Self-mailer and/or method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service

A self-mailer and a method receive correspondence and articles for mailing and/or delivery via a special service. The self-mailer is foldable and has an interior portion that provides space for printing a communication thereon. The self-mailer has a printable and detachable portion that is removed before folding, assembly and sealing the self-mailer. The interior portion of the self-mailer has a pocket for holding and/or mailing documents, envelopes, forms, checks and/or the like via the special service.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service, such as, for example, priority mail, certified mail, critical mail and/or the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a foldable self-mailer that may have an interior portion that may provide space for printing a communication thereon prior to folding, assembling and/or sealing the self-mailer for deposit with a postal carrier or a parcel carrier. The interior portion of the self-mailer may have a pocket that may be used, if needed, for holding and/or mailing documents, envelopes, forms, checks and/or the like via the special service.

It is, of course, generally known to mail correspondence and/or articles requiring special services for delivery of the article, such as certified mail, registered mail, priority mail, first class mail, critical mail, insured mail, COD, return receipt for merchandise and/or the like. For example, the U.S. Postal Service provides certified mail service and registered mail service for priority mail and for first class mail. For certified mail, the U.S. Postal Service provides both proof of deposit, proof of delivery, and online tracking using a tracking number or a unique article ID. For certified mail, the U.S. Postal Service obtains a signature of the recipient at the time of delivery which the U.S. Postal Service electronically stores in U.S. Postal Service records and which may be retrieved by the sender. Registered mail may be used for highly valuable and/or irreplaceable items. For registered mail, the U.S. Postal Service transports the mail separately from other mail in locked containers. Registered mail includes tracking services and insurance is available for the items being transported. The U.S. Postal Service has proposed critical mail as an affordable special service alternative to priority mail. As proposed, critical mail service also provides proof of deposit, proof of delivery, recipient signature confirmation and online tracking using the tracking number and/or the unique article ID.

Known components and methods for assembling a mailer for mailing correspondence and/or articles requiring special services have multiple, separate components requiring attachment to an exterior of an envelope for the special services delivery of the correspondence and/or the articles.

A postal employee typically receives an envelope from a customer for mailing the correspondence and/or the articles via the special service. The postal employee then requires the customer to attach or otherwise provide the envelope with a permanent seal or label indicating that the envelope requires delivery and/or tracking by the special service. The postal employee must ensure that all appropriate labels and documents are both stocked and available for use and are completed and affixed to the envelope prior to delivery of the article. Such a procedure is both complex and time-consuming, as well as labor intensive. Further, the procedure may be confusing to the customer mailing the correspondence.

Further, neither the existing special service envelopes nor the procedure allows the customer to print correspondence directly upon an interior of the special service mailing envelope. The procedure requires that the customer provides the correspondence on separate paper for insertion within the special service envelope which may create unnecessary waste. Moreover, the procedure may be time consuming for customers who are mailing mass quantities of correspondence and/or articles via special services. Of course, it should be understood that an envelope being prepared for mailing by special services may be prepared by any individual, not just a postal employee. Additionally, the envelope may be prepared by the individual in advance of the time of deposit with the postal carrier. Preparing an envelope for mailing by special services prior to deposit with the postal employee saves time for both the customer and the postal employee.

A need, therefore, exists for a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service, such as, for example, priority mail, certified mail, critical mail and/or the like. Further, a need exists for a self-mailer and/or a method that may allow a customer to print correspondence, addresses, postage and/or the like directly on the self-mailer prior to assembly, sealing and deposit with the postal carrier. Still further, a need exists for a self-mailer and/or a method that may have a pocket that may be used, if needed, to mail articles, such as, for example, papers, documents, checks, forms and/or the like via the special service. Still further, a need exists for a self-mailer and/or a method that may be permanently sealed prior to mailing via the special service. Still further, a need exists for a self-mailer and/or a method that may be intuitive and easy to use by a customer requiring a special services mailing assembly. Still further, a need exists for a self-mailer and/or a method that may not require special equipment, such as, for example, a folder, a sealer and/or the like to prepare the self-mailer for mailing. Still further, a need exists for a self-mailer and/or a method that may be assembled for mailing at, for example, one desk or one workstation. Still further, a need exists for a self-mailer and/or a method that may be intuitive and easy to open by a recipient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service, such as, for example, priority mail, certified mail, critical mail and/or the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a foldable self-mailer that may have an interior portion that may provide space for printing a communication. The interior portion of the self-mailer may have a pocket for holding documents, envelopes, forms, checks, tickets and/or the like.

The self-mailer may have a detachable portion at a first end of the self-mailer. The detachable portion may have removable adhesive labels, such as, for example, an addressee label, a return-address, a special service label, a postage label, a receipt and/or the like to effect and/or to track delivery via the special service. The self-mailer may be customized prior to mailing using simplex and/or duplex printing methods. Further, an outside of the self-mailer may allow for static and/or variable printing of information, such as, for example, a send-to address, pre-print static information and/or the like. After preparing the correspondence for mailing, the detachable portion may be removed and/or the self-mailer may be folded. The self-mailer may be permanently sealed to itself to obscure the communication and/or to secure the pocket before mailing. The removable adhesive label or labels may be removed from the detachable portion and affixed to an exterior portion of the self-mailer to effect delivery. Alternatively, information, such as, for example, a delivery address, a return address, a special services tracking number, a unique article number, a special service bar code, postage and/or the like may be printed on the mailer before and/or after final assembly for deposit with the postal carrier.

To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a self-mailer for delivery via a special service is provided. The self-mailer has a generally rectangular sheet having a width defined between a front side and a rear side wherein the rear side is positioned opposite to the front side wherein the sheet has a height defined between a top end and a bottom end wherein the bottom end is positioned opposite to the top end wherein the sheet has a length defined between a first end and a second end wherein the second end is positioned opposite to the first end wherein the sheet is divided into a top panel and a bottom panel by a fold line that extends between the first end of the sheet and the second end of the sheet wherein the front side has indicia indicative of the special service. Further, the self-mailer has a detachable portion at the first end of the sheet wherein the detachable portion extends between the top end of the sheet and the bottom end of the sheet. Still further, the self-mailer has a first separation strip at the second end of the sheet wherein the first separation strip extends between the top end of the sheet and the bottom end of the sheet. Moreover, the self-mailer has an adhesive on the first separation strip on the rear side of the sheet and at the bottom end on the rear side of the sheet wherein the rear side of the top panel is attachable to the rear side of the bottom panel with the adhesive.

In an embodiment, the self-mailer has a separation line between the detachable portion and the first end of the sheet wherein the detachable portion is removable from the first end of the sheet at the separation line.

In an embodiment, the self-mailer has a separation line between the first separation strip and the second end of the sheet wherein the first separation strip is removable from the second end of the sheet at the separation line.

In an embodiment, the self-mailer has a tab extending from the bottom panel at the first end between the detachable portion and the bottom panel wherein the tab is attachable to the top panel on the front side.

In an embodiment, the indicia is an article number for tracking delivery via the special service.

In an embodiment, the self-mailer has a second separation strip at the first end of the sheet wherein the second separation strip extends between the top end of the sheet and the bottom end of the sheet wherein the second separation strip is positioned between the detachable portion, the top panel and the bottom panel.

In an embodiment, the self-mailer has a flap attached to the rear side of the sheet to form a pocket between the flap and the rear side of the sheet.

In an embodiment, the self-mailer has an adhesive label on the detachable portion wherein the adhesive label is removable from the detachable portion.

In an embodiment, the self-mailer has a liner on the adhesive wherein the liner is removable from the adhesive.

In an embodiment, the sheet is a laminated paper product.

In an embodiment, the adhesive provides a bond between the top panel of the sheet and the bottom panel of the sheet.

In an embodiment, the adhesive is applied in a pattern to the sheet to form a discontinuous layer of the adhesive between the first end and the second end.

In an embodiment, the self-mailer has a release layer on the detachable portion wherein the release layer is a silicon coating.

