Abstract:
The present invention includes a multiple part recordation and affidavit form that is used to capture information relating to a prospective registrant or applicant registering to vote and includes a transparent pocket that contains indicia relating to the identity of the registrant or alternatively the status of the voter in his or her application. The form is constructed from a multiple part arrangement of plies that utilizes a carbonless coating enabling the indicia applied on a first layer to transfer to a second or subsequent plies and the face of the envelope.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     None.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is found in the field of business forms assemblies, more particularly combination business forms that are used to capture, record and transfer information for use in voter registrations and making applications for registering to vote. The business form construction of the present invention includes as a first part a multiple part recordation form that is used to receive information and create file and data copies for use such as by a registrar or clerk; a second part which provides a secure document collection piece and a routing envelope that is integrally connected to the document recordation portion; and a third part that creates an identification verification assembly for the user of the form.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     There are numerous business form constructions that have been adapted for a variety of purposes and uses. Business forms are commonly or regularly used to capture information, create record and file copies and convey details of a particular transaction for the purpose the form was created.  
         [0004]     Multiple part form assemblies are also known in the industry and allow for information that has been recorded on a first ply to be passed through or transferred to a second or successive plies through the use of carbonless coatings or carbon sheets or inter leaves that are interposed between the successive layers. Examples of such multiple part business forms are illustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,088,962 and 5,334,571.  
         [0005]     Business forms with envelope assemblies attached thereto are also generally known and have been used for example for courier waybills in which a multipart form is disposed on an envelope. Shipping information is then recorded on the form, the form parts are separated and then the parts are inserted into the attached envelope for shipping, routing etc. An example of such a construction is depicted in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,153,163 and 5,002,311.  
         [0006]     While there are many form constructions from which to choose to accomplish a particular purpose or objective there continues to be a need to develop new form constructions to meet the needs of our changing society, many of which are a result of changing technology and servicing different or evolving needs in our society. This is particularly true with recent controversies concerning the identification of those registering to vote, discrepancies in registration drives and constant accusations by one party against another with respect to alleged tampering or misreading of the results. Thus, there remains a need to create a business form assembly that provides a chain of custody and secure document retention for the purposes of recording correct registrant or applicant information and maintaining the integrity of the sample during the vote accounting and recordation process.  
         [0007]     Publications, patents and patent applications are referred to throughout this disclosure. All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The embodiments of the present invention described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present invention.  
         [0009]     The present invention is a multiple part business form assembly that includes a section for recording information from a voter or someone registering to vote, for example, due to a relocation, achieving a certain age, and the like. The form assembly also includes an envelope for holding documents relating to the status of the individual and a transparent pocket that is used to retain additional documents so as to be able to verify or authenticate the status or identity of the individual that is completing the form assembly.  
         [0010]     In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a ballot recordation and affidavit form assembly is described and includes a first ply that has first and second transversely extending edges and first and second longitudinally extending sides. The first ply has top and bottom faces and a first length.  
         [0011]     The construction of the present embodiment also includes a second ply that has first and second transversely extending edges and first and second longitudinally extending sides. The second ply has top and bottom faces and a second length that is greater than the first length. The second ply has a transversely extending perforation line that runs between the first and second longitudinally extending sides and is disposed closer to one of the transversely extending edges than the other. The second ply is secured to the first ply along one edge by a line of adhesive such that each of the longitudinally extending sides and one of the transversely extending edges of each of the first and second plies are in alignment with one another. The bottom face of the first ply is in an overlying relationship with the top face of the second ply.  
         [0012]     In the presently described embodiment, the assembly also includes an envelope construction that has top and bottom plies secured to one another along three sides and has an open end. The envelope construction has a third length that is greater than each of the first and second lengths of the first and second plies. The envelope has upper and lower faces.  
         [0013]     The second ply, with the first ply connected thereto, is attached to the envelope construction through a line of adhesive which is disposed beneath the line of adhesive connecting the first and second plies together, such that the second ply bottom face is in an overlying relationship with the upper face of the envelope and the envelope having a closure flap.  
         [0014]     The assembly of the presently described embodiment also includes a transparent pocket that is attached to the lower face of the envelope construction. The transparent pocket has first and second longitudinally extending sides and first and second transversely extending edges with the sides of the pocket being in alignment with the sides of the envelope construction. The pocket has a fourth length that is less than each of the first, second and third lengths, and the pocket has an opening that extends transversely to the sides to create a viewable documentation pocket.  
         [0015]     The pocket utilized in the presently described embodiment is used to create two transparent plies that are placed in a slightly overlapping relationship so as to create an opening through which documentation can be inserted and then viewed. The first ply is smaller, by for example 5 to 20%, than the second ply and the plies are secured to the lower face of the envelope through U-shaped patterns of adhesive, one pattern being inverted over the other and a space is provided in the area of the overlap.  
         [0016]     The envelope is printed with indicia on each face, with the indicia on one face being printed in a first direction and the indicia on the lower face being printed in a second, opposite direction to that of the first printing so as to optimize the use of the envelope construction.  
         [0017]     In a still further exemplary embodiment of the present invention method of using a ballot recordation and affidavit form is described and includes the steps of initially providing a business form that has a recordation portion with pre-determined recordation fields and first and second sections. The form assembly further includes an envelope construction and document verification pocket that is provided on a side opposite of the envelope construction to that of the recordation portion. Next, indicia are applied to at least a portion of the recordation fields. Then, one of the sections is separated from the recordation portion and information is inserted into the envelope construction. Finally, document verification information is placed into the verification pocket for viewing and authentication of a voter affidavit.  
         [0018]     In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, a voter recordation and affidavit form for providing secure transmission of documents is provided and includes an envelope that is sealed along three sides and has one open end. The envelope has a closure flap for securing the open end of the envelope.  
         [0019]     In the presently described embodiment, a voter affidavit and recordation form is provided and is connected to the envelope along one of the sealed sides. The plies of the form have a carbonless coating that is used to transfer images from the form to an upper face of the envelope. The form also includes pre-determined portions for identifying the individual registering to vote as well as a questionnaire to determine eligibility of the individual.  
         [0020]     The construction of this embodiment also includes a voter identification pocket that is affixed to one face of the envelope. The pocket is used to retain information identifying the individual after the form has been completed.  
         [0021]     These 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 THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]     These, as well as other objects and advantages of this invention, will be more completely understood and appreciated by referring to the following more detailed description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  depicts a cross section of the business form assembly of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  provides a front view of the business form assembly;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates the back of the business form assembly;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a front view of the business form assembly of the present invention with a cut away of the plies showing the underlying areas of the form for capturing copies of the information and the separation line in the second ply of the form construction; and  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  depicts a block diagram depicting an exemplary method of using the business form assembly of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]     The present invention is now illustrated in greater detail by way of the following detailed description which represents the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention. However, it should be understood that this description is not to be used to limit the present invention, but rather, is provided for the purpose of illustrating the general features of the invention.  
         [0029]     The form construction of the present invention is a multiple part voter registration form and verification assembly that provides the district or precinct clerk with a secure means for collecting information from prospective registrants; securely retaining such information for verification purposes. In addition, the form assembly of the present invention provides an authenticity check through the use of a transparent pocket into which identification information or data can be added.  
         [0030]     Turning now to  FIG. 1  of the present invention, a cross section of the form assembly is provided. The form is generally represented by reference numeral  10  and includes a first ply  12 . The first ply  12  is preferably constructed from 20 pound bond cellulosic stock and has dimensions of roughly 8½″ by 11″ giving the first sheet a first length (11 inches) and width. The first ply  12  has first and second longitudinally extending sides and first and second transversely extending edges as can be seen from the subsequent FIGURES described below. The first ply  12  is provided with indicia on one face, as will be described herein, and a carbonless coating, such as a CB coating (coated back) on the second face of the ply to facilitate the transfer of an image imparted to the upper surface of the top ply to the upper surface of a lower sheet through a corresponding CF (coated front) coated sheet as is known by those with skill in the industry.  
