WO2003000561A1

WO2003000561A1 - Envelope with closure system

Info

Publication number: WO2003000561A1
Application number: PCT/CA2002/000930
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Guest
Original assignee: 940981 Ontario Inc. Cob As Pep
Priority date: 2001-06-22
Filing date: 2002-06-21
Publication date: 2003-01-03
Also published as: US20010032872A1; WO2003000561A9

Abstract

A closure system (10) comprising a passive surface (14), an engageable surface (12) and an adhesive surface (16) that may be applied to a number of surfaces such as paper and plastic envelopes.

Description

ENVELOPE ITH CLOSURE SYSTEM

Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to an envelope and more specifically to an envelope that may be automatically filled and sealed with a closure system.

Background of Invention

Since the advent of letter writing, closure systems for paper products such as envelopes have progressed from sealing wax to more innovative closure systems that use a variety of adhesives and sealing mechanisms. Many of these closure systems often require .wetting the adhesive, or removing an additional element such as a pull tear or release paper.

The purpose for developing some of these closure systems was to improve convenience for the user when sending paper products such as envelopes, as well as trying to increase the confidentiality associated with sending letters. Prior art closure systems have been devised to address some of the aforenoted problems with closure systems.

For example U.S. Patent No. 2,367,440 issued January 16, 1945 to Schieman describes a pressure sensitive, self-sealing envelope. More particularly, the envelope's flap has a pressure sensitive adhesive zone that registers with a repellent zone when the envelope is not in use.

U.S. Patent No. 3,143,279 issued August 4, 1964 to Black describing a combined envelope and statement form. Specifically, the invention discloses a combination envelope and statement that overcomes the use of separate envelopes for forwarding the statement to a customer and payment of the account by the customer.

U.S. Patent 3,990,627 issued November 9, 1976 to Olson and discloses an adhesive closure for bags comprising an adhesive strip located adjacent the open mouth portion of the bag. The adhesive strip is covered until ready for use by the upper portion of the bag's front wall whereby upward displacement of the front wall exposes the adhesive strip for sealing the upper portion of the bag walls together.

U.S. Patent No. 5,375,764 issued to Sauerwine on December 27, 1994 describes a double parallel heat seal mailer. The invention discloses a double parallel mailer, which may include a return envelope with a side edge opening or a booklet. More specifically the mailer includes a first outgoing portion and a return portion, which can be detached from the first outgoing portion.

U.S. Patent No. 5,052,613 issued to Lin on October 1 , 1991 , describes a two-way envelope. More specifically the invention discloses an envelope that may be used for both an original and return mailers and includes removable and reusable address labels. The invention further describes a number of different ways to fold the mailer so that there is an outgoing portion and a second return portion.

Although the prior art addresses some of the problems noted above, the prior art structures do not allow for unobstructed access into the envelopes cavity to allow for automatic filling or stuffing. Furthermore, the prior art structures require that the flaps of the envelopes be lifted and folded back to allow for access into the envelope to allow for stuffing. Finally, an envelope in both paper and plastic that does not require any moistening of the adhesive, and allows for easy storage, printing and use is desirable. Summary of the Invention

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved envelope that allows for easy or automatic filling.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided an envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling comprising a front panel having an outer side, an inner side, a bottom edge, a top edge and side edges, the inner side having a passive surface. The envelope further comprises a back panel having an outer side, an inner side, a bottom edge and top edge. The outer side may have an engageable surface and the bottom edge of the back panel is connected to the bottom edge of the front panel.

A flap having angled side edges, an outer side and an inner side is connected to the top edge of the front panel. The inner side may have a means for engaging said engageable surface.

A pair of side panels having angled side edges is connected to the side edges of the front panel. The side panels engage the inner side of the front panel and the inner side of the back panel.

In an unsealed position, the means for engaging the engageable surface on the inner side of the flap rests against the passive surface on the inner side of the front panel. The angled side edges of the side panels therefore allow for unobstructed access to the cavity without lifting the flap in the unsealed position. For a sealed position the means for engaging the engageable surface on the flap is lifted away from the passive surface and engages the engageable surface of the back panel. Preferably the passive surface may be a release system such as a silicone release coating. Conveniently, the means for engaging the engageable surface is an adhesive that is compatible with the release system.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the engageable surface may be to either to paper or plastic.

