Padded envelope

A padded envelope by Bubble Wrap

A padded envelope, also known as a padded or cushioned mailer or (UK) jiffy bag, is an envelope incorporating protective padding to protect items during shipping. The padding is usually thick paper, bubble wrap, or foam.

Uses[]

Mailing envelopes and small packages may receive as many as 27 handlings during shipment with the maximum drop height of 1.2 metres (3.9 ft).^[1] The contents of the mailing envelopes often need protection from shock and vibration damage. Cushioning or padding can be built into the mailing envelope to help protect the contents.

Construction[]

Several constructions are available.^{[2][3] [4]}

Exterior[]

The exterior envelope can be made of a heavy paper, paperboard, corrugated fiberboard or plastic film.

Padding[]

The padding material can be recycled newsprint, foam, bubble wrap, or other cushioning materials.

Closure[]

Many mailers have an integral flap that has a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a gummed (water-activated) adhesive, or tape to allow easy and secure closure.

Environmental impact[]

A Life Cycle Analysis was conducted to compare a Kraft paper mailer with newsprint padding to a LDPE plastic mailer with air bubble padding. Both had advantages and disadvantages; overall, the Kraft padded mailer had a higher overall environmental impact compared to the LDPE bubble mailer. The study recommended use of future products with lower mass and which use renewable resources.^[5]

See also[]

• Jiffy Packaging

References[]

Citations[]

Bibliography[]

• Soroka, W, "Fundamentals of Packaging Technology", IoPP, 2002, ISBN 1-930268-25-4
• Yam, K. L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6

External links[]

• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office