Variable length envelope

Abstract

This invention is an envelope that can be laterally extended to accommodate articles of varying length. The envelope is formed from a single blank in one pass in a continuous manufacturing operation.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A variable length mailer comprising: 
 a) a front panel having a first fold line and a second fold line in parallel relation one to the other; said front panel having an extension at one end thereof, this front panel being alternately foldable in a vertical plane in relation to the first or second fold line;    b) a rear panel approximately equivalent in length to the length of the front panel and of lesser height than said front panel, said first and second fold lines of the front panel extending along the rear panel;    c) a top flap approximately equivalent in length to the front panel, said first and second fold lines of the front panel extending along the top flap; and    d) at least one extendable side flap foldable along either the first or second fold line of the front panel to provide a mailer adjusted to varying lengths.    
     
     
         2 . The mailer of  claim 1 , further comprising printed graphics or text on at least one panel thereof.  
     
     
         3 . A blank for forming a variable length mailer comprising: 
 a) a front panel having a first fold line and a second fold line in parallel alignment to each other, and further having an extension at one end thereof that is of approximately the same height as said front panel;    b) a rear panel approximately equivalent in length to the front panel;    c) a seal flap approximately equivalent in length to the front panel, said first and second fold lines extending along the top flap;    d) a first side flap of fixed length and height, the length thereof being less than the length of said front panel and the height thereof being approximately equivalent to the height of said front panel; and    e) a second side flap cooperatively attached to said extension of the front panel.