Conveniently, the envelope may further comprise of a second panel. The second panel may include a detachable statement portion and/or a detachable return envelope.

Advantages of the present invention are: the configuration of the envelope allows for unobstructed access into the cavity of the envelope; the configuration of the envelope allows for the flap to remain in a resting position during the filling of the envelope; the envelope may be made from both paper and plastic; the adhesive does not require any moisture to be activated; the association of the passive surface with means for engaging the engageable surface when applied to envelopes, allows for easy manufacturing, storage, printing of the envelopes; the configuration of the envelopes may include envelope pouches, two-way mailers and return statement mailers.

Brief Description of Drawings

A detailed description of the preferred embodiments are provided herein below, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Fig. 1, in a back perspective view, illustrates an envelope in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2a, in a front perspective view, illustrates the envelope of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2b, in a front elevation view, illustrates the envelope of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2c, in a front elevation view, illustrates the envelope of Fig. 1 , showing the envelope being automatically filled.

Fig. 2d, in a front elevation view illustrates the envelope of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2e, in a front elevation view illustrates the envelope of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3a-c, in back perspective views, illustrate the closure system of Figure 1 in operation.

Fig. 4, in a top view, illustrates the closure system applied to a 2-way mailer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5, in a perspective back view, illustrates the closure system of Fig. 4.

Figs. 6a-c, in perspective front views, illustrate the closure system of Figs. 4 and 5 in operation.

Fig. 7, in a front perspective view, illustrates the closure system applied to a return mailer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8, in a back perspective view, illustrates the closure system of Figure 7 in operation. Fig. 9, in a perspective view, illustrates the closure system applied to a V-fold form in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10, in a perspective view, illustrates the closure system as illustrated in Figure 9.

Fig. 11a, in a side view, illustrates the closure system as illustrated in Figure 9. in a pad format.

Fig. 11b, in a perspective view, illustrates the closure system as illustrated in Figure 11a.

Fig. 11c, in a perspective view, illustrates the closure system as illustrated in Figure 9 in a continuous format.

Fig. 12a, in a perspective view, illustrates the closure system as illustrated in Figure 1 in a continuous format.

Fig. 12b, in a side view, illustrates the closure system as illustrated in

Figure 12a.

Fig. 12c, in a top front view, illustrates the closure system as illustrated in Figure 12a.

Fig. 12d, in a top back view, illustrates the closure system as illustrated in Figure 12a.

In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated in order to more clearly depict certain features of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 , 2, and 3a-c, there is illustrated a closure system 10 in perspective views, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The closure system 10 includes an engageable surface 12, a passive surface 14 and a means for engaging the engageable surface 16. The passive surface 14 and the means for engaging the engageable surface 16 may be positioned juxtaposed to one another on the engageable surface 12.

By placing the passive means 14 and the means for engaging the engageable surface 16 juxtaposed to one another, the passive means 14 and the means for engaging the engageable surface 16 may associate with one another when closure system 10 is in a first unsealed position 18.

The positioning of the passive means 14 and the means for engaging the engageable surface 16 may be further defined so that the passive means 14 and the means for engaging the engageable surface 16 are parallel to one another on the engageable surface 12.

. Referring to Fig. 3a, the first unsealed position 18 may be further defined by the passive means 14 resting against the means for engaging the engageable surface 16. A second sealed position 20 may be defined when the means for engaging the engageable surface 16 associates with the engageable surface 12.

Referring to Figs. 3a-c, in operation, the closure system 10 may be activated from a first unsealed position 18 by lifting the engageable surface 12 that has the means for engaging the engageable surface 16, away from the passive surface 14 where the means for engaging the engageable surface 16 rests in a first unsealed position 18. The means for engaging the engageable surface 16 may then be placed against the engageable surface 12, thereby forming a contact or seal resulting in the second sealed position 20.

