US5165726A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mailing device and business card combination
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-06-27
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Granted: 1992-11-24
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Expires: 2010-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A mailing device and method including a bar coded return label removably mounted to the original communication, but attachable to a return envelope supplied by the recipient. An original document includes a letterhead having the label removably mounted thereto which duplicates the identity of the sender in both written and bar coded data appearing beneath the label on the letterhead. The label includes self-adhesive allowing the label to be removed from the document and mounted to a return envelope identifying the original sender. The removable stickers may be shaped as a business card and arranged in a vertical stack. Account indicia are printed on the label for payment of document delivery fees, such as postal fees, by the sender. Instructions are set forth on the sticker backing.
Inventors
- 👤 Alex F. Talbott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:26
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C3/00; B07C3/18; G; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A business card usable as a business reply label for dispatch to a recipient from a presenter and for reply via postal carrier by the recipient to the presenter comprising: a sheet sized as a standard business card with dimensions about three and one half inches wide by two inches high and containing indicia thereon identifying the presenter in pre-printed written words printed on a top side thereof; postal account indicia printed on an upper half of said top side of said business card sized sheet, said account indicia providing account identification for payment of document delivery fees, such as postal fees, by the presenter; indicia means printed on said top side of said sheet and complying with applicable postal carrier rules for indicating that the recipient is not required to pay said document delivery fees; and adhesive means on a back side of said sheet operable and having a removable backing thereon to mount said sheet with said adhesive means to an item to be delivered to said presenter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A business card usable as a business reply label for dispatch to a recipient from a presenter and for reply via postal carrier by the recipient to the presenter comprising: a sheet sized as a standard business card with dimensions about three and one half inches wide by two inches high and containing indicia thereon identifying the presenter in pre-printed written words printed on a top side thereof; postal account indicia printed on an upper half of said top side of said business card sized sheet, said account indicia providing account identification for payment of document delivery fees, such as postal fees, by the presenter; indicia means printed on said top side of said sheet and complying with applicable postal carrier rules for indicating that the recipient is not required to pay said document delivery fees; and adhesive means on a back side of said sheet operable and having a removable backing thereon to mount said sheet with said adhesive means to an item to be delivered to said presenter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The card of claim 1 wherein: said indicia identifying the presenter includes an address located in a lower left-hand corner of said sheet, and wherein said indicia mean is located in an upper right-hand corner of said sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The card of claim 2 wherein: said sheet has a substantially planar first surface upon which said indicia identifying the presenter is printed thereon and a substantially planar second surface opposite of said first surface upon which said adhesive means is provided thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The card of claim 3 wherein: said sheet includes the phone number of said presenter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The card of claim 4 wherein: said removable backing includes an illustration of an envelope showing an illustration of said sheet in an upper right-hand corner of the envelope.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The card of claim 1 wherein: said sheet has a substantially planar first surface upon which said indicia identifying the presenter is printed thereon and a substantially planar second surface opposite of said first surface upon which said adhesive means is provided thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The card of claim 1 wherein: said sheet includes the phone number of said presenter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The card of claim 1 wherein: said removable backing includes an illustration of an envelope showing an illustration of said sheet in an upper right-hand corner of the envelope.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The card of claim 1 wherein said sheet further has machine-readable bar code thereon to identify the addressor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The card of claim 4 wherein said sheet further has machine-readable bar code thereon to identify the addressor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 10 wherein said bar code identifies the addressor by zip code.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 10 wherein said bar code identifies the addressor by account for account debiting for return mailing to the addressor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-24 | 1996-05-25 | 1996-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-24 | 2000-05-25 | 2000-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-24 | 2004-05-25 | 2004-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |