GB2442946A

GB2442946A - Laser printable self-mailer

Info

Publication number: GB2442946A
Application number: GB0621012A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Wrigley; Martin Wood
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-20
Filing date: 2006-10-20
Publication date: 2008-04-23
Also published as: GB0621012D0

Abstract

A self-mailer for non-impact printing comprising a unitary paper sheet with first and second faces, being printed on one face and foldable so that the address is visible on the outside and the remainder of the printed matter is sealed inside, the adhesive being applied to one face so that parts of the mailer adhere to other parts of the mailer through cut outs areas 5, 6. 7, 8. Preferably the mailer has three parallel fold lines 13, 14, 15 forming four panels 9, 10, 11, 12. The two bottom panels 9, 10 may enclose information, the address may be provided on the top panel 12 and the two top panels 11, 12 may form a security flap. Perforated fold lines 16, 17 along the side edges may form detachable stubs 18, 19. A hatched area 22 may be provided on the second face corresponding with the printed area.

Description

1 2442946

DESCRIPTION

Laser printable self-mailer "A self-mailer' This invention relates to a one-piece self-mailer, to a method of processing a one-piece self-mailer form and to a process for the manufacture of a self-mailer.

An advantage of mailer forms is that subject matter can be printed on the mailer form which can then be folded into an envelope format for mailing thereby obviating the need for separate envelopes and forms or additional paper sheets etc. Heretofore, mailer forms have been widely used with impact printers. Such mailer forms have generally been multiply self-carbonated paper fed to an impact printer on sprocket punched continuous stationery web.

Following printing, the top ply is decollated from the mailer and the individual mailer forms are detached from the continuous web, usually along scored perforation lines.

However, mailer forms generated using impact printers suffer from a number of disadvantages. Firstly, stubs should be removed from sprocket punched continuous stationery. The indMdual forms must be decollated or burst at the perforations. In addition, the use of branding and customising of such stationery has been difficult due to the basic nature of such impact printers. Nevertheless, due to cost constraints, the use of non-impact printers, such as laser printers, for printing mailer forms has been confined to major enterprises only due to financial and technological constraints.

However, more recently, non-impact computer printers have become affordable and have increased in popularity -particularly for small to medium sized business users that have heretofore relied on impact printers.

Generally non-impact printers, such as laser printers, are primarily adapted to receive single sheets of paper only.

Accordingly, attempts have been made to arrive at a mailer form adapted for use with non-impact printers such as laser printers. However, generally, such mailer form are complex in nature, cumbersome to use and fold and I or do not adequately preserve the confidentiality of the subject matter printed within the mailer form when folded.

In addition, it is frequently necessary to print the recipienVs address information on one face of the mailer form while the subject matter to be conveyed by the mailer form is printed on the reverse face which is concealed following folding. However, such duplex printing delays laser printing and gives rise to additional costs. For example, where a duplex laser printer is not available it becomes necessary to reverse the form and feed the mailer through a printer a second time to print on both sides. Alternatively, address labels are used.

Mailers of the prior art frequently rely on a pressure activated sealing adhesive that requires the use of a pressure-sealing machine following laser printing of the mailer form. Such pressure sealing systems require a considerable outlay that is not tenable for the small to medium sized enterprise. In addition, the use of such pressure sealing devices further delays the preparation of the folded mailer forms.

Finally, concerns exist as to the degree of confidentiality ensured by the use of such mailer forms and a need exists to improve the degree to which such self-mailer form are tamper proof for conveying highly sensitive or confidential information through the mail.

An object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

A further object of the invention is to provide a self-mailer adapted for use with a non-impact printer such as a laser printer. Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a self-mailer having improved tamper proof features.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a process for the manufacture of a self-mailer and a method for processing a self-mailer.

According to the invention there is provided a self-mailer for non-impact printing comprising a unitary paper sheet, having a pair of parallel top and bottom edges and first and second faces, the first face having an address area for receiving addressee information and a printing area for receiving printed matter, the self-mailer being foldable such that the address area is visible.

Preferably, the self-mailer comprises three parallel fold lines disposed between the side edges to define a bottom panel, second to bottom panel, third to bottom panel and a top panel in the paper sheet.

