Two-part mailer with top-opening return envelope

Abstract

A method is practiced to provide an outgoing mailer, parts of which are used to provide a return envelope. A feature of particular interest is that both the face and the back of the return envelope and face of the outgoing envelope are formed from the same web of paper. The article in its outgoing form has a top or face web with a window near its lower right corner, through which a variable address is viewed. A return address may be provided at the upper left corner, and postage at the upper right corner. Under the top face an intermediate web portion exists, which is an extension of the top web folded back nearer its own left edge and doubled against a corresponding segment of the top face. The intermediate web portion is of limited length, so that it does not cover the window. Finally, a bottom web underlies the top face and intermediate web portion, and is of length equal to the top web. The variable address is placed on the bottom web in position to be viewed through the window. Rows of dots of adhesive are placed along the top and bottom edges of the rear surfaces of the top web to hold the intermediate web portion and bottom web to the face portion of the top web. Various perfed lines of weakness exist in the two webs. When the original mailer is received by the addressee (e.g. 'John M. Jones') he/she opens it by tearing off the end areas along vertical perf lines, and then peeling the top web from the bottom web (the dots of adhesive above and below the window area release for this purpose). The user is then left with a return envelope (from which he or she will detach the vestigial windowed section of the top face) and the now separate bottom web. The face and rear of the return envelope are held together by a glue line extending around the margins of the return envelope other than the open edge. A rewettable glue flap is provided on the intermediate web for closing the return envelope. The address of the party to receive the return envelope is printed on the back of the intermediate web portion. This will also leave the same address (e.g. 'Moore Business Forms') in an upper corner on the back of the return envelope (if it was on the outgoing envelope).