Mailable articles

• US 20030098581A1
• Filed: 11/19/2002
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
• Inventors: Knipp, Randall S., Koeser, Sandy M., Thurlow, Anne Langley, Cundiff, Meg M.
• Application Number:
  US10/299,188
• Publication Number:
  US 20030098581A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 283/116
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 15/02 Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets B42D25/00 takes precedence; envelopes B65D27/00

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a mailable greeting article can include a three dimensional but generally planar construction, indicia demarking areas for receiving a greeting and an address, a pre-printed postage indicium, and a durable construction adapted to withstand shipment via a postal carrier without the use of an envelope. Preferred constructions can be purchased, readily inscribed with an address and a greeting on an external surface, and deposited with the postal service without the need to determine or purchase special postage.

Claims

1. A mailable greeting article comprising:

a three dimensional mailer wherein each dimension is at least about ⅛

inch and wherein the mailer is adapted to be mailed without an envelope;

a greeting indicium disposed on an exterior surface of the mailer demarking an area adapted to receive an inscribed greeting;

an address indicium disposed on an exterior surface of the mailer demarking an area adapted to receive an inscribed address; and

a pre-paid postage indicium disposed on an exterior surface of the mailer, wherein the postage indicium reflects payment of postage sufficient for mailing the three dimensional mailer.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the mailer is comprised of a plurality of members adjoined by adhesives, threads or mechanical fasteners.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein each dimension is at least about ¼

inch.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the mailer is adapted to endure shipment without significant visible wear.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein at mailer is generally planar.

6. The article of claim 1, wherein the greeting and address indicia are selected from the group consisting of a line, text segment, and a score.

7. The article of claim 1, wherein areas demarked by the greeting and address indicia are adapted to receive ink hand inscriptions.

8. The article of claim 7, wherein the areas demarked by the greeting and address indicia are adapted to retain an inscription without substantial smearing during handling.

9. The article of claim 1, wherein the greeting, address or postage indicium is imprinted upon a label affixed to the mailer.

10. The article of claim 1, wherein the area adapted to receive an inscribed greeting is at least about 2 inches by 2 inches.

11. The article of claim 1, wherein the mailer has a plurality of sides and the greeting and address indicia are on different sides and wherein the address and postage indicia are on the same side.

12. The article of claim 1, wherein the postage pre-paid indicator comprises a postage meter stamp.

13. The article of claim 1, wherein the mailer comprises a printed circuit.

14. The article of claim 1, wherein the mailer includes a plurality of ornamental elements adjoined to one or more base members.

15. The article of claim 1, wherein the mailer comprises three or more ornamental elements adjoined to one or more base members.

16. The article of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15, wherein the mailer weighs more than one ounce.

17. A mailable greeting article comprising:

a three dimensional mailer wherein each dimension is at least about ⅛

inch and wherein the mailer is adapted to be mailed without an envelope;

an address indicium disposed on an exterior surface of the mailer demarking an area adapted to receive an inscribed address; and

a pre-paid postage indicium disposed on an exterior surface of the mailer, wherein the postage indicium reflects payment of postage sufficient for mailing the three dimensional mailer.

18. The article of claim 17, further comprising a greeting indicium disposed on an exterior surface of the mailer demarking an area adapted to receive an inscribed greeting.

19. The article of claim 17, wherein each dimension is at least about ¼

inch.

20. The article of claim 17, wherein the mailer is adapted to endure shipment without significant visible wear.

21. The article of claim 17, wherein at mailer is generally planar.

22. The article of claim 17, wherein the address indicium is selected from the group consisting of a line, text segment, and a score.

23. The article of claim 17, wherein the area demarked by the address indicium is adapted to receive ink hand inscriptions.

24. The article of claim 23, wherein the area demarked by the address indicium is adapted to retain an inscription without substantial smearing during handling.

25. The article of claim 17, wherein the postage pre-paid indicator comprises a postage meter stamp.

26. The article of claim 17, wherein the mailer comprises a printed circuit.

27. The article of claim 17, wherein the mailer includes a plurality of ornamental elements adjoined to one or more base members.

28. The article of claim 17, wherein the mailer comprises three or more ornamental elements adjoined to one or more base members.

29. The article of claim 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, or 28, wherein the mailer weighs more than one ounce.