CONTINUOUS BUSINESS ASSEMBLY OF COMBINED MAILERS AND TOP-OPENING RETURN ENVELOPES

Abstract: A continuous business form assembly including com­ bined mailers and return envelopes is compatible with auto­ matic, non-adjustable slitters.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIDN Field Of The Invention This invention relates to continuous business form assemblies, and more particularly to such assemblies including combined mailers and return envelopes. Background Of The Invention Users of continuous business form assemblies including combined mailers and return envelopes send large quantities of such mailers and expect to receive large quantities of responses. As a result, preparation and handling of both the mailers and returned envelopes are automated processes. Return envelopes are opened,where possible,by automatic, generally non-adjustable slitters. U.S.Patent No.4,055,294 issued October 25,1977 to John Traise discloses a combined mailer and return envelope assembly. Mailers of this assembly are created by plow folding a single web into overlapping thirds. The return envelopes Df the assembly are side opening. While such assemblies are useful, the return envelopes are7 ctompatible with automatic, non-adjustable slitters. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the inventor in makiny this invention was to overcome tho incompatibility with automatic, nonadjustable slitters,of the return envelopes of continuous business form assemblies including combined mailers and return envelopes. Thus, in a principal aspect, the invention is a continuous business form assembly providing combined mailers and top-opening return envelopes,and comprising two webs. A first web is continuous in a longitudinal direction. The first web has a transverse first web width in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction between cpposed, longitudinally extending, continuous first and second margins. The first web also has a central,longitudinal extending, continuous fold line. A first longitudinally extending, continuous, marginal feed strip includes a longitudinally extending, continuous first series of pin feed holes and a longitudinally extending, continuous first marginal line of perforations. A second longitudinally extending, continuous marginal feed strip includes a longitudinally extending, continuous second series of pin feed holes and a longitudinally extending,continuous second marginal line of perforations. A continuous series of separable business form sheets are on the web,with each sheet being defined between two adjacent lines of continuous series of longitudinally spaced,transversely extending,form-defining, third lines of perforations. Each sheet includes opposed, first tear strips defined between the first,second and third lines of perforations and a pair of a continuous series of longitudinally spaced,transversely extending, strip defining pairs of fourth lines of perforations. A message panel is defined between the opposed tear strips, the first line of perforations and the central fold line. A first envelope panel is defined between the second and fourth lines of perforations, the central fold line and a line of a continuous series of longitudinally spaced transversely extending, envelope flap defining fifth lines of perforations. An envelope flap portion is defined between the first envelope panel,one of the tear strips, the second perforation line and the.central fold line. A second web is continuous in the longitudinal direction, and has a transverse second web width not greater than the transverse distance between the central fold line and the second marginal feed strip. The second web is superimposed over the first web between the central fold line and the second marginal feed strip. The second web has a longitudinally extending, continuous margin adjacent the central fold line; perforation lines overlying portions of the third, fourth and fifth perforation lines; and second envelope panels, tear strips and flap portions overlying the first envelope panels, tear strips and flap portions, respectively, of the first web. First adhesive means adheres the second web to the first web for forming top-opening,sealable return envelopes of the first and second envelope panels and flap portions. Second adhesive means adheres the message panels to the forms to the second ueb while the first web is folded about the central fold line for forming mailers including the return envelopes. Thus, the mailers may be transmitted, the feed and tear strips removed, the message panels and envelopes separated, the return envelopes sealed and returned, and the return envelopes slit in automatic slitters. These and other objects,advantages and aspects of the invention are provided in the detailed description, which follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in relation to the accompanying drawing, in which: FIG.1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG.2 is a cross-section view of the preferred embodiment, taken along line 2-2 of FIG.l. FIG.3 is a view similar to FIG.1. with a web of the assembly of FIG.1 cut away to show detail: FIG.4 is a front, plan view of a single form of the preferred embodiment, as completed for initial transmittal: FIG.5 is a back, plan view of the single form of FIG.4 and FIG.6 is a perspective view of the form of FIGS. 4 and 5, after having been initially received,opened, and the parts separated for use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Fig. 1, the preferred embodiment of the invention is a continuous business form assembly 10 comprising a first web 12 and a second web 112. The webs are adapted, as will be described, to form mailers, such as mailer 202 in FIGS. 4 and 5, which include panels and top-opening return envelopes, such as message panels 14,16 and return envelope 204 in FIG.6. Referring to FIGS.1 and 3, the eebs 12,112 are continuous in both directions along a longitudinal axis 300, The first web 12 has a transverse width in a direction perpendicular to the axis 300 between two opposed,longitudinally extending, continuous margins or edges 18,20. A longitudinally extending, continuous central fold line 22, which may be a line of perforations as shown,lies equidistant between the margins 18,20 and provides for plow folding of the assembly 10 such that margin 18 overlies margin 20, as in FIGS.4 and 5. The second web 112 overlies the portion of the first web 12 between the central fold line 22 and the second margin 20. Adjacent the first margin 18, a longitudinally extending,continuous first feed strip 24 includes a first series of pin feed holes 26 and a first marginal line of perforations 28. The margin 1d and perforations 28 define the feed strip 24. All of the feed strip 24,holes 26, and perforations 28 are longitudinally extending and continuous. Referring to FIG.3, adjacent the second margin 20 a longitudinally extending,continuous second feed strip 34 includes a second series of pin feed holes 36 and a second marginal line of perforations 38. The margin 20 and perforations 38 define the feed strip 34. All of the feed strip 34, holes 36, and perforations 38 are longitudinally extending and continuous. The feed strips 24,34 are equal in transverse width although they need not be. A continuous series of third perforation lines 40 define form sheets,such as form sheet 42, on the first web 12. The perforation lines 40 are longitudinally spaced from each other, and extend transversely substantially completely between the margins 18,20. Thus,each form sheet 40 is defined between the margins 18, 20 and between two adjacent perforation lines 40. Also, each form sheet 40 includes portions of the feed strips 24, 34. Each form sheet 42 further includes message panels 14,16, a return envelope panel 44,tear strips 46,48, and an envelope flap portion 50. The perforation lines 28, 38,40 the fold line 22 and further perforation lines to be described define the panels 14,16,44 tear strips 46, 48 and flap portion 50. Pairs of fourth lines of perforations 52, 54 cross the form sheets 42. The lines 52,54 extend transversely from the first marginal perforation line 28 to the second marginal perforation line 38. The lines 52,54 are paired in that a line 52 is adjacent each form-defining line 40, with a line 52 equidistant and on the opposite side of each line 40. The perforation lines 52, with the marginal perforation lines 28, 38 and the form-defining lines 40 define the tear strips 46. The perforation lines 54, with the lines 28,38,40 define the tear strips 48. A fifth line of perforations 56 partially cross each form sheet 42. Each line 56 extends transversely from the center fold line 22 to the second marginal perforation line 38. Each line 56 is adjacent a line 54, and with the lines 22, 38,54 defines a flap portion 50. Each envelope panel 44 is defined between a flap portion 50 and a tear strip 48 and between a panel 16 and the feed strip 34. The envelope panel 44 is thus defined between the lines 22,38,52,56. A sixth line of perforations 58 extends longitudially between the first marginal line of perforations 28 and the center fold line 22. The sixth line 58 separates the message panels 14,16. With the lines 22,28,52,54 the line 16 defines the panels 14,16. The first web 12 is now described. Referring to FIG. 1, the second web 112 has a transverse width between two margins 114,116 about equal to the transverse distance between the center fold line 22 and the second margin 20 of the first web. Adjacent the second margin 116 of the second web, a single longitudinally extending feed strip 118 includes a series of pin feed holes 120 and a marginal of perforations 122. The strip 118 overlies the feed strip 34 of the first web 12; the holes 120 match the holes 36; the margin 116 matches the margin 20; and the perforations 122 match the perforations 36. The margin 114 is adjacent the center fold line 22. Transverse perforation lines 140,152,154 and 156 cross the web 112. The lines 140,152,154 and 156 match the lines 40, 52,54 and 56,respectively. The lines 114,116,140,152,154 and 156 define a form sheet 140,tear strips 146,148,a flap portion 150 and an envelope panel 144 which match the form sheet 40, tear strips 46,48,flap portion 50 and envelope panel 44 respectively. Adhesive secures the second web 112 to the first web 12. As shown in FIG.3 a rectangular adhesive border 210 includes two spaced longitudinally extending segments 212,214 joined by two spaced,transversely extending segments- 216,218. The segment 216 is a tear strip adhesive segment in that it is located on the tear strip 46. The segment 218 is a tear strip and envelope bottom forming segment. The segment 218 is located in part on the tear strip 48, across the perforation line 52, and along a bottom portion of the envelope panel 44. The segments 212,214 are envelope aide forming segments, extending along the lines 22, 38 within the panel 44 and portion 50. Thus, when the web 112 is applied to the web 12, the envelope panels 44,144 are adhered to each other and closed on all four sides. Adhesive also secures the message panels 14,16 and 12 other portions of the web/between the lines 18,22 to the 12 web 112, when the web/is folded, as in FIGS.4 and 5. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a three-sided adhesive border 220, one for each form,includes a longitudinal segment 222 joined by two transverse segments 224,226. The segments 222,224 and 226 are all mailer-forming segments. The segment 222 is located on the marginal strip 24, and the segments 224, 226 are within the tear strips 46,48. Thus, when the web 12 is folded and adhered to the web 112, the border 220 and the fold line 22 form closed mailers of the webs 12,112. As should now be apparent, before folding of the form 12, the message panels 14,16 of the web 12 are printed. Addresses are printed on the web 112, to match with die cut windows on the panels 16. Mailers are then formed and transmitted. Upon receipt, the mailers are opened by removal of the tear strips and marginal strips. Such removal opens the envelopes 204 along the flap portions 50, 150. The message panels 14,16 are then separated from the envelopes 204. The message panel 14 is returned in the envelope 204 by removal of either flap portion 50, 150 and folding of the other flap portion as an envelope flap. As most preferred one flap portion has a rewettable adhesive and the other an adhesive resistant coating. The preferred embodiment is now describ ed. To particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as invention, the following claims conclude this specification.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A continuous business form assembly providing combined mailers and top-opening return envelopes, and comprising: a first web being continuous in a longitudinal direction: having a transverse first web width in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction between opposed, longitudinally extending,continuous first and second margins: a central longitudinally extending continuous fold line a first longitudinally extending,continuous marginal feed strip including a longitudinally extending, continuous first series of pin feed holes and a longitudinally extending,continuous first marginal line of perforations: a second longitudinally extending, continuous marginal feed strip including a longitudinally extending,continuous second series of pin feed holes and a longitudinally extending, continuous second marginal line of perforations a continuous series of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending,form-defining,third lines of perforations: a continuous series of longitudinally spaced,transversely extending,strip defining pairs of fourth lines of perforations: a continuous series of longitudinally spaced,transversely extending,envelope flap'defining,fifth lines of perforations: a continuous of separable business form sheets with each sheet being defined between two adjacent lines of the form-definingthird lines of perforations and each sheet including opposed, first tear strips defined between the first,second,third and fourth lines of perforations: a message panel defined between the opposed tear strips,the first line of perforations and the central fold line: a first envelope panel defined between the second, fourth and fifth line of perforations and the central fold line: and an envelope flap portion defined between the first envelope panel, one of the tear strips, the second perforation line and the central fold line. a second web being continuous in the longitudinal direction, and having a transverse second web width not greater than the transverse distance between the central fold line and the second marginal feed strip: the second web being superimposed over the first web between the central fold line and the second marginal feed strip: and the second web having a longitudinally extending,continuous margin adjacent the central fold line,perforation lines overlying portions of the third,fourth and fifth perforation lines: second envelope panels, tear strips and flap portions overlying the first envelope panels,tear strips and flap portions,respectively, of the first web: first adhesive means for adhering the second web to the first web for forming top-opening, sealable return envelopes of the first and second envelope panels and flap portions and second adhesive means for adhering the message panels of the forms to the second web while the first web is folded about the central fold line for forming mailers including the return envelopes: whereby the mailers may be transmitted, the feed and tear strips removed, the message panels and envelopes separated, the return envelopes sealed and returned, and the return envelopes slip in automatic slitters. 2. A continuous business form assembly providing combined mailers and top opening return envelopes constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: SIMMONS, RANDY DALE
Applicants: MOORE BUSINESS FORMS, INC.
Application year: 1984
Main classification: B42D15
IPC codes: B42D15, B42D5, B41L1