Envelope assembly

Abstract

An envelope assembly is provided which includes an outside envelope housing and an insert assembly which may include a return envelope and/or an information ply or plies. The outside envelope is sealed by a line of interconnection around its periphery. The return envelope is sealed on three peripheral sides and has an open edge for use when removed from the outside envelope. The return envelope can be filled and closed. The information ply is attached to the return envelope and remains attached when the outside envelope is opened and the contents removed. The return envelope and the attached information ply is fixed at its inner and outer edges while housed in the closed outside envelope. In this manner, registration is maintained between the outside envelope, the return envelope and the information ply during formation and while indicia is placed thereon.

We claim: 
     
       1. An envelope assembly comprising: an outside envelope including a rear ply and a front ply and each ply having a body portion and detachable inner and outer marginal edge portions;   .[.the.]. .Iadd.each .Iaddend.inner edge portion including a first part and a second part, the second part being between the first and the body portion of the .Iadd.respective plies of the .Iaddend.outside envelope;   .[.said rear and front plies of said outside envelope being interconnected along a line adjacent substantially the entire peripheral edge thereof;.].   .Iadd.a glue line residing adjacent substantially the entire peripheral edge of said rear ply and adapted to adhere to substantially the entire peripheral edge of said front ply thereby to define a line interconnection between said front and rear plies of said outside envelope; .Iaddend.   a first line of weakening between the first part and the second part of the inner marginal edge portion of each ply of the outside envelope .Iadd.thereby to define a rear ply first line of weakening and a front ply first line of weakening.Iaddend.;   a second line of weakening between the second part and the body portion of the inner peripheral edge portion of each ply of the outside envelope .Iadd.thereby to define a rear ply second line of weakening and a front ply second line of weakening.Iaddend.;   a third line of weakening between the outer marginal edge portion and the body portion of each ply of the outer envelope .Iadd.thereby to define a rear ply third line of weakening and a front ply third line of weakening.Iaddend.;   a section of the line interconnection being located on .[.the second part of the inner marginal edge portion so that detachment of the second part.]. .Iadd.the second parts of the inner marginal edge portion so that detachment of the second parts .Iaddend.will open one end of the outside envelope to permit access to the interior thereof;   a return envelope smaller than the outside envelope enabling it to be positioned in the outside envelope and including a back, ply and a forward ply each having a body portion and said forward ply having detachable inner and outer marginal edge portion and said back ply having an inner marginal edge portion;   said back and forward plies of said return envelope being interconnected along a line adjacent the peripheral edge thereof and interrupted at the outer edge to provide an access opening;   the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply including a first part, a second part and a third part, the second part being between the first part and the third part of the forward ply, the third part being between the second part and the body;   a fourth line of weakening between .[.the.]. .Iadd.each .Iaddend.inner edge portion .[.of the back ply and the forward ply and the.]. .Iadd.and each .Iaddend.body portion of the back and forward plies .Iadd.to define a forward ply fourth line of weakening and a back ply fourth line of weakening for said return envelope.Iaddend.;   a fifth line of weakening between the first and second parts of the outer marginal edge of the forward ply of the return envelope;   a sixth line of weakening between the second part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply and the third portion of the forward ply;   a seventh line of weakening between the third part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply and the body portion of the forward ply;   the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply being held to the outside envelope at the line of interconnection between the rear and front plies of the outside envelope adjacent the outer edge of the outside envelope;   the third part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply adapted to be bent around the seventh line of weakening into overlying position with respect to the back ply .[.and.]. .Iadd.said third part including .Iaddend.attachment means for fastening the folded third part to the back ply;   an information ply smaller than the outside envelope and having a body portion and an inner marginal edge portion connected to the return envelope .[.at the line of interconnection between the inner marginal edge portion of the rear ply and the inner marginal edge portion of the front ply of the outside envelope.]. .Iadd.along a glue line on the inner marginal edge portion of the front ply of the return envelope.Iaddend.;   the information ply having an outer marginal edge portion connected to the return envelope at a line of interconnection on the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply;   the interconnected outside envelope, return envelope and information ply being maintained in registration during formation including placing of indicia thereon;   an eighth line of weakening between the inner marginal edge portion and the body portion of the information ply;   a ninth line of weakening between the outer marginal edge portion and the body portion of the information ply;   the fifth line of weakening .Iadd.being .Iaddend.weaker than the sixth, seventh and ninth lines of weakening; .Iadd..[.and.]..Iaddend. .Iadd.whereby .Iaddend.   detachment of inner marginal edge portions of the rear and front plies of the outside envelope, the inner marginal edge portions of the back and forward plies of the return envelope, and the inner marginal edge portion of the information ply along the second, fourth and eighth lines of weakening provides access to the interior of the outside envelope through the inner end thereof permitting the return envelope and attached information ply to be withdrawn through the open inner end of the outside envelope by detachment along the fifth line of weakening; and separation of the information ply from the return envelope is accomplished by removing the outer marginal edge portion of the information ply and the second part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply of the return envelope along the sixth and ninth lines of weakening which also enables the third part of the outer marginal edge portion to be bent about the seventh line of weakening to close the return envelope.   
     
     
       2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein a detachable inventory ply is attached to the side of the front of the outside envelope distal from the rear ply of the outside envelope, the inventory ply being substantially the same size as the outside envelope .[.and being detachable without interfering with the integrity of the remainder of the envelope assembly.]. .Iadd.whereby detachment of said inventory ply does not disrupt said line interconnection.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein a mating line of weakening is provided in the rear and front plies of the outside envelope adjacent to and intersecting with the second parts of the inner marginal edge portions of each ply to facilitate grasping and removal of the inner marginal edge portions of the rear and front plies of the outside envelope to facilitate opening of the outer envelope and grasping of the return envelope and information ply located therein. 
     
     
       4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein the lines of weakening in the rear and front plies of the outside envelope adjacent to the inner marginal edge portions thereof are arcuate in shape and formed by perforations. 
     
     
       5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein a serially arranged plurality of detachable envelopes are interconnected along lines of weakening at the top and bottom of each envelope assembly. 
     
     
       6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply of the return envelope is larger and extends further outward than the outer marginal edge portions of the back ply of the return envelope and the information ply.Iadd., .Iaddend..[.and.]. the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply extending outwardly beyond the outer marginal edge portions of the back ply and the information ply .Iadd.and .Iaddend.into communication with the line of connection between the rear ply and the front ply of the outside envelope so as to be connected thereto. 
     
     
       7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the attachment means between the back and forward plies of the return envelope for closing the return envelope after removal from the outside envelope includes a strip of adhesive on the third part of the outer marginal edge of the forward ply covered by a removable protective strip so that folding of the third part of the outer marginal edge of the forward ply after removal of the protective strip will bring the line of adhesive into engagement with the back ply whereupon the return envelope will be sealed. .Iadd. 
     
