Abstract: The present invention is a washable and reusable storage bag comprising a plastic coated canvas made from cotton and polyethylene. The storage bag comprises a front panel having a zipper and a back panel, a bottom edge and a top edge, and two side edges. The bag further comprises a rectangular transparent polyurethane window in the front panel, preferably in the shape of a rectangle. Two opposing sides of the transparent polyurethane window are heat sealed to the plastic coated canvas to create a liquid tight seal between the transparent polyurethane window and the plastic coated canvas. The outside of the storage bag can be customized with, e.g., designs, branding, and/or advertising. The storage bags can be hand washed, put in the dishwasher or put in the washing machine and clothes dryer.

Abstract: Tracking and management data for distribution of informational, legal, or contractual notices and tracking associated response, or non-response, is disclosed. The system generates and links tracking data for both the distribution and the response, generates indicators that include the tracking data, and encodes the indicators so that the indicators are detectable as they traverse various events and locations throughout the lifecycle. A detailed audit trail of each event in the distribution and response lifecycle is constructed using data matching methods and various statistics regarding the lifecycle, such that the response habits of notice recipients are formulated.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a unique self-locking storage device for collectable cards. The container has an upper member and a lower member which are hingedly connected by a back panel. The upper member of the container fully encloses the lower member of the container when the container is closed. The panels of the upper member of the container present an uninterrupted view of decorative artwork when the container is closed. The container is preferably constructed of an acid-free poly propylene to allow protection of the collectable cards.

Abstract: The method relates to application of a transparent film (3) to a window (2) realized in a portion of paper (1), the portion of paper (1) being defined in a continuous strip (10) destined to be wound in a reel. The film (3) exhibits larger dimensions than the window (2), such that a frame (30) is defined about the window (2), a total thickness of which is given by the portion of paper (1) plus the film (3). The method includes a stage of pressing with which at least a part of the frame (30) is brought to a total thickness which is not greater than an original thickness of the portion of paper (1). This enables the strip (10) to be wound strictly adheringly in the various spires thereof.

Abstract: A system for assembling a shipping package includes a feeder feeding an envelope from a supply of envelopes and a transport mechanism that transports a shipping container from a supply of shipping containers and places the shipping container in position for the feeder to insert the envelope into the shipping container. The envelope contains a replacement presentation instrument and a shipping indicator, and the shipping indicator includes a shipping address visible through a first substantially clear window in the envelope. Each shipping container has a second substantially clear window, and when the envelope has been inserted into the shipping container, the shipping address is visible through the second substantially clear window.

Abstract: Resealable packaging for food products is provided with a flexible container having a top face and side faces. A container aperture is disposed in the top face and a flexible closure flap extends from a base portion to a gripping member, and is provided with a movable portion covered of repositionable adhesive to cover the aperture and adhere to a peripheral area thereof in a closed position. The packaging comprises a stiffening band device made of a flexible material longer than the closure flap, which is bonded to the container through the top face and over two side faces and arranged to cover at least the portions of the peripheral area comprised between the longitudinal sides of the closure flap and the facing sides of the aperture. The aperture and the band device are delimited by continuous cut out lines. A method of manufacturing is also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for providing cost effective and tamper evident prepaid card packaging are described. By forming a cutout in a panel of the prepaid card packaging, covering the cutout with a material such as red glassine, and aligning an activation bar code or other indicia on the card with the cutout when mounting the card within the packaging, the security of the activation indicia can be better maintained. After purchase, the bar code can be scanned through the red glassine but prior to purchase, the red glassine prevents photocopying.

Abstract: A method, system and article for producing an envelope having improved seal integrity. The method comprises the steps of disposing at least one material at the interface of the adhesive seal between the flap and the body portion of the envelope, which material exhibits a characteristic property when combined with an activating agent. The envelope is then sealed by closing the flap onto the body portion of the envelope such that the activating agent combines with the material along the sealing interface. The sealing interface is inspected to determine whether the material exhibits the characteristic property thereby confirming that a seal has been produced between the flap and body portion of the envelope. The system and article are directed to the various modules of a mailpiece fabrication system employed to produce the mailpiece including an inspection module for confirming that a seal has been formed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for affixing rigid transparent windows to folding cartons draws rigid window web material from a roll and scores and notches the window material in a continuous manner. Notch waste is removed and collected for disposal by the combination of vacuum and an air jet applied at the point of severance. The transparent window material is then provided to an accumulator and then to a stop-and-go adhesive application and material cutting stage, where adhesive is applied to the material which is cut into individual rigid window patches, with the accumulator serving as a buffer between the high speed continuous scoring and notching stage and the stop-and-go adhesive application and cutting stage. Adhesive-bearing individual window patches are applied to moving folding cartons with registration between the notches and cut lines as well as between the cut window blanks and carton blanks provided by a control system.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus designed to make a window envelope rapidly using a water-soluble clarifying agent without causing an inconvenience in its window area. Upstream of an envelope making stage wherein a continuous paper while traveling along a continuous path of travel is successively folded, pasted and cut to form an envelope, a water-soluble clarifying agent is applied to an area on the continuous paper that is designed to become the transparent window in the envelope and the continuous paper carrying the clarifying agent is wound on a plurality of drying cylinders so that its surface carrying the clarifying agent faces outwards to dry the clarifying agent while holding the surface of paper carrying the clarifying agent out of contact with the drying cylinders.

Abstract: A method of forming a series of bags for bulky articles from rolled thermoplastic film and padding element includes arranging a linear, longitudinally traveling queue of layers of film and padding element according to a set of desired bag dimensions and characteristics and controlling the advancement of the queue to make padding element and seal cuts to form the bags. The invention also includes a system for fabricating bags substantially in the manner identified in the method of the present invention, as well as a method of forming seal cuts in which an envelope is first clamped, then sealed and cut by heat and pressure, then allowed to cool before being released.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of fan folded material and related systems and processes. The stack includes at least two clips of fan folded material. Each clip includes a plurality of fan folded sheets, with each sheet joined to at least one adjacent sheet by a weakened line. Each clip is joined to an adjacent clip by a last sheet of one clip being interfolded with or adhesively joined to a first sheet of a succeeding clip.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent body enclosed between a liquid-permeable liner sheet layer and a liquid-impermeable backsheet layer is disclosed. The article has a longitudinal axis, a relatively wide anterior end and an opposite posterior end connected by side margins to define a generally triangular shape. The side margins substantially continuously converge to the posterior end, and at least one tab extends from each side margin. There is at least one attachment element aligned oblique to the longitudinal axis of the article that is associated with each tab.

Abstract: In an apparatus for bonding window pieces to envelope blanks having window cut-outs, window pieces are cut from a transparent material web and then the window pieces and envelope blanks are brought together by a suction roller serving as a bonding cylinder and joined to one another by adhesive applied onto the window pieces by a gluing mechanism while the window piece is on the suction roller before being joined to the envelope blank. A suction belt conveyor device is provided, at least in the region of the joining location, as a carrier for the envelope blanks and as a counter-tool for the suction roller serving as a bonding cylinder.

Abstract: A flexible package includes a plastic face piece of a predetermined shape and design. The plastic face piece is positioned over or alternately inserted through one or more die cut openings in at least one wall or panel of the bag and is bonded to the bag material along the peripheral edges of the die cut opening(s). In one preferred embodiment, the plastic face piece creates a 3-dimensional area that stands out from the package and may resemble a toy, a magnet, or a window to view the product inside the bag. In another preferred embodiment, the face piece is in the form of a receptacle that holds a separate product or other device that is removably secured to the package. Examples of separate products include a toy, an electronic game, a dip, a food product, or condiments. The face piece may be attached to either the inner or outer surface of a panel or wall of the bag. If both the bag and face piece are made of compatible materials, they may be joined by heat sealing.

