GB2168681A - Letter-card and envelope - Google Patents

Abstract

An envelope for a letter consists of a rectangular sheet of paper, preferably of the size DIN A4. The sheet has a lengthwise fold line (12) in its lengthwise central axis extending over its entire length, and, running transverse thereto, a first transverse fold line (13) at or in the region of one-quarter of its length and a second transverse fold line (14) at or in the region of three-quarters of its length, both transverse fold lines extending over the entire width of the sheet. An over-flap (17) extends along one long side, and, in the middle of this side and between the two transverse fold lines, the over-flap is provided with adhesive on its reverse side. The front side of the sheet is provided with coloured printed matter (A, A1, B1, C, C1) in the regions between the fold lines (12, 13, 14) and a central surface is formed as an address field (B). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Envelopes The invention relates to letter envelopes.

Existing envelopes for letters are so formed that they have a structure consisting of paper, closed except for the insertion opening, into which structure a letter is inserted. The envelope is then closed by means of a gummed over-flap disposed on the envelope. Existing envelopes, with a letter placed within, thus comprising two items, which have a corresponding weight. Even if this weight only amounts to a few grammes, this can still be of financial significance in the case of air mail letters.

In the case of existing envelopes, there are surfacess not written on or printed over, except if necessary for an address field. Thus a usable surface goes to waste.

The present invention stems from the problem of producing an envelope whose outer and inner surfaces are usable.

In order to solve this problem it is proposed, in the case of an envelope according to the invention, that a rectangular sheet of paper, preferably of the size DIN A4, has in its longitudinal central axis a lengthwise fold line extending over its total length, and has, running transverse thereto at or in the region of one-quarter of its length, a first transverse fold line, and at or in the region of three quarters of its length, a second transverse fold line, both transverse fold lines extending over the full width of the sheet, further, an over-flap which is provided with an adhesive on its reverse side, is disposed on one long side and in the middle of it, extending between the two transverse fold lines, the front side of the sheet is provided with coloured printed matter in the regions between the fold lines, and a central surface or area is formed as an address field.The reverse side of the sheet may be provided with lines for writing.

By means of the solution according to the invention, the envelope has such a layout of area that both sides of the sheet from which it is folded together are used. Thus, the one outer side in which the address field is also disposed is provided with printed matter in the remaining areas bounded by the fold lines and the outer perimeter, the printed matter alluding in particular to the place from which the letter envelope has been despatched.

Thus pictures, especially coloured pictures, are preferably present, which represent typical pictures of town or landscape, i.e. memorials or places or special features which draw attention to the place or province. The outer surface, with its total of six areas, bounded by the fold lines and the perimeter line, has accordingly a central area which serves as address field, while the other areas are provided with symbols, the significance of which is not determined by the space pattern or area layout.

The reverse, or inner side, of the envelope is provided with lines for writing and serves as writing paper, for writing a letter. The lines for writing may run not only in the lengthwise direction of the sheet, but also in the transverse direction of the sheet. Their presence is likewise not determined by the space pattern or area layout, as it is possible to omit these lines for writing. In many cases it is expedient that no lines for writing are present.

The solution according to the invention makes it possible for the printed fields or panels to be at a spacing from the fold lines and/or the edge. This applies in particular to the two large central panels, of which the address panel or field is printed with lines for the address and the other panel or field is printed with, for example, the picture of a landscape. The remaining space or area, between the printed panel and the fold lines and/or the outer boundary of the sheet, which area is like a frame, may then be provided with such a colour as to refer to the national flag. Thus for the Federal Republic of Germany, it is black, red and gold, while for Ireland the colours green, white and orange are provided. This colour sub-division is present in particular on the inner side of the flap or tongue.

In a further arrangement according to the invention it is proposed that the two ends of the over-flap adjoin the transverse fold lines.

In that way, an envelope closed on all sides is arrived at, which by means of its folding, protects the inner side of the page-which is capable of being written on or which is written on-from external influences, even from dampness. This is then achieved, in particular so far as, in a further arrangement according to the invention, the sheet is turned over, in the same direction, about the two transverse fold lines and the double sheet thus formed is turned over about the lengthwise or longitudinal fold line and the four page-layers thus formed are held together by the over-flap whose gummed side engages the long side of the sheet, which is opposite it.Thus it follows that the longitudinally extending lower edge is closed, the longitudinally extending upper edge is closed by means of the over-flap and the two transversely extending edges are admittedly open but the inwardly turned parts of the sheet cover up the letter face, or have inwardly directed writing panels, so that a sufficient protection exists.

The invention is described by way of example in the drawings.

Figure 1 shows the front side of a notfolded envelope, Figure 2 shows the reverse side of the notfolded envelope of Fig. 1, Figure 3 shows the front side of a modified envelope, Figure 4 shows the front side of a partly turned-over envelope, Figure 5 shows the envelope of Fig. 4 further partly turned-over, in a view from the front, and Figure 6 shows the closed envelope in a view from behind.

Fig. 1 shows the unfolded envelope 10, consisting of the rectangular sheet 11 of paper, preferably of the side DIN A4. In the central lengthwise axis, there is a lengthwise fold line 12, extending over the total length, on which the sheet is folded, as will be further explained later.

This fold line may be obtained by means of a line of weakness. But it may also be obtained, as is shown in Fig. 2, by means of a perforation.

Transverse to the lengthwise fold line 12, at or in the region of, 4 of its length, there is a first transverse fold line 13. At or in the region of 9 of its length, there is a second transverse fold line 14. Both transverse fold lines 13 and 14 extend over the total width of the sheet.

From Fig. 1 it is evident that, with an assumed length of the page of 28 cm, proceeding from the transversely extending edge 15, th first transverse perforation 13 has a spacing of 7 cm from that edge and the second transverse perforation 14 a spacing of 21 cm from it, so that over the length of the sheet the panel areas or field regions A, B and C are produced, the panels or fields A and C having together a length which corresponds to the length of the panel or field B, or approximates to it. Below the longitudinal or lengthwise fold line, there are panels Al, B1 and C1, which are sub-divided in similar manner.

Bounding on the lower longitudinally-extending edge 16, there is an over-flap 17, with bevelled ends 18 and 18a. This over-flap, which is provided with a fold line 19, was obtained by punching-out the surface areas or regions 20 and 21 represented in dotted outline.

The surface areas A, B and C, Al, and C1 are provided with coloured prints or printed matter which refer(s) to the envelope's place of despatch, this being mostly the sender's place of abode. The panel B1 is the address panel or field. Pre-delineated is an area or region 22 in which the postage stamp is to be affixed, and an area or region 23 in which the address is to be entered.

The afore-mentioned panels or fields A, B and C, as well as Al, B1 and C1 have a spacing from the fold lines 12, 13 and 14 as well as from the boundary lines 15, 16 and 17, 18, and this forms a border. This border is capable of being turned out in colour. Thus the borders 24 and 25, which surround the central large spaces or areas B and B1, may be provided with colours which correspond to the national colours. The border 25 may also be provided with colours which refer to an air mail letter.

Fig. 2 shows the reverse side of the sheet represented in Fig. 1, on which there is a multiplicity of lines for writing 26, 26a, 26b etc. Departing from the representation in Fig.

2, these may also run in the direction of the long side of the page. They may also be ab sent.

Fig. 3 shows the front side of a modified, not-folded envelope, which is made in like manner as in Fig. 1, with the alteration how ever that the closing flap 17 is in the region neighbouring the region 22 in which the pos tage stamp is to be affixed. The illustrations represented in Fig. 1 are indicated in Fig. 3 in the form of cross-hatching because the space pattern or area layout of the envelope is not determined by the symbol content of the printed matter but by its spatial arrangement in the area or regions between fold lines and the boundary lines.

Fig. 4 shows that the regions A and Al are turned over along the transverse fold lines 13 and 14, and that the regions C, C1 are also turned down about the transverse fold line 14, in each case in like direction, so that the prints or printed matter show to the outside.

Thus a covering over of the inner writing sur face of the areas or regions B and B1 results, and also the written on reverse sides of the areas, A, Al and C, C1 lie inwards and are thus protected. Fig. 4 shows that the edges 15 and 15A have a certain slight separation.

The partitioning of the surface is so provided that this separation is insignificant. In any case, no overlapping is to occur. Subse quently, the doubled paper layer thus at first formed is turned over about the lengthwise fold line 12, as is to be seen from Fig. 5. The turning over takes place in such a manner that the latter face B1 lies outwardly. Thereupon the over-flap 17 is so turned over through 1800 that it grips over the long edge 26.

Then the side of the flap 17 provided with adhesive comes into effect so that the envel ope is closed.

Claims (5)

1. An envelope for a letter comprising a rectangular sheet of paper, preferably of the size DIN A4, having a lengthwise fold line in its lengthwise central axis extending over its entire length, and, running tranverse thereto, a first transverse fold line at or in the region of one-quarter of its length and a second transverse fold line at or in the region of three-quarters of its length, both transverse fold lines extending over the entire width of the sheet, further, an over-flap being disposed on one long side and in the middle of this side and extending between the two transverse fold lines, the over-flap being pro vided with an adhesive on its reverse side, the front side of the sheet being provided with coloured printed matter in the regions between the fold lines, and a central surface being formed as an address field.

2. An envelope according to claim 1, wherein the reverse side of the sheet is provided with lines for writing.

3. An envelope according to claim 1, wherein the two ends of the over-flap bound on the transverse fold lines.

4. An envelope according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sheet is turned over in like direction about the two transverse fold lines and the double sheet thus formed is turned over about the lengthwise fold line, and the page layers thus formed are held together by the over-flap whose gummed side engages the long side of the sheet, which lies opposite it.

5. An envelope substantially as described herein with reference to or as shown in Figs.

1 and 2 or Figs. 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.