Reclosable envelope and method of manufacture
AssigneeChampion International Corporation
InventorsJohn Sullivan, Harold R. Lillibridge
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An envelope is provided with a first and second button having a depending portion inserted through an opening in a flap and an adjacent body portion, respectively, which is then flattened by the application of ultrasonic energy to vibrate each button and its depending portion against an anvil, rendering each button captive on the envelope. A string is inserted through a slot or hole in the depending portion of one of the buttons and fused to the button as the depending portion is flattened. The string is used to releasably connect the buttons and thus, the envelope flap to the adjacent body portion.
Claims14
A reclosable envelope comprising:
- an enclosed body portion hingedly connected to an overlying flap,
- a first button connected to the outer surface of said flap,
- a second button connected to the outer surface of said body portion, and
- means for releasably connecting said first and second buttons to thereby releasably secure said overlying flap and said body portion,
- said first and second buttons including
- a base portion and at least one integral depending portion extending downwardly from said base portion through an opening in said flap and said body portion, respectively, of said envelope, said depending portion being flattened towards said base portion so that said buttons are permanently connected to said envelope.
A method for manufacturing a reusable, reclosable envelope comprising the steps of:
- inserting a first and second button through an opening formed in a flap and an adjacent body portion, respectively, of an envelope in which the flap is to be releasably secured to said body portion,
- flattening an integral portion of said first and second buttons to cause said buttons to be retained on said flap and body portion, respectively, and
- inserting a string through one of said buttons prior to flattening the same so as to adhere said string to said button.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.