Abstract: A multi-ply composite container for consumer products is provided having a tubular body ply, a liner ply and a film label ply. The tubular body ply is formed of paperboard material, and the liner ply is adhered to the inner surface of the tubular body ply. The film label ply is adhered to the outer surface of the tubular body ply and is comprised of a polymeric film having inner and outer surfaces and an adhesive on at least a portion of the inner surface of the polymeric film. Graphical matter can be included on at least a portion of the inner surface of the polymeric film under the adhesive. The adhesive is for adhering the label ply to the outer surface of the tubular body ply and can be either a heat seal coating or a cold seal coating.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a universal packaging bag that has a window through which a component on a product can be visually perceived. The method provides for the bag to be used on differently designed bagging machines, such a right-handed bagging machine or a left-handed bagging machine.

Abstract: A mailing form, including an upper sheet of material adhesively fastened to a lower sheet, is configured for the printing of information on a single side during passage of the form through a non-impact printer. At a first end of the form, the upper and lower sheets are fastened together permanently, forming a pocket to be used as a return envelope. The portion of the upper sheet which extends away from this pocket is divided into an inner flap, on which information is printed, and an outer flap, which is temporarily fastened to the lower sheet in order to protect an adhesive pattern during the printing process. After the printing process, the outer flap is removed and discarded, the inner flap is folded along lines provided for folding, and the lower sheet is folded on itself to enclose the inner flap. As the adhesive pattern holds the lower sheet shut in this position, address and return address information printed on the inner flap is visible through apertures in the lower sheet, which forms an envelope.

Abstract: A composite endless form for making flexible, windowed, form, fill and seal bags includes an endless strip of flexible, substantially opaque, paper-like material having a print side thereon with printed indicia thereon and an adhesive side, opposite the print side, with an adhesive thereon. The endless strip of paper-like material includes individual bag forms attached side-to-side thereon, each to be used for making a windowed bag, the endless-strip of paper-like material having a window opening cut in each individual bag form. The window openings are oblong and extend diagonal to a direction of elongation of the composite endless form. A heat-sealable film is adhered to the endless-strip of paper-like material on the adhesive side thereof to cover substantially all of the adhesive side. The composite endless form is placed in a roll to be fed to form, fill and seal machines for making windowed bags.

Abstract: A process for making windowed form, fill and seal bags (70) for containing perishable and/or nonperishable goods involves linearly conveying an endless strip of paper-like material (12) through an adhesive application station (14) which applies adhesive to an adhesive side (18) of the endless strip of paper-like material throughout, with the exception of a window area (34) on each individual bag form (36a, b, c, etc.) making up the endless strip. The endless strip is then conveyed through a synchronized window-blanking station (44) which cuts a window blank (54) from each window area so as to form a window opening (50) therein. The adhesive side is then adhered to a transparent plastic heat-sealable film (58). Side edge margins (32) are slit from the endless strip of paper material to leave a composite endless form (10) for, in turn, making the flexible windowed, form, fill and seal bags (70) for containing perishable and/or nonperishable goods. To make these bags, the individual bag forms (36a, b, c, etc.

Abstract: A multi-ply mailer and method of making wherein the top sheet has a CB coating, the next adjacent intermediate ply has a CF coating and the top sheet has a localized area coated with transparentizing material with image developing properties whereby impressing the localized area results in the development of an image visible through the top ply.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of making a pocket folder having a plurality of page inserts from a pre-printed web. A first fold line is provided along a first transverse line which divides the web into integral folder and insert sections. A second fold line is provided along a second transverse line adjacent an end of the folder section opposite the insert section, thereby forming a folder pocket member. A third fold line formed along the longitudinal midline of the folder portion divides the folder portion into first and second cover sheets. The insert section is cut inside of and parallel to opposite longitudinal edges of the web to form lateral marginal portions. The insert portion is also cut adjacent to and parallel with the longitudinal center line to form a pair of insert pages separated by a medial marginal portion. The lateral and medial portions are removed and the insert pages are folded along the first transverse fold line to superpose the folder cover sheets.