Referring to Figures 2a-2e, the closure system 10 may be applied to an envelope 150 that has a cavity 152 and that is structured to allow for the automatic filling of the envelope 150. Specifically, the envelope 150 comprises of a front panel 154 having an outer side 156, an inner side 158, a bottom edge 160, a top edge 162 and side edges 164. The inner side 158 may have applied to it a passive surface 166. A back panel 168 having an outer side 170, an inner side 172, a bottom edge 174 and a top edge 176 is connected to the bottom edge 160 of the front panel 154 at the bottom edge 174 of the back panel 168. The outer side 170 may have an engageable surface 171. A flap 178 having angled side edges 180, an outer side 182 and an inner side 184 is connected to the top edge 162 of the front panel 154. The inner side 184 of the flap 178 may have a means for engaging the engageable surface 186. A pair of side panels 188 having angled side edges 190 are connected to the side edges 164 of the front panel 154. The side panels 188 engage the inner side 158 of the front panel 154 and the inner side 172 of the back panel 168. In operation in an unsealed position, the means for engaging the engageable surface 186 on the inner side 184 of the flap 178, rests against the passive surface 166 on the inner side 158 of the front panel 154. In this position the angled side edges 180 of the flap 178 are adjacent to the angled side edges 190 of the side panels 188 allowing for an unobstructed access to the cavity 152 of the envelope 150. To seal the envelope 150, the means for engaging the engageable surface 186 is lifted away from the passive surface 166 and engages the engageable surface 171 of the back panel 168. Therefore, access to the cavity 152 does not require lifting the flap 178.

The passive surface 166 may be defined as a release system, such as a silicone release coating. The means for engaging the engageable surface 186 may be an adhesive. It is preferable that what ever adhesive 18 used, is compatible with the release system. The engageable surface 171 may be either paper or plastic and may be perforated allowing the adhesive to enter the back panel 168 and provide added adhesion and security.

With regards to adhesives, there are a wide variety of adhesives that provide varying degrees of strength. The degree of strength of the adhesive will depend on the type of release system used. The adhesive release coating systems have different forms such as hot melt, cold, solvent UV/EB caring and 100% solids to describe a few. UV cure is perhaps the most effective method of achieving a suitable release. However, this system is expensive and is not always cost effective. A more cost effective option is the application of a primer which reduces moisture absorption and provides a high quality base for the release coating, as the base is fiber free. In general, the basic components of the release coating is a slippery silicone substance that is difficult to transport. The addition of a thickening agent overcomes this problem during transportation and also allows for high speed application of the release coating. The release coating may be adapted to accept any type of adhesive, from hot a melt, pressure sensitive, solvents, hot and cold applications as well as acrylic and water soluble adhesives.

The angled side edges of the side panels 188 may be configured in such a way that in the sealed position debris is prevented from entering the envelope 150. The angled side edges 180 of the flap 178 are tapered so that the angled side edges 180 of the flap 178 lies adjacent to the angled side edges 190 of the side panels 188. This configuration allows for unobstructed access into the cavity 152 without requiring lifting the flap 178. The flap 178 may further comprise of pre-determined fold-lines 192 allowing for the proper positioning of the flap 178 in the different sealing positions.

The back panel 168 of the envelope 150 may further comprise of a second panel 194 that is detachably attached to the top edge 176 of the back panel 168. The second panel 194 may be configured into a detachable return envelope, a statement portion or both.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of filling the cavity 152 of the envelope 150 as described in operation above. Specifically, the method provides for the ability to fill envelopes 150 either single or multiple quantities without having to lift or move the flap 178.

