US5289972A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single sheet z-fold mailer
Assignee: MOORE BUSINESS FOMRS Inc A Corp OF DELAWARE
•
Filing: 1992-09-03
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Granted: 1994-03-01
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Expires: 2012-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A single sheet intermediate for a mailer type business form is Z-folded into a reusable mailer having a return envelope. The Z-folding of the intermediate provides three panels of about the same size, and a cut out covered by a transparent patch may be provided in the second panel, the patch covered by a removable outgoing addressee label. The reply address may be printed on the first face of the third panel of the mailer, or on the first face of the first panel on a detachable portion that may be inserted into the return envelope. The return envelope is defined by a generally U-shaped adhesive pattern, open at one side, with a flap having rewettable adhesive at the open side. Removable strips along the side edges of the mailer are held together by permanent adhesive, and are removed when opening the mailer and using the return envelope. The bar coding and the outgoing postage indicia are detached from the mailer when it is opened so that they are not visible on the return envelope.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean N. Sauerwine
- 👤 William K. Wetherhold, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:07
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D27/00; B65D27/06; B42; B42D; B42D5/00; B42D5/02; B42D5/023; B42D5/025; B42D5/026; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
337 words
An intermediate for a mailer type business form, comprising: a sheet of paper having a rectangular configuration with first and second, end, parallel edges; and third and fourth, side, parallel edges; a first dimension, between the end edges being greater than a second dimension, between the side edges; and having a first face and a second face; first and second fold lines parallel to said first and second edges, dividing said sheet into three approximately equal-length panels, including a first panel adjacent said first edge, a second panel adjacent said second edge, and a third panel between said first and second panels; means defining first and second lines of weakness in each of said first, second, and third panels, the lines of weakness parallel to said first and second edges, and spaced from said first and second edges and said first and second fold lines so that when said sheet is Z-folded about said fold lines the first lines of weakness in all three panels align with each other, and the second lines of weakness in all three panels align with each other; means providing outgoing addressee indicia on said first face of the second panel; a generally U-shaped adhesive pattern disposed on at least one of said second face of said second panel and said second face of said third panel, between said first and second lines of weakness in each, for forming a return envelope; a return envelope flap, having first and second faces, defined in one of said second and third panels outside the area encompassed by said U-shaped adhesive pattern, and flap sealing adhesive disposed on said second face of said flap; means defining third and fourth lines of weakness adjacent and parallel to, but spaced from, said third and fourth edges to define removable side strips; and permanent adhesive patterns disposed in said removable side strips on said first face on one panel, and on said second face on another panel, for holding said panels together when Z-folded about said fold lines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
337 words
An intermediate for a mailer type business form, comprising: a sheet of paper having a rectangular configuration with first and second, end, parallel edges; and third and fourth, side, parallel edges; a first dimension, between the end edges being greater than a second dimension, between the side edges; and having a first face and a second face; first and second fold lines parallel to said first and second edges, dividing said sheet into three approximately equal-length panels, including a first panel adjacent said first edge, a second panel adjacent said second edge, and a third panel between said first and second panels; means defining first and second lines of weakness in each of said first, second, and third panels, the lines of weakness parallel to said first and second edges, and spaced from said first and second edges and said first and second fold lines so that when said sheet is Z-folded about said fold lines the first lines of weakness in all three panels align with each other, and the second lines of weakness in all three panels align with each other; means providing outgoing addressee indicia on said first face of the second panel; a generally U-shaped adhesive pattern disposed on at least one of said second face of said second panel and said second face of said third panel, between said first and second lines of weakness in each, for forming a return envelope; a return envelope flap, having first and second faces, defined in one of said second and third panels outside the area encompassed by said U-shaped adhesive pattern, and flap sealing adhesive disposed on said second face of said flap; means defining third and fourth lines of weakness adjacent and parallel to, but spaced from, said third and fourth edges to define removable side strips; and permanent adhesive patterns disposed in said removable side strips on said first face on one panel, and on said second face on another panel, for holding said panels together when Z-folded about said fold lines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
An intermediate as recited in claim 1 further comprising a cutout and a transparent patch formed in said second panel between said first and second lines of weakness thereof, and wherein said means providing outgoing addressee indicia on said first face of said second panel comprises a removable label covering at least a part of said transparent patch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
An intermediate as recited in claim 2 further comprising reply address indicia printed on said first panel between said first and second lines of weakness thereof, and spaced from the lines of weakness of said first panel about the same distance said transparent patch is spaced from the lines of weakness of said second panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An intermediate as recited in claim 3 wherein said reply address indicia is printed on the first face of said first panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An intermediate as recited in claim 1 further comprising reply address indicia printed on the first face of said third panel between said first and second lines of weakness of said third panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An intermediate as recited in claim 5 wherein said means providing outgoing addressee indicia on said first face of said second panel comprises a removable label disposed on said first face of said second panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
An intermediate as recited in claim 1 wherein the second panel second line of weakness is closer to said second edge than is said second panel first line of weakness; and wherein the area between said second panel second line of weakness and said second edge is large enough to receive outgoing addressee bar code thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
An intermediate as recited in claim 7 wherein the second panel first line of weakness is closer to said second fold line than is said second panel second line of weakness; and wherein the area between said second panel first line of weakness and said second fold line is large enough to receive outgoing postage and return address indicia.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
An intermediate as recited in claim 1 wherein the second panel first line of weakness is closer to said second fold line than is said second panel second line of weakness; and wherein the area between said second panel first line of weakness and said second fold line is large enough to receive outgoing postage and return address indicia.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An intermediate as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second fold lines are lines of weakness.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An intermediate as recited in claim 1 wherein said flap sealing adhesive is rewettable adhesive.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
257 words
An intermediate for a mailer type business form, comprising: a sheet of paper having a rectangular configuration with first and second, end, parallel edges; and third and fourth, side, parallel edges; a first dimension, between the end edges being greater than a second dimension, between the side edges; and having a first face and a second face; first and second fold lines parallel to said first and second edges, dividing said sheet into three approximately equal-length panels, including a first panel adjacent said first edge, a second panel adjacent said second edge, and a third panel between said first and second panels; a cutout and a transparent patch formed in said second panel; means providing outgoing addressee indicia on said first face of said second panel, comprising a removable label covering said transparent patch; a return envelope adhesive pattern disposed on at least one of said second face of said second panel and said second face of said third panel for forming a return envelope; a return envelope flap defined in one of said second and third panels outside the area encompassed by said return envelope adhesive pattern, and flap sealing adhesive disposed on said second face of said flap; means defining lines of weakness adjacent parallel to, but spaced from, said third and fourth edges to define removable side strips; and permanent adhesive patterns disposed on said removable side strips on said first face on one panel, and on said second face on another panel, for holding said panels together when Z-folded about said fold lines.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
257 words
An intermediate for a mailer type business form, comprising: a sheet of paper having a rectangular configuration with first and second, end, parallel edges; and third and fourth, side, parallel edges; a first dimension, between the end edges being greater than a second dimension, between the side edges; and having a first face and a second face; first and second fold lines parallel to said first and second edges, dividing said sheet into three approximately equal-length panels, including a first panel adjacent said first edge, a second panel adjacent said second edge, and a third panel between said first and second panels; a cutout and a transparent patch formed in said second panel; means providing outgoing addressee indicia on said first face of said second panel, comprising a removable label covering said transparent patch; a return envelope adhesive pattern disposed on at least one of said second face of said second panel and said second face of said third panel for forming a return envelope; a return envelope flap defined in one of said second and third panels outside the area encompassed by said return envelope adhesive pattern, and flap sealing adhesive disposed on said second face of said flap; means defining lines of weakness adjacent parallel to, but spaced from, said third and fourth edges to define removable side strips; and permanent adhesive patterns disposed on said removable side strips on said first face on one panel, and on said second face on another panel, for holding said panels together when Z-folded about said fold lines.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
An intermediate as recited in claim 12 further comprising reply address indicia printed on said first panel; and means for facilitating detachment of the portion of said first panel having said reply address indicia thereon for insertion into the return envelope defined by said second and third panels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
208 words
A reusable mailer type business form comprising: first and second, end, parallel edges; third and fourth side parallel edges; and first, third panels formed from a Z-folded single sheet of paper, each panel having approximately the same size, and said third panel sandwiched between said first and second panels; each of said first and second panels having an outer face and an inner face, and said third panel having a first face facing said first panel, and a second face facing said second panel; said second panel having means providing outgoing addressee indicia on said outer face thereof; a return envelope generally U-shaped adhesive pattern disposed between said second panel inner face and said third panel second face, and having leg portions parallel to said end edges, and a cross portion parallel to, and adjacent, one of said third and fourth edges; a return envelope flap portion formed by one of said second panel and said third panel; a flap sealing adhesive pattern disposed on said flap portion; lines of weakness disposed parallel to and spaced from, but adjacent, said third and fourth edges, to define removable strips along said third and fourth edges; and permanent adhesive means disposed on said removable strips for holding said panels together.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
208 words
A reusable mailer type business form comprising: first and second, end, parallel edges; third and fourth side parallel edges; and first, third panels formed from a Z-folded single sheet of paper, each panel having approximately the same size, and said third panel sandwiched between said first and second panels; each of said first and second panels having an outer face and an inner face, and said third panel having a first face facing said first panel, and a second face facing said second panel; said second panel having means providing outgoing addressee indicia on said outer face thereof; a return envelope generally U-shaped adhesive pattern disposed between said second panel inner face and said third panel second face, and having leg portions parallel to said end edges, and a cross portion parallel to, and adjacent, one of said third and fourth edges; a return envelope flap portion formed by one of said second panel and said third panel; a flap sealing adhesive pattern disposed on said flap portion; lines of weakness disposed parallel to and spaced from, but adjacent, said third and fourth edges, to define removable strips along said third and fourth edges; and permanent adhesive means disposed on said removable strips for holding said panels together.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
A mailer as recited in claim 14 further comprising a cutout in said second panel, and a transparent patch covering said cutout; and wherein said means providing outgoing addressee indicia on said second panel outer face comprises a removable label at least in part covering said transparent patch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
A mailer as recited in claim 15 further comprising reply address indicia printed on said inner face of said first panel; and means defining a detachable portion of said first panel, containing said reply address indicia, dimensioned so that it is insertable in said return envelope, with said reply address visible through said transparent patch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mailer as recited in claim 14 further comprising reply address indicia printed on said third panel first face.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
A mailer as recited in claim 14 further comprising first aligned lines of weakness formed in each of said panels, parallel to said first and second edges, said first line of weakness of said second panel spaced from said first edge a distance sufficient to define an area large enough to receive outgoing postage and return address indicia on said second panel outer face.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
62 words
A mailer as recited in claim 18 further comprising second aligned lines of weakness formed in each of said panels, parallel to said first and second edges, said second line of weakness of said second panel spaced from said second edge a distance sufficient to define an area large enough to receive outgoing addressee bar code on said second panel outer face.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
227 words
A reusable mailer type business form comprising: first and second, end, parallel edges; third and fourth side parallel edges; and first, second, and third panels formed from a Z-folded single sheet of paper, each panel having approximately the same size, and said third panel sandwiched between said first and second panels; each of said first and second panels having an outer face and an inner face, and said third panel having a first face facing said first panel, and a second face facing said second panel; a cutout in said second panel, and a transparent patch covering said cutout; said second panel having means providing outgoing addressee indicia on said outer face thereof, comprising a removable label covering at least a portion of said transparent patch; a return envelope forming adhesive pattern disposed between said second panel inner face and said third panel second face; a return envelope flap portion formed by one of said second panel and said third panel; a flap sealing adhesive pattern disposed on said flap portion, on said inner face of said second panel or said second face of said third panel; lines of weakness disposed parallel to and spaced from, but adjacent, said third and fourth edges, to define removable strips along said third and fourth edges; and permanent adhesive means disposed on said removable strips for holding said panels together.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
227 words
A reusable mailer type business form comprising: first and second, end, parallel edges; third and fourth side parallel edges; and first, second, and third panels formed from a Z-folded single sheet of paper, each panel having approximately the same size, and said third panel sandwiched between said first and second panels; each of said first and second panels having an outer face and an inner face, and said third panel having a first face facing said first panel, and a second face facing said second panel; a cutout in said second panel, and a transparent patch covering said cutout; said second panel having means providing outgoing addressee indicia on said outer face thereof, comprising a removable label covering at least a portion of said transparent patch; a return envelope forming adhesive pattern disposed between said second panel inner face and said third panel second face; a return envelope flap portion formed by one of said second panel and said third panel; a flap sealing adhesive pattern disposed on said flap portion, on said inner face of said second panel or said second face of said third panel; lines of weakness disposed parallel to and spaced from, but adjacent, said third and fourth edges, to define removable strips along said third and fourth edges; and permanent adhesive means disposed on said removable strips for holding said panels together.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
A mailer as recited in claim 20 further comprising reply address indicia printed on said inner face of said first panel; and means defining a detachable portion of said first panel, containing said reply address indicia, dimensioned so that it is insertable in said return envelope, with said reply address visible through said transparent patch.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mailer as recited in claim 20 wherein said flap sealing adhesive is rewettable adhesive.
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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) | 1997-02-28 | 1997-08-30 | 1998-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-28 | 2001-08-30 | 2002-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-28 | 2005-08-30 | 2006-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |