MAILER FORM SUITABLE FOR PRINTING

Abstract: A mailer form is disclosed especially suited for printing as by laser, jet ink, etc. wherein a single sheet is adapted by the provision of a plurality of fold lines (21,22,23) to have variable information printed on both the front panel (12) and the message panel (14) by folding to dispose the message panel (14) interiorly while the mailer face panel (12) is positioned exteriorly so the message panel (12) is enclosed by the mailer face panel (12), mailer back panel (13) and flap panel (11), and by virtue of side tear off stubs (19,20) the mailer can be readily opened for access to the message panel (14) by the recipient.

Description: This invention relates to a mailer form suitable for printing and a method of developing the same and, more particularly, a single message-ply mailer form advantageously employed in printing as by laser printing, ink jet printing, etc. There is a need for a mailer form in business systems and promotional applications that can be used with non impact and particularly laser type computer printers. The mailer forms exemplified by my earlier patents are all designed for impact type computer printers where an image produced on an outside office ply also makes an image on the face of the mailer envelope and on plies already inside the mailer envelope. These mailers are not suited for use with non impact computer printers or where an original computer printed image is desired on the message copy of the mailer. US-A-3863835 discloses a two-part letter package comprising an envelope-letterhead blank having a copy area thereon and a reply item attached thereto. The blank can be folded and joined or sealed to itself to form a carrier envelope containing the reply items and letter copy. US-A-3995808 discloses an envelope unit made from an integral folded sheet of stepped width, which comprises a message panel and a return envelope. EP-A-0225135 discloses a method of producing a mailable document without using an envelope, in which method a piece of paper is fed to a computer-controlled printer, which prints variable information including a name-and-address field thereon. The paper is then folded about four parallel lines which divide the paper into four areas and a flap in such a way that printing on two areas are concealed within the completed mailable document, and the name and address are exposed. At least some portions of the overlying marginal regions are then adhered together to seal the document. Perforations may be provided along the marginal regions to assist opening of the document, and along the fold lines to assist separation of the document into separate pieces by a recipient. The mailer forms that are subject of the present invention can be computer printed. They can then be folded and glued in a way that will achieve several important objectives: The absence of rough edges of a window die cut, and loose edges of window patches results in a form that gives trouble-free feeding and printing, particularly on laser printers. The face of the envelope, back of the envelope, message area and even the flap are in position to receive computer print-out information. After folding, all the message areas are protected from handling wear and tear and for security of the information by portions of the mailer that can later be discarded by the recipient. After computer print-out, the mailer can be folded conveniently on readily available paper folder thus avoiding the need for specialized equipment. The mailer form can be held in the folded condition for mailing by simple glue lines. These glue lines can be activated by means of moisture, heat or pressure. The folded mailer form completely encloses the message portion so that it is secure from prying eyes. The folded mailer form when sealed is easily opened by the recipient by removing a perforated stub at each end. It is also easy to remove and dispose of the non-message portions of the mailer that are to be discarded. According to the present invention, a mailer form suitable for one-side computer printing and for forming a mailer comprising a message panel comprises a unitary paper sheet of constant width having a pair of parallel side edges and first and second faces, said sheet having at least three parallel fold lines extending perpendicularly to said side edges and forming at least four panels with each panel having an edge defined by a fold line, the first face of one panel being suitable for receiving the addressee information of the mailer and being capable of constituting the mailer front, the first face of at least one panel being suitable for receiving a printed message, one panel being capable of constituting the mailer back, at least one panel constituting the mailer closure flap and being capable of being folded into superposition on and attached to said panel capable of constituting the mailer back, lines of perforation perpendicular to said fold lines and adjacent each side edge to provide a tear off stub, and adhesive means on said stubs for securing said panels in superposed condition, with said panel suitable for receiving a printed message being capable of being positioned inwardly of said mailer form and said addressee panel being capable of being positioned outwardly of said mailer form, characterized in