A Self-Seal Two Way Self Mailer

Technical Field

The present invention relates to improvements in (paper) articles that have the dual purpose of providing information to a recipient and providing an integral means for the recipient to return information on the same article or part of the same article via a prepaid delivery service to the original provider of the article, or to a third party as provided by the information on the article.

Background Art

There are many industries, such as fundraising, direct mail, postal voting or market research, that send information to large numbers of the general public and would like a response to the information so provided, either in the form of a donation, an order, a vote or a completed survey. In the past such industries have used a system in which an envelope is sent to the recipient and that envelope contains an article comprising at least printed information, a form to be returned and a reply paid envelope.

These industries need to make the process of returning the information, donation etc as simple as possible for the recipient. Any difficulties in the system are likely to dissuade the recipient from sending the desired article, so the aim is too make the system as self contained and easy as possible,

Another factor that the industries above have in common is that the numbers of articles sent out is very large. The industries above also require articles that are easy to print on a variety of printers, have an ease of handling that requires little or no specialist equipment (for example for folding) and have a low cost.

It should be appreciated that throughout this specification the term "brochure" is used generically and should be understood to include, but not be limited to, a single sheet of paper that is printed and cannot be mailed by itself through a national postal service using a mailing list. It should be appreciated that throughout this specification the term "self mailer" is used generically and should be understood to include, but not be limited to, a single sheet of paper that is printed, can be mailed by itself through the national postal service using a mailing list, but does not include a pre-formed envelope.

Brochures are known in which adhesive is applied as a number of continuous strips clear of the printed region of the brochure. The location of the adhesive allows part of the brochure or the whole brochure to be transformed into an envelope suitable for mailing through the national postal service. In the case where part of the brochure is transformed into the envelope, the brochure has a perforation or other line of weakness to allow the envelope part of the brochure to be separated from the rest of the brochure. The adhesive may be water activated such as remoistenable gum whereby the user moistens the gum and then presses to seal the envelope part of the brochure in the folded condition by finger pressure applied to the adhesive region thereby forming the envelope. The envelope is usually a reply or reply paid envelope.

Self mailers are known in which adhesive is applied as a number of continuous strips clear of the printed region of the mailer.

The adhesive may be water activated such as remoistenable gum whereby the user moistens the gum and then presses to seal ^' the self mailer in the folded condition by finger pressure applied to the adhesive region of the folded mailer.

Alternatively, the adhesive may be self-sealing such as a self-seal contact adhesive that does not require water or any other activation prior to sealing. The contact adhesive may be a low pressure self-seal contact adhesive which seals the self mailer in the folded condition when finger pressure is applied to the adhesive region of the folded mailer. When the number of mailers to be sealed is large, it is usual to employ a folding machine to automatically fold and seal the mailers. It should be appreciated that throughout this specification the term "self-seal contact adhesive" is used to refer to an adhesive which bonds automatically when contact is made with identical adhesive on another surface and when sufficient pressure is applied. Furthermore, a surface coated with self-seal contact adhesive will not adhere to an uncoated surface, regardless of the pressure applied.

Pressure sealing machines (usually, a folding and sealing machine) have been designed to apply a much higher sealing pressure than is possible manually with a finger. As a result, a high pressure self-seal contact adhesive may be employed to permanently seal the mailer in the folded condition when sufficiently high pressure is applied by the pressure sealing machine.

US Patent 6,540,131 discloses a stationery form for a self mailer whereby the self mailer can be releasably adhered when a low pressure is applied to form a temporary seal, and the self mailer can be permanently sealed when a high pressure is applied using a pressure sealing machine. For two way self mailers the second recipient is usually the original sender and the first recipient of the two way self mailer transforms the self mailer (or part thereof) into a reply or reply paid envelope. One known method of sealing the self mailer (or part thereof) for mailing to the second recipient is the use of remoistenable gum applied as a number of continuous strips clear of the printed region of the mailer. An example is disclosed in US Patent 6,129,389.

A first disadvantage of using remoistenable gum on a brochure or a two way self mailers is that the user is often reluctant to lick the gum to transform the brochure (or part thereof) or the two way self mailer (or part thereof) into an envelope. The envelope is usually a reply paid envelope and the reluctance of the user to lick the gum may reduce the response to the brochure or the two way self mailer. Some commonly used remoistenable gums have a very unpleasant taste..Other known methods of forming and sealing the envelope for mailing involve the use of user supplied sticky tape or glue. The user may not have ready access to suitable sticky tape or glue, or may be unwilling to seal the envelope in this manner. A second disadvantage of using remoistenable gum on a brochure or a two way self mailer is that the setup cost for producing the brochure or the two way self mailers is quite high and so small print runs can be prohibitively expensive. Almost all commercial brochures and self mailers are printed on a sheet fed or web offset press. The remoistenable gum is always applied to the paper after the paper has been offset printed. This is the case because water used by the offset press may moisten the remoistenable gum. In other words, remoistenable gum and offset presses are not compatible. This fundamental limitation on the use of remoistenable gum means one is unable to achieve economies of scale by applying a standard pattern of remoistenable gum prior to printing, thereby producing very large amounts of gummed paper, as sheets or reels, suitable for sheet fed or web applications for many different clients.

The present invention seeks to provide solutions to both of the above mentioned disadvantages in relation to the use of remoistenable gum on brochures and two way self mailers.

The discussion of the background to the invention herein is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of this application.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a piece of sheet material with a pattern of low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to one or both sides of the piece of sheet material, whereby the piece of sheet material is intended to be folded, or bound by the binding of a bound article, or inserted in an envelope, or processed in another way, so that there is no exposed low pressure self-seal contact adhesive or the exposed low pressure self-seal contact adhesive does not substantially reduce the effectiveness or functionality of the piece of sheet material with respect to any intended use of the piece of sheet material, and so that no part of the piece of sheet material adheres to any surface or the degree of adhesion to any surface does not substantially reduce the effectiveness or functionality of the piece of sheet material with respect to any intended use of the piece of sheet material, and whereby the piece of sheet material, or one or more parts thereof, folded in a certain manner becomes an envelope or envelopes sealed on at least three sides, with at least two sides sealed by self-seal contact adhesive. Preferably, the piece of sheet material is a piece of paper, and accordingly, we will refer to a piece of paper without implying that other types of sheet material are not included in the invention.

In accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention, the piece of paper (or other sheet material) is folded so that there is no exposed low pressure self-seal contact adhesive or the exposed low pressure self-seal contact adhesive does not substantially reduce the effectiveness or functionality of the piece of paper with respect to any intended use of the piece of paper, and so that no part of the folded piece of paper adheres to any other part of the folded piece of paper or the degree of adhesion between parts of the folded piece of paper does not substantially reduce the effectiveness or functionality of the piece of paper with respect to any intended use of the piece of paper. The folded piece of paper may be a self-seal brochure or a two way self maiier.

Self-seal brochures Preferably, the piece of paper has low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied in a number of strips. The location of the self- seal contact adhesive ensures that when the piece of paper is folded in the desired manner to form a self-seal brochure, no part of the self-seal contact adhe'sive makes contact with any other part of the self-seal contact adhesive, thereby ensuring that the folded brochure can be unfolded freely without sticking.

After the brochure has been unfolded, the brochure, or one or more parts thereof, can be transformed into an envelope or envelopes by folding in a certain manner which ensures that certain strips of self-seal contact adhesive makes contact with opposing and aligned strips of self-seal contact adhesive. When low pressure, usually by a finger, is applied to the adhesive region, the envelope is formed and is sealed on at least three sides, with at least two sides sealed by self-seal contact adhesive.

The folded brochure may be folded along fold lines that are perpendicular to each other. The brochure may have one or more perforations or other lines of weakness for separating part of the brochure from the remaining part of the brochure, or part thereof: The brochure may have perforations or other lines of weakness that are perpendicular to each other. The brochure, or

- A - parts thereof, may be transformed into more than one envelope, and the envelopes may be mailed to the same of different recipients, depending on the application.

Embodiments 1 to 9 of the invention are self-seal brochures, and an advantageous feature of these embodiments is that they do not use any other type of adhesive besides the low pressure self-seal contact adhesive. For Embodiments 1 to 6, the unfolded brochure has a quadrate shape and the brochure may be printed on a web offset press, a sheet fed offset press, or a laser printer.

For Embodiments 7 to 9 the unfolded brochure does not have a quadrate shape, a die may be used to cut out the desired shape, and the brochure may be printed on an envelope press

Two way self mailers Preferable, the piece of paper has low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied in a number of strips. The location of adhesive or adhesives ensures that when the piece of paper is folded and sealed in the desired manner to form a two way self mailer, any adhesion does not prevent the two way self mailer from being easily opened a first recipient of the two way self mailer without causing any damage of fibre tear with respect to the intended use of the two way self mailer. The first recipient opens the self mailer and can transform the self mailer, or one or more parts thereof, into an envelope or envelopes suitable for mailing to a second recipient through the national mailing service.

The adhesive or adhesives used to seal the two way self mailer for mailing to the first recipient may be low pressure self-seal contact adhesive, high pressure self-seal adhesive, or hotmelt adhesive, or a combination of adhesives.

In the case of low pressure self-seal contact adhesive, the location of the adhesive ensures that when the unfolded self mailer is folded in the desired manner to form the folded and sealed self mailer for mailing to the first recipient, certain strips of low pressure self-seal contact adhesive makes contact with opposing and aligned strips of low pressure self-seal contact adhesive, and when low pressure is applied to the adhesive region of the self mailer, a releasable or permanent seal is activated.

In the case of high pressure self-seal adhesive, a pressure sealing machine is required to activate the high pressure self-seal adhesive. The high pressure self-seal adhesive may or may not be a contact adhesive.

In the case of hotmelt adhesive, the unfolded self mailer may be sealed by releasable or permanent hotmelt adhesive while it is being folded to form the two way self mailer for mailing to the first recipient. The hotmelt adhesive may be applied by a number of glue guns to one side only of the unfolded self mailer as it enters a folding.and sealing machine. A suitable folding and sealing machine is disclosed in Australian Patent Application 755403.

When permanent adhesive is used, the permanent adhesive is inside edge strips whereby the first recipient of the self mailer can open the self mailer by tearing along lines of perforation or other lines of weakness to remove the edge strips from the self mailer.

Alternatively, when the two way self mailer received by the first recipient is sealed with releasable adhesive, perforations are not required, but may be desirable, and the self mailer can be opened by slowly pulling the layers apart. When the releasable adhesive is hotmelt adhesive, the adhesive may also be removable so that it can be easily and cleanly removed by the first recipient by rubbing it off with a finger.

After the two way self mailer has been opened and unfolded by the first recipient, the self mailer, or one or more parts thereof, may be transformed into an envelope or envelopes by folding in a certain manner which ensures that certain strips of the low pressure self-seal contact adhesive makes contact with opposing and aligned strips of low pressure self-seal contact adhesive, and by applying low pressure to the adhesive region. At least two sides of the envelopes or envelopes are sealed by self-seal contact adhesive.

In the case where one side of the envelope remains unsealed, a sealing flap of the envelope may be provided with a strip of remoistenable gum to lick and stick so that the envelope is sealed on all four sides.

When the two way self mailer, or parts thereof, is transformed into more than one envelope, the envelopes may be mailed to the same of different recipients, depending on the application Embodiments 10 to 16 of the invention are two way self mailers.

Embodiments 10, 11, 12 and 15 use low pressure self-seal contact adhesive only. Embodiment 13 uses low pressure self-seal contact adhesive and releasable & removable hotmelt adhesive. Embodiment 14 uses low pressure self-seal contact adhesive, releasable & removable hotmelt adhesive, and remoistenable gum. Embodiment 16 uses low pressure self-seal contact adhesive and remoistenable gum. Bound paper articles

In accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention, the piece of paper (or other sheet material) is bound by the binding of a bound paper (or other sheet material) article, such as a bound publication, a book, a booklet, a journal, a report, a magazine, a newsletter, a catalogue, a calendar, a diary, or a number of sheets of paper stapled together with a single staple, so that there is no exposed low pressure self-seal contact adhesive or the exposed low pressure self-seal contact adhesive does not substantially reduce the effectiveness or functionality of the piece of paper with respect to any intended use of the piece of paper, and so that no part of .the piece of paper adheres to any part of the bound paper article or the degree of adhesion between parts of the piece of paper and the bound paper article does not substantially reduce the effectiveness or functionality of the piece of paper with respect to any intended use of the piece of paper.

The piece of paper, or one or more parts thereof, after being removed from the bound paper article, can be transformed into .an envelope or envelopes by folding in a certain manner which ensures that certain strips of self-seal contact adhesive makes contact with opposing and aligned strips of self-seal contact adhesive. When low pressure, usually by a finger, is applied to the adhesive region, the envelope is formed and is sealed on at least three sides, with at least two sides sealed by self-seal contact adhesive.

The piece of paper may have one or more perforations or other lines of weakness for separating part of the piece of paper from the remaining part of the piece of paper, or part thereof. The piece of paper may have perforations or other lines of weakness that are perpendicular to each other. The piece of paper, or parts thereof, may be transformed into more than one envelope, and the envelopes may be mailed to the same of different recipients, depending on the application.

Embodiments 17 and 18 of the invention are pieces of paper bound by the binding of a bound paper article.

Embodiment 17 incorporates a piece of paper into a saddle stitched catalogue, with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to the piece of paper.

Embodiment 18 incorporates 12 pieces of paper, one for each month, into a wire bound wall calendar, with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to each of the 12 pieces of paper.

Paper inside envelopes

In accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention, the piece of paper (or other sheet material) is inside an outer envelope so that there is no exposed low pressure self-seal contact adhesive or the exposed low pressure self-seal contact adhesive does not substantially reduce the effectiveness or functionality of the piece of paper with respect to any intended use of the piece of paper, and so that no part of the piece of paper adheres to any part of the outer envelope or its contents (including the piece of paper) or the degree of adhesion between parts of the piece of paper and the outer envelope or its contents (including the piece of paper) does not substantially reduce the effectiveness or functionality of the piece of paper with respect to any intended use of the piece of paper.

The piece of paper, or one or more parts thereof, can be transformed into an envelope or envelopes by folding in a certain manner which ensures that certain strips of self-seal contact adhesive makes contact with opposing and aligned strips of self- seal contact adhesive. When low pressure, usually by a finger, is applied to the adhesive region, the envelope is formed and is sealed on at least three sides, with at least two sides seated by self-seal contact adhesive. The piece of paper may have one or more perforations or other lines of weakness for separating part of the piece of paper from the remaining part of the piece of paper, or part thereof. The piece of paper may have perforations or other lines of weakness that are perpendicular to each other. The piece of paper, or parts thereof, may be transformed into more than one envelope, and the envelopes may be mailed to the same of different recipients, depending on the application.

Embodiment 19 of the invention is a Z-folded piece of paper inside a window face envelope. Adhesive on both sides of the paper

Some embodiments of the invention require low pressure self-seal contact adhesive to be applied to both sides of a paper. The ^' adhesive pattern must be carefully deigned so that the sheets of paper do not stick to each other when they are stacked in the unfolded condition. In particular, any low pressure self-seal contact adhesive on the under side of a sheet must not make contact with any low pressure self-seal contact adhesive on the top side of the adjacent sheet immediately below. When the sheets in the unfolded condition are printed on a sheet fed offset press or a laser printer, or folded using a folding machine, each sheet must feed into the machine so that any low pressure self-seal contact adhesive on the under side of the sheet does not make contact with any low pressure self-seal contact adhesive on the top side of the adjacent sheet immediately below. Furthermore, when each sheet is fed into the output tray of the offset press or laser printer, any low pressure self-seal contact adhesive on the under side of the sheet must not make contact with any low pressure self-seal contact adhesive on the top side of the previously printed sheet in the outpuHray.

A4 laser paper

Some of the self-seal brochure and two way self mailer embodiments described in this specification are designed to be printed in a typical office environment using a conventional A4 office laser printer. Self-seal brochure Embodiment 1 , two way self mailer Embodiment 10, and Embodiment 19 can be printed on either a simplex or duplex A4 laser printer. Two way self mailer

Embodiments 13, 14, 15 and 16 will usually require variable data to be laser printed on both sides of the paper, and so a duplex A4 laser printer is needed. Depending on the application, the A4 laser printer may be colour or black only.

Embodiments 1, 10, 13, 14 and 19 are designed to be printed on A4 laser paper with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to one side only of the paper. This is important in a typical office to ensure that one sheet of laser paper does not stick to the sheet above or the sheet below when a stack of laser paper is being printed or when a stack of laser paper is being folded on a typical office folding machine.

Embodiments 15 and 16 are designed to be printed on A4 laser paper with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to both sides the paper.

Depending on the application, an office would need to purchase A4 laser paper with the relevant pattern of low pressure self-seal contact adhesive, and with the relevant lines of perforation and scored fold lines. The laser paper must be fed into the laser printer with the correct orientation so that any adhesive on the leading edge of the paper does not interfere with the operation of the pick-up feed roller of the laser printer.

The first disadvantage

As previously discussed in the background of the invention, the first disadvantage of using remoistenable gum on a brochure or a two way self mailers is that the user is often reluctant to lick the gum to transform the brochure (or part thereof) or the two way self mailer (or part thereof) into an envelope. All of the embodiments in this specification, except Embodiments 14 and 16, do not use any remoistenable gum, and so the invention provides a solution to the first disadvantage.

The second disadvantage

Embodiments 1 to 6, 10 to 13, 15, 17, 18 and 19 may be to be printed on a sheet fed offset press or a web offset press. In both cases the low pressure self-seal contact adhesive may be applied to the paper prior to printing. This is possible because low pressure self-seal contact adhesives are available that are compatible with the offset printing process. However, remoistenable gum is not compatible with the offset printing process. One is able to achieve economies of scale by applying a standard pattern of low pressure self-seal contact adhesive prior to printing, thereby producing very large amounts of paper with the standard pattern, as sheets or reels, suitable for sheet fed or web applications for many different clients, as and when required. Consequently, the set-up cost for producing self-seal brochures and two way self mailers is significantly reduced. The invention allows small print runs to become highly cost effective. The invention provides a significant commercial solution to the second disadvantage.

Brief Description of Drawings Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the inside of a self-seal brochure according to a first embodiment (Embodiment 1) of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the outside of the self-seal brochure shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the inside of a self-seal brochure according to a second embodiment (Embodiment 2) of the invention;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the outside of the self-seal brochure shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the inside of a self-seal brochure according to a third embodiment (Embodiment 3) of the invention; Figure 6 is a plan view of the outside of the self-seal brochure shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a cross-section of the self-seal brochure of Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the inside of a self-seal brochure according to a fourth embodiment (Embodiment 4) of the invention; Figure 9 is a plan view of the outside of the self-seal brochure shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the inside of a self-seal brochure according to a fifth embodiment (Embodiment 5) of the invention; Figure 11 is a plan view of the outside of the self-seal brochure shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a plan view of the inside of a self-seal brochure according to a sixth embodiment (Embodiment 6) of the invention; Figure 13 is a plan view of the outside of the self-seal brochure shown in Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a plan view of the inside of a self-seal brochure according to a seventh embodiment (Embodiment 7) of the invention;

Figure 15 is a plan view of the outside of the self-seal brochure shown in Figure 14; Figure 16 is a plan view of the inside of a self-seal brochure according to an eighth embodiment (Embodiment 8) of the invention;

Figure 17 is a plan view of the outside of the self-seal brochure shown in Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a plan view of the self-seal brochure shown in Figures 16 and 17 at the penultimate stage of folding the brochure; Figure 19 is a plan view of the self-seal brochure shown in Figures 16, 17 and 18 prior to sealing the final flap of the envelope;

Figure 20 is a plan view of the inside of a self-seal brochure according to a ninth embodiment (Embodiment 9) of the invention; Figure 21 is a plan view of the outside of the self-seal brochure shown in Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a cross-section view of the self-seal brochure shown in Figures 20 and 21 illustrating the folding;

Figure 23 is a plan view of the inside of a two way self mailer according to a tenth embodiment (Embodiment 10} of the invention;

Figure 24 is a plan view of the outside of the two way self mailer shown in Figure 23;

Figure 25 is a cross-section view of the two way self mailer shown in Figures 23 and 24 illustrating the folding; Figure 26 is a plan view of the inside of a two way self mailer according to an eleventh embodiment (Embodiment 11) of the invention;

Figure 27 is a plan view of the outside of the two way self mailer shown in Figure 26;

Figure 28 is a -plan view of the inside of a two way self mailer according to a twelfth embodiment (Embodiment 12) of the invention;

Figure 29 is a plan view of the outside of the two way self mailer shown in Figure 28.