In another embodiment, a mailer for mailing correspondence requiring delivery by a special service wherein delivery by the special service requires a display of indicia related to delivery by the special service on an outside surface of the mailer is provided. The mailer has a postal form having a first end and a second end wherein the second end is positioned opposite to the first end wherein the postal form has a first side and a second side wherein the second side is positioned opposite to the first side wherein the correspondence and the indicia related to the delivery by the special service are displayable on the second side of the postal form wherein the postal form has a top panel and a bottom panel divided by a fold line wherein the postal form folds at the fold line to position the second side of the top panel substantially adjacent to the second side of the bottom panel. Further, the mailer has a blank area on the second side of the postal form to display the correspondence. Still further, the mailer has a detachable portion extending from the top panel and the bottom panel. Still further, the mailer has adhesive labels on the detachable portion on the second side of the postal form wherein the adhesive labels are removable from the second side of the postal form for attachment to the first side of the postal form. Still further, the mailer has an adhesive on the second side of the postal form to affix the bottom panel to the top panel. Moreover, the mailer has a separation line on the postal form at the first end and the second end to open the postal form.

In an embodiment, the mailer has a pocket on the second side of the postal form.

In an embodiment, the separation line is a linear perforation.

In another embodiment, a method for preparing a mailer for a delivery of correspondence by a special service wherein the delivery of the correspondence by the special service requires indicia associated with the special service viewable on the mailer is provided. The method has the step of providing a mailer having an inside and an outside, a top panel and a bottom panel divided by a fold line, an adhesive to adhere the top panel to the bottom panel, a detachable portion with labels and a pocket on the inside of the mailer. Further, the method has the step of displaying the indicia associated with the special service on the labels. Still further, the method has the step of removing the detachable portion from the mailer. Still further, the method has the step of folding the first panel at the fold line to a position substantially adjacent to the second panel. Still further, the method has the step of adhering the first panel to the second panel. Still further, the method has the step of removing the labels from the detachable portion. Moreover, the method has the step of attaching the labels to the outside of the mailer.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of bending the mailer to open the pocket.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of inserting the correspondence into the pocket.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of displaying the correspondence on the inside of the mailer.

It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service, such as, for example, priority mail, certified mail, critical mail and/or the like.

And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service that may have an interior portion that may provide space for printing a communication thereon prior to folding, assembling and/or sealing the self-mailer for deposit with a postal carrier and/or a delivery person.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service wherein the interior portion of the self-mailer may have a pocket that may be used for holding and/or mailing documents, envelopes, forms, checks, tickets and/or the like via the special service.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service that may allow a customer to print correspondence, addresses, postage, fees and/or the like directly on the self-mailer prior to assembly, sealing and deposit with a postal carrier and/or the delivery person.

Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service that may be sealed prior to mailing via the special service.

And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service that may be intuitive and easy to use by a customer requiring a special services mailing assembly or special equipment.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service that may be intuitive and easy to open by a recipient.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service that may have a detachable portion.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service wherein the detachable portion may have removable adhesive labels, such as, for example, an addressee label, a return address label, a special service label, a unique article number label, a bar code label, a tracking number label, a postage label, a receipt and/or the like to effect and/or to track delivery via the special service.

A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service that may be customized prior to mailing using simplex and/or duplex printing methods.

Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service wherein one or more of the removable adhesive labels may be removed from the detachable portion and affixed to the self-mailer to effect delivery.

And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service wherein information, such as, for example, a delivery address, a return address, a special services tracking number, a special service bar code, postage and/or the like may be printed on the mailer before and/or after final assembly for deposit with the postal carrier and/or delivery person.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention generally relates to a self-mailer and/or a method for mailing correspondence and/or articles via a special service, such as, for example, certified mail, registered mail, priority mail, first class mail, critical mail, insured mail, COD, return receipt for merchandise and/or the like. The present invention may be manufactured to meet the U.S. Postal Service standards for the special service selected by the sender, including, but not limited to, certified mail, registered mail, priority mail, first class mail, critical mail, insured mail, COD, return receipt for merchandise and/or the like. Further, the present invention may be utilized by other delivery-type services. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific special service, postal service and/or delivery service. It should be understood that the special service may be any special service provided by a postal carrier, delivery carrier and/or a parcel carrier as known to one having ordinary skill in the art.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts,FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate a self-mailer2assembled for delivery by the special service in embodiments of the present invention. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the self-mailer may be used for mailing correspondence42and/or an article52via the special service. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the correspondence42may be printed, typed and/or handwritten on the self-mailer2before assembling the self-mailer2for delivery by the special service. The self-mailer2may be configured to receive, for example, a communication printed, typed and/or handwritten on one side of the mailer. The communication may be printed, typed and/or handwritten directly on the self-mailer2. The communication may be, for example, up to a one page correspondence. In an embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 6-9, the self-mailer2may be provided with a pocket48for receiving the article52. The article52may be a document, such as, for example, a single-paged and/or a multi-paged document, a bi-folded document, a tri-folded document, an unfolded document, a check, one or more tickets, a form, an envelope and/or the like. The pocket48may be sized to receive, for example, an envelope, such as, for example, a standard #9 envelope and/or the like with or without multiple pages and/or items enclosed therein. The self-mailer2may be customized for use with various business or personal communications as needed. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the correspondence42and/or the article52. It should be understood that the correspondence42and/or the article52may be any correspondence42and/or article52that may require mailing by the special service as known to one having ordinary skill in the art.

As shown inFIG. 3, the unassembled self-mailer2may be generally rectangular in shape. The self-mailer2may have a thickness defined between a front side20and a rear side22that may be positioned opposite to the front side20. The self-mailer2may have a height defined between a top end24and a bottom end26that may be positioned opposite to the top end24. The self-mailer2may have a length defined between a first end28and a second end30that may be positioned opposite to the first end28. The self-mailer2may be divided into a top panel25and a bottom panel27by a fold line18. In an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 5, the self-mailer2may be provided with a blank space on the rear side22of the top panel25and/or on the rear side22of the bottom panel27for receiving correspondence42. When assembling the self-mailer2for delivery, the self-mailer2may be folded at the fold line18to position the rear side22of the top panel25substantially adjacent to the rear side22of the bottom panel27. The self-mailer2may be sealed at this position to obscure the correspondence42and/or to secure the article52during mailing via the special service.

As shown inFIGS. 3-9, the self-mailer2may have a detachable portion34that may extend from the first end28of the self-mailer2. The detachable portion34may be separated from the first end28of the self-mailer2by a separation line32, such as, for example, a linear perforation, a score line, one or more slits, one or more slots, a partial or incomplete tear and/or the like. The separation line32may allow a user to remove the detachable portion34before assembling the self-mailer2for delivery by the special service. As shown inFIGS. 6-9, the rear side22of the detachable portion34may be provided with one or more removable adhesive labels40. The labels may be printed with, for example, a return address, a special service ID number, a unique article number, a barcode, postage, a mailing address, a receipt, a tracking number and/or the like. In an embodiment, the labels40may be printed when the labels40may be located on the rear side22of the detachable portion34. A user of the self-mailer2may then remove the labels40having, for example, the return address, the special service ID, the unique article number, the barcode, the postage, the tracking number and/or the mailing address and/or may affix the labels40to the front side20of the top panel25. However, it should be understood that the labels40may be printed with any information that the user may require.

As shown inFIGS. 1-4, the labels40may be peeled from the detachable portion34and placed, for example, at locations2,6,8and10on the front side20of the top panel25. However, it should be understood that the return address, the special service ID with the barcode, the postage, the mailing address, the tracking number and/or any other information may be printed directly on the front side20of the top panel25if using the labels40may not be required. Further, information may be printed on the the front side20and the rear side22of the self-mailer2using any one or more of various printing methods, such as, for example, duplex printing and/or simplex printing.

In an embodiment, on the front side20of the self-mailer2, the top end24and/or the bottom end26may be printed with indicia16that may be associated with the special service that may be used with the self-mailer2. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the indicia16that may be printed on the bottom panel27may be essentially identical to the indicia16printed on the top panel25; however, the indicia16on the bottom panel27may be rotated, for example, 180 degrees relative to the indicia on the top panel25so that the indicia16on the bottom panel27presents vertically when the self-mailer is folded and assembled for mailing.

As shown inFIGS. 3-9, 12 and 13, the self-mailer2may have a separation strip12that may extend from both the top panel25and the bottom panel27at the second end30of the self-mailer2. During assembly of the self-mailer2and after folding the self-mailer2, the separation strip12of the top panel25may be fastened to the corresponding separation strip12of the bottom panel27between the rear side22of the top panel25and the rear side22of the bottom panel27as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The separation strips12may be separated from the self-mailer2using the separation line32. A recipient of the assembled self mailer may open the second end30of the assembled self-mailer2by bending the separation strip12at the separation line32and tearing the separation strip12from the self-mailer2along the separation line32. Removing the separation strip12at the second end30may provide the recipient with access to an interior of the assembled self-mailer2to allow the recipient to further open the self-mailer2at the top end24and/or the first end28.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 3, 5, 6, 7 and 13, the self-mailer2may have a separation tab14that may extend from the bottom panel27at the first end28of the self-mailer2. During assembly of the self-mailer2and after folding the self-mailer2, the separation tab14may be folded and/or fastened to the front side20of the top panel25as shown inFIG. 1. The separation tab14may be separated from the self-mailer2using the separation line32. A recipient of the assembled self mailer may open the first end28of the assembled self-mailer2by sliding, for example, a finger, a letter opener and/or the like between the top panel25and the bottom panel27to tear the separation line32at the first end28. Tearing the separation line32at the first end28of the assembled self-mailer2may provide the recipient with access to the interior of the assembled self-mailer2to allow the recipient to further open the self-mailer2at the top end24.

In an alternate embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 2, 4 and 8, the self-mailer2may have the separation strip12that may extend from both the top panel25and the bottom panel27at the first end28of the self-mailer2. During assembly of the self-mailer2and after folding the self-mailer2, the separation strip12at the first end28of the top panel25may be fastened to the corresponding separation strip12at the first end28of the bottom panel27between the rear side22of the top panel25and the rear side22of the bottom panel27as shown inFIG. 2. The separation strips12may be separated from the self-mailer2using the separation line32. A recipient of the assembled self-mailer2may open the first end28of the assembled self-mailer2by bending the separation strip12at the separation line32and tearing the separation strip12from the self-mailer2along the separation line32at the first end28. Removing the separation strip12at the first end28may provide the recipient with access to the interior of the assembled self-mailer2to allow the recipient to further open the self-mailer2at the top end24.

As shown inFIGS. 5, 6 and 13, on the rear side22, the self-mailer2may be provided with the adhesive36in, for example, a non-continuous pattern along the bottom end26of the bottom panel27. The non-continuous pattern may be, for example, dots of the adhesive36and/or any other pattern that increases the ability of the recipient to open the assembled self-mailer2without destroying the self-mailer2, the correspondence42printed thereon and/or the article52provided therein. The adhesive36may be, for example, a permanent and/or a semi-permanent adhesive. During assembly of the self-mailer2and after folding the self-mailer2, the top end24of the top panel25on the rear side22of the self-mailer2may be fastened correspondingly to the bottom end26of the bottom panel27on the rear side22of the self-mailer2as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The non-continuous pattern of the adhesive36may allow a recipient of the assembled self-mailer2to separate the top panel25from the bottom panel27by sliding, for example, a finger, a letter opener and/or the like between the top panel25and the bottom panel27. The permanent and/or the semi-permanent nature of the adhesive36may allow a fiber tear to occur between the top panel25and the bottom panel27wherein, for example, a top layer of paper from either or both the top panel25and/or the bottom panel27may be torn from the respective panels and may remain affixed to the adhesive36after sliding an object between the two layers. A removal of portions of the top layers of paper may be indicative that a seal has been broken.

In an alternate embodiment, on the rear side22, the self-mailer2may be provided with the adhesive36in, for example, a continuous pattern along the bottom end26of the bottom panel27; however, the continuous pattern may allow the fiber tear to occur. The pattern of the adhesive36together with the permanent and/or semi-permanent nature of the adhesive36may prevent an unnoticed opening of the self-mailer2followed by a re-sealing of the self-mailer2. The recipient may open the top end24of the assembled self-mailer2; however, the recipient may determine if the self-mailer2has been opened or tampered with during delivery via the special service. Separating the top panel25from the bottom panel27at the top end24of the self-mailer2may provide the recipient with access to the interior of the assembled self-mailer2to allow the recipient to further open the self-mailer2at the first end28as shown inFIG. 1and/or to open the self-mailer2to access the correspondence42and/or the article52.

