Liquid Sample Package Device

Abstract

A liquid sample packaging device includes a paperboard envelope blank assembled to form a hermetically sealed leakproof containment pocket that, in combination with proper alignment of a liquid containing packette enclosed inside, will prevent leakage in the event the enclosed liquid containing packette fails during mail processing. The device may include coupons printed on the envelope blank and separable by perforations, and may be printed on both sides.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An envelope blank comprising:
 paperboard having a first side, a second opposite side, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge, and an opposite second lateral edge;   the paperboard coated on the first side with a semi-permeable coating to form a printable surface;   print media placed on at least a portion of the printable surface;   a moisture resistant coating overlying the print media and semi-permeable coating;   a first panel extending from the top edge having a picture frame cutout with a non-permeable window adhered to the second side; and   a second panel extending from the first panel with the second side having a liquid packette mounting area, with at least a portion of the paperboard in the liquid packette mounting area coated with a semi-permeable coating to form a printable surface and print media placed on at least a portion of the printable surface.   
     
     
         2 . The envelope blank of  claim 1  wherein the non-permeable window is formed from the group consisting of plastic and metalized plastic films. 
     
     
         3 . The envelope blank of  claim 2  wherein the non-permeable window is adhered to the second side by a permanent glue encircling the periphery of the picture frame cutout. 
     
     
         4 . The envelope blank of  claim 1  wherein the envelope blank is die-cut in a substantially rectangular shape for folding into an envelope having a length, a height, and a thickness when enclosing a sample liquid packette, the envelope blank further comprising:
 a third panel extending from the second panel to the bottom edge; 
 a first fold line between the first panel and the second panel; 
 a second fold line between the second panel and the third panel; 
 a first tab cut along the first lateral edge in the first panel proximate the first fold line; 
 a second tab opposite the first tab and cut along the second lateral edge in the first panel proximate the first fold line; 
 a tear string having a tensile strength greater than the paperboard tensile strength, the tear string adhered to the second side of the first panel extending from the first tab to the second tab. 
 
     
     
         5 . A liquid sample packaging device comprising:
 the envelope blank of  claim 4 ;   a sample liquid packette comprising a cover film laminated to a backing film and containing a volume of sample liquid, the sample liquid packette having a burst strength and providing a primary sealing means for containing the sample liquid, the sample liquid packette adhered to the packette mounting area on the second side of the second panel by a fugitive glue; and   a permanent glue applied to the perimeter of the packette mounting area from the first fold line, such that the sample liquid packette is encircled by the fold line and the permanent glue, the first panel folded to and glued to the second panel packette mounting area forming a hermetic seal around the sample liquid packette, the hermetic seal providing a secondary sealing means to prevent leakage of liquid from the sample liquid packette from the liquid sample packaging device.   
     
     
         6 . The envelope blank of  claim 1  wherein the envelope blank is die-cut in a substantially rectangular shape for folding into an envelope having a length, a height, and a thickness when enclosing a sample liquid packette, the envelope blank further comprising:
 a third panel extending from the second panel towards the bottom edge; 
 a fourth panel extending from the third panel to the bottom edge; 
 a first fold line between the first panel and the second panel; 
 a second fold line between the third panel and the fourth panel; 
 a third fold line between the second panel and the third panel; 
 a first tab cut along the first lateral edge in the first panel proximate the first fold line; 
 a second tab opposite the first tab and cut along the second lateral edge in the first panel proximate the first fold line; and 
 a tear string having a tensile strength greater than the paperboard tensile strength, the tear string adhered to the second side of the first panel extending from the first tab to the second tab. 
 
     
     
         7 . A liquid sample packaging device comprising:
 the envelope blank of  claim 6 ;   a sample liquid packette comprising a cover film laminated to a backing film and containing a volume of sample liquid, the sample liquid packette having a burst strength and providing a primary sealing means for containing the sample liquid, the sample liquid packette adhered to the packette mounting area on the second side of the second panel by a fugitive glue; and   a permanent glue applied to the perimeter of the packette mounting area from the first fold line, such that the sample liquid packette is encircled by the fold line and the permanent glue, the first panel folded to and glued to the second panel packette mounting area forming a hermetic seal around the sample liquid packette, the hermetic seal providing a secondary sealing means to prevent leakage of liquid from the sample liquid packette from the liquid sample packaging device.