US20190193895A1 - Transparent envelope - Google Patents

Abstract

A transparent envelope for displaying the contents therein is described herein. In some embodiments, the envelope comprises a front panel, a back panel, a flap, and an adhesive strip. The front panel and back panel may be configured to provide a pocket for holding the contents. The envelope may be closed by folding the flap over an opening to the pocket and attaching the flap using an adhesive strip. The envelope encloses contents such as, for example, a gift for a recipient and festive items such as, for example, confetti to be sent to the recipient.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This non-provisional patent application claims priority benefit, with regard to all common subject matter, of earlier-filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/609,528, filed Dec. 22, 2017, and entitled “TRANSPARENT ENVELOPE.” The identified earlier-filed provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into the present application.
BACKGROUND1. Field
• Embodiments of the invention relate to an envelope for sending letters, cards, and photographs. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a transparent envelope system comprising a transparent envelope containing decorative and personalized items that are visible through the envelope.
2. Related Art
• Greeting cards, letters, and photographs can be sent in envelopes. Recipients receive the envelope, read who the letter is from and open the envelope to see what is inside. The recipient may be unenthusiastic upon receipt because it is received in a plain white envelope typical of any other mail. The experience of receiving a letter can be enhanced. What is lacking in the prior art is a way to preview the contents of the envelope prior to opening the envelope. Excitement can be generated upon receipt of the envelope when the recipient sees that they have received some sort of gift. The contents of the envelope may include a personalized item as discussed above and/or a decorative item such as confetti or other ornamental features to heighten the experience for the recipient.
SUMMARY
• Embodiments of the invention solve these problems by providing a transparent envelope for displaying the contents of the envelope to the recipient to increase excitement prior to opening. A first embodiment of the invention is directed to an envelope system for sending and displaying envelope contents, comprising an envelope, comprising a front panel formed of a transparent material, a back panel formed of the transparent material, wherein an opening is disposed between the front panel and the back panel creating a pocket for items to be inserted therein, and a flap disposed on either the front panel or the back panel for folding over and attaching to the other of said front or back panels enclosing the pocket and the contents therein. The envelope system further comprises a personalized item disposed within the pocket, and a decorative item disposed within the pocket, wherein the personalized item and the decorative item are visible when the envelope is sealed.
• A second embodiment is directed to an envelope system for sending and displaying contents, comprising an envelope formed of a polymer comprising an opening for the contents to be inserted, an address label included either at an interior or an exterior of the envelope and visible from the exterior of the envelope, a personalized item disposed within the envelope, and a decorative item disposed within the envelope, wherein the address label, the personalized item, and the decorative item are visible from the exterior of the envelope when the envelope is sealed.
• A third embodiment is directed to a method for creating an envelope system for displaying contents of an envelope comprising the steps of cutting a transparent polymer into a rectangle, folding the rectangle along a first crease creating a first panel and a second panel, wherein a face of the first panel and a face of the second panel are adjacent, wherein the first panel is larger than the second panel, binding a first panel edge to a second panel edge, wherein the bound edges, the first crease, and the first panel and the second panel create a pocket for receiving the contents, inserting at least one decorative item into the pocket for display through the transparent polymer, and folding the first panel along a second crease creating a flap for enclosing the pocket and the contents, wherein the flap is configured with an adhesive to secure the flap to the second panel and enclose the contents in the pocket of the envelope, wherein the contents are visible from an exterior of the envelope when the contents are enclosed in the pocket.
• This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
• FIG. 1 is a view of an exemplary envelope template for manufacturing;
• FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an envelope with enclosed contents;
