Business form or mailer with carbonless imaging

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6322106
  • Patent Number
    6,322,106
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, October 11, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 27, 2001
    22 years ago
Abstract
A business form or mailer intermediate providing fold-over carbonless imaging is provided. The form or mailer includes separate CB and CF coating portions on a single sheet. When the form or mailer is folded about a fold line, the CB portion comes in contact with the CF portion. An image is created when the fold-over carbonless area is subjected to an imaging force.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates to a business form and more, particularly, to a mailer in which carbonless imaging is utilized on multiple plies formed from the same sheet.




Mailer type business forms incorporating carbon transfer or carbonless imaging for transferring information printed on one part of a form to another part of the form are known. In a typical application, information is transferred from one ply to another when the plies are pressed together by a printer impact element. Computer automated mailing systems combine high speed variable printing capability with automated folding and sealing to mass produce mailers from sheet or roll stock business form intermediates. The widespread growth of these systems in recent years has led to the development of improved business form intermediates that can be printed in such automated systems. These automated printing systems can utilize a number of different printing technologies including laser, impact, ink jet, and thermal transfer. Laser printers are used most frequently.




Prior art mailers that provide imaging capability through the use of carbonless imaging typically form an image by means of CB and CF coated portions on adjacent plies formed by separate sheets. These mailers generally are not compatible with automated printing systems that typically utilize single ply intermediates. Accordingly, there is a need to provide business form intermediates that are compatible with laser printers (i.e., heat and pressure resistant) and also offer the benefits associated with fold-over carbonless imaging.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,570 to Ashby discloses a mailer product in which a self-contained carbonless patch is printed on a sheet which is then folded over in the final mailer. However, self-contained coatings are subject to premature coloration and usually are unsuitable for use in laser printers.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,043 to Ashby discloses a mailer in which adjacent plies formed by separate sheets have CB and CF coated portions. However, Ashby does not disclose both CB and CF coated on a single sheet, folded over in the mailer construction. Furthermore, the Ashby '043 mailer is limited to use with impact printing systems.




Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved business form incorporating the beneficial features of fold-over carbonless imaging especially for use with high speed non-impact printing systems.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




This need is met by the present invention wherein an improved business form intermediate or mailer is provided. The mailer intermediate or form of the present invention incorporates fold-over carbonless imaging wherein CB and CF coatings are applied to separate portions of a single sheet in such a way that when the form is folded the two coatings come in contact. An image is formed when the area is subjected to an imaging force. The mailer or form of the present invention is uniquely suited for the automated high speed printing systems common today and provides enhanced utility to mailer forms.




In a first embodiment of the present invention, a business form or mailer intermediate is provided. The mailer or form comprises a substrate sheet having first and second faces, first and second parallel side edges and first and second opposite ends. At least first and second transverse fold lines are formed in the substrate perpendicular to the parallel side edges dividing the substrate into at least first, second and third panels.




A CB coating composition and a CF coating composition are provided on the first face in the first and second panels, respectively. When the substrate is folded about the fold line the CB coating composition comes in contact with the CF coating composition thereby creating an image transfer means capable of producing a copy when subjected to-an imaging force. Variable and nonvariable information may be printed on first and second faces. Printing may be by means of any of various printing systems. The printing system used is preferably a high speed non-impact system such as laser or ink jet.




Longitudinal lines of weakness may be added adjacent to the first and second side edges to form marginal strips between the lines of weakness and the first and second side edges. Transverse lines of weakness may be added adjacent to one or more of first and second end edges or first and second fold lines forming tear-off strip portions. The marginal strips and tear-off strip portions may be provided with adhesive for sealing the business form or intermediate into a C-fold mailer.




The business form according to this embodiment of the invention typically comprises an outgoing address area, a check, coupon or voucher portion and a detachable portion. The detachable portion utilizes the CB and CF coating compositions to yield an original signed article and a copy thereof. An address window may also be provided on one of the panels of the form.




According to another embodiment of the present invention, a business form or mailer is provided comprising a CF coating composition on the first panel and a CB coating composition on the second panel. The mailer is folded over in a Z-fold configuration and sealed along coordinating patterns of adhesive. The fold-over carbonless comprises an original and copy for ordering products by return mail.




According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a business form comprising a C-fold configuration with a return envelope is provided further comprising a third fold line and a fourth panel. A CB coating composition and a CF coating composition separated by a fold line are disposed on the outside surface of the sealed mailer on the first and second panels, respectively. The recipient folds along the fold line bringing the CB coating composition in contact with the CF coating composition. The fold-over carbonless comprises an original return stub and a copy for use as a payment receipt. The return stub is returned with the recipient's payment in the return envelope formed from the third and fourth panels.




Longitudinal lines of weakness may be added adjacent to the first and second side edges to form marginal strips between the lines of weakness and the first and second side edges. An address window may also be formed in one of the first or second panels.




According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a multi-ply mailer is provided comprising a first ply, a second ply, a first insert ply, and a fold-over insert ply. The first ply comprises an address area on a first face thereof. The second ply is attached to the first ply to form respective front and back sides of an outgoing mailer. The first insert ply is attached to the second ply. The first insert ply and the second ply are arranged and provided with adhesive strips such that, the second ply and the first insert ply form a return envelope. The fold-over insert is secured to the multi-ply mailer and comprises a substrate having first and second faces, a fold line across the substrate wherein the fold line separates the substrate into a first portion and a second portion, a CB coating composition on the first portion of the first face, and a CF coating composition on the second portion of the first face. The CB coating composition, the CF coating composition, and the fold line are positioned such that the CB coating composition contacts the CF coating composition when the substrate is folded about the fold line in a first direction. The multi-ply mailer may further comprising an image transfer composition on a second face of the first ply opposite the address o area on the first face of the first ply.




The fold-over insert may be secured to the multi-ply mailer folded about the fold line in the first direction. The CB coating composition, the CF coating composition, and the fold line may be further positioned such that the CB coating composition avoids contact with the CF coating composition when the substrate is folded about the fold line in a second direction opposite the first direction, and the fold-over insert may be secured to the multi-ply mailer folded about the fold line in the second direction.




According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a business form is provided comprising a substrate having first and second faces and a fold line across the substrate, wherein the fold line separates the substrate into a first portion and a second portion. A CB coating composition is provided on the first portion of the first face. A CF coating composition is provided on the second portion of the first face. An image medium is provided on the first portion of the first face, wherein the image medium and the CB coating occupy a common area of the first portion of the first face, and wherein the CB coating composition, the CF coating composition, the image medium, and the fold line are positioned such that the image medium is interposed between at least a portion of the CB coating composition and at least a portion of the CF coating composition when the substrate is folded about the fold line in a first direction. The image medium may be selected from the group consisting of a toner image, a carbon image, a laser image, and combinations thereof.




According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of producing a business form is provided comprising the steps of: providing a substrate having first and second faces; forming a fold line across the substrate wherein the fold line separates the substrate into a first portion and a second portion; providing a CB coating composition on the first portion of the first face; providing a CF coating composition on the second portion of the first face; and providing an image medium on the first portion of the first face after the step of providing the CB coating composition on the first portion of the first face, wherein the image medium and the CB coating occupy a common area of the first portion of the first face, wherein the CB coating composition, the CF coating composition, and the fold line are positioned such that, upon folding the substrate about the fold line in a first direction, and upon introduction of an imaging force on the second face of the substrate, a duplicate image is formed in at least a portion of the CF coating composition on the second portion of the first face, and the common area of the first portion of the first face is positioned opposite at least a portion of the duplicate image on the second portion of the first face.




Accordingly, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a business form intermediate or mailer having features of fold-over carbonless imaging especially for use with high speed non-impact printing systems. These, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a plan view of a first face of a business form intermediate according to the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a plan view of a second, opposite face of the intermediate illustrated in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is an isometric view of a business form according to the present invention formed by folding of the intermediate of

FIGS. 1 and 2

;





FIG. 4

is a plan view of a first face of a business form intermediate according to the present invention;





FIG. 5

is a plan view of a second, opposite face of the intermediate illustrated in

FIG. 4

;





FIG. 6

is a plan view of a first face of a business form intermediate according to the present invention;





FIG. 7

is a plan view of a second, opposite face of the intermediate illustrated in

FIG. 6

;





FIG. 8

is an exploded perspective view from above of a mailer according to the present invention;





FIG. 9

is an exploded view from below of the mailer illustrated in

FIG. 8

;





FIG. 10

is a top plan view of a fold-over carbonless insert from the mailer illustrated in

FIG. 8

;





FIG. 11

is a bottom plan view of the fold-over carbonless insert illustrated in

FIG. 10

;





FIG. 12

is an illustration of an alternative fold-over carbonless insert according to the present invention; and





FIGS. 13 and 14

are front and back plan views of a carbonless business form according to the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




The present invention provides an improved business form, such as for example a mailer, which incorporates fold-over carbonless imaging capabilities. The form or mailer of the present invention may be provided in single sheet or continuous web formats. The form or mailer of the present invention may be printed by means of automated printing systems such as laser, ink jet, thermal transfer, impact or various other printing systems. Furthermore, the form or mailer of the present invention may be either simplex or duplex printed with both variable and nonvariable information.




Referring now to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, there is seen a mailer or form


10


of the present invention. Form


10


includes a substrate sheet


12


which may be of any known material common in the art for substrate purposes, such as paper of various weights, plastic or composite. Substrate sheet


12


includes a first face


14


and a second face


16


, a first side edge


18


, a second side edge


20


, a first end


22


and a second end


24


. First and second side edges


18


and


20


, respectively, are opposite and parallel to each other. First and second end edges


22


and


24


, respectively, also are opposite and parallel to one another.




Substrate


12


is divided into a first panel


26


, a second panel


28


and a third panel


30


by a first fold line


32


and a second fold line


34


, respectively. The fold lines


32


,


34


may be lines of weakness, such as a partial die cut line or a line of perforations, to facilitate folding. Such a line of weakness


32


also makes it easier for the user to separate panels


26


and


28


, should that be desired.




Substrate


12


has on its first face


14


a CB coating composition


36


and a CF coating composition


38


. As used herein, the terms CB and CF have their well-understood meanings in this art. That is, a CB coating composition typically contains an encapsulated solution of color-forming leuco dyes. A CF coating composition typically contains dispersed particles of an acidic color-developing co-reactant. Preferably, CB coating composition


36


and CF coating composition


38


are compatible with laser printers (i.e., heat and pressure resistant).




CB coating composition


36


is disposed in first panel


26


in such a manner that when form


10


is folded about first fold line


32


, CB coating composition


36


is in contact with CF coating composition


38


. Both CB coating composition


36


and CF coating composition


38


may be provided in almost any shape and location on substrate


12


, with the constraint that, when the form


10


is folded for imaging purposes, they are in contact with each other.




Substrate


12


may also be full or spot coated on one or both of the first and second faces,


14


and


16


, with other specialty inks or coatings. Preferably, substrate


12


is a paper coated on first face


14


with a coating that enhances the bonding of toner images from various printers. These coatings make the image more durable. Toner adhesion enhancing coatings are known in the prior art and include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,426, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.




First and second faces


14


and


16


of substrate


12


may be printed with variable or nonvariable information or both. Variable information varies from form to form, such as for example address or identification number information. Nonvariable information remains the same from form to form, such as for example return address information or the name of the issuing body or company. Faces


14


and


16


may be printed by means of printing systems such as laser, ink jet, thermal transfer, impact or various other printing systems. Form


10


may be provided in single sheet or continuous web formats. Furthermore, form


10


may be either simplex or duplex printed.