Figure 30 is a plan view of the inside of a two way self mailer according to a thirteenth embodiment (Embodiment 13) of the . invention;

Figure 31 is a plan view of the outside of the two way self mailer shown in Figure 30;

Figure 32 is a plan view of the inside of a two way self mailer according to a fourteenth embodiment (Embodiment 14) of the invention;

Figure 33 is a plan view of the outside of the two way self mailer shown in Figure 32 Figure 34 is a plan view of the inside of a two way self mailer according to a fifteenth embodiment (Embodiment 15) of the invention;

Figure 35 is a plan view of the outside of the two way self mailer shown in Figure 34;

Figure 36 is a plan view of the inside of a two way self mailer according to a sixteenth embodiment (Embodiment 16) of the invention; Figure 37 is a plan view of the outside of the two way self mailer shown in Figure 36;

Figure 38 is a plan view of the inside of a sheet of paper within a catalogue according to a seventeenth embodiment (Embodiment 17) of the invention;

Figure 39 is a plan view of the outside the sheet of paper shown in Figure 38;

Figure 40 is a plan view of the inside of a sheet of paper within a wall calendar according to an eighteenth embodiment (Embodiment 18) of the invention;

Figure 41 is a plan view of the outside of the sheet of paper shown in Figure 40;

^■ Modes for Carrying Out the Invention Embodiment 1 Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a self-seal brochure of quadrate unfolded shape with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to one side only. The brochure is designed to be folded using a C-fold with two parallel folds and three panels.

Figure 1 illustrates the inside of the unfolded brochure with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1 applied as shown. Figure 2 illustrates the outside of the unfolded brochure with no adhesive applied.

The unfolded brochure is first folded along the line of perforation 2 so that the inside of the adhesive-free end panel 3 is brought into contact with the inside of the middle panel 4. The brochure is then folded a second time along the imaginary fold line 5 so that the inside of the other end panel 6 is brought into contact with the outside of the previously folded panel 3. The location of the adhesive 1 ensures that no part of the brochure sticks to any other part of the brochure in the folded condition, and the adhesive-free end panel 3 prevents the adhesive on the inside of end panel 6 from making contact with the adhesive on the inside of the middle panel 4. The location of the adhesive ensures that there is no exposed adhesive in the folded condition.

The user of the brochure tears along the line of perforation 2 and keeps the adhesive-free end panel 3. The user completes the response details located on the inside of end panel 6 or the inside of the middle panel 4. The user inserts any enclosures, such as a cheque, and transforms end panel 6 and the middle panel 4 of the brochure into a sealed envelope by folding along the fold line 5 so that the adhesive on the inside of end panel 6 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive on the inside of the middle panel 4 when pressed together,' To ensure that the adhesive is aligned, the fold line 5 may be scored.

The address details 7 of the recipient of the envelope are printed on the outside on the middle panel 4. In the original folded condition, the outside of end panel 6 becomes the front of the brochure and the outside of the middle panel 4 becomes the back of the brochure. Depending ^' on the application, there may be lines of perforation (not shown) inboard of the adhesive pattern so that the sealed envelope can be opened by removing the perforated edge strips. Depending on the application, the self-seal contact adhesive may be releasable or permanent.

Embodiment 2

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a self-seal brochure of quadrate unfolded shape with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to one side only. The brochure is designed to be folded using a V-fold with one fold and two panels.

Figure 3 illustrates the inside of the unfolded brochure with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1 applied as shown. Figure 4 illustrates the outside of the unfolded brochure with no adhesive applied.

The unfolded brochure is folded along the line of perforation 8 so that the inside of the adhesive-free panel 9 is brought into contact with the inside of the other panel 10. The brochure has a scored fold line 11 in the centre of panel 10. The score line 11 is parallel to the line of perforation 8. The location of the adhesive 1 ensures that no part of the brochure sticks to any other part of the brochure in the folded condition, and that there is no exposed adhesive.

The user of the brochure tears along the line of perforation 8 and keeps the adhesive-free panel 9. The user completes the response details located on the inside of panel 10. The user inserts any enclosures, such as a cheque, and transforms panel 10 into a sealed envelope by folding along the scored fold line 11 so that the adhesive on the inside of panel 10 on one side of the scored fold line 11 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive on the inside of panel 10 on the other side of the scored fold line 11.

The address details 12 of the recipient of the envelope are printed on the outside of panel 10 between the scored fold line 11 and the line of perforation 8, or between the scored fold line 11 and the edge of the brochure. In the original folded condition, the outside of the adhesive-free panel 9 becomes the front of the brochure and the outside of panel 10 becomes the back of the brochure.

Because the folded brochure has not been folded along the scored fold line 11, the user is less likely to accidentally or inadvertently seal the envelope.

Depending on the application, there may be lines of perforation (not shown) inboard of the adhesive pattern so that the sealed envelope can be opened by removing the perforated edge strips. Depending on the application, the self-seal contact adhesive may be releasable or permanent.

Embodiment 3

Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a self-seal brochure of quadrate unfolded shape with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to one side only. The brochure is designed to be folded using a fan-fold with three parallel folds and four panels.

Figure 5 illustrates the inside of the unfolded brochure with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1 applied as shown. Figure 6 illustrates the outside of the unfolded brochure with no adhesive applied. Figure 7 is a cross-section view of the folded brochure illustrating the fan-fold.

The unfolded brochure is first folded along the line of perforation 13 so that the inside of the first panel 14 is brought into contact with the inside of the second panel 15. The brochure is then folded a second time along the imaginary fold line 16 so that the outside of the second panel 15 is brought into contact with the outside of the third panel 17. The brochure is then folded a third time along the line of perforation 18 so that the inside of the fourth panel 19 is brought into contact with the inside of the third panel 17. The location of the adhesive 1 ensures that no part of the brochure sticks to any other part of the brochure in the folded condition, and that there is no exposed adhesive.

The user of the brochure tears along the line of perforation 13 and keeps the first panel 14. The user tears along the line of perforation 18 and keeps the fourth panel 19. The user completes the response details located on the inside of the second panel 15 or the inside of the third panel 17, Finally, the user inserts any enclosures, such as a cheque, and transforms the second panel 15 and the third panel 17 into a sealed envelope by folding along the fold line 16 so that the adhesive on the inside of the second panel 15 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive on the inside of the third panel 17. To form the envelope, the user reverses the fold along the fold line 16.

The address details 20 of the recipient of the envelope are printed on the outside of the second panel 15 or the third panel 17. Because the fold on the fold line 16 needs to be reversed to seal the envelope, the user is less likely to accidentally or inadvertently seal the envelope. The fold line 16 may be scored.

Depending on the application, there may be lines of perforation (not shown) inboard of the adhesive pattern so that the sealed envelope can be opened by removing the perforated edge strips. Depending on the application, the self-seal contact adhesive may be releasable or permanent. Embodiment 4

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a self-seal brochure of quadrate unfolded shape with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to one side only. The brochure is designed to be folded using a C-fold with two parallel folds and three panels.

Figure 8 illustrates the inside of the unfolded brochure with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1 applied as shown at both ends of the brochure.

Figure 9 illustrates the outside of the unfolded brochure with no adhesive applied.

The unfolded brochure is first folded along the imaginary fold line 21 so that the inside of the end panel 22 is brought into contact with the inside of the middle panel 23. The brochure is then folded a second time along the imaginary fold line 24 so that the inside of the end panel 25 is brought into contact with the outside of the previously folded end panel 22. The location of the adhesive 1 ensures that no part of the brochure sticks to any other part of the brochure in the folded condition, and that there is no exposed adhesive.

A first user of the brochure tears along the line of perforation 26 to divide the brochure into a smaller piece and a larger piece. The first user completes their response details located on the inside of the smaller piece, inserts any enclosures, such as a cheque, and transforms the smaller piece into a sealed envelope by folding along the scored fold line 27 so that the adhesive on one side of the fold line 27 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive on the other side of the fold line 27 when pressed together. The first user of the brochure gives the larger piece to a second user. The larger piece is a complete brochure with adhesive at one end only. The second user of the brochure tears along the line of perforation 28 to divide the brochure into a smaller piece and a larger piece. The second user completes their response details located on the inside side of the smaller piece, inserts any enclosures, such as a cheque, and transforms the smaller piece into a sealed envelope by folding along the scored fold line 29 so that the adhesive on one side of the fold line 29 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive on the other side of the fold line 29 when pressed together. The address details 30 of the recipient of the both envelopes are printed on the outside of the original unfolded brochure between the line of perforation 26 and the end of the brochure, and between the line of perforation 28 and the other end of the brochure. ^l

Alternatively, the first user tears along the line of perforation 28 and the second user tears along the line of perforation 26.

Depending on the application, there may be lines of perforation (not shown) inboard of the adhesive pattern so that the sealed envelopes can be opened by removing the perforated edge strips. Depending on the application, the self-seal contact adhesive may be releasable or permanent.

A variation of Embodiment 4 is obtained by removing the adhesive, the line of perforation 28, the scored fold line 29 and the address details from the end panel 25. For this variation in the original folded condition, the outside of the end panel 25 becomes the front of the brochure and the outside of the middle panel 23 becomes the back of the brochure.

Embodiment 5

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a self-seal brochure of quadrate unfolded shape with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to one side only. The brochure is designed to be folded using a roll-fold with three parallel folds and four panels.

