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 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: An alternative substrate envelope sealing and closure system apparatus and method for same, whereby the system comprises an envelope having a segment of its back panel cut-out and replaced with a material that is more adhereable than the material of the outer surface of the envelope. The envelope lacks hot melt adhesives or peel and seal type latex adhesives. A method for sealing alternative substrate envelopes in mass quantities, whereby alternative substrate envelopes are utilized at high speeds for commercial use and insertion. A method for the large scale packing and sealing of alternative substrate envelopes, whereby the envelopes are packed and sealed using automated devices.

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: 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 method for forming and using a mailpiece requiring special services is provided. The method includes providing a mailpiece having an integral document section requiring special service mailing that includes folding the sheet along fold lines and sealing the mailpiece to enclose the integral document section. The method further includes providing a removably attached section which, after the system is folded and sealed, forms a return postcard and at least one form. The return postcard and the form are integrally formed, but removably attached. The method includes removing the return postcard when the mailpiece is received by the addressee.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stretched, multilayer, transparent film which is reflection-reduced on at least one side, consists predominantly of polypropylene and is very suitable as window film for envelopes.

Abstract: A mailer for use with computer printing techniques. The mailer utilizes die-cut window envelopes provided with a transparent window web an undersurface of which is coated with a chemical composition. A sheet contained in the envelope and visible through the window is coated on its surface presented to the window with a second, different chemical composition. The coating compositions are characterized in that impression of impact printing forces against the window web and applied therethrough to the underlying coated sheet produces impact-pattern-correlated visual imprints on the envelope-housed sheet, the imprints being clearly viewable through the transparent web of the envelope window.

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: 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 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.