Continuous business form or the like adapted for subsequent processing into combination mailing envelopes and return envelopes having a common back ply panel

As an article of manufacture, a continuous series of business forms each suited for subsequent processing into a combination mailing envelope and return envelope having a common back panel, and characterized by and including an attached insert panel having an upper surface which is initially exposed for the reception of original, directly applied indicia comprising:

• a first endless web transversely subdivided by lines of weakening into a series of interconnected blanks each longitudinally subdivided to define a back panel and a mailing envelope front panel which is integral with and hingedly connected to the back panel along a common side edge, each of said panels having transverse top and bottom edges and inner and outer side edges wherein the inner side edges of said panels are hingedly interconnected;
• a window in each of said front panels;
• a second endless web disposed in overlying relationship with the back panels of said first endless web and transversely subdivided by lines of weakening into a series of interconnected return envelope front panels each having transverse top and bottom edges and inner and outer side edges;
• means securing the top, bottom and outer side marginal edges of each of said return envelope front panels in registered connected relationship with the top, bottom and outer side marginal edges of the back panels, with a free inner side marginal edge of the return envelope front panels adjacent the inner side marginal edges of the back panels and the mailing envelope front panels, wherein corresponding back panels and return envelope front panels define return envelopes open along their free inner side marginal edges;
• a third endless web disposed in overlying relationship with the second endless web and transversely subdivided by lines of weakening into a series of interconnected insert panels, each having transverse top and bottom edges and inner and outer side edges;
• transverse lines of weakening along and spaced inwardly of the top and bottom marginal edges of the insert panels for defining therebetween a central, detachable portion bounded by transverse tear strips;
• means securing the tear strips and the outer side edges of the insert panels in registered, connected relationship with the top, bottom and outer side marginal edges of the return envelope front panels, with the inner side marginal edge of the insert panels adjacent the free inner side marginal edges of the return envelopes;
• thereby providing insert panels the upper surfaces of which are fully and completely exposed for the reception of original, directly applied indicia.

As a new article of manufacture a business form suited for subsequent processing into a combination mailing envelope and return envelope having a common back panel and an attached insert panel the upper surface of which is initially exposed for reception of original, directly applied indicia, comprising:

• a back panel common to both the mailing envelope and the return envelope;
• a mailing envelope front panel, having a window therein, integral with and hingedly connected to the back panel along a common side edge;
• a return envelope front panel disposed in overlying relationship with the back panel;
• means securing three of four marginal edges of the return envelope front panel in registered, connected relationship with three marginal edges of the back panel with the fourth marginal edge of said front panel disposed adjacent the said common side edge defining the open end of a return envelope;
• an insert panel disposed in overlying relationship with the return envelope front panel;
• means securing three of four marginal edges of the insert panel in registered, connected relationship with the three marginal edges of the return envelope front panel which are secured to the back panel with the fourth marginal edge of the insert panel disposed adjacent the open end of the return envelope;
• said insert panel presenting an upper surface which is completely exposed for the reception of original, directly applied indicia;
• said mailing envelope front panel adapted to be folded about its hinged connection with the back panel onto and in overlying relationship with the upper surface of the insert panel for concealing all but those portions of the insert panel which are exposed in the window of the said front panel;
• means securing three marginal edges of the mailing envelope front panel to corresponding marginal edges of the insert panel;
• and lines of weakening defining lines of tear in each of the four panels along which marginal portions of the panels are removed for freeing and facilitating removal of the insert panel and separating the return envelope from the mailing envelope.