Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ECCENTRIC C-FOLD MAILER WITH RETURN ENVELOPE
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Relatively recent United States Postal Service
regulations have made it imperative that reusable
mailer components do not have any of the outgoing
address information (including bar coding) or
outgoing postage thereon when they are used in the
return configuration. According to the present
invention, a reusable mailer meeting these
requirements is provided that can be constructed in
a simple and inexpensive manner from a single sheet
of paper.
The mailer according to~the present invention
is also desirable in that it allows a great deal of
information to be printed within the mailer for
viewing by the recipient. Essentially one entire
face of the sheet of paper which is used to ~orm the
mailer (which may be 9 1/2 by 14 inches, 9 1/2 by 17
inches, or 9 1/2 by 12 inches) may be printed with
useful information, the return envelope construction
provided by the mailer not interfering with the
transmission of the desired information. Also, the
mailer according to the present invention is
advantageous in that it is easy~for the entity
receiving the return envelope to know who it is from
because the outgoing address ~or the mailer is
printed on what becomes the inner portion of the
flap of the return envelope.
The mailer according to the invention is
constructed very simply by an eccentric C-fold,
providing a very thin construction. Also, because
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of the location of the components the outgoing
address -- which is viewed through a cut out
(preferably with a transparent patch) from the
outside of the mailer -- cannot be blocked by
interior components.
According to one aspect of the present
invention an intermediate for a mailer type business
form is provided. The intermediate comprises the
following elements: A sheet of paper having a
rectangular~~configuration with first and second end,
parallel edges; and third and fourth side, parallel
edges; a first dimension between the end edges being
greater than a second dimension, between the side
edges; and having a first face and a second face.
First and second fold lines parallel to the first
and second edges, dividing the sheet into three
panels, including a first panel of a first length
adjacent the first edge, a second panel adjacent the
second edge, and a third panel between the first and
second panels, the second and third panels each
having a second J.ength, which is greater than the
first length by at least the height of a complete
outgoing address. Means defining first and second
lines of weakness in each of the first, second, and
third panels, the lines of weakness parallel to the
third and fourth edges, and spaced a small distance
therefrom. Outgoing address indicia printed on the
first face of the third panel on a portion thereof
adjacent,~but spaced from, the second fold line, and
wherein the first panel when folded about the first
fold line is dimensioned so that it will not cover
or obscure the outgoing address indicia. And means
defining a cutout in the second panel adjacent, but
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spaced from, the second fold line, the cutout
dimensioned and positioned so that when the second
panel is folded about the second fold line the
outgoing address indicia is visible through the
cutout.
The intermediate further preferably comprises a
strip of adhesive, such as rewettable adhesive for
forming a return envelope disposed on the first face
of the third panel between the outgoing address
indicia and the second fold line.~ Also, there are
dormant adhesive patterns requiring activation by
the recipient of a mailer.constructed from the
intermediate disposed adjacent the first and second
lines of weakness. Preferably, these dormant
adhesive patterns comprise first and second strips
of pressure sensitive adhesive adjacent the first
and second lines of weakness, disposed on the first
panel, and covered by release strips (that is, the
first and second strips of adhesive are constructed
from transfer tape). Also, the second fold line is
preferably a Line of weakness, and preferably a
transparent patch covers the cutout.
Reply address indicia is printed on the second
face of the first panel, indicating where the return
envelope will b'e sent. Also, return address and
postage indicating indicia are preferably printed on
the second face of the second panel. Because of the
utilization of the dormant strips of adhesive to
form the return envelope, information desirably
transmitted to the recipient of the mailer
constructed from the intermediate is printed on the
first face of each of the first, second, and third
panels, substantially covering those panels.
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According to another aspect of the present
invention a mailer type business form is provided.
The mailer comprises: First and second end,
parallel edges. Third and fourth side, parallel
edges. First, second, and third panels formed from
an eccentric C-folded single sheet of paper, the
second and third panels having outer faces and inner
faces, and the first panel having first and second
faces, and the first panel being sandwiched between
the second and third panels, and leaving uncovered a
portion of the inner face of the third panel
adjacent the second end edge of the mailer.
Outgoing address indicia printed on the uncovered
portion of the inner face of the third panel. Means
defining a cutout in the second panel overlying the
outgoing address indicia so that the indicia is
visible from the exterior of the second panel. And
permanent adhesive means disposed along the side
edges for holding the panels together.