• FIG. 3 presents an exemplary embodiment of the envelope with attached address labels and postage;
• FIG. 4 presents an exemplary embodiment of the envelope with a greeting card enclosed; and
• FIG. 5 is an exemplary method for manufacture and assembly of embodiments of the envelope.
• The drawing figures do not limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Embodiments of the invention solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a distinct advance in the art by providing an envelope that presents contents to a recipient in a new and exciting way. The envelope may be transparent presenting the contents upon receipt. The contents may include a personalized item such as a greeting card, postcard, letter, or gift card, and a decorative item such as confetti or other ornamental features and decorative or festive items to enhance the experience for the recipient. The envelope may be sent by courier services, ordered online and sent to the recipient or printed, packaged, and shipped to the recipient by the online company, or purchased at a brick-and-mortar retailer.
• The following description of embodiments of the invention references the accompanying illustrations that illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
• In this description, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “embodiments”, “various embodiments”, “certain embodiments”, “some embodiments”, or “other embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “embodiments”, “various embodiments”, “certain embodiments”, “some embodiments”, or “other embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the current technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.
• In some embodiments, the envelope may present the contents to the recipient before the recipient opens the envelope. The envelope may be transparent or translucent such that the contents may be viewed without opening the envelope. In some embodiments, the envelope may be manufactured to fit standard United States Postal Service dimensions. In some embodiments, the envelope may be manufactured to fit custom specifications or manufactured to fit any other postcard or standard photograph or letter dimensions in the United States or any international country.
• In some embodiments, the envelope may be configured to contain any personalized contents including: letters, cards, gift cards, or gifts that may be any shape and size. The envelope may be any shape and size to fit the contents or any other contents not mentioned here therein. In some embodiments of the invention the envelope may meet the sizes and standards as set forth by government agencies such as, for example, the United States Postal Service, or by private courier services such as, for example, Federal Express or United Postal Service. The courier services listed here are not limiting and the envelope may be sent through any national or international government or private courier service.
• Embodiments of the envelope may present decorative components such as ribbon, confetti, glitter, stamps, caricatures, candy, or any other festive, or decorative, item that may be contemplated to incorporate into the envelope. The festive items may present any sort or decorative pattern or material. The festive items may be purchased with the envelope or separately. In some embodiments, the festive items may be purchased online and printed at different sizes to be included with the contents of the envelope.
• FIG. 1 presents an exemplary embodiment of the size and the shape of theenvelope100. The size and shape of theenvelope100 may be standard based on post cards, letters, pictures, greeting cards, and other objects to be displayed. The size and shape of theenvelope100 may be customizable to fit any object that may be displayed for sending. Theenvelope100 may be made from a polymer, for example, an acetate polymer sheet.
• In some embodiments, theenvelope100 is cut into asheet102. Thesheet102 may be rectangular as depicted inFIG. 1 or square, oval, triangular, any polygon, circle or any abstract shape that may be imagined to fold and cut to fit any item that may be displayed and sent in theenvelope100. Thesheet102 depicted comprises ashort side104 and along side106. Theshort side104 and thelong side106 may be any length that may be folded and cut to create anenvelope100 that may fit the contents or standards set forth by the courier services orpossible envelope100 contents as mentioned above.
