EP0129950B1

EP0129950B1 - Continuous business assembly of combined mailers and top-opening return envelopes

Info

Publication number: EP0129950B1
Application number: EP84301849A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Randy Dale Simmons
Original assignee: Moore Business Forms Inc
Current assignee: Moore Business Forms Inc
Priority date: 1983-06-27
Filing date: 1984-03-19
Publication date: 1989-02-22
Also published as: NO164288B; FI78419C; AU2325384A; CA1233438A; ATE40863T1; NZ207005A; DE3476790D1; FI842540A0; BR8400200A; EP0129950A2; FI842540A; GR81824B; PT78351B; DK88584A; EP0129950A3; DK88584D0; IE54870B1; JPH0312552Y2; JPS6034472U; PT78351A

Abstract

A continuous business form assembly including combined mailers and return envelopes is compatible with automatic, non-adjustable slitters.

Description

Background of the invention

Field of the invention

This invention relates to continuous business form assemblies, and more particularly to such assemblies including combined mailers and return envelopes.

Background of the invention

Users of continuous business form assemblies including combined mailers and return envelopes send large quantities of such mailers and expect to receive large quantities of responses. As a result, preparation and handling of both the mailers and returned envelopes are automated processes. Return envelopes are opened, where possible, by automatic, generally non-adjustable slitters and this poses certain problems.
U.S. Patent Specification No. 4,055,294 (John Traise) discloses a combined mailer and return envelope assembly. Mailers of this assembly are created by plow folding a single web into overlapping thirds. The assembly includes a pair of webs secured together with longitudinal lines of perforations and transverse lines of perforations to define the parts of the assembly. The return envelopes of the assembly are side opening. While such assemblies are useful, the return envelopes are not compatible with automatic, non-adjustable slitters.
U.S. Patent No. 3981435 forming the base of the preamble of claim 1 discloses a continuous business form for processing with a return envelope including a side opening return envelope and the assembly includes a fold line about which the assembly is folded and cross perforation lines for dividing the form into envelope lengths and perforation lines defining marginal tear off perforations.
U.S. Patent No. 3182894 describes a combined business form and envelope comprising a pair of sheets connected together by adhesive with tear off perforations. The form includes an end detachable portion to enable a recipient to detach this portion and place it in a pocket formed between the connected together parts.
French Specification No. 2383842 describes a continuous envelope assembly comprising sheets to constitute an envelope with intermediate sheets including a return envelope.
U.S. Specification No. 4148430 describes a business form including a mailing envelope, a customer statement and a return envelope. The outer sheet of the assembly includes a centre fold line with longitudinal and cross lines of perforations to define the envelope parts.
It is a object of the invention to overcome the incompatibility with automatic, non-adjustable slitters, of the return envelopes of continuous business form assemblies including combined mailers and return envelopes.
In particular it is a further object of the present to provide an assembly of combined mailers and return envelopes which enable the mailers to be prepared and transmitted, the feed and tear strips removed, the message panels and envelopes returned and the return envelopes slit in automatic slitters.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention a continuous business form assembly providing combined mailers and top-opening return envelopes, comprises a first web being continuous in longitudinal direction and having opposed longitudinally extending continuous first and second margins, a transverse first web width in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction between the margins, a central longitudinally extending continuous fold line, a first longitudinally extending, continuous marginal feed strip along the first margin including a longitudinally extending, continuous first series of pin feed holes adjacent the first margin and a longitudinally extending, continuous first marginal line of perforations adjacent the first series of pin feed holes, a second longitudinally extending, continuous marginal feed strip along the second margin including a longitudinally extending, continuous second series of pin feed holes adjacent the second margin and a longitudinally extending, continuous second marginal line of perforations adjacent the second series of pin feed holes, a continuous series of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending form-length defining, third lines of perforations a continuous series of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending, strip defining pairs of fourth lines of perforations a continuous series of separable business form sheets with each sheet being defined between two adjacent lines of form-defining third lines of perforations and each sheet including opposed, first tear strips defined between the first and second lines of perforations and between the third and fourth lines of perforations a message panel defined between the opposed tear strips and between the first line of perforations and the central fold line a first envelope panel defined between the second and fourth lines of perforations and the central fold line a second web being continuous in the longitudinal direction, and having a transverse second web width not greater than the transverse distance between the central fold line and the second marginal feed strip, and the second web being superimposed over the first web between the central fold line and the second marginal feed strip and the second web having a longitudinally extending, continuous margin adjacent the central fold line, perforation lines overlying portions of the second, third and fourth perforation lines of the first envelope panel to define said envelope panels and tear strips overlying tear strips respectively, of the first web adhesive means for adhering the message panels of the forms to the second web while the first web is folded about the central fold line for forming mailers including the return envelopes characterised in that there is provided on the envelope panel in the first web a continuous envelope flap defined by a fifth line of perforations spaced transversely of the longitudinally extending feed strips and spaced longitudinally of the form defining third lines of perforations and defined by the central fold line and one of the tear strips in each form length of the first web and in that there are provided lines of perforations flap portions in each form length of the second web to define flap portions overlying the flap portions in the first web to define a top opening return envelope flap of the mailers and additional adhesive means is provided for adhering the second web to the first web for forming sealable top opening return envelopes of the first and second envelope panels, whereby the mailers may be prepared and transmitted, the feed tear strips removed, the message panels and envelopes separated, the return envelopes sealed and returned, and the return envelopes slit in automatic slitters.
Advantages and aspects of the invention are provided in the detailed description, which follows.

Brief description of the drawing

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in relation to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a cross-section view of the preferred embodiment, taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, with a web of the assembly of Fig. 1 cut away to show detail;
Fig. 4 is a front plan view of a single form of the preferred embodiment, as completed for initial transmittal;
Fig. 5 is a back, plan view of the single form of Fig. 4 and
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the form of Figs. 4 and 5, after having been initially received, opened, and the parts separated for use.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

Referring to Fig. 1, the preferred embodiment of the invention is a continuous business form assembly 10 comprising a first web 12 and a second web 112. The webs are adapted, as will be described, to form mailers, such as mailer 202 in Figs. 4 and 5, which include panels and top-opening return envelopes, such as message panels 14, 16 and return envelope 204 in Fig. 6.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the webs 12, 112 are continuous in both directions along a longitudinal axis 300. The first web 12 has a transverse width in a direction perpendicular to the axis 300 between two opposed, longitudinally extending, continuous margins or edges 18, 20. A longitudinally extending, continuous central fold line 22, which may be a line of perforations as shown, lies equidistant between the margins 18, 20 and provides for plow folding of the assembly 10 such that margin 18 overlies margin 20, as in Figs. 4 and 5. The second web 112 overlies the portion of the first web 12 between the central fold line 22 and the second margin 20.
Adjacent the first margin 18, a longitudinally extending, continuous first feed strip 24 includes a first series of pin feed holes 26 and a first marginal line of perforations 28. The margin 18 and perforations 28 define the feed strip 24. All of the feed strip 24, holes 26, and perforations 28 are longitudinally extending and continuous.
Referring to Fig. 3, adjacent the second margin 20 a longitudinally extending, continuous second feed strip 34 includes a second series of pin feed holes 36 and a second marginal line of perforations 38. The margin 20 and perforations 38 define the feed strip 34. All of the feed strip 34, holes 36 and perforations 38 are longitudinally extending and continuous. The feed strips 24, 34 are equal in transverse width although they need not be.
A continuous series of third perforation lines 40 define form sheets, such as business form sheet 42, on the first web 12. The perforation lines 40 are longitudinally spaced from each other, and extend transversely substantially completely between the margins 18, 20. Thus, each form sheet 42 is defined between the margins 18, 20 and between two adjacent perforation lines 40. Also, each form sheet 42 includes portions of the feed strips 24, 34.
Each form sheet 42 further includes message panels 14, 16, a return envelope panel 44, tear strips 46, 48, and an envelope flap portion 50. The perforation lines 28, 38, 40 the fold line 22 and further perforation lines to be described define the panels 14, 16, 44 tear strips 46, 48 and flap portion 50.
Pairs of fourth lines of perforations 52, 54 cross the form sheets 42. The lines 52, 54 extend transversely from the first marginal perforation line 28 to the second marginal perforation line 38. The lines 52, 54 are paired in that a line 52 is adjacent each form-defining line 40, with a line 52 equidistant and on the opposite side of each line 40. The perforation lines 52, with the marginal perforation lines 28, 38 and the form-defining lines 40 define the tear strips 46. The perforation lines 54, with the lines 28, 38, 40 define the tear strips 48.
A fifth line of perforations 56 partially cross each form sheet 42. Each line 56 extends transversely from the center fold line 22 to the second marginal perforation line 38. Each line 56 is adjacent a line 54, and with the lines 22, 38, 54 defines a flap portion 50. Each envelope panel 44 is defined between a flap portion 50 and a tear strip 48 and between a panel 16 and the feed strip 34. The envelope panel 44 is thus defined between the lines 22, 38, 52, 56.
A sixth line of perforations 58 extends longitudinally between the first marginal line of perforations 28 and the center fold line 22. The sixth line 58 separates the message panels 14, 16. With the lines 22, 28, 52, 54 the line 58 defines the panels 14, 16.
The first web 12 is now described. Referring to Fig. 1, the second web 112 has a transverse width between two margins 114,116 about equal to the transverse distance between the center fold line 22 and the second margin 20 of the first web. Adjacent the second margin 116 of the second web, a single longitudinally extending feed strip 118 includes a series of pin feed holes 120 and a marginal of perforations 122. The strip 118 overlies the feed strip 34 of the first web 12; the holes 120 match the holes 36; the margin 116 matches the margin 20; and the perforations 122 match the perforations 38. The margin 114 is adjacent the center fold line 22.
Transverse perforation lines 140, 152, 154 and 156 cross the web 112. The lines 140,152,154 and 156 match the lines 40, 52, 54 and 56, respectively. The lines 114, 116, 140, 152, 154 and 156 define a form sheet 144, tear strips 146, 148, a flap portion 150 and an envelope panel 144 which match the form sheet 42, tear strips 46, 48, flap portion 50 and envelope panel 44 respectively.
Adhesive secures the second web 112 to the first web 12. As shown in Fig. 3 a rectangular adhesive border 210 includes two spaced longitudinally extending segments 212, 214 joined by two spaced, transversely extending segments 216, 218. The segment 216 is a tear strip adhesive segment in that it is located on the tear strip 46. The segment 218 is a tear strip and envelope bottom forming segment. The segment 218 is located in part on the tear strip 48, across the perforation line 52, and along a bottom portion of the envelope panel 44. The segments 212, 214 are envelope side forming segments, extending along the lines 22, 38 within the panel 44 and portion 50. Thus, when the web 112 is applied to the web 12, the envelope panels 44, 144 are adhered to each other and closed on all four sides.
Adhesive also secured the message panels 14, 16 and other portions of the web 12 between the lines 18, 22 to the web 112, when the web 12 is folded, as in Figs. 4 and 5. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a three-sided adhesive border 220, one for each form, includes a longitudinal segment 222 joined by two transverse segments 224, 226. The segments 222, 224 and 226 are all mailer-forming segments. The segment 222 is located on the marginal strip 24, and the segments 224, 226 are within the tear strips 46, 48. Thus, when the web 12 is folded and adhered to the web 112, the border 220 and the fold line 22 form closed mailers of the webs 12, 112.
As should now be apparent, before folding of the form 12, the message panels 14,16 of the web 12 are printed. Addresses are printed on the web 112, to match with die cut windows on the panels 16. Mailers are then formed and transmitted. Upon receipt, the mailers are opened by removal of the tear strips and marginal strips. Such removal opens the envelopes 204 along the flap portions 50, 150. The message panels 14, 16 are then separated from the envelopes 204. The message panel 14 is returned in the envelope 204 by removal of either flap portions 50, 150 and folding of the other flap portion as an envelope flap. As most preferred one flap portion has a rewettable adhesive and the other an adhesive resistant coating.
The preferred embodiment is now described. To particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as invention, the following claims conclude this specification.

