Patent Application
20050045704
(NOT APPLICABLE)
(NOT APPLICABLE)
The present invention relates generally to business forms and, more particularly, to a business form including an integrated pouch that is suitable for laser printing.
Currently, in order to identify the contents of an envelope, a user may physically write on the outside of the envelope or print a sheet of labels to be affixed either to the envelope itself and/or its contents. In a business form context, this application thus requires two forms, an envelope form and a label sheet. Combined forms including an envelope and at least one label-type product have been attempted, but due to their construction, are undesirably unsuited for laser printing. Additionally, existing forms use a paper or like web to form the envelope, and thus when the envelope is sealed, the user is unable to see the contents of the envelope without opening it.
The combination form of the present invention eliminates the need to utilize separate applications currently used for identifying or labeling the contents of an envelope. The form also utilizes a transparent web of material to define a pouch or envelope where its contents can be viewed without requiring the envelope to be opened. Additionally, the form is preferably of a construction that is suitable for laser printing. Another feature of the invention resides in a partial application of release material to a bottom liner such that portions of the top web are permanently affixed to the liner while other portions are removable. With this construction, labels can be die cut from the primary web of material, which after printing via a laser printer or the like can be affixed to the contents of the envelope and/or the envelope exterior.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a pouch form suitable for laser printing includes a first web of material having a top printable sheet with an adhesive bottom layer, and a bottom liner secured to the top printable sheet via the adhesive bottom layer. A second web of transparent material having three sides thereof is fixed to the bottom liner via adhesive strips to define a transparent pouch. The first and second webs, when assembled, are sized such that the pouch form is suitable for laser printing. In one embodiment, the pouch form may further include at least one label die cut from the top printable sheet. In this context, the bottom liner is preferably at least partially coated with a release material.
The bottom liner generally may be selectively partially coated with a release material to define at least one label area in the top printable sheet. An open side of the second web of material may be disposed spaced from an uppermost portion of the first web of material to define a sealing flap, wherein the bottom liner is coated with a release material at least adjacent the sealing flap, and wherein the bottom liner is die cut adjacent the open side of the second web of material. Indicia may be printed on at least portions of the top printable sheet. Preferably, the transparent pouch is sealable using the first web of material.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of constructing a pouch form suitable for laser printing includes the steps of providing a first web of material including a top printable sheet with an adhesive bottom layer; securing a bottom liner to the top printable sheet via the adhesive bottom layer, the first web of material and the bottom liner having a perimeter with four sides; applying adhesive strips on the bottom liner substantially along three sides of the four sided perimeter; and fixing a second web of transparent material to the bottom liner via the adhesive strips to define a transparent pouch, wherein the first and second webs, when assembled, are sized such that the pouch form is suitable for laser printing.
In still another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a pouch form suitable for laser printing includes a first web of material having a top printable sheet with an adhesive coated bottom layer, and a bottom liner secured to the top printable sheet via the adhesive bottom layer. A second web of transparent material having three sides thereof is fixed to the bottom liner via adhesive strips to define a transparent pouch. Selected portions of the bottom liner are coated with a release material so as to be removably secured to the first web of material, and remaining portions of the bottom liner are permanently affixed to the first web of material.
These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
With reference to
A second web 20 of preferably transparent material has three sides thereof fixed to the bottom liner 18 via adhesive strips 22 to define a transparent pouch 24. That is, the bottom liner 18 having a perimeter with four sides has adhesive strips 22 applied thereon substantially along three sides of the four-sided perimeter as shown in
When assembled, the first 12 and second 20 webs have a total combined thickness of about 5-7 mils such that the form 10 is suitable for laser printing. Of course, as noted, the form can also be printed via ink jet, impact or other type of print media.
With reference to
With reference to
In constructing the pouch form, the first web of material 12 may be a stock material including the top printable sheet 14, adhesive bottom layer and bottom liner 18. The bottom liner 18 may be processed to include release material 26 prior to mating with the top printable sheet 14. The adhesive strips 22 are applied on the bottom liner 18 substantially along three sides of the four-sided perimeter as shown in
Subsequently, the second web of transparent material 20 is fixed to the bottom liner 18 via the adhesive strips 22 to define the transparent pouch 24. After a printing process, one or more of the labels 34 are die cut from the top printable sheet 14. Variable printing may subsequently be performed prior to product use if necessary or desirable.
The form 10 may be any size, but preferably will be constructed using standard 8½×11 or 8½×14 inch dimensions. The form can be manufactured in sheet form, fan-fold, roll or continuous (marginal hole-punched). The face portion of the form may have labels in the face as shown in the drawings. These decals can be placed onto the surface by normal coating, spot coating, strip coating, pattern coating or silicone coating. Decals can be placed on to the sheet by integration of the decal or the application of a label onto the face. The base material can be made as a total label construction or can be made by strip coating the liner (a portion with silicone and a portion without silicone). By doing this, a portion of the face material will be pressure sensitive and a portion will be “welded” material not capable of being or having labels.
The form 10 can be used as a pouch with printing on its face, or can be used for labels on the face or both. By enabling the form to be printed via a laser printer or the like, high-speed processing of the pouch form can be effected. Exemplary applications for the form of the present invention include controlled drugs, security items, evidence or other secured and controlled items.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