The adhesive36that may be provided on the rear side22of the separation strips, the separation tab, the bottom end26of bottom panel27and/or on a back side of the removable labels40may be for example, a permanent or a semi-permanent adhesive. The adhesive36may be any adhesive for providing a permanent and/or a semi-permanent seal between layers of paper as known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. As shown inFIGS. 5-9, the self-mailer2may have release liners38that may cover the adhesive portions of the self-mailer2. The release liners38may be peeled from the adhesive portions on the separation tab14, the separation strips12and/or from the bottom end26of the bottom panel27on the rear side22of the self-mailer2to expose the adhesive36before folding and/or assembly of the self-mailer2. As shown inFIGS. 5, 10 and 13, the rear side22of the detachable portion34may have a release layer44, such as, for example, a silicone coating and/or the like that may allow the labels40to be removed from the detachable portion34.

FIGS. 6-9 and 11illustrate embodiments of the invention having the pocket48on the rear side22of the self-mailer2. The pocket48may have a covering flap49affixed to the rear side22with the adhesive36at a perimeter of the covering flap49. The perimeter of the covering flap49may have, for example four edges wherein, for example, at least three edges may be affixed to the rear side22of the self-mailer2as illustrated inFIG. 13. The pocket48may have an opening51for accessing a compartment that may be formed between the covering flap49and the rear side22. In a preferred embodiment, the edge adjacent to the opening51may be closed and/or may be affixed to the rear side22until use by the sender. The edge adjacent to the opening of the covering flap49may be affixed to the rear side22by, for example, an adhesive, a glue, a binding agent and/or the like. The edge adjacent to the opening51of the covering flap49may be affixed to the rear side by, for example, heating, melting and/or cauterizing the covering flap49to the rear side22at the opening51. The covering flap49may be affixed to the rear side22at the opening51by, for example, a non-permanent adhesive. The cover flap49may form a crack-and-peel backer liner. The cover flap49may be formed by a kiss cut. The user may bend the self-mailer2to detach the edge adjacent to the opening51of the covering flap49from the rear side22to open the pocket48for use. However, if the sender chooses not to use the pocket48when using the self-mailer2, the user may leave the edge adjacent to the opening51of the covering flap49affixed to the rear side22. Moreover, the user may print and/or may write the correspondence42on the covering flap49.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 12, an inside of the pocket48may be printed with a security pattern54which may be, for example, a solid color, indicia, a mark and/or the like that may increase the opacity of the pocket48and/or the self-mailer2and/or that may obscure a viewing of the article52and/or the correspondence42when the self-mailer2is assembled. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a particular embodiment of the security pattern54. The security pattern54may be any printing, indicia, mark and/or the like known to a person having ordinary skill in the art.

The pocket48may have various locations on the rear side22of the self-mailer2. As shown inFIG. 6, the covering flap49may cover the rear side22of the top panel25and/or the opening51may be positioned adjacent to the fold line18. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the covering flap49may cover the rear side22of the bottom panel27and/or the opening51may be positioned adjacent to the first end28of the bottom panel27. As shown inFIG. 9, the covering flap49may cover the rear side of both the top panel25and the bottom panel27and/or the opening51may be positioned adjacent to the first end28of both the top panel25and the bottom panel27.

FIG. 12generally illustrates a base layer of the self-mailer2. The self-mailer2may be constructed from a paper product, such as, for example, a laminated paper, a composite paper and/or the like as illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11. In a preferred embodiment, the self-mailer2may be constructed from a composite paper having a first paper layer56that may be laminated to a second paper layer56with a binding layer58, such as, for example, an adhesive, a glue, an epoxy, a resin, a binding agent and/or the like. Using a composite paper may increase a durability of the self-mailer2. Further, after the adhesive36is bonded to the composite paper to form the sealed and assembled self-mailer2, any tampering with the seal and/or any attempt to open the self-mailer2may result in fibers from the paper layer56being torn from the binding layer58. Such fiber tearing may be obvious to the recipient of the self-mailer2and may be an indication that the self-mailer2was tampered with during delivery by the special service.

