US3329333A - Post card or similar device - Google Patents

Description

. July 4, 1967 M. M. ORMOND 3,329,333

POST CARD OR SIMILAR DEVICE Filed April 28, 1965 1w 1' I as pr: r I

II 'I I INVENTOR jy i ,fl MarhLIz/M. Or-mand il I United States Patent 3,329,333 POST CARD 0R SIMILAR DEVICE Martin M. Ormond, P.0. Box 606, Steilacoom, Wash. 98388 Filed Apr. 28, 1965, Ser. No. 451,558 1 Claim. (Cl. 22992.5)

This invention relates to post cards and similar devices for transmitting information graphically.

There are obvious advantages to single sheet devices such as post cards. They can be mailed at a lower postage rate than envelopes and can be more efficiently sorted, stacked, processed and otherwise handled. But the equally obvious disadvantage is that the message borne on a post card is unconcealed; and therefore, such a device is impractical for transmitting confidential information.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a post card or similar device having the advantages of a single sheet mailing device, while also having means for concealing the message, thereby rendering the device suitable for transmitting confidential information.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a post card or similar mailing device with means to selectively conceal a portion of the message without losing the advantages of a single sheet mailing device.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof in which like numerals refer to like parts.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view along line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view showing variation.

Referring to the drawings, the message bearing :basic sheet 1 is rectangular in shape and made of paste board or heavy paper. It is a common post card on the underside of which would appear the address and postage.

The cover sheet 2 is preferably an opaque sheet of a lightweight plastic material; however, it might also be a sheet of paper or practically any other lightweight opaque sheet material. A pressure sensitive adhesive 3 is applied to the undersurface of the cover sheet 2, thereby providing it with a tacky undersurface.

An intermediate sheet 4, being the same length but slightly narrower than the cover sheet 2, is placed in contact with the tacky undersurface of the cover sheet 2 so as to cover all but a narrow strip along one side of the cover sheet. The strip of the tacky undersurface which remains uncovered forms the attaching portion 6 of the cover sheet 2.

The cover sheet 2, with intermediate sheet 4 attached to and covering most of its tacky undersurface is placed upon and in registry with the basic sheet 1. The attaching portion 6, being the only exposed area of the tacky undersurface of cover sheet 2, will upon pressure adhere to that portion of the basic sheet 1 which it contacts.

A fold line 7 is formed lengthwise along cover sheet 2, at the juncture between the intermediate sheet 4 and the attaching portion 6. Because the intermediate sheet does not have a tacky undersnrface, it does not adhere to basic sheet -1 and can be folded back from basic sheet 1, while attaching portion 6 remains attached thereto.

The cover sheet 2 has one corner cut off diagonally. This is to facilitate separation of the intermediate sheet 4 from the cover sheet 2.

In use, the cover sheet 2 is folded back along fold line 7, uncovering the upper surface of basic sheet 1. A message is inscribed on the upper surface of sheet 1 and an address on the undersurface of sheet 1. The intermediate sheet 4 is then separated from the tacky undersurface of cover sheet2; the separation being initiated by sharply bending the corner of intermediate sheet 4 adjacent the diagonal corner 5 of cover sheet 2. Once separated, the intermediate sheet 4 is removed thus exposing the pressure sensitive adhesive 3. The opaque cover sheet 2 is then folded back down into contact with the basic sheet 1 and adhered thereto. The message on the upper surface of basic sheet 1 is opaquely covered and remains so until the cover sheet 2 is removed. And again, the diagonal corner 5 facilitates the removal of cover sheet 2 and the revealing of the message.

FIGURE 3 shows one possible variation of this invention. In this form, the pressure sensitive adhesive is applied only to a peripheral area 8 of the cover sheet 2 and the attaching portion 6 thereof. It will be appreciated that this not only conserves on the amount of pressure sensitive adhesive required, but also facilitates the separation of cover sheet 2 from intermediate sheet 4 and from basic sheet 1.

It is also envisioned that the cover sheet might be provided with a cut out section such as 10 so as to reveal some preselected portion of the message on basic sheet 1. For instance, with a government check where the payees name and address appears in a particular place, the cover sheet could be provided with a cut out section preselected to reveal the payees name and address even when the cover sheet is adhered to the basic sheet, thereby concealing the remainder of the message. Thus a check would be printed, the cover sheet applied to conceal all information except the payees name and address, the postage (or frank) applied to the cover sheet and the check would be ready for mailing. No envelope would be required and the check could be handled the same as a single sheet post card or other such single sheet mailing device.

Similarly, the opaque cover sheet could be provided with a transparent section calculated to reveal some preselected portion of the message while concealing the remainder of it.

Although for most uses, the intermediate sheet is a practical necessity, there are situations wherein it is not. For instance, where there is a mass mailing of a type that can be automated, the opaque cover is applied directly in the form of a tape (opaque, with pressure sensitive adhesive coating or undersurface) which converges between opposed rollers with a synchronized tape bearing graphic information. The resultant combined tape is then cut at appropriate intervals thereby forming the basic sheet and opaque cover sheet adhered thereto.

It will be understood that various modifications Within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A post card comprised of a single basic indicia receiving sheet, an opaque cover sheet having a cut out section and a corner removed therefrom and a tacky adhesive around the periphery of the undersurface portion thereof, a removable intermediate sheet attached to and covering said tacky undersurface of said cover sheet, one edge portion of said cover sheet being removably adhered to said basic sheet by the tacky undersurface of the said cover sheet and in registry with some preselected portion of the upper surface of said basic sheet whereby when the removable intermediate sheet is removed and the remainder of said tacky undersurface of said cover sheet is brought into contact with said upper surface of said basic sheet said cover sheet is releasably adhered to the said preselected 3 portion of said upper surface of said basic sheet and 2,139,377 a preselected portion of the indicia on the basic sheet 2,168,920 is visible through the cut out section. 2,359,314 2,717,174 References Cited 5 2,979,840

UNITED STATES PATENTS 4 Mull et a1. Wissmann 229-928 Klein et a1. Casanovas 22992.8 Eastman 206--56 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Examiner.

Images