DEPLIANT POSTAL BIDIRECTIONNEL AVEC CARTE POSTALE

TWO WAY MAILER WITH POSTCARD

Abrégé français

Dépliant postal bidirectionnel constitué d'une seule feuille de matériau. Il présente une première et une deuxième sections séparées par une ligne de pli au niveau de laquelle on peut replier la deuxième section sur la première. La première section présente une première face munie de bords supérieur, inférieur et latéraux. La deuxième section présente une deuxième et une troisième faces munies de bords supérieur, inférieur et latéraux, le bord supérieur de la deuxième face coïncidant avec la première ligne de pli. Les deuxième et troisième faces peuvent se replier l'une sur l'autre autour d'une deuxième ligne de pli coïncidant avec les bords inférieurs des deuxième et troisième faces pour former une deuxième section repliée. La deuxième section présente également deux lignes perforées allant au moins d'un bout à l'autre de la deuxième face et plus ou moins perpendiculaires à la première ligne de pli. Ces lignes perforées délimitent les bords latéraux d'une carte postale de retour dans la deuxième section ainsi pliée. La deuxième section ainsi repliée peut être collée à la première pour former de cette manière une enveloppe d'acheminement. La carte postale peut alors être séparée de l'enveloppe d'acheminement suivant les lignes perforées et la première ligne de pli. Dans d'autres configurations, ce dépliant postal bidirectionnel peut être formé au moyen d'un mélange d'éléments constituant une première et une deuxième sections où les deux sections faites chacune d'un seul matériau d'une épaisseur minimum de 0,007 po.

Abrégé anglais

A two way mailer formed of a single blank of sheet material is
disclosed and comprises first and second sections, and a first fold
line about which the second section may be folded onto the first
section. The first section includes a first panel including top,
bottom and side edges. The second section includes second and
third panels each including top, bottom and side edges, with the
top edge of the second panel being coincident with the first fold
line. The second and third panels are foldable onto one another
about a second fold line coincident with the bottom edges of the
second and third panels to form a folded second section. The
second section also includes a pair of perforated lines extending
through at least the second panel and being substantially
perpendicular with the first fold line. The perforated lines
define side edges of a return postcard within the thus folded
second section. The thus folded second section may then be adhered
to the first section to thereby form a forwarding envelope. The
return postcard may then be separated from the forwarding envelope
along the pair of perforated lines and the first fold line. In
alternative embodiments, the two way mailer may be formed of a
composite including first and second sections where both sections
are formed from a single material having a minimum thickness of
about 0.007 inches.

