Packaged envelopes

Abstract

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a block of packaged envelopes, comprising: a plurality of envelopes arranged in series, facing one another; a first paper-based rigid sheet at a first end of the series; a second paper-based rigid sheet at a second, opposite end of the series; the plurality of envelopes being located in-between the first and second paper-based rigid sheets; and a binder that extends around the paper-based rigid sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, to bind the plurality of envelopes in series arrangement, and to form the block of packaged envelopes.

1 . A block of packaged envelopes, comprising:
 a plurality of envelopes arranged in series, facing one another;   a first paper-based rigid sheet at a first end of the series;   a second paper-based rigid sheet at a second, opposite end of the series; the plurality of envelopes being located in-between the first and second paper-based rigid sheets; and   a binder that extends around the paper-based rigid sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, to bind the plurality of envelopes in series arrangement, and to form the block of packaged envelopes.   
     
     
         2 . The block of packaged envelopes of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second paper-based rigid sheets comprise card or cardboard. 
     
     
         3 . The block of packaged envelopes of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second paper-based rigid sheets are separate from one another. 
     
     
         4 . The block of packaged envelopes of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second paper-based rigid sheets are rigid in that each sheet is more rigid than:
 a packaged envelope, or   a substantial portion of a packaged envelope, or   a substantial portion of a face of such a packaged envelope.   
     
     
         5 . The block of packaged envelopes of  claim 1 , wherein the binder extends around the paper-based rigid sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, such that a top edge and/or a bottom edge of each envelope is substantially unencumbered by the binder. 
     
     
         6 . The block of packaged envelopes of  claim 5 , wherein the top edge comprises or partially defines an envelope flap or other opening, and the bottom edge is substantially opposite the top edge. 
     
     
         7 . The block of packaged envelopes of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second paper-based rigid sheets are each adjacent to and substantially cover a face of an end envelope of the series. 
     
     
         8 . The block of packaged envelopes of  claim 1 , wherein the binder is elastic. 
     
     
         9 . The block of packaged envelopes of  claim 1 , wherein the binder is a polymer film. 
     
     
         10 . The block of packaged envelopes of  claim 1 , wherein one or more envelopes each comprise a flap which results in a localised increased thickness of the envelope, and wherein the block comprises one or more inserts provided in-between the envelopes, to counteract the localised increase in thickness and to promote and/or maintain a more cuboid series formation of envelopes. 
     
     
         11 . The block of packaged envelopes of  claim 1 , wherein one or more envelopes each comprise a flap which results in a localised increased thickness of the envelope, and wherein such envelopes each comprise one or more edges which have a thickness similar to that of the flap-related localised increased thickness of the envelope, to counteract the localised increase in thickness and to promote and/or maintain a more cuboid series formation of envelopes. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus for producing a block of packaged envelopes, the apparatus comprising:
 a clamp arranged to clamp together:
 a first paper-based rigid sheet at a first end of a series of envelopes, a plurality of envelopes arranged in the series, the envelopes facing one another, and 
 a second paper-based rigid sheet at a second, opposite end of the series, such that the plurality of envelopes are located in-between the first and second 
   paper-based rigid sheets, and maintained in that configuration by the clamp; and   a wrapper, arranged to provide a binder that extends around the paper-based rigid sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, to bind the plurality of envelopes in series arrangement, and to form the block of packaged envelopes.   
     
     
         13 . A method of producing a block of packaged envelopes, the method comprising:
 clamping together:   a first paper-based rigid sheet at a first end of a series of envelopes,   a plurality of envelopes arranged in the series, the envelopes facing one another, and a second paper-based rigid sheet at a second, opposite end of the series, such that the plurality of envelopes are located in-between the first and second paper-based rigid sheets;   providing a binder that extends around the paper-based rigid sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, to bind the plurality of envelopes in series arrangement;   removing the clamp.   
     
     
         14 . The method of producing a block of packaged envelopes of  claim 13 , wherein clamping is applied against the first and second paper-based rigid sheets. 
     
     
         15 . The method of producing a block of packaged envelopes of  claim 13 , wherein the binder also initially extends around a portion of a clamp that performs the clamping, and the clamp is subsequently removed such that the binder is in contact with the first and second paper-based rigid sheets and/or the series of envelopes.