Figure 10 illustrates the inside of the unfolded brochure with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1 applied as shown at one end of the brochure.

Figure 11 illustrates the outside of the unfolded brochure with no adhesive applied.

The unfolded brochure is first folded along the line of perforation 31 so that the inside of the first panel 32 is brought into contact with the inside of the second panel 33. The brochure is then folded a second time along the imaginary fold line 34 so that the outside of the previously folded first panel 32 is brought into contact with the inside of the third panel 35. The brochure is then folded a third time along the imaginary fold line 36 so that the outside of the previously folded second panel 33 is brought into contact with the inside of the fourth panel 37. The location of the adhesive 1 ensures that no part of the brochure sticks to any other part of the brochure in the folded condition, and that there is no exposed adhesive. The user of the brochure tears along the line of perforation 31 to divide the brochure into a smaller piece and a larger piece. The user completes their response details located on the inside side of the smaller piece, inserts any enclosures, such as a cheque, and transforms the smaller piece into a sealed envelope by folding along the scored fold line 38 so that the adhesive on one side of the fold line 38 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive on the other side of the fold line 38 when pressed together. .

The address details 39 of the recipient of the envelope are printed on the outside the first panel 32. In the original folded condition, the outside of the fourth panel 37 becomes the front of the brochure and the outside of the third panel 35 becomes the back of the brochure.

Depending on the application, there may be lines of perforation 40 inboard of the adhesive pattern so that the sealed envelope can be opened by removing the perforated edge strips. Depending on the application, the self-seal contact adhesive may .be releasable or permanent. A first variation of Embodiment 5 is obtained by folding the brochure using a fan-fold. The unfolded brochure is first folded along the line of perforation 31 so that the inside of the first panel 32 is brought into contact with the inside of the second panel 33. The brochure is then folded a second time along the imaginary fold line 34 so that the outside of the second panel 33 is brought into contact with the outside of the third panel 35. The brochure is then folded a third time along the imaginary fold line 36 so that the inside of the third panel 35 is brought into contact with the inside of the fourth panel 37. A second variation of Embodiment 5 is obtained by folding the brochure using a gate-fold. The unfolded brochure is first folded along the line of perforation 31 so that the inside of the first panel 32 is brought into contact with the inside of the second panel 33. The brochure is then folded a second time along the imaginary fold line 36 so that the inside of the fourth panel 37 is brought into contact with the inside of the third panel 35. The brochure is then folded a third time along the imaginary fold line 34 so that the outside of the first panel 32 is brought into contact with the outside of the fourth panel 37. Further variations of Embodiment 5 are obtained by incorporating a second envelope into the fourth panel 37. In the case of a gate-fold, the imaginary fold line 34 may be perforated so that the original folded brochure can be split into two separate V-folded brochures each with their own adhesive to form their own envelope.

Embodiment 6 (Ballot Paper Envelope)

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a self-seal brochure of quadrate unfolded shape with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to both sides. The brochure has three parallel folds and five panels, and is designed for postal voting in national, state and municipal elections.

Figure 12 illustrates the inside of the unfolded brochure with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1a and 1b applied as ^' shown on the inside of the brochure.

Figure 13 illustrates the outside of the unfolded brochure with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1c applied as shown on the outside of the fifth panel 47. The unfolded brochure is first folded along the imaginary fold line 41 so that the inside of the first panel 42 is brought into contact with the inside of the fourth panel 45, and the inside of the second panel 43 is brought into contact with the inside of the third panel 44. The brochure is then folded a second time along the imaginary fold line 46 so that the inside of the fifth panel 47 is brought into contact with the outside of the first panel 42. The brochure is then folded a third time along the imaginary fold lines 48 and 49 so that the outside of the second panel 43 is brought into contact with the outside of the fifth panel 47. The location of the adhesive 1a, 1b and 1c ensures that no part of the brochure sticks to any other part of the brochure in the folded condition, and that there is no exposed adhesive. The folded brochure together with other voting materials such as ballot papers is inserted into a window face envelope for mailing to the eligible voter. The voter is identified by a unique barcode 50. The barcode 50 and the name and address 51 of the voter are printed on the outside of the third panel 44 and appear through the transparent window of the outer envelope. The voting booth number 52 may be printed on the outside of the fifth panel so that it appears below the name and address 51 on the front of the folded brochure. The address of the Returning Officer is printed on the outside of the fourth panel 45 so that it appears on the back of the folded brochure.

The voter tears along the line of perforation 53 to remove their name and address from the brochure. The voter places their completed ballot paper(s) on the inside of the fourth panel 45 and seals the envelope by folding along the imaginary fold line 46 so that the adhesive on one side of the fold line 46 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive on the other side of the fold line 46 when pressed together. The voter then completes the voter declaration 54 on the inside of the third panel 44, and folds along the imaginary fold line 49 so that the adhesive 1b on the inside of the third panel 44 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1c on the outside of the fifth panel 47. The voter then mails the envelope to the Returning Officer.

The Returning Officer partly opens the envelope by slitting the envelope near the fold line 46, checks the voter declaration, and removes the voter declaration 54 by tearing along the line of perforation 55. The voting booth number 52 is printed on the remaining unopened ballot paper envelope so that the Returning Officer can put the sealed ballot paper envelope into the correct ballot box.

There may be lines of perforation (not shown) inboard of the adhesive pattern 1a so that the ballot paper envelope can be opened by removing the perforated edge strips.

For additional security, there may be small cuts in the paper located and orientated strategically on the adhesive pattern to ensure that the paper tears when one attempts to open the envelope by releasing the adhesive.

Embodiment 7

Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a self-seal brochure made from a die-cut piece of paper with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to one side only. The shape of the die-cut piece of paper is similar to the shape of some blanks used for making self-seal envelopes, thereby facilitating the manufacture of the brochure on an envelope press. Figure 14 illustrates the inside of the unfolded brochure with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e and 1f applied as shown.

Figure 15 illustrates the outside of the unfolded brochure with no adhesive applied.

The first flap 59 of the brochure is attached to the first panel 60 and is folded along the line of perforation 61 so that the inside, of the flap 59 completely covers the adhesive 1a on the inside of the panel 60. The second flap 62 is attached to the panel 60 and is folded along the line of perforation 63 so that the inside of the flap 62 completely covers the adhesive 1c on the inside of the panel 60. The third flap 64 is attached to the panel 60 and is folded along the imaginary fold line 65 so that the inside of the flap 64 completely covers the adhesive 1e on the inside of the panel 60. The brochure is then folded along the imaginary fold line 66 so that the adhesive 1b, 1d and 1f on the inside of the second panel 67 makes contact with the outside of the flaps 59, 62 and 64 respectively. The location of the adhesive 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e and 1f ensures that no part of the folded brochure sticks to any other part of the folded brochure.

The user opens the brochure and completes the response details on the inside of the brochure. The user tears along the lines of perforation 61, 63 and 65 to remove the flaps 59, 62 and 64 respectively. The user then places any enclosures on the inside of the brochure and folds the brochure along the fold line 66 so that the adhesive 1b, 1d and 1f on the inside of the panel 67 makes contact with the opposing and aligned adhesive 1a, 1c and 1e respectively on the inside of the panel 60, thus forming an envelope with enclosures sealed inside the envelope.

The address details 68 of the recipient of the envelope may be printed on either side of the envelope.

The user does not need to remove the flaps 59, 62 and 64 until the user is ready to form the envelope for mailing, thereby reducing the risk of accidentally or inadvertently sealing the envelope.

Depending on the application, there may be lines of perforation (not shown) inboard of the adhesive pattern so that the sealed envelope can be opened by removing the perforated edge strips. Depending on the application, the self-seal contact adhesive may be releasable or permanent.

This embodiment can be used as a self-seal aerogramme Embodiment 8

Figures 16, 17, 18 and 19 illustrate a self-seal brochure made from a die-cut piece of paper using low pressure self-seal contact adhesive.

Figure 16 illustrates the inside of the unfolded brochure with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and 1e applied as shown.

Figure 17 illustrates the outside of the unfolded brochure with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1f applied as shown.

The first flap 69 of the brochure is attached to the second panel 70 and is folded along the line of perforation 71 so that the inside of the flap 69 completely covers the adhesive 1a on the inside of the second panel 70. The second flap 72 is attached to the second panel 70 and is folded along the line of perforation 73 so that the inside of the flap 72 completely covers the adhesive 1c on the inside of the second panel 70. A third line of perforation 74 located on the first panel 75 is perpendicular to the lines of perforation 71 and 73, and the strip of adhesive 1e is adjacent to and inboard of the line of perforation 74. The brochure is folded along the imaginary fold line 76 so that the outside of the third flap 77 makes contact with the outside of the third panel 78.

The brochure is then folded along the imaginary fold line 79 so that the inside of the third panel 78 makes contact with the inside of the second panel 70 and with the outside of the folded flaps 69 and 72. Figure 18 illustrates the brochure at this stage.

Finally, the brochure is folded along the imaginary fold line 80 so that the inside of the first panel 75 makes contact with the outside of the third panel 78 and the inside of the third flap 77. The front of the folded brochure is the outside of the first panel 75 and the back of the brochure is the outside of the second panel 70. The location of the adhesive 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e and 1f ensures that no part of the folded brochure sticks to any other part of the folded brochure.

The user opens the brochure by unfolding the folds on fold lines 80 and 79, and completes the response details on the inside of the brochure. The user tears along the line of perforation 74 to remove part of the first panel 75 from the brochure, leaving the fourth flap 81 attached to the brochure. The user tears along the lines of perforations 71 and 73 to remove the flaps 69 and 72. The user then folds the brochure along the fold line 79 so that the adhesive 1b and 1d on the inside of the third panel 78 makes contact with the opposing and aligned adhesive 1a and 1c on the inside of the second panel 70. An envelope is thus formed and the user can then insert any enclosures, such as a cheque or the part of the first panel 75 that was previously removed from the brochure. Figure 19 illustrates the envelope at this stage with an enclosure 82 being inserted. Finally, to seal the envelope, the user folds the flap 77 along the fold line 76 and folds the flap 81 along the fold line 80 so that the adhesive 1e on the inside of the flap 81 makes contact with the opposing and aligned adhesive 1f on the outside of the flap 77.

The address details 83 of the recipient of the envelope may be printed on the outside on the third panel 78.

The user does not need to remove the flaps 69 and 72 until the user is ready to form the envelope for mailing, thereby reducing the risk of accidentally or inadvertently sealing the envelope.

Depending on the application, there may be lines of perforation (not shown) inboard of the adhesive strips 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d so ^' that the sealed envelope can be opened by removing the perforated edge strips; Depending on the application, the self-seal contact adhesive may be releasable or permanent.

This embodiment can be used as a self-seal aerogramme with an optional insert. Embodiment 9

Figures 20, 21 and 22 illustrate a self-seal brochure made from a die-cut piece of paper using low pressure self-seal contact adhesive, The brochure is designed to be folded using a gate-fold with three parallel folds and four panels of essentially the same shape and size.

Figure 20 illustrates the inside of the unfolded brochure with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and Ie applied as shown.

Figure 21 illustrates the outside of the unfolded brochure with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1f applied as shown.

The first flap 84 of the brochure is attached to the second panel 85 and is folded along the line of perforation 86 so that the inside of the flap 84 completely covers the adhesive 1a on the inside of the second panel 84. The second flap 87 is attached to the second panel 85 and is folded along the line of perforation 88 so that the inside of the flap 87 completely covers the adhesive 1c on the inside of the second panel 85. A third line of perforation 89 is located between the third panel 90 and the fourth panel 91, and the strip of adhesive 1e is adjacent to and inboard of the line of perforation 89.

The brochure is folded along the. line of perforation 89 so that the inside of the fourth panel.91 makes contact with the inside of the third panel 90. The brochure is folded along the imaginary fold line 92 so that the inside of the first panel 93 makes contact with the inside of the second panel 85 and with the outside of the folded flaps 84 and 87.

Finally, the brochure is folded along the imaginary fold line 94 so that the outside of the first panel 93 makes contact with the outside of the fourth panel 91. This brochure is folded using a gate-fold and Figure 22 illustrates the gate-fold with a cross- section view of the brochure. The location of the adhesive 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, and 1f ensures that no part of the folded brochure sticks to any other part of the folded brochure.

The user opens the brochure and completes the response details on the inside of the brochure. The user tears along the line of perforation 89 to remove the fourth panel 91 from the brochure. The user tears along the lines of perforations 86 and 88 to remove the flaps 84 and 87. The user then folds the brochure along the fold line 92 so that the adhesive 1b and 1d on the inside of the first panel 93 makes contact with the opposing and aligned adhesive 1a and 1c on the inside of the second panel 85. An envelope is thus formed and the user can then insert any enclosures, such as a cheque or the fourth panel 91 that was previously removed from the brochure.

Finally, to seal the envelope, the user folds the brochure along the fold line 94 so that the adhesive 1e on the inside of the third panel 90 makes contact with the opposing and aligned adhesive 1f on the outside of the first panel 93.

The address details 95 of the recipient of the envelope are printed on the outside on the third panel 90 or on the outside of the second panel 85.

The user does not need to remove the flaps 84 and 87 until the user is ready to form the envelope for mailing, thereby reducing the risk of accidentally or inadvertently sealing the envelope.

Depending on the application, there may be lines of perforation 96 inboard of the adhesive strips 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and 1e so that ^• the sealed envelope can be opened by removing the perforated edge strips. Depending on the application, the self-seal contact adhesive may be releasable or permanent.

This embodiment can be used as a self-seal aerogramme with an optional insert. Embodiment 10 (Two Way Simplex Laser Paper)

Figures 23, 24 and 25 illustrate a two way self mailer with a pattern of low pressure releasable self-seal contact adhesive applied to one side only of the self mailer prior to folding and sealing, whereby the folded and sealed self mailer has no exposed contact

adhesive, and whereby part of the self mailer folded in a different manner and pressed by a finger with low pressure becomes a sealed envelope with three sides sealed by the self-seal contact adhesive.

Figure 23 illustrates the inside of the unfolded self mailer with low pressure releasable self-seal contact adhesive 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g and 1h applied as shown. Two perforated edge strips 97 and 98 are defined by two lines of perforation 99 and 100 parallel to and inboard of the adhesive strips 1 a arid 1 b.

Figure 24 illustrates the outside of the unfolded self mailer with no self-seal contact adhesive applied.

The unfolded self mailer is folded on the scored fold line 101 so that the two strips, of adhesive 1c adhere to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1d, and the adhesive 1b on one side of the fold line 101 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1b on the other side of the fold line 101. The self mailer is folded on the scored fold line 102 so that the outside of the self mailer on one side of the fold line 102 makes contact with the outside of the self mailer on the other side of the fold line 102. The self mailer is then folded on the scored fold line 103 so that the adhesive 1a on one side of the fold line 103 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1a on the other side of the fold line 103. The self mailer is then folded on the scored fold line 104 so that the adhesive strip 1e adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive strip 1f, and the adhesive 1a on one side of the fold line 104 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1a on the other side of the fold line 104. The self-mailer is folded and sealed for mailing to the first recipient. The ^■ adhesive is located so that there is no contact between the adhesive 1g and any other adhesive, and no contact between the adhesive 1h and any other adhesive. The name and address 105 of the first recipient may be printed on the inside of the self mailer between the adhesive strip 1d and the adhesive strip 1f.

Figure 30 is a cross-section view illustrating the method of folding of the self-mailer. The non-standard method of folding means that the self mailer can only be folded manually. This provides the sender with the opportunity to insert enclosures prior to sealing.

The first recipient of the two way self mailer opens the self-mailer by removing the two perforated edge strips 97 and 98 by tearing along the two lines of perforation 99 and 100. The first recipient then releases the adhesion between the adhesive strips 1c and the adhesive strip 1d, and between the adhesive strip 1e and the adhesive strip 1f; The first recipient then unfolds the self mailer.

The first recipient tears along the line of perforation 106 to remove the smaller part of the self mailer. The first recipient completes the response details on the inside of the self mailer, places any enclosures on the inside of the self mailer, and folds the self mailer along the scored fold line 107 so that the adhesive strip 1e adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive strip 1d, the two adhesive strip 1h on one side of the fold line 107 adhere to the two opposing and aligned adhesive strips 1h on the other side of the fold line 107, and the adhesive 1g on one side of the fold line 107 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1g on the other side of the fold line 107. The two way self mailer is now sealed for the second time and the envelope thus formed is ready to me mailed to the second recipient. The name and address 108 of the second recipient may be printed on the outside if the self mailer between the fold lines 103 and 107.

Depending on the application, there may be lines of perforation (not shown) inboard of the adhesive strips 1e and 1f so that the sealed envelope can be opened by the second recipient by removing the perforated edge strip.

The unfolded self mailer illustrated in Figures 23 and 24 may be an A4 sheet of laser paper suitable for laser printing on one or both sides. The adhesive strips 1c define the leading edge of the laser paper, and the gap between the strips 1c is designed so that the feed roller of the laser printer does not make contact with the adhesive 1 c.

All variable data such as name and address may be laser printed on the inside of the self mailer thereby permitting the two way mailer to be used for mailing invoices and statements using accounting software such as MYOB or Quicken. Furthermore, the second use of the two way mailer may be as a reply paid envelope, and the reply paid details may be printed between the fold lines 103 and 107 so that they are concealed from view when the self mailer is mailed to the first recipient. The part of the self mailer that is removed by the first recipient may be used as Tax Invoice to be retained by the first recipient.

Depending on the application, one or more strips of low pressure releasable self-seal contact adhesive (not shown) may be located on the outside of the unfolded self mailer, peφendicular to the fold lines, and between the fold lines 103 and 104. When the self mailer is folded on fold line 102, the adhesive on one side of the fold line 102 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive on the other side of the fold line 102, thereby preventing the fold lines 103 and 104 from spreading apart in the folded and sealed self mailer. For each such adhesive strip, the adhesive pattern on the inside of the unfolded self mailer is modified so that the adhesive on the outside of one unfolded self mailer does not make contact with the adhesive on the inside of another unfolded self mailer when unfolded self mailers are stacked and printed on a laser printer. The modification to the adhesive pattern on the inside of the unfolded self mailers requires the strategic placement of narrow gaps in the pattern, slightly wider that the width of the adhesive strips on the outside of the unfolded self mailers. Similar modifications to the adhesive pattern on the inside of unfolded self mailer are described and illustrated for Embodiment 11 below.

Embodiment 11 Figures 26 and 27 illustrate a two way self mailer with a pattern of low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to both sides of the self mailer prior to folding and sealing, whereby the folded and sealed self mailer has no exposed contact adhesive, and whereby part of the self mailer folded in a different manner and pressed by a finger with low pressure becomes a sealed envelope with three sides sealed by the self-seal contact adhesive. The self mailer is designed to be folded using a fan fold with three parallel folds and four panels of essentially the same size and shape. Figure 26 illustrates the inside of the unfolded self mailer with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1a and 1b applied as shown.

Figure 27 illustrates the outside of the unfolded self mailer low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1c and 1d applied as shown.

The adhesive pattern 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d on the unfolded self mailer is designed so that the adhesive 1c and 1d on the outside of one unfolded self mailer does not make contact with the adhesive 1a and 1b on the inside of another unfolded self mailer when unfolded self mailers are stacked and printed.

Four perforated edge strips 109, 110, 111 and 112 are defined by four lines of perforation 113, 114, 115 and 116, respectively, parallel to and inboard of the adhesive strips 1a. There is a line of perforation 117 between the first panel 118 and the second panel 119. There is a scored fold line 120 between the second panel 119 and the third panel 121. There is a line of perforation 122 between the third panel 121 and the fourth panel 123.

