GB1565168A

GB1565168A - Continuous business forms envelope assemblies

Info

Publication number: GB1565168A
Application number: GB12548/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Uarco Inc
Current assignee: Uarco Inc
Priority date: 1977-06-10
Filing date: 1978-03-30
Publication date: 1980-04-16
Also published as: DK186578A; FR2393734B3; CA1071157A; NO782004L; DE2758363A1; IT7848827A0; JPS546624A; IT1102688B; SE7804061L; NL7803435A; AU3405478A; BE867983A; FR2393734A1

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CONTINUOUS BUSINESS FORMS ENVELOPE ASSEMBLIES (71) We, UARCO INCORPORATED, a corporation organised and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America of West County Line Road, Barrington, Illinois, United States of America do hereby declare this invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to continuous envelope assemblies and, more particularly, to such assemblies wherein return envelopes are included.

Continuous business forms envelope assemblies which are sealed and prestuffed or otherwise provided with insert material have become increasingly popular due to their ability to be handled in a mechanised fashion with a minimum of manual labour.

Many envelope constructions contain a return envelope so that the recipient of the original mailer may use the same, e.g., to return payment for an invoice.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved continuous envelope assembly wherein the envelopes include return envelopes which are easily utilised.

According to the present invention there is provided a continuous envelope assembly comprising, a plurality of at least three superimposed, elongated plies of paper, individual envelopes in the assembly being delimited by transverse lines of weakening extending across the assembly, a control margin pierced by uniformal spaced holes on at least one longitudinal edge of the assembly, a first of said plies defining the fronts of mailing envelopes, a second of said plies defining the backs of mailing envelopes and one of the fronts and backs of return envelopes, a third of said plies being interposed between said first and second plies and defining the other of the fronts and backs of return envelopes; said plies, for each individual envelope in the assembly further being constructed as follows: said second ply having an adhesive bearing portion facing said third ply and extending along a marginal edge to define a flap for the return envelope, said third ply having a section aligned with said adhesive bearing portion and generally covering the same, said section being partly separated from the remainder of said third ply by a line of cuts, glue lines securing said third ply remainder to said second ply to define a pocket of the return envelope, non-releasable glue securing said third ply section to said first ply, releasable glue lines securing said first ply to said third ply remainder, and means releasably securing said third ply section to said flap, whereby each said return envelope is made ready for use by peeling said first ply from said third ply with said third ply section remaining secured to said first ply to expose said adhesive bearing flap portion.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adhesive bearing portion is adjacent to one of the transverse lines of weakening and the line of cuts extends transversely of the assembly so that a so-called top opening envelope is defined.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided at least one aperture in the third ply section and releasable glue means secure the first ply to the flap through the aperture.

In a highly preferred embodiment, a single glue line of nonreleasable glue is interposed between the third ply section and the first ply and extends across the aperture thereby releasably securing the third ply section to the flap and essentially permanently securing the third ply section to the first ply.

Preferred features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a zig-zag folded continuous envelope assembly made according to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a single envelope in the assembly; Figure 3 is an schematic view of an individual envelope from the bottom thereof; Figure 4 is a schematic view similar to Figure 3, but taken from the right side of the envelope; and Figure 5 is a schematic similar to Figure 4, but of a modified embodiment of the invention.

An exemplary embodiment of a continuous envelope assembly is illustrated in Figure 1 in the form of a zig-zag folded stack 10. According to the invention, the assembly is formed of a plurality of at least three superimposed elongated plies of paper, only the top and bottom plies 12 and 14 being shown in Figure 1, the remaining ply or plies being covered by the plies 12 and 14.

Individual envelopes in the assembly are generally designated 16 and are separated from each other by transverse lines of weakening 17 extending across the forms. In the embodiment illustrated, conventional control margins 18 provided with uniformly spaced punched holes are provided on both longitudinal edges of the assembly and spaced inwardly from one of the margins 18 is a line of perforation 20 which extends the length of the assembly and defines a tear strip, as will be seen.

Turning now to Figures 2-4, a single envelope within the assembly will be described, it being understood that all envelopes are identical. In the embodiment illustrated, two intermediate plies 26 and 28 are interposed between the front and back plies 12 and 14. The front ply 12 defines the front of the original mailer, while the ply 14 defines the back of the original mailer. In addition, as will be seen, it forms either the front or the back of a return mailer. The other of the front or back of the return mailer is defined by the ply 26, while the ply 28 defines insert material.

Those parts of the plies 12, 14 and 26 forming an individual envelope may be identical in size or, if desired, one of the control margins 18 may be removed from the ply 26.

The ply 14, adjacent the upper line of weakening 17 and between the tear strip line 20 and the right-hand control margin 18 has an adhesive bearing portion 30. Typically the adhesive will be remoistenable and it is to be noted that the same faces the ply 26.

The adhesive applied to portion 30 of ply 14 extends to a line 32, which may or may not be present as a mark on in the actual envelope, such that the adhesive bearing portion 30 defines a flap for the return envelope with the line 32 designating the location whereat the flap is folded over to seal the return envelope.

The upper section of the intermediate ply 26 is designated 34 and is aligned with the adhesive bearing portion 30. The section 34 is separated from the remainder of the intermediate ply 26 by elongated slits 36 which extend transversely across the form.

The slits 36 are separated by small tongues 38 in the paper which serve as easily rupturable means whereby, with an absolute minimum of force, the section 34 will separate from the remainder of the ply 26.

The section 34 includes a plurality of apertures 40 which normally will have a diameter in the range of 1/8 to 1/4 inch for purposes to be seen.

The insert ply 28 is die cut. Preferably, the upper edge 42 is die cut so as to be at or about the same location as the slits 36. The right-hand edge 44 is die cut so as to be positioned inwardly of the control margin 18 by a distance typically of the order of 1/2 inch. The lower margin 46 is die cut so as to be positioned above the lower line of weakening 17 by a distance also of the order of 1/2 inch, so that, in the final envelope assembly, the insert ply 28 will be free from the outer envelope on three marginal edges.

A U-shaped glue line 48, preferably formed of non-releasable glue (designated by solid X's in Figures 3 and 4), secures all parts of the plies 14 and 26 other than the adhesive bearing portion 30 and the section 34 together to define a pocket for the return envelope. As seen in Figures 3 and 4, the glue line 48 is disposed just inwardly of the control punch margin 18 on the right-hand side of the assembly, just inwardly of the tear strip 20 on the left-hand side of the assembly, and just upwardly from the lowermost line of weakening 17 at the bottom of the assembly.

The front ply 12 is secured to the ply 26 at its top margin by a glue line 50 of nonreleasable glue. On its right-hand and lower margins, a glue line 52 of releasable glue is utilized. Glue lines 54 of nonreleasable glue interconnect all plies in the tear strip area between the line of weakening 20 and the control punch margin 18 on the left-hand side of the assembly.

Finally, releasable glue, such as spots 56, extend through the apertures 40 from the front ply 12 to the flap portion 30 of the back ply 14. As a consequence, the front ply 12 is releasably secured to the remainder of the assembly and may be peeled therefrom.

By reason of the glue line 50 securing the section 34 to the front ply and the releasable glue spots 56 in turn securing the front ply to the rear ply 14, it will be appreciated that the section 34 is releasably secured to the adhesive bearing portion or flap 30 and nonreleasably secured to the front ply. As a consequence, when the envelope is opened by peeling, after removal of the tear strip along the line 20, the section 34 will remain with the front of the envelope 12 which may be discarded and at the same time expose the flap 30.

An alternate construction is illustrated in Figure 5 and differs only in one respect from that previously described. In lieu of the nonreleasable glue line 50 and the releasable glue spots 56, a single line 60 formed of nonreleasable glue extends transversely across the section 34 and is aligned with the apertures 40. As a consequence, those portions of the glue line 60 not on the apertures 40, will nonreleasably secure the section 34 to the front 12 of the envelope.

Those portions of the glue line 60 apertures 40, will pass therebetween to glue the front 12 to the back 14. Even though nonreleasable glue is used in forming the line 60. the resulting structure defines a releasable glue means whereby the section 34 is releasably secured to the adhesive bearing portion 30.

