Patent Publication Number: US-7219828-B2

Title: Cross folded, pressure sealed multi-page paper assembly and methods of making same

Description:
PRIOR RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention claims priority under 37 C.F.R. § 119(e) to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/420,814, filed on Oct. 25, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a multi-page paper assembly. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Multi-page paper assemblies, such as mailer-type assemblies, used for business forms, direct mail pieces, information and promotional booklets, and other multi-page volumes are formed to distribute and supply information and/or instruments, e.g., having a certain dollar value, to end users. Such multi-page paper assemblies are typically constructed of a multiple of plies or sheets of suitable paper. The multiple plies or sheets of paper are typically printed, imaged or otherwise processed to dispose data and information on one or more surfaces of each ply or sheet. Thereafter, the multiple of plies or sheets are typically collated, stacked and joined, e.g., adhered or bound by adhesive or cohesive, along at least one longitudinal or one transverse edge to form a binder. The binder permits the multiple plies or sheets to be held together as an assembly and to configure the assembly in a book like manner. The plies or sheets of paper serve as pages of the assembly and can be readily accessible to an end user. Such an assembly can be further configured to provide a sealed assembly whereby adhesive or cohesive can be deposited on each ply or sheet at certain locations to join or seal adjacent pages, and in some cases to seal the assembly around its perimeter. Such sealed, multi-page sealed assemblies can be distributed to end users by hand and/or by mailing through the U.S. Postal Service. 
   Printing and binding multiple plies or sheets of paper suitable for forming a multi-page assembly includes a number of steps such as printing each surface of each ply or sheet, depositing sufficient adhesive or cohesive along certain portions of the plies or sheets and collating and binding the multiple of plies and sheets such that the completed assembly is bound and opens in a book like manner. Multiple process steps and plies or sheets of paper required to form a sealed, multi-page assembly, as described, contribute to the overall manufacturing costs and time to produce such an assembly and, hence, can increase the expense of producing this type of multi-page document. Thus, it is desirable to provide a sealed, multi-page paper assembly configured as a mailer type of assembly that is produced with less materials and by a reduced number of process steps, e.g., by permitting the use of laser printing or imaging techniques, such that manufacturing time and costs are reduced and a cost effective sealed, multi-page document is provided. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention provides a sealed, multi-page paper assembly constructed from a single ply or sheet of paper and is suitable for use as a mailer type business form or direct mail piece. 
   In one aspect of the invention a multi-page paper assembly includes a folded and sealed single ply of paper having a length and a width. The folded and sealed paper ply defines a first horizontal edge and a second horizontal edge opposite and parallel to the first horizontal edge along its length, and a first vertical edge and a second vertical edge opposite and parallel to the first vertical edge along its width. The assembly further includes a horizontal line of tear-off perforations configured along and adjacent each of the first and the second horizontal edges to define a horizontal stub portion, and a vertical line of tear-off perforations configured along and adjacent the first vertical edge to define a vertical stub portion, wherein the removal of the horizontal stub portions by tearing the paper ply along the horizontal lines of tear-off perforations and removal of the vertical stub portion by tearing the paper ply along the vertical line of tear-off perforations permits the folded and sealed single ply of paper to open from the vertical edge and the first and the second horizontal edges and along the second vertical edge in a book like manner and to permit access to a multiple of pages contained therein. 
   Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The assembly can include a line of tear-off perforations defined along a width of each page adjacent to the second vertical edge to permit the page to be torn along the line of tear-off perforations to remove the page from the assembly when open. 
   Another aspect of the invention a multi-page paper assembly includes a folded and sealed single ply of paper having a length and a width. The folded and sealed paper ply defines a first horizontal edge and a second horizontal edge opposite and parallel to the first horizontal edge along its length, a first vertical edge and a second vertical edge opposite and parallel to the first vertical edge along its width, and a vertical line of tear-off perforations configured along and adjacent the first vertical edge to define a vertical stub portion, wherein removal of the vertical stub portion by tearing the paper ply along the vertical line of tear-off perforations removes deposits of cohesive disposed on interior surfaces of the paper ply disposed along and adjacent the first and the second horizontal edges and the first vertical edge such that the paper ply opens from the first vertical edge and the first and the second horizontal edges and permits the paper ply to open in a book like manner to permit access to a multiple of pages contained therein. 
   Various aspects of the invention may provide one or more of the following advantages. A sealed, multi-page paper assembly can be constructed from a single ply or sheet of paper using pressure activated-sealing methods to form a mailer-type of business form, brochure or direct mail piece suitable for distribution by such delivery methods as the U.S. Postal Service. A cost effective sealed, multi-page paper assembly can be formed from a single ply or sheet of paper, eliminating the need for multiple plies or sheets to form a multi-page document or booklet. Use of a single ply or sheet of paper to form a sealed multi-page assembly or booklet can reduce manufacturing time and costs, e.g., to print, collate and bind a multiple of plies or sheets of paper. In addition, using a single ply or sheet of paper to form the multi-page assembly permits use of laser printing or imaging methods, which typically permit only a single ply or sheet to be processed at a time without manufacturing problems, to print data and information on surfaces of the assembly. The single sheet of paper can be folded by a folding process, e.g., mechanically or manually by hand, that includes cross folding the single sheet transversely and along certain longitudinal lines to produce the multiple pages of the assembly. The multiple pages can be removable where portions of the single ply or sheet of paper define lines of tear-off perforations. Deposits of pressure-activated cohesive can be disposed along certain portions of the single sheet that bind or adhere the folded portions of the assembly. Once folded, the assembly can be pressure sealed by any process known in the art that applies pressure to the folded assembly to activate cohesive deposits and to create a bond between folded portions to thereby form the sealed assembly. Some embodiments of the invention include deposits of cohesive that permit the single ply or sheet of paper to be folded and sealed to form a secure multi-page paper assembly that protects the contents of the assembly and/or helps to maintain confidentiality of the data and information provided therein. Some embodiments of the invention include deposits of low tack cohesive, wherein low tack cohesive refers to cohesive that forms less aggressive bonds such that some of the sealed portions of the assembly adhered by low tack cohesive can be readily and easily pulled or peeled apart to separate such portions. Such embodiments of the invention can be used to form a direct mail piece, an advertising brochure, a promotional free coupon booklet and other similar configurations. The multiple pages of the secured paper assembly can be accessible to a user when the user removes certain removable perforated perimeter portions, e.g., one or more horizontal and/or vertical stub portions, of the assembly and opens the assembly in a book like manner. The user can tear a page along an associated line of tear-off perforations to remove the page from the booklet. 
   The sealed multi-page mailer-type of paper assembly can be formed as a Z-fold, C-fold, eccentric C-fold, eccentric C-fold, eccentric C-fold, V-fold or double parallel-fold business form or direct mail piece by folding the single ply or sheet in half along a central transverse cross fold line of perforations and further folding the sheet along certain longitudinal fold assist lines of perforations according to methods and standards known in the art to fold and to achieve such varieties of folded configurations. 
   These and other advantages of the invention, along with the invention itself, will be more fully understood after a review of the following figures, detailed description and claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first or face surface of a single ply or sheet of paper used to form one embodiment of a sealed multi-page paper assembly according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first or face surface shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating dimensions; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first or face surface shown in  FIG. 1  with deposits of pressure-activated cohesive disposed thereon; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective of a second or back surface of the single ply or sheet of paper shown in  FIG. 1  with deposits of pressure-activated cohesive disposed thereon; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective of the first or face surface of the ply or sheet of paper shown in  FIG. 3  illustrating the orientation of printed data disposed along panels of the first or face surface to form a Z-fold assembly; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the second or back surface of the ply or sheet of paper shown in  FIG. 5  illustrating the orientation of printed data disposed along panels of the second or back surface to form a Z-fold assembly; 
       FIGS. 7A-7D  are perspective views of the single ply or sheet of paper shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  folded into a Z-fold assembly; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the sealed multi-page Z-fold paper assembly formed from stages shown in  FIGS. 7A-7D ; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the multi-page Z-fold paper assembly shown in  FIG. 8  opened to access multiple pages contained in the assembly; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a first or face surface of a single ply or sheet of paper with deposits of pressure-activated cohesive disposed thereon used to form a second embodiment of a sealed multi-page paper assembly according to the invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a second or back surface of the single ply or sheet of paper shown in  FIG. 9  with deposits of pressure-activated cohesive disposed thereon; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view the first or face surface of the single ply or sheet of paper shown in  FIG. 10  with longitudinal segments of cohesive disposed thereon; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the second or back surface of the single ply or sheet of paper shown in  FIG. 12  with outermost longitudinal segments of cohesive disposed thereon; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the single ply or sheet of paper shown in  FIG. 10  illustrating dimensions; and 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the sealed multi-page assembly formed by Z-folding the single ply or sheet of paper shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
       FIGS. 16-16A  provide a block flow diagram illustrating a process of forming a sealed multi-page paper assembly according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIGS. 17-17A  provide a block flow diagram illustrating a process of forming a sealed multi-page paper assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   At least some embodiments of the invention provide a cross folded, pressure sealed multi-page paper assembly. Embodiments of the invention provide a multi-page paper assembly for use as, e.g., a business form or a direct mail piece, where the assembly is a one-piece assembly constructed of a single ply or sheet of paper, and is folded and sealed according to the invention to provide a multi-page assembly or booklet. The paper assembly has a center transverse line of cross fold perforations and one or more longitudinal fold lines of perforations to assist folding the single sheet assembly into a desired number of panels. The assembly further includes a plurality of deposits of pressure-activated cohesive disposed along at least one surface of the assembly to bind or adhere folded portions of the assembly. The center transverse line of cross fold perforations and certain cohesive deposits form a secure binder when the assembly is folded along the cross fold perforations such that the assembly may open in a book line manner along the binder. Placement of the central cross fold perforations and the cohesive deposits along the surfaces of the assembly depends on the number of panels and the type of folded configuration the assembly will embody, such as a Z-fold, C-fold, eccentric C-fold, V-fold or double-parallel fold assembly. In addition, placement of the fold line perforations, as well as other lines of perforations, and placement of the cohesive deposits is critical to proper alignment of perforations and cohesive deposits required during folding and sealing processes to effectively seal the assembly. When the assembly is folded in accordance with the invention, certain lines of perforations align with other lines of perforations to fold the assembly in a desired manner, and certain cohesive deposits align with other cohesive deposits to adhere the folded portions of the assembly. The folded assembly is thereafter pressure sealed by a suitable pressure sealing method well known in the art. The sealed assembly according to the invention is suitable for distribution by any of a variety of methods including mailing through the U.S. Postal Service. Some embodiments of the invention provide a secure sealed assembly having a secure seal to insure document security and, in some cases, confidentiality of the data and information contained within the assembly. Removing one or more vertical and/or one or more horizontal stub portions of the secure sealed assembly along lines of tear-off perforations permits the assembly to be opened as a multi-page booklet and to provide access to data and information contained therein. Some embodiments of the invention provide an unsecured sealed assembly, e.g., a direct mail or advertising piece, having a less aggressive seal that permits easy opening of the assembly by pulling or peeling pages apart to separate and to remove pages from the assembly. Other embodiments are within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one embodiment of an assembly  10  according to the invention includes a secure, multi-page paper assembly  10 . As used herein to disclose the invention, the term “secured” refers to the secure seal that deposits of pressure-activated cohesive provide to bind or adhere the folded assembly  10  such that contents of the assembly  10  remain secure during further processing and/or distribution of the assembly  10 , for instance, by mail through the U.S. Postal Service. The secure, multi-page assembly  10  can include contents having value, e.g., a certain dollar value, such as movie or theater tickets, and/or can contain confidential information. 
