CA2237152A1 - Two-way letter envelope assembly - Google Patents

Description

PROI=ILE
(Two-way Em~elopv Comblnsdon) The mailer has a unic method of closure for the out going portions as well as for the returning literture. It consists of a two fold flap instead of a convential 'one' fold flap. The 'one' fold current envelope has an adhesive that must be 'wetted' first before the flap will adhere to the envelope. Further, the convential envelope uses only one of two systems to afford a dosure for their envelopes. One, which must be 'wetted' or'lidced' and the most recent one, being that the user must first remove a paper strip from a double sided tape in order to adhere the envelope flap.
Wettable adhesives are susceptable to humidity which may cause the adhesive to activate when in storage, ruining whole blocks of envelopes) simply by welding together. This is a major problem in the production use of convential envelopes. Also a major problem for high speed equipment stuffing, such as utility users. This style of envelope manufacturing has changed very little since 1720. Production has incresed from about 501minute to about SOOlminute, with a waste factor usually exceeding 20°r6 after trimming.
Manufacturing of conventional envelopes also have recently started to employ the use of a double sided tape to ensure closure to their envelopes. Basically, this system has been quite well received, except for the waste paper and time required to peel of a protective strip of paper exposing the adhesive. This type of application is an added expense for manufacturers, both in time and application. The added time necessary in slitting, coating, applying plus the change in packaging a 'heavy' sided envelopes all add up to the customer paying a premium. This extra labour, in terms of time, help keep production to levels of 500/min or so. The added environment waste due to the need to remove a protective strip, is of great concern.

The new Two-Way mailer can be manufactured in-line, using materials for Gosure that DO NOT reauire anv 'wetting'. This increases manufacturing time 10 to 20 fold.
There is virtually no waste. The Two-Way envelope system, being in-line, may be printed on two sides in ~as many colours desired, all in ONE operation.
A brief description of the system is as follows: Firstly, the Gosure flap had a storage portion, as well a sealing portion on the envelope. A very fine coating aof pressure sensitive adhesive is applied just below the top edge of the flap, running the full width of the envelope.
Running parellel to the adhesive, which is approximately 1/4" wide is a perf line that is about 1/8"
below, also n~nning the width of the envelope. Running parellel 1/4" below the perf line is a fold and score line. Below the fold and score line is another pent line, running the full width of the envelope. Directly below the perf line is a coating of silicone or wax release coating, that is applied, which is wide enough to accommodate the pressure sensitive coating.
When you fold down the flap to the storage position, which will allow the pressure sensitive adhesive to lay on top of the silicone coating without sticking to the uncoated surfaces of the envelopes. Once the envelpe is ready for mailing, release the pressure sensitive adhesive from the silicone coating and use second fold score line to place adhesive on the 'uncoated'surtace of the envelope for a secure bonding on back face envelope.
Yet another aspect of the invention when using the Two-way mailer, is that the adhesives and coatings are placed is such a way as to secure the outgoing mailer and inhibit the return mailer adhesive from activating. This is achieved by back folding. The special co-hesive adhesive that will only activate when two coated surfaces make contact, as illustrated in attached drawings.

Yet another aspect of the invention, as shown in attached drawings, single envelopes that can be made into a book form. The envelopes are joined together at the bottom and perforated to be pulled apart at the center of the book. The book is bound together either by stapling, andlor a binding similar to being used in magazines.
Still yet another aspect of the invention is the increased speed of manufacture, from the cun-ent 500/min to 5J8000/min, using a 1/2 web and double the speed, using a full web. Each #10 envelope is about 9-1/4" x 4-1/4" and the half web manufactures 20001min with a two-up capability (double for fuN web). In one sweep, printing up to four colours, the laying down of all coatings, trimmed and packaged, alf in about 8 times faster that current methods. This system may be used for pouches,bags, forms prescriptions paper board boxes, corrugated boxes, plastic bags, all using our Tourtr & Seal" Gosure system. Include also, hanging signs for retail stores.
While there are many benefits, some of which are aforementioned, probably the most notable benefd to manufacturers and end users alike, is the hygienic factor of the Two-Way Combination envelope. There are no wettin ag_ rents necessary for closure, ABSOLUTELY NO
UCKIHG, commonly used by most home users. It is a known fad that current methods are prone to much bacteria. Consider a person 9icklrrg' to Dose an envelope, with that person suffering a contagious disease) such as hepatitis or HIV. Any unresolved blood or slyvia partical may be enough to contaminate the receiver of such an envelope) let alone any other germs that might be adherir~ to a 'lickable' envelope, now being used.
The Two-Way envelope Gosure flap system is the most known secure system. Its three coatings assure it, but more importantly, it is a "hygienic" closure system with major applications.

