Abstract: An envelope assembly is provided for improved performance of a mailing envelope in the automated mail handling process. The envelope comprises a front panel having top, bottom and side edges and forming an envelope front surface, side flaps extending front the side edges, a rear panel extending from the bottom edge and combining with the side flaps to form an envelope rear surface, and a closure flap extending from the top edge for securing the envelope in a closed position. The configuration and attachment of the side flaps and the rear panel are especially beneficial as described herein.

Abstract: An envelope assembly is provided for improved performance of a mailing envelope in the automated mail handling process. The envelope comprises a front panel having top, bottom and side edges and forming an envelope front surface, side flaps extending front the side edges, a rear panel extending from the bottom edge and combining with the side flaps to form an envelope rear surface, and a closure flap extending from the top edge for securing the envelope in a closed position. The rear panel is sized and configured to have a lesser width than the front panel as to expose the side flaps along the envelope rear surface. In this configuration, an automated mail opening device must only substantially cut through the side flaps and front panel to open the envelope along the side edges, as opposed to having to also cut through a substantial portion of the rear panel and an adhesive holding the rear panel and side flaps together.

Abstract: An envelope assembly is provided for improved performance of a mailing envelope in the automated mail handling process. The envelope comprises a front panel having top, bottom and side edges and forming an envelope front surface, side flaps extending front the side edges, a rear panel extending from the bottom edge and combining with the side flaps to form an envelope rear surface, and a closure flap extending from the top edge for securing the envelope in a closed position. The rear panel is sized and configured to have a lesser width than the front panel as to expose the side flaps along the envelope rear surface. In this configuration, an automated mail opening device must only substantially cut through the side flaps and front panel to open the envelope along the side edges, as opposed to having to also cut through a substantial portion of the rear panel and an adhesive holding the rear panel and side flaps together.

Abstract: An envelope includes a rear panel and a front panel with a closure flap. The front and rear panels are connected by an expandable sidewalls formed by joining end flaps of the front and rear panel. The sidewalls have an intermediate line of weakness that allows bending and expansion. A liner is secured to the rear panel and forms a relatively small pocket and a relatively large pocket within the envelope. An additional pocket or receptacle is joined to the rear panel. The envelope is especially suited for receiving photographic film or digital storage means when delivered to the retailer for processing and for returning photographic prints, negatives and/or digital media to the consumer.

Abstract: An envelope assembly is provided for improved performance of a mailing envelope in the automated mail handling process. The envelope comprises a front panel having top, bottom and side edges and forming an envelope front surface, side flaps extending front the side edges, a rear panel extending from the bottom edge and combining with the side flaps to form an envelope rear surface, and a closure flap extending from the top edge for securing the envelope in a closed position. The rear panel is sized and configured to have a lesser width than the front panel as to expose the side flaps along the envelope rear surface. In this configuration, an automated mail opening machine must only substantially cut through the side flaps and front panel to open the envelope along the side edges, as opposed to having to also cut through a substantial portion of the rear panel and an adhesive holding the rear panel and side flaps together.

Abstract: A remailable envelope is formed from a single paper blank. The paper blank is first cut to yield a cut blank with an upper portion shaped as an originating legal sized envelope blank with a first back panel and a first front panel with a pair of side flaps and a seal flap attached thereto. The cut blank also includes a lower portion shaped as a return letter sized envelope blank with a second back panel and a second front panel with a seal flap attached to the second front panel. The first back panel and the second back panel are attached to each other. To form the envelope, the lower portion is first folded over the upper portion and the attached first and second back panels are simultaneously folded over and attached to the respective first and second front panels. This has the effect of placing the return envelope inside of the originating envelope.

Abstract: An envelope having a false bottom is constructed of a front panel, a rear panel and a pair of side panels adhered to the rear panels. Adhesive strips are utilized to adhere each of the side panels to the front panel at a location spaced from the bottom of the front panel. The adhesive strips form shoulders between the front and side panels that limit the interior depth of the envelope so as to create a false bottom therein.

Abstract: An envelope includes a front panel and a rear panel with a closure flap. The front and rear panels are connected by an expandable sidewalls formed by joining end flaps of the front and rear panel. The sidewalls have an intermediate line of weakness that allows bending and expansion. The line of weakness is backed on the inside by an extension from the front panel flap which reduces the likelihood of the sidewall being turned outwardly rather than inwardly into the envelope. A front to rear strip connects the front panel with the back panel so as to form a relatively small pocket and a relatively large pocket within the envelope. A locking tab is preferentially placed above the small pocket and constructed of extensions of the front panel and sidewall to allow a user to selectively use the locking tab to hold objects within the small pocket or release such objects. The envelope is especially suited for transferring finished photographic prints and a container holding negatives for the prints.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning flexible printing plates and for accurately drilling pin register holes therein includes a three-way adjustable table top assembly which can be selectively adjusted in X and Y directions and rotated about an axis. A pneumatic clamp is positioned on the table top assembly for clamping a pre-marked flexible printing plate to be drilled in place thereon. A movable stereomicroscope viewer is slidable above the table top assembly to view the flexible plate for position adjustment via the adjustable table top assembly. A drill assembly is also positionable over each location at which a pin register hole is to be drilled. The drill assembly includes a movable hollow core drill bit surrounding a stationary rod. Once the flexible plate is aligned via the viewer, the drill assembly is sequentially positioned above the flexible plate at each point to be drilled with a pin register hole and operated to drill each hole therein.