Longitudinal lines of weakness


40


are provided adjacent the first and second side edges


18


and


20


, and running the entire length of substrate


12


. Lines of weakness


40


define a marginal strip portions


42


between the lines of weakness


40


and the respective side edges,


18


and


20


. Transverse line of weakness


44


may be provided adjacent first end


22


, defining a tear-off strip portion


46


. Transverse lines of weakness


48


and


50


adjacent to second fold line


34


define tear-off strip portions


52


and


54


, respectively. Transverse lines of weakness


44


,


48


and


50


extend between longitudinal lines of weakness


40


.




Adhesive patterns may be provided on form


10


for converting it into a mailer


56


when it is folded at lines


32


and


34


. While the adhesive used may be heat activated, e.g., an adhesive which adheres to other adhesive coated areas upon the application of heat and pressure, it is preferably a conventional pressure seal adhesive. Numerous heat activated and pressure activated adhesives may be used in the mailer of the present invention. On first face


14


a transverse adhesive pattern


58


is provided on tear-off strip portion


46


. Longitudinal adhesive patterns


60


,


62


and


64


are disposed on marginal strips


42


of first face


14


on first panel


26


, second panel


28


and third panel


30


, respectively. Second face


16


has transverse adhesive pattern


66


disposed on tear-off strip portion


54


and longitudinal adhesive patterns


68


on marginal strips


42


of third panel


30


.




In this embodiment, third panel


30


may comprise a check, coupon or voucher portion


70


with an identifying indicia area


72


and an outgoing address area


74


. It is contemplated by the present invention that outgoing address area


74


could also be provided in the first panel


26


of the second face


16


. Form


10


includes a detachable portion, formed by vertical line of weakness


76


extending longitudinally through first panel


26


and second panel


28


, longitudinal line of weakness


40


and transverse lines of weakness


44


and


48


. The detachable portion preferably comprises a raffle ticket bisected by first fold line


32


into an original portion


78


and a copy portion


80


. Each portion of the raffle ticket is provided with identifying indicia


72


. An original signature area


82


is provided on second face


16


of the raffle ticket original portion


78


. A corresponding copy signature area


84


is provided on first face


14


of the raffle ticket copy portion


80


.




An address window


86


may also be provided on form


10


. Address window


86


may be disposed in any of the first panel


26


, the second panel


28


or the third panel


30


. Address window


86


may be a cut-out opening in substrate


12


thereby allowing the outgoing address to be viewed. Alternatively, address window


86


may be covered by any one of a number of translucent or clear films well known in the art which will allow the outgoing address to be viewed, while protecting the substrate


12


beneath the plastic film.




Referring now to

FIG. 3

in conjunction with

FIGS. 1 and 2

, in order to fold the C-fold mailer


56


of the present embodiment, form


10


is folded about second fold line


34


to bring first face


14


of third panel


30


into contact with first face


14


of second panel


28


. Next the form


10


is folded along the first fold line


32


to bring first face


14


of first panel


26


into contact with second face


16


of third panel


30


. It will be appreciated that the areas of pressure seal adhesive will all come into contact with corresponding areas of adhesive on contacting panels. The areas of pressure seal adhesive are activated under application of pressure to provide fully sealed mailer


56


.




The recipient opens the mailer by tearing along the lines of weakness


40


,


44


,


48


and


50


and removing marginal strips


42


and tear-off strips


46


,


52


,


54


. Removing marginal strips


42


and tear-off strips


46


,


52


,


54


removes the adhesive securing mailer


56


, thereby allowing easy access to the inside of the mailer


56


. The recipient can then apply check, coupon or voucher portion


70


to the purchase or rental of a particular product. Furthermore, the raffle ticket can be used by tearing along vertical line of weakness


76


to remove the raffle ticket, and then folding it along first fold line


32


bringing CB composition


36


in contact with CF composition


38


. A person authorized to accept the raffle ticket signs it in original signature area


82


, causing CB coating composition


36


to react with CF coating composition


38


thereby transferring an image of the signature to copy signature area


84


. The raffle ticket original portion


78


is submitted to the merchant, while the copy portion


80


is retained by the mailer recipient. It will be appreciated that the interposition of panel


30


between panels


26


and


28


has previously prevented any image transfer to copy signature area


84


.




Referring now to

FIGS. 4 and 5

, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the invention in a Z-fold configuration. In this embodiment, first face


14


-b has transverse adhesive patterns


58


-b disposed on tear-off portions


46


-b and


52


-b. Longitudinal adhesive pattern


87


is disposed on marginal strips


42


-b of first face


14


-b on second panel


28


-b. Transverse line of weakness


88


adjacent to first fold line


32


-b defines tear-off strip portion


90


. Second face


16


-b has transverse adhesive pattern


92


disposed on tear-off strip portion


90


, transverse adhesive pattern


93


adjacent second end


24


-b and longitudinal adhesive patterns


94


and


96


disposed on marginal strips


42


-b on second panel


28


-b and third panel


30


-b, respectively.




In this embodiment, first panel


26


-b first face


14


-b of substrate


12


-b is coated with CF coating composition


38


-b and imprinted with copy order form indicia


98


. Second panel


28


-b first face is coated with CB coating composition


36


-b and imprinted with product offering indicia


100


. Second panel


28


-b second face


16


-b is imprinted with original order form indicia


102


.




In order to form the Z-fold mailer of the present embodiment of the invention, form


10


-b is folded about first fold line


32


-b to bring first face


14


-b of first panel


26


-b into contact with first face


14


-b of second panel


28


-b, and then along second fold line


34


-b to bring second face


16


-b of third panel


30


-b into contact with second face


16


-b of second panel


28


-b. Corresponding areas of pressure seal adhesive on adjacent panels come in contact forming a seal under pressure to provide fully sealed mailer


104


.




Alternatively, the Z-fold mailer of the present embodiment of the invention may be formed by folding form


10


-b about first fold line


32


-b to bring second face


16


-b of first panel


26


-b into contact with second face


16


-b of second panel


28


-b, and then along second fold line


34


-b to bring first face


14


-b of third panel


30


-b into contact with first face


14


-b of second panel


28


-b. As would be appreciated by those practicing the present invention, particularly in light of the detail illustrated in

FIGS. 4 and 5

, the specific locations of the various adhesive patterns would have to be repositioned accordingly to facilitate creation of a viable Z-fold mailer. Further, the location of the outgoing address panel would have to be repositioned accordingly such that it would be viewed from an exterior surface of the mailer or through a window or a transparentized viewing area formed in an exterior surface of the mailer. In the Z-fold mailer formed according to this alternative procedure, the first panel


26


-b first face


14


-b of substrate


12


-b coated with CF coating composition


38


-b and the second panel


28


-b first face coated with CB coating composition


36


-b are folded away from each other to prevent inadvertent creation of a duplicate image.




The recipient opens the mailer by tearing first along lines of weakness


40


-b to remove marginal strips


42


-b and then along lines of weakness


44


-b,


48


-b and


50


-b to remove tear-off strips


46


-b,


52


-b,


54


-b. Third panel


30


-b is removed by breaking the bond between transverse adhesive patterns


92


and


93


. Although, patterns


92


and


93


are shown as strips of adhesive, they may alternatively be configured as dots, squares, or other discontinuous arrangements to enhance the ease by which they may be separated. First panel


26


-b and second panel


28


-b comprise a two-part composite which can be filled out by the recipient for ordering products by return mail. The recipient folds the two-part form along first fold line


32


-b bringing CB coating composition


36


-b in contact with CF coating composition


38


-b. When the recipient fills in the data entry areas corresponding to the original order form indicia


102


the same information is transferred to the first panel first face in registration with copy order form indicia


98


. Original order form indicia


102


is mailed back to the direct mail merchant and copy order from indicia


98


is retained for the recipient's records.




Referring now to

FIGS. 6 and 7

, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, there is illustrated a third embodiment of the invention comprising a C-fold configuration with a return envelope. In this embodiment, third fold line


106


further divides substrate


12


and defines fourth panel


108


. First face


14


-c has transverse adhesive pattern


110


disposed on tear-off portion


46


-c. Longitudinal adhesive patterns


112


,


114


are disposed on marginal strips


42


-c of first face


14


-c. Longitudinal adhesive pattern


112


is on first panel


26


-c and second panel


28


-c; longitudinal adhesive pattern


114


is on third panel


30


-c. Longitudinal adhesive patterns


116


,


118


lie inwardly adjacent to lines of weakness


40


-c on third panel


30


-c and fourth panel


108


. Transverse lines of weakness


120


,


122


define return envelope flap


124


. A strip of rewettable adhesive


126


is disposed on return envelope flap


124


. Rewettable adhesive


126


is preferably applied as a discontinuous strip. With the exception of the strip of adhesive


126


, the adhesive patterns used in this embodiment are preferably pressure activated adhesive, although thermal activated adhesive may alternatively be used.




Second face


16


-c has transverse adhesive pattern


128


disposed on fourth panel


108


adjacent third fold line


106


. Adhesive pattern


128


is preferably applied as a discontinuous strip. Longitudinal adhesive pattern


130


is disposed on marginal strips


42


-c on fourth panel


108


.




In this embodiment, first panel


26


-c second face


16


-c of substrate


12


-c is coated with CB coating composition


36


-c. Second panel


28


-c second face is coated with CF coating composition


38


-c and may also include an outgoing address area


74


-c. Second panel


28


-c second face


16


-c may further comprise a payment receipt


132


. The receipt


132


may be blank, as shown, or may be preprinted with indicia corresponding to data entry areas for the customer's name, method of payment, payment amount and signature. First panel


26


-c further comprises a return stub


134


wherein the preprinted indicia directing the recipient to fill in method of payment, payment amount and signature is disposed on first face


14


-c such that return stub


134


is in registration with payment receipt


132


when folded about first fold line


32


-c.




In order to form the C-fold mailer of the present embodiment of the invention, form


10


-c is folded about third fold line


106


to bring first face


14


-c of fourth panel


108


into contact with first face


14


-c of third panel


30


-c, and then along second fold line


34


-c to bring first face


14


-c of first and second panels


26


-c,


28


-c into contact with first face


14


-c of the upper portion of third panel


30


-c and second face


16


-c of fourth panel


108


. Corresponding areas of pressure seal adhesive on adjacent panels come in contact, forming a seal under pressure to provide fully sealed mailer.




The recipient opens the mailer by tearing first along lines of weakness


40


-c to remove marginal strips


42


-c and then carefully separating first panel


26


-c from fourth panel


108


by breaking the bond between transverse adhesive patterns


110


and


128


and removing tear-off strip


46


-c. Third panel


30


-c and fourth panel


108


remain sealed at the bonds formed by the activation of longitudinal adhesive patterns


116


and


118


forming a return envelope pocket. Tearing along transverse line of weakness


120


removes return envelope


138


from the remainder of the form.




First panel


26


-c and second panel


28


-c comprise a two-part composite return stub


134


and payment receipt


132


. The recipient folds the two-part form along first fold line


32


-c bringing CB coating composition


36


-c in contact with CF coating composition


38


-c. When the recipient fills in the data entry areas corresponding to return stub


134


the same information is transferred to the second panel second face in registration with payment receipt


132


. Return stub


134


and the payment are inserted into the pocket of return envelope


138


and return envelope flap


124


may be folded about line of weakness


122


such that the rewettable adhesive


126


registers with the fourth panel


108


second face


16


-c whereby the return envelope can be sealed. Payment receipt


132


is retained for the recipient's records.




Referring now to

FIGS. 8-11

, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, there is illustrated a fourth embodiment of the invention comprising a multi-ply mailer


139


with a fold-over carbonless insert


141


and a return envelope. This embodiment of the invention includes a first ply


140


with first face


142


and second face


144


. First ply


140


preferably comprises an address area


146


on first face


142


and an image transferring means


148


on second face


144


. The image transferring means


148


is preferably a carbonizing coating so as to transfer indicia to one or more underlying plies when subjected to an imaging force.