Revendications

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A two way mailer formed of a single blank of sheet
material, comprising:
first and second sections, and a first fold line about which
said second section may be folded onto said first section;
said first section including a first panel including top,
bottom and side edges; and
said second section including:
second and third panels each including top, bottom and
side edges, with said top edge of said second panel being
coincident with said first fold line, and said second and
third panels being foldable onto one another about a second
fold line coincident with the bottom edges of said second and
third panels;
first means for adhering said third panel to said second
panel to thereby form said folded second section wherein the
top edge of said third panel is substantially coincident with
said first fold line; and
a pair of perforated lines extending through at least a
portion of said second panel and being substantially
perpendicular with said first fold line, said perforated lines
defining side edges of a return postcard within said thus
folded second section; and
second means for adhering the thus folded second section to
said first section to thereby form a forwarding envelope, and
whereupon said return postcard may be separated from said
forwarding envelope along said pair of perforated lines and said
first fold line.
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2. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
first means includes side flaps extending from the side edges of
one of said first and second panels and being foldable about said
side edges, and said first means includes adhesive for adhering
said side flaps to the other of said first and second panels.
3. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
first means includes side flaps extending from the side edges of
said first panel and being foldable about said side edges, and said
first means includes adhesive for adhering said side flaps to said
second panel at locations intermediate said first perforated lines
and the side edges of said second panel.
4. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 3, wherein said
adhesive is located on said second panel at locations intermediate
said first perforated lines and the side edges of said second
panel.
5. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pair
of perforated lines further extend through said third panel.
6. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
first section further includes a forwarding envelope closure flap
extending from the top edge of said first panel, and being foldable
about said top edge to enclose the forwarding envelope.
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7. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 6, wherein the top
edge of said first panel forms the bottom edge of the thus formed
forwarding envelope.
8. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thus
formed return postcard includes a top edge coincident with the top
edges of both said second and third panels.
9. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
single blank of sheet material includes a front side and a back
side, and wherein said first section includes address indicia
printed on said front side thereof in a first print orientation,
and said second section includes address indicia printed on said
front side thereof in said first print orientation.
10. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 9, wherein said
first print orientation is defined by the top edge of said front
panel of said second section forming the top of said print
orientation, and the top edge of said first section forming the
bottom of said print orientation.
11. A two way mailer comprising:
first and second sections, said first section including a
first panel including top, bottom and side edges and said second
section including a second panel including top bottom and side
edges, and a first fold line coincident with the bottom edge of
said first panel and the top edge of said second panel, and about
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which said second panel may be folded onto said first panel, said
second panel including a pair of perforated lines substantially
perpendicular with said first fold line and defining side edges of
a return postcard; and
first means for adhering said second panel to said first panel
to thereby form a forwarding envelope, and whereupon said return
postcard may be separated from said forwarding envelope along said
pair of perforated lines and said first fold line.
12. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 11, wherein said
first means includes side flaps extending from the side edges of
one of said first and second panels and being foldable about said
side edges, and said first means includes adhesive for adhering
said side flaps to the other of said first and second panels.
13. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the top
edge of said first panel forms the bottom edge of the thus formed
forwarding envelope.
14. A two way mailer formed of a single blank of sheet
material, comprising:
first and second sections interconnected by a first fold line
about which said second section may be folded onto said first
section,
said first section including a first panel including top,
bottom and side edges;
said second section including:
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second and third panels each including top, bottom and
side edges, with said top edge of said second panel being
coincident with said first fold line, and said second and
third panels being foldable onto one another about a second
fold line coincident with the bottom edges of said second and
third panels;
a pair of first perforated lines extending through at
least a portion of said second panel in a direction
substantially perpendicular with said first fold line, said
first perforated lines defining side edges of a return
postcard within said thus formed second section;
a second perforated line spaced apart from and
substantially parallel with said first fold line, and
extending between said pair of first perforated lines;
first means for adhering said third panel to said second
panel to thereby form said second section wherein the top edge
of said third panel is substantially coincident with said
second perforated line; and
second means for adhering the thus formed second section to
said first section to thereby form a forwarding envelope, and
whereupon said return postcard may be separated from said
forwarding envelope along said pair of first perforated lines and
said second perforated line.
15. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the thus
formed forwarding envelope includes a front side and a back side,
and the distance between said first fold line and said second
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perforated line is sufficient to permit Remote Bar Coding System
(RBCS) indicia of the U.S. Postal Services to be printed on the
back side of the thus formed forwarding envelope between said first
fold line and said second perforated line.
16. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the top
edge of said first panel forms the bottom edge of the thus formed
forwarding envelope.
17. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the top
edge of said first panel forms the top edge of the thus formed
forwarding envelope.
18. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of
said first perforated lines extends through both said second and
third panels of said second section.
19. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
single blank of sheet material includes a front side and a back
side, and wherein said first section includes address indicia
printed on said front side thereof in a first orientation, and said
front panel of said second section includes address indicia printed
on said front side thereof in said first orientation.
20. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 19, wherein said
first orientation is defined by the top edge of said third panel of
said second section forming the top of the print orientation, and
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the top edge of said first panel forming the bottom of the print
orientation.
21. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 19, wherein said
first orientation is defined by the top edge of said third panel of
said second section forming the bottom of the print orientation,
and the top edge of said first panel forming the top of the print
orientation.
22. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
pair of first perforated lines extend beyond said second perforated
line to said first fold line.
23. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
second panel of said second section further includes a tear strip
extending adjacent said first fold line at least between said pair
of first perforations, whereupon said return postcard may be
separated from said forwarding envelope along said second
perforated line by pulling said tear strip away from said first
section.
24. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
second perforated line further extends to the side edges of said
second panel.
25. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 24, wherein said
second panel of said second section further includes a tear strip
- 26 -

extending adjacent said first fold line between the side edges of
said second panel, whereupon said return postcard may be separated
from said forwarding envelope along said second perforated line by
pulling said tear strip away from said first section.
26. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
second section further includes a postcard edge flap extending from
the top edge of said third panel and foldable about said top edge,
whereupon said postcard edge flap may be folded over the top edge
of the thus separated postcard.
27. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
first means includes side flaps extending from the side edges of
one of said first and second panels and being foldable about said
side edges, and said first means includes adhesive for adhering
said side flaps to the other of said first and second panels.
28. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
first panel includes a window for exposing personal identification
indicia on said underlying postcard of the thus formed forwarding
envelope.
29. A two way mailer formed of a single blank of sheet
material, comprising:
first and second sections, and a first perforated line for
separably interconnecting said first and second sections;
-27-