   The assembly  10  includes at least a single ply or sheet  12  of paper, e.g., laser printer compatible paper or other paper suitable for printing, imaging, handwriting and/or otherwise disposing data on the assembly  10  for informational purposes, and suitable for folding either mechanically or by hand to form the assembly  10 . The single sheet  12  can be a substantially planar sheet having a first or face surface  14  and an opposing second or back surface (not shown). The single sheet  12  is configured to define a first longitudinal (lengthwise) side edge  16  and a second longitudinal side edge  18  and a first transverse (widthwise) edge  22  and a second transverse edge  24 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The sheet  12  includes at least one central transverse fold line of perforations  26  defined through the first surface  14  and the second surface (not shown). The central transverse fold line of perforations  26  is disposed in the middle of the sheet  12 , e.g., to define two substantially equal halves between the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24  of the sheet  12 . The central fold line of perforations  26  extends across at least a portion of a width W 1  of the sheet  12 . The central fold line of perforations  26  is referred to hereinafter as the “cross fold perforations”. 
   The sheet  12  further includes one or more longitudinal fold lines of perforations  28  defined parallel to the first and/or the second side edges  16  and  18  and which extend along at least a portion of a length L 1  of the sheet  12  to intersect with the cross fold perforations  26 . The longitudinal fold lines of perforations  28  are referred to hereinafter as “fold assist perforations”. The fold assist perforations  28  help to fold the sheet  12  into the desired or required folded configuration, as will be described below in further detail. 
   As referred to herein, lines of perforations that are described as cross fold, fold assist, or tear-off lines of perforations can include lines of perforations defined through the first or face surface  14  that extend either partially or entirely from the first or face surface  14  through the sheet  12  to the second or back surface (not shown) of the sheet  12 . Whether a line of perforations extends partially or entirely from the first or face surface  14  through to the second or back surface (not shown) can depend on the function the line of perforations serves and the type of folded configuration the sheet  12  will be folded into. The invention is not limited in this respect and anticipates that different types of lines of perforations can be defined in the first or face surface  14  and/or the second or back surface to achieve a certain type of folded assembly  10 . 
   The sheet  12  can define the cross fold perforations  26  and the one or more intersecting lines of fold assist perforations  28  such that the sheet  12  is segmented into six panels A, B, C, D, E and F, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited to the sheet  12  having two lines of fold assist perforations  28  and anticipates that the sheet  12  can include a single line of fold assist perforations  28  to define or segment the sheet  12  into four panels, or can include a greater number of lines of fold assist perforations  28  to produce more than six panels as shown. The number of panels the lines of fold assist perforations  28  define in the sheet  12  determines the number of pages that the multi-page assembly ultimately provides. 
   In addition, the sheet  12  includes a vertical stub portion  30 , e.g., having a width W 3  of about 0.5 inches, disposed along each of the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24 . Each vertical stub portion  30  is defined by a transverse line of perforations  32  adjacent and parallel to one of the first and the second transverse edge  22  and  24  and which extends across at least a portion of a width W 1  of the sheet  12 . The transverse lines of perforations  32  are referred to hereinafter as “vertical tear-off perforations”. The sheet  12  further includes a horizontal stub portion  34  e.g., having a width W 4  of about 0.5 inches, disposed along each of the first and the second side edges  16  and  18 . Each horizontal stub portion  34  is defined by a longitudinal line of perforations  36  parallel to one of the first and the second transverse edge  16  and  18  and which extends longitudinally along at least a portion of a L 1  of the sheet  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , additional longitudinal lines of perforations  36  are disposed on either side of each fold assist line  32 , adjacent and parallel to each fold assist line  32  and which extend longitudinally along at least a portion of a length L 1  of the sheet  12  to thereby define additional horizontal stub portions  34 . The longitudinal lines of perforations  36  are referred to hereinafter as “horizontal tear-off perforations”. The vertical and the horizontal tear-off perforations  32  and  36  permit a user to remove the vertical stub portions  30  and the horizontal stub portions  34 , respectively, from the folded and sealed paper assembly  10  such that the user can open the assembly  10  in a book like manner as a multi-page booklet. 
   The sheet  12  further includes partial vertical lines of perforations  38  defined adjacent and parallel to the cross fold perforations  26  and extending between a pair of adjacent and parallel lines of horizontal tear-off perforations  36 . Each partial vertical line of perforations  38  helps to define or segment the sheet  12  into the individual panels A, B, C, D, E and F, and permits the panel A, B, C, D, E and F with which it is associated to be torn along the perforations  38  to remove the panel from the assembly  10  when the assembly  10  is opened. The partial vertical lines of perforations  38  are referred to hereinafter as “partial vertical tear-off perforations”. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the panels A, B, C, D, E and F are defined by the cross fold perforations  26 , the fold assist perforations  28 , the vertical tear-off perforations  32 , the horizontal tear-off perforations  36  and/or the partial vertical tear-off perforations  38 . The perforations  28 ,  32  and  36  can be defined in the sheet  12  at certain positions to provide a required number of panels A, B, C, D, E and F, and to configure each panel A, B, C, D, E and F with the required overall dimensions. In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the sheet  12  can have a length L 1  of about 17 inches and a width W 1  of about 11 inches with each panel A, B, C, D, E and F having a substantially similar length L 2 . The widths W 2  of each panel A, B, C, D, E and F can vary. In one embodiment, preferred dimensions of the panels A, B, C, D, E and F can include the panel A having a width W 2  of 3 67/96 inches, the panel B having a width W 2  of 3 61/96 inches, and the panel C having a width W 2  of 3⅔ inches. The panels D, E and F have widths W 2  including 3⅔ inches, 3 61/96 inches and 3 67/96 inches, respectively. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the widths W 2  of the panels A, B and C disposed left of the cross fold perforations  26  inversely complement the widths W 2  of the panels D, E and F disposed right of the cross fold perforations  26  whereby the width W 2  of the panel A is similar to the width W 2  of the panel F and the width W 2  of the panel C is similar to the width W 2  of the panel D. The widths W 2  of the panels A, B, C, D, E and F can vary in some embodiments of the invention, e.g., embodiments according to the invention that provide a Z-fold type assembly  10 , to provide for the thickness of the assembly  10  when the sheet  12  is folded along the cross fold and fold assist perforations  26  and  28 . In another embodiment, the widths W 2  of the panels A, B, C, D, E and F are the same. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the sheet  12  can include a length L 1  of about 17 inches and a width W 1  of 11 inches such that the sheet  12  can be fed into and printed by a number of laser printers well known in the art. The invention is not limited in this respect and anticipates that the sheet  12  can define any range of overall dimensions, e.g., a length and a width, suitable for a particular purpose or application, and can define dimensions, e.g., a length and a width, of each of the panels as required or desired to distribute or otherwise provide certain data and information. 
   The assembly  10  further includes a plurality of deposits of pressure-activated cohesive disposed at certain positions along at least one of the first or face surface  14  and the second or back surface (not shown) of the sheet  12 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , and with further reference to  FIG. 1 , the first or face surface  14  includes a number of longitudinal lines of cohesive  42  disposed adjacent, and in some instances parallel to, one or both of the first and the second side edges  16  and  18  and which extend longitudinally along at least a portion of a length L 1  of the sheet. At least one line of cohesive  42  is disposed longitudinally along one or more horizontal stub portions  34 . The face surface  14  further includes a number of transverse lines of cohesive  44  disposed across the sheet  12  adjacent, and in some instances parallel to, one or both of the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24  and which extend across at least a portion of a width W 1  of the sheet  12 . In one embodiment of the assembly  10  according to the invention, the panels A and B are outlined by a pair of parallel longitudinal lines  42  and a pair of parallel transverse lines  44 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Similarly, a pair of parallel longitudinal lines of cohesive  42  and a pair of parallel transverse lines of cohesive  44  outlines the panels E and F. The longitudinal and the transverse lines of cohesive  42  and  44  can be either continuous or discontinuous lines of cohesive, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The invention is not limited with respect to the type of cohesive used to form the assembly  10  and anticipates that a variety of cohesive can be used to bind and seal the sheet  12  when folded into the desired fold-type. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , a second or back surface  15  of the single paper sheet  12  is illustrated. The second or back surface  15  exposes the second or back side of the panels A′, B′, C′, D′, E′ and F′. Longitudinal lines of pressure-activated cohesive  46  are disposed along each of the outermost horizontal stub portions  34  adjacent one or both of the first and the second side edges  16  and  18 . Transverse lines of cohesive  48  are disposed along each of the vertical stub portions  30  adjacent one or both of the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24 . In addition, partial transverse lines of cohesive  50  are disposed between the cross fold perforations  26  and each of the partial vertical tear-off perforations  38 . 
   With continued reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , placement of the longitudinal and transverse lines of cohesive  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50  along the face and the back surfaces  14  and  15  of the sheet  12  is determined at least in part by the number of panels defined by the sheet  12 , the number of required pages of the multi-page assembly  10  and/or the type of folded configuration that the assembly  10  ultimately embodies. The type of folded configuration the assembly  10  can embody includes, for instance, a “Z-fold”, “C-fold, eccentric C-fold,” “V-fold” or “double parallel-fold” configuration, as such configurations are referred to in the art, which are accomplished according to known industry methods and standards. As described herein in further detail, forming the single sheet, multi-page assembly  10  according to the invention includes depositing cohesive  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50  along certain portions of the sheet  12  to adhere portions of the sheet  12  when folded and to outline the panels A, B, C, D, E, F and A′, B′, C′, D′, E′, F′ that will serve as inboard panels, e.g., those panels that will form the pages of the assembly  12 , and folding the assembly  10  along the cross fold perforations  26  and certain fold assist perforations  28  to achieve a required type of folded configuration. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the longitudinal and transverse lines of cohesive  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50  and the fold assist perforations  28  are disposed along the face and the back surfaces  14  and  15  to permit the sheet  12  to be folded into a Z-fold type assembly  10 . 
   In addition, the type of data that is printed and/or imaged or otherwise disposed on the face surface panels A, B, C, D, E and F and on the back surface panels A′, B′, C′, D′, E′ and F′ and the orientation of such data, e.g., with respect to the first and the second side edges  16  and  18 , can depend on the required type of folded configuration the assembly  10  ultimately achieves. The type of printed data and its orientation on each panel can be further determined by which panels are inboard panels or folded to the interior of the assembly  10  and which panels are outboard panel or folded to the exterior of the assembly  10 . 
   The printed data disposed on the panels A, B, C, D, E and F can be oriented to achieve a certain type of folded configuration including a Z-fold, C-fold, eccentric C-fold, V-fold or double parallel-fold. Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in one embodiment of the invention, the assembly is configured as a Z-fold type of assembly  10  and can include, for instance, the panels C and D serving as outboard panels along the exterior of the assembly  10  whereby the panel C can provide an outgoing address and the panel D can provide instructions to open the assembly  10 . Other panels A, B, E and F can serve as inboard panels disposed within the interior of the assembly  10  to form the multiple pages and can include printed data and information as required or desired, e.g., redeemable coupon information. The type and the orientation of the printed data on each panel A′, B,′ C′, D′, E′ and F′ of the back surface  15 , as noted, is similarly determined by the type of folded configuration the assembly  10  embodies. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7D , and with continued reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the sheet  12  is folded into a Z-fold type of configuration. Folding the assembly  10  can be achieved by a variety of methods and/or mechanisms including folding the assembly  10  by hand or by a folder/sealer machine, such as, for instance, the PS 600X folder/sealer available from Paragon of England to fold and to seal the sheet  12 . In other embodiments, a stand-alone sealing unit can seal the folded sheet  12 , such as, for instance, the PS-50 available from Paragon of England, and the PS-4 Turbo from Moore Business Forms of Grand Island, N.Y. 
   The sheet  12  is folded in half along the cross fold perforations  26 , as shown by arrow  100  in  FIG. 7A , such that the longitudinal lines of cohesive  46  disposed along the back surface  15  on the right side of the cross fold perforation  26  align with the longitudinal lines of cohesive  46  disposed on the left side of the cross fold perforations  26 . Similarly, the transverse lines of cohesive  48  and the partial vertical lines of cohesive  50  disposed along the right side of the cross fold perforations  26  align with the lines of cohesive  48  and  50  disposed along the left side when the sheet  12  is folded along the cross fold perforations  26 . The back surface  15  of the sheet  12  is thereby folded in half and the face surface  14  is disposed as an exterior surface of the assembly  10 . 
   The sheet  12  is then folded along the fold assist perforations  28  between the panels A and B, as shown by the arrow  200  in  FIG. 7B , whereby the transverse lines of cohesive  42  align and the longitudinal lines of cohesive  44  align when the panel A is folded to the panel B. As shown in  FIG. 7C , which illustrates the side of the folded sheet  12  opposite to the panels A and B, the sheet  12  is further folded along the fold assist perforations  28  between the panels E and F, as shown by the arrow  300 . The lines of cohesive  42  and  44  align when the panel F is folded to the panel E. 
   As shown in  FIG. 7D , folding the sheet  12  as described and as shown by the arrows  100 ,  200  and  300  in  FIGS. 7A-7C , Z-folds the sheet  12  to form the assembly  10 . Once the assembly  10  is folded, the assembly  10  is further processed to seal the assembly  10 . The folded assembly  10  is pressure sealed according to any method well known in the art whereby pressure is applied to the folded assembly  10  to activate the deposits of pressure-activated cohesive and to bind or adhere the folded portions of the assembly  10  to thereby form the sealed assembly  10 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the assembly  10  serves as a sealed multi-page assembly or booklet suitable for further processing, distributing and/or mailing. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , and as described above, the assembly  10  can be a Z-fold assembly. To open the assembly  10 , a user tears off the removable vertical stub portion  30  along the transverse line of perforations  32  and tears off the removable horizontal stub portions  34  along the longitudinal lines of perforations  36  to remove certain adhered longitudinal and transverse lines of cohesive  42  and  44  to open the assembly  10  along three sides. The cross fold perforations  26  and associated transverse lines of cohesive  44  and  50  disposed along the face and the back surfaces  14  and  15  of the sheet  12  form a binder, which is not removable and permits the assembly  10  when opened along its three sides in a book like manner. The panels A, B, E and F and A′, B′, C′, D′ E′ and F′, collectively shown in  FIG. 9  as numeral  60 , comprise removable pages of the assembly  10 . In one embodiment, the assembly  10  can include a coupon booklet wherein the panels  60  can include, for instance, coupons, gift certificates, movie/theater tickets and/or other redeemable items that can be removed from the assembly  10  as desired. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , in another embodiment of the assembly  10  according to the invention, the assembly  10  includes an unsecured multi-page assembly  10 . As used herein to disclose the invention, the term “unsecured” refers to the ease with which the sealed multi-page assembly  10  can be opened and with which the inboard panels that compose the multiple pages of the assembly  10  can be separated from one another and removed from the assembly  10 . The unsecured assembly  10  includes certain deposits of “low-tack”, e.g., less binding, cohesive that does not form an aggressive seal when the assembly  10  is processed, e.g., during or after folding, by any of the pressure-sealing methods well known in the art. The “low-tack” cohesive permits the assembly  10  to be easily opened and the inboard panels A, B, E and F and A′, B′, C′, D′ E′ and F′ to be easily separated from each other. As described below in further detail, the unsecured multi-page assembly  10  can be opened by tearing off a vertical stub portion and peeling apart one of the outboard panels C and D from the inboard panels A, B, E and F and A′, B′, C′, D′ E′ and F′. Each inboard panel can be then peeled from adjacent panels by peeling the individual panel along lines of cohesive to separate the panel from the remaining panels. Once separated, the individual inboard panel can be removed from the assembly  10  by tearing the panel along a line of tear-off perforations. The unsecured multi-page paper assembly  10  can serve as an unsecured document or business form including, for instance, a direct mail piece such as an advertising brochure or a free coupon booklet. 
   As shown in  FIG. 10 , the sheet  12  includes along its first or face surface  14  the line of cross fold perforations  26  disposed centrally to divide the sheet  12  about in the middle, e.g., to define substantially equal halves between the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24  of the sheet  12 . The sheet further includes one or more longitudinal fold lines of perforations  28  defined parallel to the first and/or the second side edge  16  and  18  and extending along at least a portion of a length L 1  of the sheet  12  to intersect with the cross fold perforations  26  and to thereby define or segment the sheet into four or more panels. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the sheet  12  includes two longitudinal lines of fold assist perforations  26  to define six panels A, B, C, D, E and F. The invention, as noted above, is not limited by the number of lines of fold assist perforations  28  and anticipates that the sheet  12  can include one or more lines of fold assist perforations  28  to segment the sheet  12  into a multi-panel assembly  10 . 