The unfolded self mailer is first folded along the scored fold line 120 so that the outside of the second panel 119 is brought Into contact with the outside of the third panel 121, and the adhesive 1c and 1d on one side of the fold line 120 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1c and 1d on the other side of the fold line 120. The self mailer is folded along the line of perforation 117 so that the inside of the first panel 118 is brought into contact with the inside of the se∞hd panel 120, and the adhesive 1a on the perforated edge strips 109 and 110 on one side of the fold line 117 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1a on the perforated edge strips 109 and 110 on the other side of the fold line 117. The self mailer is folded along the line of perforation 122 so that the inside of the fourth panel 123 is brought into contact with the inside of the third panel 121, and the adhesive 1a on the perforated edge strips 119 and 120 on one side of the fold line 122 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1a on the perforated edge strips 109 and 110 on the other side of the fold line 136. Furthermore, the adhesive 1a on the perforated edge strip 115 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1a on the perforated edge strip 116. The two way self mailer is folded and sealed ready to be mailed to the first recipient whose address is printed on the outside of the first or fourth panel. '

The first recipient of the self mailer removes the perforated edge strips 109, 110, 111 and 112 by tearing along the lines of perforations 113, 114, 115 and 116, and then carefully pulls the second panel 119 away from the third panel 121 thereby breaking the seal made by the adhesive 1d without damaging the self mailer. The self mailer can then be completely unfolded and read.

The first recipient tears along the lines of perforations 117 and 122 and removes the first panel 118 and the fourth panel 123 from the self mailer. The first recipient completes the response details located on the inside of the second panel 119 or the inside of the third panel 121. Finally, the first recipient places any enclosures, such as a cheque, on the second panel 119 or the third panel 121 and folds the self mailer on the scored fold line 120 so that the adhesive 1b on the inside of the second panel 119 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1b on the inside of the third panel 121. A sealed envelope is thus formed by reversing the fold along the score fold line 120. The name and address details 124 of the second recipient of the two way self mailer are printed on the outside of the second panel 119 or the third panel 121.

The self-seal contact adhesive 1d needs to be sufficiently releasable to allow the first recipient to open the self mailer without causing unacceptable fibre tear or other damage. Depending on the application, one may use releasable self-seal contact adhesive for the adhesive 1d and permanent self-seal contact adhesive for the adhesive 1a, 1b and 1c.

Embodiment 12

Figures 28 and 29 illustrate a two way self mailer with a pattern of low pressure permanent self-seal contact adhesive applied to the self mailer prior to folding and sealing, whereby the folded and sealed self mailer has no exposed contact adhesive, and whereby part of the self mailer folded in a different manner and pressed by a finger with low pressure becomes a sealed envelope with three sides sealed by the self-seal contact adhesive. The self mailer is designed to be folded using a fan fold with three parallel folds and four panels of essentially the same size and shape.

Figure 28 illustrates the inside of the unfolded sejf mailer with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1a and 1b applied ^■ shown. Figure 29 illustrates the outside of the unfolded self mailer low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1 c applied as shown.

The adhesive pattern 1a, 1b and 1d on the unfolded self mailer is designed so that the adhesive 1c on the outside of one unfolded self mailer does not make contact with the adhesive 1a and 1b on the inside of another unfolded self mailer when unfolded self mailers are stacked and printed.

Four perforated edge strips 125, 126, 127 and 128 are defined by four lines of perforation 129, 130, 131 and 132, respectively, parallel to and inboard of the adhesive strips 1a and 1b. There is a line of perforation 133 between the first panel 134 and the second panel 135. There is a line of perforation 136 between the second panel 135 and the third panel 137. There is a scored fold line 138 between the third panel 137 and the fourth panel 139.

The unfolded self mailer is first folded along the line of perforation 136 so that the outside of the second panel 135 is brought into contact with the outside of the third panel 137, and the adhesive Ic on the perforated edge strips 135 and 136 on one side of the fold line 136 adheres permanently to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1c on the perforated edge strips 125 and 126 on the other side of the fold line 136. The self mailer is folded along the line of perforation 133 so that the inside of the first panel 134 is brought into contact with the inside of the second panel 136, and the adhesive 1a on the perforated edge strips 125 and 126 on one side of the fold line 133 adheres permanently to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1a on the perforated edge strips 125 and 126 on the other side of the fold line 133. The self mailer is folded along the scored fold line 138 so that the inside of the fourth panel 139 is brought into contact with the inside of the third panel 137, and the adhesive 1a on the perforated edge strips 125 and 126 on one side of the fold line 137 adheres permanently to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1a on the perforated edge strips 125 and 126 on the other side of the fold line 137. Furthermore, the adhesive 1a on the perforated edge strip 127 adheres permanently to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1a on the perforated edge strip 128. The two way self mailer is folded and sealed ready to be mailed to the first recipient whose address is printed on the outside of the first or fourth panel. The first recipient of the self mailer removes the perforated edge strips 125, 126, 127 and 128 by tearing along the lines of perforations 129, 130, 131 and 132, and completely unfolds the two way self mailer.

The first recipient tears along the lines of perforations 133 and 136 to separate the second panel 135 from the rest of the self mailer. The separated second panel 135. has four perforated edge strips 140, 141, 142 and 143 defined by four lines of perforation 144, 145, 146 and 147, respectively, parallel to and inboard of the adhesive strips ib.The first recipient completes the response details located on the inside of the second panel 135. Finally, the first recipient places any enclosures, such as a cheque, on the second panel 135 and folds the self mailer on the scored fold line 148 so that the adhesive 1 b on the inside of the second panel 135 on one side of the fold line 148 adheres permanently to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1 b on the inside of the second panel 135 on the other side of the fold line 148. A sealed envelope is thus formed ready for mailing to the second recipient. The name and address details 149 of the second recipient of the two way self mailer are printed on the outside of the second panel 135.

The second recipient of the two way self mailer opens the self mailer by tearing along the lines of perforation 144, 145, 146 and 147 to remove the perforated edge strips 140, 141, 142 and 143.

Depending on the application, there are many variations of Embodiment 12.

Embodiment 12 uses the second panel 135 to form the envelope to be sent to the second recipient. However, any one of the four panels of the two way self mailer may be used to form the envelope.

The two way self mailer may be designed so that two envelopes are formed, one to be mailed to the second recipient and the other to be mailed to a third recipient. The third recipient may have ^' the same name and address as the second recipient. The envelope to be mailed to the second recipient may be formed from either the first panel 148 or the second panel 135. The envelope to be mailed to the third recipient may be formed from either the third panel 137 or the fourth panel 139. All fold lines are perforated.

Another variation of Embodiment 12 provides the first recipient of the two way self mailer with two complete self-seal brochures. This is achieved by using two envelopes, as described previously, and the second recipient tears along the line of perforation 136 to split the self mailer into two separate V-folded self-seal brochures The two brochures may be identical. The two brochures may be from two entirely different companies that have agreed to a co-marketing campaign in order to reduce the distribution costs for their brochures In this case, the second recipient would be one company and the third recipient would be the other company.

Another variation of Embodiment 12 does not have any adhesive 1c on the outside of the unfolded self mailer. The inside of the folded and sealed self mailer is still secure, but the design of the self mailer may limit the method of distribution

Embodiment 13 (Two Way Simplex Laser Paper) Figures 30 and 31 illustrate a two way self mailer with a pattern of low pressure releasable self-seal contact adhesive applied to one side only of the self mailer prior to folding and sealing, whereby the folded and sealed self mailer has no exposed contact adhesive, and whereby part of the self mailer folded in a different manner and pressed by a finger with low pressure becomes a sealed envelope with three sides sealed by the self-seal contact adhesive. The self mailer is designed to be folded using a C- fold with two parallel folds and three panels of essentially the same size and shape. The unfolded self mailer is preferably an A4 sheet of laser paper.

Figure 30,illustrates the inside of the unfolded self mailer with low pressure releasable self-seal contact adhesive 1a and 1b applied as shown

Figure 31 illustrates the outside of the unfolded self mailer with no self-seal contact adhesive applied.

Two perforated edge strips 150 and 151 are defined by two lines of perforation 152 and 153 parallel to and inboard of the adhesive strips 1a. There is a scored fold line 154 between the first panel 155 and the second panel 156. There is a scored fold line 157 between the second panel 156 and the third panel 158. There is a line of perforation 159 on the third panel 158 as shown and a scored fold line 160 on the second panel 156 as shown so that scored fold line 160 is half way between the line perforation 159 and the edge 161. Two perforated edge strips 162 and 163 are defined by two lines of perforation 164 and 165 parallel to and inboard of the adhesive strips 1b. The unfolded self mailer is folded and sealed at the same time using a hotmelt folding and sealing machine. The self mailer is folded along the scored fold line 154 so that the inside of the first panel 155 is brought into contact with the inside of the second panel 156. Releasable and removable hotmelt adhesive 166a applied on the inside of the second panel 156 adheres the inside of the first panel 155 to the inside of the second panel 156. The self mailer is then folded a second time along the scored fold line 157 so that the inside of the third panel 158 is brought into contact with the outside of the previously folded first panel 155. The hotmelt adhesive 166b applied on the inside of the third panel 158 adheres the inside of the third panel 158 to the outside of the first panel 155. The name and address details 167 of the first recipient of the self mailer are printed on the outside of the third

panel 158 between the scored fold line 157 and the line of perforation 159. The two way self mailer is folded and sealed ready to be mailed to the first recipient. The self-seal contact adhesive 1a and 1b is located so that there is no contact between self-seal contact adhesive and self-seal contact adhesive.

The first recipient of the two way self mailer opens the self mailer by carefully releasing the reieasable hotmelt adhesive. The first recipient may then remove the hotmelt adhesive by rubbing with a finger. The first recipient tears along the line of perforation 159 to remove part of the third panel 158. The first recipient completes the response details located on the inside of the self mailer between the lines of perforation 164 and 165. Finally, the first recipient places any enclosures on the inside of the self, mailer between the lines of perforation 164 and 165, and folds the self mailer on the scored fold line 160 so that the adhesive 1 b on the inside of the perforated edge strip 162 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1b on the inside of the perforated edge strip 163, and the adhesive 1a on the inside of the perforated edge strips 150 and 151 on one side of the fold line 160 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1a on the inside of the perforated edge strips 150 and 151 on the other side of the fold line 160. A sealed envelope is thus formed ready for mailing to the second recipient. The name and address details 168 of the second recipient of the two way self mailer are printed on the outside of the first panel 155 which becomes the front of the envelope. The name and address details 167 of the first recipient of the self mailer are appropriately located on the back of the envelope. The name and address details 168 of the second recipient are concealed from view when the two way self mailer is mailed to the first recipient.

