BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coupon insert and envelope system. More specifically, the invention relates to a system for aligning a coupon insert with an envelope having an address window on its front side. Typically, many people and many organizations conduct business and various transactions through the use of the mail system. Such transactions include the sending of solicitations, bills, checks, warnings or notices, etc. In addition, such business and/or transactions often require the recipient of such mail to respond in kind through the mail system. For example, a recipient may be sending back a catalog order, a bill payment check, a ballot, or a survey response. With any of these transactions to and from the originating party or recipient, the elements being sent through the mail often include a coupon insert (i.e., a bill payment receipt) that contains the destination address and an envelope with a window through which the destination address is intended to be visible.

As coupon inserts and envelopes are currently designed, neither contains any readily visible indication or mechanism for helping determine whether the destination address is aligned with the window of the envelope, while the coupon insert is being inserted into the envelope. Rather, when most people attempt to place the coupon insert into the envelope, the natural tendency in stuffing an envelope is to manipulate the coupon insert while holding the envelope with its rear side facing toward them. This habit unfortunately prevents people from readily observing the window on the front side of the envelope in order to determine whether or not the address is aligned with the window. Alternatively, people will repeatedly flip the coupon insert and

envelope over while attempting to place the coupon insert into the envelope in order to monitor their alignment. Both of these methods for using conventional coupon inserts with envelopes presents a problem and an inconvenience which to date have not been resolved.

2. Related Art

In the current state of the art, no solution has yet been developed that overcomes the problem and inconvenience discussed above. Rather, the prior art as a whole fails to provide any teaching that effectively addresses the above problem. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,290,225 to Younger merely discloses a method for making a self mailer with the return envelope formed from a single cut sheet. Younger merely incorporates instructions for aligning the return address in the envelope window. The instructions are printed on the reply coupon.

U.S. Patent No. 5,169,060 to Tighe et al. shows a direct and return mailing unit that incorporates instructions detailing its opening and use, as well as queries requesting a response from the returning party. The instructions and queries are printed on the reply envelope or postcard.

U.S. Patent No. 5,062,570 to Ashby shows a mailer with a die cut insert and a self-imaging area. The mailer includes instructions printed on the envelope for the receiving party describing how to open the unit.

U.S. Patent No. 5,022,683 to Barbour shows a check insert coupon and an associated return envelope. The coupon has slots for inserting a check. The return envelope has the return address pre-printed, and contains a window in the upper left hand corner for the address from the check to show through as the return address. U.S. Patent No. 4,993,624 Schlich disclose a two-way bar code window envelope in which a pre-printed document is inserted into an envelope such that a postal bar code corresponding to the current destination is visible through the envelope window.

U. S. Patent No. 4,089,418 to Yale shows a returnable mail envelope in which a return coupon is placed against the main panel on the underside of a blank envelope so that the address appears through the window. Suitable directions and instructions may be printed on the blank envelopes. U. S. Patent No. 192,522 to Marshall shows an envelope that may be used twice. On the outside of envelope, directions for opening the envelope are printed including sealing instructions and opening instructions.

All in all, the only solution that the prior art appears to offer is the printing of instructions on either the return coupon or on the envelope. However, merely providing instructions falls short of fully addressing the problem as discussed above.

Rather, the devices and structures shown in the prior art illustrate some of the types of envelopes and mailing units that would greatly benefit from the invention being applied to them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the shortcomings in the prior art, the main object of the present invention is to address and solve the problem and inconvenience of aligning a return address on a coupon insert with the window of an envelope.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a coupon insert and envelope system that eases the burden and chore of properly aligning a coupon insert into an envelope, whereby the address on the coupon insert is aligned with the window of the envelope.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a coupon insert and envelope system that incoφorates a series of markings on both the coupon insert and the envelope. The markings are designed such that as the coupon insert is inserted, the alignment of the markings on the coupon insert with corresponding markings on the envelope indicates that the coupon insert and the envelope are correctly aligned with each other.

Consequently, a further object of the present invention is to provide a coupon insert and envelope system that comprises a coupon insert having data to be displayed and first alignment markings formed thereon; and an envelope having a window defined therein and second alignment markings formed thereon. The data and the first alignment markings are formed on the coupon insert relative to the window and the second alignment markings of the envelope, respectively, wherein the first and second alignment markings align with each other as the coupon insert is inserted into the envelope whereby the data aligns with and shows through the window.

In another aspect of the invention, a further object of the present invention is to provide a system for aligning data to be displayed on a coupon insert with a window defined in an envelope, comprising first alignment markings formed on the coupon insert relative to the data; and second alignment markings formed on the envelope. The first alignment markings are formed on the coupon insert relative to the second alignment markings of the envelope, wherein the first and second alignment markings align with each other as the coupon insert is inserted into the envelope whereby the data aligns with and shows through the window.

