GREAT FALLS, Va., Oct. 25 (UPI) -- A Virginia company is producing an envelope that will not hold powder.
"It is a fairly simple concept, a standard envelope that is cut in certain areas so it maintains its structural integrity but can't act as a pouch to carry powder," said Joseph Fuisz, vice president and corporate council for St. James Paper of Great Falls, Va.
The envelope is designed with gentle curves that enhance natural airflow, which also helps "sniffer" technologies better detect any toxins that might be on the letter, said Fuisz.
The company has a patent on the design and has contracted with manufactures to begin production immediately. The envelope is "priced like a normal letter envelope" and should be commercial available within the next two months, Fuisz said.
Dubbed the Safteylope, the envelope will come in different designs, from standard corporate bill envelopes to higher-end stationary.
Fuisz said testers proved the envelope was no more susceptible to tearing than a regular envelope.
"We designed it also to ensure privacy of the mail," he said. "From our perspective you aren't supposed to pay more or lost privacy. We have taken the potential for bad use out of the envelope."