Suitably, the address area is within the top panel and the printing box extends between the bottom two panels.

Preferably, the self-mailer comprises a side fold line disposed adjacent each side edge between the top and bottom edges to define side stubs on the paper sheet.

Suitably, the side stub comprises adhesive disposed between two or more of the transverse fold lines or a transverse fold line and the top or bottom edge of the sheet. Advantageously, the adhesive is heat resistant In the example the adhesive comprises a self-adhesive tape. There are however other pressure sensitive adhesives which would perform the same function.

Preferably the second face comprises a hatched area corresponding with the printing area on the first face.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the paper sheet is foldable between an unfolded first position and a folded second position by urging the bottom panel against the second from bottom panel about the first transverse fold line, urging the third from bottom panel against the reverse of the bottom panel about the second transverse fold line and urging the top panel against the reverse of the third from bottom panel about the third transverse fold line such that the top two panels form a security flap.

Suitably, the unitary paper sheet comprises an M sheet. Preferably, the first transverse fold fine is disposed 98mm from the bottom edge, the second transverse fold line is disposed 100mm from the first transverse fold line, the third transverse fold line is disposed 49.5mm from the second transverse fold line and the side fold lines are disposed 18mm from the outer side edges of the unitary paper sheet.

The invention also provides a process for the manufacture of a self mailer comprising forming fold lines about which the self-mailer is foldable in a paper sheet characterised in that the fold lines are formed by metal-metal perforation. Preferably, the paper sheet is in the form of continuous stationery from which unitary paper sheets are subsequently cut.

Suitably, the unitary paper sheet is provided with three transverse perforated fold lines to define a top address and flap panel, a lower flap panel and two lower panels for printing information in the unitary paper sheet.

Advantageously, the unitary paper sheet is provided with perforation fold lines disposed adjacent and parallel to the outer side edges of the paper sheet.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. I is a perspective view of the self-mailer in a partially folded position, showing the direction of folds; Fig. 2 is a top plan vi of a self-mailer in accordance with the invention.

Figs. 1 and 2 show various views of a self-mailer suitable for laser printing in accordance with the invention. The self-mailer is formed from a unitary A4 sized paper sheet having a top edge I a bottom edge 2, a first side edge 3 and a second side edge 4. Each side edge contains two cut outs 5,6,7 & 8.

The sheet is divided into a bottom panel 9, a second from bottom panel 10, a third from bottom panel 11 and a top panel 12 by fold lines.

More particularly, a first perforated fold fine 13 extends across the sheet between the first and second side edges 3,4 to separate the bottom panel 9 from the second to bottom panel 10. A second perforated or scored fold line 14 extends transversely across the sheet between the first and second edges 3,4 to separate the second to bottom panel 10 from the third to bottom panel 11. A third perforated or scored fold line 15 extends transversely across the sheet between the first and second edges 3,4 to separate the third to bottom panel 11 from the top panel 12.

The top panel 12 is the address panel. The bottom panel 9 and second to bottom panel 10 are adapted to receive information from a laser printer in conventional fashion.

The third to bottom flap 11 is adapted to receive printed subject matter suth as folding instructions for the self-mailer that can be printed onto the sheet during manufacture.

The sheet is further provided with two side scored perforation lines 16,17 disposed adjacent and parallel to the side edges 3,4 respectively of the sheet. The area defined between the side perforation lines 16,17 and the respective side edges 3,4 form side stubs 18,19 respectively which are removable from the self-mailer by a recipient of the self-mailer to open the self-mailer.

The side stubs 18,19 are provided with elongate self-adhesive strips 20,21 disposed between the bottom scored fold line 13 and the second to bottom scored fold line 14. Each self-adhesive strip 20,21 is made up of a removable film strip 20,21 to conceal the adhesive of the adhesive strip 20,21 during printing and prior to folding of the self-mailer following printing.

Following removal of the film stflps2o,21 the adhesive remains on the sheet to facilitate assembly of the self-mailer.

As shown in Fig. 1, the reverse of the sheet of the self-mailer is provided with a hatched panel 22 which corresponds with the area of printing available between the perforations 16, 17 on the bottom panel 9 and the second to bottom panel 10. The hatched panel 22 serves to ensure that subject matter printed on the bottom sheet 9 and the second to bottom sheet 10 is not visible through the sheet of the self-mailer.

As indicated above, the self-mailer has overall dimensions equal to those of an A4 sheet of paper i.e. a width of 210mm and an overall length of 297mm. The bottom panel 9 has a length of 98mm, the second to bottom panel 10 a length of 100mm, the third to bottom panel 11 and top panel 12 a length of 49.5mm.

The side stubs 18,19 have equal widths of 18mm so that the width between the side perforation lines 16,17 is 174mm.

The adhesive of the self-adhesive strips 20,2lis adapted for use in a laser printer.

Suitable material forthe manufacture of the self-adhesive strips 27,28 is Steratape 1571F (Trade Mark) available from Steratape.

The self-mailer form of the invention can be passed through a laser printer in conventional fashion for printing. For example, the self-mailer form can be used for printing payroll slips, account information, promotional information etc. Folding of the self-mailer will now be described having regard to the drawings. Firstly, the film strips 20,21 are peeled to reveal adhesive.

The self-mailer is then folded up along the transverse scored line 13 so that the bottom panel 9, (and any printed information thereon) is urged against the second to bottom panel 10.

The self-mailer is then folded down along the transverse scored line 14 so that the third to bottom panel 11 is urged against the reverse of the bottom panel 9.

The self-mailer is then folded up along the transverse scored line 15 so that the reverse of the top panel 12 is urged against the reverse of the third to bottom panel 11. The reverse of the top panel 12 is adhered to the adhesive on the face of the second to bottom panel 10 through the cut outs 7,8 in the bottom panel 9 and the cut outs 5,6 in the third to bottom panel 11.

The address information printed on the top panel is therefore visible on the outside of the folded self-mailer.

The self-mailer is therefore closed at the side edges 3,4.

The flap formed by the top panel 12 and third to bottom panel 11 is dimensioned so that it overlaps with the reverse of the bottom panel 9 by a distance sufficient to prevent access to the printed subject matter on the internal face of the bottom panel 9 and second to bottom panel 10 without breaking the seal formed by the adhesive strips 20,21 or tearing the flap along the side perforation line 16,17.

The hatched panel 22 ensures the confidentiality of the printed matter on the face of the bottom panel 9 and second to bottom panel 10 by preventing viewing of the printed matter through the sheet.

The folded self-mailer can then be franked etc. and placed in the mail in normal manner.

A recipient of the self-mailer opens the folded self-mailer by removing the side stubs 18,19 (and accordingly the adhesive strips 20,21 respectively) and simply unfolds the self-mailer in a reverse operation to that described above.

The method of manufacture of the self-mailer is as follows: As indicated above, the self-mailer of the invention is formed from a single ply sheet of A4 sized paper.

The livery required by the end user of the self-mailer is first printed on continuous stationery from which the final sized self-mailer forms will ultimately be guillotined.

Printing of the required livery onto the continuous roll of stationery can involve printing from roll to roll using a printer or alternatively from a roll of continuous stationery to fan folded continuous stationery.

Various combinations of livery colours and formats can be used.

The rolls of plain paper are fed through a continuous stationery printing press that can print and perforate simultaneously.

The continuous stationery paper is sprocket punched at each edge to facilitate passage of the continuous stationery through a processing machine.

The perforations of the fold lines 1314,15,16,17 are formed.

In the passage of the (livery) printed rolls through the processing machine, a cutting operation is carded out 5,6,7,8 to form areas whereby the top panel 12 adheres to the second from bottom panel 10. Waste paper is removed by a vacuum system.

The processing machine is provided with roll mounted self-adhesive tape for the self-adhesive strips 20,21. The self-adhesive strips 20,21 are cut from the roll of self-adhesive tape by the processing machine in the required lengths and applied to each self-mailer of the continuous stationery on the side stubs 18,19 as previously described.

