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WO2003039982A1 - Envelope and sheet for reducing exposure of post-office personnel and recipients to pathogens - Google Patents

Envelope and sheet for reducing exposure of post-office personnel and recipients to pathogens Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003039982A1
WO2003039982A1 PCT/FR2002/003836 FR0203836W WO03039982A1 WO 2003039982 A1 WO2003039982 A1 WO 2003039982A1 FR 0203836 W FR0203836 W FR 0203836W WO 03039982 A1 WO03039982 A1 WO 03039982A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
envelope
sheet
walls
opening
document
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR2002/003836
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jean-Jacques Moinet
Original Assignee
Jean-Jacques Moinet
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from FR0114423A external-priority patent/FR2831872A1/en
Application filed by Jean-Jacques Moinet filed Critical Jean-Jacques Moinet
Publication of WO2003039982A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003039982A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D27/00—Envelopes or like essentially-rectangular flexible containers for postal or other purposes having no structural provision for thickness of contents
    • B65D27/12—Closures
    • B65D27/14—Closures using adhesive applied to integral parts, e.g. flaps
    • B65D27/18—Closures using adhesive applied to integral parts, e.g. flaps using heat-activatable adhesive
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D27/00—Envelopes or like essentially-rectangular flexible containers for postal or other purposes having no structural provision for thickness of contents
    • B65D27/04—Envelopes or like essentially-rectangular flexible containers for postal or other purposes having no structural provision for thickness of contents with apertures or windows for viewing contents

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the delivery of mail, in general.
  • people have been exposed to pathogens in envelopes sent by post.
  • the postal staff themselves may have been contaminated by handling the envelopes.
  • some individuals have sought to maintain the psychosis created by these attacks by introducing powdered substances into envelopes aimed at making their recipients believe in the presence of pathogens.
  • envelopes are sent to the scrap without even being opened, for fear of the presence of pathogens inside.
  • additional precautions had to be taken for handling the mail, which delays its delivery and can be a nuisance for postal staff.
  • the invention aims to reduce the risk of contamination, by pathogenic agents, of postal staff in the event of the presence in the mail of pathogenic agents in powder form.
  • the invention also aims to reduce the risk of contamination of the recipient of the mail.
  • the object of the invention is therefore, according to one of its aspects, a method of securely enveloping a document, comprising the following steps: - providing an envelope having two walls defining the faces of the envelope, the envelope being preferably of generally square or rectangular shape, having an opening along an edge, and at least one of said walls being transparent at least near an edge of the envelope,
  • the envelope can be sealed by heat sealing, for example.
  • the format of the envelope can be smaller than that of the document, the latter being able to be introduced inside the envelope after having been folded along at least one fold line.
  • the document may also comprise at least one sheet having at least one perforation arranged in such a way that, when the sheet is folded, a pulverulent substance present between the folds of the sheet can escape into the envelope through this perforation and thus become visible from the outside of the envelope.
  • Another subject of the invention is an assembly comprising at least one sheet of paper and an envelope, characterized in that: said envelope comprises two walls defining the faces of the envelope and preferably has a square or rectangular shape, with an opening along one of its edges, for the introduction of at least said sheet of paper, - at least one of said walls is transparent at least near one of the edges of the envelope, and by the fact that the format of the envelope is such that the sheet of paper can be introduced into the interior of the envelope only after folding along at least one fold line.
  • the sheet of paper can comprise at least one perforation arranged so as to allow, when the sheet is introduced in the folded state inside the envelope, to let escape into the envelope a pulverulent substance possibly contained between the folds of the sheet.
  • the sheet may have perforations near at least one of its corners and preferably perforations near at least two diametrically opposite corners of the sheet.
  • the sheet can be devoid of perforations extending all along its longitudinal edges, for example.
  • the paper can be 215.9 by 279.4 mm or 210 by 297 mm, for example.
  • the envelope may include at least one flap, preferably a heat-sealable flap.
  • the envelope can be entirely transparent, with the possible exception of an area allowing the writing or printing of elements necessary for the delivery of mail.
  • an envelope preferably of generally rectangular shape, characterized in that it has a standardized format, that is to say that it is of 312 dimensions by 441 mm, 156 by 441 mm, 220 by 312 mm, 115 by 312 mm, 156 by 220 mm, 110 by 200 mm, 110 by 156 mm, 78 by 100 mm, 262 by 371 mm, 131 by 371 mm, 185 by 262 mm, 131 by 185 mm, 92 by 131 mm, 62 by 92 mm, 104.8 by 241.3 mm, 162 by 229 mm, 114 by 162 mm or 98.4 by 190.5 mm.
  • At least one of the walls of the envelope may be transparent near at least one of the edges of the envelope.
  • Such an envelope may or may not be entirely transparent, and preferably it is capable of being sealed in a substantially hermetic manner.
  • an envelope preferably of generally rectangular or square shape, characterized in that it is made of a transparent plastic material, that it comprises only one opening allowing the introduction of a document into the envelope, and a flap associated with the envelope.
  • the opening for introducing the document can be closed by heat sealing.
  • the flap may possibly be coated with an adhesive ensuring its retention when it is folded down to seal the envelope, pending a possible heat sealing.
  • the envelope may include, where appropriate, means intended to increase the tightness of the closure when the envelope is closed by means of the flap without the latter being heat-sealed, such means consisting for example of forming folds when the flap is in place.
  • Figure 1 shows a front view of an example of an envelope
  • Figure 2 shows a front view of an example sheet of writing paper
  • Figure 3 is a section along III-III of Figure 1
  • Figure 4 is a section according to IN-IN of FIG. 1
  • - Figures 5 to 8 illustrate alternative embodiments.
  • Figure 1 schematically, an envelope 1 having two walls 2 and 3 defining the two faces of the envelope and between which can be introduced a document consisting for example of at least one sheet of stationery.
  • the envelope 1 has in the illustrated example a general shape, at least after closing, substantially square or rectangular.
  • the walls 2 and 3 are joined along three edges 4a, 4b and 4c, corresponding in the example illustrated to the two short sides of the envelope and to one of its long sides.
  • the walls 2 and 3 define before closing the envelope 1 an opening 5 on the side opposite the edge 4c, to allow the introduction for example of at least one sheet of paper in the envelope.
  • the opening 5 can be formed between offset edges 5a and 5b of the envelope, which makes it easier to introduce into the envelope 1 the document to be sent and to form, if necessary, a flap 6 which can be folded down. on the wall 3 when the envelope is closed.
  • the walls 2 and 3 of the envelope can be constituted, for example, by two films of a material impermeable with respect to pulverulent substances such as spores of bacteria, assembled along the edges 4a, 4b and 4c.
  • the walls 2 and 3 can also result from the folding of a film of such a material on itself, for example along the edge 4c as illustrated in FIG. 5, along an edge 4a or 4b as illustrated in FIG. 6, or by folding along the edges 4a and 4b of a film of tubular section, as illustrated in FIG. 7.
  • the film or films in question can be assembled in various ways, and in particular by heat-sealing in the case where the film or films used are heat-weldable, the heat being provided by conduction or by radiation.
  • the film or films can also be assembled by gluing, in particular by means of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or an adhesive deposited on the films just before assembly.
  • the film or films used can also be at least partially metallized.
  • At least one of the walls 2 and 3 is at least partially transparent, for example from one of the edges of the envelope, so as to make the presence inside visually detectable.
  • the envelope of a pulverulent substance even if it means shaking the envelope beforehand to bring this pulverulent substance to the level of the transparent part of the envelope.
  • the envelope 1 may include, on one of its faces, an opaque zone 9 allowing the writing or printing of information useful for the delivery of mail, for example the address of the recipient.
  • the presence of the opaque zone 9 can be achieved by bonding a label or by printing the wall 3 with, for example, white ink.
  • the particulars necessary for the routing of the mail such as for example the address of the recipient, may appear on the document placed in the envelope.
  • the envelope 1 can be produced with each of its walls 2, 3 at least partially transparent, for example entirely transparent, or with only one of its walls 2, 3 transparent, the other wall being for example made up of a opaque material, for example of dark color on at least its face directed towards the inside of the envelope, in order to bring out more easily, if necessary, the presence in the envelope of a pulverulent substance of light color.
  • the envelope can be made of different materials, for example a plastic material such as polyethylene or multilayer complexes intended for example to allow the assembly of the edges by heat sealing.
  • At least one of the walls 2 and 3 can, if necessary, be made of a paper sufficiently dense to prevent the passage through it of a pulverulent substance, for example the spores of the anthrax bacteria, the paper used can also, for example, be laminated with a film of thermoplastic material.
  • the sheet or sheets of paper which can be placed in the at least partially transparent envelope which has just been described comprise perforations.
  • FIG. 2 shows a sheet of paper 7, of conventional format 215.9 by 279.4 mm or 210 by 297 mm, comprising in two corners 7a and 7b diametrically opposite sets of perforations 10 , the latter each having a diameter sufficient to allow the passage of a pulverulent substance through, for example a section equivalent at least to a circle of one millimeter in diameter.
  • Each set can include at least ten perforations 10, for example.
  • the sheet 7 can be folded along fold lines 1a and 11b before being introduced into the envelope 1, in a conventional manner.
  • the fold lines 1 a and 1 lb can be, if necessary, materialized on the sheet 7 by a tracing on the back side.
  • the perforations 10 allow a pulverulent substance introduced between the folds of the sheet 7 to escape, even if the edges of the sheet are bonded, so that the substance can be detected visually by examining the envelope.
  • the assembly constituted by the envelope 1 and the sheet 7 can be used in the following manner.
  • the envelope is sealed along this opening, after having put in place the flap 6.
  • the opening 5 is sealed, for example by heat sealing, by applying heat and pressure along the flap 6.
  • the opening 5 is closed by applying a sufficiently strong pressure along the flap 6.
  • the envelope can still be sealed by the ⁇ nosoudage, by means of a adhesive or by applying pressure. It will preferably be sought that the closure of the envelope is sufficiently hermetic so that a pulverulent substance contained inside of it cannot escape once the envelope is closed.
  • the envelope may have a shape other than rectangular.
  • the sheet 7 may also include, on the back side, a marking making it possible to position a label on the envelope, so as to comply with postal standards.
  • the perforations 10 could be made elsewhere than in corners of the sheet.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for secure sealing of a document, comprising the following steps: providing an envelope with two walls defining the surfaces of the envelope, the latter being globally square or rectangular, having an opening (5) along one edge, and one at least of said walls being transparent at least proximate to an edge (4b; 5a) of the envelope; placing through said opening said document into the envelope; sealing said opening, such that a powdery substance possibly introduced into the envelope cannot escape therefrom, the envelope walls being sufficiently non-porous so that said substance cannot escape from said envelope by passing through it.