   The sheet  12  further includes a vertical stub portion along each of the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24 , e.g., having a width W 3  of about 0.5 inches, and defined by a line of tear-off perforations  34 . Additional lines of tear-off perforations  38  are disposed on either side of the cross fold perforations  26 , parallel to the cross fold perforations  26  and/or the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24 . Each additional line of tear-off perforations  38  permits the panel A, B, E and F with which it is associated to be torn along the line of tear-off perforations  38  to remove the panel from the assembly  10  when formed. 
   In addition, the sheet  12  includes a number of deposits of pressure-activated cohesive  42  disposed parallel to one or both of the first and the second side edges  16  and  18  and which extend longitudinally along at least a portion of a length L 1  of the sheet  12 . In one embodiment, the longitudinal deposits of cohesive  42  include low tack, pressure-sensitive adhesive. A number of deposits of pressure-activated cohesive  44  are also disposed parallel to one or both of the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24  and which extend across at least a portion of a width W 1  of the sheet  12 . The deposits of cohesive  42  and  44  can include either continuous and/or noncontinuous lines of cohesive, as shown in  FIG. 10 . As described above with reference to  FIG. 3 , placement of the lines of cohesive  42  and  44  is determined by the number of panels defined in the sheet  12  and/or the type of folded configuration, e.g., a Z-fold, C-fold, eccentric C-fold, V-fold or double parallel-fold, the assembly  10  assumes. The type of folded configuration determines those panels A, B, C, D, E and F along the fact surface  14  that will serve as inboard panels or outboard panels when the sheet  12  is folded accordingly into the assembly  10 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the longitudinal and transverse lines of cohesive  42  and  44  outline the panels A and B and the panels E and F such that the sheet  12  can be folded into a Z-fold assembly  10 , as described above. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , the second or back surface  15  of the sheet  12  includes the cross fold perforations  26  and one or more lines of the fold assist perforations  28  defined through the first or face surface  14  of the sheet  12  and extending longitudinally along a length L 1  of the sheet  12  to intersect the cross fold perforations  26 . The second or back surface  15  of the sheet  12  is similarly segmented by intersection of the cross fold perforations  26  and the fold assist perforations  28  into six panels A′, B′, C′, D′, E′ and F′ that serve as the back side of the panels A, B, C, D, E and F disposed at the face surface  14  of the sheet  12 . The back surface  15  further includes one or more deposits of pressure-activated cohesive  46  disposed adjacent and parallel to one of the first and the second side edges  16  and  18  and which extend longitudinally along at least part of a length L 1  of the sheet  12 . In one embodiment, the longitudinal deposits of cohesive  46  include low-tack, pressure-activated cohesive. 
   In addition, the back surface  15  can include one or more deposits of pressure-activated cohesive  48  disposed adjacent and parallel to one of the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24  and within the vertical stub portions  30  defined by the lines of tear-off perforations  34 . The transverse deposits of cohesive  48  extend across at least part of a width W 1  of the sheet  12 . Additional transverse deposits of pressure-activated cohesive  50  are disposed on either side of the cross fold perforations  26  and parallel to the first and the second transverse edge  22  and  24 . The transverse deposits of cohesive  50  and the cross fold perforations  26  fold and seal the sheet  12  in such a manner that the cohesive  50  and the cross fold perforations  26  serve as a binder of the assembly  10 . As described above with reference to  FIG. 10 , the deposits of adhesive  46 ,  48  and  50  can include continuous or discontinuous lines of cohesive. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , and with further reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , in one embodiment of the invention, the outermost longitudinal deposits of cohesive  42  disposed on the face surface  14  adjacent each of the first and the second side edges  16  and  18 , and the outermost longitudinal deposits of cohesive  46  disposed along the back surface  15  adjacent each of the first and the second side edges  16  and  18  include a plurality of spots, dots and/or segments of pressure-activated cohesive  62  and  63 . The plurality of longitudinal spots, dots and/or segments of low tack cohesive  62  and  63  permit a relatively less aggressive seal to be achieved when the sheet  12  is folded and ultimately sealed to form the assembly  10 . In one embodiment, some or all of the deposits of cohesive  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  62  and  63 , as shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , can include a low-tack, pressure-activated cohesive to provide a less aggressive seal and to permit the assembly  10  and the multiple of pages to be opened by pulling or peeling apart certain panels or pages of the assembly  10 . Any of a variety of low-tack cohesive may be used such as, for instance, U-Seal available from Ward Kraft of Ft. Scott, Kans., and Moore Topan Cohesive available from Moore Business Forms of Grand Island, N.Y. The invention is not limited in this respect and anticipates any low-tack cohesive known in the art suitable for use with the paper assembly  10 , as described herein, and suitable for binding or adhering folded portions of the sheet  12  by pressure-sealing methods know in the art can be used. As described above, the low tack cohesive helps to permit easy removal of one or both of the outboard panels C and D along the first and the second side edges  16  and  18  to open the assembly  10  in a book like manner, eliminating the need for tearing the assembly  10 , e.g., along horizontal tear stub portions. 
   Referring to  FIG. 14 , the sheet  12  can include the panels A, B, C, D, E, and F each having a similar length and a similar width. The panels A′, B′, C′, D′, E′, and F′ along the back surface  15  (not shown) have similar dimensions to the panels the panels A, B, C, D, E, and F of the face surface  15 . In one embodiment, the sheet  12  has a length L 3  of about 11 inches and a width W 5  of about 17 inches and each of the panels has a similar width W 6  of about 3⅔ inches. The invention anticipates other embodiments of the invention can include the sheet  12  having a length L 3  and a width W 5  of a range of dimensions. 
   Referring to  FIG. 15 , the unsecured, multi-page paper assembly  10  is folded in any of a variety of configurations well known in the art and can include a “Z-fold”, a “C-fold, eccentric C-fold,” a “V-fold” and a “double parallel-fold”, as described above and with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . As shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , the placement of the lines of cohesive  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50  and the spots, dots and/or segments of cohesive  62  and  63  is determined by the number of panels of the assembly  10  and the folded configuration that the assembly  10  ultimately embodies once it is folded and sealed according to the invention. The assembly  10  shown in  FIGS. 11-13  includes the lines of cohesive  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50  and the spots, dots and/or segments of cohesive  62  and  63  disposed to enable the sheet  12  to be Z-folded according to at least those stages described with reference to and as illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7D . As a result of Z-folding, the assembly  10  can be further processed and/or distributed. 
   As shown in  FIG. 15 , the assembly  10  can be opened by removal of the vertical stub portion  30  by tearing the portion  30  along the lines of tear-off perforations  34 . Each of the outboard panels C and D and the inboard panels A, B, E and F and A′, B′, C′, D′, E′ and F′, collectively referred to as numeral  70  in  FIG. 15 , can be easily peeled from adjacent panels along the deposits of low tack cohesive  62  and  63  disposed along the face and the back surfaces  14  and  15  of the sheet  12 . Peeling the panels from adjacent panels thereby opens the assembly  10  and permits each panel to be separated such that the multiple panels  70  of the assembly  10  can serve as pages of a booklet. The transverse lines of cohesive  44  and  50  and the cross fold perforations  26  serve to form a binder when the assembly  10  is folded and sealed that permits the assembly  10  to open in a book like manner. The inboard panels, as noted above, serve as removable pages. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 16-16A , another aspect of the invention provides a process  400  for constructing a sealed, multi-page paper assembly by folding and sealing a single ply or sheet of paper. The process  400 , however, is exemplary only and not limiting. The process  400  can be altered, e.g., by having stages added, removed or rearranged. 
   At stage  402 , the single ply or sheet of paper  12  is provided having the face surface  14  and the back surface  15  and defining a length L 1  and a width W 1 , wherein the face and the back surfaces  14  and  15  have printed, imaged, handwritten and/or otherwise disposed thereon data and information to be provided to an end user. 
   At stage  404 , the central transverse line of cross fold perforations  26  is defined in the face surface  14  and extends partially or entirely through the sheet  12  to the back surface  15  such that the cross fold perforations  26  on each surface  14  and  15  are aligned and opposite to each other, and parallel to each of the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24 . The transverse line of cross fold perforations  26  is defined in about the middle of the sheet  12 , e.g., to separate the sheet  12  into two halves including a left side and a right side. In one embodiment, each half has equal dimensions to the other half. 
   At stage  406 , one or more longitudinal lines of fold assist perforations  28  are defined in the face surface  14  and extend partially or entirely through the sheet  12  to the back surface  15  such that the lines of fold assist perforations  28  intersect the cross fold perforations  26  and segment the face surface  14  and the back surface  15  into four or more panels. 
   At stage  408 , one or more longitudinal lines of tear-off perforations  36  are defined in the face surface  14  and extend partially or entirely through the sheet  12  to the back surface  15 . At least one longitudinal line of tear-off perforations  36  is disposed parallel to each of the first and the second side edges  16  and  18  such that the horizontal tear-off perforation  36  intersects the cross fold perforations  26 . Additional longitudinal lines of tear-off perforations  36  can be defined on each side of the longitudinal lines of fold assist perforations  28  parallel to each of the first and the second side edges  16  and  18  to intersect the cross fold perforations  26 . 
   At stage  410 , horizontal stub portions  34 , e.g., having a width W 4  of about 0.5 inches, are defined in the face surface  14  along each of the first and the second side edges  16  and  18  by a longitudinal line of tear-off perforations  36  defined adjacent and parallel to the first and the second side edges  16  and  18  and extending partially or entirely through the sheet  12  to the back surface  15 . 
   At stage  412 , vertical stub portions  30 , e.g., having a width W 3  of about 0.5 inches, are defined in the face surface  14  along each of the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24  by a transverse line of tear-off perforations  32  defined adjacent and parallel to the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24  and extending partially or entirely through the sheet  12  to the back surface  15 . 
   At stage  414 , one or more deposits of cohesive  42  are disposed longitudinally on the face surface  14  adjacent one or more horizontal tear-off perforations  36  and along at least a portion of a length L 1  of the sheet  12 . The longitudinal deposits of cohesive  42  outline one or more panels of the face surface  14  that will serve as inboard panels or pages of the multi-page assembly  10 . 
   At stage  416 , one or more deposits of cohesive  44  are disposed transversely on the face surface  14  adjacent the vertical tear-off perforations  32  and adjacent and parallel to the cross fold perforations  26 . The transverse deposits of cohesive  44  outline one or more panels of the face surface  14  that will serve as inboard panels or pages of the multi-page assembly  10 . 
   At stage  418 , one or more deposits of cohesive  46  are disposed longitudinally on the back surface  15  adjacent each of the first and the second side edges  16  and  18 , and one or more deposits of cohesive  48  are disposed transversely on the back surface  15  adjacent each of the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24 . The longitudinal deposits of cohesive  46  and the transverse deposits of cohesive  48  outline a perimeter of the back surface  15  and the panels A′, B′, C′, D′, E′ and F′ that will served as inboard panels of the assembly  10 . 
   At stage  420 , one or more deposits of cohesive  50  are disposed transversely on the back surface  15  on either side or on both sides of the cross fold perforations  50 . 
   At stage  422 , the sheet  12  is folded along the cross fold perforations  26  to align the perforations  28 ,  32  and  36  and the deposits of cohesive  46 ,  48  and  50  of the back surface  15  disposed along the right side of the cross fold perforations  26  with the perforations  28 ,  32 ,  36  and the cohesive deposits  46 ,  48  and  50  of the back surface  15  disposed along the left side of the cross fold perforations  26 . 
   At stage  424 , the sheet  12  is folded, e.g., into a Z-fold, C-fold, eccentric C-fold, V-fold or double parallel-fold configuration, along the longitudinal fold lines  28  to align the tear-off perforations  32  and  36  and to align the deposits of cohesive  42  and  44  along the face surface  14  to form the folded assembly  10 . 
   At stage  426 , the folded assembly  10  is pressure-sealed by any method well known in the art for applying pressure to the assembly  10  to activate the cohesive deposits  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50  and to thereby bind or adhere the folded portions of the folded assembly  10  by pressure-sealing. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 17-17A , a further aspect of the invention provides a process  500  for constructing the sealed, multi-page paper assembly  10  by folding and sealing a single ply or sheet of paper  12 , wherein the assembly  10  is an unsecured assembly with low tack cohesive used to adhere portions of the paper  12  adjacent the first and the second side edges  16  and  18  and one of the transverse edges  22  and  24 . Such an unsecured assembly permits outboard and inboard panels to be pulled or peeled apart from each other to open the assembly  10  and the pages  70  contained therein. The process  500 , however, is exemplary only and not limiting. The process  500  can be altered, e.g., by having stages added, removed or rearranged. 
   At stage  502 , the single ply or sheet of paper  12  is provided having the face surface  14  and the back surface  15  and defining a length L 1  and a width W 1 , wherein the face and the back surfaces  14  and  15  have printed, imaged, handwritten and/or otherwise disposed thereon data and information to be provided to an end user. 
   At stage  504 , the central transverse line of cross fold perforations  26  is defined in the face surface  14  and extends partially or entirely through the sheet  12  to the back surface  15  such that the cross fold perforations  26  on each surface  14  and  15  are aligned and opposite to each other, and parallel to each of the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24 . The transverse line of cross fold perforations  26  is defined in about the middle of the sheet  12 , e.g., to separate the sheet  12  into two halves including a left side and a right side. In one embodiment, each half has equal dimensions to the other half. 
   At stage  506 , one or more longitudinal lines of fold assist perforations  28  are defined in the face surface  14  and extend partially or entirely through the sheet  12  to the back surface  15  such that the lines of fold assist perforations  28  intersect the cross fold perforations  26  and segment the face surface  14  and the back surface  15  into four or more panels. 
   At stage  508 , vertical stub portions  30 , e.g., having a width W 3  of about 0.5 inches, are defined in the face surface  14  along each of the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24  by a transverse line of tear-off perforations  32  defined adjacent and parallel to the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24  and extending partially or entirely through the sheet  12  to the back surface  15 . 
   At stage  510 , one or more deposits of low tack cohesive  42  are disposed longitudinally on the face surface  14  adjacent each of the first and the second side edges  16  and  18  and/or along those panels A, B, C, D, E and F that will serve as inboard panels or pages  70  of the multi-page assembly  10 . 
   At stage  512 , one or more deposits of cohesive  44  are disposed transversely on the face surface  14  adjacent the vertical tear-off perforations  32  and adjacent and parallel to the cross fold perforations  26 . The transverse deposits of cohesive  44  outline one or more panels of the face surface  14  that will serve as inboard panels or pages of the multi-page assembly  10 . 
   At stage  514 , one or more deposits of low tack cohesive  46  are disposed longitudinally on the back surface  15  adjacent each of the first and the second side edges  16  and  18 , and one or more deposits of cohesive  48  are disposed transversely on the back surface  15  adjacent each of the first and the second transverse edges  22  and  24 . The longitudinal deposits of low tack cohesive  46  and the transverse deposits of cohesive  48  outline a perimeter of the back surface  15  and the panels A′, B′, C′, D′, E′ and F′ that will served as inboard panels of the assembly  10 . 
   At stage  516 , one or more deposits of cohesive  50  are disposed transversely on the back surface  15  on either side or on both sides of the cross fold perforations  50 . 
   At stage  518 , the sheet  12  is folded along the cross fold perforations  26  to align the perforations  28 ,  32  and  36  and the deposits of cohesive  46 ,  48  and  50  of the back surface  15  disposed along the right side of the cross fold perforations  26  with the perforations  28 ,  32 ,  36  and the cohesive deposits  46 ,  48  and  50  of the back surface  15  disposed along the left side of the cross fold perforations  26 . 
   At stage  520 , the sheet  12  is folded, e.g., into a Z-fold, C-fold, eccentric C-fold, V-fold or double parallel-fold configuration, along the longitudinal fold lines  28  to align the tear-off perforations  32  and  36  and to align the deposits of cohesive  42  and  44  along the face surface  14  to form the folded assembly  10 . 
   At stage  522 , the folded assembly  10  is pressure-sealed by any method well known in the art for applying pressure to the assembly  10  to activate the cohesive deposits  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50  and to thereby bind or adhere the folded portions of the folded assembly  10  by pressure-sealing. 
   Other embodiments are within the scope and spirit of the claims. For example, the assembly  10  as shown and described in connection with  FIGS. 3 and 4  can include a single line of fold assist perforations  28  to intersect the cross fold perforations  26  and to segment the sheet  12  into four panels, e.g., A and B panels defined on the left side of the cross fold perforations  26  and C and D panels defined on the right side to form a C-fold or an eccentric C-fold configuration. The longitudinal and transverse deposits of pressure-activated cohesive  42  and  44  are disposed on the face sheet  14  such that the deposits  42  and  44  outline the C panel and the D panel. When the sheet  12  to be folded along the cross fold perforations  26  such that the halves of the back surface  15  mate and the lines of perforations  32  and  36  and the deposits of cohesive  46 ,  48  and  50  align, the fold assist perforations  28  can further fold portions of the face sheet  14  together in a manner of a C-fold or an eccentric C-fold configuration, aligning the lines of perforations  32  and  36  and the deposits of cohesive  42  and  44  to achieve a C-fold or eccentric C-fold assembly  10 . 
   Having thus described at least one aspect or embodiment of the invention, various alterations, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting.