US5197663A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reusable mailing envelope
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-04-23
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Granted: 1993-03-30
•
Expires: 2012-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A reusable mailing envelope including: a panel including a front panel, a seal flap, a rear panel opposite the seal flap and first and second side panels, connected to the body section by fold lines; and reusable structure for allowing the envelope to be reused as a mailing envelope connected to the rear flap along another fold line including a foldable panel and a reusable closure flap, the reusable structure having a first condition inside the envelope when initially mailed and a second condition wherein a portion is outside the envelope when subsequently mailed.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Stude
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:15
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D27/00; B65D27/06; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
350 words
A reusable mailing envelope made from a blank comprising: a front panel, a seal flap connected to said front panel at a fold line; a rear panel connected at a fold line to the front panel opposite the seal flap and first and second side flaps connected at fold lines to said front panel or to said rear panel, said side flap being folded over and fixed to said front panel or said rear panel, and when used said seal flap is folded over and sealed to said front panel or said rear panel to form a closed envelope with a back side and a front side, and reusable structure (22), for allowing the envelope (11) to be reused as a mailing envelope, connected to the rear panel (16) along a first connecting fold line (32),the reusable structure (22) including a foldable panel (24) and a reusable closure flap (26) connected along a second connecting line (36) to the foldable panel (24), said foldable panel (24) including a center fold line (34) extending laterally thereacross forming a first panel section (28) adjacent and hingeably connected to said rear panel along said first connecting fold line (32) and a second panel section (30) adjacent and hingeably connected to said reusable closure flap along said second connecting line (36) to form a separate flap structure (28, 30), so that when the envelope is first used, said reusable structure (22) is folded into the envelope with said reusable closure flap (26) being folded along a center fold line (38) toward said foldable panel (24) and said foldable panel (24) is folded inwardly of the envelope with panel section (30) overlying an outer portion of said folded reusable closure flap (26) and so that when the envelope is reused said foldable panels (24 and 30) forming said closure flap structure are first folded outwardly and then over said back side of said envelope and fixed thereto, and said folded reusable closure flap (26) is pulled out, the envelope filled, followed by sealing said unfolded closure flap (26) to said front side of said envelope.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
350 words
A reusable mailing envelope made from a blank comprising: a front panel, a seal flap connected to said front panel at a fold line; a rear panel connected at a fold line to the front panel opposite the seal flap and first and second side flaps connected at fold lines to said front panel or to said rear panel, said side flap being folded over and fixed to said front panel or said rear panel, and when used said seal flap is folded over and sealed to said front panel or said rear panel to form a closed envelope with a back side and a front side, and reusable structure (22), for allowing the envelope (11) to be reused as a mailing envelope, connected to the rear panel (16) along a first connecting fold line (32),the reusable structure (22) including a foldable panel (24) and a reusable closure flap (26) connected along a second connecting line (36) to the foldable panel (24), said foldable panel (24) including a center fold line (34) extending laterally thereacross forming a first panel section (28) adjacent and hingeably connected to said rear panel along said first connecting fold line (32) and a second panel section (30) adjacent and hingeably connected to said reusable closure flap along said second connecting line (36) to form a separate flap structure (28, 30), so that when the envelope is first used, said reusable structure (22) is folded into the envelope with said reusable closure flap (26) being folded along a center fold line (38) toward said foldable panel (24) and said foldable panel (24) is folded inwardly of the envelope with panel section (30) overlying an outer portion of said folded reusable closure flap (26) and so that when the envelope is reused said foldable panels (24 and 30) forming said closure flap structure are first folded outwardly and then over said back side of said envelope and fixed thereto, and said folded reusable closure flap (26) is pulled out, the envelope filled, followed by sealing said unfolded closure flap (26) to said front side of said envelope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein said reusable structure extends in a direction away from said seal flap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein said reusable closure flap includes adhesive means for adhering said reusable closure flap to an exterior surface of said front panel when said envelope is reused.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein said foldable panel includes adhesive means for adhering said foldable panel to an exterior surface of said back side when said envelope is reused.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein said side panels are connected to said front panel and said seal flap and said first and second side panels include adhesive means for adherence to said rear panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
8 words
The envelope of claim 1 is substantially rectangular.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein said reusable closure flap includes said center fold line extending laterally thereacross.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The envelope of claim 1 further comprising means for facilitating the opening of said envelope adjacent to a fold line between said front panel and said seal flap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein said seal flap includes opening means for facilitating the opening of the envelope extending laterally thereacross.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein said opening means comprise a string.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein said opening means includes an opening on either side of said envelope between terminating side edges of said seal flap when it is folded over along said seal flap fold linen ad sealed to said front panel or said rear panel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The envelope of claim 9 wherein said opening means comprise a perforated line in said sealing flap.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein said reusable closure flap includes a preprinted return address.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein said reusable closure flap includes a window comprising a transparent material secured thereto.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein said envelope includes said seal flap on a side of the envelope for stuffing contents therein from the side of the envelope.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein said envelope includes said seal flap on the top of the envelope for stuffing contents therein from the top of the envelope.
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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) | 1996-03-29 | 1996-09-28 | 1997-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-03-29 | 2000-09-28 | 2001-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-03-29 | 2004-09-28 | 2005-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |