Inside out two-way shipping envelope

• US 6,296,179 B1
• Filed: 10/23/2000
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elizabeth Wortman
• Original Assignee: Elizabeth Wortman
• Inventors: Wortman, Elizabeth
• Primary Examiner(s): Pascua, Jes F.
• Application Number:
  US09/694,648
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 229/301, 229/306, 229/313
• US Class Current: 229/306
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/15 Tearable part of the closure B65D2401/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 27/06 with provisions for repeated re-use
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 27/16 using pressure-sensitive adhesive

Abstract

A shipping envelope having an outer surface, an inner surface, a closure flap with first and second adhesive strips and on opposite surfaces of the flap, and a perforation between the adhesive strips. The first adhesive strip is nearest the outer edge of the flap, and is used to close and seal the envelope for the first time. The recipient opens the envelope along the perforation. If return shipping is desired, the recipient turns the envelope inside out, exposing a second shipping label. The second adhesive strip is now in position to close and seal the flap for a second shipment, such as a return shipment for refund or exchange.

Claims

1. A reusable shipping container comprising:

a front panel and a back panel, each panel having left, right, bottom, and top edges;

the front and back panels permanently sealed together along respective left, right, and bottom edges only, forming an envelope with an opening between the top edges of the front and back panels;

the envelope having an inner surface and an outer surface;

a first address label on the outer surface of the envelope;

a second address label on the inner surface of the envelope;

a closure flap having a first edge attached to the envelope at a fold line along one of the top edges of the first and second panels forming the opening, the flap having a free second edge distal to the first edge, a first surface facing the opening, and a second surface facing away from the opening;

first and second adhesive strips on the first and second surfaces of the flap respectively, the first adhesive strip adjacent to the second edge of the flap; and

a perforation in the flap between the adhesive strips;

whereby the envelope can be closed with the flap using the first adhesive strip, shipped to the first address;

opened by tearing along the perforation line, and reused by turning the envelope inside out, sealing the envelope with the second adhesive strip, and shipping the envelope to the second address.

2. A shipping envelope, comprising:

a permanently enclosed portion having an interior and an exterior;

an opening into the enclosed portion;

a flap adjacent to the opening, the flap having a first surface facing the opening, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a distal edge;

a first adhesive strip on the first surface of the flap adjacent the distal edge of the flap;

a second adhesive strip on the second surface of the flap;

a perforation line in the flap between the first and second adhesive strips;

a first address on the exterior of the envelope; and

a second address on the interior of the envelope;

whereby the envelope can be closed with the flap using the first adhesive strip, shipped to the first address;

opened by tearing along the perforation line, and reused by turning the envelope inside out, sealing the envelope with the second adhesive strip, and shipping the envelope to the second address.

3. A method of return shipping of contents in a reusable shipping envelope, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a shipping envelope with a permanently enclosed portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an opening, a first address label on the outer surface, a second address label on the inner surface, a closure flap adjacent the opening with first and second opposite surfaces and an outer edge, the first surface of the flap facing the opening, first and second adhesive strips on the first and second surfaces of the flap respectively, the first adhesive strip adjacent the outer edge of the flap, a perforation in the flap between the adhesive strips, the flap folded over the opening, and sealed against the outer surface of the envelope with the first adhesive strip;

b) opening the envelope by separating the perforation;

c) removing the contents of the envelope;

d) turning the envelope inside out;

e) inserting the contents in the inside out envelope;

f) closing the envelope by folding the flap over the opening and sealing it with the second adhesive strip; and

g) shipping the envelope using the second address label.