US2148887A - Stationery form and envelope - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 28, 1939. FA c. wANsER STATIONERY FORM AND ENVELOPE original Filt'ed May 1o, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JOHN DOE T :JOHN .DOE TRUST co.

KS oHN no: TRUST coMPA N Y L., T

mvEN-ron Paul fifa/1166! BY I @MM Tf /f Feb. 28, 1939. p Q WANSER 2,148,887

STATIONERY FORM AND ENVELOPE Original Filed May 10, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 il 1 l/53 'V55 5 a: T f /15 EL L- J I SUBURBRN POWER COMPANY no BATES STREET Fmcnune MAINE DHTED MHY IIE REMIND You UF YOUR uNHllD AKOUN AMOUNTING TD- RND ASK IHM YUU GIVE THIS YOUR MHEDIHTE ATTENTION.

METER No.

YOUR: REsPenruLLv SUBURBAN PGWER COMPANY faul d WQ/ser A ORNEY 'fraisse-anamnese srarrosanr ronu AND sNvswrs raul c. wm, hmmm, N. r.

Original 20.713.

application May 1l, 1935, Serial No.

Divided and this application February 1.19315, seran No. sim

' s cam (ci. zas-iz) l manufacture and use, but also eliminates errors in transcribing of data and association oi.' papers suchas in the incorrect addressing of -envelopes and the placing of the various papers in wrong files or envelopes. Y

l 'I'his application is a division of my co-pending application flied May 10, 1935, Serial No. 20,713. An important feature of my invention to which the present application is-directed resides in the continuous form of the stationery including as' sociated envelopes, and presents advantages both as to the method of making the stationery and convenience and economy in the use thereof. With such an arrangement the whole form may be fed into a suitable omce machine as a continuous strip or large sheet and the proper data be impressed on the respective forms and envelopes. This results in the emergence oi a succession of complete individual units, each relating to a 'particular business item or transaction, and

.30y each having joined therewith one or more envelopes with the desired data thereon. .The respective units may then be Adetached and the various papers of the unit or set detached from each other and properly disposed of, as by the seas-lective insertion of various papers in the corresponding envelope. 0 2' envelopes, and the mailing and filing of' the several parts.

In one of its particularly important aspects my invention is concerned with the provision of a compound envelope and data unit comprising sec- 1 tions-which serve the fimctlons of transmitting business data while simultaneously forming parts of the envelope. The unit as a whole is a sealed article adapted to be mailed and may comprise one or more sheets of data or letter material to be transmitted including, if desired, duplicate, or partially duplicate sheets, so that the sendee can retain a copy and return one or more of the papers in accordance with common business prac- In accordance with the principles upon which this compound unit is based it may be manufactured as a self contained article completely sealed, if desired.` for mailing but provided with data u sheetland'carbonmaterial so arranged that the unit can be inserted in a transcribing machine and the current data relating to a particular item and sendee applied in the proper spaces, both exteriorly of the envelope and on the forms within, all without actual access to the interior. l Usually the unit will have superimposed on, and attached to it,vsuccessive layers of various data sheets to be retained by the sender, and the current data will be applied thereto simultaneously with the preparation of the envelope and its inl0 ner contents. After the application of the data the various sections can be readily separated and appropriately distributed.

Similarly to the methods of manufacture and utilization of other forms and vapplications of l5 my invention, this compound unit may have various data sheets associated therewith externally of the unit, and the whole assembly may likewise be produced in continuous form, affording thereby additional advantages as to economy and con- 20 venience of manufacture and use. l

Various other applications and forms of my in vention and the advantages derived therefrom will be in part indicated in the following description and in part rendered apparent therefrom in 25 connection with the annexed drawings.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to apprehend the underlying features hereof that they may embody the same in the various ways contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting 30 typical arrangements and indicating methods of manufacture anduse have been annexed as a part of this disclosure and, in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which: 85

Fig. 1 shows an arrangement of business forms, and carbons andV envelopes all in continuous form with the units arranged end to end;

Fig. 2 is a partially fragmentary view with portions of sheets torn away or rolled to' illustrate 40 better the parts comprising a typical unit;

Fig. 3 depicts another assemblage of data sheets and envelopes, in continuous form extending in the vertical direction with the successive units joined at their top and bottom edges; 46

Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 with the various sections folded down to show more clearly the respective layers including an envelope;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of another'typical example of a continuous form of compound stationery 50 units;

Fig. 6 is a partially expanded perspective view of one of the units of Fig. 5;

Fig. l is a perspective view of one of the envelopes and carbons of Fig. 6; ls

8 is a cross-sectional view of a modified formr of envelope;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of stationery material in continuous form having associated therewith a novel type of compound envelope and enclosed data form sheet;

Fig. 10 is an expanded view of one of the complete units of Fig. 9;'

Fig. 11 is a view of one of the compound envelope units of Fig. 10 parts of the envelope being rolled over to disclose better the arrangement; and

Fig. 12 is a similar view of a modified envelope unit including an additional data sheet.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate one form.- of `my business stationery in continuous form. Asa primary feature it involves the association with the envelopes of one or more business forms including suitable carbons for the appropriate transfer of data onto the various forms and envelopes:

usually at a single operation. Each unit such as the detached set of Fig. 2 comprises a series of superimposed forms, carbons, andone or y more envelopes *with appropriate data relating to a certain class of business of a particular concern initially impressed on the respective sheets prior to assembly.

As shown in Fig. 2v, each unit comprises a snapout form bound together at the top edge by suitable means as by stapling shown at 20 extending through the marginal supporting strips. Such a set would usually include feather edge onetime-use carbons, one or more of which carbons may be spot carbons in accordance with the data to be transferred to the next underlying sheet. The series of business forms are shown at 2l, 22, 23 and 24, with intervening carbons at 25, 2B and 21. The set includes one or more envelopes in accordance with the requirements relating to the office practice and nature of the business matter in connection with whichvthe stationery is to be used. One such envelope is shownat 28. This particular envelope is adapted for mailing purposes. A spot carbon 29 serves to transfer to the mailing envelope the name and address of the person-Richard Roe-in connection with whom the transaction is conducted. Other data typed in the spaces 30 will be selectively transferred to the various forms and envelopes, in accordance with the disposition of the carbonmaterial.

The typed current matter may be applied either while the stationery matter is in attached continuous form, or as detached individual units, in accordance with the class of business machines employed by the user, and thenature of the business involved. In either casey after the dlesired data have been applied each unit comprises a complete assemblage of all the necessary papers, records, and corresponding envelopes relating to a particular business item. The le envelopes and mailing or transfer envelopes relating to each business item with the desired data applied, are each positively attached to the'particular item to which vthey relate.

Each unit or setmay then be takenand the sections of each individual unit separated so far as is desired, and appropriately associated and example, each of the business forms 2| to 24 may be provided with perforations along the lines 32 and the envelope 28 shown along the line 33 of its upper sheet and the line 34 of its lower sheet. By simultaneously grasping the upper and lower edges all carbons and waste edges may be removed simultaneously. Such of the various papers as are to be inserted in the Aenvelopes are so disposed of. With the envelopes associated with the papers, as described, all opportunities for the many errors which frequently-arise, and in some instances are so serious, where the envelopes are typed and made out as a separate operation, are eliminated. The present invention assures that the envelopes must correspond in data with the form sheets, and that the respective ,forms will be inserted in the proper envelOpeS.