Abstract: A composite mailing wrapper suitable for use with a catalog or magazine is produced from an integral web and comprises front and rear cover sheets joined along a longitudinal fold line to which is detachably connected at least one preformed reply envelope, and optionally, at least one response device which is detachably connected to the envelope flap(s). When assembled to the catalog the envelope(s) and optional response device(s) are contained within the fold of the cover sheets. All of the elements comprising the composite wrapper can be personalized without risk of mismatching as they are produced from an integral web and are not detached from each other during manufacture.

Abstract: A package which is formed as a bag to be caried has a plurality of lateral walls having upper portions which form a gripping part and lower portions which form a body part, two first opposite walls are folded, two second opposite walls are provided in the region of the gripping part with a gripping opening and upper and lower welding seams which connect the walls with one another and separate the gripping part from the body part, one of the second opposite walls has a section adjoining the gripping part and is provided with window-like opening, and a covering foil covers the window-like opening of the section of one opposite wall.

Abstract: A mailer is prepared using laser electronic printing with variable data and digitally stored data. The sheet fed Xerox 8700 and 9700 laser printer, for instance, is limited to a width of 11" which necessitates a prefolding of the mailer blank to a length of 14", passing the prefolded blank through the laser printer with the longitudinal axis of the blank extending laterally of the path of feed, arranging the blank such that the 11" printing area will effectively cover the area of the blank to be printed using the digital data and the variable data. A computer communicates with the laser printer for providing individual variable data and form-type digitally stored data. A folder and gluer is provided for folding the blank into a suitable mailer.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing window patches from a web of patch material includes a mechanism for applying adhesive to selective portions of the web, a pair of cooperating rolls to feed the web to the adhesive applying mechanism, a vacuum roll engaging successive window patches with adhesive, a severing mechanism cutting successive window patches of a pre-selected length from the web in spaced relation to a portion of the web engaged to the surface of the vacuum roll, a vacuum conveyor positioned between the adhesive applying mechanism and the severing mechanism to advance the web along a path from the adhesive applying mechanism toward the severing mechanism, a discharging end portion of the vacuum conveyor being spaced from the severing mechanism. The vacuum conveyor is constructed and arranged to transport the web from the adhesive applying mechanism, a pre-selected distance through the vacuum roll before the web is transferred to the vacuum roll and from the latter to the severing mechanism.

Abstract: Direct mail articles comprise an outer envelope containing a pre-formed reply envelope, detachable reply devices, such as coupons and a reply card, and optionally, one or more separate enclosure sheets. The reply envelope is provided with a plurality of apertured pockets adapted to receive at least one of the reply devices, where the apertures permit visual or machine sorting of the sealed envelopes based on the presence or absence of a particular reply device in a particular pocket. Methods of preparing personalized, finished articles from one or more integral sheets or webs are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing window envelopes is provided. After an opening has been cut in an envelope blank and glue applied around the opening, a window patch is secured over the opening and a panel secured behind the window patch. The panel serves as the rear panel of a pocket portion formed behind the window. When the envelope blank is folded and glued into its intended form, it will include both a relatively large compartment and a relatively small pocket. The window patch and pocket panel are cut from webs traveling at unequal speeds and transferred to an envelope blank through the use of cylinders having suction means therein. The patch and panel are carried by a first cylinder which rotates them to a position where they are adjacent a second cylinder. At this point, suction within the first cylinder is terminated so that the suction means within the second cylinder will draw the patch and panel thereto.

Abstract: An improved method of simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of envelope assemblies of the type used to affix an insert such as a shipping label to a container. A plurality of separate strips of plastic material are arranged side-by-side on a single backing sheet of plastic material. Separate layers of adhesive are affixed to portions of the backing sheet extending on either side of each strip of plastic, with a separate, removable covering strip applied to each layer of adhesive until used. Each of the separate strips of plastic material is heat sealed to the backing sheet to create an envelope and slits are cut through portions of each plastic strip to provide entry into and exit from the respective envelopes. Finally, the plastic strips and backing sheet are cut to separate the envelopes from one another.