Description

Enveloppe et feuille visant à diminuer les risques d'exposition du personnel des postes et du destinataire à des agents pathogènes La présente invention concerne l'acheminement du courrier, en général. Ces derniers temps, des personnes ont été exposées à des agents pathogènes contenus dans des enveloppes acheminées par voie postale. Le personnel des postes lui- même a pu être contaminé par la manipulation des enveloppes. De plus, certains individus ont cherché à entretenir la psychose créée par ces attentats en introduisant dans des enveloppes des substances pulvérulentes visant à faire croire à leurs destinataires à la présence d'agents pathogènes. Actuellement, des enveloppes sont envoyées au rebut sans même être ouvertes, par crainte de la présence d'agents pathogènes à l'intérieur. De plus, des précautions supplémentaires ont dû être prises pour la manipulation du courrier, ce qui retarde son acheminement et peut constituer une gêne pour le personnel des postes. The present invention relates to the delivery of mail, in general. In recent times, people have been exposed to pathogens in envelopes sent by post. The postal staff themselves may have been contaminated by handling the envelopes. In addition, some individuals have sought to maintain the psychosis created by these attacks by introducing powdered substances into envelopes aimed at making their recipients believe in the presence of pathogens. Currently, envelopes are sent to the scrap without even being opened, for fear of the presence of pathogens inside. In addition, additional precautions had to be taken for handling the mail, which delays its delivery and can be a nuisance for postal staff.
L'invention vise à réduire le risque de contamination, par des agents pathogènes, du personnel des postes en cas de présence dans le courrier d'agents pathogènes se présentant sous forme pulvérulente. L'invention vise également à réduire le risque de contamination du destinataire du courrier.The invention aims to reduce the risk of contamination, by pathogenic agents, of postal staff in the event of the presence in the mail of pathogenic agents in powder form. The invention also aims to reduce the risk of contamination of the recipient of the mail.
L'invention a ainsi pour objet, selon un de ses aspects, un procédé de mise sous pli sécurisée d'un document, comportant les étapes suivantes : - fournir une enveloppe ayant deux parois définissant les faces de l'enveloppe, l'enveloppe étant de préférence de forme générale carrée ou rectangulaire, ayant une ouverture le long d'un bord, et l'une au moins desdites parois étant transparente au moins près d'un bord de l'enveloppe,The object of the invention is therefore, according to one of its aspects, a method of securely enveloping a document, comprising the following steps: - providing an envelope having two walls defining the faces of the envelope, the envelope being preferably of generally square or rectangular shape, having an opening along an edge, and at least one of said walls being transparent at least near an edge of the envelope,
- mettre en place par ladite ouverture le document dans l'enveloppe, - sceller ladite ouverture, de telle sorte qu'une substance pulvérulente éventuellement introduite à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe ne puisse pas s'échapper de celle-ci, les parois de l'enveloppe étant suffisamment non poreuses pour que ladite substance pulvérulente ne puisse pas s'échapper de l'enveloppe en les traversant.- place the document in the envelope through said opening, - seal said opening, so that a pulverulent substance possibly introduced inside the envelope cannot escape from it, the walls of the envelope being sufficiently non-porous so that said pulverulent substance cannot escape from the envelope by passing through them.
Un tel procédé permet d'assurer au personnel des postes l'absence de risque de contamination.Such a process makes it possible to assure the staff of the stations the absence of risk of contamination.
Il permet également à un destinataire de ne pas avoir de crainte à l'égard du courrier reçu, en lui permettant de vérifier visuellement, grâce à la transparence de l'enveloppe, l'absence de substance pulvérulente à l'intérieur de celle-ci. L'enveloppe peut être scellée par thermosoudage, par exemple. Le format de l'enveloppe peut être inférieur à celui du document, ce dernier pouvant être introduit à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe après avoir été plié selon au moins une ligne de pliage.It also allows a recipient to have no fear of the mail received, allowing him to check visually, thanks to the transparency of the envelope, the absence of pulverulent substance inside of it. The envelope can be sealed by heat sealing, for example. The format of the envelope can be smaller than that of the document, the latter being able to be introduced inside the envelope after having been folded along at least one fold line.
Le document peut comporter en outre au moins une feuille ayant au moins une perforation disposée de telle manière que, la feuille étant pliée, une substance pulvérulente présente entre les plis de la feuille puisse s'échapper dans l'enveloppe par cette perforation et devenir ainsi visible depuis l'extérieur de l'enveloppe. L'invention a encore pour objet, selon un autre de ses aspects, un ensemble comportant au moins une feuille de papier et une enveloppe, caractérisé par le fait que : ladite enveloppe comporte deux parois définissant les faces de l'enveloppe et présente de préférence une forme carrée ou rectangulaire, avec une ouverture le long de l'un de ses bords, pour l'introduction au moins de ladite feuille de papier, - l'une au moins desdites parois est transparente au moins à proximité de l'un des bords de l'enveloppe, et par le fait que le format de l'enveloppe est tel que la feuille de papier ne puisse être introduite à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe qu'après pliage selon au moins une ligne de pliage. La feuille de papier peut comporter au moins une perforation disposée de manière à permettre, lorsque la feuille est introduite à l'état plié à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe, de laisser échapper dans l'enveloppe une substance pulvérulente éventuellement contenue entre les plis de la feuille. Ainsi, la substance pulvérulente peut être visible de l'extérieur de l'enveloppe, même en cas de collage des bordures de la feuille. La feuille peut comporter des perforations à proximité de l'un au moins de ses coins et de préférence des perforations à proximité d'au moins deux coins diamétralement opposés de la feuille. La feuille peut être dépourvue de perforations s'étendant tout le long de ses bords longitudinaux, par exemple.The document may also comprise at least one sheet having at least one perforation arranged in such a way that, when the sheet is folded, a pulverulent substance present between the folds of the sheet can escape into the envelope through this perforation and thus become visible from the outside of the envelope. Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, is an assembly comprising at least one sheet of paper and an envelope, characterized in that: said envelope comprises two walls defining the faces of the envelope and preferably has a square or rectangular shape, with an opening along one of its edges, for the introduction of at least said sheet of paper, - at least one of said walls is transparent at least near one of the edges of the envelope, and by the fact that the format of the envelope is such that the sheet of paper can be introduced into the interior of the envelope only after folding along at least one fold line. The sheet of paper can comprise at least one perforation arranged so as to allow, when the sheet is introduced in the folded state inside the envelope, to let escape into the envelope a pulverulent substance possibly contained between the folds of the sheet. Thus, the pulverulent substance can be visible from the outside of the envelope, even if the edges of the sheet are stuck. The sheet may have perforations near at least one of its corners and preferably perforations near at least two diametrically opposite corners of the sheet. The sheet can be devoid of perforations extending all along its longitudinal edges, for example.
Le papier peut être de format 215,9 par 279,4 mm ou 210 par 297 mm, par exemple.The paper can be 215.9 by 279.4 mm or 210 by 297 mm, for example.
L'enveloppe peut comporter au moins un rabat, de préférence un rabat thermosoudable. L'enveloppe peut être entièrement transparente, à l'exception éventuellement d'une zone permettant l'écriture ou l'impression d'éléments nécessaires à l'acheminement du courrier.The envelope may include at least one flap, preferably a heat-sealable flap. The envelope can be entirely transparent, with the possible exception of an area allowing the writing or printing of elements necessary for the delivery of mail.
L'invention a encore pour objet, selon un autre de ses aspects, une enveloppe de préférence de forme générale rectangulaire, caractérisée par le fait qu'elle présente un format normalisé, c'est-à-dire qu'elle est de dimensions 312 par 441 mm, 156 par 441 mm, 220 par 312 mm, 115 par 312 mm, 156 par 220 mm, 110 par 200 mm, 110 par 156 mm, 78 par 100 mm, 262 par 371 mm, 131 par 371 mm, 185 par 262 mm, 131 par 185 mm, 92 par 131 mm, 62 par 92 mm, 104,8 par 241,3 mm, 162 par 229 mm, 114 par 162 mm ou 98,4 par 190,5 mm. L'une au moins des parois de l'enveloppe peut être transparente à proximité au moins de l'un des bords de l'enveloppe. Une telle enveloppe peut être entièrement transparente ou non, et de préférence elle est apte à être scellée de manière sensiblement hermétique.Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, is an envelope preferably of generally rectangular shape, characterized in that it has a standardized format, that is to say that it is of 312 dimensions by 441 mm, 156 by 441 mm, 220 by 312 mm, 115 by 312 mm, 156 by 220 mm, 110 by 200 mm, 110 by 156 mm, 78 by 100 mm, 262 by 371 mm, 131 by 371 mm, 185 by 262 mm, 131 by 185 mm, 92 by 131 mm, 62 by 92 mm, 104.8 by 241.3 mm, 162 by 229 mm, 114 by 162 mm or 98.4 by 190.5 mm. At least one of the walls of the envelope may be transparent near at least one of the edges of the envelope. Such an envelope may or may not be entirely transparent, and preferably it is capable of being sealed in a substantially hermetic manner.
