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 . 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.   
     
     
         3 . 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.   
     
     
         4 . 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.   
     
     
         5 . 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.