The mailer further comprises lines of weakness
formed in the panels parallel to and adjacent the
side edges, the permanent adhesive means disposed
between the lines of wealcness and the side edges.
Also, a first strip of dormant adhesive, such as
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end edge of the mailer and the outgoing address
indic9.a on the inner face of the third panel for
sealing a return envelope constructed from the first
and third panels. Also, second and third strips of
dormant adhesive, such as pressure sensitive
adhesive covered by irelease liner Ftrips, are
disposed on the first face of the first panel
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adjacent the lines of weakness, for constructing a
return envelope.
The invention also contemplates a return
envelope constructed from a reusable mailer. The
return envelope comprises: A single sheet of paper
having first and second parallel end edges, and
third and fourth parallel side edges, and a fold
line parallel to the end edges and defining the
sheet into first and third panels, the dimension of
the first panel between the fold line and the first
edge being substantially less than the dimension of
the third panel between the fold line and the second
edge to define a return envelope flap in the third
panel, and each panel having first and second
faces. Reply address indicia printed on the second
face of the first panel. Outgoing address indicia
printed on the first face of the third panel, on the
flap. A first strip of dormant adhesive disposed on
the first face of the third panel, on the flap,
adjacent the second end of the sheet of paper. And
means for holding the first faces of the first and
third panels together to define a return envelope.
The means for holding the first faces of the
first and third panel together preferably comprise
second and third strips of dormant adhesive, such as
strips of pressure sensitive adhesive covered by
release liner strips formed on the first face of the
first panel. Also, indicia may be printed on the
first faces of the first and third panels and
covering substantially the entire first faces except
for the flap.
It is a primary object of the present invention
to provide an advantageous mailer which is reusable,
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a return envelope easily constructed therefrom, and
an intermediate for making the mailer which utilizes
only a single sheet of paper, yet conveys a maximum
amount of information and meets USFS requirements.
This and other objects of the invention will become
clear from an inspection of the detailed description
of the invention, and from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TgE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a first face of
an intermediate for a mailer type business form
according to the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the second face
of the intermediate of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 is a side view of a mailer being
constructed from the intermediate of FIGURES 1 and 2;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the
intermediate of FIGURES 1 and 2 being folded into a
mailer; and
FIGURE 5 i's a front view of an exemplary return
envelope being constructed from the mailer of
FIGURES 3 and 4 by the recipient.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An intermediate for a mailer type business form
according to the present invention is formed by a
single sheet of paper 10, illustrated in FIGURES 1
CA 02104163 2004-10-21
51269-16
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and 2. The sheet of paper 10 may have a number of
different sizes depending upon how much information
it is desired to transmit. Typical sizes are 9 1/2
by 12 inches, 9 1/2 by 14 inches and 9 1/2 by 17
inches. For a 9 1/2 by 14 inch construction, the
outgoing mailer has dimensions of about 5 1/8 by
9 112 inches, while the return envelope formed from
the intermediate 10 has a size of about 3 3/4 inches
by 8 3/4 inches.
The sheet of paper 10 has a rectangular
configuration with first and second end edges 11,
12, respectively, which are parallel to each other,
and third and fourth side edges 13, 14 which are
also parallel to each other, but perpendicular to
the edges 11, 12. Note that the dimension between
the end edges 11, 12 (e. g., 14 inches) is greater
than the dimension between the side edges l3, 14
(e.g., 9 1/2 inches). The sheet of paper 10 has a
first face 15 (see FIGURE 1) and a second face 16
(see FIGURE 2).
The sheet 10 has first and second fold lines
17, 18 parallel to the edges 11, 12, dividing the
sheet 10 into three panels including a first panel
19 between the first edge 11 and the first fold line
17, a:..~econd panel 20 between the second edge 12 and
the second fold line 18, and a third panel 21
between the panels 19, 20, and defined by the fold
line 17, 18. Note that the first panel 19 has a
first length between the edge 11 and the first fold
line 17 which is less than the length of the panels
20, 21 (that is, between the second edge 12 and the
fold line 18, or between the fold lines 1?, 18).
The panels 20, 21 have substantially the same
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length, but the first panel 19 is smaller than the
second and third panels 20, 21 by a distance
corresponding to at least the height of an outgoing
address 23. Outgoing address indicia 23 is printed
on the first face 15 of the third panel 21 adjacent,
but spaced from, the second fold line 18, as seen in
FIGURE 1. The outgoing address area containing
indicia 23 preferably has dimensions of about 3/4
inches by 2 3/4 inch. When the first panel 19 is
folded about the first fold line 17, the edge 11
does not cover the outgoing address 23. Typically,
the edge 11 becomes commensurate with the optional
third fold line 24.
Normally, the first fold Iine l7,is just a
score line, and the third fold line 24, if provided,
is merely a score line. However, the second fold
line 18 preferably is a line of weakness, such as a
perforation line.
The intermediate 10 also comprises means
defining first and second lines of wealtness 26, 27,
respectively, in each of Cl~e panels 19 tlvrouc~h 21,
the lines of weakness 26, 27 parallel to the third
and fourth edges 13, 14, respectively; and spaced a
small distance therefrom, defining edge portions 28,
29 that are detachable from the main bodies of the
panels 19 through 21. The lines of weakness 26, 27
preferably are perf lines, and tractor drive
openings 30, 31 are typically provided in the
detachable edge portions 28 , 29.
Tl~e inl:ermediate 10 also comprises means
defining a cutout 33 (see FIGURE 2) in. the second
panel 20 adjacent, but spaced from the second fold
line 18. The cutout 33 may be covered by a
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transparent (e. g., glassine) patch 34 if desired.
If the cutout 33 has substantially the same
dimensions as the outgoing address 23, and overlies
it when the panel 20 is folded about the second fold
line 18, so that the outgoing address 23 is visible
from the exterior of the panel 20 through the cutout
33 in the final mailer constructed.
In order to hold the components of the
intermediate 10 together to form a mailer, permanent
adhesive patterns 36, 37 are preferably~provided,
formed in the detachable margin portions 28, 29.
The patterns 36, 37 preferably -- as illustrated in
FIGURE 1 -- are continuous strips of heat seal glue
parallel to the perf lines 26, 27 within the
marginal portions 28, 29. Preferably, the strips
36, 37 are disposed on the first face 15 of the
second and third panels 20, 21, although they can be
in addition, or partially instead, disposed in the
edge portions 28, 29 on the first face 15 of the
first panel 19.
As can be seen in FIGURE 2, the second face 16
of the second panel 20 is preferably printed with an
outgoing return address 39, as well as a postage
area 40. Also, instructions can be printed in the
detachable edge portions (not shown) for telling the
recipient how to open the mailer.. Also, note that
the area between the second fold line 18 and the
cutout 33 -- indicated by reference numeral 41 in
FIGTJRE 2 -- is large enough to receive USPS bar
coding thereon.
While the intermediate 10 heretofore described
can be used to construct a mailer that does not have
a return envelope, preferably the mailer that is
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constructed does have a return envelope. The return
envelope is constructed by the recipient of the
mailer.from intermediate 10, using the first and
third panels 19, 21, the second panel 20 being
removed along the perf line 18.
The return envelope (see FIGURE 5) is
constructed utilizing three strips (or other
patterns) of dormant adhesive, a first strip 43 (see
FIGURE 1), a second strip 44, and a third strip 45.
The strip 43 is preferably rewettable glue, and is
immediately adjacent and parallel to the second fold
line 18, disposed on the first face 15 of the third
panel 21. The strips 44, 45 are formed on the first
face 15 of the intermediate 10, either on the
portion of the third panel 21 between the outgoing
address 23 and the first fold line 17 adjacent the
perforations 26, 27, or preferably -- as illustrated
in FIGURE 1 -- on the first 15 of the first panel 19
adjacent the perforations 26, 27. The dormant
adhesive provided by the strips 44, 45 is preferably
pressure sensitive adhesive covered by release liner
strips 46, 47, respectively. The strips 44, 45,
with release liners 46, 47, are most easily
constructed by,applying transfer tape to the face 15
of l:lie .Eira~ pax~el 19.
Also, providing part of the return envelope is
lhc reply address indicia 49 printed on the second
face 16 of the first panel 19 (see FIGURE 2), which
also may include preprinted reply bar address bar
coding 50.
Because the return envelope is constructed by
the recipient of the mailer, virtually the entire
first face 15 of the intermediate 10 can be printed
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with information that is desirably transmitted to
the recipient. As indicated by the indicia 52 in
FIGURE 1, virtually the entire face 15 (except where
the outgoing address 23, the cutout 33, and the glue
strips are provided) is printed with the infarmation
52.
The intermediate 10 is used to construct the
final mailer 55, illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4.
The intermediate is folded about the fold lines 17,
18 so that the first face 15 of the first panel 19
comes in contact with the first face 15 of the third
panel 21, and the first face 15 of the second panel
20 comes in contact with part of the first face 15
of the third panel 21 and the entire second face 16
of the first panel 19, the first panel 19 being
oandwlched Oetweetr the panels 20, 21. 1'lal~r loldlmg
action is an eccentric C-fold. FIGURE 3 illustrates
the construction inside of the edge portions 28,
29. When the C-folding takes place, however, the
mailer 55 is run through a heat sealer, which seals
the strips 36, 37 thereby attaching all of the
panels l9 through 21 together. If desired or
necessary, spot glue portion 56 (see FIGURES 1 and
3) may also be~ pro~.~ided, of heat seal adhesive, or
water activated adhesive, to seal the panel 20 first
face 15 to the first panel 19 second face 16
adjacent the first fold line 17.
Because of the particular construction of the
mailer 55, it is impossible for the outgoing address
23 to be covered; since there are no interior
components of the mailer that may be jostled and
thereby obscure the return address 23. Rather, it
is clearly visible through the cutout 33. Rl.no, the
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outgoing mailer is thin, yet a large amount of
information 52 is provided thereon. Further, there
is room in the area 41 for the USPS to print
outgoing addressee bar coding if not already
provided in the outgoing address 23 (which includes
at least name, street address or post office box,
city and state, and/or country).
FIGURE 5 illustrates a return envelope 58 that
is constructed from the mailer of FIGURES 3 and 4,
which in turn has been constructed from the
intermediate 10 of FIGURES 1 and 2. The recipient
of the mailer 55 detaches along the perforations 26,
27 to remove the side edges 28, 29. That allows the
entire first face 15 of the panels 19 through 21 to
be unfolded (as in FIGURE I, but with the side
stripe 2L~, 29 removed).
After the recipient reads the desired
inforrnnti.vn !'~7., ~arQ dclnc;lmecr l:l~e saecooQ panel 2U
along the pert line 18, the recipient constructs the
return envel.opa 5r3 by r-emovat<~ tle ro.l.rr.~ae: J.lnc:c-
strips 46, 47 from the pressure sensitive adhesive
strips.44, 45, folding the first panel 19 about the
first fold line 17 so that the strips 44, 45 are in
contact with the first face 15 of the.third plnel
21, and pressing along down those strips 44, 45.
The substantially completed return envelope 58 is
illustrated in FIGURE 5. The area between the
optional third fold line 24 and what is now the edge
18 defines a flap 59, the flap 59 containing the
rewettable adhesive strip 43 and the outgoing
address 23. lifter the appropriate inserts have been
placed in the return envelope 58 through the open
edge adjacent the flap 59, the adhesive strip 43 is
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wet, and the flap 59 is bent about the fold line 24
so that the adhesive 43 comes in contact with the
second face 16 of the first panel, sealing the
envelope 58 closed. The reply address 49, including
bar coding 50, is readily visible from the outside
of the envelope 58. Because the outgoing address
information 23 is an integral part of the envelope
58 (yet is not visible from the exterior of the
envelope 58 when mailed, so that USPS requirements
are complied with), the ultimate recipient of the
return envelope 58 knows who the envelope came from,
in case that person inadvertently forgot to include
identifying information within the envelope 58.
It will thus be seen that according to the
present invention an advantageous intermediate for a
mailer type business form, a mailer type business
form itself, and a return envelope for a mailer type
business form, have been provided which are simple
and easy to use and construct, yet extremely
effective, having a number of advantages, and
complying with USPS requirements. While the
invention has been herein shown and described in
what is presently conceived to be the most practical
and preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art that many
modifications may be made thereof within the scope
of the invention, which scope is to be accorded the
broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as
to encompass all equivalent structures and devices.
