Easily opened envelope

Abstract

An easily opened envelope includes a cutting filament extending across at least one interior edge of the envelope. A tear line that terminates adjacent one end of the cutting filament is torn to expose and thereby permit the user to grasp the thus-exposed end of the cutting element. The edge of the envelope along which the cutting filament extends is severed by pulling the cutting filament along the edge, thereby to provide access to the interior of the envelope.

1 . An en envelope comprising: 
 a front panel and a rear panel each having a lower edge, an upper edge and opposing side edges; an overlapping closure flap foldably connected to the upper edge of said rear panel at a fold line and having an adhesive provided along its lower end portion; an elongated thin, relatively rigid cutting filament secured at at least its opposite ends to the interior of the envelope and extending along one of said upper or side edges of one of said front and rear panels, and a diagonal tear line that extends from one edge of one of said front and rear panel or closure panel and terminating at its opposite end at a location adjacent to one end of said cutting filament, whereby the tearing of said tear line exposes said one end of said cutting filament and thus enables an individual to grasp said one of said cutting filament and to then move said cutting filament along said one edge, thereby to sever said one edge and provide access to the interior of the envelope.    
   
   
       2 . The envelope of  claim 1 , in which said cutting filament extends along and is secured at least at its ends to the upper edge of said rear panel at said fold line.  
   
   
       3 . The envelope of  claim 1 , further comprising a second diagonal tear line having one end terminating adjacent the opposite end of said cutting filament.  
   
   
       4 . The envelope of  claim 2 , in which said cutting filament extends along and is attached to said lower edge of said rear panel.  
   
   
       5 . The envelope of  claim 4 , in which said cutting filament is secured to and extends along a side edge of said rear panel.  
   
   
       6 . The envelope of  claim 5 , in which said cutting filament extends along at least one side edge and at least the upper or lower edge of said rear panel.  
   
   
       7 . The envelope of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spaced tiny holes disposed along said at least one edge.  
   
   
       8 . The envelope of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of spaced tiny holes disposed along said fold line.  
   
   
       9 . The envelope of  claim 1 , in which said cutting filament is made of a yarn, plastic or metal.