L'invention a encore pour objet, selon un autre de ses aspects, une enveloppe de préférence de forme générale rectangulaire ou carrée, caractérisée par le fait qu'elle est réalisée dans une matière plastique transparente, qu'elle ne comporte qu'une seule ouverture permettant l'introduction d'un document dans l'enveloppe, et un rabat associé à l'enveloppe. De préférence, l'ouverture d'introduction du document peut être fennée par thermosoudage. Le rabat peut éventuellement être revêtu d'un adhésif assurant son maintien lorsqu'il est rabattu pour femier l'enveloppe, dans l'attente d'un thermosoudage éventuel. L'enveloppe peut comporter, le cas échéant, des moyens visant à accroître l'étanchéité de la fermeture lorsque l'enveloppe est fermée au moyen du rabat sans que ce dernier ne soit thermosoudé, de tels moyens consistant par exemple à former des plis lorsque le rabat est mis en place. L'invention pourra être mieux comprise à la lecture de la description détaillée qui va suivre, d'exemples non limitatifs de mise en œuvre, et à l'examen du dessin annexé, qui fait partie intégrante de la description, et sur lequel : la figure 1 représente en vue de face un exemple d'enveloppe, - la figure 2 représente en vue de face un exemple de feuille de papier à lettres, la figure 3 est une section selon III-III de la figure 1 , la figure 4 est une section selon IN-IN de la figure 1, et - les figures 5 à 8 illustrent des variantes de réalisation. On a représenté sur la figure 1, de manière schématique, une enveloppe 1 comportant deux parois 2 et 3 définissant les deux faces de l'enveloppe et entre lesquelles peut être introduit un document constitué par exemple par au moins une feuille de papier à lettres. L'enveloppe 1 présente dans l'exemple illustré une forme générale, au moins après fermeture, sensiblement carrée ou rectangulaire. Les parois 2 et 3 sont réunies le long de trois bords 4a, 4b et 4c, correspondant dans l'exemple illustré aux deux petits côtés de l'enveloppe et à l'un de ses grands côtés. Les parois 2 et 3 définissent avant la fermeture de l'enveloppe 1 une ouverture 5 du côté opposé au bord 4c, pour permettre l'introduction par exemple d'au moins une feuille de papier dans l'enveloppe. L'ouverture 5 peut être formée entre des bords décalés 5a et 5b de l'enveloppe, ce qui permet de faciliter l'introduction dans l'enveloppe 1 du document à expédier et de former, le cas échéant, un rabat 6 pouvant être rabattu sur la paroi 3 lors de la fermeture de l'enveloppe.Another subject of the invention is, according to another of its aspects, an envelope preferably of generally rectangular or square shape, characterized in that it is made of a transparent plastic material, that it comprises only one opening allowing the introduction of a document into the envelope, and a flap associated with the envelope. Preferably, the opening for introducing the document can be closed by heat sealing. The flap may possibly be coated with an adhesive ensuring its retention when it is folded down to seal the envelope, pending a possible heat sealing. The envelope may include, where appropriate, means intended to increase the tightness of the closure when the envelope is closed by means of the flap without the latter being heat-sealed, such means consisting for example of forming folds when the flap is in place. The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, of nonlimiting examples of implementation, and on examining the appended drawing, which forms an integral part of the description, and in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of an example of an envelope, - Figure 2 shows a front view of an example sheet of writing paper, Figure 3 is a section along III-III of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a section according to IN-IN of FIG. 1, and - Figures 5 to 8 illustrate alternative embodiments. There is shown in Figure 1, schematically, an envelope 1 having two walls 2 and 3 defining the two faces of the envelope and between which can be introduced a document consisting for example of at least one sheet of stationery. The envelope 1 has in the illustrated example a general shape, at least after closing, substantially square or rectangular. The walls 2 and 3 are joined along three edges 4a, 4b and 4c, corresponding in the example illustrated to the two short sides of the envelope and to one of its long sides. The walls 2 and 3 define before closing the envelope 1 an opening 5 on the side opposite the edge 4c, to allow the introduction for example of at least one sheet of paper in the envelope. The opening 5 can be formed between offset edges 5a and 5b of the envelope, which makes it easier to introduce into the envelope 1 the document to be sent and to form, if necessary, a flap 6 which can be folded down. on the wall 3 when the envelope is closed.
Les parois 2 et 3 de l'enveloppe peuvent être constituées, par exemple, par deux films d'un matériau imperméable vis-à-vis des substances pulvérulentes telles que des spores de bactéries, assemblés le long des bords 4a, 4b et 4c. Les parois 2 et 3 peuvent également résulter du pliage d'un film d'un tel matériau sur lui-même, par exemple le long du bord 4c comme illustré sur la figure 5, le long d'un bord 4a ou 4b comme illustré sur la figure 6, ou par pliage le long des bords 4a et 4b d'un film de section tubulaire, comme illustré sur la figure 7.The walls 2 and 3 of the envelope can be constituted, for example, by two films of a material impermeable with respect to pulverulent substances such as spores of bacteria, assembled along the edges 4a, 4b and 4c. The walls 2 and 3 can also result from the folding of a film of such a material on itself, for example along the edge 4c as illustrated in FIG. 5, along an edge 4a or 4b as illustrated in FIG. 6, or by folding along the edges 4a and 4b of a film of tubular section, as illustrated in FIG. 7.
Le ou les films en question peuvent être assemblés de diverses manières, et notamment par thermosoudage dans le cas où le ou les films utilisés sont thermosoudables, la chaleur étant apportée par conduction ou par rayonnement. On peut également assembler le ou les films par collage, notamment au moyen d'un adhésif sensible à la pression ou d'un adhésif déposé sur les films juste avant l'assemblage. Le ou les films utilisés peuvent également être au moins partiellement métallisés.The film or films in question can be assembled in various ways, and in particular by heat-sealing in the case where the film or films used are heat-weldable, the heat being provided by conduction or by radiation. The film or films can also be assembled by gluing, in particular by means of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or an adhesive deposited on the films just before assembly. The film or films used can also be at least partially metallized.