• In some embodiments, theshort side104, for example, is approximately 5.5 inches and thelong side106, for example, is approximately 15.75 inches. Acrease108 may divide afront panel110 and aback panel112 into roughly equivalent areas while leaving aflap114 extending from one of either thefront panel110 orback panel112 for closing theenvelope100. Thecrease108 after folding may become the bottom of theenvelope100. Theflap114 may be created by aflap crease116. Theflap114 may include anadhesive strip118 for securing the contents inside theenvelope100. Theenvelope100 may be folded atcrease108 such that thefront panel110 and theback panel112 are adjacent. After folding, the front panelfirst edge120 may be attached to the back panelfirst edge122 and the front panelsecond edge124 may be attached to the back panelsecond edge126. Attaching the edges as described may result in a pouch, or pocket, for inserting the contents of theenvelope100. Once the contents are inserted, theflap114 may be folded over atflap crease116 and sealed using theadhesive strip118.
• In some embodiments, the front panelfirst edge120 may be attached to the back panelfirst edge122 and the front panelsecond edge124 may be attached to the back panelsecond edge126 by an adhesive such as tape, glue, or any other adhesive. In some embodiments, heat may be applied to bond the edges. In some embodiments, the edges may be mechanically attached by grommets, eyelets, crimping, sewn, or any other mechanical method of attaching two edges. Any combination of the above described methods for attaching the edges may be used. For example, the edges may be attached by crimping with a hot crimper such that the edges are both crimped and bonded with heat. In some embodiments, an adhesive such as double sided tape may be applied between the edges and the edges crimped such that the edges are sealed by crimping and with tape. These methods may combine attachment methods thus providing multiple layers of attachment. Any combination of the above described attachment methods may be used.
• In some embodiments, the creases are cuts and thefront panel110 andback panel112 are separate. In this case all edges described as creases above may be attached using any of the attachment methods described in regard to the edges above. In some embodiments, theflap114 is not creased and is a separate panel as described in regard to thefront panel110 and theback panel112 above.
• In some embodiments there is noflap114 and thefront panel110 and theback panel112 are attached using an attachment method provided on the interior or the exterior of the panels. For example, theadhesive strip118 may be disposed on an interior of thefront panel110. Theadhesive strip118 may have a removable cover such as a piece of the paper or plastic that covers the adhesive surface preventing theadhesive strip118 from sticking to theback panel112. Once the removable cover is removed exposing the adhesive surface of theadhesive strip118 theback panel112 may be attached to thefront panel110 by contacting the surface of theback panel112 to the adhesive surface of theadhesive strip118 that is attached to thefront panel110. In this way, thefront panel110 and theback panel112 may be attached using theadhesive strip118. Similarly, theadhesive strip118 may be attached to theback panel112 for contacting and attaching thefront panel110. In some embodiments, theadhesive strip118 is attached to thefront panel110 or theback panel112 and theflap114 is folded over to contact the adhesive surface of theadhesive strip118 to close theenvelope100.
• In some embodiments, the size and shape of theenvelope100 after manufacture may meet international post card standards such as, for example, a height of between 3.54 and 4.72 inches and a length of between 5.51 and 9.25 inches. Typically, international postcard sizes are A6 or 5.8 by 4.1 inches. In some embodiments, theenvelope100, for example, may meet United States postcard standards of a height of 3.5 to 4.25 inches and a length of 5.0 to 6.0 inches. Theenvelope100 may also allow a postcard thickness of 0.007 and 0.016 inches for example. Where the length is defined as parallel to the address as read and the width is perpendicular to the height.
• Theenvelope100 may also be used to send personal letters. These letters may meet the standards of the United States Postal Service for commercial letters. For example, the letters may be a height between 3.5 and 6.125 inches and a length between 5 and 11.5 inches with a thickness between 0.007 and 0.25 inches.
• The letter dimensions listed above are for standard commercial letters as defined by the United States Postal Service and are exemplary only. Theenvelope100 may be manufactured to a size to easily fit letters and postcards of these typical dimensions but may also be altered to fit different dimensions. For example, theenvelope100 size may be increased or decreased on any side to fit, for example, stored value cards, gift cards, greeting cards of any shape and size, or any other gifts, photographs, compact disks, or data storage devices.
• In some embodiments, the maximum size and weight of theenvelope100 and contents combined may meet the requirements of, for example, First-Class Mail automation letters, Periodicals, USPS, and Marketing Mail of 3.5 ounces or heavy letter mail of 3.0 ounces. Further, the shape may be rectangular with an aspect ratio of 1.3 to 2.5, as defined by length divided by height, where the length is a dimension defined parallel to the address as read and the height perpendicular to the length.
• In some embodiments, theenvelope100 may be manufactured to the meet the sizes of other standard mailing letters such as, for example, first class and commercial envelopes in the categories of machinable, nonmachinable, automation; marketable mail in the categories of machinable, nonmachinable, automation, carrier route; and periodicals in the categories of barcoded (automation) and nonbarcoded letters. Further, theenvelope100 may be manufactured to meet any customized specifications provided by any customers for sending any gift as described above.
• FIG. 2 presents an exemplary embodiment of theenvelope100 with addedcontent128, a photograph, and a decorative item orfestive item130 which in this case is confetti. Thecontent128 may be enclosed within the envelope with theflap114 andadhesive strip118 as described above. The photograph may be any standard size such as 4 by 6, 5 by 7, 8 by 10, 8.5 by 11, 11 by 14 or any other size. Theenvelope100 may be manufactured to fit other larger, smaller, or in-between sizes of photographs. The confetti in the envelope may be purchased with theenvelope100 or separately, and may be free to move within theenvelope100 or may be attached with an adhesive to the interior or the exterior of theenvelope100.
• In some embodiments, theenvelope100 may be purchased online from the manufacturer or a third-party retailer website. In some embodiments, theenvelope100 may be sent to the customer based on the specifications listed by the customer. The customer may then place, for example, thefestive item130 and thecontent128 such as a grift which may be the photograph, letter, or anyother content128 as described herein. Also placed in or attached to theenvelope100 may be an address label and postage and theenvelope100 may then be sent to the recipient. In some embodiments, thefestive item130,content128, address labels, and/or postage may be applied to theenvelope100 or assembled by the manufacture prior to delivery of theenvelope100 to the customer or recipient. Any combination of the above described embodiments may be completed by the manufacturer prior to delivery to the customer or recipient or may be completed by the customer before sending to the recipient.
• In some embodiments, the address labels may be included on thecontent128. Thecontent128, for example, may be a postcard and the customer may apply the recipient information and customer return information directly to an address label on the postcard. In other embodiments, the address label may be applied to the content online at an online website. The online customer may selectcontent128 such as a personalized item to include in theenvelope100 that may be a greeting card with the customer and the recipients picture that has been uploaded by the customer. On a side of thecontent128 opposite the picture, the customer may fill out contact information that is printed directly on the greeting card and visible through theenvelope100. Theenvelope100 may also include a customer selectedfestive item130 and the online retailer may assemble the envelope system and send directly to the recipient. In some embodiments the postage and address label is also included on thecontent128,festive item130, interior, or exterior of theenvelope100.
• Thecontent128 may include thefestive item130 such as the confetti. Thecontent128, thefestive item130, and the envelope may be advertised and sold together such that the customer may input recipient information such as name address and any contact information and theenvelope100 and thecontent128 along with thefestive item130 may be sent directly to the recipient. The customer may select theenvelope100content128 such as, for example, the postcard and the festive130 item such as, for example, the confetti. The customer may have all items delivered to the customer such that the customer assembles and sends theenvelope100 including thecontent128 andfestive items130. This may be helpful if, for example, the customer is sending multiple items to multiple people or if the customer is ordering in bulk to send for different occasions such as birthdays or seasonal gifts throughout the year.
• In some embodiments, theenvelope100 may be purchased at a brick-and-mortar retailer. Theenvelope100 and thecontent128 such as, for example, the postcard and thefestive item130 may be sold separately or already sealed within theenvelope100. Theenvelope100 may be sold alone such that thecontent128 may be purchased separately and added to theenvelope100. In this way, the customer may have many options and combinations from which to choose.
• Theenvelope100, in some embodiments, may be used to send thecontent128, which may be a postcard as depicted inFIG. 2. Since theenvelope100 may be transparent the postcard may be purchased in theenvelope100. In this case, a separate envelope would not need to be purchased and the postcard and theenvelope100 may be purchased together. In some embodiments, theenvelope100 may be opened such thatfestive item130 may be added to the interior of theenvelope100 to increase excitement for the recipient and add a customizable feature for the sender.
• In some embodiments, thefestive item130 andcontent128 may be purchased separately from theenvelope100 and added. The confetti are exemplaryfestive items130 and show how thecontent128 display may be enhanced for the recipient. The confetti may be gold, blue, green, or any color and may be any other item that may enhance the experience for the recipient as described above. The addedcontent128 may be candy, puzzle pieces, photographs, plastic, paper, electronic devices such as a compact disk or other data storage devices or any other item that may be specific to or may have personal meaning to the customer or the recipient.
• The confetti is an exemplaryfestive item130 and may be any number offestive items130 such as stickers, caricatures, images, glitter, or any other item that a sender may place in theenvelope100. The addition of thefestive item130 is a feature that the sender may use as a personalization piece and may be customizable and purchased with theenvelope100 or separately.
• Thefestive item130 may be free to move within theenvelope100 or may be attached or manufactured with theenvelope100. For example, thefestive item130 may be attached to the interior of the envelope with an adhesive such that when theenvelope100 is open thefestive item130 may not fall out and be lost. This may prevent thefestive item130, in the case of, for example, glitter, from falling out of theenvelope100 and making a mess. Thefestive item130 may be attached with a spray adhesive or may be attached with a liquid or solid glue or thefestive item130 may contain an adhesive such as a peel and place sticker.
• In some embodiments, thefestive item130 may be added to theenvelope100 during manufacturing. A sheet of material from which theenvelope100 is cut may be covered with an adhesive and thefestive item130 may be added. Once the adhesive dries with thefestive item130 attached, theenvelope100 may be cut and folded into shape. Similarly, thefestive item130 may be laid on a sheet of the material and a separate sheet may be attached to the first sheet thus sealing the festive item between the two sheets. The sheets may then be folded and cut to the size and shape of theenvelope100 with thefestive item130 contained within the walls of theenvelope100.
• FIG. 3. presents an exemplary embodiment of a reverse side of the embodiment ofFIG. 2. In general, theenvelope100 may come with attached address labels132 or the address labels132 may be attached by the customer. The address labels132 may be sold with theenvelope100 or may be sold separately. The address labels132 may be attached to the interior or the exterior of theenvelope100 and may be attached during manufacturing such that the address labels132 are attached to theenvelope100 upon purchase at a brick-and-mortar retailer or upon receipt when purchased online.
• As depicted inFIG. 3 theenvelope100 has twoaddress labels132 attached; asender address label134 and arecipient address label136. Theenvelope100 may be selected and may be mailed by attaching thesender address label134 and therecipient address label136 to theenvelope100 and placingpostage138 on theenvelope100 or filling in address and postage information in predefined regions of theenvelope100 or thecontents128.
• In some embodiments, the address labels132 are predefined regions and manufactured with theenvelope100 such that the customer can write directly on theenvelope100. Theenvelope100, address labels132, andpostage138 may meet the requirements of any courier service.
• In some embodiments, the address labels132 andshipping postage138 may be attached to the reverse side of theenvelope100 from the side of the envelope displaying thecontent128 as depicted inFIG. 2. Attaching thepostage138 andaddress labels132 to the reverse side enables the recipient to have an unobstructed view of thecontent128 as presented inFIG. 2. The address labels132 may be added to any part of theenvelope100. The address labels132 may be small, medium, or large in size and may partially cover or not cover thecontent128. The size of the address labels132 may be standard according to the United States Postal Service or any international or privately owned courier service.
• In some embodiments, the address labels132 may be transparent and only the writing presenting the name, address, and any other instructional language visible. The transparent address label may only provide opaque or translucent writing such as, for example, “name” and “address” to clearly mark the location of the sender and/or recipient's information. The customer may add the sender information to thesender address label134 and the recipient information to therecipient address label136 with a pen, marker, or any writing utensil.
• In some embodiments, postage may be added to theenvelope100. Thepostage138 may be standard paper stamp attached with water or adhesive or may be an ink stamp. In some embodiments, thepostage138 is purchased with theenvelope100 and theenvelope100 is stamped at a post office or by the manufacturer or by a third-party retailer. In some embodiments, the postage is printed with thecontents128 and is included in the customer fee. Thecontents128,festive item130, address labels132, andpostage138 may be included in the interior of theenvelope100 and visible from the exterior of theenvelope100. Anypostage138 may be added to or printed on theenvelope100 or any contents of theenvelope100 for any items that may be delivered through the United States Postal Service, or any other courier as described herein.
• Once thecontent128 and thefestive item130 of theenvelope100 has been added theenvelope100 may be closed using theadhesive strip118. In some embodiments, theadhesive strip118, as described above, may be sealed with an adhesive or water activated adhesive. Theadhesive strip118 may be provided on theflap114 folded over from either theback panel112 or thefront panel110. In some embodiments, there may be noflap114 and theadhesive strip118 is disposed between thefront panel110 and theback panel112 close to the edge of the opening. Theadhesive strip118 may be combined with theenvelope100 or may be a regular household adhesive and theenvelope100 is not purchased with theadhesive strip114.
• The exemplary embodiment depicted inFIG. 4 presents afront side140 of awinter greeting card142 enclosed in theenvelope100. Thegreeting card142 presents pictures and writing visible through thetransparent envelope100. Thefestive item130 is disposed inside theenvelope100 and is also visible through theenvelope100. Theenvelope100 may be sealed displaying thegreeting card142 as shown and theshipping label132 may be on the reverse side hidden from the recipient on the front side but visible from the reverse side. Thegreeting card142 may be presented in theenvelope100 in any embodiment with any of the added contents as described above. An address label is visible on the back side of theenvelope100 such that all contents of the envelope are clearly visible and not obstructed by any required delivery information.
• In some embodiments, thetransparent envelope100 may be translucent or may have decals or illustrations on theenvelope100. The illustrations may be printed on theenvelope100 and may be templates provided by the manufacturer or may be custom and provided by the customer. For example, thefestive items130 may be printed on the envelope such that the recipient may see thefestive item130 and may see through, or around, in that thefestive item130 may be translucent or opaque. Theenvelope100 may present scenic illustrations such as snow or animals on the interior or the exterior of the envelope. The illustrations may be transparent, translucent, or opaque and may be printed on theenvelope100 to add another layer of excitement and customization. The illustrations may be added in combination with thecontent128 and thefestive item130. In some embodiments presented above, the illustrations may be thefestive item130.
• An exemplary method of manufacture and assembly of theenvelope100 is presented inFIG. 5. The flow chart has two parts;manufacture502 andassembly504. Any steps of the manufacture and assembly may be substituted, deleted, or added. Any steps presented in the manufacture section may be performed in the assembly section and vice versa. For example, when theenvelope100 is assembled with thefestive contents130 at the manufacturer or at a third-party retailer, some assembly, such as addingcontent128 andfestive items130, may occur at the manufacturing level.
• In aStep506, a material is cut into an initial shape for creating theenvelope100. In some embodiments, the material is a transparent or translucent polymer. In some embodiments, the material is an acetate sheet. In some embodiments, the acetate is cut into a rectangular sheet for creating a rectangular envelope for sending items by mail or through an independent courier service. The material may be cut into any shape to create any size and shape for theenvelope100.
• In aStep508, the material is folded to create afront panel110 and aback panel112. In some embodiments thefront panel110 andback panel112 are not the same size. The material may be perforated along the folding edges. In some embodiments, the material may be cut instead of folded to create theseparate back panel112 andfront panel110.
• In aStep510, the free edges of thefront panel110 are attached to the free edges of theback panel112. In some embodiments, the edges are attached with an adhesive, heat, or mechanical attachments such as grommets or hook and loop or zipper style attachments. In some embodiments the edges are attached by crimping and any combination of attachments may be used. The edges of thefront panel110 are attached to the edges in theback panel112 creating a pocket where the folded edge is the bottom of the pocket.
• In aStep512, a fold is created from the longer of thefront panel110 orback panel112 to create aflap114 for closing the top of theenvelope100. In some embodiments, the fold is perforated, heated, or cut as described in thefront panel110 andback panel112 folds above. Theflap114 may be folded into the interior of the pocket or may be folded onto the exterior of theenvelope100. The fold may be created from either thefront panel110 or theback panel112.
• In aStep514 theadhesive strip118 is added to theflap114. Theflap114 is configured with theadhesive strip118 on a side that comes into contact with either the interior of the opposing panel or the exterior of the opposing panel. For example, if theflap114 is made from theback panel112 then theflap114 could come into contact withfront panel110 to close theenvelope100. Theadhesive strip118 may be added to theflap114 such that theflap114 attaches to the exterior of thefront panel110 or the interior of thefront panel110. In some embodiments, theadhesive strip118 is added to thefront panel110 such that theflap114 may adhere to thefront panel110 in a similar way as described above. In some embodiments, there is noflap114 and either thefront panel110 or theback panel112 comprises theadhesive strip118 for attaching to the adjacent panel.
• In aStep516, optional contents such asfestive items130 may be added to theenvelope100. In some embodiments, thefestive items130 may be added loosely by the manufacturer or the sender. In some embodiments, thefestive items130 may be added with adhesive such that thefestive items130 stick to the side of theenvelope100. This method may prevent thefestive items130 from falling out of theenvelope100. Thefestive items130 may also be added during manufacturing and laid between sheets of material such that they are contained within the panels, or walls, of theenvelope100.
• AtStep518, thecontent128 is added to theenvelope100. Thecontent128 may be a letter, a greeting card, a postcard, a data storage device, or any other gift or item that a person may send and wish to be viewed through theenvelope100.
• AtStep520, theflap114 is folded over and sealed closing theenvelope100 and enclosing thecontent128 andfestive items130 within theenvelope100. Theflap114 may be attached, closing the envelope, with theadhesive strip118 as described above or by any mechanical attaching method also described above.
• AtStep522address labels132 andpostage138 are added to theenvelope100. In some embodiments, the address labels32 are transparent and allow the recipient to see through the address labels132 to theenvelope100content128 and only the writing on the address labels132 are visible. In some embodiments, the address labels132 are translucent or opaque and may be purchased in combination withenvelope100 or attached to theenvelope100 during manufacturing as described above. In some embodiments, where the address labels132 are attached to theenvelope100 by the manufacturer or the third-party retailer,Step522 may be moved into the manufacturing portion of theflow chart method500. In some embodiments, the address labels and/or postage is including on the interior of theenvelope100 and in some embodiments is printed directly on thecontents128.
• The steps of theexemplary method500 are interchangeable and in some embodiments the steps may be performed in any number of alternative orders. Further, as described above, the attachedpostage138 may be a conventional stamp from a post office or any other attached or printed symbol representing that some method of payment for courier service has been conducted.
• AtStep524, theenvelope100 withcontent128 andfestive item130 enclosed and attachedaddress label132 andpostage138 is sent to the recipient. In some embodiments, theenvelope100 is assembled and sent by the customer and in some embodiments, theenvelope100 is assembled and sent to the recipient by the manufacturer or the third-party retailer as described above.
• Thetransparent envelope100 and thecontent128 may be selected online and printed, packaged, and sent by the online company. Digital media including photographs may be uploaded and added to templates and edited online by the purchaser and sent to the recipient.
• In some embodiments of the method described above, any embodiments described within the method may be rearranged, omitted, or any embodiments described above may be added as needed to other embodiments.
• Although the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention.
• Having thus described various embodiments of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following:

Claims (20)

1. An envelope system for sending and displaying envelope contents, comprising:

an envelope, comprising:

a front panel formed of a transparent material;

a back panel formed of the transparent material,

wherein an opening is disposed between the front panel and the back panel creating a pocket for items to be inserted therein; and

a flap disposed on either the front panel or the back panel for folding over and attaching to the other of said front or back panels enclosing the pocket and the contents therein;

a personalized item disposed within the pocket; and

a decorative item disposed within the pocket,

wherein the personalized item and the decorative item are visible when the envelope is sealed.

2. The envelope system ofclaim 1, wherein the transparent material is a polymer.

3. The envelope system ofclaim 1, wherein the decorative item is at least one of confetti, rice, candy, photographs, plastic, or paper.

4. The envelope system ofclaim 1, wherein the personalized item is at least one of a stored value card, a greeting card, a letter, a photograph, or a data storage device.

5. The envelope system ofclaim 1,

wherein the back panel comprises the flap; and

wherein the flap includes an adhesive that attaches to the front panel adjacent the back panel.

6. The envelope system ofclaim 5, wherein the back panel and the front panel are formed by folding and attaching front panel edges to back panel edges to form the pocket.

7. The envelope system ofclaim 1,

wherein the personalized item, the decorative item, an address label, and postage is visible from an exterior of the envelope when the envelope is sealed, and

wherein the address label is disposed within the envelope.

8. The envelope system ofclaim 1, wherein the personalized item is purchased separately and added to the pocket after purchase.

9. The envelope system ofclaim 1, wherein the envelope system is purchased online and is sent directly to a recipient with the personalized item and the decorative item included.

10. The envelope system ofclaim 9, wherein the personalized item is personalized online and a size and a shape of the envelope is customizable and purchased from a third-party website.

11. The envelope system ofclaim 9, wherein an address label is included in the personalization and printed directly on a back side of the personalized item.

12. The envelope system ofclaim 1, wherein a height of the envelope is between 3.5 and 5 inches and a length of the envelope is between 4.5 and 6 inches.

13. The envelope system ofclaim 1, wherein the envelope system further comprises at least one address label visible from either an interior or an exterior of the envelope.

14. The envelope system ofclaim 13, wherein postage and the at least one address label is disposed on the interior of the envelope and visible through the envelope.

15. An envelope system for sending and displaying contents, comprising:

an envelope formed of a polymer comprising an opening for the contents to be inserted;

an address label included either at an interior or an exterior of the envelope and visible from the exterior of the envelope;

a personalized item disposed within the envelope; and

a decorative item disposed within the envelope;

wherein the address label, the personalized item, and the decorative item are visible from the exterior of the envelope when the envelope is sealed.

16. The envelope system ofclaim 15, wherein the decorative item is adhered to the interior of the envelope.

17. The envelope system ofclaim 15, wherein the envelope is sealed with the decorative item and the personalized item enclosed and sent directly to a recipient by a third-party retailer.

18. The envelope system ofclaim 17, wherein the personalized item is at least one of a stored value card, a greeting card, a letter, a photograph, or a data storage device.

19. The envelope system ofclaim 18, wherein the decorative item and the personalized item are selected by an online customer and the third-party retailer is an online retailer.

20. A method for creating an envelope system for displaying contents of an envelope comprising the steps of:

cutting a transparent polymer into a rectangle;

folding the rectangle along a first crease creating a first panel and a second panel,

wherein a face of the first panel and a face of the second panel are adjacent,

wherein the first panel is larger than the second panel;

binding a first panel edge to a second panel edge;

wherein the bound edges, the first crease, and the first panel and the second panel create a pocket for receiving the contents;

inserting at least one decorative item into the pocket for display through the transparent polymer; and

folding the first panel along a second crease creating a flap for enclosing the pocket and the contents,

wherein the flap is configured with an adhesive to secure the flap to the second panel and enclose the contents in the pocket of the envelope,

wherein the contents are visible from an exterior of the envelope when the contents are enclosed in the pocket.

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