Patent Application
20050252801
None.
The present invention relates to the field of business forms and more particularly to business forms, mailers, envelopes and the like that are used in the handling and transporting of communication or pictorial or audio reproduction elements. More particularly the subject of the instant specification is directed to a secure mailer or envelope assembly that is used in the transporting and handling of compact discs (“CD”), pre-recorded media, circuit boards, etchings, glass and silicone panels and patches and other fragile items that are transported through the postal system or other delivery or courier operations and for returning the elements to the subscription service from where the products were initially obtained. The business form construction of the present invention includes a unique inner arrangement that provides shielding and cushioning against the rigors of handling encountered in the movement of fragile or breakable items from a shipment origin to a recipient destination.
With the rise of communication traffic over a global communications network, the Internet, there has been a natural increase in the amount of commercial traffic, particularly personal consumer business activity intended for individual consumption of products and other offerings that have normally been provided only through “brick and mortar” establishments such as shopping centers, plazas and malls. The rise in convenience in attaining personal consumer products as well as commercial offerings has also created a need for better packaging and delivery methods so as to protect the goods and products as they are delivered through the postal system or other courier or transportation delivery networks, such as overnight express companies, freight lines and other suitable means for providing products to homes and businesses. Unfortunately, the packaging has not evolved as quickly as other technologies, such as communication technologies, web site capabilities and the like, and in connection with certain products, the packaging used for delivery of the products to the end users suffers from significant drawbacks leading to start up business entities incurring significantly more costs in the area of damaged and returned goods than was initially contemplated.
One business that has seen significant growth in recent memory includes those companies that are involved in the delivery of prerecorded media and computer software, e.g. educational software, to consumers or other end users or subscribers. Currently, an end user subscribes to a service offering in which the user or consumer is provided with a number of options or subscription levels in which to attain prerecorded materials or software such as CD's, digital video discs (“DVD”), and the like. The prerecorded material may include movies, television serials, audio books, music, instructional media, such computer operating instructions, educational media, personal and business software and the like.
Heretofore, many if not all of these prerecorded CDs and DVDs have been provided in traditional “jewel cases” which consists of a relatively rigid package that are typically constructed of plastic (polyethylene, polystyrene, etc.). Such packages will normally stand up to most of the impacts and other pressures that are applied or encountered during the handling of the package as it weaves its way through postal sorting or courier processing to the entity that placed the original order. While such packaging is desirable for use in reducing damage to the CD or DVD it suffers from a significant drawback in the form of expense.
The cost of such packages in not only significantly greater in the area of the cost to manufacture but also in connection with increased amounts of postage that are necessary to handle the package in order to deliver the package to the end user. The increased postage costs are attributable to the weight of the package when compared with for example a business envelope. However, while the contents of the jewel case may normally survive, the jewel case itself may become cracked, damaged or rendered unusable by the rigors of the handling or simply by the end user in attempting to open the package. Thus, use of a jewel case for the delivery of prerecorded software or programs, while generally effective in mitigating the number of damaged and returned products, can reduce the desirability of an “on-line” offering due to the cost of the packaging, its replacement and the related postage used to deliver the package to an end user consumer or business.
The detrimental economic aspects of using a jewel case has been recognized by a number of such “on-line” companies, and these entities have sought to use other packaging arrangements to deliver their goods to a customer. Unfortunately, while such packaging has been more economical than the jewel case, the packaging itself has generally not evolved in a manner sufficient to completely overcome some of the problems and unique needs of this industry.
One example of other packaging currently being used today includes “diskette” mailers that are essentially as sleeve with a flap that is folded over the opening. These mailers or sleeves are constructed of a heavy weight paperboard material and are generally sized and configured so as to accommodate a CD or DVD. Such sleeves can also be large enough to receive a jewel case. However, while these sleeves are more economical to use than jewel cases, they still incur increased postage due to the weight of the material from which they are constructed, as well as increased cost for production and normally cannot be used in returning the CD or DVD to the original sender as the postal indicia cannot be obliterated on the outgoing mail piece.
Another drawback with such diskette mailers as well as with jewel cases is simply the thickness of the packaging material. This increased thickness of the packaging requires additional storage space and thus takes away from available inventory space that instead could be used to stock products that are intended for consumer or business applications encountered in retail and wholesale applications.
Another structure currently in use amounts to little more than a two way mailer configuration, similar to those mailers being used to exchange correspondence and enable the recipient to return a remittance, such as with a utility bill. These mailers have simply been enlarged so as to be able to accommodate the size of a CD or DVD. While economical as the mailer is constructed from bond paper, and suitable for use as a return communication piece, unfortunately, use of these types of mailers suffer from significant damage to the contents and leads to unacceptable levels of scratched and broken CDs and DVDs. Regrettably, the CD or DVD may be damaged on the outbound transmission nearly as equally as much as the inbound transport thus depriving the consumer ordering the CD or DVD of the ability initially view or hear the product that they have ordered, thereby requiring the shipper to reissue a replacement disc, thus depriving the retailer of even the initial rental of the CD or DVD.
A still further solution has been to insert into conventional envelopes padding material such as “bubble wrap”, fibrous fill and the like. While this again reduces the amount of breakage encountered over a basic envelopes structure, such inserts take up space and require an additional step of having to position the material prior to loading the envelope with the disk, again leading to heightened or increased cost.
What is needed therefore is an economical package, that can easily be processed through the postal sorting and courier handling systems, takes up minimal space, and which provides sufficient protection to the contents so as to be able to reduce the amount of breakage and damaged encountered with prior art systems.
The embodiments of the present invention described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present invention.
The present invention relates to a business form, more specifically a business form suitable for use in two way or return mail applications and more particularly to a business form used in mailing and returning prerecorded CDs, DVDs, software and other fragile items to a recipient. The envelope assembly of the present invention includes calendared sheets which create an air gap or air pillow internally of the return mailer configuration so as to cushion the impacts and other forces exerted on the contents of the mailer during processing and handling. The business form of the present invention can be produced in an economical fashion and unlike prior art constructions does not consume an inordinate amount of inventory or other storage space to hold the mailers. In addition, the mailer assembly of the present invention can be easily imaged and printed with indicia which may include marketing and advertising indicia, address information, use and return instructions and other indicia relevant to the transmission and return of the package and related contents.
In one exemplary embodiment, a business form for transporting prerecorded and fragile materials is described and includes an inner chamber that has first and second panels, each of the panels has first and second sides, first and second ends, an inner face and an outer face, and a first length and width. Each of the panels is also provided with a series of raised areas and recessed areas which are provided in a pattern.
Continuing with a description of the present embodiment, first and second sheets are also provided with each of the sheets having first and second sides, first and second ends, an inner face and an outer face, and a length and width. The inner face of the first sheet is adhered to the outer face of the first panel along the first and second sides and one of the first and second ends. The inner face of the second sheet is adhered to the outer face of the second panel along each of the first and second sides and one of the first and second ends.
The first and second sheets and the first and second panels of the presently described embodiment are joined together along one of the first and second ends so as to create a sealed end and an open end. One of the first and second sheets is provided with an adhesive closure strip that is disposed substantially adjacent one of the first and second ends that is on the open end, to form a closure for a return assembly. At least one outgoing closure panel is provided and has first and second sides, first and second ends, an inner face and an outer face and a length and width. The outgoing closure panel is adhered to one of the outer faces of one of the first and second sheets along at least one of the first and second end edges so as to form an outgoing mailer assembly.
Delivery indicia is provided on the outer face of the closure panel and the outer face of one of the first and second sheets for the purposes of delivering the outgoing mail piece as well as for the return of the mail piece to the original sender.
The outgoing closure panel of this presently described embodiment is provided with an adhesive closure strip that is positioned on one of the first and second ends opposite the end adhered to the one of the first and second sheets first and second ends. The closure strip is then folded about the first and second sheets and the first and second panels and over the open end so as to form a sealed outgoing mailer assembly.
In a still further embodiment of the present invention, return mailer assembly for transmitting fragile materials, is described and includes at least one CD, DVD, prerecorded software or combinations thereof. A first envelope is provided that has an interior and an exterior and an open end. The interior has a plurality of raised and recessed areas that are arranged in a pattern. The first envelope is sized and configured to receive the at least one CD, DVD or prerecorded software.
The first envelope of the presently described embodiment is provided with an adhesive closure strip that is used to seal the open end and return indicia to enable the return of the CD, DVD or software to the sender after use.
At least one external wrapping sheet is provided in connection with this construction and is temporarily, adhesively disposed on at least a portion of the exterior of the first envelope. The wrapping sheet is provided with delivery indicia and further includes an adhesive closure strip which when the external sheet with the closure strip is folded over the open end of the first envelope, the external wrapping sheet forms an outgoing mailer.
In connection with the foregoing embodiment an additional modification includes the provision of at least a second envelope that is at least temporarily secured to the first envelope. The second envelope has a size and configuration that is substantially equivalent to the first envelope so as to create a mailer for delivering multiple CDs, DVDs, prerecorded software programs and combinations thereof to requestor.
In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, a method for delivering CDs, DVDs and prerecorded software is described and includes the steps of initially receiving an order from a requestor, such as over a global communications network. The order contains a request for one or more copies of available programs from a distributor of such programs. After receipt of the order the programs are next collected from an inventory of such available programs. Then, at least one program is inserted into a first envelope that has an interior that includes a plurality of raised and recessed portions so as to provide a cushioning for the program. Then, the first envelope is sealed with at least one additional closure sheet that has been temporarily, adhesively attached to the exterior of the envelope, and finally, the at least one program is delivered to the requestor such as through the postal system or courier network.
In still further exemplary modifications of the foregoing method embodiment, a second envelope can be provided and removably attached to the first envelope so that multiple programs can be distributed to the requestor. In this arrangement, the requester, then on receipt can detach or separate the envelopes from one another and return the separate envelopes when their use is completed thus avoiding the necessity of having to wait to send all of the programs back at the same time.
These and other objects of the invention will become clear from an inspection of the detailed description of the invention and from the appended claims.
These, as well as other objects and advantages of this invention, will be more completely understood and appreciated by referring to the following more detailed description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:
The present invention is now illustrated in greater detail by way of the following detailed description which represents the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention. However, it should be understood that this description is not to be used to limit the present invention, but rather, is provided for the purpose of illustrating the general features of the invention.
The present invention is found in the field of business forms and more particularly business forms used in two way business communications. Specifically, the present mailer construction is ideally suited for use in the transmission of fragile items that have heretofore been damaged by prior art structures through the use of an internal chamber having a series or plurality of raised and recessed areas that may be provided in a regular or random pattern.
As used herein fragile items includes compact discs (“CD”), digital video discs (“DVD”), prerecorded computer software, silicone chips, boards and wafers, glass plates, etchings and the like.
Turning now to
The raised and recessed areas 20 and 22 may be substantially equal in space or area, or there may be a greater area occupied by the raised or recessed portions depending on the equipment, needs and such other arrangements that may be optimized to produce a cushioned interior chamber 11.
The raised and recessed areas are produced by calendaring rolls which have corresponding raised and recessed portions to impart into the sheet a calendared pattern by applying substantial pressure as is readily understood by those with skilled in the art.
