Apparatus and method for facilitating and augmenting delivery confirmation

• US 20060089883A1
• Filed: 10/26/2004
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Jeffery Peoples
• Original Assignee: James Jeffery Peoples
• Inventors: Jeffery Peoples, James
• Application Number:
  US10/973,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20060089883A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00024 Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/0004 Determining the location of mailpieces outside apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00072 Hybrid mail, i.e. mail delivered using different physical means along the mail delivery path, e.g. email and envelope

Abstract

A method and apparatus ins disclosed for minimum-cost mailing utilizing the First Class Delivery Confirmation service of United States Postal Service. In one aspect, the invention provides light-weight packaging which meets USPS delivery confirmation dimensional standards without creasing contents. In another aspect the invention automatically electronically retrieves delivery confirmation data from the USPS, and automatically schedules and initiates electronic communication (such as phone calls, faxes, or e-mails) to customers subsequent to delivery confirmation.

Claims

1. An first-class delivery confirmation package comprising:

a bubble envelope with a total thickness of at least 0.75 inches.

2. An first-class delivery confirmation package comprising:

an outer envelope;

an inner envelope within said outer envelope;

padding material held captive between said inner and outer envelopes;

said inner envelope and said outer envelope being bonded together along at lease a portion of their peripheries; and

the total thickness of said inner and outer envelopes and said padding being greater than or equal to 0.75 inches.

3. A first-class delivery confirmation label comprising:

a back planar adhesive surface;

a front planar surface parallel to said back surface, said front surface having an area less than said back surface;

beveled edges joining said front and back surfaces;

said front and back surfaces being separated by at least 0.1 inches.

4. A delivery-confirmation-triggered contact system comprising:

means for automatically electronically retrieving from the United States Postal Service delivery confirmation information confirming delivery of a parcel mailed to a recipient; and

means for automatically initiating electronic communication to said recipient subsequent to obtaining said delivery confirmation information.

5. A method for automated customer contact subsequent to delivery confirmation, comprising:

periodically electronically querying the United Sates Postal Service for confirmation of delivery of a parcel to a recipient; and

Automatically initiating an electronic communication to said recipient subsequent to electronically receiving confirmation of said parcel to said recipient.