The arrangement presents advantages as to the manner of manufacture as well as in its use.- In addition to the several data and carbon sheets the envelopes are made in continuous form by superimposing suitable sheets loi material and folding over or securing the sheets together at appropriate points. In the particular form shown thevfront and back panels of the envelope 28 are formed by folding over a single sheet along a -central line which then becomes the bottom edge and applying adhesive at suitable intervals to secure the layers togetherv along' strips corresponding to the ends of the respective envelopes. Theperforations 35 may divide this strip of,ad hesive so that upon separation of the units a portion o the adhesive remains on the end edges of each oftherespective adjoining envelopes and the corresponding end edges of the respective envelopes are sealed. A sealed end of this character is shown at 36 in Fig. 2. Where the top and bottom panels of the envelopes are formed from independent sheets as shown in Fig. 2 then the bottom edge will beY sealed by a strip of advelopes is rthere shown as extending successively in a single strip in a vertical direction in the plane of the drawings. Two complete units are shown with divisions along the lines 31. It comprises a'plurality of business form or data sheets 38,39 and 40 and an envelope 4I with intervening carbons 42, 43 and 44. 'I'he sheets of the respective materials are attached along the left edge by suitable-means such as by cementing. No data are shown in Fig. 4 on the various sheets other than the top one but it will be understood that various suitable spaces and data will be provided initially, prior to assembling of the respective layers, and that further current data will vbeA simultaneously impressed on the respective sheets and envelopes of each unit as used.

The single envelope per unit in this case is an open end type of envelope with a gummed loose flap 45. In Fig. 4 the extremetop edges of. the two envelope sheets are shown slightly separated to indicate more clearly that there are two sheets, but with an envelope having an open end at the right as depicted, the upper as well -as the lower and left edges will normally be sealed together. These gummed strips are indicated by the space lying outsidethe dottedlines 4S-of Fig. 3. The envelope material extends to the` right a small distance beyond the other sheets as shown at 41. This is for convenience in the insertion of individual papers in the envelopes and sealing thereof. The same result may be obtained, that is the inside length of the envelopes may be made greater than the data amasar sheets by suitable olf-set perforations adjacent the left marginal supporting edge of the continuous strip. Perforations for the top layer of material are shown on the line V48.

A still further adaptation of my invention is illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 'l in which Fig'. 5 shows a continuous form extending by successive compound units in vertical direction. The data side, and the bellows ssl at the 1ers.

sheets may be of the continuous fan-fold type, or a series of single strips, or both, secured together at the left edge. As depicted in the expanded unit of Fig. 6 the data sheets comprise a fanfold 49 connected together at alternate edges but adapted to 'be .readily separated along these edges after the unit has had the desired data applied. Continuous or repeat carbons can be employed and readily inserted between theappropriate folds in this type of construction, a fragmentary portion of a carbon extending between the top and the second layer being shown at 50.

The complete strip includes envelopes of any desired number and with appropriate shape and data initially applied thereto. Two such envelopes are indicated in Fig. 6 at 5I and 52 respectively. Envelope 52 may be a plain open top type, for example, and adapted for filing purpose. Envelope 5i may be as shown in Fig. '7 with the lower and the left and right edges cemented as shown by dash lines at 53. The lower panel may have its upper section 54 thereof readily detachable as by perforations or scoring along a line coinciding with the scoring 55 of the top layer. With the portion torn oi at the perforations, the flap part 54a of the top sheet can be folded overbackward for sealing the envelope on the gummed surface 56. Such an envelope would be appropriate for mailing. A spot carbon 51 enables the name and address of. the sendee to be impressed in the space blocked out at 58 which corresponds with the typing space 59 of the top layer of stationery material. The left binding edge may be made freely separable from each unit by perforations extending through the envelope material along the lines 60, and through the fan-fold form along the line 6|.

The respective units, as in previous cases, may be separated by cutting along the lines 62; or may be made freely separable by the provision of scoring or perforations as shown.

Fig. 6 illustrates a typical detached unit. The construction and arrangement enable a series of these to be made in continuous strip form as has been illustrated and described in connection with Fig. 5, but instead of feeding a strip thereof into a machine, the individual blank units may be detached and used independently as occasion arises. Each unit as detached is complete and requires no additional folding or arranging.

In certain cases it may be desirable to provide envelopes of somewhat larger capacity, particularly for ling purposes. A cross section of a modified form of envelope of this nature is shown in Fig. Bcomprising a bellows type envelope with the sides expanded as here shown. This type can be conveniently made in a continuous strip of a single sheet for example. In the cross section of Fig. 8 the material is continuous from the left edge extending along the upper side, through the normally flatly folded bellows 55, the lower The final edge is cemented to the upper side at 56. This envelope could be used conveniently for example with the arrangement of Figs. 3 to'6. Perforations are provided at 6l to enable the envelope to be readily detached from the left binding edge simultaneously with the other sections oi' a unit.

In general the shape, and method of closure, of the envelopes will depend upon the purposes for which intended, including varied for'ms of naps and with the edges closed or open. and where intended to be closed, may be so adapted through the use-of such well known devices and means as summed portions, string fasteners; and metal clasps.

'A mailing unit and arrangement of business forms` affording .exceptional advantages of convenience and eillciency of handling business matter is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive. Fig. 9 shows the arrangement as a single strip form comprising a succession of units extending'vertically in the drawings. One of the units is shown expanded in Fig. 10, and includes as many exterior omce forms as desired, two such being shown at 6I and $8 respectively. The particularly important feature, which I will now describe in some detail, is the mailing unit l0. This is shown generally in the rear of Fig. 10, and more fully in Fig. i1, or in the further form of mailing unit of Fig. 12. Referring to Fig. 11 the more simple arrangement there shown includes a front and a back section of an envelope indicated at 1i and 'l2 respectively. The interior of the envelope has suitably disposed transfer material, for the transfer of current data to the inner face of. the rear section, here shown as spot carbons 'I3 and 14. Each section will have applied thereto prior to assembly, suitable permanent data, with blank spaces for the application of current data. For a large class of business correspondence, the envelope unit can be manufactured and come to the user as an entirely sealed article. A convenient means of manufacture is to cement the two sections together completely around theouter edge as indicated by the border 15. In Fig. 11 two corners of the upper sheet of the unit are shown rolled over, but this is merely for the purpose of better illustrating the arrangement.

A complete understanding of the principles of the arrangement and its purposes and advantages can be more readily obtained from a description of the stationery-material and operations in a typical example such as in the case of a public utility required to send out enormous numbers of statements of charges. The stationery may be manufactured in continuous form as in Fig. 9; or as individual units corresponding to Fig. 10. Similarly the current data may be applied either while in strip form, or as individual units, dependent upon the nature of the business and type of machines employed. The desired data will be applied to the top sheet and simultaneously transferred to underlying sheets in accordance with the disposition of carbons or transfer media. Fig. l0 shows an intervening carbon i1 designed to transfer all of the data to the second office sheet 59, which may be a duplicate of top sheet G8. A part carbon i8, however, serves to transfer only the name and address of the sendee to the front face of the envelope unit lil. These data will of course appear in the space 'I9 of each sheet including both sheets of the mailing unit lll. The spot carbon lli serves to transfer these data to the second sheet thereof. The date, amount of the charges, meter number, and folio number will be transferred to the inner face of the bottom envelope sheet 'i2 through the medium of the spot carbon i3.

After all the data have been applied, the several sections of a unit are detached from the left binding edge. For this purpose there will have been provided perforations 80 extending through all of the sheets including the envelope unit and excepting the carbon sheets. The left marginal supporting edges will have been secured together originally, as by stitching 8l for example.

The completely sealed envelope unit l is now ready for mailing. When received the addressee tears oi the edges at the perforations 82, and he has at hand the bottom sheet 'I2 thereof with the complete correspondence or information. In the correspondence unit shown this envelope sheet 12 issubstantially a duplicate of the top sheet 68 retained by the sender.

The relatively simple business stationery unit and operation just .described may be varied greatly as to details of arrangement and type of the forms, and may include, for example, iillng envelopes and other matter specifically disclosed in connection with other iigures. The mailing unit likewise may assume other forms, one such modiiied form appearing in Fig. 12. In this case the unit includes vthree sheets all secured-,together originally at the outer border similarly to Fig. 11. The lower sheet 84,. and the topmost sheet 85, comprise the outer sheets of vthe envelope proper enclosing an intermediate sheet 86. In the specific illustration the under faces of sheets 85 and 86 havey carbon spots similarly applied; and the upper faces of sheets 84 and I6 will be similar as to the data appearing thereon. Utilizing this form, therefore, the sendee has two copies 84 and, after opening the letter, one of which he can retain, and the other return to the sender.

It will be apparent that the principles disclosed can be utilized to advantage in connection with many classes of business, and that the manner of disposing and arranging the data within the interior of the mailing unit can be variedto suit aptly a great many uses. Signatures can be so transferred,` and concealed orders signed for example.

It will be understood that throughout the description and drawings thereof the several illustrated forms are selected as being typical of the applications of the various principles of :my invention; and that the terminology employed is merely for the purpose of description. By the term paper or stationery material I mean to include the various forms of material adapted and variously employedfor stationery purposes such as cloth, libre and any of the various transparent or translucent forms of sheet material of cellulose derivative.

It is intended that the foregoing description in connection with the illustrative drawings will so fully reveal the gst of this invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various utilizations by retaining one or more of the features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of either the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should be, and are intended to be, comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the appended claims.

Accordingly, I claim as new and desire to secure the following by Letters Patent of the United States:

l. Business stationeryy in continuous form comprising sheets of business forms, having similar forms arranged successively and connected at their adjacent edges and a sheet of envelopes with the. envelopes likewise arranged successively and connected at their adjacent edges, said sheets being superimposed and having respectively marginal strips with said strips connected together and the material being arranged in suitable relation and order to provide successive edgewise connected units, each unit comprising business forms and an envelope arranged for the simultaneous impression of data thereon while in assembled form.

2. Business stationery in continuous form comprising sheets of business forms and a vsheet of.

envelopes, the business forms and the envelopes being arranged in successive edgewise fashion respectively, and said sheets being superimposed in layers and attached together by marginal strips; and carbons appropriately inserted between said sheets, said sheets being arranged to provide successive units of superimposed forms, carbons and an envelope and adapted for the simultaneous impression of data thereon, and each sheet being ,perforated at suitable points for the ready detachment of a unit.

3. Business stationery in continuous form combining layers of business forms, carbon paper and continuous envelopes respectively, superimposed one on the other and attached together by marginal strips, each layer comprising a continuous succession of the respective elements connected at their adjacent edges, and saidlayers being arranged in suitable order and relation to provide successive units, each unit comprising a business form, carbon and envelope and adapted for simultaneous impression of the desired data, and each layer being made readily separable at suitable points for the ready detachment of the corresponding form and envelope of a unit as a complete set.

4. Business stationery comprising superimposed sheets of business forms, transfer paper and envelopes in continuous form with the` business forms arranged successively and detachably connected at their adjacent edges, and the envelopes similarly arranged and connected respectively to provide in the superimposed relation successive edgewise connected units each comprising a form and an envelope, said sheets being joined together by a supporting strip along a corresponding side edge, and each having weakened lines adjacent said strip and between successive units to enable ready detachment of individual units.

5. Business stationery comprising a plurality of superimposed sheets of stationery paper, one of said sheets comprising successive business forms, a second sheet comprising successive front panels of envelopes and a third sheet comprising successive rear panels of envelopes, the respective elements of a sheet being detachably connected together at adjacent edges, and the elements being arranged one above the other in units comprising a business form and an envelope.

PAUL C. WAN SER.

Images