Method and apparatus for evaluating the contents of a mailed envelope and if the envelope is safe to open

Abstract

A method is provided for mailing a package to confirm to a recipient that the package is safe to open. The method includes the step of providing an envelope including a plurality of folded edges; including perforations formed along at least one of the folded edges; including a plurality of fold traps formed along the folded edge, each fold trap being adjacent at least one of the perforations; and, including a mouth. The method also includes the steps of placing contents in the envelope; closing the mouth of the envelope; addressing the envelope to the recipient; applying postage to the envelope; mailing the envelope to the recipient; and, inspecting, on receipt of the envelope by the recipient, the envelope to determine if at least one of the folded edges includes perforations and fold traps. The presence of the perforations and fold traps indicates that the envelope is safe to open.

Having described my invention in such terms as to enable those of skill in the art to make and practice it, and having described the presently preferred embodiments and best mode thereof, I claim:  
     
         1 . A method for determining if a container of particulate leaks during transport, including the steps of 
 (a) providing an envelope including 
 (i) a plurality of folded edges,  
 (ii) perforations formed along at least one of said folded edges,  
 (iii) a plurality of fold traps formed along said one of said folded edges, and,  
 (iv) a mouth;  
   (b) placing the container of particulate in said envelope;    (c) closing said mouth of said envelope;    (d) mailing said envelope;    (e) inspecting said perforations and fold traps for particulate to determine if particulate leaked from said container.    
     
     
         2 . A method to facilitate determination of the contents of an envelope being transported to a recipient, including the steps of 
 (a) providing an envelope including 
 (i) a plurality of folded edges,  
 (ii) perforations formed along at least one of said folded edges,  
 (iii) a plurality of fold traps formed along said one of said folded edges, and,  
 (iv) a mouth;  
   (b) placing contents in said envelope;    (c) closing said mouth;    (d) mailing said envelope; and,    (e) examining the interior of said envelope through at least one of said perforations to evaluate the contents of said envelope.    
     
     
         3 . A method of manufacturing an article, including the steps of 
 (a) providing a flat piece of material foldable along selected fold lines to produce an envelope having a peripheral edge extending along said fold lines;    (b) making a plurality of openings through said flat piece of material along at least one of said fold lines such that when said piece of material is folded to form the envelope 
 (i) said openings open along the peripheral edge of the envelope, and  
 (ii) fold traps are formed each adjacent at least one of said openings;  
   (c) folding said piece of material into a folded configuration forming an envelope with said openings and fold traps along at least one of said fold lines; and,    (d) securing together portions of said folded piece of material to maintain said folded piece of material in said folded configuration.    
     
     
         4 . A method for mailing a package to enable a recipient to evaluate the contents of the package to determine if the contents include loose powder, including the steps of 
 (a) providing an envelope including 
 (i) a plurality of folded edges,  
 (ii) perforations formed along at least one of said folded edges,  
 (iii) a plurality of fold traps formed along said one of said folded edges, each fold trap being adjacent at least one of said perforations, and  
 (iv) a mouth;  
   (b) placing contents in said envelope;    (c) closing the mouth of said envelope;    (d) addressing said envelope to the recipient;    (e) mailing said envelope to the recipient; and,    (f) inspecting, on receipt of said envelope by the recipient, said perforations and fold traps for the presence of loose powder in the envelope.    
     
     
         5 . A method for mailing a package to confirm to a recipient that the package is safe to open, including the steps of 
 (a) providing an envelope including 
 (i) a plurality of folded edges,  
 (ii) perforations formed along at least one of said folded edges,  
 (iii) a plurality of fold traps formed along said one of said folded edges, each fold trap being adjacent at least one of said perforations, and  
 (iv) a mouth;  
   (b) placing contents in said envelope;    (c) closing said mouth of said envelope;    (d) addressing said envelope to the recipient;    (e) applying postage to said envelope;    (f) mailing the envelope to the recipient; and,    (g) inspecting, on receipt of said envelope by the recipient, said envelope to determine if at least one of said folded edges includes perforations and fold traps, the presence of said perforations and fold traps indicating that said envelope is safe to open.    
     
     
         6 . A method of manufacturing an article, including the steps of 
 (a) providing a flat piece of material;    (b) making a plurality of perforations through said flat piece of material along at least one perforation line which will be folded to produce an envelope and which will, when folded, produce fold traps each adjacent at least one of said openings;    (c) cutting from said piece of material a smaller piece of material foldable along lines including said perforation line to produce an envelope;    (d) folding said piece of material into a configuration forming an envelope including a peripheral edge folded along said perforation line and including fold traps along said perforation line; and,    (e) securing together portions of said folded piece of material to maintain said folded piece of material in said configuration.    
     
     
         7 . An article of manufacture comprising an envelope including 
 (a) a front;    (b) a back;    (c) a plurality of folded edges,    (d) perforations formed along at least one of said folded edges,    (e) a plurality of fold traps formed along said one of said folded edges, each fold trap being adjacent at least one of said perforations, and    (f) a mouth.