Printed matter – Strips and leaves
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-29
2001-01-30
Fridie, Jr., Willmon (Department: 3722)
Printed matter
Strips and leaves
C283S081000, C281S002000, C281S005000, C462S008000, C462S064000, C462S065000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179334
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a form for mailing an article requiring special services. More specifically, the present invention relates to a generic mailing label which may be configured to serve as a special service mailing label and which may be automatically dispensed by a mailing label vending machine. In addition, the present invention relates to a method and system for fully automating the imaging of a generic mailing label to configure the same as a special service mailing label.
It is, of course, known to provide specialized postal processing and handling of particular mailpieces. Such special services include the preparation of certified mail, registered mail, insured mail, recorded delivery mail, return receipt for merchandise mail, C.O.D. and the like. The primary disadvantage of such special service mailings is that they require a rather extensive amount of manual preparation and labor prior to mailing. The known procedures typically require printing or writing information on various slips of paper and then attaching such slips to the outside of an envelope or other mailpiece. Often, carbon paper is used to assist in making the attachments. As an example, to prepare a certified mailpiece, the forms are supplied by the United States Postal Service to the customer. The customer must separately address and complete a certified mailing receipt, both faces of a return receipt card, an envelope or mailpiece in which the mail is to be mailed and a request for return service on the face of the envelope. Then, the customer or postal service employee must affix each of the completed parts to the envelope using glue, an adhesive, tape or the like.
Clearly, the current methods known for preparing mailpieces or shipping items for special services are tedious, complicated, and labor intensive, particularly for businesses and institutions in which items such as notifications, reminders, or valuable documents are commonly sent by specialized mail services. In many instances, the delivery of such mailpieces must be documented by recording of U.S. Postal Service or other service return receipt when it arrives back to the sender. This task is also time consuming and has great potential for error when all of the identifying information from each return receipt card must be entered or recorded by hand.
Despite these shortcomings, the various special service types of mailing are still used extensively by individuals as well as companies. However, when the above-mentioned difficulties in processing such mail and preparing the same for mailing are multiplied by a large number of mailpieces, the time and labor intensive nature of preparing the special service mailings becomes quite costly and results in an inefficient use of employee time. Further complicating such procedures is the fact that different types of forms and envelopes are used for each different type of special mailing service.
A need, therefore, exists for an improved special service mailing assembly which can be prepared substantially automatically and which can be used for all types of special mailing services.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a generic mailing label which can be automatically configured to serve as a special service mailing label. In addition, the present invention provides a method and a system for fully automating the imaging of the generic mailing label to configure the same as a special service mailing label.
To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a special service mailing assembly is provided which includes a backing sheet and a generic mailing label which is removably attached to the backing sheet. The label may be variably printed with information and/or colors such that one label may be used to implement a selected one of a plurality of special services.
In an embodiment, the assembly includes an anchor portion as well as a return receipt postcard portion.
In an embodiment, an adhesive layer is disposed between the mailing label and the backing sheet.
In an embodiment, the assembly includes a special service designation section which identifies the type of special mailing service selected. In addition, the assembly includes a special service information section which includes all of the necessary mailing information to send the mailpiece via the special mailing service desired.
In an embodiment, the assembly includes a partially-colored background which conforms with existing postal guidelines on color designation for the particular special service selected.
In an embodiment, the back side of the assembly includes a return address section whereupon the sender's address may be imprinted.
In an embodiment, the assembly includes an auxiliary address label which is detachable from the assembly for separate affixation to the mailpiece.
In an embodiment, the return receipt postcard portion is detachable from the anchor portion.
In an embodiment, the anchor portion also includes identifying information relating to the specific type of special mailing service employed.
In an embodiment, at least a portion of the anchor section has a colored background of the same color as that which is on the associated return receipt postcard portion of the label.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for automating the imaging of a generic mailing label for a special purpose. The method includes the steps of: providing a label; selecting a specific type of special mailing service; entering all necessary information relating to the specific type of special mailing service; processing the information to generate corresponding imaging data; and printing the imaging data onto the label.
In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: indicating the specific type of special mailing service; and entering a specific article number on the label.
In an embodiment, the method further includes the step of providing a colored background on an area of the label, the colored background conforming with existing postal guidelines on color designations for special mailing services.
In an embodiment, the method further includes the step of placing a return address on the back of the assembly.
In an embodiment, the method further includes the step of calculating a cost for the specific type of special mailing service selected.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, a system is provided for automating the imaging of a generic mailing label for a special purpose. The system includes means for selecting a specific type of special mailing service, means for entering all necessary information relating to the specific type of special mailing service, means for processing the information to generate corresponding imaging data and means for printing imaging data onto the label.
In an embodiment, the system further includes: means for indicating the specific type of special mailing service; and means for entering a specific article number on the label.
In an embodiment, the system further includes means for providing a colored background on an area of the label, the colored background conforming with existing postal guidelines on color designations for special mailing services.
In an embodiment, the system further includes means for placing a return address on the back of the assembly.
In an embodiment, the system further includes means for calculating a cost for the specific type of special mailing service selected.
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 an assembly, method and system for mailing an article requiring delivery by a special service without requiring additional adhesives or fixatives for attaching the same to a mailpiece.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an assembly including a mailing label and a backing sheet which provides for automatic imaging of variable information thereon resulting in a special serv
Fridie Jr. Willmon
Patents & TMS P.C.
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