     
       8.  An envelope assembly comprising: an outside envelope including a rear ply and a front ply and each ply having a body portion and detachable inner and outer marginal edge portions;   each inner edge portion including a first part and a second part, the second part being between the first and the body portion of the respective plies of the outside envelope;   a glue line residing adjacent substantially the entire peripheral edge of said rear ply and adapted to adhere to substantially the entire peripheral edge of said front ply thereby to define a line interconnection between said front and rear plies of said outside envelope;   a first line of weakening between the first part and the second part of the inner marginal edge portion of each ply of the outside envelope thereby to define a rear ply first line of weakening and a front ply first line of weakening;   a second line of weakening between the second part and the body portion of the inner peripheral edge portion of each ply of the outside envelope thereby to define a rear ply second line of weakening and a front ply second line of weakening;   a third line of weakening between the outer marginal edge portion and the body portion of each ply of the outer envelope thereby to define a rear ply third line of weakening and a front ply third line of weakening;   a section of the line interconnection being located on the second parts of the inner marginal edge portions so that detachment of the second parts will open one end of the outside envelope to permit access to the interior thereof;   a return envelope smaller than the outside envelope enabling it to be positioned in the outside envelope and including a back ply and a formed ply each having a body portion and said forward ply having detachable inner and outer marginal edge portions and said back ply having an inner marginal edge portion;   said back and forward plies of said return envelope being interconnected along a line adjacent the peripheral edge thereof and interrupted at the outer edge to provide an access opening;   the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply including an outboard part and an inboard part, the inboard part being between the outboard part and the body;   a fourth line of weakening between each inner edge portion and each body portion of the back and forward plies to define a forward ply fourth line of weakening and a back ply fourth line of weakening for said return envelope;   an outboard line of weakening between the outboard part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply and the inboard part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply;   an inboard line of weakening between the inboard part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply and the body portion of the forward ply;   the outboard part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply being held to the outside envelope at the line of interconnection between the rear and front plies of the outside envelope adjacent the outer edge of the outside envelope;   the inboard part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply adapted to be bent around the inboard line of weakening into overlying position with respect to the back ply said third part including attachment means for fastening the folded inboard part to the back ply;   an information ply smaller than the outside envelope and having a body portion and an inner marginal edge portion connected to the return envelope along a glue line on the inner marginal edge portion of the front ply of the return envelope;   the information ply having an outer marginal edge portion connected to the outboard part of the return envelope at a line of interconnection on the outboard part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply;   the interconnected outside envelope, return envelope and information ply being maintained in registration during formation including placing of indicia thereon;   an eighth line of weakening between the inner marginal edge portion and the body portion of the information ply;   a ninth line of weakening between the outer marginal edge portion and the body portion of the information ply;   the outboard line of weakening being weaker than the inboard and ninth lines of weakening; whereby   detachment of inner marginal edge portions of the rear and front plies of the outside envelope, the inner marginal edge portions of the back and forward plies of the return envelope, and the inner marginal edge portion of the information ply along the second, fourth and eighth lines of weakening (a) provides access to the interior of the outside envelope through the inner end thereof permitting the return envelope and information ply to be withdrawn through the open inner end of the outside envelope by detachment of the return envelope along the outboard line of weakening and (b) permits detachment of the information ply along the ninth line of weakening, whereupon the information ply is separated from the return envelope, the foregoing enabling the inboard part of the outer marginal edge portion to be bent about the inboard line of weakening to close the return envelope. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       9.  An envelope assembly comprising: an outside envelope including a rear ply and a front ply and each ply having a body portion and detachable inner and outer marginal edge portions;   each inner edge portion including a first part and a second part, the second part being between the first and the body portion of the respective plies of the outside envelope;   a glue line residing adjacent substantially the entire peripheral edge of said rear ply and adapted to adhere to substantially the entire peripheral edge of said front ply thereby to define a line interconnection between said front and rear plies of said outside envelope;   a first line of weakening between the first part and the second part of the inner marginal edge portion of each ply of the outside envelope thereby to define a rear ply first line of weakening and a front ply first line of weakening;   a second line of weakening between the second part and the body portion of the inner peripheral edge portion of each ply of the outside envelope thereby to define a rear ply second line of weakening and a front ply second line of weakening;   a third line of weakening between the outer marginal edge portion and the body portion of each ply of the outer envelope thereby to define a rear ply third line of weakening and a front ply third line of weakening;   a section of the line interconnection being located on the second parts of the inner marginal edge portions so that detachment of the second parts will open one end of the outside envelope to permit access to the interior thereof;   a return envelope smaller than the outside envelope enabling it to be positioned in the outside envelope and including a back ply and a forward ply each having a body portion and said forward ply having detachable inner and outer marginal edge portions and said back ply having an inner marginal edge portion;   said back and forward plies of said return envelope being interconnected along a line adjacent the peripheral edge thereof and interrupted at the outer edge to provide an access opening;   the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply including a first part, a second part and a third part, the second part being between the first part and the third part of the forward ply, the third part being between the second part and the body;   a fourth line of weakening between each inner edge portion and each body portion of the back and forward plies to define a forward ply fourth line of weakening and a back ply fourth line of weakening for said return envelope;   a fifth line of weakening between the first and second parts of the outer marginal edge of the forward ply of the return envelope;   a sixth line of weakening between the second part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply and the third portion of the forward ply;   the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply being held to the outside envelope at the line of interconnection between the rear and front plies of the outside envelope adjacent the outer edge of the outside envelope;   the third part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply adapted to be bent around into overlying position with respect to the back ply said third part including attachment means for fastening the folded third part to the back ply;   an information ply smaller than the outside envelope and having a body portion and an inner marginal edge portion connected to the return envelope along a glue line on the inner marginal edge portion of the front ply of the return envelope;   the information ply having an outer marginal edge portion connected to the return envelope at a line of interconnection on the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply;   the interconnected outside envelope, return envelope and information ply being maintained in registration during formation including placing of indicia thereon;   an eighth line of weakening between the inner marginal edge portion and the body portion of the information ply;   a ninth line of weakening between the outer marginal edge portion and the body portion of the information ply;   the fifth line of weakening being weaker than the sixth and ninth lines of weakening; whereby   detachment of inner marginal edge portions of the rear and front plies of the outside envelope, the inner marginal edge portions of the back and forward plies of the return envelope, and the inner marginal edge portion of the information ply along the second, fourth and eighth lines of weakening provides access to the interior of the outside envelope through the inner end thereof permitting the return envelope and attached information ply to be withdrawn through the open inner end of the outside envelope by separating the first and second parts of the outer marginal edge of the forward ply of the return envelope along the fifth line of weakening, and separation of the information ply from the return envelope is accomplished by removing the outer marginal edge portion of the information ply and the second part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply of the return envelope along the ninth and sixth lines of weakening which also enables the third part of the outer marginal edge portion to be bent to close the return envelope. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       10.  An envelope assembly comprising: an outside envelope including a rear ply and a front ply and each ply having a body portion and detachable inner and outer marginal edge portions;   each inner edge portion including a first part and a second part, the second part being between the first and the body portion of the respective plies of the outside envelope;   a glue line residing adjacent the inner and outer marginal edge portions of said rear ply and adapted to adhere to the inner and outer marginal edge portions of said front ply thereby to define at least inner and outer lines of interconnection between said front and rear plies of said outside envelope;   a first line of weakening between the first part and the second part of the inner marginal edge portion of each ply of the outside envelope thereby to define a rear ply first line of weakening and a front ply first line of weakening;   a second line of weakening between the second part and the body portion of the inner peripheral edge portion of each ply of the outside envelope thereby to define a rear ply second line of weakening and a front ply second line of weakening;   a third line of weakening between the outer marginal edge portion and the body portion of each ply of the outer envelope thereby to define a rear ply third line of weakening and a front ply third line of weakening;   a section of the inner line of interconnection being located on the second parts of the inner marginal edge portions so that detachment of the second parts will open one end of the outside envelope to permit access to the interior thereof;   a return envelope smaller than the outside envelope enabling it to be positioned in the outside envelope and including a back ply and a forward ply each having a body portion and said forward ply having detachable inner and outer marginal edge portions and said back ply having an inner marginal edge portion;   said back and forward plies of said return envelope being interconnected along a line adjacent the peripheral edge thereof and interrupted at the outer edge to provide an access opening;   the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply including a first part, a second part and a third part, the second part being between the first part and the third part of the forward ply, the third part being between the second part and the body;   a fourth line of weakening between each inner edge portion and each body portion of the back and forward plies to define a forward ply fourth line of weakening and a back ply fourth line of weakening for said return envelope;   a fifth line of weakening between the first and second parts of the outer marginal edge of the forward ply of the return envelope;   a sixth line of weakening between the second part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply and the third portion of the forward ply;   a seventh line of weakening between the third part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply and the body portion of the forward ply;   the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply being held to the outside envelope at the outer line of interconnection between the rear and front plies of the outside envelope adjacent the outer edge of the outside envelope;   the third part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply adapted to be bent around the seventh line of weakening into overlying position with respect to the back ply said third part including attachment means for fastening