Safety and privacy envelope

Abstract

The present invention is related to a safety and privacy envelope for providing a mail handler and/or recipient to partially view the contents of an envelope without compromising the confidentiality of the contents. This may be an envelope having a front panel comprised of a top edge, bottom edge, left edge and right edge and a rear side comprised of a top edge, bottom edge, left edge and right edge, wherein at least one of said edges has at least one window portion substantially near said edge. The window portion may be along at least one edge including the bottom edge, right edge, left edge and/or top edge of at least one side and the length of the window portion is less than or equal to the length of the bottom edge. The envelope may be further comprised of a single continuous piece of transparent material that is affixed to the window portion. The single continuous piece of transparent material may be folded to form an edge. The window portion may also be further reinforced along at least one said edge.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An safety and privacy envelope comprising; 
 a front panel in communication with a rear panel so that said front panel and said rear panel provide an opening and closed surfaces on at least one edge;    a rear panel flap sufficient to provide closure to said opening; and    at least one window means located on or near the peripheral margin, said window means adapted to a view of the contents thereof.    
     
     
         2 . An envelope as in  claim 1 , wherein the width of said window means is less than 1.5 inches from said edge.  
     
     
         3 . An envelope as in  claim 1 , wherein the length of said window means is less than or equal to the length of said corresponding edge.  
     
     
         4 . An envelope as in  claim 1 , wherein said window means has a single continuous piece of transparent material affixed to at least one of said window means  
     
     
         5 . An envelope as in  claim 4 , wherein said continuous piece of transparent material is made from a polymer type material.  
     
     
         6 . A safety and privacy envelope having a front panel comprised of at least three edges and a rear side comprised of at least three edges, wherein a portion of at least one of said edges has a window portion substantially near said edge.  
     
     
         7 . An envelope as in  claim 6 , wherein the width of said window portion is less than 1.5 inches from said edge.  
     
     
         8 . An envelope as in  claim 6 , wherein the length of said window portion is less than or equal to the length of said edge.  
     
     
         9 . An envelope as in  claim 6 , wherein said window portion has a single continuous piece of transparent material affixed to said window portion.  
     
     
         10 . An envelope as in  claim 9 , wherein said continuous piece of transparent material is made from a polymer type material.  
     
     
         11 . An envelope having a front panel comprised of a top edge, bottom edge, left edge and right edge and a rear side comprised of a top edge, bottom edge, left edge and right edge, wherein at least one of said edges has at least one window portion substantially near said edge.  
     
     
         12 . An envelope as in  claim 11 , wherein said window portion is along said bottom edge of at least one side and the length of said window portion is less than or equal to the length of said bottom edge.  
     
     
         13 . An envelope as in  claim 11 , wherein said window portion is along said right edge of at least one side and the length of said window portion is less than or equal to the length of said right edge.  
     
     
         14 . An envelop as in  claim 11 , wherein said window portion is along said left edge of at least one side and the length of said window portion is less than or equal to the length of said left edge.  
     
     
         15 . An envelope as in  claim 11 , wherein said window portion is along said top edge of at least one side and the length of said window portion is less than or equal to the length of said top edge.  
     
     
         16 . An envelop as in  claim 11 , wherein said window portion is further comprised of a single continuous piece of transparent material that is affixed to said window portion.  
     
     
         17 . An envelope as in  claim 11 , wherein said window portion is further reinforced along at least one said edge.  
     
     
         18 . An envelope as in  claim 11 , wherein said window portion is less than 1.5 inches from at least one said edge.  
     
     
         19 . An envelope as in  claim 11 , wherein a multitude of window portions are along at least one edge and provide a portion of at least one edge to be transparent and a portion of same said edge to be opaque.  
     
     
         20 . A blank suitable for use in making an envelope, comprising first, second, third, fourth and fifth areas for folding over one upon the other to form front panel and a rear panel, and at least one window portion placed at or substantially near a portion of the area to be folded, where information contained within resulting said envelope should not be visible.  
     
     
         21 . A blank as in  claim 20 , further comprising the use of a transparent material fixedly attached to said window portion.  
     
     
         22 . A blank as in  claim 21 , wherein said transparent material is folded to form an edge of said envelope.