Shipping device suitable for biohazardous specimens

Abstract

A mailing device is comprised of a laminate of a printable outer layer and a water-resistant inner layer having a printable surface facing the outer layer. There is printed indicia, such as a biohazard warning, on the printable surface. Accordingly, the inner layer protects the printing.

1 . A sealable envelope suitable for shipping a biohazardous material through the mail, the envelope comprising a laminate of: 
 a) an outer layer with mailing information printed thereon;    b) an inner, polymeric, water resistant, substantially transparent layer having a printable surface facing the outer layer; and    c) a metallic, water-resistant, substantially non-light transmissive middle layer between the inner and outer layers,    wherein there is a printed biohazard warning on the printable surface of the inner layer.    
   
   
       2 . A shipping device having a wall comprising: 
 a) a printable outer layer; and    b) a water resistant, light transmitting, inner layer, having a printable surface facing the outer layer,    wherein there is printed indicia on the printable surface and the layers are joined together so that the printed indicia is protected by the outer layer.    
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  comprising a water-resistant, substantially non-light transmissive layer between the inner and outer layers.  
   
   
       4 . A method of forming a shipping device comprising the steps of: 
 a) selecting a printable outer layer and a polymeric water resistant, substantially light-transmitting inner layer having a printable surface;    b) printing indicia on the printable surface;    c) laminating the outer and inner layers together with the printed surface facing the outer layer; and    d) forming the laminate into an envelope shaped shipping device.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the step of selecting comprises selecting a middle, water-resistant, substantially non-light transmissive layer and the step of laminating comprises laminating the outer, inner and middle layers together with the middle layer between the outer and inner layers.  
   
   
       6 . The invention of  claim 1 ,  2 , or  4  wherein the outer layer comprises a material chosen from the group consisting of paper and cardboard.  
   
   
       7 . The invention of  claim 1 ,  3 , or  5  wherein the middle layer comprises aluminum foil.  
   
   
       8 . The invention of  claim 1 ,  2 , or  4  wherein the outer layer has an outer surface having mailing information printed thereon.  
   
   
       9 . The invention of  claim 1 ,  2 , or  4  wherein the printed indicia comprises biohazard indicia on a field of red or orange substantially solid printing.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the layers are laminated together.  
   
   
       11 . The envelope of  claim 1  comprising a flexible polymeric layer between the outer and middle layers.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 3  comprising a polymeric layer between the outer layer and the non-light transmissive layer.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the step of selecting comprises selecting a polymeric layer, and the step of laminating comprises laminating the polymeric, outer, inner and middle layers together with the polymeric layer between the outer and middle layers.  
   
   
       14 . A sealable device suitable for shipping a biohazardous material, the device having a wall comprising from outside to inside: 
 a) an outer layer;    b) a metallic, water-resistant, substantially non-light transmissive middle layer    c) a first polymeric layer having a printable surface facing away from the outer layer; and    d) a second polymeric layer protecting the printable surface, the second layer being substantially transparent,    wherein at least one of the first and second polymeric layers is substantially water proof, and wherein there is a printed biohazard warning on the printable surface of the first polymeric layer.