The means for engaging the engageable surface 16 may be further defined as a pressure sensitive adhesive 22. The passive surface 12 may be further defined as a release film 24. The release film 24 may include compounds such as a silicon release coating. Both the release film 24 and the pressure sensitive adhesive 22 may be applied to an engageable surface 12 in the configurations described above, wherein the engageable surface 12 is paper or plastic. The properties of the release film 24 allow for the pressure sensitive adhesive 22 to rest against the release film 24 without adhering or sticking in the first unsealed position 18. When positioned in the second sealed position 20, the pressure sensitive adhesive 22 easily adheres to either paper or plastic, when the user gently presses against the engageable surface 12 that has the dry, pressure sensitive adhesive 22. The properties of the pressure sensitive adhesive 22 allow the user to use minimal pressure to create a secure seal, and does not require the user to wet or moisten the closure system 10 to initiate the activation of the adhesion, as required in most conventional closure systems. Specifically, the closure system 10 is more hygienic as it is does not require licking by the user, and results in a more environmentally friendly product during its manufacture as its production results in almost zero waste.

The closure system 10 may be applied to various articles like a conventional paper envelope 26 as described in Figs. 1 , 2, and 3a-c. More specifically, the closure system 10 may be applied by way of example to the following: flat paper envelopes; contoured paper envelopes; 2-way mailers; 3-way mailers; V-fold form system; paper board; corrugated board; card- board package envelopes; air-mail boxes; signage for retail products: prescription forms; confidential memos and message pads; banking security forms; government forms, such as GST and PST tax forms; confidential inter-office correspondence; direct mail advertising and return order forms; pre-paid postage return mailers; company invoicing; inserts for periodicals and magazines; bulletins; and plastic pouches and the like, some of which are further described below.

The paper envelope 26 may be adapted to formulate a variety of different mailing systems. Referring to Figs. 4, 5, and 6a-c, the closure system 10 may be applied to a two-way mailer 30 comprising of an outgoing mailer 32 and a return mailer 34. In this mailing system, the closure system 10 may be applied to both the outgoing mailer 32 and the return mailer 34.

As described above, the closure system 10 may be applied to an engageable surface 36, such as paper, of both the outgoing mailer 32 and the return mailer 34. The outgoing mailer 32 and the return mailer 34 may be connected to one another by a series of perforations 38. A co-adhesive 40 may be applied to the outgoing mailer 32 and the return mailer 34 to allow each mailer to be sealed along the sides 42 when the co-adhesive 40 adheres to itself. The properties of the co-adhesive 40 allow the co-adhesive 40 to contact the engageable surface 36 without adhering to it and may be further defined as a water and starch adhesive or a cohesive adhesive. Typically the outgoing mailer 32 is larger in size than the return mailer 34, so that the return mailer 34 can fit within the outgoing mailer 32.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5, and 6a-c, in operation, the return mailer 34 of the two-way mailer 30 may be folded so that the return mailer 34 fits inside the outgoing mailer 32. The co-adhesive 50 of the return mailer 34 may rest against the engageable surface 44 of the outgoing mailer 32 without adhering to it. The closure system 46 of the return mailer 34 is in the first unsealed position 18, so that the means for engaging the engageable surface 56 is resting against the passive surface 58. The outgoing mailer 32 may be folded then so that the co-adhesive 52 of the outgoing mailer 32 seals the sides 60 of the outgoing mailer 32. The closure system 48 of the outgoing mailer 32 may be activated to the second sealed position 20 by placing the means for engaging the engageable surface 62 against the engageable surface 44.

Upon receipt of the outgoing mailer 32, the return mailer 34 may be detached from the outgoing mailer 32 along the perforations 38. The return mailer 34 may be used to enclose information that could be returned to the sender of the outgoing mailer 32. The closure system 46 of the return mailer 34 may be activated in manner described above for the outgoing mailer 32. The configuration of the outgoing mailer 32 and the return mailer 34 with the closure systems, 48 and 46 respectively, allows for the easy insertion of the two-way mailer 30 into printers for printing information on the engageable surface 44 of the outgoing mailer 32, and the engageable surface 54 of the return mailer 34. Storage of the two-way mailer 30 is also trouble-free, as the means for engaging the engageable surface, 56 and 62, and the - other surfaces.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the closure system 10 may also be used in conjunction with a return mailer 62. A return mailer 62 may consist of a statement portion 64 and a return envelope 66 connected to one another by a series of perforations 68. The statement portion 64 may contain printed information that the sender wishes to communicate to the recipient. The return envelope 66 may then be used by the recipient to enclose any information that could be conveyed to the sender. The return mailer 66 may include a closure system 70 identical to the closure system 10 described above. The return mailer 62 may be enclosed in an envelope with a closure system 10 as described in Figs. 1 , 2 and 3a-c and sent to the recipient.

In operation the recipient of the return mailer 62 may separate the statement portion 64 from the return envelope 66 along the series of perforations 68. The recipient may then return any information or payment to the sender by using the return envelope 66. More specifically, the user would lift the means for engaging the engageable surface 72 away from the passive means 73 and allow the means for engaging the engageable surface 72 to contact the engageable surface 74 and seal the return envelope 66. As described in Figs. 4, 5, and 6a-c, a co-adhesive 76 would seal the sides 78 of the return envelope 66. The recipient would therefore keep the statement portion 64 of the return mailer 62 for their records. The orientation of the return mailer 62 allows the user to easily print information on the statement portion 64 and the return envelope 66 without engaging the closure system 70.

Referring to Figs. 9, 10, 11a-c, and 12a-d, the closure system 10 may be applied to a V-fold form 80. The V-fold form 80 may comprise of first panel 82 and a second panel 84. The panels 82 and 84 are connected by a series of perforations 86. Both panels 82 and 84 have closure systems, 88 and 90 respectively. The orientation of the closure systems 88 and 90 allows for the following associations. The passive surface 92 of the first panel 82 may associate with the means for engaging the engageable surface 94 of the second panel 84; and the passive means 96 of second panel 84 may associate with the means for engaging the engageable surface 98 of first panel 82. These associations allow for the engageable surface 100 of the first panel 82 to rest against the engageable surface 102 of the second panel 84 without adhering to one another. The closure systems 88 and 90 may be preferably located at the centre of the V-fold form 80, although the closure systems 88 and 90 may be located in a variety of positions (by way of example, horizontal or vertical) to accommodate the many applications of the V-fold form 80.

In operation, the V-fold form 80 may be used where the first panel 82 is detached from the second panel 84 along the series of perforations 86 exposing the second panel 84. As both the first panel 82 and the second panel 84 include closure systems 88 and 90 respectively, the user may fold the engageable surfaces 100 and 102 of either panel and engage the means for engaging the engageable surfaces 94 and 98. By engaging the closure systems 88 and 90 to a second sealed position 20, the user may render any information on the panels 82 and 84 confidential and more difficult to tamper with. The V-fold form 80 may be used in multiples. By way of example, the V-fold form 80 may be in a pad format as described in Fig. 11 , such as prescription pads or confidential note pads. The orientation of the V-fold form 80 allows for the easy insertion into a printer to allow for the printing of information on the engageable surfaces 100 and 102 without exposing the means for engaging the engageable surfaces 94 and 98 to the printing process. This is significant as most conventional closure systems are printed with the adhesive exposed. The V-fold form 80 is manufactured in a flat format, which allows the user to save on storage space as the V-fold form 80 can contain both a letter portion and an envelope portion.

The closure systems 80 and 90 described above may be applied to most paper products, and most plastic products such as plastic pouches. In all instances, the closure systems 80 and 90 allow for information to be printed on the engageable surfaces 100 and 102 using high speed commercial printing equipment resulting in more efficient manufacturing. Printing of the V-fold form 80 can also occur on ink jet or laser printers, any home printing equipment or even labelled by hand. The closure systems 80 and 90 also allow for easy photocopying as the means for engaging the engageable surfaces 100 and 102 do not adhere to any surface such as the heat pad or roller of a photocopying machine.

The closure system 10 also results in a more environmentally friendly product, as there is no additional waste from tear strips and perforated edges. By using a pressure-sensitive adhesive 22, the closure system 10 does not require any additional wetting or moisture and is more hygienic since it does not require licking. The mailing systems described above may also be stored in a variety of formats. Referring to Figs. 12a-d, by way of example, the envelope 26 may be manufactured in a continual tear-away format that allows the envelopes 26 to be stored in either a roll or a fan-fold formats. These formats allow for the user to use the envelope 26 in continuous printing.