The assembly 10 also includes first and second sheets 24 and 26 which again have first and second ends 28 and 30 and first and second sides (only one side is shown in the present FIGURE due to the cross sectional arrangement). In addition, the first and second sheets 24 and 26 each have an inner and outer face 32 and 34. The inner face 34 of sheet 26 is adhered to the outer face 18 of panel 12 and the inner face 34 of sheet 24 is adhered to the outer face 18 of panel 14. The sheets 24 and 26 may have adhesive applied over their entire surface area such that complete contact is achieved with panels 12 and 14 or alternatively, only the sides and an end edge may be adhered together or some other pattern of adhesive applied to connect the sheets and panels together. Generally, the adherence between the sheets 24 and 26 and panels 12 and 14 is permanent so that the sheets and panels cannot be separated without tearing. In addition, where a pattern of adhesive is use or the sheets and panels are adhered only along both side edges and one end edge, the calendared or embossed pattern may then be allowed to vent air into the open end of the chamber as is shown by arrow 36.
As is shown in
End 30 of sheet 24 is provided with an adhesive closing strip 42 for sealing the open end of the inner chamber upon returning the CD to the sender or subscription service from which the CD was obtained. The closure strip 42 may be made from a remoistenable adhesive, transfer tape, where peeling off a release liner exposes a pressure sensitive adhesive or such other adhesive that may be activated by the recipient prior to closing the inner chamber and returning the envelope to the sender.
The sheet 24 is also provided with a fold line 40 that enables the closure strip 42 to be folded about open end of the inner envelope. In addition, sheet 26 is provided with a line of weakness 38, such that prior to sealing of the envelope caused by the folding over of the closure strip, the line of weakness enables the separation of the end edge 28 of the sheet 26 so that the adhesive strip 42 can contact the outer surface 32 of sheet 26 to create and effective seal. Alternatively, the end portion 28 of sheet 26 can be folded inwardly rather than being detached which still enables the closure strip 42 to effectively seal the inner chamber of the assembly 10.
As is also shown in
The end edge 47 of closure panel 46 is provided with an adhesive closure strip 51 and a fold line 52 which enables the closure strip to be easily folded over the open end of the panels and sheets so as to come into contact with the outer face 32 of sheet 24. As provided above, the closure strip 51 may be a rewettable or remoistenable adhesive, transfer tape arrangement or other suitable closure that is sufficient to accomplish the purpose of the present invention.
Turning now to
The outer face 32 of sheet 26 is shown with relevant return address information 72, postal indicia 74, FIM or PostNet code 76 and such other reply mail indicia 78 as may be needed to return the CD to the sender. In addition, the inner face 50 of closure panel 46 may be provided with instructions, marketing indicia, coupons or the like 80 for use in connection with returning the program, placing another order or presenting some sort of offer to the recipient that may be of interest to the recipient. For clarity,
It should be understood that while the embodiment of
It should be understood that any sort of pattern may be used depending on the requirements and preferences of the customer. In addition, the pattern may also comprise an embossed configuration similar to a trademark or logo which would provide sufficient cushioning to protect the contents of the mailer assembly.
Next, the requested program or programs are inserted into one or more envelopes at step 230 and 224. If a second or additional envelopes are used, such as in the fulfillment of a multiple request order, the second or additional envelopes are connected to the first envelope at step 226 through use of a removable adhesive pattern. Once all of the programs have been collected and inserted into the secure envelope assembly of the present invention, the envelope or envelopes are sealed at step 240 through use of the adhesive closure strip on the outer closure panel as described herein.
The programs in the respective envelopes are then deposited with the postal system or picked up by a courier service at step 250. On receipt, the envelope is opened, or alternatively if multiple envelopes are received, the envelopes are separated from one another at step 252. Once the recipient has completed use of the program, the recipient reinserts the program in the envelope and returns the envelope to the subscription service at step 260.
It will thus be seen according to the present invention a highly advantageous mailer assembly for transmitting and returning prerecorded CDs, DVDs, software and other fragile items has been provided. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, that many modifications and equivalent arrangements may be made thereof within the scope of the invention, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products.
The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of their invention as it pertains to any apparatus, system, method or article not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set out in the following claims.
