Patent Application
20140069995
The subject matter described herein relates to double postcards, specifically double postcards containing one or more checks.
A postcard can be a rectangular piece of material, such as thick paper or thin cardboard, intended for writing and mailing without an envelope. In some places, it is possible to send them for a lower fee than for a letter. The United States Postal Service (USPS) defines a postcard as: rectangular, at least 3+½ inches (88.9 mm) high×5 inches (127 mm) long×0.007 inches (0.178 mm) thick and no more than 4+¼ inches (108 mm) high×6 inches (152.4 mm) long×0.016 inches (0.406 mm) thick.
A double postcard (i.e., a double stamped card or double card) can include two attached cards configured so that they may be sent as a single card. The recipient can separate the two cards and return or mail one of the cards. Typically, a double postcard can include a single piece of material with perforations or other imposed weakness in the middle, which, when folded (or closed), cause the first or interior side of the material to fold upon itself thus hiding any printing on the first side. The second or outer side of the material forms the first post card. Double postcards can include a check or other sensitive information that is hidden when initially mailed.
Double postcards are becoming increasingly popular because of a significant postage savings.
In an aspect, a double postcard with bank check includes a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. The first and second panels are separated by a first line of weakness. The second and third panels are separated by a second line of weakness. The first panel includes first and second opposing surfaces. A face of a bank check is located on the first opposing surface and an outgoing address is located on the second opposing surface.
In another aspect, manufacturing a double postcard with check includes providing a double postcard having a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. The first panel comprises first and second opposing surfaces. A face of a bank check is located on the first opposing surface. An outgoing address is printed on the second opposing surface.
One or more of the following features can optionally be included in any feasible combination. For example, the outgoing address can be located within a band that is about 2 and ¾ inches from a left edge of the second surface. The second panel can include an intelligent mail barcode. The intelligent mail barcode can be between about 1 and ½ inches and about ⅝ inches from the second line of weakness. The third panel can be between about 3.5 inches by about 6 inches and about 4.25 inches by about 6 inches. The double postcard can be folded at the second line of weakness. The second surface can include a postal permit or stamp located near an edge opposite the outgoing address. The second surface can have located thereon a return address. The return address can be within about 2 and ¾ inches from an edge of the second surface. The outgoing address can be printed on the second surface. The double postcard can include a paper grade equal to or greater than about 0.007 inches. The face of the bank check can include a Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR), the MICR located closer to the first line of weakness than at least one edge of the double postcard.
The outgoing address can be printed within a band that is 2 and ¾ inches from a left edge of the second surface. A postage indicia can be printed on the second surface. A return address can be printed on the second surface. An intelligent mail barcode can be printed on the second panel. the double postcard can be folded at the second line of weakness.
The subject matter described herein provides many advantages. For example, although in no way limiting or for interpreting the claims, double postcards can provide a substantial savings of postage, especially in a large mailing that requires automation (and thus provides postal discounts). The current subject matter can solve USPS layout issues by utilizing the banking regulations for check layout and the USPS regulations for automated mail. Additionally, imaging of the form can be easier without the use of special software as all panels can image in the same orientation of reading.
The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
The current subject matter places, locates, and/or prints postcard elements in/on regions on the back of a check that may have otherwise been blank thereby providing a double postcard with check design that conforms to both banking specifications as well as USPS regulations.
Banking standards provide that the back of a check on the right side (as referenced from a person viewing the front of the check) near the signature endorsement area has a region 2.75 inches wide that can be utilized for other unrelated information. Further, the left side of the check has a region 1.5 inches wide that can be utilized for other unrelated information. In exemplary implementations, postcard elements (e.g., outgoing/return address and post permit of indicia) are placed in these regions.
Each panel can be separated by a perforation or other intended weakness or line of weakness. First perforation 107 can separate panel 105 and panel 110. Second perforation 112 can separate panel 110 and panel 115. The IMB 135 can be located closer to the center perforation (second perforation 112) than to an edge of the first panel 105. The double postcard 100 can fold along second perforation 112 and can be sealed using pressure sealing, an adhesive, or other suitable adhering technique.
The opposite (back) side of panel 110 is shown. The opposite (back) side of panel 115 is shown and includes space for additional or auxiliary information 190 such as reply mail information.
Panel 105 can be separated from the double postcard to form a bank check. The postal elements can stay on the check once separated (e.g., the outgoing address 125, the return address 120, and the postal permit 130). According to bank regulations, the back of a check on the right side (as referenced from a person viewing the front of the check) near the signature endorsement area has a band (i.e., region) 3 inches wide that can be utilized for other unrelated information. In this embodiment, the return address 120 and outgoing address 125 can be placed in this band above the first perforation 107. The entire return address 120 and outgoing address 125 can reside within the band. According to bank regulations, the left side of a check has a band (i.e., region) 1.5 inches wide that can be utilized for other unrelated information. In this embodiment, the postal permit 130 can be located, printed on, or be placed in this 1.5 inch vertical band. The entire postal permit 130 can reside within the band.
The first perforation 107 can be between about ⅝ inch and 1.5 inches from the second perforation 112. Separating first panel 105 and second panel 110 causes the USPS IMB 135 barcode to be removed from the check.
Since the first perforation 107 is placed close to the bottom of the check, in some example embodiments, extra adhesive (e.g., glue) can be located close to a center point of the check. This increases confidentiality and helps to prevent sensitive data from being seen by an individual who has not opened the folded double postcard.
The MICR numbering 170 can be located or printed close to the first perforation 107 to provide a uniform thickness along the MICR 170 edge to enable automatic processing of the check by a bank. The check can be printed head to head to provide a proper layout. This configuration also makes layout easier with software such as Microsoft Word 2010, because fonts do not have to be rotated 180 degrees.
Optionally, the double postcard can include one or more opening perforations 145 placed approximately ⅜ inch to ⅝ inch, (and can preferably be ½ inch) from an edge of the mail piece. The opening perforations 145 can make opening easier, e.g., on postcard sizes over 3.75 inches by 6 inch.
Optionally, adhesive or glue can be placed on the face of the check, near the top edge (i.e., that is the second side of panel 105 near the top edge of the check).
At 320, one or more postage elements are printed on the back of the bank check. The postage elements can include an outgoing address 125, a return address 120, and postage indicia or stamp 130. The printing can be performed by, for example, a printing machine, printing press, or other printing apparatus.
By way of reference, USPS regulations can be found, for example, in “Domestic Mail Manual” published by the US Postal Service. Banking regulations for check endorsement and format layout can be found, for example, in ANSI Standard X9.7 and X9.100-200.
Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/700,157, filed Sep. 12, 2012, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61700157 | Sep 2012 | US |