said first section including top, bottom and side edges, and
a first fold line spaced inwardly from and parallel with the bottom
edge, said first fold line defining upper and lower portions of
said first section;
said second section including front and rear panels, each
including top, bottom and side edges, the top edge of said rear
panel being coincident with said first perforation line, and the
bottom edge of said front and rear panels coincidently defining a
second fold line parallel with said first fold line and about which
said front panel may be folded onto said rear panel;
first means for adhering the thus folded front panel to said
rear panel to thereby form a return postcard within said second
section, the thus folded second section being foldable about said
first fold line onto said first section; and
second means for adhering the thus folded second section to
said first section, whereupon said return postcard may be separated
from said second section along said first perforated line.
30. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 29, wherein said
second section further includes a pair of second perforated lines
spaced inwardly from and parallel with said side edges of said
front and rear panels.
31. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 30, wherein said
second means includes side flaps extending from one of said upper
portion of said first section and said second section, and an
- 28 -

adhesive on the other of said upper portion of said first section
and said second section.
32. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 30, wherein said
second means includes side flaps extending from said upper portion
of said first section, and adhesive on said second section disposed
at locations intermediate said second perforated lines and the side
edges of said second section.
33. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 29, wherein said
lower portion of said first section includes a tear strip to
facilitate separating said first section from said second section.
34. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 29, wherein the top
edge of said rear panel may be separated from the bottom edge of
said first section along said first perforated line while the lower
portion of said first section is being separated from the upper
portion of said first section along said first fold line.
35. A two way mailer as claimed in claim 29, wherein said
front panel further includes a third fold line spaced inwardly from
and parallel with said top edge of said first panel, said third
fold line defining a return postcard closure flap.
- 29 -

Description

CA 02229691 1998-02-16
I~WO WAY ~T~ WITH ~G~ RD
BACKGROUND OF THE lNv~NlION
The invention generally relates to envelopes and in particular
relates to two way mailers that are formable into a forwarding
envelope and a return mailer.
Conventional two way mailers typically include two or more
sections that may be separated one from the other to permit a
return mailer, such as an envelope, to be formed and sealed. For
example, U.S. Patent No . 4,899,926 shows a two way mailer envelope
including first and second sections separated by a perforated line.
The first section forms the front of the forwarding envelope, and
the second section forms the return envelope which is folded at the
perforated line onto the first section. Upon opening the
forwarding envelope, the recipient bursts the first section from
the second section along the perforated line.
It is desirable that two way mailers permit the recipient of
the forwarding envelope to separate and form the return mailer as
quickly and easily as possible. For example, the two way mailer
may be part of a promotion or may be used by a utility company. In
either case, it is also desirable that it be as easy as possible
for the recipient to respond quickly. Moreover, it is desirable
that the recipient can be sure that the return mailer will be
uniquely associated with the recipient. This is particularly
desirable for two way mailers used in connection with financial
account information.
Also, it has been found that during automated envelope filling
operations, the perforated line of conventional two way mailers
such as the one described above is sometimes breached by the

