Mailpieces that mitigate flexure of held articles during automated handling

Abstract

Mailpieces configured to mitigate flexure of frangible articles during handling by postal processing equipment. The mailpieces include spacers that intervene between the stress-sensitive article held by the mailer and a convex surface of a roller, drum, spindle, or other mechanical device used in the postal processing equipment for transporting the mailpieces.

1 . A mailpiece for mailing an article having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the mailpiece comprising: 
 a first panel;    a second panel joined to said first panel to define a first peripheral edge, a second peripheral edge, and side edges connecting said first and second peripheral edges, said first and second panels disposed on the respective opposite sides of the article, and the article being positioned between said first and second edges;    a first spacer carried by said first panel, said first spacer disposed between the first side of the article and said first panel; and    a second spacer carried by said second panel, said second spacer disposed between the second side of the article and said second panel.    
     
     
         2 . The mailpiece of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said first and second spacers intersects at least one of said first and second side edges.  
     
     
         3 . The mailpiece of  claim 1  wherein each of said first and second panels has an inner surface confronting a respective one of the first and second sides of the article across a surface area, said surface area has a center, said first spacer is disposed between said center and said first edge, and second spacer is disposed between said center and said second edge.  
     
     
         4 . The mailpiece of  claim 1  wherein said each of said first and second panels has an inner surface confronting a respective one of the first and second sides of the article across a surface area, said surface area has a center, and said first and second spacers are disposed between said center and said first edge.  
     
     
         5 . The mailpiece of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 a third spacer disposed between the second side of the article and said second panel, said third spacer aligned substantially parallel to said first and second peripheral edges, and said third spacer disposed between said center and said second edge.    
     
     
         6 . The mailpiece of  claim 1  wherein said first and second spacers further comprise elongated members coupled with a respective one of said first and second panels.  
     
     
         7 . The mailpiece of  claim 6  wherein said elongated members are adhesively bonded to the respective one of said first and second panels.  
     
     
         8 . The mailpiece of  claim 1  wherein said first and second spacers further comprise elongated adhesive bead members coupled with a respective one of said first and second panels.  
     
     
         9 . The mailpiece of  claim 1  wherein said first and second spacers further comprise a plurality of staples juxtaposed with each other in a row, each of said staples adapted to deform between an open position and a closed position coupled with a respective one of said first and second panels.  
     
     
         10 . The mailpiece of  claim 1  wherein said first and second spacers further comprise Z-folded sections formed in a respective one of said first and second panels.  
     
     
         11 . The mailpiece of  claim 1  wherein said first and second spacers further comprise a stack of laminated flat members coupled with a respective one of said first and second panels.  
     
     
         12 . The mailpiece of  claim 1  wherein each of said first and second spacers has a thickness sufficient to reduce flexing of the article when said one or said first and second panels is distorted to conform to a curved shape of a crowned roller.  
     
     
         13 . The mailpiece of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an article having a central axis disposed between said first and second spacers.    
     
     
         14 . The mailpiece of  claim 1  wherein said first and second spacers are aligned substantially parallel to said first and second peripheral edges.  
     
     
         15 . A mailpiece for mailing an article having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the mailpiece comprising: 
 a first panel;    a second panel joined to said first panel to define a first peripheral edge, a second peripheral edge, and side edges separating said second peripheral edge from said first peripheral edge; and    a sleeve carrying the article, said sleeve disposed between said first and second panels, and said sleeve positioned between said first and second edges, said sleeve including a first spacer disposed between the first side of the article and said first panel, and a second spacer disposed between the second side of the article and said second panel.    
     
     
         16 . The mailpiece of  claim 15  wherein said first and second spacers are aligned substantially parallel to said first and second peripheral edges.  
     
     
         17 . The mailpiece of  claim 15  wherein each of said first and second spacers further comprise an aperture defined in said sleeve and a flap folded about an edge bordering said aperture.  
     
     
         18 . The mailpiece of  claim 15  wherein each of said first and second spacers further comprises an aperture defined in said sleeve and a member coupled with said aperture, said member having a thickness sufficient to reduce flexing of the article when said one or said first and second panels is distorted to conform to a curved shape of a crowned roller.  
     
     
         19 . The mailpiece of  claim 15  wherein each of said first and second spacers further comprises at least one raised feature coupled with said insert and projecting toward the article.  
     
     
         20 . A mailpiece for mailing an article having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the mailpiece comprising: 
 a first panel;    a second panel joined to said first panel to define a first peripheral edge, a second peripheral edge, and side edges separating said second peripheral edge from said first peripheral edge, said first and second panels disposed on the respective opposite sides of the article, and the article being positioned between said first and second edges; and    an insert between said first and second panels, said insert including a first spacer disposed between the first side of the article and said first panel and a second spacer disposed between the second side of the article and said second panel.    
     
     
         21 . The mailpiece of  claim 20  wherein said first and second spacers are aligned substantially parallel to said first and second peripheral edges.  
     
     
         22 . The mailpiece of  claim 20  wherein said insert comprises a sheet having a first end proximate to said first peripheral edge and a second end proximate to said second peripheral edge, said first spacer further comprises a first folded section of said sheet at said first end, and said second spacer further comprises a second folded section of said sheet at said second end.  
     
     
         23 . The mailpiece of  claim 22  wherein said sheet is folded such that said first and second ends are juxtaposed.  
     
     
         24 . A mailpiece for mailing an article having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the mailpiece comprising: 
 a first panel;    a second panel joined to said first panel to define a first peripheral edge, a second peripheral edge, and side edges separating said second peripheral edge from said first peripheral edge, said first and second panels disposed on the respective opposite sides of the article, and the article being positioned between said first and second edges;    a first insert between said first and second panels, said first insert including a first spacer disposed between the first side of the article and said first panel; and    a second insert between said first and second panels, said first insert including a second spacer disposed between the second side of the article and said second panel.    
     
     
         25 . The mailpiece of  claim 24  wherein said first and second spacers are aligned substantially parallel to said first and second peripheral edges.  
     
     
         26 . A mailpiece for use with an article having a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and a center opening extending between the first and second sides, the mailpiece comprising: 
 a first panel;    a second panel joined to said first panel to define a first peripheral edge, a second peripheral edge, and side edges separating said second peripheral edge from said first peripheral edge, said first and second panels disposed on the respective opposite sides of the article, and the article being positioned between said first and second edges; and    a spacer adapted to be inserted into the center opening of the article, and the spacer at least partially disposed between the first side of the article and said first panel.    
     
     
         27 . The mailpiece of  claim 26  wherein said spacer includes a hub region diametrically smaller than the center opening and a first flange portion diametrically larger than the center opening, said hub region disposed inside said center opening, and said first flange portion disposed between the first side of the article and said first panel.  
     
     
         28 . The mailpiece of  claim 27  wherein said spacer includes a second flange portion diametrically larger than the center opening, said second flange portion disposed between the second side of the article and said second panel.  
     
     
         29 . The mailpiece of  claim 27  wherein said spacer has a length greater than a thickness between the first and second sides of the article.  
     
     
         30 . The mailpiece of  claim 26  wherein said spacer includes a hub region disposed inside said center opening, said hub region diametrically smaller than the center opening such that said article is freely rotatable about said hub region.  
     
     
         31 . The mailpiece of  claim 26  wherein said spacer is carried by said first panel.  
     
     
         32 . An apparatus for use with a mailpiece, the apparatus comprising: 
 a frangible article having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side; and    a first spacer projecting from said first side of said frangible article, said first spacer adapted to be disposed between said first side of said frangible article and the mailpiece.    
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said frangible article includes a central axis and a center opening about said central axis, and said first spacer is concentrically arranged relative to said central axis.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said frangible article includes a media region and a hub region arranged concentrically with said central axis, said hub region disposed radially between said media region and said center opening, and said hub region carrying said first spacer.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34  wherein said frangible article includes a center opening extending through said hub region, and said first spacer is concentrically arranged relative to said center opening.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said first spacer is symmetrical with respect to said center opening so that the weight distribution of said frangible article is balanced.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said frangible article is round.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 32  further comprising: 
 a second spacer projecting from said second side of said frangible article, said second spacer adapted to be disposed between said second side of said frangible article and the mailpiece.