Envelopes and Mailers

Abstract

A mailing device ( 210 ) has a body ( 215 ) with a window aperture ( 216 ). The aperture is covered by a film of transparent material bonded to the body. At least one line of weakness ( 128 ) is formed in the body at least partially encircling the film to enable the film to be separated from the body for recycling. The line of weakness ( 128 ) may be configured to define a strip ( 236 ) that extends across a front wall of the device. The strip ( 236 ) can be opened by tearing along the line of weakness to gain access to the interior of the device and to allow easy removal of the film. Alternatively, the line of weakness ( 128, FIG. 3 ) may completely encircle the film and define a tab portion ( 124, FIG. 3 ). In further alternative embodiments, the film ( 18, FIG. 1 ) has a tab portion ( 24, FIG. I) that is pulled to separate the film from the body. The film may be bonded using a peelable adhesive and may be bonded to an outside surface of the body.

1 . A mailing device comprising a main body formed of a first material and having a window aperture, a film of a second, transparent material bonded to the main body as to cover the aperture, in which at least one line of weakness is provided in the main body, the at least one line of weakness at least partially encircling the film. 
     
     
         2 . A mailing device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one line of weakness defines a lifting tab portion in the main body. 
     
     
         3 . A mailing device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein at least one line of weakness completely encircles the film and generally follows the outer peripheral edge of the film over the majority of its length to define an area within which the film is located, the tab portion being defined by means of a small section of the line of weakness which extends outwardly from its general path to partially encircle a portion of the first material radially outside said area. 
     
     
         4 . A mailing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one line of weakness defines first and second line portions extending generally parallel to one another on opposite sides of the film, the first and second line portions extending beyond a first end edge of the film to an edge of the mailing device, the line of weakness also defining a third line portion interconnecting the first and second line portions about a second end edge of the film opposite from the first. 
     
     
         5 . A mailing device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the main body is formed from a single piece of material folded to form panel portions, the window aperture being located in one of the panel portions, the first and second line portions extending beyond the first end edge of the film to an edge of said one of the panel portions. 
     
     
         6 . A mailing device as claimed in  claim 4  or  claim 5 , wherein the at least one line of weakness also includes a fourth line portion interconnecting the first end second line portions about the first end edge of the film. 
     
     
         7 . A mailing device as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  6 , wherein the first and second line portions of the at least one line of weakness are defined by means of perforations in the material of the main body portion, the third line portion being defined means of elongate slits in the material of the main body. 
     
     
         8 . A mailing device as claimed in any one of  claims 4  to  7 , wherein the at least one line of weakness has rounded corners at the intersections between the third line portion and the first and second line portions respectively. 
     
     
         9 . A mailing device comprising a main body formed of a first material in which a window aperture is provided, and a film of a second, transparent material attached to the main body to cover the window aperture, in which the film comprises a main section covering the window aperture and having a peripheral edge region which is bonded to the main body about the aperture, the film also having a lifting tab projecting beyond the outer peripheral edge of the main section. 
     
     
         10 . A mailing device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein at least part of the tab is bonded to the main body. 
     
     
         11 . A mailing device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein only an outer peripheral edge region of the lifting tab is bonded to the main body, a central region of the tab being un-bonded. 
     
     
         12 . A mailing device as claimed in any one of  claims 9  to  11 , wherein a line of weakness is provided in the main body at least partially encircling at least the main section of the film. 
     
     
         13 . A mailing device as claimed in any one of  claims 9  to  12 , wherein a line of weakness is provided in the film, the line of weakness extending about the main section inwardly of its outer peripheral edge. 
     
     
         14 . A mailing device as claimed in any one of  claims 9  to  13 , wherein the film is bonded to an outer surface of the main body. 
     
     
         15 . A mailing device as claimed in any one of the  claims 9  to  14 , wherein the film is bonded to the main body by means of a peelable adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . A mailing device as claimed in any one of  claims 9  to  14 , wherein the film is bonded to the main body by means of a non-peelable adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . A mailing device comprising a main body formed of a first material wherein a window aperture is provided, and a film of a second, transparent material attached to the main body to cover the window aperture, wherein the film is attached to an outer surface of the main body using a peelable adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . A mailing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the film is made of a material which is suitable for use with a laser printer. 
     
     
         19 . A mailing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mailing device is an envelope. 
     
     
         20 . A mailing device as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  18 ee, wherein the mailing device is a mailer. 
     
     
         21 . A mailing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to an as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , or  FIG. 2 , or  FIG. 3 , or  FIG. 4  of the accompanying drawings.