A multi-part, partially pre-printed form useful as an airbill has address information printed thereon by a non-impact printer. Different configurations of the form are described, including panels overlappingly affixed together by an adhesive having removable strips defined by cuts through the top overlapping panels. The center panel is transparent or at least translucent. The address information printed on the outer panels is in a mirror image format relative to the information printed on the transparent panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 This invention relates to a multi-part mailing form for use with a
 non-impact printer, and more particularly, to an airbill form which may be
 used for addressing packages sent by an overnight mail service.
 2. Background Information
 Overnight air courier services have become a common mode to send original
 documents and goods. Examples of such services include the Express Mail
 service of the United States Postal Service, Federal Express, United
 Parcel Service, DHL, Airborne, and many others. Most commercial air
 courier services utilize a similar multi-part airbill form comprising
 several layers of superimposed sheets, each of which must bear certain
 address information. The name of the shipper and the name of the recipient
 are printed once and appear on all sheets of the airbill form.
 Current multi-part airbill forms typically have four sheets: one sheet for
 the sender, one sheet for the recipient signature as a proof of receipt,
 one sheet for the package, and one sheet for the air courier's billing
 department. Many of the various multi-part airbill forms used by air
 courier services have a peel away backing which exposes a pressure
 sensitive adhesive for affixing the airbill form to the package being
 sent.
 In order to use these airbill forms, it is necessary to inscribe the
 addresses of both the recipient and the sender on each of the sheets of
 the airbill form. Carbon paper or coatings of microcapsules are normally
 used to permit the user to add the information only one time on the top
 sheet and still have it appear on the remaining sheets. Nevertheless, the
 address information must be added to the airbill form by either a
 typewriter, an impact printer, or by hand. Most offices today utilize
 computers because of their well-known advantages over typewriters and
 manually prepared documents. Further, most computer systems used in
 offices are linked to a non-impact type printer, such as the laser printer
 or ink jet printer, because of the speed and quiet operation of non-impact
 printers compared to the older impact printers or typewriters.
 Because of the non-impact type of printing equipment used in modern
 offices, the address information added to air courier airbill forms must
 be done manually. This results in inefficient use of time if done by
 typewriter or, if done by hand, can leave the air courier company with the
 problem of reading the handwriting of someone else. Though manually adding
 the address information to airbill forms may be done easily enough where a
 small number of packages are to be sent, it is very inefficient where a
 large number of packages are to be sent. In the latter case, it is
 desirable to use a computer and associated printer to prepare the airbill
 forms. For example, where a mail order vendor ships merchandise by
 overnight air courier, many hundreds or thousands of airbill forms must be
 prepared daily and manual preparation of the airbill forms is very tedious
 and difficult. With current airbill forms, the only manner of using a
 computer is to utilize an impact printer, which is both slow and noisy.
 Non-impact printers, which are faster and quieter than impact printers,
 cannot be used because of the requirement to have the address information
 on each sheet of the existing multi-part airbill forms.
 What is needed is an air courier airbill form which can be printed using a
 non-impact printer.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a
 multi-part form for use as a mailing form for placement on a package, in
 which address information is printed by a non-impact printer on one side
 of the form proximate to the time the form is to be used. The form
 includes a substantially opaque first panel on which certain information,
 e.g., address information, can be printed and a substantially transparent
 or translucent panel on which certain information, such as an address, can
 be printed. The transparent panel is divided from the first panel by means
 permitting the folding of the first panel over the transparent panel.
 Advantageously, the information printed on the form can be printed on one
 and the same face of each of the panels, thus allowing for printing by a
 non-impact printer in communication with a computer having a database
 which holds information which can be directed to be printed on the form.
 Preferably, the address information printed on the transparent panel is a
 mirror image to the normally readable address information printed on the
 first panel. Further, there is included means for affixing the one printed
 face of the transparent panel to the package and means for affixing the
 back or opposing face of the non-impact printed face of the first panel to
 another portion of the form or to the package.
 A second embodiment of the invention concerns a multi-part form comprising
 a plurality of separate panels affixed together as a single sheet for use
 as a mailing form, e.g., airway bill, waybill, bill of lading, or the
 like, on a package. The panels are folded over to be superimposed with one
 another for use as a multi-part, manifold form. Address information can be
 printed on one and the same face of each panel of the form by a single
 pass through a non-impact printer proximate to the time the form is used.
 This embodiment having a plurality of panels affixed together comprises at
 least a first substantially opaque panel and a substantially transparent
 or substantially translucent panel. For convenience, the transparent or
 translucent panel is hereinafter referred to as the "transparent panel"
 but would be understood to be either substantially transparent or
 translucent such that printed information disposed on one face of this
 panel shows through and can be read from the other face. The panels can
 also be independently pre-printed on either face with certain background
 colors or information, e.g., instructions for use.
 The first panel, which is a top panel when the form is in folded
 configuration and placed on a package, is preferably a paper material
 having a substantially white background and capable of being printed on by
 a non-impact printer. The transparent panel, forming a bottom panel when
 placed on a package in folded configuration, is preferably a substantially
 transparent or translucent paper or plastic, also capable of being printed
 on by a non-impact printer.
 In a preferred variant of this second embodiment, the mailing form
 comprises at least three panels and is described herein as having three
 panels. The first and second panels form each end of a single sheet and
 are separated from each other, adjoined by a third substantially
 transparent or translucent panel (hereinafter "the transparent panel")
 affixed therebetween. The first and second panels are preferably
 substantially light-colored, or white, background paper capable of being
 printed on by a non-impact printer. The transparent panel is preferably a
 substantially transparent or translucent paper or plastic also capable of
 being printed on by a non-impact printer.
 In this variation of the second embodiment, each of the panels is
 overlapped with its adjacent panel and forms a section approximately
 one-third the area of the mailing form such that the first and second
 panels can be folded over the transparent panel to form a three-part,
 manifold mailing form. The transparent panel can be positioned such that
 the printed face contacts the package such that the address information
 printed thereon is readable therethrough. The non-impact-printed faces of
 the first and second panels, being folded over the transparent third
 panel, position the printed face of those panels such that they are facing
 away from the package and are thereby also readable in that folded
 configuration when not covered by an overlying opaque sheet.
 Further, this second embodiment of the subject invention comprises a means
 for affixing at least a portion of the printed face of the transparent
 third panel to the package. A means can also be provided for affixing the
 second panel in folded configuration to the transparent panel or to the
 package, and the first panel to either the second panel or to the package
 in the folded configuration. Preferably, these affixing means include
 disposing adhesive in a strategic position across the width of the panels
 so that the panels adjoin in a folded configuration to provide a
 three-part mailing form. This embodiment thus provides a three-part,
 manifold mailing form wherein the transparent panel is used as the bottom
 layer of the manifold form and is permanently affixed to a package. The
 other two panels are affixed to their respective underlying panel or to
 the package, but are removable therefrom by a separation means, e.g., a
 perforation.
 In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
 method of using a multi-part form, as described hereinabove, as an address
 form for a package. The form can be pre-printed to include colored edges
 or borders or can also include instructional information. The method
 includes the steps of printing the address information on the first and
 transparent panels on one face of the form, such that the address
 information printed on the transparent panel is a mirror image of the
 normally readable address information printed on one or more of the
 panels. Further, the method includes the steps of affixing the one
 printed-on face of the transparent panel to the package, folding the
 opaque panels over the transparent panel, and affixing the opaque panels
 to one of another portion of the form or to the package.
 As the method specifically applies to the second embodiment, information,
 such as an address, can be printed by a non-impact printer on one and the
 same face of each of three panels of the form. The first panel and the
 second panel are printed in a configuration such that they are readable
 from one direction, i.e., in a normal left to right configuration, when
 the printed face is exposed or positioned to face away from the package.
 The transparent panel is printed such that the information is a mirror
 image to the information printed on the first and second panels. The
 non-impact printed face of the transparent panel can then be affixed to
 the package by use of the affixing means such that the printing shows
 through the transparent panel in a normal, left-to-right, readable manner.
 The second panel is then folded over and affixed to the transparent panel
 or to the package. The first panel can then be folded over the second and
 transparent panels and affixed to the second panel or package to form a
 mailing form or label having three parts folded over one another, each
 readable in the same direction.
 In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
 method of manufacturing the first embodiment of a pre-printed multi-part
 mailing form for a package. The form of the first embodiment includes a
 pair of transparent sheets, each forming one ply of the two-ply form. The
 method includes the steps of printing foreground information and a
 background color on one of the sheets. The background color is printed
 only on a portion of the one sheet and the foreground information on that
 portion being printed in a mirror image format relative to the remaining
 foreground information. The method further includes the steps of coating
 an adhesive on one of the sheets and affixing the sheets together so that
 the adhesive is between the sheets to adhere the plies together.
 A method for manufacturing the second embodiment of the multi-part mailing
 form for a package is also included as part of the subject invention. The
 method comprises the steps of providing at least one substantially opaque
 panel, preferably having a background color which contrasts with the print
 color to be applied, and a substantially transparent panel. The first
 panel can be pre-printed to include instructional information. A permanent
 adhesive can be provided between the first panel and the transparent
 panel, along an overlapping edge of the two panels for affixing together
 these panels. A second substantially opaque panel, having a background
 color in contrast to the print, can also can be pre-printed and
 overlappingly affixed to the transparent panel at its edge opposite that
 of the first panel. The second panel and transparent panel can be affixed
 by an adhesive means disposed between overlapped edges of the second panel
 and the transparent panel. The first and second panels are preferably
 affixed to the transparent panel by slightly overlapping the edges to form
 a substantially inseparable bond.
 Means for affixing a panel of the form to the package or affixing one panel
 to another in a manifold configuration can also be applied to the panels.
 Preferably, adhesive is applied in strategic locations parallel and
 proximate to the overlap junctures of the panels. A pair of adhesive
 strips can be applied near the junctures of the first and second panels
 with the transparent panel to affix the transparent panel to the package.
 Another strip of adhesive is applied to the second panel just inside or
 offset from the juncture edge such that the outer edge of the first panel
 can be affixed thereto when folded over the second panel. More preferably,
 the adhesive is applied as a continuous strip, as intermittent dots, or as
 spots of adhesive alternating with spots of adhesive-release material,
 along an edge of a contacting face of the panels. The adhesive strips are
 preferably covered by a peel-off, protective covering that can be removed
 to expose the adhesive for use.
 Instructional information, including diagrams for directing appropriate use
 of the form can be pre-printed on either face of the first and second
 panels.
 The subject invention also concerns novel chemical coatings for providing
 carbonless transfer of information inscribed on a top panel of the form to
 underlying panels. The chemical coating of the subject invention
 advantageously provides for improved transparency of the transparent panel
 and adheres to the transparent material better than conventional coatings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a three-part airbill form 10 is shown and
 constitutes a first embodiment of the subject invention. As best seen in
 FIG. 3, airbill form 10 has two plies, 12 and 14, superimposed and affixed
 together by a permanent, pressure sensitive, adhesive 16. FIG. 1 shows the
 outward facing face of top ply 12 of airbill form 10 and FIG. 2 shows the
 outward facing face of bottom ply 14. In the first embodiment, airbill
 form 10 is divided into three panels, top panel 18, middle panel 20 and
 bottom panel 22, each of which is one of the three-parts of airbill form
 10. The three panels 18, 20 and 22 may respectively be the proof of
 delivery receipt; the addressee's receipt; and copy for the finance
 department of the air courier service, which is used for billing purposes.
 In the three-part airbill form 10, there is no sender's receipt, as it is
 contemplated that computers will be used to generate the address
 information and the sender's receipt information, such as the airbill
 number, can be stored in the computer generating the addresses. Where a
 sender's receipt is desired, a four-part variation of this embodiment,
 shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, may be used.
 Each of the two plies 12 and 14 may preferably be a transparent polyester
 film, such as Melinex 1311, one distributor of which is Plastic Suppliers,
 1174 Hayes Industrial Drive, Marietta, Ga., 35062. Melinex 1311 is a clear
 film with anti-static properties on both surfaces of its web. Its surface
 resistivity, independent of gauge, is 2.times.10.sup.10 ohms/square, which
 overcomes the static electricity and laser corona-based problems which
 generally prevent stacks of plastic films from being used with laser
 printers. Moreover, Melinex 1311 film does not suffer from unacceptable
 shrinkage when passed through the high heat of the fusing stage of a laser
 printer. Melinex 1311 polyester film is described in more detail in U.S.
 Pat. No. 4,371,489 in the name of Patrick T. McGrall and entitled
 "Production of Antistatic Thermoplastic Films". Additional problems
 encouraging the use of Melinex 1311 film are discussed in co-pending
 patent application Ser. No. 08/394,062, filed Dec. 1, 1994, and entitled
 "Transparent Security Pocket Compatible With Non-impact Printers".
 The three panels 18, 20 and 22 on ply 12 are separated by perforated cuts
 24 and 26 through ply 12 and the three panels 18, 20 and 22 on ply 14 are
 separated by die cut lines 28 and 30 through ply 14. These cuts 24, 26, 28
 and 30 permit the panels 18 and 22 to be separated after plies 12 and 14
 are affixed together by adhesive 16, printed, folded, and applied to a
 package to be sent, as explained in more detail hereafter.
 For airbill form 10 to be most efficiently used with a standard non-impact
 simplex printer, it is desirable that the printing only occur on one face
 of airbill form 10. In the first embodiment of airbill form 10, as shown
 in FIGS. 1-3, the printing by the non-impact printer occurs on the outward
 facing face of back ply 14 and comprises, at least, the addressee's
 address. Airbill form 10 is normally pre-printed during manufacture with
 constant information and instructions so as to appear similar to currently
 existing air courier airbill forms. For example, lines defining the
 addressee and return address blocks and instructions may be pre-printed,
 together with lines for signatures, accounting information, tracing
 information, and the like. Items, such as the sender's return address,
 account number and airbill number (in both digital and bar code format)
 may be either pre-printed or printed by the non-impact printer, depending
 upon the number of airbill forms ordered from the air courier service by
 the user/sender.
 Certain information, such as internal tracing information, addressee's
 signature and accounting or billing information, can be manually added to
 the airbill form after a package is transmitted by the sender and this
 information also should appear on all copies of airbill form. In order to
 permit later added information to be manually added on the top sheet only,
 coatings of chemically mated imaging materials are placed on the facing
 faces of plies 12 and 14 of the first embodiment, or on each of the panels
 of the second embodiment, to form carbonless copies. As is well known,
 carbonless copies can occur where layers known as a CF (coated front)
 coating and a CB (coated back) coating are facing one another. A CF
 coating is a-dry chemical coating on which the information appears and a
 CB coating is containing microcapsules, each of which, in turn, contain a
 wet chemical. Where a CF coating and a CB coating are facing one another,
 adequate pressure will cause the capsules to rupture and a chemical
 reaction occurs between the dry and wet chemicals, thereby causing an
 image to appear. Such coatings are well known and commercially available
 from several vendors.
 In three-part airbill form 10, CB coatings 32 and 34 are placed on panels
 18 and 22 of ply 12, respectively, and CF coatings 36 and 38 are placed on
 panel 20 of ply 12 and panel 22 of ply 14, respectively. The CB coatings
 32 and 34 and CF coatings 36 and 38 are positioned so that when panel 22
 is folded along lines 26 and 30 to be over panel 20 and then panel 18 is
 folded along lines 24 and 28 to be over panel 22, the CB and CF coatings
 32, 34, 36 and 38 are aligned with one another and a CF coating 36 and 38
 and a CB coating 32 and 34 face one another with the CF coating positioned
 to receive the image. The variation shown in these figures has such
 coatings in discrete areas of the ply. However, it would be understood
 that the plies can receive full-face coating so that any area normally
 inscribed can transfer the image to the underlying ply.
 Because it is difficult to write on a plastic film, a matte coating 40 is
 placed on panel 18 of ply 14, which also is aligned with the CF and CB
 coatings 32, 34, 36 and 38 and is positioned on the outward facing surface
 of panel 18 after airbill form 10 is folded as explained above. One
 example of a matte coating which may be used with the airbill form 10 is
 Craigcoat 1025M, manufactured and sold by Craig Adhesives and Coating
 Company of Newark, N.J. These matte coatings can also be applied to the
 full face of the ply.
 In addition to the perforation cuts 24 and 26 and die cut 28 and 30, a die
 cut 42 and aligned-perforation cut 44 are placed approximately one-fourth
 to one-half of an inch below the upper edge of plies 12 and 14,
 respectively. Further, die cuts 46, 48, 50 and 52 are placed in panel 20
 of bottom ply 14, approximately one-fourth to one-half of an inch away
 from die cuts 28 and 30 and the outer edges of ply 14.
 Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded cross-sectional view, taken across
 lines 3--3 of FIG. 1 is shown, where it is seen that top and bottom ply 12
 and 14 are held together by adhesive 16. A layer of silicone release
 material 54 is placed on the interior surface of top ply 12 and in
 alignment with die cut 42 and perforation cut 44. An additional layer of
 silicone release material 56 is placed on the interior surface of bottom
 ply 14 in alignment with and between die cuts 46 and 28, die cuts 48 and
 30, die cuts 50 and the edge of ply 14 and die cut 52 and the edge of ply
 14. The addition of the silicone material layer 54 permits a strip 58,
 defined by die cut 42 and the edge of ply 12, to be peeled away, as best
 seen in FIG. 1.
 Release product components, manufactured by the GE Silicones division of
 General Electric Company, U.S.A., yield such a compatible release
 material. More specifically, the use of UV9400 solventless UV release
 polymer, in combination with UV9380C or UV9310C photocatalysts, can be
 photocured in air, upon irradiation with UV radiation of less than 300 nm
 wavelength, to provide a silicon release material having a tightly
 cross-linked epoxysilicone network. GE Silicones 1178-116 Viscosity
 Modifier can be used to help in forming precise patterns or discrete areas
 of release coating 24.
