Two way double-fold business form mailer and method of transmitting information from a first user to an end user

Abstract

A business form intermediate is provided that can be prepared into a two-way mailer. The intermediate contains pre-printed, non-varying information including, e.g., return address information. The form user prints variable information specific to particular recipients on the front face of the intermediate using a simplex printer. The intermediate is then double-folded about three substantially parallel fold lines, which divide the intermediate into four sections. Segments of pressure-sensitive adhesive material are disposed on front and rear faces of the intermediate for sealing open outer edges of the intermediate after it has been folded to form a sealed mailer. The intermediate also includes pressure-sensitive adhesive for simultaneously constructing a return envelope within the mailer. A recipient of the mailer can open the mailer, view information therein, and separate the return envelope from it. The recipient can use the return envelope to mail an item (e.g., a payment check) to the original sender. Remoist glue is provided on the return envelope for sealing thereof by the recipient.

1 . A double-fold business form mailer comprising a sheet having: 
 opposite front and rear faces;    opposite first and second edges;    opposite third and fourth edges joining said first and second edges;    a first line of weakness extending substantially parallel to and proximate said first edge, said first line of weakness and said first edge defining a first tear-away strip therebetween;    a second line of weakness extending substantially parallel to and proximate said second edge, said second line of weakness and said second edge defining a second tear-away strip therebetween;    first, second and third fold lines about which said sheet may be folded, said fold lines extending across said sheet substantially perpendicular to said first and second edges, said fold lines dividing said sheet into first, second, third and fourth sections, wherein said first section is between said third edge and said first fold line, said second section is between said first and second fold lines, said third section is between said second and third fold lines, and said fourth section is between said third fold line and said fourth edge, wherein each section has a front face and a rear face corresponding to said front and rear faces of said sheet, and wherein when said sheet is folded about said second fold line in a first folding, said first and third fold lines are substantially aligned;    third and fourth lines of weakness extending along said first and third fold lines, respectively;    adhesive material disposed on said first and second tear-away strips of said rear face of said sheet for joining the front faces of said first and fourth sections and for joining the front faces of said second and third sections when said sheet is folded about said second fold line in the first folding;    adhesive material disposed on the front faces of at least one of said first and second sections on said first and second tear-strips for joining said front faces of said first and second sections when said sheet is folded about said first and third fold lines in the second folding; and    adhesive material for forming a pre-constructed return envelope disposed on said rear faces of at least one of said second and third sections for joining at least some of an outer area of said rear faces of said second and third sections when said sheet is folded about said second fold line in the first folding.    
     
     
         2 . The double-fold business form mailer of  claim 1 , wherein said outer area is bounded by said first, second, third and fourth lines of weakness.  
     
     
         3 . The double-fold business form mailer of  claim 1  further comprising adhesive material disposed on at least one of said rear face of the fourth section and the front face of said second section for joining said fourth section to said second section proximate said second fold line when said sheet is folded about said first and third fold lines in the second folding.  
     
     
         4 . The double-fold business form mailer of  claim 3 , wherein a portion of said rear face of said fourth section proximate said fourth edge is exposed when said sheet is folded about said second fold line, and wherein adhesive material is disposed on said portion for adhering said fourth section to said second section when said sheet is folded about said first and third fold lines.  
     
     
         5 . The double-fold business form mailer of  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive material for constructing a return envelope is disposed on said second and third sections proximate said first line of weakness opposite said first tear-away strip, said adhesive material is also disposed on said second section proximate said first fold line opposite said first section, and said adhesive material is also disposed on said third section proximate said third fold line opposite said fourth section.  
     
     
         6 . The double-fold business form mailer of  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive material disposed on said first and second tear-away strips, and said adhesive material for forming a pre-constructed return envelope comprises pressure-sensitive adhesive.  
     
     
         7 . The double-fold business form mailer of  claim 1 , further comprising a portion on one of said second and third sections from which a fold-over flap can be formed.  
     
     
         8 . The double-fold business form mailer of  claim 7 , further comprising remoistenable adhesive on said fold-over flap.  
     
     
         9 . The double-fold business form mailer of  claim 1 , wherein said lines of weakness comprise lines of perforation.  
     
     
         10 . The double-fold business form mailer of  claim 1 , further comprising pre-printed information on the front face of said second section.  
     
     
         11 . The double-fold mailer of  claim 10 , wherein said pre-printed information includes address information of an addressee of the return envelope.  
     
     
         12 . The double-fold business form mailer of  claim 1 , further comprising pre-printed instructions on said sheet for opening a sealed mailer formed from said sheet.  
     
     
         13 . The double-fold business form mailer of  claim 1 , further comprising pre-printed instructions on said sheet for separating the return envelope.  
     
     
         14 . A two-way double-fold mailer intermediate comprising a sheet having: 
 opposite front and rear faces;    opposite first and second edges;    opposite third and fourth edges joining said first and second edges;    first, second and third fold lines about which said sheet may be folded, said fold lines being spaced-apart and extending across said sheet substantially parallel to said third and fourth edges, said fold lines dividing said sheet into first, second, third and fourth sections, wherein said first section is between said third edge and said first fold line, said second section is between said first and second fold lines, said third section is between said second and third fold lines, and said fourth section is between said third fold line and said fourth edge, wherein each section has a front face and a rear face corresponding to said front and rear faces of said sheet, and wherein when said sheet is folded about said second fold line, said first and third fold lines are substantially aligned;    means for forming a return envelope from said second and third sections when said sheet is folded about said second fold line; and    means for adhering said fourth section to said second section when said sheet is subsequently folded about said first and third fold lines to form a sealed mailer.    
     
     
         15 . The two-way double-fold mailer intermediate of  claim 14 , wherein said means for forming a return envelope comprise adhesive disposed on at least one of said second and third sections for affixing outer portions of said rear faces of said second and third sections.  
     
     
         16 . The two-way double-fold mailer intermediate of  claim 15 , wherein said adhesive comprises segments of pressure-sensitive adhesive.  
     
     
         17 . The two-way double-fold mailer intermediate of  claim 14 , wherein one of said second and third sections includes a portion from which a fold-over flap can be formed.  
     
     
         18 . The two-way double-fold mailer intermediate of  claim 17 , further comprising remoistenable adhesive on said fold-over flap.  
     
     
         19 . The two-way double-fold mailer intermediate of  claim 14 , further comprising pre-printed return address information on the front face of said second section.  
     
     
         20 . The two-way double-fold mailer intermediate of  claim 14 , further comprising tear-away strips at outer edges of said sheet to facilitate opening of a mailer formed from said intermediate.