The second recipient of the two way self mailer opens the self mailer by tearing along the lines of perforation 152, 153, 154 and 155 to remove the perforated edge strips 150, 151, 162 and 163.

The unfolded self mailer illustrated in Figures 30 and 31 may be an A4 sheet of laser paper suitable for laser printing on one or both sides. The edge 169 of the third panel 158 has no adhesive applied and so it becomes the leading edge of the paper in the laser printer. The hotmelt adhesive 1a and 1b is applied in the folding and sealing machine, after the unfolded self mailer has been printed.

Embodiment 14

Figures 32 and 33 illustrate a two way self mailer with a pattern of low pressure reieasable self-seal contact adhesive and a pattern of remoistenable gum applied to one side only of a self mailer prior to folding and sealing, whereby the folded and sealed self mailer has no exposed self-seal contact adhesive, and whereby the self mailer folded in a different manner and pressed by a finger with low pressure becomes a sealed envelope with two sides sealed by the self-seal contact adhesive and one side sealed by remoistenable gum . The self mailer is designed to be folded using a C- fold with two parallel folds and three panels of essentially the same size and shape. Figure 32 illustrates the inside of the unfolded self mailer with low pressure reieasable self-seal contact adhesive.1 and remoistenable gum 170a and 170b applied as shown.

Figure 33 illustrates the outside of the unfolded self mailer with no adhesive applied.

Two perforated edge strips 171 and 172 are defined by two lines of perforation 173 and 174 parallel to and inboard of the adhesive strips 1a and 170a. A perforated edge strip 175 is defined by a line of perforation 176 parallel to and inboard of the adhesive strip 170b. There is a.scored fold line 177 between the first panel 178 and the second panel 179. There is a scored fold line 180 between the second panel 179 and the third panel 181.

The unfolded self mailer is folded and sealed at the same time using a hotmelt folding and sealing machine. The self mailer is folded along the scored fold line 180 so that the inside of the third panel 181 is brought into contact with the inside of the second panel 179. Releasable and removable hotmelt adhesive 182a applied on the inside of the second panel 179 adheres the inside ^■ of the third panel 181 to the inside of the second panel 179, The self mailer is then folded a second time along the scored fold line 177 so that the inside of the first panel 178 is brought into contact with the outside of the previously folded third panel 181.

^■ The hotmelt adhesive 182b applied on the inside of the first panel 178 adheres the inside of the first panel 178 to the outside of the third panel 181. The name and address details 183 of the first recipient of the self mailer are printed on the outside of the first panel. The two way self mailer is folded and sealed ready to be mailed to the first recipient. The self-seal contact adhesive 1 is located so that there is no contact between self-seal contact adhesive and self-seal contact adhesive.

The first recipient of the two way self mailer opens the self mailer by carefully releasing the releasable hotmelt adhesive. The first recipient may then remove the hotmelt adhesive by rubbing with a finger. The first recipient completes the response details located on the inside of the self mailer. The first recipient folds the self mailer on the scored fold line 177 so that the self-seal contact adhesive 1 on the inside of the perforated edge strips 171 and 172 on one side if the fold line 177 adheres to the opposing and aligned self-seal contact adhesive 1 on the inside of the perforated edge strips 171 and 172 on the other side of the fold line 177. An unsealed envelope is thus formed, and the first recipient inserts any enclosures into the envelope. The first recipient then moistens the remoistenable gum 170a and 170b, folds the self mailer along the scored fold line 180 , and presses the inside of the third panel against the outside of the first panel 178 to seal the envelope ready for mailing to the second recipient. The name and address details 184 of the second recipient of the two way self mailer are printed on the outside of the third panel 181 which becomes the front of the envelope. The name and address details 183 of the first recipient are concealed from view. The name and address details 184 of the second recipient are concealed from view when the two way self mailer is mailed to the first recipient.

The second recipient of the two way self mailer opens the self mailer by tearing along the lines of perforation 173 and 174 to remove the perforated edge strips 171 and 172. The second recipient then tears along the line of perforation 176 and unfolds the self mailer.

The unfolded self mailer illustrated in Figures 32 and 33 may be an A4 sheet of laser paper suitable for laser printing on one or both sides. The edge 185 of the first panel 178 has no adhesive applied and so it becomes the leading edge of the paper in the laser printer. The hotmelt adhesive 1a and 1b is applied in the folding and sealing machine, after the unfolded self mailer has been printed. For this embodiment the first recipient is not able to keep any part of the self mailer. By not using any hotmelt adhesive, this embodiment becomes a self-seal brochure. Embodiment 15 (Two Way Duplex Laser Paper)

Figures 34 and 35 illustrate a two way self mailer with a pattern of low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to both sides of the self mailer prior to folding and sealing, whereby the folded and sealed self mailer has no exposed contact adhesive, and whereby part of the self mailer folded in a different manner and pressed by a finger with low pressure becomes a sealed envelope with three sides sealed by the self-seal contact adhesive. The self mailer is designed to be folded using a C-fold with

two parallel folds and three panels of essentially the same size and shape. The unfolded self mailer is preferably an A4 sheet of laser paper.

Figure 34 illustrates the inside of the unfolded self mailer with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and 1e applied as shown. Figure 35 illustrates the outside of the unfolded self mailer with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1f and 1g applied as shown.

The unfolded self mailer has a short leading edge 185, a short trailing edge 187, and two long edges 188 and 189. Two perforated edge strips 190 and 191 are defined by two lines of perforation 192 and 193 parallel to and inboard of the adhesive strips 1c and 1d. Another two perforated edge strips 194 and 195 are defined by two lines of perforation 196 and 197 parallel to and inboard of the adhesive strips 1a. There is a scored fold line 198 between the trailing panel 199 and the middle panel 200.

. There is a scored fold line 201 between the middle panel 200 and the leading panel 202. There is a line of perforation 203 on the leading panel 202 as shown and a scored fold line 204 on the middle panel 200 as shown so that scored fold line 204 is half way between the line of perforation 203 and the trailing edge 187. Two perforated edge strips 205 and 206 are defined by two lines of perforation 207 and 208 parallel to and inboard of the adhesive strips 1b. The unfolded self-mailer may be laser printed on both sides of the paper using a duplex laser printer. It is important that the leading edge 186 of the self mailer is indeed the leading edge as the laser paper is picked up from the input tray of the laser printer by the pick-up feed roller. It is also important that the inside of the unfolded self mailer is facing up so that there is no contact between adhesive as the top sheet slides oven the sheet immediately below as the top sheet feeds into the duplex laser printer from the input tray, and so that there is no contact between adhesive as a printed sheet enters the output tray and slides over the previously printed sheet. The two adhesive strips 1e are located so that the do not interfere with the feed mechanism of the laser printer. Depending on the specifics of the feed mechanism of the laser printer, the adhesive pattern may be modified to avoid any interference with the feed mechanism.

The unfolded self mailer is folded, preferably using a folding machine, along the scored fold line 198 so that the inside of the trailing panel 199 is brought into contact with the inside of the middle panel 200. The adhesive 1c on the inside of the trailing panel 199 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1c on the inside of the middle panel 200. The self mailer is then folded a second time along the scored fold line 201 so that the inside of the leading panel 202 is brought into contact with the outside of the previously folded trailing panel 199. The adhesive 1d on the inside of the leading panel 202 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1f on the outside of the trailing panel 199, and the adhesive 1e on the inside of the leading panel 202 adheres

^' to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1g on the outside of the trailing panel 199. The name and address details 209 of the first recipient of the self mailer are printed on the outside of the leading panel 202 between the scored fold line 201 and the line of perforation 203. The two way self mailer is folded and sealed ready to be mailed to the first recipient. The self-seal contact adhesive 1a and 1b is located so that there is no contact between the self-seal contact adhesive 1a and 1b and any adhesive.

The first recipient removes the perforated edge strips 190 and 191 by tearing along the lines of perforations 192 and 193. The first recipient then opens the self mailer by carefully releasing the seal between the adhesive 1e and 1g. The first recipient tears along the line of perforation 203 to remove part of the leading panel 202. The first recipient completes the response details located on the inside of the self mailer between the lines of perforation 207 and 208. Finally, the first recipient places any enclosures on the inside of the self mailer between the lines of perforation 207 and 208, and folds the self maileron the scored

fold line 204 so that the adhesive 1 b on the inside of the perforated edge strip 205 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1b on the inside of the perforated edge strip 206, and the adhesive 1a on the inside of the perforated edge strips 194 and 195 on one side of the fold line 204 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1 a on the inside of. the perforated edge strips 194 and 195 on the other side of the fold line 204. A sealed envelope is thus formed ready for mailing to the second recipient. The name and address details 210 of the second recipient of the two way self mailer are printed on the outside of the trailing panel 199 which becomes the front of the envelope. The name and address details 209 of the first recipient of the self mailer are appropriately located on the back of the envelope. The name and address details 210 of the second recipient are concealed from view when the two way self mailer is mailed to the first recipient.

The second recipient of the two way self mailer opens the self mailer by tearing along the lines of perforation 196, 197, 207 and 208 to remove the perforated edge strips 194, 195, 205 and 206.

There are two types of friction folding machine that can perform a C-fold on an A4 sheet of paper. For the first type of friction folding machine, the leading edge 186 needs to be the first edge to enter the folding machine, and for the second type of friction folding machine, the trailing edge 187 needs to be the first edge to enter the folding machine. For this embodiment, the first type is preferable, to ensure that the adhesive pattern does not interfere with the pick-up mechanism of the folding machine. Furthermore, one may need to reduce the length of the adhesive strips 1d and 1f to prevent contact between adhesive 1d and adhesive 1f as the top sheet slides over the sheet immediately below as the top sheet feeds into the folding machine. For this particular embodiment, a suction folding machine is preferable to a friction folding machine.

