System and envelope for mailing and return of an object through the post

Abstract

A foliaceous pre-cut blank has a rectangular back part and, joined thereto, at least one side flap, a bottom flap and a closing flap. A first fold line is located at the transition from the back part to the closing flap. The closing flap is divided into first and second sections by a second fold line running in parallel to the first fold line, the first section being located between the first and second fold lines. The blank is conveniently assembled into an envelope. A first adhesive strip seals the envelope for a first mailing, and a second adhesive strip can be used to seal the envelope for a return mailing.

1 . An envelope for mailing through the post at least twice, comprising a foliaceous pre-cut blank having: 
 a rectangular back part;    at least one side flap joined to a first lateral side of the back part;    a bottom flap joined to a bottom side of the back part; and    a closing flap joined to a top side of the back part, said top side being opposite the bottom side, wherein a first fold line is located at the transition between the back part and the closing flap, the closing flap being divided into a first section and a second section by a second fold line running parallel to the first fold line, the first section being located between the first and second fold lines; and    the envelope further comprising an adhesive strip for sealing the envelope for a first mailing such that the first section comes to lie upon the second section and the second section comes to lie upon the bottom flap.    
   
   
       2 . The envelope of  claim 1 , wherein the second fold line divides the closing flap approximately at a ratio of about 1:1 so that the height of the first section measured from the first fold line is approximately the same as the height of the second section measured from the second fold line.  
   
   
       3 . The envelope of  claim 1 , wherein, when the second section is reversed toward the first section along the second fold line, and the following is provided for simultaneous imprinting: 
 an area for imprinting an address field for the first mailing on the bottom flap; and    an area for imprinting a return address field for a second mailing on the second section.    
   
   
       4 . The envelope of  claim 3 , further comprising a second adhesive strip on the second section for sealing the envelope for a second mailing such that both the first and the second sections come to lie upon the bottom flap, substantial coplanar, and the area of the address field is completely covered by the second section.  
   
   
       5 . The envelope of  claim 4 , wherein, when the envelope is sealed by means of the second adhesive strip, the closing flap extends almost over the entire height of the bottom flap.  
   
   
       6 . The envelope of  claim 3 , further comprising a second adhesive strip on the second section for fixing the closing flap on the open envelope such that the first section comes to lie upon the second section and the second section comes to lie upon the back part.  
   
   
       7 . The envelope of  claim 3 , wherein, when the second section is reversed toward the first section along the second fold line, there is further provided for the simultaneous imprinting at least one area for imprinting at least one data field on the bottom flap, and wherein the data field contains information on the envelope content to be mailed.  
   
   
       8 . An envelope for mailing through the post at least twice, comprising a foliaceous precut blank having: 
 a rectangular back part having first and second opposite lateral sides, a bottom side, and a top side;    a rectangular bottom flap joined to the bottom side of the back part and foldable therealong to substantially overlie the back part;    means for joining opposite lateral margins of the back part and closing flap to form a pocket open at the top and closed at the bottom and the opposite lateral sides;    a rectangular closing flap joined to the top side of the back part opposite the bottom side;    a first fold line at the transition between the back part and the closing flap for folding of the closing flap therealong to a first mailing configuration in which the closing flap overlies and substantially completely covers the bottom flap which, in turn, overlies the back part;    a second fold line running parallel to the first fold line approximately midway between the top and bottom of the closing flap and dividing the closing flap into a first section between the first and second fold lines and a second section between the second fold line and a top free edge of the closing flap, for folding of the closing flap along the second fold line and along the first fold line to a second mailing configuration with the first and second sections overlying an upper portion of the bottom flap which, in turn, overlies the back part but leaving a bottom portion of the bottom flap exposed; and    means for sealing the blank in one of the mailing configurations for a first mailing thereof to a first adressee and in the other of the mailing configurations for a subsequent mailing thereof to a second addressee.