The self-mailers are therefore provided with the desired livery and tape for sealing the form and cut outs to allow the top panel to adhere to the second from bottom panel. The continuous rolls of self-mailers are then passed through a high-speed guillotine to cut the self-mailer form from the continuous stationery. The sell-mailer is cut from the continuous stationery such that the sprocket-punched margins are removed to result in sharp non-serrated self-mailer edges 3,4. Similarly, the self-mailer is cut at its top and bottom edges 1,2 respectively from the continuous stationery to define top and bottom edges having sharp non-serrated top and bottom edges 1,2. The final dimensions of the outer edges of the self-mailer correspond to an M sheet of paper.

Accordingly, an A4 sheet sized self-mailer is provided having smooth edges.

The advantages of the invention are many; -The self-mailer form of the invention is simple to use and is adapted for use with non-impact printers such as laser printers.

-The self-mailer is provided with cut outs such that address label and double sided printing of the self-mailer is not required.

The self-mailer is provided with a security flap that also restricts access to the contents of the self-mailer but nevertheless obviates the need for a transverse adhesive seal or the like.

The self-mailer is A4 size to facilitate easy passage of the self-mailer through a non-impact printer such as a laser printer.

The self-mailer of the invention is sealed using a self-adhesive tape adapted for use in a laser printer and which does not require secondary (sealing) equipment in addition to a laser pnnter.

The dimensions of the A4 sheet self-mailer maximise the available area for printing on the self-mailer whilst also eliminating bulking of the self-mailer when formed into an envelope.

Claims

Laser printable self-mailer CLAIMS 1. A self-mailer for non-impact printing comprising a unitary paper sheet, having first and second faces, the self-mailer being foldable and sealable such that the address area is visible on the outside of the sealed mailer whilst the remainder of the printing is sealed within the mailer whilst the mailer has only been printed on one face and adhesive only applied to one face, this being achieved by adhesion to parts of the self mailer through holes or cut outs in other parts of the self mailer.

2. A self-mailer as claimed in Claim 1 comprising three parallel fold lines disposed between the side edges to define a bottom panel, second to bottom panel, third to bottom panel and top panel in the paper sheet.

3. A self-mailer as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that the address box is disposed within the top panel.

4. A self-mailer as claimed in either of Claims 2 or 3 characterised in that the information enclosed after sealing extends between the bottom and second to bottom panels.

5. A self-mailer as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 further comprising a side fold fine disposed adjacent each side edge between the top and bottom edges to define detachable side stubs on the paper sheet.

6. A self-mailer as claimed in Claim 5 characterised in that the side fold lines comprise metal-metal formed perforations.

7. A self-mailer as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6 characterised in that the side stubs comprise an adhesive on the first face extending between the bottom transverse fold line and the second to bottom transverse fold line.

8. A self-mailer as claimed in Claim 7 charactensed in that the adhesive is heat resistant.

9. A self-mailer as claimed in Claim 8 charactensed in that the adhesive comprises a self-adhesive tape.

10. A self-mailer as claimed in any of Claims I to 9 characterised in that the second face comprises a hatched area corresponding with the print area to be enclosed on the bottom and second to bottom faces.

11. A self-mailer as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 13 characterised in that the paper sheet is foldable between an unfolded first position and a folded second position by urging the bottom panel against the second from bottom panel about the first transverse fold line, urging the third from bottom panel against the reverse of the bottom panel about the second transverse fold line and urging the top panel against the reverse of the third from bottom panel about the third transverse fold line such that the top two panels form a security flap.

13. A self-mailer as claimed in any of the preceding claims characterised in that the unitary paper sheet comprises an A4 sheet.

14. A self-mailer as claimed in Claim 13 characterised in that the first transverse fold line is disposed 98mm from the bottom edge.

15. A self-mailer as claimed in Claim 14 characterised in that the second transverse fold line is disposed I 00mm from the first transverse fold line.

16. A self-mailer as claimed in Claim 15 characterised in that the third transverse fold line is disposed 49.5mm from the second transverse fold line.

17. A self-mailer as claimed in any of Claims 13 to 16 charactensed in that the side fold fines are disposed 18mm from the parallel side edges of the unitary paper sheet.

18. A self-enclosing document sealed by means of adhesion of parts of the document to other parts of the document through apertures in yet other parts of the document.