CA 02229691 1998-02-16
machinery that fills the forwarding envelopes. The perforated line
must therefore be sufficiently strong to withstand the automated
filling operations, yet sufficiently tearable that the recipient
will be able to expose the return envelope without great
difficulty.
When processing mail, the U.S. Postal Services ("Post Office")
prints processing indicia generally on the left bottom edge of the
reverse side of the envelope on at least certain types of mail.
This indicia from the remote bar coding system (or RBCS) is
typically printed in a florescent orange color, and indicates that
the envelope has been processed. It is desirable that the RBCS tag
line not be printed on any part of the forwarding envelope that
could confuse the Post Office mail handling eqll;pm~t in processing
the return mailer. Otherwise the return envelope may be rejected
or incorrectly processed.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a two way
mailer that is strong enough to easily withstand automated filling
operations without bursting any perforated lines, yet be easily
tearable by the recipient to form a return mailer.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a two way
mailer in which RBCS information printed by the Post Office on the
forwarding envelope does not appear on the return mailer in a way
that will confuse Post Office automated mail handling equipment.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
two way mailer that is inexpensive to fabricate and employ, and
convenient for the recipient of the forwarding envelope to use.
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CA 02229691 1998-02-16
SUMMARY OF THE lNv~:N~ oN
The invention provides a convenient two way mailer for
recipients to use that employs a conventionally sized forwarding
envelope as well as a conventionally sized return postcard. The
two way mailer includes first and second sections, and the second
section includes perforated lines spaced inwardly from the side
edges of the second section. This permits the second section to be
the full width of the forwarding envelope while the return postcard
may have a smaller width.
In one embodiment, the two way mailer includes a perforated
line extending parallel to a fold line separating the first and
second sections. The second section may be of various sizes in
different embodiments, and may include a top edge closure flap.
A two way mailer of the invention permits automated machine
insertion, provides confidential security capabilities, permits
side seam construction of the envelope, and provides the
convenience and cost savings of utilizing a return postcard instead
of a return envelope.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
.20 The following detailed description of the illustrated
embodiments may be further understood with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figures 1 - 5 are views showing a two way mailer of an
embodiment of the invention;
Figures 6 - 9 are views showing a two way mailer of another
embodiment of the invention;

CA 02229691 1998-02-16
Figures 10 - 14 are views showing a two way mailer of a
further embodiment of the invention;
Figure 15 is a view showing a two way mailer of a further
embo~;ment of the invention;
Figures 16 - 18 are views showing a two way mailer of a
further embodiment of the invention;
Figures 19 - 21 are views showing a two way mailer of a
further embodiment of the invention;
Figures 22 - 25 are views showing a two way mailer of a
further embodiment of the invention; and
Figures 26 - 27 are views showing a two way mailer of a
further embodiment of the invention.
DETATT.~n DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
With reference initially to Figure 1, a two way mailer 10 of
an embodiment of the invention includes a single blank of sheet
material 12 including a first section A and a second section B.
The first section A includes a first panel 14 having a top edge 16,
a bottom edge 18, and side edges 20, as well as a front side 22 and
a back side 24. The first section A also includes two side flaps
26 extending from the side edges 20 of the first panel 14, and a
forwarding envelope closure flap 28 extending from the top edge 16
of the first panel 14. The first panel 14 also includes two
windows 30 and 32.
The second section B of the two way mailer shown in Figure 1
includes a second panel 34 which includes a top edge 36, a bottom
edge 38 and side edges 40, as well as a front side 42 and a back

CA 02229691 1998-02-16
side 44. The second section B also includes a third panel 46 which
includes a top edge 48, a bottom edge 50 and side edges 52, as well
as a front side 54 and a back side 56. The third section also
includes adhesive 58 on front side 54 near the side edges 52. The
second section B further includes a pair of perforated lines 60
that extend through both the second panel 34 and third panel 46.
The third panel 46 may be folded about a fold line 62 onto the
back side 44 of the second panel 34 as shown in Figure 2. The
third and second panels 46, 34 are adhered together by an adhesive
64 on the back side 44 of the second panel 34. The side flaps 26
on the first section A are folded about the side edges 20 of the
first panel 14 in preparation for receiving the second section B.
As shown in Figure 3, the second section B may then be folded onto
the first section A about a fold line 64 coincident with the bottom
edge 18 of the first panel 14 and the top edge 36 of the second
panel 34. The thus formed forwarding envelope 66 may then be
closed by folding the forwarding envelope closure flap 28 about the
top edge 16 of the first panel 14, and adhering it to the front
side 42 of the second panel 34 with adhesive 68 as shown in Figures
2 - 4.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the thus formed forwarding
envelope 66 includes a top edge 70 coincident with the bottom edge
18 of the first panel 14, a bottom edge 72 coincident with the top
edge 16 of the first panel 14, and side edges 74 coincident with
the side edges 20 of the first panel 14. A return postcard 76 may
then be separated from the thus formed forwarding envelope 66 along