         [0031]     The form construction  10  also includes a second ply  14  which is again preferably constructed from a 20 pound bond cellulosic based stock and has dimensions of roughly 8½″ by 11½″ which provides the second sheet with a second length (11½ inches) which is slightly longer than the length of the first sheet. The second sheet  14  as can be seen from the subsequent FIGURES is provided with indicia on one face so as to receive complimentary images from the first ply  12  creating a record copy which for example may be provided to the registrant or applicant that completes the form. The second ply  14  has first and second longitudinally extending sides and first and second transversely extending edges. The second sheet is placed in an overlying relationship with the first ply  12 , with the exception of one edge  15  of the second ply  14  extending beyond one of the transversely extending edges  13  of the first ply  12  as seen in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0032]     The second ply  14  also has top and bottom faces, with indicia provided on the top face of the ply so that the top face of the second ply  14  is in an adjacent relationship with the bottom face of the first ply  12 . The top face of the second ply  14  is provided with a complimentary carbonless coating, a CF coating (coated front) so that the CB coating on the bottom face of the top ply  12  will react with the CB coating on the front face of the second ply  14  to produce an image. The back face of the second ply  14  will also be provided with a carbonless coating so that it can interact with a carbonless coating provided on the upper face of the envelope.  
         [0033]     The first ply  12  is connected to the second ply  14  through use of a line of adhesive  16  which is disposed adjacent the end edge of each ply,  13 * and  15 *, respectively.  
         [0034]     The business form assembly  10  of the present invention also includes an envelope construction  18  which includes two plies of material (cellulosic, synthetic films, etc.) that are secured together along three sides by a pattern of adhesive  19  and has an open end  20 . The open end  20  of the envelope includes a closure flap  21  that has a pressure sensitive adhesive covered by a removable tape or release liner  22 . To seal the open end, the release liner is peeled away and the flap is folded about the opening via fold line  23  bringing the adhesive into contact with the upper face  24  of the envelope.  
         [0035]     The envelope  18  is secured to the second ply  14  through the use of a line of adhesive  26  which is provided directly beneath the line of adhesive  16  securing the first ply  12  to the second ply  14 . In each instance, the adhesive used to secure the form structure together is a permanent adhesive.  
         [0036]     The upper face  24  of the envelope  18  is provided with indicia (see  FIG. 5 ) such that a carbonless coating provided on the lower or bottom face of the second ply  14  and the upper face  24  of the envelope will allow an image created on the first ply  12  to transfer to the upper face  24  of the envelope.  
         [0037]     The envelope  18  has a top sheet  27  with a dimension of about 8½″ by 12″ and a bottom sheet  28  with a dimension of about 8½″ by 13″. The bottom sheet  28  has the closure flap with the closure tape  22 . The envelope  18  has a third length that is greater than each of the first and second lengths.  
         [0038]      FIG. 1  also illustrates the verification pocket  30 , which is adhered to the bottom sheet  28  of the envelope construction  18 . The pocket  30  is secured by adhesive  29  and  29 * and includes first and second transparent plies  31  and  32 , respectively. The plies  31  and  32  are positioned so as to create an area of overlap  33  which provides an opening in the construction so that information, such as that relating to the identification of the applicant or registrant, may be inserted in the pocket  30 .  
         [0039]     The first ply  31  of the pocket  30  has dimensions of about 8½″ by 3½″ and the second ply  32  of the pocket  30  has dimensions of about 8½″ by 2¼″ with the area of the overlap  33  being about ¼″ in length. The pocket  30 , as can be seen from the FIGURE, has a fourth length that is less than each of the first, second and third lengths of the first and second plies  12  and  14  and the envelope  18 .  
         [0040]     Also provided in  FIG. 1 , is the depiction of a line of weakness or perforation line  34  that appears in the second ply  14  such that the second ply  14  can be separated into first and second portions. One of the portions includes identification information of the voter and the second portion relates to the voter affidavit or other conditions relevant to the registration. The perforation line  34  is preferably located closer to one end edge than the other, that is, the perforation line  34  is not disposed medially of the ply  14 .  