Various embodiments of the invention have now been described in detail. Since changes in and/or additions to the above-described best mode may be made without departing from the nature, spirit or scope of the invention, the invention is not to be limited to said details.

Claims

CLAIMSCLAIM:

1. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling comprising:

(a) a front panel having an outer side, an inner side, a bottom edge, a top edge and side edges, said inner side having a passive surface;

(b) a back panel having an outer side, an inner side, a bottom edge and top edge said outer side having an engageable surface, said bottom edge of said back panel connected to said bottom edge of said front panel;

(c) a flap having angled side edges, an outer side and an inner side, said inner side having a means for engaging said engageable surface, said flap connected to said top edge of said front panel;

(d) a pair of side panels having angled side edges connected to said side edges of said front panel, said side panels engaging said inner side of said front panel and said inner side of said back panel;

wherein in an unsealed position, said means for engaging said engageable surface on said inner side of said flap rests against said passive surface on said inner side of said front panel whereby said angled side edges of said flap are adjacent to said angled side edges of said side panels allowing for unobstructed access to said cavity without lifting said flap in said unsealed position; wherein said means for engaging said engageable surface on said flap is lifted away from said passive surface and engages said engageable su rface of said back panel in a sealed position.

2. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as claimed in claim 1 wherein said passive surface is a release system.

3. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as claimed in claim 2 wherein said release system is a silicone release coating.

4. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as claimed in claim 3 wherein said engageable surface is paper.

5. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as claimed in claim 4 wherein said paper is perforated.

6. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as ^' claimed in claim 5 wherein said engageable surface is plastic.

7. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as claimed in claim 6 wherein said plastic is perforated.

8. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means for engaging said engageable surface is an adhesive.

9. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as claimed in claim 8 wherein said adhesive is compatible with said release system.

10. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as claimed in claim 9 wherein said angled side edges of said side panels are configured to prevent any debris from entering said envelope in said sealed position.

11. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as claimed in claim 10 wherein said angled side edges of said flap are tapered so that said flap rests against said passive surface of said inner side of said front panel, allowing for unobstructive filling of said envelope without lifting said flap.

12. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as claimed in claim 11 wherein said flap further comprises predetermined fold-lines for positioning said flap in said unsealed and sealed positions.

13. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as claimed in claim 1 wherein said back panel further comprises a second panel detachably attached to said top edge of said back panel.

14. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as claimed in claim 13 wherein said second panel is configured into a detachable return envelope.

15. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as claimed in claim 14 wherein said second panel is configured into a detachable statement portion.

16. An envelope having a cavity and allowing for automatic filling as claimed in claim 13 wherein said second panel is configured into both a detachable return envelope and a detachable statement portion.

17. A method of filling a cavity of an envelope, said envelope having:

(b) a back panel having an outer side, an inner side, a top edge and a bottom edge, said outer side having an engageable surface, said bottom edge of said back panel connected to said bottom edge of said front panel;

(c) a flap having angled side edges, an outer side and an inner side, said inner side have a means for engaging said engageable surface said flap connected to said top edge of said front panel;

(d) a pair of side panels having angled side edges connected to said side edges of said front panel, said side panels engaging said inner side of said front panel and said inner side of said back panel; comprising:

(a) resting against said passive surface on said inner side of said front panel said means for engaging said engageable surface whereby said angled side edges of said flap are adjacent to said angled side edges of said panels;

(b) accessing freely said cavity of said envelope without having to lift said flap for filling said envelope;

(c) ^• sealing said envelope by lifting said flap and adhering said means for engaging said engageable surface to said engageable surface.

18. A method of filling a cavity of an envelope as claimed in claim 17 wherein said resting of said passive surface against said means for engaging said engageable surface allows for stacking of multiples of said envelope for automatic filling without requiring said flap to be lifted prior to said filling.

19. A method of filling a cavity of an envelope as claimed in claim 18 wherein said filling and sealing of said envelope requires a single lifting of said flap.

20. A method of filling a cavity of an envelope as claimed in claim 19 wherein said engageable surface is either plastic or paper.