Satchel system

Abstract

A reusable satchel comprising a receptacle composed of a durable material and having at least one opening for inserting contents into the receptacle, the receptacle having at least two retaining slits the retaining slits being positioned such that a sheet inserted through each retaining slit acts as a closure to the opening.

1 . A reusable satchel comprising:
 a receptacle composed of a durable material and having at least one opening for inserting contents into the receptacle, the receptacle having at least two retaining slits;   the retaining slits being positioned such that a sheet inserted through each retaining slit acts as a closure to the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The reusable satchel as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing sheet composed of disposable material and having an adhesive on a front face thereof, the sealing sheet being sized and the adhesive positioned to allow the sealing sheet to be inserted through the retaining slits and to adhere to itself such that the sealing sheet forms a loop extending through the retaining slits to close the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The reusable satchel as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a closure element extending from the receptacle about the opening, the retaining slits extending through a portion of the closure element. 
     
     
         4 . The reusable satchel as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the closure element extends around the periphery of the opening and is moveable between a closed position and an open position. 
     
     
         5 . The reusable satchel as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the closure element includes fasteners adapted to secure the closure element in a closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The reusable satchel as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the fasteners secure the closure element in a closed position through a snap-fit or interference fit. 
     
     
         7 . The reusable satchel as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising a sealing sheet composed of disposable material and having an adhesive on a front face thereof, the sealing sheet being sized and the adhesive positioned to allow the sealing sheet to be inserted through the retaining slits and to adhere to itself such that the sealing sheet forms a loop extending through the retaining slits to close the opening, wherein in a closed position the sealing sheet acts as a tamper-proof seal. 
     
     
         8 . The reusable satchel as defined in  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the retaining slits comprises a slit extending through the closure element. 
     
     
         9 . The reusable satchel as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the closure element is rigid. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The reusable satchel as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the sealing sheet comprises a media sheet composed of durable paper or card. 
     
     
         12 . The reusable satchel as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the sealing sheet is adapted to allow distribution information to be situated thereon. 
     
     
         13 . The reusable satchel as defined in  claim 1  wherein the retaining slits are aligned with one another. 
     
     
         14 . The reusable satchel as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle comprises an envelope composed of card, durable paper, or padded paper, card or some form of fibrous material such as bamboo. 
     
     
         15 . The reusable satchel as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle comprises an envelope composed of a plastic. 
     
     
         16 . The reusable satchel as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle comprises an inflatable bag. 
     
     
         17 . A method of sealing an envelope, the envelope having at least one opening for inserting contents into the envelope, the envelope having at least two retaining slits, the retaining slits being positioned such that a sheet inserted through each retaining slit acts as a closure to the opening, the method comprising:
 inserting a sealing sheet through each retaining slit; and,   folding the sealing sheet such that the sealing sheet adheres to itself to form a loop extending through the retaining slits.