Flexible Media Packaging

Abstract

A packaging apparatus includes a flexible insert and a sealable wrapper. The flexible insert includes: a body having a first face and a second face opposite the first face; a first flap at a first edge of the body; and a second flap at a second edge of the body, the second edge located opposite the first edge. The sealable wrapper includes: a first panel; and a second panel. The sealable wrapper is sized to enclose the flexible insert. The first face of the body of the flexible insert is configured to engage the first panel of the sealable wrapper upon insertion of the flexible insert to the sealable wrapper. The first and second flaps are configured to, upon the insertion, swing from the body of the flexible insert to engage the second panel of the sealable wrapper such that a thickness of the packaging apparatus becomes substantially uniform.

1 . An packaging apparatus comprising:
 a flexible insert comprising:
 a body having a first face and a second face opposite the first face; 
 a first flap at a first edge of the body; and 
 a second flap at a second edge of the body, the second edge of the body located opposite the first edge; and 
   a sealable wrapper comprising:
 a first panel; and 
 a second panel, 
   the sealable wrapper sized to enclose the flexible insert;   the first face of the body of the flexible insert configured to engage the first panel of the sealable wrapper upon insertion of the flexible insert to the sealable wrapper; and   the first and second flaps of the flexible insert configured to, upon the insertion, swing from the body of the flexible insert to engage the second panel of the sealable wrapper such that a thickness of the packaging apparatus becomes substantially uniform.   
   
   
       2 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one portion of the first edge of the body is perforated and the first flap is joined to the body at the at least one perforated portion of the first edge. 
   
   
       3 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a notch is located at one end of the at least one perforated portion of the first edge and located between the body and the first flap, the notch being generally V-shaped. 
   
   
       4 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least one portion of the second edge of the body is perforated and the second flap is joined to the body at the at least one perforated portion of the second edge. 
   
   
       5 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 4 ,
 wherein a first notch is located at one end of the at least one perforated portion of the first edge and located between the body and the first flap, the first notch being generally V-shaped; and   wherein a second notch is located at one end of the at least one perforated portion of the second edge and located between the body and the second flap, the second notch being generally V-shaped.   
   
   
       6 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the flexible insert has an opening therethrough, the opening located adjacent to the first flap. 
   
   
       7 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the body of the flexible insert has an second opening therethrough, the second opening located adjacent to the second flap. 
   
   
       8 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second face of the body of the flexible insert is configured to receive a rigid item disposed thereon. 
   
   
       9 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the body has an opening therethrough, the opening located adjacent to the first flap;   wherein the body has an second opening therethrough, the second opening located adjacent to the second flap; and   wherein the rigid item is disposed on the second face of the body between the first opening and the second opening.   
   
   
       10 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the rigid item comprises a compact disc (CD) jewel case. 
   
   
       11 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the rigid item comprises a digital versatile disc (DVD) storage case. 
   
   
       12 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the rigid item comprises a container for a cosmetic item. 
   
   
       13 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the rigid item comprises a container for a neutraceutical or pharmaceutical item. 
   
   
       14 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sealable wrapper further comprises a pliable pad disposed on the second panel of the sealable wrapper to face the rigid item upon the insertion of the flexible insert to the sealable wrapper. 
   
   
       15 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealable wrapper further comprises a pliable pad disposed on the second panel of the sealable wrapper to face the body of the flexible insert upon the insertion of the flexible insert to the sealable wrapper. 
   
   
       16 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the pliable pad is adhered to the second face of the sealable wrapper. 
   
   
       17 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the pliable pad has a thickness of approximately 0.1 inch. 
   
   
       18 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealable wrapper is a booklet-style envelope. 
   
   
       19 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the packaging apparatus is between approximately 0.009 inch and 0.75 inch upon the insertion of the flexible insert to the sealable wrapper. 
   
   
       20 . A flexible insert comprising:
 a body having a first face and a second face opposite the first face;   a first flap at a first edge of the body; and   a second flap at a second edge of the body, the second edge of the body located opposite the first edge;   the flexible insert configured to be inserted to an envelope including a first interior face and a second interior face opposite the first interior face, the envelope having a variable thickness;   the first face of the body of the flexible insert configured to engage the first interior face of the envelope upon insertion of the flexible insert to the envelope; and   the first and second flaps of the flexible insert configured to, upon the insertion, swing from the body of the flexible insert to contact the second interior face of the sealable envelope such that the thickness of the envelope becomes substantially uniform.   
   
   
       21 . A packaging apparatus comprising:
 a sealed wrapper comprising:
 a first panel; and 
 a second panel, 
   the sealed wrapper enclosing a flexible insert and having a substantially uniform thickness; and   the flexible insert comprising:
 a body having a first face engaging the first panel of the sealed wrapper and a second face opposite the first face; 
 a first flap at a first edge of the body and engaging the second panel of the sealed wrapper to form a first acute angle with the body; and 
 a second flap at a second edge of the body located opposite the first edge, and engaging the second panel of the sealed wrapper to form a second acute angle with the body.