Patent US4597591A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4597591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Envelope with concealed message window
Assignee: WESTVACO Corp 299 PARK AVE NEW YORK NY 10171 A CORP
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Filing: 1984-06-06
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Granted: 1986-07-01
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Expires: 2004-06-06
Abstract
Abstract An envelope and blank structure is disclosed for use with promotional mailings. The envelope includes at least one window opening in its front panel which is normally covered by a sheet of transparent window material. The outer surface of the window material is in turn applied with a non-transparent coating for obscuring a message included within the envelope beneath the window opening. The message may subsequently be revealed without opening the envelope by scratching or rubbing the coating from the window material.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilfred H. Gendron
- 👤 Frank T. Knapp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:45
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D27/00; B65D27/04; G; G09; G09F; G09F23/00; G09F23/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
An envelope for use in communicating a hidden message which is revealable without opening the envelope, said envelope including at least one rectangular panel having inner and outer surfaces and additional panels which together with said rectangular panel provide an envelope pocket and closure flap, said envelope comprising: (a) at least one window opening formed in said rectangular panel; (b) a sheet of normally transparent window material adhered to the inner surface of said rectangular panel so as to cover said window opening; (c) a layer of non-transparent but removable coating material applied to the outer surface of said window material in the region of said window opening so as to obscure said window; and, (d) a message located inside said envelope pocket printed on an insert or on one of said additional panels and positioned beneath said obscured window, wherein said message may be revealed without opening the envelope by removing the coating from the outer surface of said window material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
An envelope for use in communicating a hidden message which is revealable without opening the envelope, said envelope including at least one rectangular panel having inner and outer surfaces and additional panels which together with said rectangular panel provide an envelope pocket and closure flap, said envelope comprising: (a) at least one window opening formed in said rectangular panel; (b) a sheet of normally transparent window material adhered to the inner surface of said rectangular panel so as to cover said window opening; (c) a layer of non-transparent but removable coating material applied to the outer surface of said window material in the region of said window opening so as to obscure said window; and, (d) a message located inside said envelope pocket printed on an insert or on one of said additional panels and positioned beneath said obscured window, wherein said message may be revealed without opening the envelope by removing the coating from the outer surface of said window material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein the rectangular panel is provided with at least two windows each covered by normally transparent window material wherein only the window behind which the message is located is obscured by the non-transparent coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The envelope of claim 2 wherein the message is applied to an insert placed in the envelope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The envelope of claim 2 wherein the message is applied to one of the additional panels of said envelope.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
118 words
An envelope blank having an inside surface and an outside surface and consisting of a plurality of panels foldably connected together, said panels comprising at least a front panel, a rear panel and a top closure flap, at least one window opening formed in said front panel, means comprising a sheet of normally transparent window material adhered to the inside surface of said blank so as to cover said window opening, a layer of non-transparent but removable coating material applied to the outer surface of said window material in the region of said window opening so as to obscure said window, and a message printed on one of the panels of said blank other than said front panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
118 words
An envelope blank having an inside surface and an outside surface and consisting of a plurality of panels foldably connected together, said panels comprising at least a front panel, a rear panel and a top closure flap, at least one window opening formed in said front panel, means comprising a sheet of normally transparent window material adhered to the inside surface of said blank so as to cover said window opening, a layer of non-transparent but removable coating material applied to the outer surface of said window material in the region of said window opening so as to obscure said window, and a message printed on one of the panels of said blank other than said front panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The envelope blank of claim 5 wherein the front panel is provided with two window openings each covered by a sheet of transparent window material wherein the layer of non-transparent coating material is only applied to the outer surface of said window material in the region of one of said window openings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The envelope blank of claim 6 wherein the window material comprises a strip of cellulose acetate the edges of which are adhered to the inside surface of the envelope blank.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The envelope blank of claim 7 wherein the non-transparent coating material comprises a solvent based rub-off ink product.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The envelope blank of claim 8 wherein the rear panel is foldably connected to the bottom edge of said front panel and the top closure flap is foldably connected to the top edge of said front panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The envelope blank of claim 8 wherein the front panel is foldably connected to the bottom edge of said rear panel, the top closure flap is foldably connected to the top edge of said rear panel and a pair of side closure flaps are foldably connected to the side edges of said rear panel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The envelope blank of claim 10 wherein one of the side closure flaps is enlarged and the message is printed on the outer surface of said enlarged side closure flap.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-06-30 | 1989-12-30 | 1990-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-30 | 1993-12-30 | 1994-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-30 | 1997-12-30 | 1998-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |