Article-embedded folding sleeve

Abstract

A packaging blank capable of forming a sleeve having at least one internal cavity comprises in one embodiment a substantially rectangular bottom panel, a substantially rectangular top panel connected to the bottom panel along a fold line, and a perforated retaining wall formed in the top panel, wherein the top panel includes at least one display window. Upon construction the packaging blank provides a sleeve having at least one internal cavity that is viewable through at least one display window. A method of packaging an article comprises in one embodiment the steps of providing a blank, placing an article to be packaged on the blank, folding the top panel over the bottom panel, and binding the sleeve formed by the blank into a publication.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A packaging blank that is capable of forming a sleeve for securing articles, said blank comprising: 
 a substantially rectangular top panel having a display window; and    a substantially rectangular bottom panel that is connected to said top panel;    wherein said blank is capable of being folded to form an interior cavity in which a substantially flat or near planar article is positioned.    
     
     
         2 . A packaging blank according to  claim 1 , wherein said packaging blank consists essentially of a one-piece flexible blank.  
     
     
         3 . A packaging blank according to  claim 2 , wherein said one-piece flexible blank has an external planar side and an internal planar side, said external planar side being finished.  
     
     
         4 . A packaging blank according to  claim 3 , wherein said display window is positioned on said top panel such that said internal planar side is viewable through said display window when said packaging blank is formed into a sleeve.  
     
     
         5 . A packaging blank according to  claim 1 , wherein said top panel further comprises a perforated retaining flap, said retaining flap substantially surrounding said display window.  
     
     
         6 . A packaging blank according to  claim 5 , wherein said perforated retaining flap and said display window are substantially circular.  
     
     
         7 . A packaging blank according to  claim 6 , wherein the diameter of said perforated retaining flap is about equal to or greater than the diameter of a compact disc or a digital video disc.  
     
     
         8 . A packaging blank according to  claim 1 , wherein said top panel includes a plurality of display windows and a plurality of perforated retaining flaps corresponding to said plurality of display windows.  
     
     
         9 . A packaging blank that is capable of forming a sleeve for securing articles, said blank consisting of: 
 a substantially rectangular top panel having at least one display window and at least one perforated retaining flap, said retaining flap substantially surrounding said display window; and    a substantially rectangular bottom panel that is connected to said top panel along a fold line formed in said blank;    wherein said blank is capable of being folded to form an interior cavity in which a substantially flat or near planar article is positioned.    
     
     
         10 . A sleeve for securing articles having at least one internal cavity, said container comprising: 
 a substantially rectangular top wall comprising a display window and a perforated retaining flap corresponding to said display window; and    a substantially rectangular bottom wall that is connected to said top wall;    wherein said perforated retaining flap substantially surrounds said corresponding display window.    
     
     
         11 . A sleeve according to  claim 10 , wherein said sleeve consists essentially of a one-piece flexible blank.  
     
     
         12 . A sleeve according to  claim 11 , wherein said one-piece flexible sleeve has an external planar side and an internal planar side, said external planar side being finished.  
     
     
         13 . A sleeve according to  claim 12 , wherein said display window is positioned on said top wall such that said internal planar side is viewable through said display window upon construction of said sleeve.  
     
     
         14 . A sleeve according to  claim 10 , wherein said display window and said perforated retaining flap are substantially circular.  
     
     
         15 . A sleeve according to  claim 10 , wherein said top wall includes at least one access slot formed adjacent said perforated retaining flap for facilitating the removal of said retaining flap.  
     
     
         16 . A sleeve according to  claim 10 , wherein said top wall includes at least one access tab formed adjacent said perforated retaining flap for facilitating the removal of said retaining flap.  
     
     
         17 . A sleeve according to  claim 10 , wherein said top wall includes at least one access slot and one access tab adjacent said perforated retaining flap for facilitating the removal of said retaining flap, wherein said access slot and said access tab are correspondingly aligned with respect to one another.  
     
     
         18 . A sleeve according to  claim 10 , wherein said top wall comprises a plurality of display windows.  
     
     
         19 . A sleeve according to  claim 18 , wherein said top wall comprises a plurality of perforated retaining flaps corresponding to said plurality of display windows.  
     
     
         20 . A sleeve according to  claim 10 , packaging a compact disc or digital video disc.