Abstract: A method for accurately drilling pin register holes in flexible printing plates for flexographic printing plate cylinders includes placing aligning pin hole location marks as a part of original artwork used for creating the printing plates. The pin hole location marks are then carried through with each step of developing the flexible plates, including creation of photographic negatives and final type flex negatives from which raised patterns are produced in the finished plates. Pin register holes are then drilled through the finished plate at the marker locations which form a portion of the raised pattern. To align the finished plate on a press, a removable pin register bar is then attached to the plate cylinder, the flexible plate with the register holes drilled therein is placed over the register pins on the bar, the plate is adhered to the plate cylinder in proper printing position and the bar is then removed.

Abstract: A bulk envelope container for use in a bulk envelope transfer system and method includes a plurality of elongate chambers, each of which can store a stack of envelopes. The chambers can be arranged in rows and columns and the container is designed for use with a positioning table which is movable both horizontally and vertically to selectively align one of the chambers with a loading or unloading device. Each chamber has attached thereto a motorized gate which can be opened when the chamber is aligned for loading or unloading and closed when the associated chamber is not so aligned. An exemplary loading and unloading apparatus and a synchronizing control system is disclosed for use with the container and positioning table.

Abstract: An envelope accumulation and batching apparatus and method uses a conventional envelope delivery spider which has been adapted to deliver envelopes to an accumulating surface, such as a belt conveyor, in a position with the folded envelope seal flaps facing upward. A rotary guide is positioned with radially extending guide members extending just above the conveyor belt to guide envelopes onto the conveyor in an upright orientation. The conveyor moves the envelopes toward a series of three separately movable, vertically oriented finger supports. The three supports are cooperatively driven to accumulate, batch and compress horizontal stacks of predetermined numbers of envelopes which are then positioned beneath a gripper assembly with a pair of opposed gripper arms. The gripper assembly is lowered into a position in which the gripper arms are inserted on either side of the compressed envelope stack, pulled together and pivoted inward at the bottoms to squeeze the stack from the bottom edges.

Abstract: An envelope flap up pick and place apparatus and method uses a conventional envelope delivery spider which has been adapted to deliver envelopes to an accumulating surface, such as a belt conveyor, in a position with the folded envelope seal flaps facing upward. A rotary guide is positioned with radially extending guide members extending just above the conveyor belt to guide envelopes onto the conveyor in an upright orientation. The conveyor moves the envelopes toward a series of three separately movable, vertically oriented finger supports. The three supports are cooperatively driven to accumulate and compress horizontal stacks of predetermined numbers of envelopes which are then positioned beneath a gripper assembly with a pair of opposed gripper arms. The gripper assembly is lowered into a position in which the gripper arms are inserted on either side of the envelope stack, pulled together and pivoted inward at the bottoms to squeeze the stack from the bottom edges.

Abstract: A two-way envelope includes a front panel with a window opening and a back panel connected to the front panel along a lower fold line. A pair of side flaps extend from the front panel and are secured to an inner surface of the back panel. An initial seal flap extends from an upper edge of the front panel and is demarcated therefrom by a perforated tear line. A return flap extends from an upper edge of the back panel and is demarcated therefrom by a fold line. An extension is integrally connected to the return flap along an extension fold line. The return flap and the extension are folded with respect to each other and placed within a pocket formed by the envelope for an initial mailing. For a return mailing, the return flap and the extension are placed over the front panel with the extension covering the window opening. The extension has a return address thereon.

Abstract: A mailing envelope comprises a plurality of interconnected panel members forming a first pocket adapted for receiving a machine inserted enclosure therein, and a second pocket overlapping and smaller in width than the first pocket and adapted for receiving a hand inserted address card therein. A duplex closure flap for sealing said pocket has a perforation line extending from the flap inner edge to the flap outer edge and laterally divides the closure flap into two mutually separable portions, one of which is coincident with the insert opening of the second pocket. Each of said portions includes adhesive sealing means thereon whereby both pockets may be closed by sealing the other closure flap portion, the second pocket being resealably openable by tearingly separating said one closure flap portion from the other along the perforation line.

Abstract: A multiple piece envelope arrangement is made from a single blank folded so that seal gum may be applied simultaneously upon the adjacent sealing flaps of separable pieces, thereby substantially reducing the cost of production.