US4715531A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reusable remailable envelope
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1985-09-10
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Granted: 1987-12-29
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Expires: 2005-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A remailable envelope is constructed of a single sheet folded in half having perforations spaced inward from the non-folded edges. A flap fold is spaced inward parallel to the perforation at the free edge of the back. Adhesive extends between the centerfold and the flap fold on the inner surface of the detachable lateral portions between the perforations and the lateral edges. Adhesive strips with release sheets are attached to the outer back face inside the perforations. Adhesive strips with release sheets are attached to an inside of the flap on the detachable portion between the perforation and the terminal edge. Adhesive strips with release covers are applied to the outer face of the flap inside the perforations. The envelope is preaddressed on the outer front face and may be preaddressed and stamped as a return envelope on the inner front face. In use the flap is folded down and material is placed inside the envelope. The release strip is peeled from the inside of the flap portion and the flap is folded up and the detachable portions outside the perforation at the terminal edges are pressed together. The envelope is mailed. Upon receipt one tears the envelope at the perforations and removes the peripheral portions. To reuse the envelope, one removes the release sheets on the lateral adhesive strips, reverses the central fold, exposing the new face, and presses the lateral portions together making a remailable envelope.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell M. Stewart
- 👤 Rodney A. Gomes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:01
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D27/00; B65D27/06; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A reusable mailing envelope having a single sheet of paper with first and second surfaces and having a central fold thereby forming face and back portions, with the second surface on the face and back portions being juxtaposed and the first surface of the face and back portions being remote from one another, and the sheet having perforations spaced inward from peripheral edges thereof and extending parallel to the peripheral edges thereby forming detachable portions along the peripheral edges, first adhesive strips on the second surface in the detachable portions along lateral edges and a first activatable adhesive strip on the second surface of a detachable terminal edge portion along a terminal edge, and second activatable adhesive strips positioned inward from perforations on a back portion of the first surface, whereby the face portion of the first surface is an addressable and postage bearing area and wherein the face portion of the second surface is an addressable and postage bearing area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A reusable mailing envelope having a single sheet of paper with first and second surfaces and having a central fold thereby forming face and back portions, with the second surface on the face and back portions being juxtaposed and the first surface of the face and back portions being remote from one another, and the sheet having perforations spaced inward from peripheral edges thereof and extending parallel to the peripheral edges thereby forming detachable portions along the peripheral edges, first adhesive strips on the second surface in the detachable portions along lateral edges and a first activatable adhesive strip on the second surface of a detachable terminal edge portion along a terminal edge, and second activatable adhesive strips positioned inward from perforations on a back portion of the first surface, whereby the face portion of the first surface is an addressable and postage bearing area and wherein the face portion of the second surface is an addressable and postage bearing area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The reusable envelope of claim 1 wherein the envelope has first and second opposite lateral edges and first and second opposite terminal edges and wherein halves of each lateral edge are juxtaposed when the sheet is folded and wherein the terminal edge portions are juxtaposed when the sheet is folded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The envelope of claim 2 wherein the first adhesive strips extend from the fold to a position spaced from the detachable terminal edge portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein the second activatable adhesive strips on the back portion of the first surface extend from the fold along the perforations to a position spaced from the perforation along the terminal edge portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the back portion further comprises a second fold extending across the sheet between lateral edges the second fold being positioned between the central fold and a terminal edge, thereby forming a flap portion between the second fold and the terminal edge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first adhesive strips and the second activatable adhesive strips extend on the first and second faces respectively from the central fold to the second fold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second activatable adhesive strips on the back portion of the first surface comprises adhesive strips positioned inward of the perforations and removable release sheets covering adhesive on the second activatable adhesive strips.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the envelope has preprinted postage on the face portions of the first and second surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
133 words
A remailable envelope comprising a single sheet centrally folded in half forming face and back portions having perforations spaced inward from non-folded edges, a flap fold spaced inward parallel to a perforation at a free edge of said back portion, adhesive extending between the central fold and the flap fold on an inner surface on detachable lateral portions between the perforations and lateral edges, adhesive strips with release sheets attached to the outer surface of the back portion inside the perforations, an adhesive strip with a release sheet attached to an inside of a flap on the detachable portion lying between the perforations at the free edge of the back portion and the free edge, and an adhesive strip with a release sheet on an outer face of the flap inside the perforation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
133 words
A remailable envelope comprising a single sheet centrally folded in half forming face and back portions having perforations spaced inward from non-folded edges, a flap fold spaced inward parallel to a perforation at a free edge of said back portion, adhesive extending between the central fold and the flap fold on an inner surface on detachable lateral portions between the perforations and lateral edges, adhesive strips with release sheets attached to the outer surface of the back portion inside the perforations, an adhesive strip with a release sheet attached to an inside of a flap on the detachable portion lying between the perforations at the free edge of the back portion and the free edge, and an adhesive strip with a release sheet on an outer face of the flap inside the perforation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The envelope of claim 9 which is preaddressed on an outer surface of a face portion and which is preaddressed and stamped as a return envelope on an inner surface of a face portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-12-28 | 1991-06-29 | 1991-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-28 | 1995-06-29 | 1995-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-28 | 1999-06-29 | 1999-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |