Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture – Methods – Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-29
2001-06-05
Mayes, Curtis (Department: 1734)
Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
Methods
Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
C156S277000, C283S061000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241844
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a form for mailing an article requiring delivery by a special service. More specifically, the present invention relates to an integral special service mailing assembly for mailing an article requiring delivery by a special service having a return receipt postcard and a label indicative of the special service and a method for using same.
It is, of course, generally known to mail an article requiring delivery by a special service, such as certified mail, registered mail, insured mail, COD, return receipt for merchandise and the like. Known components and methods for assembling a mailer for mailing an article requiring special services have multiple, separate components requiring attachment to an exterior of an envelope for the special services delivery of the article.
For example, when a customer of the U.S. Postal Service desires that an article be mailed by certified mail, for instance, an envelope containing the article is provided to the postal employee by the customer. The postal employee is then required to attach or otherwise provide the envelope with a permanent seal or label indicating that the envelope is to be delivered by certified mail.
Then, a return receipt postcard must be attached to the envelope. The postcard must be completed by the postal employee and/or the customer mailing the envelope containing the article. Some postcards include areas having an adhesive for attaching the postcard to the envelope. Other postcards require separate attachment, by using tape, for example.
Such a procedure is both complex and time-consuming, as well as labor intensive. The procedure requires the postal employee to ensure that all of the appropriate labels and documents are affixed to the envelope prior to delivery of the article. Therefore, the appropriate forms, labels and the like must be adequately stocked and available for the postal employee's use. Further, the postal employee must ensure that all articles are appropriately affixed to the envelope. In addition, the return receipt postcard must be suitably affixed to the envelope so that the return postcard is not removed during the mailing of the article to its destination. Of course, it should be understood that an envelope prepared for special service mailing may be prepared by any individual, not just a postal employee.
A need, therefore, exists for an improved integral special service mailing assembly for use with an article requiring delivery by a special service, such as certified mail, insured mail, registered mail, COD, return receipt for merchandise and the like, and a method for using same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally provides an assembly, and a method for using same, for mailing an article requiring delivery by a special service. More specifically, the present invention provides an assembly, and a method for using same, for mailing an article via standard parcel post delivery yet requiring means for delivery confirmation.
In an embodiment of the present invention, an assembly is provided for a mailpiece requiring delivery confirmation. The assembly has a backing sheet and a mailing form removably attached to the backing sheet. The form includes both an addressee address label and a detachable delivery confirmation label, each of the labels being separately affixable to a mailpiece.
In an embodiment, the assembly includes an adhesive layer disposed between the mailing form and the backing sheet.
In an embodiment, the assembly includes a machine-readable code section on the form including machine-readable information associated with the mailpiece.
In an embodiment, the mailing assembly includes a postage label as part of the mailing form. The postage label is detachably connected to the remaining portions of the form for separate affixation to the mailpiece.
In an embodiment, the mailing assembly includes an auxiliary label as part of the mailing form. The auxiliary label is detachably connected to the remaining portions of the form for separate affixation to the mailpiece.
In an embodiment, an anchor section forms a portion of the delivery confirmation label and a delivery confirmation card forms the remaining portion of the delivery confirmation label.
In an embodiment, an adhesive layer is provided only between the backing sheet and both the addressee address label and the anchor section and not between the backing sheet and the delivery confirmation card.
In an embodiment, the mailing form is variably printed with information necessary to serve as a return receipt postcard for the mailpiece.
In an embodiment, the delivery confirmation card is detachable from the associated anchor section.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for mailing a mailpiece requiring delivery confirmation. The method compromises the steps of: providing a backing sheet; attaching a mailing form to the backing sheet wherein the form has an addressee address label and a detachably connected delivery confirmation label; printing addressee information on the addressee address label; affixing the addressee address label to the mailpiece; and affixing the delivery confirmation label to the mailpiece.
In an embodiment, an adhesive layer is provided between the form and the backing sheet.
In an embodiment, machine-readable code is printed on the form which includes machine-readable information associated with the mailpiece.
In an embodiment, a postage label is provided on the form which is detachably connected to the remaining portions of the form, the postage label then being affixed to the mailpiece.
In an embodiment, the method compromises the additional steps of: providing an auxiliary label on the form which is detachably connected to the remaining portions of the form; printing return address information on the auxiliary label; and affixing the auxiliary label to the mailpiece.
In an embodiment, the method comprises the additional steps of: providing an auxiliary label on the form which is detachably connected to the remaining portions of the form; printing variable information on the auxiliary label; and detaching the auxiliary label from the remaining portions of the form.
In an embodiment, the method compromises the additional steps of: providing an anchor section on the delivery confirmation label; and providing a delivery confirmation card on the delivery confirmation label which is connected to the anchor section.
In an embodiment, machine-readable code is printed on the mailing form which includes machine-readable information associated with the mailpiece.
In an embodiment, variable information is printed on the mailing form.
In an embodiment, an adhesive layer is provided between the backing sheet and both the addressee address label and the anchor section and not between the backing sheet and the delivery confirmation card.
In an embodiment, the delivery confirmation card is detached from the delivery confirmation label.
It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide an improved assembly for mailing an article requiring delivery by a special service.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a simplified method for mailing an article requiring special services.
And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide an assembly that is integrally formed as a complete unit for standard parcel post delivery of an article which still requires delivery confirmation.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an assembly and a method for mailing an article requiring special services without requiring additional adhesives or fixatives for attaching the same to the mailpiece.
Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide an assembly which provides for pre-imaging or pre-printing of variable information thereon.
Indeed, a further advantage of the present invention is to provide an assembly which works on automated printing equipment.
Additionally, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide an inexpensive, unitary a
Mayes Curtis
Patents + TMS P.C.
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