regions A3. In formation of an envelope, the side flaps 235 are lilded along fold lines 145 so as to locate against and L secured to the inside of the face 31 of the envelope that is the sides of the flaps 235 seen in Fig. 11 are secured to the side of the face 31 seen in Fig. 12. This is illustrated in Fig. 13. The thus formed envelope (see Fig. 15) will be seen apart from the side flaps 116 and sprocket holes, to be "like" a conventional envelope and if the line 37 is a line of perforations those side flaps 135 may be stripped away.

Adhesive is provided in area A4 on the side flaps 135 and in use will secure the side flaps 135 to the next adjacent envelope by bonding to the upper end (with respect .I 17 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 o o0 I)CQ 11 12 0 0 00 0 13 14 0 0 S 16 0 o oa 18 0 0 21 0 0 0 0 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 to Fig, 11) of that side of flaps 135 seen in Fig. 11 of the next adjacent envelope. This is illustrated in Figs. 22 and 23 with respect to Figs. 18 and 19.

The length of the first seal tab 21, second seal tab 22, face 31 and rear 32 as viecwed down the page with respect to Fig. 11 has been changed to facilitate fanfolding. These "lengths" also apply to Figs. 18 and 19 and will be explained in connection therewi th.

The envelope shown in Fig. 21 and similar to that of Fig. 15 and the sheet from which it is made shown in Figs.

18 and 19 is similar to the sheet shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

With respect to Figs. 18 and 19, adhesive areas are not shown and certain lines are not referenced for reasons of ease of depiction.

The following significant modifications are to be noted as compared to Figs. 18, 19 and The side flaps 235 of Figs. 11 and 12 are shown as 335 in Figs. 18 and 19 and have a somewhat different shape.

The rear 32 of the envelope extends as "extension" 132 beyond the fold line 35 to terminate on an extension of the line 23. The extensions 132 will give additional strength to the envelope.

The length of the first seal tab 21, second seal tab 22, front 31 and rear 32 are, as discussed with respect to Figs. 11 and 12, different to the lengths shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The lengths have been changed so that the line 33 may be used as a fanfold line as shown in Figs. 22 and 23 and in consequence each envelope prior to fanfolding only overlaps part ofthe first seal tab 21 of the next adjacent -18- 1 envelope and does not overlap the face of the next adjacent 2 envelope.

3 The claims form part of the disclosure of the 4 specification.

00 0 0 O03 00 0 0 06

Claims (31)

1. An article of stationery in the form of an interconnected series of envelopes, the article comprising a continuous length of paper or other material suitable for envelope formation folded to define a plurality of envelopes wherein each envelope, excepting that one at one end of the length, partly overlaps and is attached, per the continuity of said length, to a first adjacent envelope and, excepting that one at the other end of the length, is partly overlapped by and is attached, per the continuity of said length, to another, second, adjacent envelope; wherein the envelope at said one end of the length is partly overlapped by, and attached to, the adjacent envelope and the envelope at said other end of said length partly overlaps, and is attached to, the adjacent envelope; wherein each envelope comprises a face and a back, ,wherein at least substantially the whole of the face of each envelope is not overlapped by an adjacent envelope, wherein said article of stationery is, at least substantially throughout the whole of its length and, at least substantially inboard of side edges of each envelope and notwithstanding such overlap, not at.* more than 3 layers thick of said paper or other material suitable for envelope formation, wherein the envelopes have back side edges extending from the 0:ooo sides of the backs of the envelopes and integral therewith which are folded inwardly and secured to the inside of the front whereby to close the sides of the envelopes, the envelopes further having front side edges integral with the fronts of the envelopes and extending laterally outwardly of the envelopes and provided with sprocket holes for use with a sprocket feed mechanism, wherein said front side edges are attached to the envelopes via a respective line of preferential tearing whereby said front side edges may be stripped from the envelope, and wherein said respective line of preferential tearing is located laterally outboard of the sides of the back of the envelopes.

2. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said article of stationery is, adjacent side edges of each envelope, and notwithstanding such overlap, not more than 4 layers thick of said paper or other material suitable for envelope, formation. 91041imsspe.060,1095041

3. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said article of stationery substantially inboard of side edges of each envelope is less than 3 layers thick of said paper or other material suitable for envelope formation in regions along its length and wherein said regions are not more than 50 mm in length.

4. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 3, wherein said regions are not more than 40 mm in length. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 3, wherein said regions are not more than 30 mm in length.

6. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said article of 'o stationery adjacent side edges of each envelope is less than 4 layers thick of °s said paper or other material suitable for envelope formation in regions along its length and wherein said regions are not more than 30 mm in length,

7. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 6, wherein said regions are not more than 10 mm in length.

8. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 6, wherein said regions are not more than 5 mm in length, c. o 9, An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said article of stationery substantially inboard of the side edges of each envelope is of a substantially constant thickness of 3 layers thick of said paper or other material suitable for envelope formation throughout its length, An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said article of stationery substantially inboard of the side edges of each envelope is of constant thickness of 2 layers thick of said paper or other material suitable for envelope formation throughout at least 70% of its length.

11. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said article of stationery adjacent the side edges of each envelope is of a substantially constant thickness of 4 layers of said paper or other material suitable for envelope formation throughout its length. 12, An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said article of stationery is adjacent side edges of each envelope, of constant thickness of 4 layers of said paper or other material suitable for envelope formation 910821,c pen060,109S0.cl,2 I- i -21- throughout at least 90% of its length.

13. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein attached to the face of each envelope, per the continuity of said length, is a first tab adapted to be folded to the back of the envelope to seal the envelope,

14. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first tab is joined to the face via a line, real, imaginary or of preferential folding, and the back, at least adjacent the side edges thereof, extends substantially to that line. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the face and back of each envelope are not secured together in a region along their side edges whereby to permit air entrapped in each envelope in passing through a mechanism to escape, S; 16. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the face and back of each envelope are bonded together inboard of side edges of said envelopes.

17. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the envelopes have side edges extending from the sides of one of the front and the back t which are folded Inwardly and secured to the other of the front and the back whereby to close the sides of the envelopes.

18. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front side edges are continuous along the whole length of said article of stationery.

19. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 18, wherein said front side edges comprises regions wherein said length of material is overlapped on itself, An article of stationery as claimed in claim 13, and in fanfold form.

21. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 20, including lines of preferential folding in certain ones of said envelopes to facilitate said fanfolding.

22. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first tab is attached to the face of each envelope about a line of preferential folding and said article of stationery is adapted to fanfold at that line.

23. An article of stationery as claimed In claim 18, wherein in the regions of said article of stationery in which part of one envelope overlaps part of another, adjacent, envelope the side edges of, respectively, the overlapping I 7 '91O82lasspc.0G0,10950l,3 L'.4 I ~XQ -22- envelope or the overlapped envelope in way of the sprocket holes therein extend relatively more laterally than, respectively, the side edges of the overlapped envelope or the overlapping envelope whereby, in use, a sprocket feed mechanism will engage with sprocket holes in the parts of the side edges which extend relatively more laterally and not with, respectively, the side edges of the overlapped envelope or the overlapping envelope.

24. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first tab is attached to the back of an adjacent envelope per the continuity of said length. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first tab is attached to an adjacent envelope per the continuity of said length via a removable portion. 26, An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein attached to the face of each envelope, per the continuity of said length, is a first tab adapted to be folded to the rear of the envelope to seal the envelope, and wherein attached to the back of each envelope, per the continuity of said length, is a second tab over or under which thle first tab may be folded to seal the envelope, wherein adjacent envelopes are attached to one another per the continuity of said length through the first tab of one envelope being attached and contiguous to the second tab of an adjacent envelope and wherein the second tab is folded to overlie the back of the envelope,

27. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 25, wherein one or both of the first tab and the second tab is provided with an adhesive for sealing the envelope. 28, An article of stationery as claimed in claim 26, wherein the length of the first tab and the length of the second tab are such that at least substantially the whole of the face of each envelope is not overlapped by an adjacent envelope,

29. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 25, wherein the length of the first tab and the length of the second tab are ,uch that the whole of the face of each envelope is not overlapped by an adjacent envelope, An article of stationery as claimed in claim 26, wherein the sum of twice the length of the first tab and the length of the second tab, is not less i r, than the length of the face of the envelope.

31. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 26 wherein the sum of twice the length of the first tab and the length of the second tab, is not greater than the length of the face of the envelope plus not more than 10 mm.

32. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 26, wherein the length of the first tab and the length of the second tab is such that, when the first tab is folded to seal the envelope, the first tab overlies and wholly covers the second tab.

33. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 25, wherein the attachment of the first tab of one envelope to the second tab of an adjacent envelope is via a line of preferential tearing along which the envelopes may separated.

34. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 26, wherein the second tab of each envelope is secured to the back of the envelope in such overlying the back of the envelope condition, An article of stationery as claimed In claim 34, wherein the second tab is unfoldable from that position overlying the back whereby the first tab may be folded to overlie or underlie the second tab to seal the envelope. 36, An article of stationery as claimed in claim 26, wherein the second tab is detachably secured to the back of the envelope in such overlying the back of the envelope condition by an adhesive from which securement the second tab is capable of being de-adhered. 37, An article of stationery as claimed in claim 26, wherein the second tab is secured to the back of the envelope in such overlying the back of the envelope condition by an adhesive from which the second tab is Incapable of being de-adhered without substantial likelihood of tearing of said paper or other material suitable for envelope formation.

38. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 37, wherein the length of the first tab and the length of the second tab is such that, when the first tab is folded to seal the envelope, the first tab overlies and wholly covers the second tab.

39. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 26, wherein the first tab is joined to the face via a line, real, imaginary or of preferential folding, and the 9lO82cispe.OO,10504 1 -~13 -24- back, at least adjacent the side edges thereoif exteods substantially to that line and wherein the second tab is folded to overlie the back aleoig a fold and wherein said fold line is relatively more adjacent the botom of the envelope than those regions of the back adjacent the side edges therto which are most proximate to that line between the first tab and the face. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 26, wherein the second tab or an extension thereof is connected to the side edges of the respective envelope so as to cause folding of those side edges to overlap the back when the second tab is unfolded.

41. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 40, wherein lines of preferential folding are provided spaced from side edges and in the second tab or said extension to facilitate such folding of the side edges.

42. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 40, wherein one of said back and said side edges is provided with an adhesive adapted to retain said side edges in such folded condition.

43. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein attached to the face of each envelope, per the continuity of said length, is a first tab adapted to be folded to the rear of the envelope to seal the envelope, and wherein attached to the back of each envelope, per the continuity of said length, is a second tab over or under which the first tab may be folded to seal the envelope and wherein adjacent envelopes are attached to one another per the continuity of said length through the first tab of one envelope being attached and contiguous to a removable portion intermediate, in the continuity of said length, the first tab and the second tab of an adjacent envelope.

44. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 43, wherein said removable portion is defined by lines of preferential tearing at Intersections with the first tab and the second tab. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front side edges have, in addition to the aforementioned sprocket holes, which are hereinafter called "said first set of sprocket holes", a second set of sprocket holes for use with a sprocket feed mechanism, said second set of sprocket hoes being outboard of said first set of sprocket holes. 9 l1o eMSS.060m10950.C1,6

46. An article of stationery as claimed in claim 45, wherein said second set of sprocket holes is spaced from the first set of sprocket holes by a region having a line of preferential tearing whereby that part of said front side edges having said second set of sprocket holes may be stripped from the envelopes.

47. Aa article of stationery substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 11-23 of the accompanying drawings. f I i r 8 t 8 B 1 gs )apr, 8 I ~DVE 099010~1 8 8 n 8 "110 8 8 n 9 O 00 wo 8 U C ra e oo otl 88 8 00 Ri Ui n 8 al 8 8 o Dated this 21st day of August, 1991. DAVIES COLLISON Patent Attorneys for ENVELOPMENTS PTY. LTD. 9 I 1cmsspd 1 O6O 1 090ox1,7