DE20003416U1 - Envelope-free letter - Google Patents

Description

PFISTEF=I & PFISTER PATSVITAN LAWYERS

20/0

fag Helmut Pfister

European Patent Attorney

Dipl.-Phys. Stefan Pfister

D-87700 Memmingen/Bayem Office: Herrenstraße 11

Telephone 08331/2412 Fax 0 83 31/24 07 Office 2: Buxacher Straße 9

Telephone 0 8331/65183 Fax 08331/65185 Postgiroamt München 1343 39-805 (bank code 700100 80) HypoVereinsbank Memmingen 2 303 396 (bank code 731 200 75) VAT ID No. ■ Vat Reg. No. · N° CEE DE 182193017

2 5 FEB. 2000

Mr Karl Jahn
Albrecht-Dürer-Str. 41, 88299 Leutkirch

Mr Jan Gomoluch Holbeinstrasse 9, 882 99 Leutkirch

Mr Matthias Frosch Hölderlinstrasse 11, 88299 Leutkirch

Mr. Thorsten Donner Breiteweg 15, 88410 Bad Wurzach

"Envelopeless letter"

The invention relates to an envelope-less letter, consisting of at least one sheet of paper that can be used as stationery, which is provided with at least one cover letter on one side, the front, and has a recipient's address on the back, and is folded in such a way that the recipient's address is on the outside and the cover letter is on the inside, and which

folded sheet can be secured or closed in its folded state.

Letters without envelopes have so far been used mainly for advertising purposes, with both sides of the sheet usually being printed with advertising and only a space being provided for printing the recipient's address. Such letters are glued together at the edge and the letter can be opened by tearing off the edge, for example at a perforation.

Furthermore, there are cover letters that already have a return address for sending back. With these cover letters, the return address is placed by folding the sheet of paper in such a way that it is visible through a window in a window envelope.

The problem with envelope-less letters is that once they have been opened, they cannot be returned without using an envelope. The sender must procure the envelope themselves and, if the sender does not have such an envelope available, there is a great risk that the letter will not be answered, which would thwart any potential business, for example in advertising campaigns. It should also be noted that the additional envelope requires additional raw materials and generates additional waste.

It is now the object of the invention to design an envelope-less letter which is intended as a reply letter and can be addressed back without an envelope while maintaining the confidentiality of the letter.

This task is solved by having the sheet of paper used as a cover letter on its back in addition to the

·

Recipient address
is.

at least with the return address

This measure makes it possible for the recipient's address or the return address to be placed on the outside by folding the sheet accordingly. The cover letter itself is placed on the inside so that the cover letter is completely hidden after folding the sheet. By then closing the folded sheet at the edges, it can be used directly as a letter.

The sheet is folded along at least two fold lines that are parallel or perpendicular to each other. Depending on the size of the sheet and the format of the letter to be sent, it may be advantageous to fold the sheet several times, with it then being folded along both parallel and perpendicular lines.

The arrangement of the recipient address and return address on the back of the sheet is such that after folding the sheet around a first fold line, the recipient address can be seen on the letter and after folding around a second fold line, the return address can be seen on the letter.

In letters where the sheet is folded along two perpendicular lines, the two addresses are either in the right half of the back of the sheet, for example the recipient's address in the lower right quarter and the return address in the upper right quarter, or they are diagonally opposite each other - for example the recipient's address in the lower right quadrant and the return address in the upper left. The order of the recipient's address and return address can also be swapped. Both addresses are preferably printed in landscape format when the sheet is folded along two perpendicular lines.

so that the envelopeless letter corresponds to the postal format.

In principle, however, it is also possible to send letters in a different format, so that the arrangement of the two addresses on the back does not necessarily have to be in landscape format.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sheet is folded along two parallel lines, with one of the addresses being arranged in the upper third of the sheet and the corresponding other address being arranged in the lower third of the sheet. The back of the letter therefore always remains the back for both types of mailing, while when folded along two perpendicular lines, the back of the sealed letter is a different section of the back of the sheet if the recipient's address is on the outside than if the return address is on the outside.

The fold lines on the sheet of paper are not exactly on the thirds lines, but are chosen so that the remaining middle area is slightly larger and thus allows both the first and the second fold without any problems.

When the sheet is folded around two parallel fold lines, the addresses are preferably printed in portrait format and the letter arrangement of both addresses points either in the same direction or in the opposite direction.

Both the recipient address and the return address are assigned a sender address, which is to be found in the corresponding area of the letter either in a quadrant of the letter folded around perpendicular fold lines or in the corresponding third of the letter folded around two parallel lines.

