Envelope providing visual inspection capabilities while maintaining substantial privacy of its contents

Abstract

An envelope allows limited, yet sufficient, inspection of its contents for various types of contraband material, while simultaneously maintaining the privacy of a substantial portion of its contents. The envelope's front panel, back panel, and closure flap are each substantially opaque, and at least a portion of at least two of its edge portions on at least one of the front and back panels, are substantially transparent.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An envelope, comprising: 
 a front panel and a back panel each having at least first, second, third, and fourth edge portions;    the front and back panels coupled together along at least portions of their respective first, second, and third edge portions, whereby an opening is formed along at least the fourth edge portions of the front and back panels and a space is formed between the front and back panels for receiving an article therein; and    a closure flap having a fifth edge coupled to the fourth edge portion of one of the front and back panels, the flap having a free sixth edge distal to the fifth edge,    wherein the front panel, the back panel, and the closure flap are each substantially opaque, and wherein at least a portion of at least two of the first, second, and third edge portions on at least one of the front and back panels, are substantially transparent.    
     
     
         2 . The envelope of  claim 1 , wherein those portions that are substantially transparent comprise a substantially transparent film coupled to the front and back panels.  
     
     
         3 . The envelope of  claim 1 , wherein the portions of the at least two of the left, right, and bottom edge portions that are substantially transparent are each on a corner of at least one of the front and back panels.  
     
     
         4 . The envelope of  claim 1 , wherein the entire left, right, and bottom edge portions of the front panel comprises a substantially transparent film.  
     
     
         5 . The envelope of  claim 1 , wherein front and back panels are coupled together via a substantially transparent film, whereby the entire left, right, and bottom edge portions of the front panel and back panels are substantially transparent.  
     
     
         6 . The envelope of  claim 1 , wherein the closure flap first edge is coupled the top edge of one of the front and back panels via a substantially transparent film.  
     
     
         7 . The envelope of  claim 1 , wherein the closure flap first edge is coupled the top edge of one of the front and back panels via a substantially transparent film.  
     
     
         8 . An envelope, comprising: 
 a front panel and a back panel each having a main body portion, and left, right, bottom, and top edge portions;    the front and back panels coupled together along at least portions of their respective left, right, and bottom edge portions, whereby an opening is formed at the top edges of the front and back panels and a space is formed between the front and back panels for receiving an article therein;    a closure flap having a first edge coupled to the top edges of one of the front and back panels, the flap having a free second edge distal to the first edge; and    one or more substantially transparent strips on the main body portion of at least one of the front panel and the back panels.    
     
     
         9 . The envelope of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more substantially transparent strips comprise: 
 one or more first strips extending in a first direction; and    one or more second strips extending in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.    
     
     
         10 . The envelope of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more substantially transparent strips comprise: 
 a substantially transparent film coupled to at least one of the front and back panels.    
     
     
         11 . The envelope of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more substantially transparent strips comprise a plurality of openings positioned substantially adjacent one another.