that said mailer form comprises a return envelope, wherein said panel capable of constituting the mailer back comprises the back of said return envelope, and wherein a paper ply, attached to said panel capable of constituting the mailer back along three contiguous sides of the second face of that panel, comprises the front of said return envelope. The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mailer form to which a paper ply can be attached to provide a mailer form according to the present invention; Fig. 1A is a side elevational view of the folded mailer form of Fig. 1; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a mailer form according to the present invention seen from the rear side; Fig. 2A is a side elevational view of the mailer form of Fig. 2 but in folded condition; Fig. 2B is a side elevational view essentially schematic of the mailer form of Fig. 2 but with a modified form of return envelope; Fig. 2C is a view similar to Fig. 2B but of another embodiment of return envelope; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a mailer form having a different type of flap configuration from that seen in Fig. 1 but also embodying three basic panels, to which a paper ply can be attached to provide a mailer form according to the present invention; Fig. 3A is a side elevational view of the mailer form of Fig. 3 in folded form; and Fig. 3B is a side elevational view essentially schematic of the mailer form of Fig. 3 but comprising a paper ply to provide a mailer form according to the present invention. In the illustrations given and with reference first to Fig. 1, the numeral 10 designates generally a mailer form suitable for laser printing and the like which is constructed according to the teachings of this invention. The mailer form 10 is a unitary paper sheet and is equipped with a plurality of fold lines dividing the sheet into four panels. The uppermost panel 11 ultimately becomes the flap of the mailer form when it is sent out to the recipient. Positioned immediately therebelow (in the illustration given) is the panel 12 which becomes the face of the mailer, i.e., the portion to be equipped with the addressee information. This normally varies from mailer to mailer. Still proceeding downwardly in FIG. 1, the panel designated 13 ultimately becomes the back of the mailer when it is being sent out. The back of the mailer 13 and flap 11 are available for computer variable information such as customer account number, return address, promotional message, etc. Lastly, the bottom panel 14 will become the message panel on which other variable information will be printed - - this along with the panel 12 which is the face of the mailer and it will be seen that the information to be imprinted thereon will occur on the same face of both panels 12 and 14. The mailer form as illustrated in Fig. 1 has two side edge portions 15 and 16 respectively and adjacent to but slightly inboard thereof are lines of perforation as at 17 and 18 defining tear off stubs 19 and 20. Extending perpendicularly to the lines of perforation 17 and 18 are a plurality of transversely extending fold lines as at 21, 22 and 23. Fold lines 21 and 22 define the mailer face panel 12. Fold lines 22 and 23 define the mailer back panel 13. Fold line 23 with the sheet edge 24 define the message panel 14, and fold line 21 along with sheet edge 25 define the flap panel 11. Operation Generally The sheet 10 can be processed through a computer printer either in discreet form as shown or as part of a continuous web, with transverse separation occurring thereafter. In any event, the mailer form 10 is normally computer imprinted in the panels 12 and 14 with variable information relating to the addressee and the particular message, respectively. Other panels are also available for computer imprinting. After computer printout, the mailer form can be folded as illustrated in FIG. 1A. Referring now to FIG. 1A, the message panel 14 is seen in the central portion of that figure and is defined at one edge by the fold line 23. Positioned under the message panel 14 is the mailer back panel 13 - - by folding along the fold line 23. Thereafter, the face 12 of the mailer is positioned over the message panel 14 by folding around the fold line 22. Lastly, the flap 11 in positioned over the mailer back panel 13 by folding around the fold line 21. Incident to this folding, adhesive is advantageously applied to the front face of the tear off stubs 19 and 20 as at 26 and 27 in FIG. 1. This results in the front face of the message panel 14 being adhered along its sides to the rear face of the front panel 12 as at 26A and 27A. It also results in the flap panel 11 being adhered to the back of the mailer as at 26B and 27B. When the mailer is received by the recipient all he or she has to do is to tear off the two tear off stubs 19 and 20 whereupon the mailer can be unfolded. Normally, I provide a line of perforation along the fold line 23 so as to permit the message panel to be readily separated from the remainder of the mailer. This is particularly advantageous when a return envelope is provided within the mailer as can be seen in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the numerals designating parts identical to those in FIG. 1 are given the same numeral but with the addition of 