•·Φ· · ·

letter is located on the top left edge. The sender address for an external recipient address corresponds to the return address and the sender address for an external return address corresponds to the recipient address.

To forward letters to possible additional recipients, a new address can be printed instead of the return address.

In particular, it is possible to use the sender's logo in the sender's address, or an artistic design of the sender's address makes the letter easier for the recipient to recognize.

After folding the sheet of paper to return the letter, the sheet can be secured or sealed again in the folded state. In the simplest case, this can be done by the returner applying glue to the edges of the sheet and thus sealing the letter again. It is not necessary to seal the letter on all its outer edges, but this would increase security against accidental opening.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the letter to be returned is only sealed on two of its outer edges, which are opposite each other. This means that there is a high probability that the letter will not open accidentally during transport.

The sheet is fixed or sealed at specific points, along a line or across the surface. In principle, a point, for example one in the middle of the outer top edge of the sheet, is sufficient to seal the letter sufficiently. This can be done by dabbing on an adhesive or by using a one-sided adhesive tape.

which is applied to the sheet at this point or by a two-sided adhesive tape which is provided on the edges of the cover letter and is stuck to the underlying part of the letter by removing a cover.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a rubber coating is provided along the upper edge of the sheet or both side edges, which comes to rest on one another when the sheet is folded over and seals the letter sufficiently. In a further variant of the invention, simple staples can also seal the letter, or embossing machines, which are used when envelope-less letters are frequently sent. These allow the edges to be embossed together, which seals the letter.

The sheet for use as an envelope-less letter can be a computer-compatible single sheet of paper that is fed into the computer in one direction to print the cover letter and, after turning it over, is provided with the recipient and return address on the back. However, it is also conceivable to use computer-compatible continuous paper, with the cover letter already pre-printed on this continuous paper and the computer only printing the recipient and, if applicable, the return address, if it is not already arranged on the back, since it does not change.

The sheet can also be part of a pad, with the cover letter already printed on one side of the sheet, possibly even the return address pre-printed, and only the recipient's address or the sender's address is added by hand, with a typewriter or with a computer when the letter is returned.

Whether using the sheet as single sheet paper or continuous paper or part of a block, it can be provided with binder holes

»••V

This makes it easier to file the letter afterwards and saves a lot of work when it comes to punching the holes in each individual sheet of paper.

Since a cover letter does not always consist of just one page, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the envelope-less letter consists of several individual sheets, with at least one of the sheets having the recipient and return address on its back. This sheet with the recipient and return address is advantageously the last of the written sheets, so that here too, after folding along at least two fold lines, either the recipient address or the return address is on the outside. Here too, the sheets can be attached to one another and the letter can be sealed using glue, gum, staples or embossing.

The invention also includes an envelope-less letter in which the recipient and return addresses are arranged on different sheets of paper, but by connecting or folding the sheets, either only the recipient address or return address is exposed. In this way, it is possible to send very large letters with multiple pages, whereby these letters may only be folded along a fold line or the sheets may not be folded at all, but by turning the sheets over, the corresponding address is exposed and all the sheets are connected to one another at their edges.

The invention also includes a device for printing on a sheet of paper, in particular to be used as an envelope-less letter, whereby the device prints the recipient or return address on the back of the sheet in such a way that the addresses are positioned in such a way that when the sheet is folded, only one of the addresses is optionally visible on the letter.

·» ·■ ·* %i it ti

Such a device can be a computer workstation where the sheet is inserted into the printer, which prints the two addresses or also the sender's address according to the specified fold lines.

It is advantageous if markings are printed on the sheet at the same time to show the fold lines. This way, the letter can be folded by hand at the designated places without having to first measure where the fold lines should run.

This computer workstation can also be used to simultaneously print the cover letter provided on the front.

However, the device for printing the sheet can also be provided with a printing machine that prints the cover letter and the return address as well as the sender, so that in a further step only the recipient address needs to be inserted. This entire process can also be fully automatic, in which the recipient address, the return address and the cover letter are each designed as separate data fields, which arranges the data fields for the addresses on the back of the sheet and the data field for the cover letter on the front of the sheet via a control system, and the address data fields are positioned with regard to the specified fold line and the recipient address is interchangeable.

The device for printing the sheet is followed by a folding device which automatically folds the sheet along the specified fold lines so that the recipient's address is on the outside of the letter. The recipient only has to fold the sheet along the fold lines to return it so that the

Return letter with the return address facing outwards.

This printing and folding device is followed by another device to produce the envelope-less letter, which then secures or seals the letter. This additional device applies adhesive points, gum or staples etc. to the edges of the letter, which come together when folded so that the letter is then sealed. Additional adhesive points are provided, which also enable the letter to be secured and sealed when folded over. The edges of the folded sheet can also be pressed together using an embossing machine, or the letter can be sealed using simple staples.

