Snap on envelope

Abstract

A resealable watertight mailing envelope has a Ziploc style strip for sealing the envelope closed. A flap portion is foldable over the Ziploc seal, secured in the closed position by a snap closure. The envelope also has an interior watertight lining joined with the Ziploc strip to seal the contents within from wetness or to prevent leakage of liquid items placed inside the envelope. In addition, a pair of adhesive strips can be attached to the inside of the flap portion for providing a water tight sealable closure of the envelope and also for alerting the individual that the envelope has been tampered with should the individual determine that the adhesive strips have been sundered from their engagement to the envelope's front panel.

Description

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/051,689 filed on Jan. 22, 2002 and issued on Apr. 20, 2004 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,784 B2.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an envelope enclosure for storing or mailing important papers, and more particularly, it relates to a Ziploc™ style closure and a snap closure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional envelopes are provided with a moisture activated glue strip along the closure flap, with which to seal a mailing envelope closed. This type of envelope is typically discarded after a single use, as the adhesive does not permit repeated sealing of the same envelope. Also, the paper used in these envelopes is normally of a non-waterproof material, so that one cannot store or send wet or damp items in them without messy leakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a reclosable envelope with a waterproof liner, with an additional snap closure for the flap.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an envelope for repeat usage, which can be reclosed for multiple usages and for permanent storage.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an envelope with two means of closure for safekeeping of documents and for mailed items.

What is disclosed is a resealable waterproof mailing envelope comprising an expandable pouch open at one end, and a waterproof interior lining portion. A reclosable sealing means is provided adjacent an open end, which is integrally joined with the lining portion to form a liquid tight seal which retains liquid within said lining portion. Also included is a flap portion adjacent the open end, and a means for fastening the flap portion to securely close said flap portion over the sealing means adjacent the open end, to protect the contents therein, said fastening means also disengageable for removing said contents and refastenable for repetitive use. The reclosable sealing means comprises a Ziploc type arrangement having opposable polyethylene strips, one said strip having a resilient protruding longitudinal rib portion, and a second said strip facing said first strip having a longitudinal channel adapted to engage said rib portion retentively to form a seal along said open end. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening means is comprised of a circular protruding ring portion attached to said flap portion and a circular receptacle portion attached to the exterior of said envelope removably interlockable with said ring portion such that when said flap portion is disposed over said open end to face said envelope the ring portion aligns with the receptacle portion such that a slight force compresses them into engagement providing additional stability and protection for said sealing means. To further enhance the reclosable sealing means, and to guarantee that the envelope has not been tampered with, at least two adhesive strips are attached to the face of the flap portion, and on opposite sides of the protruding ring portion, for engaging with and making a water tight sealable closure to the front panel of the envelope.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the resealable waterproof mailing envelope with one side facing up, in the open position;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the flap in the closed position and the Ziploc strip sealed in the closed position;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the resealable waterproof mailing envelope; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the resealable waterproof mailing envelope illustrating a pair of adhesive strips attached to the face of the flap portion for providing a water tight sealable closure of the flap portion over the open end and against the envelope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a resealable water tight mailing envelope is generally designated as 10. A first front panel 12 includes side edge creases 18A and 18B that form two perimeter edges for the front portion defined by panel 12; and a third perimeter edge 18C is formed and attached to a back panel 30. The back panel 30 is also defined by perimeter edges 18A, 18B, and 18C. At the end of envelope 10 opposite perimeter edge 18C, a rear panel flap 22 is formed from an extension of back panel 30 adjacent an open edge 24 of envelope 10. Mounted on the inner face of rear panel flap 22 is a protruding ring portion 26. Protruding ring portion 26 cooperates to connect to a receptacle portion 28 mounted on the exterior face of envelope 10, comprised of the front panel 12. When rear panel flap 22 is folded along open edge 24, protruding ring portion 26 aligns with receptacle portion 28 and when pressed together such as by a person's thumb or fingers, engage each other retentively, securing the flap 22 in position over the open edge 24.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1 illustrates the gap 31 formed between front panel 12 and back panel 30. A liner comprised of front panel 32 and rear panel 34 is attached to the interior portions of front panel 12 and rear panel 30. Said liner portions 32, 34 are continuous along liner bottom fold 36, to form a unitary waterproof barrier to the inner sides of front panel 12 and back panel 30. Said liner panels 32, 34 are joined continuously at Ziploc seal strips 44, 42.

Adjacent to open edge 24, a Ziploc seal arrangement is provided. Ziploc seal strip 40 is comprised of opposing strips 42, 44. Strip 42 contains a longitudinal spline 43. Opposing strip 44 contains slot 45, into which spline 43 is removably engaged. Spline 43 and slot 45 are comprised of resilient waterproof material such as plastic, polyethylene, rubber or similar material. When pressed together, spline 43 and slot 45 cooperate to retain strips 44, 42 in a closed, sealed strip along the entire longitudinal edge adjacent edge 24. This reclosable sealed strip can later be opened by pulling spline 43 and slot 45 apart in order to remove contents from within the pouch shown as gap 31.

The flap portion 22 may be folded over edge 24 and seal strip 40, and the front panel portion 12. Thus protruding ring portion 26 is aligned with receptacle portion 28 to form a releasable snap which when engaged operates to retain flap portion 22 folded over edge 24 while being mailed or stored. This folded flap arrangement offers additional protection to the seal strip 40, thereby preventing accidental opening of the sealed strip and also reinforcing the closure of envelope 10.

Due to the reclosable and resealable nature of the envelope, it is intended that the recipient of the envelope reuse the envelope either for storage or mailing. Waterproof liner 32, 34, makes the envelope ideal for mailing damp or wet items. The moisture is sealed within thus preventing the release of liquid contents. Conversely, the water repellent liner 32, 34 keeps exterior wetness away from the contents sealed within the envelope.

As shown in FIG. 5, the water tight mailing envelope 10 can also include a pair of adhesive strips 46 secured to the inside face of the flap portion 22 with each strip 46 positioned on either side of the protruding ring portion 26. The adhesive strips 46 further enhance the water tight sealable closure of the flap portion 22 over the open edge 24 of the front panel 12 by contacting and adhering to the front panel 12 and also complement the engagement of the protruding ring portion 26 to the receptacle portion 28 for sealing the envelope 10. In addition, the adhesive strips 46 provide a security arrangement in that if the adhesive strips 46 have been sundered from their contact and adhesion to the front panel 12, the individual is alerted to the fact that the envelope 10, and the contents stored therein, has been tampered with.

According in the provisions of patent statutes, I have explained the principle preferred construction and mode of operation of my invention, and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiments. However, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention might be practiced otherwise and as specifically illustrated and described.

Claims

1. A resealable waterproof mailing envelope comprising:

(A) an envelope forming an expandable pouch open at one end, said envelope having an inner wall;

(B) an interior lining portion comprised of waterproof material, said lining portion attached to said inner wall of said envelope;

C a reclosable sealing means adjacent said open end, integrally joined with said lining portion to form a liquid tight seal which retains liquid within said lining portion;

(D) said reclosable sealing means comprises an arrangement having a pair of opposable strips, a first strip having a resilient protruding longitudinal rib portion, and a second strip facing said first strip having a longitudinal channel adapted to engage said rib portion retentively to form a seal along said open end;

(E) a flap portion adjacent said open end;

(F) a means for fastening said flap portion to securely close said flap portion over the sealing means adjacent said open end, to protect the contents therein, said fastening means also disengageable for removing said contents and refastenable for repetitive use;

(G) said fastening means being comprised of a circular protruding ring portion attached to said flap portion and a circular receptacle portion attached to the exterior of said envelope removably interlockable with said ring portion such that when the said flap portion is disposed over said open end to face said envelope, the ring portion aligns with the receptacle portion such that a slight force compresses them into engagement providing additional stability and protection for said sealing means.

2. The resealable waterproof mailing envelope of claim 1 wherein said opposable strips are comprised of a material selected from one of the following: polyethylene, plastic or rubber.

3. A resealable waterproof mailing envelope comprising:

(A) an envelope forming an expandable pouch open at one end, said envelope having an inner wall;

(B) an interior lining portion comprised of waterproof material, said lining portion attached to said inner wall of said envelope;

(C) a reclosable sealing means adjacent said open end, integrally joined with said lining portion to form a liquid tight seal which retains liquid within said lining portion;

(D) said reclosable sealing means comprises an arrangement having a pair of opposable strips, a first strip having a resilient protruding longitudinal rib portion, and a second strip facing said first strip having a longitudinal channel adapted to engage said rib portion retentively to form a seal along said open end;

(E) a flap portion adjacent said open end;

(F) a means for fastening said flap portion to securely close said flap portion over said sealing means adjacent said open end, to protect the contents therein, said fastening means also disengageable for removing said contents and refastenable for repetitive use;

(G) said fastening means being comprised of a circular protruding ring portion attached to said flap portion and a circular receptacle portion attached to the exterior of said envelope removably interlockable with said ring portion such that when the said flap portion is disposed over said open end to face said envelope, said ring portion aligns with said receptacle portion such that a slight force compresses them into engagement providing additional stability and protection for said sealing means; and

(H) a pair of adhesive strips mounted to said flap portion with said adhesive strips disposed on either side of said protruding ring portion whereupon folding said flap portion over said open end of said envelope brings said adhesive strips into engagement and water tight sealable closure against said exterior surface of said envelope thereby closing said flap portion over said sealing means so that if said adhesive strips are sundered from said exterior surface of said envelope the contents held therein have been likely been tampered with.

4. The resealable waterproof mailing envelope of claim 3 wherein said opposable strips are comprised of a material selected from one of the following: polyethylene, plastic or rubber.

5. A resealable waterproof mailing envelope, comprising:

(A) an envelope forming an expandable pouch open at one end, said envelope having an inner wall;

(B) an interior lining portion comprised of a waterproof material, said lining portion attached to said inner wall of said envelope;

(C) a reclosable sealing means adjacent said open end, integrally joined with said lining portion to form a liquid seal which retains liquid within said lining portion;

(D) said reclosable sealing means comprises an arrangement having a pair of opposable strips, a first strip having a resilient protruding longitudinal rib portion, and a second strip facing said first strip having a longitudinal channel adapted to engage said rib portion retentively to form a seal along said open end;

(E) a flap portion adjacent said open end;

(F) a pair of adhesive strips mounted to said flap portion with said adhesive strips disposed on either side of said protruding ring portion whereupon folding said flap portion over said open end and against said envelope brings said adhesive strips into water tight sealable engagement with said envelope for sealably closing said envelope and protecting said contents held therein; and

(G) whereupon if said adhesive strips have been sundered from their engagement to said envelope the individual is made aware that said envelope has been tampered with.

6. The resealable waterproof mailing envelope of claim 5 wherein said opposable strips are comprised of a material selected from one of the following: polyethylene, plastic or rubber.