This is due to the fact that the relatively small dimension of the apertures 40 allows only a limited amount of the nonreleasable glue to secure the front 12 to the back 14 and the amount is sufficientlv small so that the resulting bond is easily ruptured to release the front 12 and the section 34 from the adhesive bearing portion 30 when the envelope is opened by peeling.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a continuous envelope assembly made according to the invention minimizes the number of plies required to form the envelope assembly in that part of the return envelope also serves as part of the original mailer. At the same time, the construction involving the section 34, which is left in place during manufacturing to avoid the need for an additional operation to remove it, provides a measure of protection for the adhesive bearing portion 30 and yet, when the envelope is opened, is automatically removed from the return envelope to preclude the need for its removal by the recipient.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A continuous envelope assembly comprising, a plurality of at least three superimposed, elongated plies of paper, individual envelopes in the assembly being delimited by transverse lines of weakening extending across the assembly, a contlol margin pierced by uniformal spaced holes on at least one longitudinal edge of the assembly, a first of said plies defining the fronts of mailing envelopes, a second of said plies defining the backs of mailing envelopes and one of the fronts and backs of return envelopes, a third of said plies being interposed between said first and second plies and defining the other of the fronts and backs of return envelopes' said plies, for each individual envelope in the assembly further being constructed as follows: said second ply having an adhesive bearing portion facing said third ply and extending along a marginal edge to define a flap for the return envelope, said third ply having a section aligned with said aehesive bearing portion and generally covering the same, said section being partly separated from the remainder of said third ply by a line of cuts, glue lines securing said third ply remainder to said second ply to define a pocket of the return envelope, non-releasable glue securing said third ply section to said first ply, releasable glue lines securing said first ply to said third ply remainder and means releasably securing said third ply section to said flap, whereby each said return envelope is made ready for use by peeling said first ply from said third ply with said third ply section remaining secured to said first ply to expose said adhesive bearing flap portion.

2. A continuous envelope assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means releasably securing the third ply section to said flap comprises a releasable adhesive located between the third ply section and the first ply which adhesive releasably connects the first ply and the third ply section secured thereto with said flap through at least one aperture provided in the third ply section.

3. A continuous envelope assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said non releasable glue securing the third ply section to said first ply comprises a glue line extending across at least one aperture provided in the third ply section, the part or parts of said glue line extending across at least one aperture in the third ply section providing the means releasably securing the third ply section to said flap.

4. A continuous envelope assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the second ply adhesive bearing portion facing said third ply extends along a marginal edge adjacent one of said transverse lines.

5. A continuous envelope assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein said easily rupturable means extend transversely of said assembly.

6. A continuous envelope assembly substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. nonreleasably secured to the front ply. As a consequence, when the envelope is opened by peeling, after removal of the tear strip along the line 20, the section 34 will remain with the front of the envelope 12 which may be discarded and at the same time expose the flap 30. An alternate construction is illustrated in Figure 5 and differs only in one respect from that previously described. In lieu of the nonreleasable glue line 50 and the releasable glue spots 56, a single line 60 formed of nonreleasable glue extends transversely across the section 34 and is aligned with the apertures 40. As a consequence, those portions of the glue line 60 not on the apertures 40, will nonreleasably secure the section 34 to the front 12 of the envelope. Those portions of the glue line 60 apertures 40, will pass therebetween to glue the front 12 to the back 14. Even though nonreleasable glue is used in forming the line 60. the resulting structure defines a releasable glue means whereby the section 34 is releasably secured to the adhesive bearing portion 30. This is due to the fact that the relatively small dimension of the apertures 40 allows only a limited amount of the nonreleasable glue to secure the front 12 to the back 14 and the amount is sufficientlv small so that the resulting bond is easily ruptured to release the front 12 and the section 34 from the adhesive bearing portion 30 when the envelope is opened by peeling. From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a continuous envelope assembly made according to the invention minimizes the number of plies required to form the envelope assembly in that part of the return envelope also serves as part of the original mailer. At the same time, the construction involving the section 34, which is left in place during manufacturing to avoid the need for an additional operation to remove it, provides a measure of protection for the adhesive bearing portion 30 and yet, when the envelope is opened, is automatically removed from the return envelope to preclude the need for its removal by the recipient. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A continuous envelope assembly comprising, a plurality of at least three superimposed, elongated plies of paper, individual envelopes in the assembly being delimited by transverse lines of weakening extending across the assembly, a contlol margin pierced by uniformal spaced holes on at least one longitudinal edge of the assembly, a first of said plies defining the fronts of mailing envelopes, a second of said plies defining the backs of mailing envelopes and one of the fronts and backs of return envelopes, a third of said plies being interposed between said first and second plies and defining the other of the fronts and backs of return envelopes' said plies, for each individual envelope in the assembly further being constructed as follows: said second ply having an adhesive bearing portion facing said third ply and extending along a marginal edge to define a flap for the return envelope, said third ply having a section aligned with said aehesive bearing portion and generally covering the same, said section being partly separated from the remainder of said third ply by a line of cuts, glue lines securing said third ply remainder to said second ply to define a pocket of the return envelope, non-releasable glue securing said third ply section to said first ply, releasable glue lines securing said first ply to said third ply remainder and means releasably securing said third ply section to said flap, whereby each said return envelope is made ready for use by peeling said first ply from said third ply with said third ply section remaining secured to said first ply to expose said adhesive bearing flap portion.