CA 02229691 1998-02-16
perforations 60 and fold line 64 as shown in Figure 5. The fold
line 64 may act as a score line thereby facilitating separation.
During mail handling, the Post Office may print RBCS tag line
indicia 82 on the bottom left edge of the back side of the
forwarding envelope 66 as shown in Figure 4. When the return post
card 76 is separated from the forwarding envelope 66, the RBCS tag
line 82 r~i n~ with the portion that is discarded.
The return postcard 76 may include Post Office facial
identification markings (FIM) 84 on the upper right portion of the
postcard 76. The FIM 84 identify the top right corner of the front
face of the article of mail, as well as the type of mail item,
e.g., a courtesy reply or business reply postcard.
As shown in Figure 1, the blank of sheet material 12 may
include print indicia 78 on the front side 22 of the first panel 14
providing return address information for the forwarding envelope,
and print indicia 80 on the front side 54 of the third panel 46
providing forwarding address information for the return postcard
76. The print indicia 78 and 80 may both be printed in the same
orientation as shown in Figure 1 to facilitate manufacturing of the
two way mailer 10.
The two way mailer 10 permits the recipient to respond to the
mailing simply by removing the return postcard and placing it in
the mail. By returning the postcard, the recipient may be
indicating an affirmative response to a query posed by the
literature included in the forwarding envelope. For example, the
literature may include information regarding a financial debit
account of the recipient's as well as charges recently-accrued to

CA 02229691 1998-02-16
be applied against the account. By returning the postcard, the
recipient may approve of the withdrawal of funds from the debit
account to satisfy the charges indicated in the literature. In
other embodiments, the forwarding literature may include
promotional material and the recipient may indicate an interest in
the subject of the promotion merely by returning the postcard.
Coded or uncoded personal identification information may appear on
both the postcard as well as forwarding literature. In certain
embodiments, the window 30 may be omitted and the forwarding
address may be printed on the front side 22 of the first panel 14
together with the personal identification information 33 as shown
in Figure 3. The personal identification information 33 would also
appear on the post card, and be visible through the window 32 of
the forwarding envelope. The recipient may then match the personal
identification information on the postcard with that appearing on
the forwarding envelope to ensure security.
The two way mailer shown in Figure 1 may be formed of a single
blank of sheet material of about 0.0035 inches, such that when the
second and third panels are jolned the resulting postcard will have
a thickness of about 0.007 inches. In alternative embodiments, the
two way mailer may be formed of a composite including a first
section A and second section B as shown in Figure 2 with the
adhesive 64 removed where both sections are formed from a single
material having a rin;rum thickness of about 0.007 inches.
The utilization of a return postcard as the return mailer is
not only less expensive to use (due to the difference in cost
between envelope postage and postcard postage), but is less

CA 02229691 1998-02-16
expensive to fabricate, has lower total weight, and permits a high
level of confidentiality of the return mailer since the return
mailer may contain code identification information only. These
objectives are achieved while still utilizing a forwarding envelope
that is machine insertable. Again, with reference to Figure 2,
another embodiment of the return mailer may include an adhesive on
the inside of side flaps 26 instead of the adhesive 58 as shown.
This would permit the side flaps to adhere to the front side 42 of
the second panel 34 to form external side seams, possibly further
facilitating the machine insertability of the forwarding envelope.
As shown in Figures 6 - 9, another embodiment of a two way
mailer 110 of the invention includes a single blank of sheet
material 112 including a first section A and a second section B.
The first section A includes a first panel 114 having a top edge
116, a bottom edge 118, and side edges 120, as well as a front side
122 and a back side 124. The first section A also includes two
side flaps 126 extending from the side edges 120 of the first panel
114, and a forwarding envelope closure flap 128 extending from the
top edge 116 of the first panel 114. The first panel 114 also
includes two windows 130 and 132.
The second section B of the two way mailer shown in Figure 6
includes a second panel 134 which includes a top edge 136, a bottom
edge 138 and side edges 140, as well as a front side 142 and a back
side 144. The second section B also includes a third panel 146
which includes a top edge 148, a bottom edge 150 and side edges
152, as well as a front side 154 and a back side 156. The third
section also includes adhesive 158 on front side 154 near the side
_ g _

CA 02229691 1998-02-16
edges 152. The second section B further includes a pair of
perforated lines 160 that extend from within the second panel 134
through the third panel 146, as well as another perforated line 161
extending between the pair of perforated lines 160 near the top
edge 136 of the second panel 134.
The third panel 146 may be folded about a fold line 162 onto
the back side 144 of the second panel 134 as shown in Figure 7.
The third and second panels 146 and 134 are adhered together by an
adhesive on the back side 144 of the second panel 134 as discussed
above in connection with the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2.
The side flaps 126 on the first section A are folded about the side
edges 120 of the first panel 114 in preparation for receiving the
second section B. As shown in Figure 8, the second section B may
then be folded onto the first section A about a fold line 164
coincident with the bottom edge 118 of the first panel 114 and the
top edge 136 of the second panel 134. The thus formed forwarding
envelope 166 may then be closed by folding the forwarding envelope
closure flap 128 about the top edge 116 of the first panel 114, and
adhering it to the front side 142 of the second panel 134 with
adhesive 168 as shown in Figures 7 and 8.
As shown in Figure 8 and similar to the embodiment shown in
Figures 3 and 4, the thus formed forwarding envelope 166 includes
a top edge 170 coincident with the bottom edge 118 of the first
panel 114, a bottom edge 172 coincident with the top edge 116 of
the first panel 114, and side edges 174 coincident with the side
edges 120 of the first panel 114. A return postcard 176 may then
-- 10 --

CA 02229691 1998-02-16
be separated from the thus formed forwarding envelope 166 along
perforations 160 and 161 as shown in Figure 9.
As shown in Figure 6, the blank of sheet material 112 may
include print indicia 178 on the front side 122 of the first panel
114 providing return address information for the forwarding
envelope, and print indicia 180 on the front side 154 of the third
panel 146 providing forwarding address information for the return
postcard 176. The print indicia 178 and 180 may both be printed in
the same orientation as shown in Figure 6 to facilitate
manufacturing of the two way mailer 110.
-
As shown in Figures 10 - 14, another embodiment of a two way
mailer 210 of the invention includes a single blank of sheet
material 212 including a first section A and a second section B.
The first section A includes a first panel 214 having a top edge
216, a bottom edge 218, and side edges 220, as well as a front side
222 and a back side 224. The first section A also includes two
side flaps 226 extending from the side edges 220 of the first panel
214, and a forwarding envelope closure flap 228 extending from the
top edge 216 of the first panel 214. The first panel 214 also
includes two windows 230 and 232.
The second section B of the two way mailer shown in Figure 10
includes a second panel 234 which includes a top edge 236, a bottom
edge 238 and side edges 240, as well as a front side 242 and a back
side 244. The second section B also includes a third panel 246
which includes a top edge 248, a bottom edge 250 and side edges
252, as well as a front side 254 and a back side 256. The third
section also includes adhesive 258 on front side 254 near the side
-- 11 --

CA 02229691 1998-02-16
edges 252. The second section B further includes a pair of
perforated lines 260 that extend from within the second panel 234
through the third panel 246, as well as another perforated line 261
extending between the pair of perforated lines 260 near the top
edge 236 of the second panel 234.
The third panel 246 may be folded about a fold line 262 onto
the back side 244 of the second panel 234 as shown in Figure 11.
The third and second panels 246 and 234 are adhered together by an
adhesive on the back side 244 of the second panel 234 as discussed
above in connection with the embodiment shown in Figure 1. The
side flaps 226 of the first section A are then folded about the
side edges 220 of the first panel 214 in preparation for receiving
the second section B. The second section B may then be folded onto
the first section A about a fold line 264 coincident with the
bottom edge 218 of the first panel 214 and the top edge 236 of the
second panel 234. The thus formed forwarding envelope 266 may then
be closed by folding the forwarding envelope closure flap 228 about
the top edge 216 of the first panel 214, and adhering it to the
front side 242 of the second panel 234 with adhesive 268 as shown
in Figure 11.
As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the thus formed forwarding
envelope 266 includes a top edge 270 coincident with the top edge
216 of the first panel 214, a bottom edge 272 coincident with the
bottom edge 218 of the first panel 214, and side edges 274
coincident with the side edges 220 of the first panel 214. A
return postcard 276 may then be separated from the thus formed
forwarding envelope 266 along perforations 260 and 261 as shown in

CA 02229691 1998-02-16
Figure 14 and similar to the embodiment discussed above in
connection with Figures 6 - 9.
As shown in Figure 13, the Post Office may print an RBCS tag
line indicia 282 on the bottom left edge of the back side of the
forwarding envelope 266. As shown in Figure 14, when the return
postcard 276 is separated from the forwarding envelope 266, the
RBCS tag line 282 remains with the portion that is discarded.
As shown in Figure 10, the blank of sheet material 212 may
include print indicia 278 on the front side 222 of the first panel
214 providing return address information for the forwarding
envelope, and print indicia 280 on the front side 254 of the third
panel 246 providing forwarding address information for the return
postcard 276. The print indicia 278 and 280 may both be printed in
the same orientation as shown in Figure 10 to facilitate
manufacturing of the two way mailer 210.
The embodiment of the two way mailer 210a shown in Figure 15
is similar to that of Figures 10 - 14 except that the pair of
perforated lines 260a extend beyond the perforation 261 to the top
edge 236 of the second panel 234.
The forwarding envelope of the two way mailer 210a is formed
as discussed above with respect to the embodiment of the two way
mailer 210 shown in Figures 10 - 14. The return postcard-of the
two way mailer 210a is separated from the thus formed forwarding
envelope along perforations 260a and 261. The additional length to
the perforations 260a extending to the top edge 236 of the second
panel 234 may facilitate separation.
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CA 02229691 1998-02-16 .
The two way mailer 310 shown in Figures 16 - 18 is similar to
that shown in Figures 6 - 9. Specifically, the two way mailer 310
of the invention includes first and second sections A and B, as
well as a first panel 314 having front and back sides 322 and 324,
a second panel 334 having front and back sides 342 and 344, and a
third panel 346 having front and back sides 354 and 356. Each of
the panels 314, 334, 346 also include top edges 316, 336, 348,
bottom edges 318, 338, 350, and side edges 320, 340, 352
respectively. The first section A also includes two side flaps 326
extending from the side edges 320 of the first panel 314, and a
forwarding envelope closure flap 328 extending from the top edge
316 of the first panel 314. The first panel 314 also includes two
windows 330 and 332.
The third section further includes adhesive 358 on front side
354 near the side edges 352. The second section B further includes
a pair of perforated lines 360 that extend from within the second
panel 334 through the third panel 346, as well as another
perforated line 361 extending between the side edges 340 of the
second panel 334 and adjacent the ends of the perforated lines 360
near the top edge 336 of the second panel 334. The two way mailer
~ 310 further includes a strip of reinforced material 386 such as
string, thread or a synthetic material, that permits the entire
section between the top edge 336 and the perforated line 361 of the
second panel 334 to act as a tear strip 388 to facilitate opening
of the forwarding envelope.
The third panel 346 may be folded about a fold line 362 onto
the back side 344 of the second panel 334 as discussed above in
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CA 02229691 1998-02-16
connection with the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7. The third
and second panels 346 and 334 are adhered together by an adhesive
on the bac~ side 344 of the second panel 334 as discussed above in
connection with the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2.
The forwarding envelope 366 of the two way mailer 310 may be
formed as discussed above in connection with the embodiment shown
in Figures 6 - 8. Specifically, the side flaps 326 on the first
section A are folded about the side edges 320 of the first panel
314 in preparation for receiving the second section B. The second
section B may then be folded onto the first section A about a fold
line 364 coincident with the bottom edge 318 of the first panel 314
and the top edge 336 of the second panel 334. The thus formed
forwarding envelope 366 may then be closed by folding the
forwarding envelope closure flap 328 about the top edge 316 of the
first panel 314, and adhering it to the front side 342 of the
second panel 334 with adhesive as discussed above in connection
with the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8.
As shown in Figure 17 the thus formed forwarding envelope 366
includes a top edge 370 coincident with the bottom edge 318 of the
first panel 314, a bottom edge 372 coincident with the top edge 316
of the first panel 314, and side edges 374 coincident with the side
edges 320 of the first panel 314. A return postcard 376 may then
be separated from the thus formed forwarding envelope 366 by first
removing the tear strip 388 as shown in Figures 17 and 18 by
pulling the reinforced strip material 386 and tearing along
perforation line 361, and then by tearing along perforations 360.
- 15 -

CA 02229691 1998-02-16
The blank of sheet material 312 may include print indicia 378
on the front side 322 of the first panel 314 providing return
address information for the forwarding envelope, and print indicia
380 on the front side 354 of the third panel 346 providing
forwarding address information for the return postcard 376 as shown
in Figure 16. The print indicia 378 and 380 may both be printed in
the same orientation as shown in Figure 16 to facilitate
manufacturing of the two way mailer 310.
As shown in Figures 19 - 21, another embodiment of a two way
mailer 410 that is similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 6 -
9 also includes first and second sections A and B, as well as a
first panel 414 having front and back sides 422 and 424, a second
panel 434 having front and back sides 442 and 444, and a third
panel 446 having front and back sides 454 and 456. Each of the
panels 414, 434, 446 also include top edges 416, 436, 448, bottom
edges 418, 438, 450, and side edges 420, 440, 452 respectively.
The first section A also includes two side flaps 426 extending
from the side edges 420 of the first panel 414, and a forwarding
envelope closure flap 428 extending from the top edge 416 of the
first panel 414. The second section B further includes adhesive
458 on the third panel 446, and a pair of perforated lines 460
extending through the second and third panels 434, 446. The second
panel 434 further includes a fold line 461 extending between the
pair of perforated lines 460 parallel with the top edge 436 and
defining a return postcard closure flap 488 between the fold line
461, top edge 436 and perforated lines 460.
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As shown in Figure 20, the return postcard of the two way
mailer 410 may be separated from the forwarding envelope 466 by
tearing along the pair of perforations 460 and the fold line 464.
As shown in Figure 21, the return postcard closure flap 488 may
then be folded over the bottom edge 450 of the third panel 446 to
provide a smooth edge surface along the top edge of the return
postcard 476.
The embodiment of the two way mailer 510 shown in Figures 22 -
25 is also similar to that shown in Figures 6 - 9, and includes
first and second sections A and B, including a first panel 514, and
second panel 534, and third panel 546. The panels 514, 534 and 546
each include front sides 522, 542, 554 and back sides 524, 544,
546, as well as top edges 516, 536, 548, bottom edges 518, 538,
550, and side edges 520, 540, 552 respectively. The first section
A further includes side flaps 526 and a forwarding envelope closure
flap 528 as discussed in connection with the two way mailer 110
shown in Figures 6 - 9. The second section B further includes
adhesive 558 similar to the adhesive 558 of Figure 6, and return
postcard closure flap 588 defined by a fold line 563 extending
between the perforated lines 560 near the bottom edge 550 of the
third panel 546. The second section B further includes a pair of
perforated lines 560 extending from within the second panel 5334
through the third panel 546, and another perforated line 561
extending between the pair of perforated lines 560 near the top
edge 536 of the second panel 534.
With reference to Figure 23, the forwarding envelope 566 of
the two way mailer 510 may be formed as discussed above in

CA 02229691 1998-02-16
connection with the embodiment shown in Figures 6 - 9 by folding
the third panel 546 about the fold line 562 onto the second panel
534, and then folding the thus folded section B onto the first
section A about fold line 564. The adhesive 558 is similarly used
to adhere the first and second sections A, B together.
As shown in Figure 24, the return postcard 576 may be
separated from the forwarding envelope 566 by tearing along
perforation lines 560 and 561. The return postcard closure flap
588 remains attached to the postcard 576 and is removed with the
postcard from behind the portion of the second panel 534 that
extends between the perforation 561 and the top edge 536 of the
second panel 534. As shown in Figure 25, the closing the closure
flap 588 onto the front side 542 of the second panel 534 ensures
that the bottom edge of the postcard 576 is smooth.
The embodiment of the two way mailer 610 shown in Figures 26
and 27 is similar to the two way mailer 310 shown in Figure 16 -
18, and includes first and second sections A and B, including a
first panel 614, and second panel 634, and third panel 646. The
panels 614, 634 and 646 each include front sides 622, 642, 654 and
back sides 624, 644, 654, as well as top edges 616, 636, 648,
bottom edges 618, 638, 650, and side edges 620, 640, 652
respectively. The first section A further includes side flaps 626
and a forwarding envelope closure flap 628 as discussed in
connection with the two way mailer 310 shown in Figures 16 - 18.
The second section B further includes adhesive 658 similar to the
adhesive 358 of Figure 16, and a return postcard closure flap 690
defined by a fold line 663 extending between the perforated lines

CA 02229691 1998-02-16
660 near the bottom edge 650 of the third panel 646 similar to the
closure flap 588 of the embodiment shown in Figures 22 - 25.
The second section further includes a tear strip 688 having a
reinforced material 686 similar to the two way mailer 310 shown in
Figures 19 - 18. As shown in Figure 27, the return postcard 676
may be separated from the forwarding envelope 666 by pulling the
reinforced material 686 of the tear strip 688 along the fold line
664 and perforated line 661, and then by tearing along the pair of
perforated lines 660. The closure flap 690 may then by folded onto
the front side 642 of the second section 634 as discussed in
connection with the two way mailer 510 shown in Figures 24 and 25.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications
and variations may be made to the above disclosed embodiments
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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