the folded third part to the back ply;   an information ply smaller than the outside envelope and having a body portion and an inner marginal edge portion connected to the return envelope along a glue line on the inner marginal edge portion of the front ply of the return envelope;   the information ply having an outer marginal edge portion connected to the return envelope at a line of interconnection on the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply;   the interconnected outside envelope, return envelope and information ply being maintained in registration during formation including placing of indicia thereon;   an eighth line of weakening between the inner marginal edge portion and the body portion of the information ply;   a ninth line of weakening between the outer marginal edge portion and the body portion of the information ply;   the fifth line of weakening being weaker than the sixth, seventh and ninth lines of weakening; whereby   detachment of inner marginal edge portions of the rear and front plies of the outside envelope, the inner marginal edge portions of the back and forward plies of the return envelope, and the inner marginal edge portion of the information ply along the second, fourth and eighth lines of weakening provides access to the interior of the outside envelope through the inner end thereof permitting the return envelope and attached information ply to be withdrawn through the open inner end of the outside envelope by detachment along the fifth line of weakening, and separation of the information ply from the return envelope is accomplished by removing the outer marginal edge portion of the information ply and the second part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply of the return envelope along the sixth and ninth lines of weakening which also enables the third part of the outer marginal edge portion to be bent about the seventh line of weakening to close the return envelope. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       11.  An envelope assembly comprising: an outside envelope including a rear ply and a front ply and each ply having a body portion and detachable inner and outer marginal edge portions;   each inner edge portion including a first part and a second part, the second part being between the first and the body portion of the respective plies of the outside envelope;   a glue line residing adjacent substantially the entire peripheral edge of said rear ply and adapted to adhere to substantially the entire peripheral edge of said front ply thereby to define a line interconnection between said front and rear plies of said outside envelope;   a first line of weakening between the first part and the second part of the inner marginal edge portion of each ply of the outside envelope thereby to define a rear ply first line of weakening and a front ply first line of weakening;   a second line of weakening between the second part and the body portion of the inner peripheral edge portion of each ply of the outside envelope thereby to define a rear ply second line of weakening and a front ply second line of weakening;   a third line of weakening between the outer marginal edge portion and the body portion of each ply of the outer envelope thereby to define a rear ply third line of weakening and a front ply third line of weakening;   a section of the line interconnection being located on the second parts of the inner marginal edge portions so that detachment of the second parts will open one end of the outside envelope to permit access to the interior thereof;   a return envelope smaller than the outside envelope enabling it to be positioned in the outside envelope and including a back ply and a forward ply each having a body portion and said forward ply having detachable inner and outer marginal edge portions and said back ply having an inner marginal edge portion;   said back and forward plies of said return envelope being interconnected along a line adjacent the peripheral edge thereof and interrupted at the outer edge to provide an access opening;   the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply including an outboard part and an inboard part, the inboard part being between the outboard part and the body;   a fourth line of weakening between each inner edge portion and each body portion of the back and forward plies to define a forward ply fourth line of weakening and a back ply fourth line of weakening for said return envelope;   a fifth line of weakening between the outboard part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply and the inboard part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply;   the outbaord part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply being held to the outside envelope at the line of interconnection between the rear and front plies of the outside envelope adjacent the outer edge of the outside envelope;   the inboard part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply adapted to be bent into overlying position with respect to the back ply said third part including attachment means for fastening the folded inboard part to the back ply;   an information ply smaller than the outside envelope and having a body portion and an inner marginal edge portion connected to the return envelope along a glue line on the inner marginal edge portion of the front ply of the return envelope;   
     
     
       the information ply having an outer marginal edge portion connected to the outboard part of the return envelope at a line of interconnection on the outboard part of the outer marginal edge portion of the forward ply; the interconnected outside envelope, return envelope and information ply being maintained in registration during formation including placing of indicia thereon;   an inboard information ply line of weakening between the inner marginal edge portion and the body portion of the information ply;   an outboard information ply line of weakening between the outer marginal edge portion and the body portion of the information ply;   the fifth line of weakening being weaker than the ninth line of weakening; whereby   detachment of inner marginal edge portions of the rear and front plies of the outside envelope, the inner marginal edge portions of the back and forward plies of the return envelope, and the inner marginal edge portion of the information ply along the second, fourth and inboard information ply lines of weakening (a) provides access to the interior of the outside envelope through the inner end thereof permitting the return envelope and information ply to be withdrawn through the open inner end of the outside envelope by detachment of the return envelope along the fifth line of weakening and (b) permits detachment of the information ply along the outboard information ply line of weakening, whereupon the information ply is separated from the return envelope, the foregoing enabling the inboard part of the outer marginal edge portion to be bent to close the return envelope. .Iaddend.