IES20090516A2

IES20090516A2 - A printable sheet

Info

Publication number: IES20090516A2
Authority: IE
Inventors: Nicholas O'donoghue
Original assignee: Nicholas O'donoghue
Priority date: 2009-07-07
Filing date: 2009-07-07
Publication date: 2011-11-09
Also published as: WO2011003919A1; IES20100419A2

Abstract

A printable sheet is provided which can be passed through a printer, the sheet being notionally partioned into a first section having an obverse face and a reverse face; a second section having an obverse face and a reverse face; and a third section having an obverse face and a reverse face. The first section is in contiguous relationship with the second section but delineated therefrom by a first fold line; the second section is in contiguous relationship with the third section but delineated therefrom by a notional line; and the dimensions of the first and second sections are substantially equal. The periphery of the obverse face of one of the first or second sections is provided with adhesive means, either continuously or discontinuously, for adhering the first and second sections of the sheet together. The arrangement is such that, in use, the first section is foldable along the first fold line so that the obverse face of the first section lies adjacent to the obverse face of the second section shich sections are adhered to each other by virtue of the adhesive thereby forming an envelope; and the third section, being contiguous with the second section, projects beyond the envelope.

Description

A printable sheet This invention relates to a printable sheet which can be folded and adhered to itself to form a substantially sealed envelope. In particular, it relates to a printable sheet that can be used as a combined letter/envelope. More particularly, it relates to a printable sheet which, when in use, provides enhanced confidentiality when compared with known printable sheets.

The invention, therefore, provides a printable sheet which can be passed through a printer, the sheet being notionally partitioned into a first section having an obverse face and a reverse face; a second section having an obverse face and a reverse face; and a third section having an obverse face and a reverse face; the first section being in contiguous relationship with the second section but delineated therefrom by a first fold line; the second section being in contiguous relationship with the third section but delineated therefrom by a notional line; and, wherein, the dimensions of the first and second sections are substantially equal; the periphery of the obverse face of one of the first or second sections being provided with adhesive means, either continuously or discontinuously, for adhering the first and second sections of the sheet together; the arrangement being such that, in use, the first section is foldable along the first fold line so that the obverse face of the first section lies adjacent to the obverse face of the second section which sections are adhered to each other by virtue of the adhesive thereby forming an envelope; and the third section, being contiguous with the second section, projects beyond the envelope.

Preferably, the notional line is a second fold line and more preferably is perforated.

The adhesive is located preferably continuously along the periphery of the obverse iE Ο 9 ο 5 1 6 Preferably, the sheet is provided with perforations disposed adjacent (a) the top edge of the first section; (b) each side edge between the top and bottom edges of the sheet; and (c) the bottom edge of, and on, the second section in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship relative to the notional line to define stubs and further, preferably, wherein the adhesive is suitably located in the side stubs of the first section and the top stub of said section or is located in the side stubs of the first section and the bottom stub of the second section.

The invention will be understood in greater detail from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the obverse face of a sheet according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the reverse face of the sheet of Figure 1 of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, there is provided a sheet 10 having an obverse face 12 and a reverse face 14; a top edge 16, left side edge 18; right side edge 20 and a bottom edge 22.

A fold line 24 is provided in the sheet 10 which extends from the left side edge 18 to the right side edge 20 which fold line 24 is in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship relative to the top edge 16 and the bottom edge 22. In additional, a notional line 26 is provided which extends from the left side edge 18 to the right side edge 22 and is in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship relative to the first fold line 24.

The provision of the first fold line 24 and the notional line 26 is such that the sheet 10 is notionally divided into three sections viz a first section 31, a second section 32 and a third section 33. The first fold line 24 provides that the dimensions of the first section 31 and the second section 32 are substantially equal so that when the sheet is folded along the first fold line 26 to enable the obverse face 12 of the first section 31 and the obverse face 12 of the second section 32 to lie adjacent each other with the top edge 16 lying close to the notional line 26, the third section 33 projects therefrom in the form of a flap 33.

Preferably, the notional line 26 is also a second fold line 26 and/or is perforated for reasons which will become apparent later in the specification.

The sheet 10 is also provided with additional perforation lines as follows: a top perforation line 16a, left side perforation line 18a, a right side perforation line 20a and a bottom perforation line 22a. The area defined between the top edge 16 and the top perforation line 16a comprises a top stub 16b. The area defined between the left side edge 18 and the left side perforation line 18a comprises a left side stub 18b. The area defined between the right side edge 20 and the right perforation line 20a comprises a right stub 20b. The area defined between the bottom edge 22 and the bottom perforation line 22a comprises a bottom stub 22b. The left side stub 18b is notionally divided into a first left side stub 18c and a second left side stub 18d. The right side stub 20b is notionally divided into a first right side stub 20c and a second right side stub 20d. The first fold line 24 notionally delineates the first left side stub 18c from the second left side stub 18d. Similarly, the first fold line 24 notionally delineates the first right side stub 20c from the second right side stub 20d.

The obverse face 14 of the top stub 16b is provided with adhesive. In addition, the obverse face of the stubs 18c and 20c are provided with adhesive. This adhesive can be of a type which is well known in the art. The adhesive can be provided either continuously or discontinuously. In other words, if provided continuously, the adhesive substantially covers the entire obverse face of the stubs 16b, 18b and 20b in a contiguous manner. If provided discontinuously, the adhesive substantially covers the obverse face of the stubs 16b, 18c and 20c in a non-contiguous manner. Preferably the adhesive is of the self-adhesive type rather than of the type which requires moisture to activate it. The latter would require, for example, licking which is no longer considered to be appropriate although such adhesive is less expensive than the self-adhesive type.

IE Ο 9 0 5 1 6 If the adhesive is of the self adhesive type, there is provided a removable film strip 40. If the adhesive is provided contiguously, it is necessary for the film strip 40 to be contiguous. On the other hand, if the adhesive is non-contiguous, the film strip 40 can be contiguous or non-contiguous. In the present example, the adhesive is of the 5 self adhesive type and is contiguous being provided with a contiguous film strip 40.

As is well known in the art, an address window 35 can be provided which is covered by a transparent sheet 37.

The dimensions of the sheet can be as desired but as an example, the sheet 10 is an A4 sheet (length 298mm, width 209.5mm). The first fold line 24 is located a distance approximately 124mm from the top edge 16. Thus, the notional line 26 is located a distance approximately 38.5mm from the bottom edge 22. The top perforation line 16a is located approximately 16mm from the top edge 16. Likewise, the left side perforation line 18a is located a distance approximately 16 mm from the left side edge 16 and the right side perforation line 20a is located a distance approximately 16 mm from the right side edge 20. The bottom perforation line 22a is located a distance approximately 16 mm from the notional line 26.

The sheet 10 can be presented to the user and, if desired, a printing machine, as one of a plurality of sheets of continuous stationary. In those circumstances, the top edge 16 could comprise a line of perforations, as could the bottom edge 22. Alternatively, a suitable guillotine or cutting edge could be provided to separate the continuous sheet into discrete sheets. On the other hand, the sheet 10 could be presented to the printing machine as a discrete sheet.

Whether the sheet 10 is one of a plurality of sheets in continuous stationary or a discrete sheet, relevant information is printed on the obverse face 12. Such information can be of a confidential nature save for the information printed on the 30 third section 33. The reverse face 14 can be printed with other suitable information.

The printing of the information can be by a variety of techniques well known in the art.

If the sheet 10 is one of a plurality of sheets in continuous stationary, the sheet 10 is separated from the continuous stationary in a well-known fashion and a discrete sheet 10 is provided.

Following printing, the (discrete) sheet 10 is then folded as follows. The film strip or strips 40 are peeled from the stubs 16b, 18c, 20c to expose the adhesive. The sheet 10 is then folded along the first fold line 24 so that the obverse face 12 of the first section 31 overlies the obverse face 12 of the second section 32 thereby forming an envelope with the third section 33 forming the flap 33. It will be appreciated that the flap 33 could have pre-printed information thereon or not as the case maybe. Thus, for example, if it is intended to mail the envelope, the third section 33 could have pre-printed information thereon and it is detached from the sheet 10 prior to mailing. There is thus provided a written record on the detached third section 33 of the information on the remainder of the sheet 10 to be mailed. If, on the other hand, the sheet 10 is handed to an individual, the recipient could sign the flap 33 prior to its detachment from the sheet 10 and retained as a signed receipt.

The removal of the third section or flap 33 could be by way of tearing or cutting along the notional line 26 or, if perforations are provide, by the tearing of the perforations.

If desired, a separate sheet or sheets of suitable dimensions could be provided prior to the folding and sealing of the sheet 10 and mailed or handed to the recipient in the thus provided envelope.

To open the envelope, the recipient tears along the perforations 16a, 18a, 20a and 22a.

The invention is not limited by or to the specific embodiment described which can undergo considerable variation without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims: 5 1. A printable sheet which can be passed through a printer, the sheet being notionally partitioned into a first section having an obverse face and a reverse face; a second section having an obverse face and a reverse face; and a third section having an obverse face and a reverse face; the first section being in contiguous relationship with the second section but 10 delineated therefrom by a first fold line; the second section being in contiguous relationship with the third section but delineated therefrom by a notional line; and, wherein, the dimensions of the first and second sections are substantially equal; the periphery of the obverse face of one of the first or second sections being 15 provided with adhesive means, either continuously or discontinuously, for adhering the first and second sections of the sheet together; the arrangement being such that, in use, the first section is foldable along the first fold line so that the obverse face of the first section lies adjacent to the obverse face of the second section which sections are adhered to each other by virtue of the 20 adhesive thereby forming an envelope; and the third section, being contiguous with the second section, projects beyond the envelope.
2. A printable sheet as claimed in claim 1 where the notional line is a second 25 fold line and, preferably, is perforated.
3. A printable sheet as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the adhesive is located preferably continuously along the periphery of the obverse face of the first section. 30
4. A printable sheet as claimed in any of claims 1-3 wherein the sheet is provided with perforations disposed adjacent (d) the top edge of the first section; (e) each side edge between the top and bottom edges of the sheet; and IE 0 3 0 5 (f) the bottom edge of, and on, the second section in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship relative to the notional line to define stubs and further, preferably, wherein the adhesive is suitably located in the side stubs of the first section and the top stub of said section or is located in the 5 side stubs of the first section and the bottom stub of the second section.
5. A printable sheet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.