Mailer


139


also comprises a second ply


150


, the first and second plies


140


,


150


being adhesively attached together by glue lines


152


,


154


along the side edges to form an outgoing mailer front and back, respectively. First and second plies


140


,


150


have substantially the same length and width dimensions. Second ply


150


has a first line of weakness


156


defining a return envelope flap


158


along one of the side edges. A strip of rewettable adhesive


126


-d is disposed on return envelope flap


158


. It will be understood that, with the exception of rewettable adhesive


126


-d, the balance of the adhesive patterns are preferably pressure activated adhesive, but may alternatively comprise thermal activated adhesive. A first insert ply


160


has substantially the same length dimension and typically lesser width dimension than first and second plies


140


,


150


. First insert ply


160


is adhesively attached to second ply


150


by glue line


162


, a second glue line adjacent the lower edge (not shown), glue line


166


, and by correspondingly positioned glue lines on ply


160


, forming a return envelope.




Referring further to

FIGS. 8-11

, the structure of the fold-over carbonless insert


141


is described in detail. A substrate


12


-d having a first face


14


-d and a second face


16


-d further comprises a fold line


170


separating substrate


12


-d into a first portion


172


and a second portion


174


. Fold line


170


is preferably a line of weakness. A CB coating composition


36


-d is disposed on first portion


172


and a CF coating composition


38


-d is disposed on second portion


174


such that when substrate


12


-d is folded about fold line


170


, CB composition


36


-d is in contact with CF coating composition


38


-d. The substrate


12


-d, folded over in this manner forms second and third insert plies


176


,


178


of mailer


139


. Second and third insert plies


176


,


178


have lesser dimensions than plies


140


,


150


and are located in the envelope pocket formed by first ply


140


and first insert ply


160


. First ply


140


is releasably attached to the upper surface of first insert


160


by any suitable means such as by crimps or by releasable glue or the like. Preferably, discontinuous strips of releasable glue


161


are used.




Mailer


139


also includes longitudinal lines of weakness


40


-d defining marginal strip portions


42


-d on each of plies


140


,


150


,


160


and


176


adjacent the left edges thereof, as well as additional lines of weakness


40


-d defining marginal strip portions


42


-d on plies


140


and


150


along the right edge. Marginal strip portions


42


-d are provided with feed holes


180


.




Referring now to

FIG. 12

of the present invention, an alternative fold-over carbonless insert


141


′ for use in the mailer


139


of

FIGS. 8 and 9

, is described. A substrate


12


-e having a first face (not shown) and a second face


16


-e further comprises a fold line


170


separating substrate


12


-e into a first portion


172


and a second portion


174


. A CB coating composition


36


-e is disposed on first portion


172


and a CF coating composition


38


-e is disposed on second portion


174


such that when substrate


12


-e is folded about fold line


170


, CB composition


36


-e is not in contact with CF coating composition


38


-e. The substrate


12


-e, folded over in this manner forms second and third insert plies


176


,


178


of mailer


139


. Since the CB and CF panels face away from each other, no inadvertent carbonless imaging will occur when carbon impressions are made from first ply


140


of the mailer


139


, see

FIGS. 8 and 9

.




Referring now to

FIGS. 13 and 14

of the present invention, where like reference numerals refer to like structure, a carbonless business form


200


according to the present invention is illustrated. The business form


200


comprises a substrate


202


having a first face


204


and a second face


206


. A fold line


207


is provided across the substrate


202


and separates the substrate into a first portion


208


and a second portion


210


. A CB coating composition


212


is provided on the first portion


208


of the first face


204


. A CF coating composition


213


is provided on the second portion


210


of the first face


204


. An image medium


214


is provided on the first portion


208


of the first face


204


. As is clearly illustrated in

FIG. 13

, the image medium


214


and the CB coating


212


occupy a common area of the first portion


208


of the first face


204


. The image medium


214


may be any of a number conventional mediums, including those selected from the group consisting of a toner image, an ink jet image, a carbon image, a pigmented ribbon image, a thermal transfer image, and combinations thereof.




The CB coating composition


212


, the CF coating composition


213


, the image medium


214


, and the fold line


207


are positioned such that the image medium


214


is interposed between at least a portion of the CB coating composition


212


and at least a portion of the CF coating composition


213


when the substrate


202


is folded about the fold line


207


in a first direction


216


. The CB coating composition


212


, the CF coating composition


213


, and the fold line


207


are positioned such that, upon folding the substrate


202


about the fold line


207


in the first direction


216


, and upon introduction of an original image


217


with an imaging force on the second face


206


of the substrate


202


, a duplicate image


218


is formed in at least a portion of the CF coating composition


213


on the second portion


210


of the first face


204


. The image medium


214


interposed between the CB coating composition


212


and the CF coating composition


213


does not interfere with creation of a legible duplicate image


218


. Specifically, the duplicate image


218


may be created on the second portion


210


of the first face


204


even though the image medium


214


and the CB coating


212


occupy a common area of the first portion


208


of the first face


204


. As will be appreciated by those practicing the present invention, the stated common area occupied by the image medium


214


and the CB coating


212


is positioned opposite the duplicate image


218


formed on the second portion


210


of the first face


204


.




Referring further to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in

FIGS. 13 and 14

, it is contemplated that the business form


200


may be utilized to form a V-fold mailer by providing appropriately positioned adhesive patterns in marginal portions of the second face


206


, by providing an appropriately positioned outgoing address area in or on the business form, and by folding the substrate


202


about the fold line


207


in a direction opposite the first direction


216


. In this manner, the CB coating composition


212


and the CF coating composition


213


are kept from contacting each other in the mailing process. The recipient may then re-fold the substrate


202


about the fold line


207


in the first direction


216


to enable formation of the duplicate image


218


.




Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A business form comprising:a substrate having first and second faces; a fold line across said substrate wherein said fold line separates said substrate into a first portion and a second portion; a CB coating composition on said first portion of said first face; a CF coating composition on said second portion of said first face; and an image medium on said first portion of said first face, wherein said image medium and said CB coating occupy a common area of said first portion of said first face, and wherein said CB coating composition, said CF coating composition, said image medium, and said fold line are positioned such that said image medium is interposed between at least a portion of said CB coating composition and at least a portion of said CF coating composition when said substrate is folded about said fold line in a first direction.
  • 2. A business form as claimed in claim 1 wherein said image medium is selected from the group consisting of a toner image, a carbon image, a laser image, and combinations thereof.
  • 3. A method of producing a business form comprising the steps of:providing a substrate having first and second faces; forming a fold line across said substrate wherein said fold line separates said substrate into a first portion and a second portion; providing a CB coating composition on said first portion of said first face; providing a CF coating composition on said second portion of said first face; and providing an image medium on said first portion of said first face after said step of providing said CB coating composition on said first portion of said first face, wherein said image medium and said CB coating occupy a common area of said first portion of said first face, wherein said CB coating composition, said CF coating composition, and said fold line are positioned such that, upon folding said substrate about said fold line in a first direction, and upon introduction of an imaging force on said second face of said substrate, a duplicate image is formed in at least a portion of said CF coating composition on said second portion of said first face, and said common area of said first portion of said first face is positioned opposite at least a portion of said duplicate image on said second portion of said first face.
  • 4. A business form comprising:a substrate having first and second faces; a fold line across said substrate wherein said fold line separates said substrate into a first portion and a second portion; a CB coating composition on said first portion of said first face; a CF coating composition on said second portion of said first face; and adhesive patterns associated with said panels for forming a mailer from said business form, wherein said business form is V-folded about said fold line such that said first portion second face is engaged by said second portion of said second face and such that said CB coating composition avoids contact with said CF coating composition.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/496,772, filed Feb. 3, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,651 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/093,218, filed Jun. 8, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,253, issued Sep. 26, 2000.

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Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/093218 Jun 1998 US
Child 09/496772 US