Snap on envelope

Abstract

A resealable watertight mailing envelope has a Ziploc style strip for sealing the envelope closed. A flap portion is foldable over the Ziploc seal, secured in the closed position by a snap closure. The envelope also has an interior watertight lining joined with the Ziploc strip to seal the contents within from wetness or to prevent leakage of liquid items placed inside the envelope. In addition, a pair of adhesive strips can be attached to the inside of the flap portion for providing a water tight sealable closure of the envelope and also for alerting the individual that the envelope has been tampered with should the individual determine that the adhesive strips have been sundered from their engagement to the envelope's front panel.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 051,689 filed on Jan. 22, 2002 and issued on Apr. 20, 2004 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,784 B2.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to an envelope enclosure for storing or mailing important papers, and more particularly, it relates to a Ziploc™ style closure and a snap closure. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Traditional envelopes are provided with a moisture activated glue strip along the closure flap, with which to seal a mailing envelope closed. This type of envelope is typically discarded after a single use, as the adhesive does not permit repeated sealing of the same envelope. Also, the paper used in these envelopes is normally of a non-waterproof material, so that one cannot store or send wet or damp items in them without messy leakage. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a reclosable envelope with a waterproof liner, with an additi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide an envelope for repeat usage, which can be reclosed for multiple usages and for permanent storage.

[0007] What is disclosed is a resealable waterproof mailing envelope comprising an expandable pouch open at one end, and a waterproof interior lining portion. A reclosable sealing means is provided adjacent an open end, which is integrally joined with the lining portion to form a liquid tight seal which retains liquid within said lining portion. Also included is a flap portion adjacent the open end, and a means for fastening the flap portion to securely close said flap portion over the sealing means adjacent the open end, to protect the contents therein, said fastening means also disengageable for removing said contents and refastenable for repetitive use. The reclosable sealing means comprises a Ziploc type arrangement having opposable polyethylene strips, one said strip having a resilient protruding longitudinal rib portion, and a second said strip facing said first strip having a longitudinal channel adapted to engage said rib portion retentively to form a seal along said open end. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening means is comprised of a circular protruding ring portion attached to said flap portion and a circular receptacle portion attached to the exterior of said envelope removably interlockable with said ring portion such that when said flap portion is disposed over said open end to face said envelope the ring portion aligns with the receptacle portion such that a slight force compresses them into engagement providing additional stability and protection for said sealing means. To further enhance the reclosable sealing means, and to guarantee that the envelope has not been tampered with, at least two adhesive strips are attached to the face of the flap portion, and on opposite sides of the protruding ring portion, for engaging with and making a water tight sealable closure to the front panel of the envelope.

Problems solved by technology

This type of envelope is typically discarded after a single use, as the adhesive does not permit repeated sealing of the same envelope.

Also, the paper used in these envelopes is normally of a non-waterproof material, so that one cannot store or send wet or damp items in them without messy leakage.

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