Two Way Letter-Envelope Assembly Field of the Invention This invention relates to re-usable envelopes for sending literature through a postal delivery system provided with a covering address portion adhered thereto, to portion form-able into envelopes, to method of forming such envelopes and envelopes formed therefrom.
Background to the Invention Envelopes containing letters and brochures bearing printed and other material and the like pass through postal delivery systems, either government or private courier, in vast numbers every day. Typically, such envelopes, pouches and the like are discarded after a single pass throuch a postal delivery system.
This discard of used envelopes constitutes a massive waste of paper) notwithstanding recycling processes currently in use.
Such wastage of paper results in the unnecessary demand on a natural resource, i.e. trees, which in certain parts of the world are becoming scarce. Thus, the continued use of non-recycled envelopes constitues and unnecessary threat to the environment and economic waste. Although recycled paper may be used to produce new envelopes, there is no significant reuse of the envelopes per se. There is thus a latent demand for the use of envelopes in conventional postal delivery systems which are not only recyclable, but also remailable in the hands of individuals, businesses and governments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an envelope assembly having a re-mailable and recyclable envelope. It is further object of the present invention to provide a convenient letter-envelope toreduce paper waste.
Thus, it is a yet further object of the invention to provide a sheet of paper having a multi-purpose function as either a combined Two-Way letter-envelope or for use, in whole or in part, with a re-mailable portion.
These and other advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent upon a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompaning drawings.
Thus, in one aspect the invention provides a Two-Way envelope comprising a sheet of flexible material of use in sealing an opened, re-usable envelope having an aperture through single portion for an opened envelope as hereinbefore defined.

- g _ TWM 501 which literature is enclosed within said envelope;said sheet having a front face with a front portion for bearing a delivery address a back face having a back portion for bearing an and/or literature foldable along a line to provide a first oppos-ing portion and a second opposing portion for operably re-calving said literature between said opposing portions to sub-stantially effect sealing of said aperture upon activation of said adhesives and chemicals.
The flexible material is selected from a plastics material and much more preferably, paper.
By the term "literature" is meant one or more sheets of papers con-taining printed and other matter, such as letters, brochures, graphic designs for greeting card assemblies, advertisiment materials and the like.
Preferably, the Two-way envelope Combination maybe pre-address-ed, self-adhesive coated rectangularly-shaped sheet of paper. The foldable sheet may be of any dimension of length, width and thick-ness suitable to partly embrace and substantially seal onto by means of a 'lift-up' flap of top portion of envelope at its aperture, typically at the top of an opened envelope through which further literature contents and new material may be inserted therein. The Two-way envelope com-bination of the inventioon may also bear an unused postage stamp, which information and artiGe may be added after the Two-way en-velope has been sealed.

_ 4 _ TWM501 In a further aspect the invention provides a pre-addressed, self-adhesive bearing, rectangulariy-shaped sheet of paper of use in sealing an opened, reuseable portion having an aperture through which literature is enclosed within said en-velope; said sheet having a front face, a back face having a portion bearing said self-adhesive, and foldable along a tine to provide said front face witha first front portion bearing the de-livery addressa and a second front portion and said back face with a first back portion and a second back portion; whereby said first back portion opposes said second back pdortion to define an envelope receiving opening.
The term "rectangularly-shaped" includes square-shaped.
In yet a further aspect the invention provides a reusable postal assembly for use in sending literature throuth a postal delivery system, comprising in combination, a Two-Way portion of the envelope enclosure therein of said literature, having a front en-velope face for bearing a first delivery address; a back envelope face; and an edge portion between said rant and back envelope 2p faces openable to produce an apertudre through which said liter ature can be transferred; and a sheet of paper as herein defined.
In addition to providing a remailabe portion to an envelope as herein described, an envelope, according to the invention, may further comprise one or more portions which are removable, one from another, preferably detachable, perforation being provided _ 5 - TWM501 by selected edges of the cover and lines of perforations may bear printed and other literature matter, such as advertisements ma-terial, or constitute coupons, tickets and the like, sent enclosed in the envelope to a first addressee by a first sender.
The Two-Way envelope and envelope assembly are of particular value to commercial businesses which currently pe~odically bill, typically monthly, customers and clients and enclose a second-ary "payment" envelope pre-addressed, for the convenient return of a remittance by customer. These secondary payment envelopes are provided to encourage customers into a faster payment re-turn than the customer may otherwise make but are a significant business expense. Thus) the present invention provides a more economical means of satisfying the commercial business needs of encouraging faster payment return by providing a much cheaper, simpler, environmentally and more 'hygienic' "touch 8~ seal" appli-ration, requiring NO'licking') making it a modre acceptable means of return. constituted by the Two-way Envelope Combination. The present invention assembly thus makes this secondary payment envelope redundant.
The sheet constituting the Two-Way Envelope Combination of the invention may further comprise a portion of sufficient area on its back face to constitute a writing surface upon which verbal con-tents of a letter may be written. Thus, the Two Way Envelope Combination sheet as hereinabove defined may be used as a with suitably located perforated portions. Such portions defined - & TWM501 Accordingly, in a further aspect the invention comprises a sheet of rectangulariy-shaped paper having a front face with a front portion for bearing a delivery address, a backface having a back portion for bearing a co-hesive self-adhesive, and being foldable, inwardly of said back face, along a first fold line to provide a first opposing portion and a second opposing portion, wherein said back face constitutes a writinbg surface upon which verbal con-tents of a letter may be written and having a first edge, a second edge parallel to said first edge; a third edge; a forth edge parallel to said third edge; a first peripheral portion adjacent asaid first edge having a coating of said co-hesive self-adhesive; a second peri-pheral podrtion adjacent said second edge having a coating of said self-adhesive; said sheet being foldable) inwarclly, of said back face along said first fold line to provide a first fold and said first and said second opposing portions and along a second fold line to pro-vide a second fold parallel to said first fold, whereby folding of said sheet, inwardly, along said first fold line and said second fold line effects closure of said sheet to form an envelope outwardly said first portion of said first face.

Thus, the invention provides a sheet of paper as defined which is adapted and capable to form an envelope bear-ing written contents of a letter.
In an altemaative embodiment the invention provides a sheet) foldable along a plurality of lines parallel to the first and second fold lines, to constitute a multi-folded envelope.
Preferably, a three or four folded sheet of suitable dimensions provides convenient letter envelopes for passage through a postal delivery system.
The sheet preferably has portions on its back face provided with a coating of a self-adhesive, most preferably along the periphery of a lest two parallel edges, typically) both side edges of the sheet anbd, more preferably, along the top edge. The glue lines may extend only partially the length of the sides of the sheet, for example, 2I3 of the page length. However,this is not strongly recommended because of the tendency of the sheet to create "fold up", which may cause possible delays in postal service. No wetting of the self-adhesive of the sheet back face bearing a written message and folding the letter) inwardly, as hereinbefore defined enables the envelope to be formed and sealed while having the front face portion available for the de-livery address to be actually displayed.

s The Two-Way Combination is totally 'touch & seal' NO wetting required. In one embodiment,the delivery address may be pre-printed on the sheet.
More preferably, the sheets according to the invention have ident ification means, such as printed matter, scoring marks, indented edge portions or the like for identifying the suitable fold lines along which the sheet should be folded.
The sheet may be provided with suitably arranged rows of per forations extending the length of the sheet adjacent each of the side edges, whereby, upon receipt by a recipient the sealed en-velope may be areadily opened at its sides by the tearing of the envelope along the pertorations without mutilation of the written contents. Advantageously, the sheet has a pair of parallel lines of perforations adjacent the horizontal, top edge, one line of per-(orations disposed one on either side of the equidistant from the first fold line, extending the width of the sheet. This is to enable the sealed envelope to be opened the sidth of the envelope by tearing through the perforations, once the envelope has been fold-ed and sealed according to the invention. Alternatively) only a single line of top perforations are provided adjacent the self-ad-hesive coated periphery.
In a further aspect the invention provides a method of making a sealed letter-envelope from a sheet of rectangulariy-shaped paper having a front face with a front portion for bearing a delivery add-_11_ TWM501 delivery address. The Two-way combination envelope may be used for copying, laser printers, inkjet printers) and/or all like systems. It may be used as a One-Way and/or Two-way delivery system.
The sheets of the invention may be provided to end-user customer as a detachable insert in a periodical, magazine or the like, option-ally pre-addressed and bearing a postage stamp.
The sheets according to the invention in a further embodiment may be of sufficient thickness that when partially folded constitutes a typical greeting card such as to commenorate an anniversary, birth-day, wedding or get-well greeting and the like. Thus, the greeting card according to the invention may either have a pre-printed message thereon, or provide the user the opportunity to customize his or her own greeting. Opening of the sealed greeting cardlsheet by recipient and suitable configuration of the partially opened card allows display of the greeting. The Two-way envelope combination system may be made into a pad form for retail sales. The Gient has option of using a One-Way or Two-way by tearing at perforated lines.

FIG 1 Exploded view FIG 2 Isometric exploded vies of the 2-Way Mailer FIG 3 A further isometric view in exploded form FIG 4 Represents diagramitive viewing of sheets of single portion of 2-Way mailer which tb FIG 8 represents one envelope emtxxfiment FIG 9 Shows folding embodiment - flat open view;
FIG 10 Folded for pre-use;
FIG 11 Folded and sealed ready for mail) showing front face;
FIG 12 Showing diagramitic view of 2-Way envelope;
FIG 13 Showing 2-Way envelope FIG 14 Shows 2-Way mailer folded and not sealed;
FIG 15 Shows 2-Way sealed ready for mailing;
FIG 18 Shows return portion of 2-Way mailer, FIG 17 Shows return portion dready for folding;
FIG 18 Shows excess perterations being tom away as shown in Fig 1;
FIG 19 Shows 2-Way envelope folded but not sealed;
FIG 20 Shows 2-Way envelope sealed;
FIG 21 Shows 2-Way envelope front face sealed ready for mailing;
FIG 22 Shows perspective view of padded version of 2-Way envelopes;
FIG 23 Shows single portion of 2-Way mailer printed and not sealed;
FIG 24 Shows fron face) folded and ready for mailing FIG 6 DIAGRAMITIC VIEW: 33 mailing address; 42 stamp; 39 return address; 38 staple;
44 perferation line; 31 shows foldline; 16 co-hesive for return mail; 32 shows seating flap; 15 outgoing adhesive;
FIG 7 DIAGRAMATIC VIEW of single portion envelope; 20 release coating; 27 adhesive coating; 27 adhesive coating; 34 perteration line; 35 perteration line; 28 foidline;
29 second foldline;

Description of Preferred Embodiments FIG: 1 Generally as number 10 in and exploded view of a 2-War letter/envelope;
1 Z shows tear away portion for remailing; 32 shows sealing flap in closed positon for remail-ing; 18 shows area for return printed information; 14 shows front face mailing in-formation; 15 show co-hesive adhesive for out going mail; 18 shows co-hesive ad-hesive for return mail; 17 shows perforations separating return mailer, 19 shows back face of tom away portion of 20; 20 shows silicone or wax release coating;
FIG 2: 21 shows perteration tear away for return portion; 20 release coating;
12 shows tear way portion for re-mailing; 22 drybond co-hesive adhesive for return mailer, 15 shows co-hesive adhesive for out going mail; 23 generally sealed 2-Way envelope;
24 back potion ofout going mailer; 25 to seal onto 24 back portion; 20 showing silicone release; 26 envelope sealed;
FIG 3: 27 adhesive coating; 20 show release coating; 28 shows foldline; 29 second fold-line; 24 back face portion for 27 to adhere too; 30 shows contents; 31 shows fold-line; 32 shows sealing flap; 18 shows oo-hesive for return mail; 33 mailing adddress;
34 perteration line; 35 parallel perteration line to 34, when folded;
FIG 4: 34 8 35 folds onto 28; 29 second foldline; 21 shows tear away portion for re-mailing;
15 show co-hesive for out-going mail; 16 show co-hesive for return mail; 32 shows sealing flap; 20 shows release silicone; 38 outgoing mail printed literature;
37 print-ed literature for return mail; 40 foldline;
FIG 5: Shows pad of 2-Way envelopes; 38 staples to hold pad together, 44 perterations to separate for single usage; 43 perteration to separate; 34 perteration line; 15 show adhesive for outgoing mail; 36 printed literature; 41 generally sealed single envelope;
33 mailing address;

Claims (20)

1. A two-way envelope combination comprising a sheet of flexible material of use in sealing an opened, re-usable envelope having an aperture through which literature is enclosed within said envelope; said sheet having a front face with a front portion for bearing a delivery address, a back portion for bearing a self-adhesive, and being foldable inwardly of said back face along a line to provide a first opposing portion and a second opposing portion for operably receiving said envelope between said opposing portions to substantially effect sealing of said aperture.

2. A cover as claimed in claim 1 wherein said back portion has a coating of said adhesive extending substantially adjacent the periphery of said back face.

3. A cover as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a non-address information portion bearing non-address information.

4. A sheet as claimed in claim 3 wherein said non-address information portion is manually removable from said sheet.

5. A sheet as claimed in claim 4 having perforations so aligned throughout said sheet that the manual disruption of said perforation effects detachment of said non-address information portion from said sheet.

6. A sheet as claimed in claim 1 formed of paper.

7. A sheet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first opposing portion and said second opposing portion are of dissimilar size.

8. A pre-addressed, self-adhesive rectangularty-shaped sheet of paper for use in sealing an opened, re-usable envelope having an aperture through which literature is enclosed within said envelope; said sheet having a front face a back face having a portion bearing said self adhesive, and having a fold line along a line to provide said front face with a first front portion bearing a delivery address and a second front portion; and said back face with a faced back portion and a second back portion; whereby said face back portion to define an envelope receiving opening.

9. A sheet of paper as defined in claim 8 wherein said portion bearing said self-adhesive extends substantially adjacent the periphery of said backface.

10. A sheet of paper as defined in claim 8 wherein said portion bearing said self-adhesive extends substantially the periphery of said second back portion and a longitudinal portion of said first back portion adjacent, and parallel to, but remote from said fold.

11. A sheet of paper as defined in claim 10 further comprising a line of perforations within said first back portion, adjacent and parallel to said longitudinal portion of said self-adhesive on the side remote from said fold.

12. A Two-way envelope comprising a sheet of flexible material having a first face upon which verbal contents of a letter may be written and having a first edge;
a second dege parallel to said first edge;
a thins edge;

a fourth edge parallel to said third edge;
a first peripheral portion adjacent said first edge having a coating of adhesive;

a second peripheral portion adjacent said second edge having a coating of said self-adhesive;
said sheet having foldable, inwardly of said first face along said lin to provide a first fold line to provide a first opposing portion and along a second line to provide a second fold line parallel to said first fold line, whereby folding of said sheet, inwardly, along said first fold line and said send fold line effects closure of said sheet to form a sealable envelope.

13. A two-way envelope combination as claimed in claim 12 wherein said sheet is foldable, inwardly, of said first face along a third line to provide a fold line parallel to said second and said first fold line whereby folding of said sheet, inwardly, of said first, second and third fold lines effects closure of said sheet to form a sealable envelope.

14. A two-way envelope as claimed in claim 12 wherein said third edge and said first fold line define said first opposing portion and wherein said first opposing portion has a third peripheral portion adjacent said third edge having a coating of said self-adhesive.

15. A two-way envelope as claimed in claim 14 wherein said sheet have a roll of perforations extending the length of said sheet adjacent said first edge and said second edge.

16. A two-way envelope as claimed in claim 15 having a double parallel row of perforations extending the width of said street said rows disposal one on either s side of and equidistant from said line.

17. A two-way envelope as claimed in claim 12 wherein said first face has a second portion which bears a delivery address.

18 A two-way envelope with a re-usable portion for use in sending literature through a postal delivery system, comprising in combination:
a re-usable envelope for the enclosure therein of said literature, having a front envelope face for bearing a first delivery address; a back envelope face; and an edge portion between said front and back envelope faces operable to produce an aperture through which said literataure can be transferred; and a sheet of paper as claimed in claim 8.

19 A two-way envelope comprised of a sheet of paper with a co-hesive adhesive along the sides; a pressure sensitive adhesive along the top; a perf line parellel to pressure sensitive adhesive; a fold line parallel to first perf line and between second perf line; followed by release coating of silicone; second fold line parellel to top of release coating.

20. Said claim as is outlined in claim 19 sets out 'touch & seal' dry bond closure system for all size enclosure like envelopes, pouches, bags, plastic enclosures, retail advertising signs, poly bags, card board, direct mail pieces, magazine advertising and return pieces.