Claims

1. A continuous business form assembly providing combined mailers and top-opening return envelopes (202) and comprising:

a first web (12) being continuous in a longitudinal direction and having opposed longitudinally extending continuous first and second margins (18, 20), a transverse first web width in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction between the margins (18, 20), a central longitudinally extending continuous fold line (22), a first longitudinally extending, continuous marginal feed strip (24) along the first margin (18) including a longitudinally extending, continuous first series of pin feed holes (26) adjacent the first margin (18) and a longitudinally extending, continuous first marginal line of perforations (28) adjacent the first series of pin feed holes (26), a second longitudinally extending, continuous marginal feed strip (34) along the second margin (20) including a longitudinally extending, continuous second series of pin feed holes (36) adjacent the second margin (20) and a longitudinally extending, continuous second marginal line of perforations (38) adjacent the second series of pin feed holes (36), a continuous series of longitudinally spaced transversely extending form-length defining, third lines of perforations (40), a continuous series of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending, strip defining pairs (52, 54) of fourth lines of perforations a continuous series of separable business form sheets (42), with each sheet being defined between two adjacent lines of form-defining third lines (40) of perforations and each sheet including opposed, first tear strips defined between the first and second lines of perforations (28, 38) and between the third and fourth lines of perforations (52), a message panel (14, 16) defined between the opposed tear strips and between the first line of perforations (28) and the central fold line (22), a first envelope panel (44) defined between the second 38 and fourth (52) lines of perforations and the central fold line (22), a second web (112) being continuous in the longitudinal direction, and having a transverse second web width not greater than the transverse distance between the central fold line (22) and the second marginal feed strip (34), and the second web (112) being superimposed over the first web (12) between the central fold line (22) and the second marginal feed strip (34), and the second web (112) having a longitudinally extending, continuous margin (114) adjacent the central fold line (22), perforation lines (122, 140, and 152), overlying portions of the second (38), third (40) and fourth (52) perforation lines of the first envelope panel (44) to define second envelope panels (144) and tear strips (146, 148) overlying tear strips (46, 48) respective, of the first web adhesive means (220) for adhering the message panels (14, 16) of the forms to the second web (112) while the first web (12) is folded about the central fold line (22) for forming mailers including the return envelopes:

characterised in that there is provided on the envelope panel (44) in the first web (12) a continuous envelope flap (50) defined by a fifth line of perforations (54) spaced transversely of the longitudinally extending feed strips (34) and spaced longitudinally of the form defining third lines of perforations (40) and defined by the central fold line (22) and one of the tear strips in each form length of the first web and in that there are provided lines of perforations flap portions (150) in each form length of the second web (112) to define flap portions (150) overlying the flap portions (50) in the first web (12) to define a top opening return envelope flap of the mailers and additional adhesive means is provided for adhering the second web (112) to the first web (12) for forming sealable top opening return envelopes of the first and second envelope panels.

2. A continuous business form assembly according to claim 1 characterised in that one of the flap portions (50, 150) has rewettable adhesive and the other an adhesive resistant coating.