Mailing envelope

Abstract

A mailing envelope comprising a sleeve with an opening at open end and a closed end, a closure associated with the opening at the open end, an envelope fold line intermediate the open end and the closed end when the envelope is in a flat configuration and one or more adhesive areas for at least partially maintaining the envelope in a folded configuration. Also, a method for packaging one or more sheets and/or components in the envelope.

1 . A mailing envelope comprising:
 a. a sleeve with an open end, the open end having an opening associated therewith, and a closed end;   b. an envelope fold line intermediate the open end and the closed end when the envelope is in a flat configuration, wherein the envelope can be folded along the fold line to bring the open end and the closed end of the sleeve into corresponding relationship to create a folded configuration; and   c. one or more adhesives for at least partially maintaining the envelope in the folded configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The mailing envelope of  claim 1  further comprising a closure associated with the opening at the open end to substantially close the opening once contents are enclosed within the sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The mailing envelope of  claim 2  wherein the closure comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The mailing envelope of  claim 1  wherein the envelope further comprises a flap. 
     
     
         5 . The mailing envelope of  claim 4  wherein at least one of the one or more adhesives is placed on the flap. 
     
     
         6 . The mailing envelope of  claim 5  wherein the at least one adhesive placed on the flap is placed in proximity to the terminal edge of the flap. 
     
     
         7 . The mailing envelope of  claim 1  further comprising a release member for assisting in the release of the open end of the sleeve from corresponding relationship to the closed end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The mailing envelope of  claim 6  further comprising a release member for assisting in the release of the open end of the sleeve from corresponding relationship to the closed end of the sleeve, wherein said release member is located between the opening and the at least one adhesive placed in proximity to the terminal edge of the flap. 
     
     
         9 . The mailing envelope of  claim 7  wherein the release member comprises a tab and a tear away strip. 
     
     
         10 . The mailing envelope of  claim 1  wherein the one or more adhesives includes one or more edge adhesives corresponding to the lateral edges of the sleeve when the envelope is in the folded configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The mailing envelope of  claim 10  wherein the edge adhesives comprise one or more glue tacks associated with each lateral edge of the sleeve in its folded configuration. 
     
     
         12 . A mailing envelope comprising:
 a. a sleeve with an open end, the open end having an opening, and a closed end;   b. a closure associated with the opening at the open end to substantially close the opening once contents are enclosed within the sleeve, said closure comprising a flap extending from the open end of the sleeve;   c. an envelope fold line intermediate the open end and the closed end when the envelope is in a flat configuration, wherein the envelope can be folded along the fold line to bring the open end and the closed end of the sleeve into corresponding relationship to create a folded configuration; and   d. an adhesive for at least partially maintaining the envelope in the folded configuration, the adhesive being placed on the flap in proximity to the terminal edge of the flap,   wherein when the closed end of the sleeve is brought into corresponding relationship to the open end to create a folded configuration, the flap is folded over the closed end and the adhesive on the flap is adhered to an area between the envelope fold line and the closed end.   
     
     
         13 . The mailing envelope of  claim 12  further comprising a release member on the flap intermediate the adhesive and the opening of the envelope. 
     
     
         14 . The mailing envelope of  claim 13  wherein the release member comprises a tab and a tear away strip. 
     
     
         15 . The mailing envelope of  claim 12  further comprising one or more edge adhesives corresponding to the lateral edges of the sleeve when the envelope is in the folded configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The mailing envelope of  claim 15  wherein the edge adhesives comprise one or more glue tacks associated with each lateral edge of the sleeve in its folded configuration. 
     
     
         17 . A method of packaging one or more sheets of paper in a mailing envelope comprising the steps of:
 a. inserting one or more sheets of paper into a mailing envelope comprising:
 i. a sleeve with an open end, the open end having an opening, and a closed end; 
 ii. a closure associated with the opening at the open end to substantially close the opening once contents are enclosed within the sleeve, said closure comprising a flap extending from the open end of the sleeve; 
 iii. an envelope fold line intermediate the open end and the closed end when the envelope is in a flat configuration, wherein the envelope can be folded along the fold line to bring the open end and the closed end of the sleeve into corresponding relationship to create a folded configuration; and 
 iv. an adhesive for at least partially maintaining the envelope in the folded configuration, the adhesive being placed on the flap in proximity to the terminal edge of the flap; 
   b. bringing the closed end of the sleeve into corresponding relationship to the open end to create a folded configuration;   c. folding the flap over the closed end of the sleeve; and   d. adhering the adhesive on the flap to an area on the sleeve between the envelope fold line and the closed end.