         [0041]     Reference is now directed to  FIG. 2 , which provides a front view of the form assembly of the present invention. Again, reference numeral  10  is used to generally refer to the form. The first ply  12  is shown with indicia provided in predetermined areas  40  and  42 . In the first area  40 , voter affidavit information is collected and may include answers to questions, descriptions and other factors relevant to the determination of voter status.  
         [0042]     In the second section  42 , voter identification information may be collected such as name, address, drivers license information, birth date, social security number and such other information as the voter precinct or district may determine is appropriate. The indicia printed on the face of the first ply  12  is printed in one direction and is legible with the bottom of the form or the edge which has the open end of the envelope  20  at the bottom.  
         [0043]      FIG. 2  also further depicts the various lengths of the first and second plies of the envelope but reference to the transversely extending end edges  13  and  15  and the adhesive closure flap  22  of the envelope portion  18 .  
         [0044]     Attention is now directed to  FIG. 3  of the present invention, which depicts the backside of the business form construction  10 . The lower face of the bottom sheet  28  is printed with indicia  50  and  52  which when the opening of the envelope, here identified by the position of the fold line  23  used to fold the flap over the end, is at the bottom of the form and is inverted or upside down. That is the indicia are printed in second direction that is distinct from the first direction of the printing which appears on the face of the first ply  12  (and subsequent top faces of the second ply and envelope).  
         [0045]      FIG. 3  is also presented to show the adhesive patterns that are used to create the verification pocket  30 . The first ply  31  is secured to the bottom face of the back ply of the envelope through an inverted U-shaped pattern of adhesive  53 . Likewise, the second transparent ply  32  is secured to the back of the envelope through a U-shaped pattern of adhesive  54 . The patterns  53  and  54  are spaced a short distance apart so as to create a small space or gap  55  located immediately beneath the overlap  33  that is created by positioning a portion of one of the transparent plies over the other transparent ply. The space or unsecured area of the pocket enables the flap to be easily opened and identification or other documents to be easily inserted in the pocket  30 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 4  is used to illustrate the form assembly in which portions of the first ply  12  and second ply  14  have been made to show indicia on the first and second plies as well as the upper face of the envelope.  FIG. 4  also shows the perforation line  34  in the second ply  14 , which allows the two sections or portions of the second ply to be separated from one another so as to create an identification section and an affidavit section.  
         [0047]      FIG. 5  provides a block diagram on an exemplary use of the business form assembly of the present invention. The first step is the provision of a multiple part business form at step  100 . The business form is the same construction as has been previously described herein and includes a recordation portion, an envelope and a verification pocket. Next, indicia are applied to one or more sections of the recordation form at step  110 . The information will likely be personal information and may include details that have been obtained through responses to a questionnaire, survey and the like. Other printed information may relate to the steps that are necessary in making an application or registration to vote. A supplemental step would of course be distributing a series of business forms at step  105  such as to voting districts or precincts or other locations where such forms may be needed. The first ply will normally be retained with the form construction so as to provide for matching of information that may be inserted into the envelope or obtained from a different location.  
         [0048]     Once the information has been added to the form, the sections of the second ply, as described herein are detached from one another at step  120  to create a record copy or a portion to insert in the verification pocket. Then additional information may be inserted into the envelope at step  130  to create a secure enclosure so that the information cannot be tampered with once the envelope has been sealed.  
         [0049]     Finally, documents are inserted into the verification pocket at step  140 , and the entire package can be presented to election or other officials to verify the registration information or applicant such as at step  145 . Of course, the entire envelope or package can be delivered or transported to another location for subsequent verification, processing or the like.  
         [0050]     It will thus be seen, according to the present invention a highly advantageous ballot recordation and affidavit business form has been provided. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, that many modifications and equivalent arrangements 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 products.  
         [0051]     The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of their invention as it pertains to any apparatus, system, method or article not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set out in the following claims.