100. Hence, the flap panel is 111, the mailer front 112, the back 113 and the message panel 114. In like fashion, the tear off stubs are 119 and 120. Further, both the fold lines 122 and 123 include linen of perforation which permit not only detachment of the message panel 114 from the mailer back 113 but also detachment of the face of the mailer 112 from the back of the mailer 113. This results in the provision of the return envelope generally designated 128 (see also FIG. 2A). The return envelope 128 is developed by using a patch or ply of paper secured to the rear or second face of the mailer, i.e., the side opposite to that suitable for receiving the computer printing. This advantageously is positioned between the stub forming perforations 117 and 118 and consists of two portions. The first portion 129 is secured to the back panel 113 by gluing along three sides as at 130, 131 and 132. The second portion 133 wich comprises the flap of the return envelope (return flap) is not adhesively secured but is in face-to-face relationship with the mailer front 112 and is provided with a line of potential folding as at 134. Thus it is possible for the recipient to return the message panel 114 by only folding the same once. In use, the recipient detaches the return envelope which includes the mailer back 113 and the two portions 129 and 133 from the remainder of the mailer - - by tearing along the lines of perforation 122 and 123. After insertion of the message panel 114, cheque, or other information piece, the return envelope 128 is closed by folding along the line 134 using adhesive that has been previously applied as at 135. This may be of the remoistable variety and the return envelope is now ready for mailing. Two variations of the return envelope are available as presented in FIGS. 2B and 2C. In FIG. 2B a return envelope 128′ is provided which is again attached to the back panel but with the glue line 131′ reoriented so that when the mailer is processed through the computer in the direction of the arrow applied to FIG. 2B, there will be no possibility of the flap part 133′ being caught. In FIG. 2B, I have employed a single transverse line as at 121 to represent a fold line and a double transverse line as at 134 to represent a perforation line with strong bonds so that it is readily folded but not too easily broken. The third form of designation is a double line with a slash across as at 122 and 123 to indicate a line of perforation with very weak bonds so that separation is easily achieved. In some instances, it may be advantageous to have the return envelope of the same length as the whole mailer form, i.e., coextensive therewith and this is illustrated at 128″ in FIG. 2C. This again is secured to the rear panel 113 by means of a line of transverse glue as at 131″. I provide another line of perforation with weak bonds as at 136 for easy detachment of a portion of the second web - - which provides the return envelope - - but which is not needed when the return envelope is used. This additional portion 137 seen at the extreme right of FIG. 2C may carry advertising information, instructions, or the like. In FIG 3, I am able to provide two message panels. In the illustration given in FIG. 3 the face of the mailer form is designated 412 and proceeding downwardly first and second flap portions 411 and 411′ are next encountered. The fourth panel down is designated by the numeral 413 and is available for a message imprinting, the same as is the back panel 414. Thus, I am able to use the mailerback panel as a second message panel. By the provision of two intermediate flap panels 411 and 411′, I am able to provide the two message panels 413 and 414 while still achieving a confinement or enclosing of the message panels within the mailer. This can be appreciated from a consideration of FIG. 3A. There it will be seen that the rear of the message panel 414 now becomes the back of the folded mailer form and next in proceeding downwardly is the message panel 413. The message panels 413 and 414 are separated by a fold line 423 which can also be seen in FIG. 3. The message panel 413 is also defined by a fold line 422 which is adjacent the flap 411′. The flaps 411 and 411′ are folded on themselves as can be appreciated from the left hand portion on FIG. 3A and folded behind the two message panels 413 and 414. The face panel 412 is folded under the message panel 413. The face panel 412 is defined in part by the fold line 421. Again, the unitary sheet is equipped with lines of perforation 417 and 418 adjacent the longitudinal edges 415 and 416 respectively. This develops the tear off stubs 419 and 420. Adhesive is provided as at 426a and 427a analogous to that found in the embodiment of FIG. 1. However, the portion of the glue stripe at 426b and 427b is positioned differently from that in FIG. 1, being on the front face of the second flap 411′. By referene to FIG. 3A, it will be seen that the first glue line 427a is effective to adhere together the sides of the message panels 414 and 413. Then, by virtue of the glue provided at 427b, the flap 411′ is adapted to be secured to the unprinted face of the second message panel 411. The sides of the front panel 412 - - in the stub portion - - are secured to the remainder of the mailer by the adhesive 426a and 427a extending through the holes 442 in the first message panel 413. In FIG. 3B I show a modified form of the mailer form 410 which includes a return envelope 428. This showing is analogous to that found in FIG. 2B. while in the foregoing specification a detailed description of an embodiment of the invention has been set down for the purpose of illustration, many variations in the details hereingiven may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims: 1. A mailer form suitable for one-side computer printing and for forming a mailer comprising a message panel, comprising a unitary paper sheet of constant width having a pair of parallel side edges (115, 116) and first and second faces, said sheet having at least three parallel fold lines (121, 122, 123) extending perpendicularly to said side edges (115, 116) and forming at least four panels (111, 112, 113, 114) with each panel having an edge defined by a fold line, the first face of one panel (112) being suitable for receiving the addressee information of the mailer and being capable of constituting the mailer front, the first face of at least one panel (114) being suitable for receiving a printed message, one panel (113) being capable of constituting the mailer back, at least one panel constituting the mailer closure flap (111) and being capable of being folded into superposition on and attached to said panel capable of constituting the mailer back (113), lines of perforation (117, 118) perpendicular to said fold lines (121, 122, 123) and adjacent each side edge (115, 116) to provide a tear off stub (119, 120), and adhesive means (126, 127) on said stubs (119, 120) for securing said panels in superposed condition, with said panel suitable for receiving a printed message (114) being capable of being positioned inwardly of said mailer form and said addressee panel (112) being capable of being positioned outwardly of said mailer form, characterized in that said mailer form comprises a return envelope (128), wherein said panel (113) capable of constituting the mailer back comprises the back of said return envelope, and wherein a paper ply (129), attached to said panel capable of constituting the mailer back along three contiguous sides of the second face of that panel (113), comprises the front of said return envelope. 2. A mailer form as claimed in claim 1, consisting of four panels arranged to respectively provide said mailer closure flap (111), said panel capable of constituting mailer front (112), said panel capable of constituting mailer back (113) and the panel suitable for receiving a printed message (114), said mailer first face being equipped with adhesive means (126, 127) on said stubs (119, 120) of said panel suitable for receiving a printed message (114) and, contiguous with said adhesive means on the stubs of said panel suitable for receiving a printed message, adhesive means on a portion of the stubs of said panel capable of constituting the mailer back, wherein said adhesive means can be used to attach said flap to said panel capable of constituting the mailer back. 3. A mailer form as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one of said fold lines defining said panel suitable for receiving a printed message (114) is equipped with a line of perforation for detaching said panel suitable for receiving a printed message from the remainder of said mailer form. 4. A mailer form as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said paper ply (129) comprises a flap (hereinafter known as the return flap) which is in face-to-face relationship with one of the panels (112, 114) which is adjacent to said panel capable of constituting mailer back (113). 5. A mailer form as claimed in claim 4, wherein said return flap (133) is in face-to-face relationship with said panel suitable for receiving a printed message (114). 6. A mailer form as claimed in claim 4, wherein said return flap (133) is in face-to-face relationship with said panel capable of constituting the mailer front (112). 7. A mailer form as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said paper ply (129) is coextensive with said mailer form. 8. A mailer form as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said return flap (133) is equipped with a line of potential folding (134) spaced from the free edge of said return flap (133) and is equipped with adhesive means. 9. A mailer form as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said panel capable of constituting the mailer back (113) is defined by transverse lines of perforation (122, 123). 10. A mailer form as claimed in any preceding claim, folded and sealed in a state suitable for mailing, wherein said mailer closure flap (111) is folded in super position on said panel capable of constituting the mailer back (113) and is attached to said panel (113) by said adhesive means (126, 127) and said addressee and message panels (112, 114) respectively comprise addressee information and a printed message and are respectively positioned outwardly and inwardly of said mailer form, wherein said printed message cannot be viewed without tearing said mailer form or disrupting said adhesive means (126, 127).

Inventors: STEIDINGER, DONALD J.
Applicants: STEIDINGER, DONALD J.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B42D15
IPC codes: B42D15, B42D5