Envelope with multiple pockets
An envelope includes a rear panel and a front panel with a closure flap. The front and rear panels are connected by an expandable sidewalls formed by joining end flaps of the front and rear panel. The sidewalls have an intermediate line of weakness that allows bending and expansion. A liner is secured to the rear panel and forms a relatively small pocket and a relatively large pocket within the envelope. An additional pocket or receptacle is joined to the rear panel. The envelope is especially suited for receiving photographic film or digital storage means when delivered to the retailer for processing and for returning photographic prints, negatives and/or digital media to the consumer.
The present invention is directed to an expandable envelope having multiple, variously sized compartments to present the customer properly-sized compartments for receiving various photographic storage means, such as conventional film, disks, or memory modules for deposing the storage means and for returning the negatives to the customer.
Recently, many major technological breakthroughs in consumer electronics have really built around the same basic process: converting conventional analog information into digital information. The digital camera is an example of this shift. All digital cameras have a built-in computer and record images in an entirely electronic form.
Early generations of digital cameras had fixed storage inside the camera. You needed to connect the camera directly to a computer by cables to transfer the images. Although most of today's cameras are still capable of connection to a computer, they usually provide the consumer with some sort of removable storage device. There are a number of storage systems currently used in digital cameras, such as: SmartMedia Cards, which are small flash memory modules; CompactFlash, another form of a flash memory card, similar to but slightly larger than SmartMedia cards; Memory Stick, a proprietary form of flash memory used by Sony, or a disk, which are small built-in hard disks, or PCMCIA hard-disk cards, for image storage. Finally, some of digital cameras are using writeable CD and DVD drives to store images.
The present photographic-development envelopes for receiving and separate work pockets for returning film and negatives are generally unsuited for the new digital format. The compartment for the envelopes are too large for either the disk or flash memory modules. This is undesirable because during handling the disks and cards tend to float within the envelope, which may impair the stored images. For example, the disk surface may get scratched due to excessive movement within the envelope. This is especially true if the consumer includes more than one form of film, i.e., when the consumer includes both a disk storage device and a film canister in the same compartment.
In addition to not being designed for memory modules and disks, another concern for the photographic industry is the numerous envelopes used in order to complete one process request. A “counter bag” is commonly used for holding the film or photographic negatives of a customer. These counter bags were typically envelopes or pockets having a space for customer-identification information and a tear-off strip with indicia that identifies the customer's envelope. These envelopes are provided by the retail store and either a clerk or the customer completes the customer-identification section for processing.
The counter bag is then inserted in a separate envelope referred to as a “print pocket” or “work pocket.” The work pocket is designed to carry the counter bags with the film, negatives, memory stick, prints, or other from the retailer to the processing laboratory. The work pocket includes information such as the customer's requested processes, size and number of prints, disk or other options. The work pocket further includes a pocket-identification number, a claim check, which includes the same pocket-identification number, the retail store information, and the customer information. The work pocket is forwarded to a photo-finishing laboratory. The work pocket accompanies the customer's film or other work through the finishing process. Upon completion, the negatives, memory module or other storage means is placed in a negative pocket, which is inserted into a photo wallet along with the prints and/or disk. The photo wallet is placed back into the work pocket and returned to the retailer. The customer then picks up the work pocket with the other envelopes inserted therein. As is evident, this process requires numerous envelopes or pockets.
Even retailers that provide in-house photo processing may provide counter pockets of different sizes or shapes depending on whether the customer is depositing film, negatives, prints or memory modules. Upon completion of the processing, the retailer inserts the negatives, memory module or other storage means in a negative pocket, which is inserted into a photo wallet along with the prints and/or disk. The photo wallet is placed back into the original counter pocket and returned to the customer.
Consequently, it is desirable to have an envelope that is suitable for the photographic business and, in particular, a single envelope for receiving and returning photographic images stored on any of various storage means, the underlining negatives, and in the case of digital storage means, storage device itself to a customer in a single envelope.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn envelope includes a front panel and a rear panel connected at the bottom thereof so as to form an enclosure. An expandable end wall is formed by extensions of the front and rear panels on either side thereof. The expandable end walls are formed by a double folded flap forming inner and outer portions joined to the back panel and a flap joined to the front panel which allow folding inward of the end wall relative to the remainder of the envelope. In particular, the end wall is formed by joining the outer portion of the rear wall flap to the front wall flap. The envelope thus defines a first pocket.
A liner is secured to the rear panel. The liner is secured by areas of adhesive and at the areas of nonadhesive define a second comparatively smaller pocket and a third larger pocket.
A hinged back pocket is joined to the rear panel at a line of weakness. The hinged back pocket is configured to hang on the exterior surface of the rear panel and the receptacle defines a fourth pocket.
The envelope further includes a cover panel which is attached to the front panel and which extends over the top of the envelope to enclose the small and large pockets from the top.
The envelope is especially useful for depositing, storing and transporting photographs, memory modules, storage disks and negatives.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
The reference numeral 1 generally designates an envelope in accordance with the present invention. A cut envelope blank 3 is illustrated in
With reference to
The envelope 1, as seen in
The rear panel 10 and front panel 11 are generally rectangular in shape and are relatively parallel to one another when the envelope is completed such as is shown in
The closure flap 12 is attached to the upper side of the front panel 11. The closure flap includes a top section 21 and a front cover section 22. The top section 21 is connected to the front panel 11 at a line of weakness 24. The top section 21 and cover section 22 are likewise connected at a line of weakness 25. There is also a center line of weakness 26 in the top section 21 that runs parallel to the lines of weakness 24 and 25. The lines of weakness 24, 25 and 26 allow folding therealong so that the closure flap 12 may be folded from an open configuration thereof to a closed configuration along any of the lines of weakness. Lines of weakness 25 and 26 likewise allows folding of the top section 21 so as to be folded further relative to the cover section 22 to enable the closure flap to be moved into the closed configuration when the envelope is in an expanded mode, e.g., full of developed prints. As shown in the Figures, lines of weakness 24, 25, and 26 preferably are fold lines.
Cover section 22 preferably includes one or more areas 27 of a releasable adhesive on n inner surface of cover section 22. The adhesive areas 27 enable a consumer to seal the deposit envelope to insure that the contents are secure. The outer surface of cover section 22 of the closure flap preferably is provided with customer identification blanks for the customer to write in when depositing the envelope with the retailer.
As shown in
Extending laterally outward from each side of the front panel 11 when the envelope is still in the blank 3 form, are a pair of side flaps 29 and 30 (
The side flap 30 is likewise joined along one side thereof to the front panel 11 at a line of weakness 35 and has a second line of weakness 36 parallel to the first line of weakness 35 and which separates the side flap 30 into a first or inner segment 37 and a second or outer segment 38. As with the other lines of weakness described herein the lines 35 and 36 allow and facilitate relative folding of adjacent elements separated by the lines of weakness. Lines of weakness 35 and 36 preferably are fold lines.
As shown in
As best can be seen in
A first pocket 47 is thus formed between the rear panel 10, the front panel 11, the sidewalls 45 and 46 and the bottom strip 15. The first pocket 47 is generally completed by placing the closure flap 12 in the closed configuration thereof.
A multiple pocket-forming intermediate liner 51 is attached to the rear panel 10 and extends substantially between opposite sides of this panel and from the top edge of the rear panel 10 to line of weakness 16. The liner 51 defines on the rear panel of the envelope a first comparatively small compartment 53 and another comparatively large compartment 55. The liner 51, as can be seen in
As used herein any directional connotations refer to the envelope as aligned in
The rear panel 10 is formed with a pair of cutouts 65, 66 to facilitate the insertion of cards or disks in or the removal of cards or disks from the second and third pockets, 53, 55. Particularly, a first cutout 65 is formed near the upper left-hand corner of the rear panel 10, as is seen in
As shown in
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- a rear section 71 and a front cover section 72. The rear section 71 is connected to the rear panel 11 at a line of weakness 74. The rear section 71 and cover section 72 are likewise connected at a line of weakness 75. The line of weakness 75 allows folding therealong so that the front cover section 72 may be folded to face rear section 71. The rear panel 10 and front panel 11 are generally rectangular in shape and are relatively parallel to one another when the envelope is completed such as is shown in
FIG. 1 . The hinged back pocket 13 is preferable sized such that both the rear section 71 and the front cover section 72 are smaller in height than the front and rear panel, 10, 11, respectively.
- a rear section 71 and a front cover section 72. The rear section 71 is connected to the rear panel 11 at a line of weakness 74. The rear section 71 and cover section 72 are likewise connected at a line of weakness 75. The line of weakness 75 allows folding therealong so that the front cover section 72 may be folded to face rear section 71. The rear panel 10 and front panel 11 are generally rectangular in shape and are relatively parallel to one another when the envelope is completed such as is shown in
Extending laterally outward from each side of the rear section 71 of the hinged back pocket 13 are a pair of side flaps 76 and 78 (
As best can be seen in
As discussed with rear panel 11, rear section 71 of the hinged back pocket 13 is formed with cutouts 65, 66 to facilitate the insertion of cards or disks in or the removal of cards or disks from the second and third pockets, 53, 55. Particularly, first cutout 65 is formed near the upper left-hand corner of the rear section 71, as is seen in
During use of the envelope 1, the envelope 1 is configured as in
In this fashion, the envelope 1 of the present invention operates as a counter bag.
Upon receiving the prints, film, memory cards and/or compact disk, the photo-finishing developer processes the requests and inserts the prints in the first pocket 47, returns the flash memory module, if provided, in the second pocket 53, inserts the disk, if provided, in the third pocket 55, and places any negatives in the fourth pocket 79. The developer then reseals the adhesive areas 27 on the rear panel and returns the packet to the retailer, who, in turn, returns the envelope of the present invention to the customer. In this fashion, the envelope 1 of the present invention operates as a work bag.
It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.
Claims
1. An envelope comprising:
- a) a front panel;
- b) a rear panel connected to the front panel along bottom edges thereof;
- c) first and second expandable side panels connecting said front and rear panels along opposite sides thereof;
- d) an intermediate liner secured to at least a portion of an inner surface of the rear panel to form at least one pocket therebetween; and
- e) a receptacle secured to the rear panel and extending generally forward thereof as the envelope is presented in a folded condition.
2. The envelope according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate liner defines two pockets on said rear panel, each of said two pockets being operably sized and configured to hold one of a memory module and a storage disk.
3. The envelope according to claim 1 wherein each of said expandable side panels are constructed by joining a rear side flap extending from the rear panel with a front side flap extending from said front panel; for each side panel a first of said front side flap and said rear side flap including an inner section and an outer section joined by a folding line of weakness and the second of said front side flap and said rear side flap being fixedly joined to said outer section, being positioned inwardly of said line of weakness relative to said envelope, and including a backing strip extending on both sides of said line of weakness so that said expandable side panels are urged to fold inwardly with respect to the envelope when said front and rear panels are urged toward one another and said expandable side panels are restricted from folding outwardly by said backing strips.
4. The envelope according to claim 1 wherein said rear panel includes at least one cutout at the top thereof, said cutout being aligned with the at least one pocket to allow ease of use thereof.
5. The envelope according to claim 1 wherein said front and rear panels are connected along the bottom edges thereof by an expandable bottom strip cooperating with said first and second expandable sides and said intermediate expandable strip to allow expansion of said envelope during usage.
6. The envelope according to claim 1 further comprising a closure flap joined to said front panel for closing said envelope.
7. An envelope comprising:
- a) a rear panel having an inner surface;
- b) a front panel connected to the rear panel along bottom edges thereof;
- c) first and second side panels connecting said front and rear panels along opposite sides thereof, said front panel, rear panel and first and second side panels defining a first pocket therebetween;
- d) a liner secured to the inner surface of the rear panel, the liner being selectively secured to the rear panel to define a second pocket and a third pocket between the liner and the rear panel; and
- e) a closure flap joined to said front panel and having an open position allowing access to said first pocket, second pocket and third pocket and a closed position covering said first pocket, second pocket and third pocket.
8. The envelope according to claim 6 wherein:
- a) said front and rear panels are connected by expandable side and bottom strips and said intermediate strip is expandable so as to allow expansion of said envelope during usage.
9. The envelope according to claim 6 further comprising a back pocket pivotally joined to the rear panel of the envelope such that the back pocket hangs on the exterior side of the rear panel upon the assembly of the envelope.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 11, 2004
Publication Date: Aug 11, 2005
Inventor: Richard Kranz (Leawood, KS)
Application Number: 10/776,722