 The addition of the silicon material layer 56 permits a rectangular strip
 60, defined by die cuts 46 and 28, die cuts 48 and 30, die cut 50, and the
 edge of ply 14 and die cut 52 and the edge of ply 14, to be peeled away,
 as best seen in FIG. 2. When strip 58 and rectangular strip 60 are peeled
 away, adhesive 16 is exposed. The exposed adhesive 16 below rectangular
 strip 60 is used to affix the folded airbill form 10 to a package, as seen
 in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the exposed adhesive below strip 58 is used to affix
 airbill form 10 together as a folded three-part airbill form, as seen in
 FIG. 6. As seen with respect to strips 58 and 60, adhesive 16 is coated to
 be slightly remote from the edge of airbill form 10, to prevent bleeding
 of adhesive material prior to and during the use of airbill form 10.
 Adhesive 16 should be a transparent adhesive and should have a good
 affinity to both plies 12 and 14, as well as having the ability to affix
 airbill form 10 to a package, which typically is a paper or cardboard
 material. One commercially available adhesive which has been found to be
 acceptable is a compounded synthetic polymer, such as Craigcoat 1051G,
 manufactured by Craig Adhesives and Coatings Company, of Newark, N.J.
 As noted above, airbill form 10 is pre-printed during manufacture to
 closely resemble existing air courier airbill forms. This requires
 printing both a background color, such as white, and the information,
 which may be printed in various colors. For example, a U.S. Postal Service
 Express Mail airbill form has orange and blue borders and printing and a
 white background on all parts. On some sheets, black printing used to
 identify the airbill number in both readable format and bar code format is
 also present. Similarly, a Federal Express airbill form has blue, orange,
 yellow and black printing with a white background on two sheets, light
 blue, and yellow printing with a white background on a third sheet and
 blue and orange printing with a pink background on a fourth sheet, used as
 the customer's receipt.
 The pre-printing, as shown in FIG. 3, is preferably placed on the interior
 facing face of ply 14, and is done in two separate steps. First, the
 foreground information, represented by line 62, is printed over all three
 panels 18, 20 and 22. Foreground information 62 is printed in a standard
 readable format (when looking directly thereat) on panel 20 and in a
 mirror image and opposite direction format on panels 18 and 22. Next, the
 background color printing 64 is printed only over panels 18 and 22,
 leaving panel 20 with a transparent background. As noted above, different
 background colors 64 may be printed on panels 18 and 22 where different
 color panels, or parts, of airbill form 10 are desired. By pre-printing
 the background color (or colors) 64 only on panels 18 and 22, middle panel
 20 is transparent and top and bottom panels 18 and 22 appear as a
 conventional opaque air courier airbill. Alternatively, only the
 background color 64 may be pre-printed on the interior facing face of ply
 14 and all of the information 62 may be printed by the non-impact printer
 at the time airbill form 10 is being used.
 It should be noted that the silicone layers 54 and 56 are added after the
 foreground and background printing 62 and 64 occurs, so that information
 can be printed and viewed on strips 58 and 60. It further should be noted
 that instructions or other information may be pre-printed on the outward
 facing face of panels 18 and 22 of ply 12.
 After airbill form 10 is manufactured, as described above, it is a flat
 sheet of conventional standard size, such as 81/2".times.11" or A4, and is
 ready for use by a user. The user generated information to be printed
 includes both the addressee information and any other information desired
 by the user, such as return address (if not pre-printed), customer
 numbers, shipping or delivery information or instructions, billing or fee
 information, airbill number, and the like. The user generated information
 should be printed on the outward facing face of ply 14, so that it is
 remote from CB coatings 32 and 34, which can be damaged by the heat in
 some types of non-impact printers, such as a laser printer. The format of
 the user generated printed information is shown in FIG. 2, where it is
 seen that the printing on opaque panels 18 and 22 is conventional and
 readable and the printing on transparent panel 20 is in a mirror image
 format and in the reverse direction relative to the printing on opaque
 panels 18 and 22. This is opposite to the pre-printed format. Care should
 be taken to assure that the direction of the printing, both pre-printed
 and user generated, is in the same direction so that the information is
 printed in the correct blocks. Thus, an arrow indicating feed direction
 may be a part of the pre-printed information on one of the panels 18 or
 22.
 A computer program may be used to generate the user information and format
 to be printed and to send that information to the non-impact printer in a
 known manner. Such a program forms no part of this invention and is well
 within the state of the art.
 Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, the manner of affixing airbill form 10 to a
 package 66 will be described. After the user generated information is
 printed, rectangular strip 60 is removed, as seen in FIG. 4, thereby
 exposing the adhesive 16 thereunder. Airbill form 10 is then placed on
 package 66 so that it becomes affixed thereto by applying a slight
 pressure above exposed adhesive 16. Next, the ply 14 face of middle panel
 20 is affixed to package 66, by applying a slight pressure above the
 exposed adhesive 16 at rectangular strip 60. At this point, the package 66
 forms the background color for transparent middle panel 20, thereby
 permitting both the pre-printed and user generated printing thereon to be
 easily readable. As previously noted, the pre-printed information on the
 interior face of panel 20 on ply 14 is printed in a directly readable
 format on the interior facing face of ply 14 at panel 20 and the user
 generated printing on the outward facing face of ply 14 at panel 20 is
 printed in a reverse mirror image format. Thus, a person can easily read
 all of the information through transparent panel 20 when it is affixed to
 package 66.
 After airbill form 10 is affixed to package 66, panel 22 is folded about
 perforation line 26 to the position shown in FIG. 5. Then, strip 58 is
 removed and panel 18 is folded about in perforation line 24 to the
 position shown in FIG. 6. At that point, the adhesive 16 exposed by the
 removal of strip 58 is affixed to panel 22 by applying a slight pressure.
 This completes the affixation of airbill form 10 to package 66. While
 panel 18 is shown as affixed to panel 22, the dimensions and positioning
 of panels 18, 20 and 22 may be arranged so that the exposed adhesive 16
 below strip 58 is affixed directly to package 66, as seen by the dashed
 lines 68 in FIG. 6.
 As seen in FIG. 6, each of the CB layers 32 and 34, the CF layers 36 and 38
 and the matte layer 40 are in alignment after folding and affixation of
 airbill form 10 to package 66. Further, a CB layer 32, 34 and a CF layer
 36, 38 are facing one another between panels 20 and 22 and between panels
 22 and 18. Thus, when information is manually added to airbill form 10 by
 either personal of the air courier service. or by the addressee signing
 the proof of delivery receipt, that information is added over matte layer
 40 and appears on the CF layers 36 and 38 on panels 20 and 22.
 During transit of package 16, the three-parts of airbill form 10 may be
 separated by manual separation along perforation lines 24 and 26 and
 panels 18 and 22 of airbill form 10 may be sent as desired by the delivery
 person, leaving the affixed panel 20 as the addressee's receipt.
 Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, a four-part airbill form 70 is shown. Airbill
 form 70 is generally similar to airbill 10, shown in and described with
 respect to FIGS. 1-6, except that a fourth panel 72 is added below panel
 22. In FIGS. 7-9, like numerical designations are given for identical
 components previously described. The outward facing face of panel 72 on
 ply 12 has a CF coating layer 74 applied thereto-and the outward facing
 face of panel 72 on ply 14 has a CB coating layer 76 applied thereto.
 Further, the length of panel 72 is slightly shorter than the other panels
 18, 20 and 22, so that a standard 81/2 by 14 inch sheet may be used for
 airbill form 70. On ply 12, panel 72 is separated by a perforation cut 78
 from panel 22 and on ply 14, panel 72 is separated from panel 22 by a die
 cut 80. The printing on panel 72 is similar to that described above for
 panel 20.
 In using airbill form 70, first rectangular strip 60 is removed and airbill
 form 70 is affixed to package 66 as described above with respect to
 airbill form 10. Next, panel 72 is folded about perforation cut 72 so that
 the panel 72 of ply 14 faces panel 22 of ply 14. Thereafter, the assembly
 of airbill form 70 is generally the same as with airbill form 10, in that
 panels 72 and 22 are folded along perforation cut 26, strip 58 is removed,
 panel 18 is then folded along perforation cut 24 and the exposed adhesive
 16 from the removal of strip 58 is used to affix panel 18 to panel 22. The
 reason that panel 18 is affixed to panel 22 is that panel 72 is slightly
 shorter than the other panels 18, 20 and 22. Alternatively, the exposed
 adhesive 16 on panel 18 may be affixed to package 66, as seen by the
 dashed lines 68 in FIG. 6.
 While the subject invention has been described with reference to the
 preferred embodiments, many variations are possible within the scope and
 spirit of the invention. For example, any number of panels may be designed
 by either adding additional panels to those shown and described or by
 removing panels from the three panel embodiment of form 10. Further, the
 pre-printed matter may be on the outward face of ply 14, in which case the
 pre-printed information will be over printed by the non-impact printer, in
 this case, the pre-printing on panel 20 and 72 will be the mirror image
 format. In this case, the pre-printed background color will be printed
 first and then the pre-printed information will then be printed over the
 background color. In addition, the background color and pre-printed
 information may be printed on different plies 12 and 14; for example, the
 background color 64 may be printed on the interior face of ply 12 and the
 pre-printed information 62 may be printed on the interior face of ply 14.
 Another alternative is to use a low tack, pressure sensitive, adhesive
 coating in alignment with strip 58 in place of high tack adhesive 16. One
 such low tack adhesive is Craig-Stik 3991PI, manufactured and sold by
 Craig Adhesives and Coating Company, of Newark, N.J. Low tack adhesives
 are commonly used with self stick note pads, where a sheet of paper can be
 easily removed without tearing from the pad and affixed to another object.
 By using the low tack adhesive, it is unnecessary to include the silicone
 layers 54; in addition, perforation 44 may be eliminated, since the end of
 panel 18 can be easily removed from affixation to panel 22. It should be
 noted that permanent adhesive 16 is still used in areas other than in
 alignment with strip 58.
 In describing the second preferred embodiment, reference is made to FIGS.
 10-12. FIG. 10 is a front view of the form 100 showing the face to be
 printed on by a non-impact printer. The form comprises three separate
 panels: first panel 110; second panel 130; and third, transparent panel
 120. The three panels are adjoined by overlapping and adhering one edge of
 each of the first and second panels 110 and 130 to opposite edges of the
 transparent third panel 120. Releasable protective coverings 121, 122, and
 123 are shown overlaying adhesive strips. The adhesive strips are disposed
 on the form to provide adherence to the package or for adhering panels to
 one another when forming the manifolded form.
 The overlapping configurations of the panel edges are illustrated in FIGS.
 11a and 11b. One configuration, shown in FIG. 11a, provides the first and
 second panels 110 and 130 overlapped on the same face of the substantially
 transparent panel 120. It would be understood that the first and second
 panels can overlap the opposite face of the transparent panel.
 Printing by a non-impact printer is applied to each of the panels on the
 face indicted by the solid arrow. Adhesive strips 125 and 126 are disposed
 between the overlapping panels to permanently affix the panels together to
 form a single sheet. Preferably, the adhesive strips are applied to
 substantially cover a linear area of overlap of the panels, preferably
 proximate and parallel to the outer edges of the transparent panel 120 to
 retain the integrity of the adjoined panels as a single sheet. The
 adhesive for attaching the panels together is well known and commercially
 available, examples of which are described herein.
 A "stair-step" overlapping configuration of the subject form is shown in
 FIG. 11b. The "stair-step" overlap configuration is preferred for purposes
 of feeding the form through the printer (in the direction of the open
 arrow) to avoid nesting in the printer tray mechanism.
 In either configuration, each of the adjoined panels is approximately
 one-third the length of the form. Therefore, each of the panels is
 slightly longer than one-third the length of the form so that they can
 coextensively overlap with another of the panels. In one embodiment, the
 transparent panel 120 overlaps approximately 0.75 inches with the first
 panel 110, and overlaps about 0.5 inches with the second panel 130 (see
 FIGS. 11a and 11b).
 In addition, adhesive means can be applied to an inner face of the
 substantially transparent panel 120 for mounting the form to a package or
 other item to be mailed. These adhesive strips 127 and 128 can be disposed
 as a single, relatively broad, continuous line or pattern.
 Adhesive-release material can be applied as opposing strips 129 and 131 on
 the inner face of first and second panels 110 and 130, respectively. The
 adhesive-release strips 129 and 131 allow for removal of protective strips
 122 and 123 along die-cuts 150 and 152, respectively. Removal of
 protective strips 122 and 123 also removes adhesive-release strips 131 and
 129 so that the form can be affixed to a package by the underlying
 adhesive strips 127 and 128.
 Perforations 160 and 162 can be formed through the substantially
 transparent panel 120, positionally corresponding to die-cuts 150 and 152,
 respectively (or 151 and 152 in the stair-step configuration shown in FIG.
 11b) to provide the dual purpose of facilitating folding of the form, and
 to allow the top panels to be separated from the middle panel which is
 permanently adhered to the package. The perforations further divide the
 form into three separable panels, each approximately equal in size.
 Strips of alternating adhesive and adhesive-release material can be
 disposed on opposing faces of panels 120 and 130, between die-cuts 150 and
 151, which form protective strip 121 therebetween. Preferably, the
 alternating adhesive/adhesive-release material is disposed such that
 strips of adhesive having intermittent spots or areas of adhesive-release
 170 is disposed on the inner face of protective strip 121, and strips 171
 of adhesive-release material having intermittent spots or areas of
 adhesive material are disposed on an opposing face of panel 120. More
 preferably, the areas of adhesive on one panel face correspond to
 adhesive-release on the opposing panel. This configuration allows for
 controlling the amount of tack, i.e., strengthening the bond between the
 opposing panels, permitting the form to undergo printing operations
 without destroying the integrity of the form during printing operation.
 This alternating configuration of adhesive/adhesive-release material
 further allows exposure of a controlled amount of adhesive in strip 171 to
 adhere the outer edge of panel 110, which is subsequently folded at
 perforation 162 and die-cut 152, over panels 120 and 130 during use of the
 form.
 In operational use, as illustrated in FIGS. 12a-12c, this second embodiment
 of the subject mailing form is printed on a single face when the form is
 in a flat configuration. The printed information, e.g., address
 information, is printed in a way so that the information is readable from
 one and the same direction on each panel when the form is in use, i.e., in
 folded configuration. Thus, the printed face of the transparent panel 120,
 which is placed face down when applied to the package, is printed as a
 mirror image of the indicia printed on the first and second panels, 110
 and 130, respectively. This allows the indicia to be read in normal
 configuration, i.e., left to right, when applied to the package. The first
 panel 110 and second panel 120 are both printed to be read in a normal
 configuration when the printed face is folded over in a face-up position.
 Preferably, the paper used for the second embodiment of the subject
 invention is a commercially available paper product, which can be
 chemically coated for making carbonless copies as described. For example,
 the first and second panels can be made from standard carbonless paper of
 appropriate thickness or weight. The transparent panel can be made from
 Patapar.TM., available from Patterson Paper Co., or preferably, is a
 static-free polyester which is commercially available. It is preferred to
 use materials which are resistant to the heat that can be generated by
 conventional non-impact printers. Such carbonless paper and polyester
 materials, including heat-resistant paper materials are commercially
 available.
 The chemical coating applied to the panels allows for additional marking,
 e.g., signature, to be placed on the outside panel when the form is in its
 folded configuration, and the marking is chemically manifolded or
 transferred onto the other two panels. For best efficiency in achieving
 this for the second embodiment, the first panel 110 is coated face and
 back (CFB); the transparent panel 120 is coated face (CF); and the second
 panel 130 is coated back (CB).
 For providing effective adherence to the form materials while retaining
 highly transparent properties (high-quality transparent materials
 typically being very smooth and therefore slick and resistant to
 adhesives), the carbonless transfer coating has been modified from
 conventionally available formulations. The modified carbonless transfer
 coating of the subject invention comprises zincated alkyl salicylate salt,
 colloidal alumina, and conventional binder, e.g., NuCoat #4168, in water.
 In a preferred embodiment, the novel coating can be prepared in 5 gallon
 batches (18,144 gms), according to the following formulation:

Material ID Quantity (grams)
 Water (de-ionized) 7,929.00
 Schenectady HRJ-14063 689.50
 Zincated Alkyl Salicylate Salt
 52% Solids
 Nyacol Al-20, 20% Solids 8,618.40
 Colloidal Alumina
 NuCoat #4168 Pre-made 907.10
 Binder Solution, 40% Solids
 Total 18,144.00
 The mixture is agitated slowly using a prop blade for about 15 to 30
 minutes at ambient temperature, e.g., about 76 degrees F. The resulting
 coating formulation has the following properties:
 % O'Haus Solids 15%;
 Orion #250 p.sup.h 3.6 (varies depending upon water supply); and
 DV-11, 20 RPM, #1 spindle Viscosity 8 CPS.
 The coating formulation is preferably stored in a tightly sealed container.
 Samples were tested for opacity and showed the following results:
 TABLE 1
 Opacity Results on Selected Samples
 Sample R (information) R (O) Opacity, ISO
 (1) 30.7 11.4 36.9
 (2) 30.1 10.9 36.2
 (3) 30.5 11.5 37.7
 (4) 32.8 11.7 35.8
 (5) 23.9 8.6 35.9
 (6) 29.7 10.6 35.7
 (7) 26.9 9.2 34.4
 (8) 19.2 7.2 37.5
 R (Information) - Value @ 1 sheet folded twice (4 plies)
 R (O) - Single sheet measurement
 It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein
 are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or
 changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art
 and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application
 and the scope of the appended claims.