To use the self-mailer2, the sender of the correspondence42and/or the article52, may, for example, print a message on the rear side of the self-mailer2and/or on the covering flap49of the pocket48. Further, the sender may print information, such as, for example, the return address, the postage, the mailing address and/or the like on the removable labels40of the detachable portion34and/or on the top panel25of the front side20of the self-mailer2. The user may remove the printed labels40from the detachable portion34and/or may place the printed labels on the top panel25of the front side20to indicate, for example, the return address, the postage and/or the mailing address.

The special service ID label which may have, for example, the tracking number, the unique article ID and/or the barcode and may be, for example, pre-printed on the top panel25of the front side20of the self-mailer2. The special service ID label may be associated with the special service selected by the sender. The postal carrier and/or the parcel carrier may scan or input the tracking number, the unique article ID and/or the barcode into a computer system for tracking the self-mailer2. If the sender has not applied postage to the self-mailer2, the postal carrier and/or the parcel carrier may sell postage to the sender and/or may apply postage to the self-mailer2. The postal carrier and/or the parcel carrier may input the special service selected into the computer system and/or may provide the sender with a receipt of deposit. The receipt may be used by the sender to track the delivery of the self-mailer2via the special service. In an embodiment, the tracking number, the unique article ID and/or the bar code may be printed on one of the removable labels40and may be kept as a receipt by the sender with the detachable portion34. The postage carrier and/or the parcel carrier may input and/or scan the tracking number, the unique article ID and/or the barcode into the computer system upon delivery to the recipient of the self-mailer2. The sender may refer to the tracking number, the unique article ID and/or the a receipt on the label40to track the self-mailer2during and after delivery by the special service using, for example, a computer interface, a telephone interface and/or a website provided for the special service by the postage carrier and/or the parcel carrier.

The sender may select a self-mailer2having the pocket48. The sender may bend the self-mailer2at the opening51in a direction towards the front side20of the self-mailer2to open the pocket48. The sender may insert the articles52into the pocket48. After the self-mailer2has been printed as desired and/or after the pocket48has been prepared as desired, the sender may remove the detachable portion34along the separation line32. The sender may remove the release liners38from the rear side22of the bottom panel27to expose the adhesive36. The sender may fold the top panel25at the fold line18towards the rear side22of the bottom panel27and may press the folded self-mailer2around the edges to ensure that the adhesive36is attached to the rear side22of the top panel25. In an embodiment having the separation tab14, the sender may fold the separation tab and press to seal the separation tab14to the front side20of the top panel25. The sender may then deposit the assembled self-mailer2with the postal carrier or the parcel carrier as discussed above.

After delivery of the assembled self-mailer2via the special service, the recipient may open the self mailer2in a variety of ways depending on which self-mailer2is used. In the embodiment having the separation tab14at the first end28of the self-mailer2, the recipient may bend, tear and/or remove the separation strip along the separation line32at the second end30of the assembled self-mailer2. The recipient may slide, for example, a finger between the top panel25and the bottom panel27at the top end24of the self-mailer to break the seal at the top end24. The recipient may then pull the top panel25in a direction away from the bottom panel27at the first end28to tear the separation tab14along the separation line32. The recipient may then unfold the self-mailer2and may review the correspondence42and/or the articles52in the pocket48.

In the embodiment having the separation strip12at the first end28and at the second end30of the self-mailer2, the recipient may bend, tear and/or remove the separation strip12along the separation line32at either the first end28or at the second end of the assembled self-mailer2. The recipient may then bend/tear and/or remove the separation strip12at the opposite end. The recipient may slide, for example, a finger between the top panel25and the bottom panel27at the top end24of the self-mailer to break the seal at the top end24. The recipient may then unfold the self-mailer2and may review the correspondence42and/or the articles52in the pocket48. The expended self-mailer2may be kept, disposed of and/or recycled by the recipient after delivery via the special service.