In a third aspect of the invention, a further object of the present invention is to provide a method for aligning data to be displayed on a coupon insert with a window defined in an envelope, comprising the step of: forming first alignment markings on the coupon insert relative to the data; forming second alignment markings on the envelope, the first alignment markings being formed on the coupon insert relative to the second alignment markings of the envelope; and inserting the coupon insert into the envelope with the first and second alignment markings aligned with each other as the coupon insert is inserted into the envelope such that the data aligns with and shows through the window.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is better understood by reading the following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 shows an exploded rear-side view of the coupon insert and envelope according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an exploded front-side view of the coupon insert and envelope according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows a perspective rear-side view of the coupon insert being inserted into the envelope according to the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a perspective front-side view of the coupon insert being inserted into the envelope according to the present invention; and

Figures 5a-5d illustrate examples of different types of markings for both the coupon insert and envelope which are applicable to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

As show in Figures 1 and 2, the present invention embodies a coupon insert and envelope system 1 that incorporates the coupon insert 2 having a front side F as shown in Figure 2 and a rear side R as shown in Figure 1 and a corresponding windowed envelope 3 having a front panel FP and a rear panel RP (Fig. 1). As with conventional coupon insert and envelope combinations, the coupon insert 2 has, for example, a mailing address 4 on its front surface F as shown in Figure 2 to which

address the contents of the coupon insert and envelope combination are intended to be mailed. The mailing address 4 is designed to align with the corresponding window 5 on the front panel FP of envelope 3 as shown. When the coupon insert is properly positioned within the envelope 3, there is no possibility of the mailing address 4 not being aligned with the window 5.

In order to align the mailing address 4 with the window 5 when inserting the coupon insert 2, the coupon insert 2 and the envelope 3 both have markings 6, 7 respectively alignable with each other. As illustrated in Figure 2, the markings 6 are placed on the rear surface R of the coupon insert 2 opposite the front surface F bearing the mailing address 4 (See Figure 1). In the envelope 3, the markings 7 are placed on the rear panel RP opposite front panel FP in which the window 5 is formed. The markings 6 and 7 may be formed on the coupon insert and envelope using various conventionally known techniques for marking coupon inserts and envelopes. Such techniques include printing, silkscreening, stamping, the use of decals, and the use of stickers.

In operation, in order to properly insert the coupon insert 2 into the envelope 3, the user simply keeps the markings 6 on rear surface R aligned with the markings 7 on rear panel RP as the coupon insert 2 is progressively inserted into the envelope 3 as shown in Figure 3. Consequently, by keeping the markings 6 and 7 aligned with each other, the mailing address 4 will align with the window 5 of the envelope 3 (See

Figure 4).

As illustrated in Figures 5a-5c, the markings 6 and 7 may consist of either symbols, patterns or text designed to illustrate and/or instruct how the coupon insert 2 and the envelope 3 should be aligned. For example, as shown in Figure 5a, arrow symbols in both the marking 6 and 7 when positioned, for example, to all face in the same direction, will indicate that the coupon insert 2 is being inserted properly into the envelope 3. As another example, a pattern such as that shown in Figure 5b for the markings 6 is designed to match or correspond with the pattern either similar to or a

continuation of the pattern of the markings 6. The matching of the patterns may be implemented through the pattern design, matching outlines of the markings, or a combination of both. As a third example, as shown in Figure 5c, text is used as the markings 6 and 7 where the text itself may instruct how to align the markings 6 and 7 with each other, or be designed to be readable only when the markings 6 and 7 are aligned with each other. As illustrated in Figure 1, the markings 6 and 7 may consist of a combination of symbols, patterns and text. A fourth example shown in Figure 5d consists of the markings 6 and 7 extending across the entire widths of the coupon insert 2 and the envelope 3. In addition, both the markings 6 and 7 are formed to follow the contours of the upper edge 8 of the rear panel RP. In particular, upper portions of the markings 7 are formed to follow the contours of the upper edge 8. Correspondingly, lower portions of the markings 6 are formed with a matching contour 9 such that proper insertion of the coupon insert 2 will align not only the markings 6 with the markings 7, but also the matching contour 9 with the upper edge 8 of the rear panel RP.

Modifications and variations of the above-described embodiments of the present invention are possible, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. For example, information other than the mailing address may be designed so as to show through the window of the envelope. For example, the return address, a specific routing at the mailing address, contest eligibility information, and mail order information may be shown. Also, the envelopes may be designed with more than one window so that different types of information may be visible. Such windows may be on the front, back or both panels of the envelope. Other variations for the markings include combinations of either symbols, patterns and text and a plurality of marking regions on the coupon insert with a corresponding plurality of marking regions on the envelope. Further, different types of markings may be placed on the coupon and/or envelope to indicate various conditions. For example, one set of markings on the coupon insert when aligned with the markings of the envelope will

mean that the coupon insert and envelope will be routed to one address, whereas another set of markings on the coupon insert aligned with the markings on the envelope will route the coupon insert and envelope to another address. Alternatively, one set of markings on the coupon insert when aligned with the markings of the envelope will mean that they are properly aligned, while another set of markings on the coupon when aligned with markings on the envelope mean that they are misaligned.

It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.