Mailing And Return Envelope

Abstract

An envelope which may be mailed twice. The envelope is perforated or lined so as to allow it to be separable into two separate portions. One of the portions is provided with adhesive adjacent to the perforation or line so as to facilitate re-sealing of one of the portions. One embodiment is provided with a foldable tab having the adhesive thereon.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is in the field of envelopes.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A number of U.S. Patents have been granted disclosing envelopes which may be used a number of times. A representable sample of the prior art is disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 2,129,705 issued to Reineman; 2,527,925 issued to Frampton; 2,686,005 issued to Hyman; 2,895,664 issued to Cone; and, 2,936,946 issued to Harpman.

Disclosed herein is a new and improved mailing and return envelope which may be prepared for re-mailing in an easier manner as compared to the prior art envelopes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a mailing and return envelope having a main panel with length and width wherein the main panel has a first line across the width to allow separation into two separate pieces; and, adhesive on the envelope adjacent the line to secure one of the pieces closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pre-cut paper sheet for making an envelope incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a formed envelope made from the sheet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of the reverse side of the envelope shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is the same view as FIG. 2 only after the envelope has been torn along the perforated lines.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a pre-punched data processing card.

FIG. 6 is the same view as FIG. 1 only showing an alternate embodiment of the positioning of the adhesive.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a pre-cut sheet of paper 10 having a flap 11, end panels 12 and 14, and side panel 13 integrally connected together by main panel 15. End panels 12 and 14 and side panel 13 are folded respectively on crease lines 16, 19 and 17 and are secured together by standard adhesive means forming envelope 30 shown in FIG. 2. Flap 11 is foldable on crease line 18 and also has adhesive means for securing the flap in sealing engagement to panels 12-14 subsequent to the insertion of an item into the envelope.

Flap 11 is divided into two portions 22 and 23 by a perforated line 21. Likewise, side panel 13 is divided into two portions 24 and 25 by perforated line 21'. Lines 21 and 21' are normally perpendicular to the length direction of the envelope. Main panel 15 is divided into two portions 26 and 27 by the perforated line 29 which extends across the width of panel 15 and connects lines 21 and 21.degree.. Lines 21 and 21' are parallel, aligned and are offset from line 29 forming a tab 28 having adhesive thereon. Lines 21, 21' and 28' are such that lines 21 and 21' are on a straight line which is parallel to and overlaps 28' when the envelope is folded. A crease line 28' is positioned at the bottom end of the tab in line with lines 21 and 21' allowing the tab to be folded over on side panel 13 and flap 11.

A mailing address window 20 may be cut out in main panel 15 so as to allow a card having the mailing address thereon to be positioned in the envelope with the mailing address showing through the window. The window need not be present if the reduced envelope, to be described, is addressed by hand. Such a reduced card 50 is shown in FIG. 5 with the mailing address 52 also shown. Card 50 is a standard pre-punched data processing card having a plurality of holes 51. These cards have lengths of 7 7/16 inches or less.

Envelope 30 is a mailing and return envelope allowing a statement or other material to be mailed to a person. The person then tears the envelope into two pieces along lines 21, 21' and 29. Alternatively, the envelope could be cut by scissors along line 19' permitting sideways removal of contents. This could be followed by tearing along line 21, 21', 28' or scissor cut along such a line (FIG. 6). A check or money order may then be inserted into the useable portion 40 of the envelope shown in FIG. 4, and tab 41 is folded and sealed to panel 25 and flap 23. Panel 15 has a length from crease line 28' to the end of the panel at line 16 which is greater than the length of card 50. Thus, card 50 may also be inserted into the envelope 40 so as to identify the check or money order being returned and/or to re-address the return envelope. Card 50 may have the address of the original sender printed on the side opposite of the side having address 52. The original full length card might also have the original mailing address on the stub end for proper juxtapositioning under the window. The stub could be removed with the remaining card having a return address. The card may be inserted in envelope 40 so as to have the original sender's address appear through window 20.

An alternate embodiment of the envelope is shown in FIG. 6. The sheet of paper 60 is identical to sheet 10 with the exception that the adhesive 63 is positioned below perforated line 62. An envelope made from sheet 60 may thus be torn across line 62 or cut into two separate pieces 64 and 65. The adhesive 63 is positioned on the interior surface of main panel 61 as the adhesive is positioned on the interior surface of panel 15. To reseal an envelope made by sheet 60, a tab, such as tab 28, does not have to be folded.

Many variations on the envelope design are contemplated and included in this invention. For example, address hole 20 may be deleted and a sticker provided for attachment over an address on the envelope. Alternatively, a pre-addressed peel off sticker could be removed from the envelope.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. In a combination including a standard prepunched data processing card and a mailing and return envelope wherein said envelope includes a main panel with length and width, a first end and an opposite end with an address window disposed therebetween;

a triangular shaped first end panel integrally connected to said main panel along a first crease line and lying flat against said main panel on one side thereof;

a triangular shaped second end panel integrally connected to said main panel along a second crease line and lying flat against said main panel on said one side;

a side panel extending across said length being integrally connected to said main panel and folded along a third crease line perpendicularly arranged with respect to said first crease line and said seond crease line, said side panel positioned outwardly of said first end panel and said second end panel and being sized to overlap said first end panel and said second end panel and being secured thereto by adhesive;

a flap extending along said length and being integrally connected to said main panel and foleded along a fourth crease line parallel to said third crease line, said flap being sized such when folded along said fourth crease line will overlap said side panel, said first end panel and said second end panel, said flap having an interior surface with adhesive thereon to adhesively secure said flap to said side panel, said first end panel and said second end panel, wherein the improvement comprises:

first perforated straight line extending across said first end panel and parallel with said first crease line;

a second perforated straight line extending across said flap;

a third perforated straight line extending across said main panel;

a fourth perforated straight line extending across said side panel, said fourth perforated line is parallel with said first perforated line, said second perforated line and said third perforated line with aid first, second, third and fourth perforated lines positioned the same distance from said first crease line allowing said envelope to be torn across said width in a straight line to remove the contents of the envelope;

a fifth perforated straight line extending across said flap;

a sixth perforated straight line extending across said main panel and positioned between said third perforated line and said window;

a seventh perforated straight line extending across said side panel and parallel with said first, fifth and sixth perforated lines;

said fifth, sixth and seventh perforated lines are positioned the same distance from said first crease line allowing said envelope to be torn across said width in a second straight line into a first piece containing said window, said main panel has an interior surface with adhesives thereon adjacent said fifth perforated line and between said window and said fifth perforated line allowing said first piece to be resealed by sealing said main panel to said flap, said side panel and said second end panel adjacent to said fifth perforated line subsequent to the tearing thereof, said adhesive on said interior surface of said main panel adhesively secures said main panel to said second end panel, said flap and said side panel;

said data card has at length and width sized with respect to the length and width of said envelope such that relative motion between said envelope and said card is prevented when said card is positioned in said envelope and said envelope is sealed and untorn.