Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
V-FOLD ~IT~_BUILT_IN REP _ ENVELOPE .~
'''''.'~;' '''.
. :.. ....
BACKGROUND ~ ~DMflAR~ Cr~ INVENTION .
Mailers are a popular type of business form. It is :
often desirable for a mailer to be able to convey a great ...
deal of confidential information, while providing a reply
envelope to allow the recipient of the mailer to mail :~
order forms, ~uestionnaires, or like documents back to the
original sender of the mailer.
United States patent 4,706,877 shows a particular
type of mailer that is constructed with ~ built in return
Pnvelope that is very easy to use. The bllilt in return
envelope includes a repositional label which covers a . ;.
reply address on the reply envelope part of the mailer. ;~
The repositional label has the outgoing addressee :~
information printed thereon and is visible through a :
window in a covering ply. Once the mailer i5 opened by ~::
the recipient, the repositiona]. label can be removed from ::.
its position covering the reply ~ddress and placed on the
return address portion of tl-e reply envelope. .
While the mailer of U S. patent 4,7n~,877 is
advantageous, it has a few drawhacks thereto, and is
constructed in a manner that is not as simple as desired.
The mailer of the 4,706,877.patent uses sheets that are
run~rom the same size press so that two continuous webs
are glued together to form a ret-lrn enve].ope, which must
be of a predetermined size. In contrast to such a
construction, accorjding to the present invention the ! '
return envelope can be of various sizes, and is made of a
second sheet of paper having di.mensions much less than one
of the panels of a first sheet of paper, so as to minimize
paper waste. The mailer produced according to the
invention al80 is easier to open because there is only a .
small portion where there are three plies, rather than
three plies all around all three openable sides as in the
4,706,877 construction. Also, the mailer according to the
-., ~
....
. .
2 ~
~ ~" ~
present invention allows more r~om for internal indicia,
and may be produced merely ~Ising a press, "85" machine,
and Labelaire~ machine, that is not reguiring a collator
such as is typically utili7ed in the con~truction of a
mailer such as in U.S. Patent No. 4,706,~77.
The invention comprises an intermed;~te for forming a
mailer, a mailer so formed, and a method of manufacture of ;;~;~
a mailer. The mailer that i~ produced a~oording to the
present invention has a large ~mount of interior space for
printing of confidential i.nformation, is ~sy t~ open, and
provides an easy to use retllrn envelope. ~ h~
According to one aspect of the pre~nt invention an
intermediate for a mailer type husiness ~orm is provided.
~he intermediate comprises the following ~lements: A
first generally quadrate 6heet of paper h~ving parallel
first and second edges, and par~llel third and fourth
edges perpendicular to the fir~t and sec~nd edges. A fold
line substantially bisecting the third ~nd fourth edges
and parallel to the first and ~econd edg~, defining first ;~
and second panels. Means rr~v;ding a Cllt O-lt window in
the second panel. A reply ~nv~lope forming quadrate --~-
second sheet having dimen~ b~tanti~l1y less than the
dimensions of the first sh~et. ~ first ~ esive pattern. ~ i
connecting the second shee1-. t.o t:l~e first ~7~eet first panel
to form a reply envelope. ~ply addre~ ;ndicia printed
on the second sheet at a po.rtl~l- thereof in alignment with
the cut out window when the fil~t sheet i~ V-folded about
the fold line. A repositional ~dhesive l~hel applied to
the second sheet covering t.hP r~ly addr~s~, and having an
outgoing address thereon. ~ second adh~sive pattern!for
connecting the first panel to tl~e secon~ ranal along the ~:~
edges thereof when V-folded abollt the fold line. And,
lines of weaknesæ formed in the first an~ ~econd panels
adjacent the edges of the first sheet for allowing ready ~ ~-
opening of a mailer formed by V-folding ~bout the fold ~ -
line and adhesive attachment by the second adhesive.
The reply address is preferably in a readable line, . -~
which i~ parallel to the fold line. The return envelope
, ,, , .:
.
~'~ ~
3 -~ :
has a flap with rewettable ~h~i.v~, an~ connected at a
top portion thereof by a lil~e of weakne~.c foxmed in both .
the first and second panel~, when the m~i1.er is opened ~.
along the line of weaknes.s ~n A~hesive ~trip holding the .
panels together at that pojnt ~eing remo~7~d so that an
open top of the reply envelope i.s provid~. The second
sheet has only about two-thirds the dimensi.ons of the
first sheet, and a bottom stnb is typic~lly provided at ::
the bottom of the return envelope between i.t and the fold
line. U-shaped glue/adhesive p~tterns ~le provided for
forming the reply envelope, ~n~ also for .~ealing the edges
of the first and second pane].s together t:~ form a mailer
constructed from the intermediAte.
The invention also compris~s a mail~r constructed - -
from the intermediate describe~ above. Tlle mailer i5 '
constructed merely by V-fo].din~ ~bout th~ fold line and
sealing adhesive patterns, the respositi.~n~l label with
the outgoing address being vi.~ihle throl1~h the window
cutout in the second panel. When the m~i.ler is received
by the outgoing addressee, he or she opens it, detaches
the reply envelope from the fi~t pane], repositions the
repositional adhesive la~e1 so tl~at it i~ in the retllrn
address portion of the rep]y en~lope r~tll~r th~n in the
addressee portion (there~y cnvPli.ng the r1i.nted reply
address), and mails it back to the origin~l. sender. The
original sender may then ~Ise the repositinnal label as a ~ :
shipping label for a prod~lct tn ~e sent t~ the original
outgoing addressee. ..
According to yet another ~spect of the present
invention, a method of const.lllcting a m~;ler type b~l'siness ..
form i~ provided. The metho~ comprises th~ following
steps: (a) Forming a fold J.in~ i.n the ir~t sheet to
define first and second p~ne.ls, ~nd form;ng a die cut .
window in the second panel. ~b) Applyin~ An adhesive
pattern to the first panel of the first ~heet for forming .
a reply envelope. (c) Printing a reply ~A~ress on a ;~
second æheet. (d) Applying the second sheet to the first
sheet in registry with the reply envelope adhesive to form
. ~ ~
, ' ` '~;
r~. 4 ~ 3 0 ~
a reply envelope in the first p~nel, having dimensions . .
substantially less than th~ fir~t panel. (e) Forming
perforations in the first and second panels. (f) Applying .:
adhesive for connection of the first and ~second panels
together adjacent the edges thereof. (g) Blowing on a
repositional adhesive label to cover the printed reply
address on the second sheet. And, (h) V-folding the first
sheet about the fold line so th~t the c~ out window is
over the repositional adhe~ive .1.abel, an~ so that the
adhesive connecting the panel~ together i~ flctivated to
form a final mailer.
It is primary object of the present i.nvention to :~ :
provide a simple and advant.~geo~ls mailer, j.ntermediate for
construction of the mailer, anc1 method of ~onstructing the :
mailer. While this and other objections of the invention
will become clear from a deta.i].ed description of the
invention and from the appende~ claims. ::
:'
; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
. . :
FIGURE l is a top plan view of the "inside" face of a ;~
mailer type business form ]1lt.e~m~ te ~r:r~rding to the
: invention;
., ,, . .,-
FIGURE 2 is a view like th~t. of F~TlR~ l of the .
"outside" face of the mai]el i.tlt.ermedi~t.~;
FIGURE 3 is a top pl~n vi.~w of a cnl1strllcted mailer .. ;.
according to the invention;
FIGURE 4 is a top persrect;.ve view, with portions of :.~`~
the "second" sheet of the reply e11velope Cl1t away for
: clarity of illustration, of an exemplary reply envelope of
the mailer of FIGURES 1-3;
~FIGURE 5 is a rear view o the return envelope of
: FIGURE 4; :
:.~: -~., :~
'.' ~'.". ` ','''
~'
FIGURE 6 is a front view of the retl1rn envelope of
FIGURE 4 showing the repositi.on~l label h~ving been
removed to the return address position, and the reply ~. .
address clearly visible; and
FIGURE 7 is a schemati.c representatioll of exemplary
method steps that may be ~Itili7~d in the practice and the
method according to the invent.ion, for plodtlcing the
mailer of ~IGURES 1~3.
DETAIT.ED DESCRIPTION OF_~HE DRAWINGS
An exemplary intermedjate mailer tyr~ business form
according to the present invent.ion is se~tl in ~IGURES 1
and 2, made from a first sheet of paper 1 n having a first
face 11 which will become the i.nside face of the mailer,
and a second face 12 (FIG. ~). The single sheet of paper .
10 is g~tadrate in configurAtion having first and second ..
parallel edges 13, 14 and thir~ and fo~lrth parallel edges
15, 16, the edges 15, 16 being perpendicll1.Rr to the edges
11, 12. A fold line 17 ~e.g., ~ score, r~r~oration nr the
like) essentially bisects 1-]1~ ~d~es 15, 1~ and is :~
parallel to the edges ].3, ~ 4 . The fold l;lle 17 forms the -~
sheet 10 into a first panel ~8 ~nd a se~ panel 19. : :
A CUtO~It window 20, whicll preferably is covered by a --
transparent "window" patc]~ formed in second panel :~
19. On the first face 11 a great deal of information is .:
printed, typically conf.ideJ~t.; Al informati nn. For example,
an order form 22 (see FIG. J.) coltld be ~linted in one - :~
part, and other instructiona]. or like informatiortal
indicia 23 printed on other pA~t9 . The ;n~.ide of the
mailer to be constructed from tlle interm~diate 10 has a
great deal of area that can be printed.
Also ~orming part of the i.ntermediate 10 of a mailer
type business form according to the invent.ion is a reply ::
envelope formed from a quadrate second ~aper sheet 2S (see
FIG. 1) which has dimensions sl~bstantialJ.y less than the
dimension~ of the first panel ~.8, so as to allow for
~'
~ L iL 5 ~ 1 il
printing of a great deal of ad~it.ional indicia, such as
the order form indicia 22, on the first p~nel 18. A first
adhesive pattern -- seen by the U-shaped ~attern 27 in
FIGURE 4 -- connects the second sheet 25 to a part of the
first panel 18, the adhesi~e of the pattern 27 being
pasted pocket adhesive or the ]ike.
Printed on the second face 12 of the first sheet lO
(see FIG. 2) is the outgoing return address 29, and
postage indicia 30. Printed on the second sheet 25 is
reply address address indicia 31 (see FI~. 6), printed the ;~
same distance from the fold line 17 as t}-e cutout 20 and
in alignment therewith so th~t when the ;ntermediate is
folded about the fold line ~7 the area of the reply
address 31 is visible thro11gh the cutout 20. However, the .
r~ply address 31 itself is not visible when the mailer is
initially formed because a repositional ~dhesive label 32 ~ :
~see FIGS. l, 3 and 4) hav;1lg o11tgoing address information
33 printed thereon, cover~ the reply add~ess area 31 ~o
that it is visible through the window 20. The
repositional adhesive for t}~ el 32 m~y be of any ~ - .
conventional type, such ~s so~1 hy Moore B~1siness Forms, . ~.
of Lake Forest, Illinois, ~ Ae~ t.he tra~m~rk CLEANTAC. -:~
Note that the second sheet. ~ o may h~e reply address
indicia printed thereon ;.n tlle ~rm of ~ har code as ~ :
indicated at 34 in FIGURE ].
As seen in FIGURE l, the ~cond she~t 25 has . .
dimensions of about two-third~ those of ~h~ first panel
18. Typically, a line of ~e~k1le.~s SllCh ;lS a perforation ~ ::
36 is provided at the bottom of the sheet ~5 between it ~ 4
and the old line 17. The dj.m~t~sion of ~he stub 37 formed
between the lines 36, 17 determines the height of the
reply envelope 38 (see FIG.~ fi) formed from the second
sheet 25 and the underlying portion of the first panel 18
to which it i8 adhesively secured by the ~dhesive pattern
27. ~ ~ -
The sheet lO also comprises a second adhesive ..
pattern, such as shown by the tl-shap~d pattern 40 in
FIG. l, which may be heat sealable glue, for sealing the
7 ~ 5 ~ 1 ~
panels 18, 19 together adj~cent their ed~e~. While the
pattern 40 may be applied on one or both of the panels 18,
19, the preferred construction illustrated in FIGURE 1
illustrates portions of the pattern 40 being provided
adjacent both the third and follrth edge~ 15, 16 and the
second edge 14 (remote from the fold line 17). In order
to facilitate ready openillg of ~he mailer constructed from
the intermediate of FIGURRS l`~nd 2, lin~R of weakness --
such as the perforation line~ 4]., 42, 43 and 44 -- may be
provided adjacent each of t~-e ~dges 13 thr~-lgh 16. Note
that the perforation line 41 ha~ an exten.sion 45 into the
second sheet 25.
The mailer 49 illustrated i.n FIGUR~ .~ is constructed
from the intermediate of FJ~IJR~S 1 and ~ ~.mply by
V-folding about the fold ljne 17 so th~t the portions of :~
face 11 are in engagement with e~ch other, with the
adhesive pattern 4~ sealed. A~ can be ~en in FIGURE 3,
the outgoing address 33 (an~ the repositional adhesive
label 32) is visible through the cutout 20.
When the outgoing address~ gets th~ mailer 49, he or .
she detaches along the perforations 41, 4~, 43 and 44 to .
open up the mailer. Ex~e~t fo~ ~.hat pot~ n of the mailer ..
where the second and first ~lle~ts overl ~r ~djacent the
first edge 13, there is only ~ rl~uble tl-;~knes~ of ~ :~
material so that the mailer 49 i.~ easy t~ ~pen up. The
sheet 10 also preferably h~ the perfor~t~on lines 51, 52
(see FIG. 2) formed thereil~ to f~cilit~t~ ~etachment of
the return envelope 38 on~e the mailer 4q has been opened
up, including removal of the st7~hs 53 ~n~ .~7.
Once the return envelope ~ has bee~- ~etached from :~
the rest of the mailer 49, it ~n be stllffed as with the
order form 22 portion of the f.;rst paneJ. 18, a check, or
the like, the reply 0nvelope 3~ being sh~wn as a top
opening envelope. Note that this top opening envelope 38
has a fold line 54 (~ee FIGS. 1 and 4) forming the flap 55
therefor, which has rewettable adhesive 56 (see FIG. 5~ or
the like formed thereon so that the flap 55 can be folded
over and then sealed in place to form a sealed reply :
8 ~ ' 0 ~ ~
envelope 38 as illustrated in F~URE 6. A].so, in addition
to stuffing the return envelope 38 and sea]ing it, the
addressee takes off the repositi.onal label 32 and places
it to the return address portion of the reply envelope 38
(see FIG. 6), the reply address 31 then being uncovered
and visible on the front face (25~ of the return envelope
38. When the original addres.see receive~ the reply
envelope 38, he or she can remove the repositional
adhesive label 32 again and place that on ~ package to be
sent to the original outgoing ~ddressee. ~ ~,
FIGURE 7 schematical]y il]a~trates ~ method of ~:
producing a mailer 49 according to the invention. A first
sheet lO of the mailer is forme~ from a web of paper that
is preferably run on a 12" pres~. Here, ~s indicated by
box 60, the perfs 51, 52, and the like, ~n be formed on
the press, as by using a CH~MEX plate. The web then
proceeds to stage 61 where it 1~ proces~d through a tight
web machine where the heat sea] pattern (40) is applied.
Then, the sheet 10, in web form, passes to a stage 62 ~ ~-
where the die cut window 20 is constructed, and then it
passes to a stage 63 where past~rl pocket. ~hesive 27 for
the reply envelope 38 is ~r1i~l. Me~nwl~; l e, the second
sheet 25 is mounted on a p~t~h llllwind srin~le and every
fiv~ and one-half inche~ or .CO ~ ~heet ~ ~ut from a web,
as indicated in stage 64.
Stage 66 indicates where the .sheets 1~, 25 are
registered to form the retl~n e~ elope 3R, using
form-a-lîner punching, which is then sl.it- off. This
combined web (67) is then fe~ to ~ perf.ing station 68
where marginal perfs 41 th~ough 45 are arplied, and then
it passes to a stage 69 where ~ ~lue pat~h is supplied
around the cutout 20 on face 11 and the t.rarlsparent window
21 i~ put in place. Ultim~tely (further perfing may be
done), the web passes to stage 70 where t.he web is folded :
into pad form, and then is pa,ssed to st~ge 71 where the
repositional adhesive label 32 i~ blown on utilizing a
Labelaire~ machine. Finally, the pad form of mailers is
.
fed to stage 72 where sheet ~0 is V-folded about fold line
17 and the adhesives heat sealed to form the mailer 49.
It will thus be seen that according to the present
invention an advantageous m~.i le7-, intermPdlate, and method
of CGnstruction thereof have been provided. While the
invention has beerl herein shown and descrjbed in what is
presently conceived to be the most practical and preferred :~
embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art that matly modifi.cations may be
made thereof within the scope of the im~ention, which
scop~ is to be accorded the hroadest interpretation of the
appended claims so as to encompa~s all egnivalent
structures and procedures.