On peut également, comme illustré sur la figure 8, prévoir un retour 8 sur l'une au moins des parois 2 et 3 au niveau de l'un au moins des bords assemblés, ce retour 8 étant assemblé par sa face dirigée vers l'autre paroi. Conformément à l'invention, l'une au moins des parois 2 et 3 est au moins partiellement transparente, par exemple à partir de l'un des bords de l'enveloppe, de manière à rendre détectable visuellement la présence à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe d'une substance pulvérulente, quitte à secouer au préalable l'enveloppe pour amener cette substance pulvérulente au niveau de la partie transparente de l'enveloppe.It is also possible, as illustrated in FIG. 8, to provide a return 8 on at least one of the walls 2 and 3 at the level of at least one of the assembled edges, this return 8 being assembled by its face directed towards the other wall. According to the invention, at least one of the walls 2 and 3 is at least partially transparent, for example from one of the edges of the envelope, so as to make the presence inside visually detectable. the envelope of a pulverulent substance, even if it means shaking the envelope beforehand to bring this pulverulent substance to the level of the transparent part of the envelope.
L'enveloppe 1 peut comporter, sur l'une de ses faces, une zone opaque 9 permettant l'inscription ou l'impression de mentions utiles à l'acheminement du courrier, par exemple l'adresse du destinataire. La présence de la zone opaque 9 peut être réalisée par collage d'une étiquette ou par impression de la paroi 3 avec par exemple une encre blanche. En variante, les mentions nécessaires à l'acheminement du courrier, telles que par exemple l'adresse du destinataire, peuvent figurer sur le document placé dans l'enveloppe. L'enveloppe 1 peut être réalisée avec chacune de ses parois 2, 3 au moins partiellement transparente, par exemple entièrement transparente, ou avec l'une seulement de ses parois 2, 3 transparentes, l'autre paroi étant par exemple constituée d'un matériau opaque, par exemple de couleur sombre sur au moins sa face dirigée vers l'intérieur de l'enveloppe, afin de faire ressortir plus facilement, le cas échéant, la présence dans l'enveloppe d'une substance pulvérulente de couleur claire. L'enveloppe peut être réalisée dans différents matériaux, par exemple une matière plastique telle que le polyéthylène ou des complexes multicouche destinés par exemple à permettre l'assemblage des bords par thermosoudage.The envelope 1 may include, on one of its faces, an opaque zone 9 allowing the writing or printing of information useful for the delivery of mail, for example the address of the recipient. The presence of the opaque zone 9 can be achieved by bonding a label or by printing the wall 3 with, for example, white ink. As a variant, the particulars necessary for the routing of the mail, such as for example the address of the recipient, may appear on the document placed in the envelope. The envelope 1 can be produced with each of its walls 2, 3 at least partially transparent, for example entirely transparent, or with only one of its walls 2, 3 transparent, the other wall being for example made up of a opaque material, for example of dark color on at least its face directed towards the inside of the envelope, in order to bring out more easily, if necessary, the presence in the envelope of a pulverulent substance of light color. The envelope can be made of different materials, for example a plastic material such as polyethylene or multilayer complexes intended for example to allow the assembly of the edges by heat sealing.
L'une au moins des parois 2 et 3 peut, le cas échéant, être réalisée dans un papier suffisamment dense pour empêcher le passage à travers lui d'une substance pulvérulente, par exemple les spores de la bactérie donnant la maladie du charbon, le papier utilisé pouvant aussi, par exemple, être laminé avec un film en matière thermoplastique.At least one of the walls 2 and 3 can, if necessary, be made of a paper sufficiently dense to prevent the passage through it of a pulverulent substance, for example the spores of the anthrax bacteria, the paper used can also, for example, be laminated with a film of thermoplastic material.
De préférence, la ou les feuilles de papier qui peuvent être placées dans l'enveloppe au moins partiellement transparente qui vient d'être décrite comportent des perforations.Preferably, the sheet or sheets of paper which can be placed in the at least partially transparent envelope which has just been described comprise perforations.
A titre d'exemple, on a représenté sur la figure 2 une feuille de papier 7, de format conventionnel 215,9 par 279,4 mm ou 210 par 297 mm, comportant dans deux coins 7a et 7b diamétralement opposés des ensembles de perforations 10, ces dernières ayant chacune un diamètre suffisant pour permettre le passage d'une substance pulvérulente à travers, par exemple une section équivalent au moins à un cercle d'un millimètre de diamètre. Chaque ensemble peut comporter au moins dix perforations 10, par exemple. La feuille 7 peut être pliée le long de lignes de pliages l ia et 11b avant d'être introduite dans l'enveloppe 1, de manière conventionnelle. Les lignes de pliages 1 la et 1 lb peuvent être, le cas échéant, matérialisées sur la feuille 7 par un tracé côté verso.By way of example, FIG. 2 shows a sheet of paper 7, of conventional format 215.9 by 279.4 mm or 210 by 297 mm, comprising in two corners 7a and 7b diametrically opposite sets of perforations 10 , the latter each having a diameter sufficient to allow the passage of a pulverulent substance through, for example a section equivalent at least to a circle of one millimeter in diameter. Each set can include at least ten perforations 10, for example. The sheet 7 can be folded along fold lines 1a and 11b before being introduced into the envelope 1, in a conventional manner. The fold lines 1 a and 1 lb can be, if necessary, materialized on the sheet 7 by a tracing on the back side.
Les perforations 10 permettent à une substance pulvérulente introduite entre les plis de la feuille 7 de s'échapper, même en cas de collage des bordures de la feuille, de sorte que la substance pourra être détectée visuellement en examinant l'enveloppe.The perforations 10 allow a pulverulent substance introduced between the folds of the sheet 7 to escape, even if the edges of the sheet are bonded, so that the substance can be detected visually by examining the envelope.
L'ensemble constitué par l'enveloppe 1 et la feuille 7 peut s'utiliser de la manière suivante.The assembly constituted by the envelope 1 and the sheet 7 can be used in the following manner.
Une fois les informations à transmettre portées sur la feuille 7, celle-ci est pliée par exemple en trois, selon les lignes de pliage 1 la et 1 lb, puis introduite dans l'enveloppe 1 par l'ouverture 5 et l'enveloppe est scellée le long de cette ouverture, après avoir mis en place le rabat 6. L'ouverture 5 est scellée par exemple par thermosoudage, en appliquant une chaleur et une pression le long du rabat 6. En variante, lorsque l'enveloppe est revêtue intérieurement d'un adhésif sensible à la pression, l'ouverture 5 est fermée en appliquant une pression suffisamment forte le long du rabat 6. En l'absence de ce dernier, l'enveloppe peut encore être scellée par theπnosoudage, au moyen d'un adhésif ou par application d'une pression. On cherchera de préférence à ce que la fermeture de l'enveloppe soit suffisamment hermétique pour qu'une substance pulvérulente contenue à l'intérieur de celle-ci ne puisse pas s'échapper une fois l'enveloppe fermée. Bien entendu, l'invention n'est pas limitée aux exemples de réalisation qui viennent d'être décrits. En particulier, l'enveloppe peut présenter une forme autre que rectangulaire. Le cas échéant, la feuille 7 peut également comporter, côté verso, un marquage permettant de positionner sur l'enveloppe une étiquette, de manière à respecter des normes postales. Les perforations 10 pourraient être réalisées ailleurs que dans des coins de la feuille. Once the information to be transmitted carried on the sheet 7, it is folded for example in three, along the fold lines 1 la and 1 lb, then introduced into the envelope 1 through the opening 5 and the envelope is sealed along this opening, after having put in place the flap 6. The opening 5 is sealed, for example by heat sealing, by applying heat and pressure along the flap 6. As a variant, when the envelope is internally coated of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, the opening 5 is closed by applying a sufficiently strong pressure along the flap 6. In the absence of the latter, the envelope can still be sealed by theπnosoudage, by means of a adhesive or by applying pressure. It will preferably be sought that the closure of the envelope is sufficiently hermetic so that a pulverulent substance contained inside of it cannot escape once the envelope is closed. Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described. In particular, the envelope may have a shape other than rectangular. If necessary, the sheet 7 may also include, on the back side, a marking making it possible to position a label on the envelope, so as to comply with postal standards. The perforations 10 could be made elsewhere than in corners of the sheet.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Procédé de mise sous pli sécurisée d'un document (7), caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend les étapes suivantes : - fournir une enveloppe (1) ayant deux parois (2, 3) définissant les faces de l'enveloppe, cette dernière présentant une forme générale carrée ou rectangulaire, ayant une ouverture (5) le long d'un bord, et l'une au moins desdites parois (3, 4) étant transparente au moins près d'un bord (4a ; 4b ; 4c ; 5a) de l'enveloppe, mettre en place par ladite ouverture ledit document (7) dans l'enveloppe, - sceller ladite ouverture, de telle sorte qu'une substance pulvérulente éventuellement introduite à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe ne puisse pas s'échapper de celle-ci, les parois (2, 3) de l'enveloppe étant suffisamment non poreuses pour que ladite substance pulvérulente ne puisse pas s'échapper de ladite enveloppe en les traversant.1. A method for securely folding a document (7), characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - providing an envelope (1) having two walls (2, 3) defining the faces of the envelope , the latter having a generally square or rectangular shape, having an opening (5) along an edge, and at least one of said walls (3, 4) being transparent at least near an edge (4a; 4b ; 4c; 5a) of the envelope, put said document (7) into said envelope through said opening, - seal said opening, so that a powdery substance possibly introduced inside the envelope does not cannot escape therefrom, the walls (2, 3) of the envelope being sufficiently non-porous so that said pulverulent substance cannot escape from said envelope by passing through them.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que l'enveloppe est scellée par thermosoudage.2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the envelope is sealed by heat sealing.
3. Procédé selon l'une des deux revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que le format de l'enveloppe (1) est inférieur à celui du document (7) et par le fait que ce dernier est introduit à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe après avoir été plié selon au moins une ligne de pliage (1 la ; 11b). 3. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the format of the envelope (1) is smaller than that of the document (7) and in that the latter is introduced inside the 'envelope after being folded along at least one fold line (1 la; 11b).
4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que le document comporte au moins une feuille (7) ayant au moins une perforation (10) disposée de telle manière que, la feuille étant pliée, une substance pulvérulente contenue entre les plis de la feuille puisse s'échapper dans l'enveloppe par ladite perforation et être visible depuis l'extérieur de l'enveloppe, même en cas de collage des bordures de la feuille.4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the document comprises at least one sheet (7) having at least one perforation (10) arranged in such a way that, the sheet being folded, a pulverulent substance contained between the folds of the sheet can escape into the envelope through said perforation and be visible from the outside of the envelope, even if the edges of the sheet are stuck.
5. Ensemble comportant au moins une feuille de papier (7) et une enveloppe (1), caractérisé par le fait que :5. An assembly comprising at least one sheet of paper (7) and an envelope (1), characterized in that:
- ladite enveloppe (1) comporte deux parois (2, 3) définissant les faces de l'enveloppe et présente une forme carrée ou rectangulaire avec une ouverture (5) le long de l'un de ses bords, pour l'introduction au moins de ladite feuille de papier,- Said envelope (1) has two walls (2, 3) defining the faces of the envelope and has a square or rectangular shape with an opening (5) along one of its edges, for the introduction at least of said sheet of paper,
- l'une au moins desdites parois (2, 3) est transparente, au moins à proximité de l'un des bords de l'enveloppe, et par le fait que : - le format de l'enveloppe est tel que la feuille de papier (7) ne puisse être introduite à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe qu'après pliage selon au moins une ligne de pliage (Ha ; 11b).- at least one of said walls (2, 3) is transparent, at least near one of the edges of the envelope, and by the fact that: - The format of the envelope is such that the sheet of paper (7) can only be introduced inside the envelope after folding along at least one fold line (Ha; 11b).
6. Ensemble selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé par le fait que ladite feuille de papier comporte au moins une perforation (10) disposée de manière à permettre, lorsque la feuille est introduite à l'état plié à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe, de laisser échapper une substance pulvérulente éventuellement contenue entre les plis de la feuille, de manière à ce que ladite substance pulvérulente soit visible de l'extérieur de l'enveloppe. 6. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said sheet of paper comprises at least one perforation (10) arranged so as to allow, when the sheet is introduced in the folded state inside the envelope, allowing a pulverulent substance possibly contained between the folds of the sheet to escape, so that said pulverulent substance is visible from the outside of the envelope.
7. Ensemble selon l'une des revendications 5 et 6, caractérisé par le fait que ladite feuille comporte des perforations (10) à proximité de l'un au moins de ses coins, et de préférence à proximité de deux coins diamétralement opposés de la feuille.7. Assembly according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said sheet has perforations (10) near at least one of its corners, and preferably near two diametrically opposite corners of the leaf.
8. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 7, caractérisé par le fait que ladite feuille (7) est de format 215,9 par 279,4 mm ou 210 par 297 mm. 8. An assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said sheet (7) is of format 215.9 by 279.4 mm or 210 by 297 mm.
9. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 8, caractérisé par le fait que ladite enveloppe comporte au moins un rabat (6), de préférence thermosoudable.9. An assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said envelope comprises at least one flap (6), preferably heat-sealable.
10. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 9, caractérisé par le fait que l'enveloppe est entièrement transparente, à l'exception éventuellement d'une zone (9) permettant l'écriture ou l'impression d'éléments nécessaires à l'acheminement du courrier.10. An assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the envelope is entirely transparent, with the possible exception of a zone (9) allowing the writing or printing of necessary elements to the delivery of mail.
11. Enveloppe ayant au moins une paroi (2, 3) transparente au moins près de l'un de ses bords, notamment pour la mise en œuvre du procédé tel que défini dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisée par le fait qu'elle présente un format normalisé. 11. Envelope having at least one transparent wall (2, 3) at least near one of its edges, in particular for implementing the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the has a standardized format.
PCT/FR2002/003836 2001-11-08 2002-11-08 Envelope and sheet for reducing exposure of post-office personnel and recipients to pathogens WO2003039982A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR01/14423 2001-11-08
FR0114423A FR2831872A1 (en) 2001-11-08 2001-11-08 Safety envelope for protecting post office personnel and recipients from pathogenic powders is of sealed and at least partly transparent plastics
FR0114837A FR2831873A1 (en) 2001-11-08 2001-11-16 SET CONTAINING AN ENVELOPE AND AT LEAST ONE SHEET OF PAPER, AIMED AT REDUCING THE RISKS OF EXPOSURE OF STAFF STAFF AND RECIPIENT OF THE ENVELOPE TO PATHOGENIC AGENTS
FR01/14837 2001-11-16

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WO2003039982A1 true WO2003039982A1 (en) 2003-05-15

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6742703B2 (en) 2002-05-31 2004-06-01 Sealed Air Corporation Mail collection box
US6953148B2 (en) 2002-05-31 2005-10-11 Sealed Air Corporation Mail collection bag

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB406952A (en) * 1932-10-18 1934-03-08 Richard Henry Storer Duplex acknowledgment cards with transparent envelopes
GB2144714A (en) * 1983-07-01 1985-03-13 Wrapid Machinery Ltd Heat coding plastics packaging material
WO1995019268A1 (en) * 1992-07-24 1995-07-20 Pierre Gautreneau Paper type or similar sheet substrate for use in printing or reproduction processes
EP0753461A1 (en) * 1995-07-14 1997-01-15 Gregor Stausberg Tamper evident envelope

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB406952A (en) * 1932-10-18 1934-03-08 Richard Henry Storer Duplex acknowledgment cards with transparent envelopes
GB2144714A (en) * 1983-07-01 1985-03-13 Wrapid Machinery Ltd Heat coding plastics packaging material
WO1995019268A1 (en) * 1992-07-24 1995-07-20 Pierre Gautreneau Paper type or similar sheet substrate for use in printing or reproduction processes
EP0753461A1 (en) * 1995-07-14 1997-01-15 Gregor Stausberg Tamper evident envelope

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6742703B2 (en) 2002-05-31 2004-06-01 Sealed Air Corporation Mail collection box
US6953148B2 (en) 2002-05-31 2005-10-11 Sealed Air Corporation Mail collection bag

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