The Two Way Duplex Laser Paper required for this embodiment, may also be used for a completely different application. Two Way Duplex Laser Paper can be used to print covering letters and brochures for mailings that require a reply paid envelope. However a separate reply paid envelope will not be required as a reply paid envelope can be incorporated into the design of the covering letter of brochure. The Two Way Duplex Laser Paper must be folded using a Z-fold so that the inside of the leading panel 202 makes contact with the inside of the middle panel 200, and the outside of the trailing panel 199 makes contact with the outside of the middle panel 200. The Z-fold as described will ensure that no part of the adhesive pattern 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f and 1g sticks to any other part of the adhesive pattern, The covering letter or brochure is then inserted into an outer envelope. The name and address details 209 of the first recipient may be located so that they appear through the window of a window face envelope. The first and second recipients can use the reply paid envelope as previously described for this embodiment. •

The selection of the particular low pressure self-seal contact adhesive will depend on the particular application. If one chooses a permanent low pressure self-seal contact adhesive, then the adhesion between the adhesive 1e and 1g may cause some difficulty. When the first recipient opens the self mailer, the self mailer may be damaged in the vicinity of adhesive 1e and 1g. There are at least three approaches to this problem. Firstly, one can reduce the size of the adhesive strips 1e and 1g to minimize and possibly eliminate the problem. Secondly, one can completely remove adhesive 1e and 1g from the adhesive pattern, but this may cause another problem if the national postal service is unhappy with the sealing of the self mailer. Thirdly, one can use releasable low pressure self-seal contact adhesive for the adhesive 1e and 1g, and use permanent low pressure self-seal contact adhesive for the rest of the adhesive, namely, 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d and 1f . Embodiment 16 (Two Way Duplex Laser Paper)

• Figures 36 and 37 illustrate a two way self mailer with a pattern of low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to both sides of the self mailer prior to folding and sealing, whereby the folded and sealed self mailer has no exposed contact adhesive, and

whereby the self mailer folded in a different manner and pressed by a finger with low pressure becomes an envelope with two sides sealed by the self-seal contact adhesive. The flap of the envelope is sealed with remoistenable gum. The self mailer is designed to be folded using a C-fold with two parallel folds and three panels of essentially the same size and shape. The unfolded self mailer is preferably an A4 sheet of laser paper. ^' Figure 36 illustrates the inside of the unfolded self mailer with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1a, 1c, 1d and 1e, and remoistenable gum 211 applied as shown.

Figure 37 illustrates the outside of the unfolded self mailer with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1f and 1g applied as shown.

The unfolded self mailer has a short leading edge 212, a short trailing edge 213, and two long edges 214 and 215. Two perforated edge strips 216 and 217 are defined by two lines of perforation 218 and 219 parallel to and inboard of the adhesive strips 1c and 1d. Another two perforated edge strips 220 and 221 are defined by two lines of perforation 222 and 223 parallel to and inboard of the adhesive strips 1a. There is a scored fold line 224 between the trailing panel 225 and the middle panel 226. There is a scored fold line 227 between the middle panel 226 and the leading panel 228. A perforated edge strip 229 is defined by a line of perforation 230 parallel to and inboard of the strip of remoistenable gum 211. The unfolded ■ self-mailer may be laser printed on both sides of the paper using a duplex laser printer as described for Embodiment 15. The name and address details 231 of the first recipient of the self mailer are printed on the outside of the leading panel 228. The unfolded self mailer is folded and sealed as described in Embodiment 15.

The first recipient opens the two way self mailer as described in Embodiment 15. The first recipient completes the response details located on the inside of the self mailer, and folds the self mailer on the scored fold line 227 so that the adhesive 1 a on the inside of the inside of the perforated edge strips 220 and 221 on one side of the fold line 227 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1 a on the inside of the perforated edge strips 220 and 221 on the other side of the fold line 227. An envelope is thus formed, and the first recipient inserts any enclosures and seals the envelope using the remoistenable gum 211. The name and address details 232 of the second recipient of the two way self mailer are printed on the outside of the trailing panel 225 which becomes the front of the envelope. The discussion regarding folding machines and the selection of a suitable low pressure self-seal contact adhesive for Embodiment 15 also applies to this embodiment.

Embodiment 17

Figures 38 and 39 illustrate an unfolded quadrate sheet of paper with a pattern of low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to one side only, collated and bound with other sheets of paper (not shown) of the same size and shape to form a saddle-stitched catalogue. The catalogue has no exposed self-seal contact adhesive, and no part of said sheet of paper adheres to any other surface within the catalogue. Two parts of said sheet of paper, folded in a certain manner and pressed by a finger with low pressure becomes two envelopes sealed by the self-seal contact adhesive, whereby all of the self-seal contact adhesive in said pattern of self-seal contact adhesive adheres to self-seal contact adhesive.

Figure 38 illustrates the inside of the unfolded sheet of paper with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1a and 1b applied. as shown.

Figure 39 illustrates the outside of the unfolded sheet of paper with no adhesive applied.

The sheet of paper is stapled to the other sheets of paper by saddle-stitching along the fold line 233. The sheet of paper may be any part of the catalogue except the centrefold. There is a line of perforation 234 on the left hand panel 235 parallel to and offset from the fold line 233. There is a line of perforation 236 on the right hand panel 237 parallel to and offset from the fold line 233. There is a scored fold line 238 half way between the line of perforation 234 and the left hand edge 239 of the sheet of paper. There is a scored fold line 240 half way between the line of perforation 236 and the right hand edge 241 of the sheet of paper.

• The first user of the catalogue tears along the line of perforation 234 to separate part of the left hand panel 235. The first user completes the response details located on the inside of the separated part (typically, an order form), places any enclosures on the inside of the separated part, and transforms the separated part into a sealed envelope by folding along the scored fold line 228 so that the adhesive 1a on one side of the fold line 228 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1a on the other side of the fold line 228. The name and address details 242 of the recipient of the left hand envelope are printed on the outside of left hand panel 235.

The second user of the catalogue tears along the line of perforation 236 to separate part of the right hand panel 237. The second user completes the response details located on the inside of the separated part, places any enclosures on the inside of the separated part, and transforms the separated part into a sealed envelope by folding along the scored fold line 240 so that the adhesive 1b on one side of the fold line 240 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1b on the other side of the fold line 240. The name and address details 243 of the recipient of the right hand envelope are printed on the outside of right hand panel 237.

Depending on the application, there may be lines of perforation (not shown) inboard of the adhesive pattern so that the sealed envelopes can be opened by removing the perforated edge strips. Depending on the application, the self-seal contact adhesive may be releasable or permanent.

Embodiment 18

Figures 40 and 41 illustrate an unfolded quadrate sheet of paper with a pattern of low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to one side only, collated and bound with other sheets of paper (not shown) of the same size and shape to form a wire bound wall calendar, one month to view. The calendar has no exposed self-seal contact adhesive, and no part of said sheet of paper adheres to any other surface within the calendar. Part of said sheet of paper, folded in a certain manner and pressed by a finger with low pressure becomes an envelope sealed by the self-seal contact adhesive, whereby the entire self-seal contact adhesive in said pattern of self-seal contact adhesive adheres to self-seal contact adhesive.

Figure 40 illustrates the inside of the unfolded sheet of paper with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1 applied as shown, Figure 41 illustrates the outside of the unfolded sheet of paper with no adhesive applied.

The calendar has 13 sheets of paper (typically A4) bound along the adhesive-free shorter edge 244 with wire binding. The sheet of paper forming the front cover of the calendar has no adhesive applied, and the other 12 sheets, one for each month, have adhesive applied as illustrated in Figures 40 and 41. Each of the 13 sheets has a line of perforation 245 as shown. The sheet of paper for each month has a scored fold line 246 perpendicular to the line of perforation 245 and half way between the longer edges of the sheet. Each of the 13 sheets of paper has a small circular drilled hole 247 half way between the longer edges and offset from the line of perforation 245 as shown.

At the end of each month, the user tears along the perforation 245 and separates part of the sheet. The user completes the response details located on the inside of the separated part (typically, a donation form or an order form), places any enclosures, such as a cheque, on the inside of the separated part, and transforms the separated part into a sealed envelope by-folding along the scored fold line 246 so that the adhesive 1 on one side of the fold line 246 adheres to the opposing and aligned adhesive 1 on the other side of the fold line 246. The name and address details 248 of the recipient of the envelope are printed on the outside of the separated part.

Depending on the application, there may be lines of perforation (not shown) inboard of the adhesive pattern so that the sealed envelopes can be opened by removing the perforated edge strips. Depending on the application, the self-seal contact adhesive may be releasable or permanent.

For each month, the monthly calendar details are printed on the inside of the sheet between the line of perforation 245 and the bound edge 244. For the month of January, the associated January picture may be printed on the back of the front cover. For the months February through to December, the associated picture may be printed on the outside of the sheet corresponding to the . previous month. Embodiment 19

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a piece of paper of quadrate unfolded shape with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive applied to one side only. The piece of paper is designed to be folded using a Z-fold with two parallel folds and three panels, and inserted in a window face envelope.

Figure 1 illustrates the inside of the unfolded piece of paper with low pressure self-seal contact adhesive 1 applied as shown. Figure 2 illustrates the outside of the unfolded piece of paper with no adhesive applied.

The unfolded piece of paper is folded along the line of perforation 2 so that the inside of the adhesive-free end panel 3 is brought into contact with the inside of the middle panel 4. The piece of paper is folded along the imaginary fold line 5 so that the outside of the other end panel 6 is brought into contact with the outside of the middle panel'4. The location of the adhesive 1 ensures that no part of the piece of paper sticks to any other part of the piece of paper or to the outer envelope. There is no exposed adhesive because the piece of paper is inside the outer envelope.

The address details of the recipient of the outer envelope are printed on the inside of the end panel 6, and the folded piece of paper is positioned inside the outer envelope so that the address details show through the window.

The recipient removes the piece of paper from the outer envelope and, as described in Embodiment 1 , forms an envelope to be ^• mailed to a second recipient.