For this device or devices for producing envelope-less letters, computer software is provided that controls the printing of the sheet, whereby the software determines the data fields and the content for the addresses and/or the cover letter. Additional software is provided that controls the entire process, from printing to folding and securing or sealing the sheet.

The invention is illustrated schematically in a drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1 the back of the sheet for

Use as an envelopeless letter according to the invention;

Fig. 2 a, b the sheet of the inventive

Letter in two side views, folded differently;

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Fig. 3 a the front view of an inventive

envelopeless letter with recipient address and sender address;

Fig. 3 b the back of an inventive

appropriate letter,-

Fig. 3 c the front of a back

send a letter with the return address and the sender address;

Fig. 4 Block diagram of an inventive

device for producing an envelopeless letter.

In Fig. 1, the sheet for producing an envelope-less letter is shown at 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the folding lines 2, 3 are aligned parallel to one another and divide the sheet into three approximately equal-sized parts 4, 5, 6. In particular, the middle third 5 is somewhat larger than the two outer thirds 4 and 6, so that when the outer thirds 4, 6 are folded along the folding lines 2, 3, in this view of the sheet 1 to the rear, all three sheet parts 4, 5, 6 lie flat on top of one another. This ensures that the outer edge of the sheet does not protrude beyond the folding line of the opposite third when one of the outer thirds is folded.

In this embodiment, the recipient address 7 is located in the upper third 4 of the sheet 1 and is on the outside of the envelope-less letter after it has been completed, see also Fig. 3 a. The sender address 8 is located in the upper left corner of the upper third of the sheet. In order to identify the sender more easily,

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The company logo can also be shown in this field so that it can be recognized. This page can also be printed for advertising purposes, although the address fields are kept free of advertising so that the addresses can be recognized.

The return address 9 is located in the lower third 6 of sheet 1 and in this embodiment is aligned in the same direction as the recipient address 7. The second sender 10, which corresponds to the recipient address 7, is located here in the upper left corner of the lower third 6 of sheet 1.

In an embodiment not shown, it is also possible to arrange recipient and return addresses diagonally opposite each other, with the printing direction of the return address 9 being upside down in relation to the recipient address 7, for example. The same applies to both senders 8 and 10, which are then also diagonally opposite each other.

Fig. 2 a shows a partially folded sheet 1, with the lower third of the sheet 6 lying directly on the middle third of the sheet 5 and both being covered by the third of the sheet 4. This arrangement means that the recipient's address 7 is on the outside and the letter can be sent.

Fig. 2 b shows this arrangement during folding. Here, the sheet third 4 lies directly on the sheet third 5 and is covered by the sheet third 6, so that the return address 10 then lies on the outside.

Fig. 3a, 3b, 3c show the different views of an envelopeless letter, with Fig. 3a showing the recipient address 7, Fig. 3b showing the back of the letter and Fig. 3c showing the return address 9.

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1-9. II * · • * * • * i * * • » &iacgr;

The letter is secured or sealed at its edges 12 by means of embossing, gluing or staples. The staples are marked 13.

In a further embodiment, the letter can be sealed using an adhesive tape 14, which is arranged, for example, in the middle of the longer edge. Adhesive dots distributed all around the edges, which come to rest on top of each other after folding, also seal the letter. Furthermore, a rubber coating or double-sided adhesive tape can be provided, which bond to the rest of the letter after a cover sheet has been removed.

A device for producing an envelope-less letter is shown as a block diagram in Fig. 4, where 15 denotes a computer, 16 a printer, 17 the folding device and 18 a device for sealing the letter. A further device 16a can be provided on the printer 16, which turns the sheet over in order to print the back. If necessary, a further device 17a is arranged between the printer 16 and the folding device 17, which is intended to attach the gum or adhesive tape to the sheet so that it can be sealed after folding. This system is controlled by software that controls the individual work steps and makes the corresponding recipient addresses available to the printer.

The invention also includes a method for producing envelope-less letters, wherein a blank sheet is fed to a printer which prints a cover letter on the front and, after turning the sheet over or simultaneously while the front is being printed, prints the recipient and return address on the back, then the edges of the sheet are provided with a gummed coating, and after the sheet is folded, the sheet is fed to a sealing machine.

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The claims filed now with the application and subsequently are attempts to formulate without prejudice to achieve more extensive protection.

The references cited in the dependent claims indicate the further development of the subject matter of the main claim through the features of the respective subclaim. However, these are not to be understood as a waiver of the achievement of independent, objective protection for the features of the referenced subclaims.

Features that were previously only disclosed in the description can be claimed in the course of the procedure as being essential to the invention, for example to distinguish it from the prior art.

Claims (23)

1. Envelope-less letter, consisting of at least one sheet of paper which can be used as stationery and which can be provided with at least one cover letter on one side, the front, and has a recipient's address on the back, and which is folded in such a way that the recipient's address is on the outside and the cover letter is on the inside, and the folded sheet can be secured or sealed in its folded state, characterized in that the sheet ( 1 ) is additionally provided with at least one return address ( 9 ) on its back. 2. Envelopeless letter according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheet ( 1 ) is folded at least along two mutually papallelic and/or mutually perpendicular fold lines ( 2 , 3 ). 3. Envelope-less letter according to one or both of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recipient address ( 7 ) and return address ( 9 ) are arranged on the back of the sheet ( 1 ) in such a way that after folding the sheet ( 1 ) around a first fold line ( 2 ), the recipient address ( 7 ) is recognizable on the letter and after folding around a second fold line ( 3 ), the return address ( 9 ) is recognizable on the letter. 4. Envelopeless letter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recipient address ( 7 ) is arranged in the upper third ( 4 ) and the return address ( 9 ) in the lower third ( 6 ) of the sheet ( 1 ). 5. Envelopeless letter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the letter arrangement of both addresses ( 7 , 9 ) point in the same direction or are arranged in opposite directions. 6. Envelope-less letter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sender address ( 8 , 10 ) is assigned to both the recipient address ( 7 ) and the return address ( 9 ), and the sender address ( 8 ) corresponds to the return address ( 9) if the recipient address (7 ) is external, and the sender address ( 10 ) corresponds to the recipient address ( 7 ) if the return address ( 9 ) is external. 7. Envelope-less letter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that after folding the sheet ( 1 ) to return the letter, the sheet ( 1 ) can be secured or closed again in the folded state. 8. Envelopeless letter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing or sealing of the folded sheet ( 1 ) takes place at one or more of its outer edges ( 12 ). 9. Envelopeless letter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet ( 1 ) is fixed or sealed at two mutually opposite outer edges ( 12 ). 10. Envelopeless letter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet ( 1 ) is fixed or closed at certain points, along a line and/or over a surface. 11. Envelopeless letter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet ( 1 ) is fixed or closed by embossing, gluing, gumming and/or by stapling. 12. Envelopeless letter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that computer-compatible single-sheet or continuous paper is used as the sheet ( 1 ). 13. Envelopeless letter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet ( 1 ) is part of a block. 14. Envelopeless letter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet ( 1 ) is provided with folder holes ( 19 ). 15. Envelopeless letter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the letter consists of two or more sheets, at least one of the sheets ( 1 ) being provided on its back with the recipient ( 7 ) and return address ( 9 ). 16. Envelope-less letter, characterized in that the recipient address ( 7 ) and return address ( 9 ) are arranged on different sheets ( 1 ), but by connecting and/or folding the sheets either only the recipient address ( 7 ) or return address ( 9 ) is exposed. 17. Device for printing a sheet to be used in particular as an envelope-less letter according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the device prints the recipient and return address ( 7 , 9 ) on the back of the sheet ( 1 ) in such a way that the addresses are placed in such a way that when the sheet ( 1 ) is folded, optionally only one of the addresses is visible on the letter. 18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the device prints the cover letter on the front side. 19. Device according to one or both of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recipient address ( 7 ), the return address ( 9 ) and the cover letter are each designed as separate data fields and a control is provided which causes the data fields for the addresses ( 7 , 9 ) to be arranged on the back of the sheet and the data field for the cover letter to be arranged on the front of the sheet, the address data fields being positioned with respect to the predetermined folding lines ( 2 , 3 ). 20. Device according to one or more of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the printing device ( 16 ) is followed by a folding device ( 17 ) which folds the sheet ( 1 ) along the predetermined folding lines ( 2 , 3 ) and prepares it in such a way that the recipient address ( 7 ) is arranged on the outside of the letter. 21. Device according to one or more of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that a further device ( 18 ) is provided in addition to the printing and folding device ( 16 , 17 ), which fixes or closes the letter by embossing, gluing, gumming and/or stapling. 22. Device according to one or more of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that computer software is provided which controls the printer for printing the sheet, the data fields and the content for the addresses and/or the cover letter being determined by the software. 23. Device according to one or more of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that further software is provided which controls the entire process, the printing of the front of the sheet, the printing of the back of the sheet, the folding and securing or sealing of the sheet.