IP Library Granted Patent US 8,579,333
Granted Patent B2
US 8,579,333 · App. 12/699,700 · Granted Nov 12, 2013

Confidential postcards

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,579,333
App. No.
12/699,700
Granted
Nov 12, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Confidential postcards are described herein. An example postcard mailer includes a substrate having a first panel and a second panel adjacent the first panel, wherein each of the first panel and the second panel includes a first face and a second face. The example mailer also includes a first line of weakness separating the first panel and the second panel and a first fastener pattern included on at least one of the first face of the first panel or the first face of the second panel to releasably adhere a first portion of the first face of the first panel to a first portion the first face of the second panel when the substrate is folded about the first line of weakness. In addition, the example mailer includes a second fastener pattern included on at least one of the first face of the first panel or the first face of the second panel to releasably adhere a second portion of the first face of the first panel to a second portion of the first face of the second panel. The second fastener pattern and at least a portion of the first fastener pattern define an area that is not visible when the first face of the first panel is releasably adhered to the first face of the second panel and a third portion of the first face of the first panel and a third portion of the second face of the second panel are separated from each other.

Claims (44)

1. A postcard mailer comprising:

a substrate comprising a first panel and a second panel adjacent the first panel, wherein each of the first panel and the second panel includes a first face and a second face, the first panel comprises a first edge of the substrate and the second panel comprises a second edge of the substrate opposite the first edge;

a first line of weakness separating the first panel and the second panel;

a first fastener pattern included on at least one of the first face of the first panel or the first face of the second panel to releasably adhere a first portion of the first face of the first panel to a first portion of the first face of the second panel when the substrate is folded about the first line of weakness; and

a second fastener pattern included on at least one of the first face of the first panel or the first face of the second panel to releasably adhere a second portion of the first face of the first panel to a second portion of the first face of the second panel, wherein at least a portion of the second fastener pattern and at least a portion of the first fastener pattern define an area that is not visible when the first face of the first panel is releasably adhered to the first face of the second panel and a third portion of the first face of the first panel and a third portion of the second face of the second panel are separated from each other, wherein at least one of the first fastener pattern is adjacent a first lateral edge of the substrate and a second lateral edge of the substrate opposite the first lateral edge, and a first portion of the second fastener pattern is between the first line of weakness and the second edge and a second portion of the second fastener pattern is between the first portion of the second fastener pattern and the second edge, the area is at least partially outlined by the first pattern, the first portion of the second fastener pattern, and the second portion of the second fastener pattern.

2. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first fastener pattern and the second fastener pattern include one or more of an adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a cohesive, a rewettable adhesive, a heat activated adhesive, a releasable adhesive, a mechanical fastener, or a chemical fastener.

3. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first fastener pattern and the second fastener pattern include one or more of a continuous strip, a plurality of dots, or a plurality of spots.

4. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first fastener pattern and the second fastener pattern are contiguous.

5. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a security marker to indicate if at least one of the first fastener pattern or the second fastener pattern has been compromised.

6. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 5 , wherein the security marker is one or more of a tab, a label, a sticker, or a staple.

7. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a second line of weakness located on the first panel between the area and the third portion to enable the area to be removed from the postcard mailer.

8. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 7 , wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are between the second line of weakness and the first edge when the first and second panels are releasably adhered.

9. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 7 , further comprising a barcode area on the second panel, the bar code area to be between the second line of weakness and the second edge when the first and second panels are releasably adhered, the bar code area to face the area when the first and second panels are releasably adhered.

10. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 1 , wherein the area comprises a confidential area at least partially covered by a bar code area of the first or second panels when the first and second panels are releasably adhered, the bar code area to face the confidential area when the first and second panels are releasably adhered.

11. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 10 , wherein the area is to receive indicia.

12. A postcard mailer comprising:

a substrate comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a first line of weakness formed between the first end and the second end, where the first line of weakness defines a first panel between the first end and the first line of weakness and a second panel between the second end and the first line of weakness;

a first fastener pattern included on at least one of the first panel or the second panel to releasably adhere a first portion of the first panel to a first portion of the second panel when the substrate is folded about the first line of weakness and the first end is adjacent the second end;

a second line of weakness across the first panel to divide the first panel into a first subpanel and a second subpanel; and

a second fastener pattern included on at least one of the first subpanel or the second subpanel to releasably adhere the first subpanel to the second subpanel, wherein the second fastener pattern defines a confidential area that is not visible when the first subpanel is releasably adhered to the second subpanel and the first end and the second end are moved closer to the second line of weakness and the first subpanel and the second subpanel bow outward, wherein the second fastener pattern bounds at least three sides of the confidential area.

13. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 12 , wherein the first fastener pattern and the second fastener pattern include one or more of an adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a cohesive, a rewettable adhesive, a heat activated adhesive, a releasable adhesive, a mechanical fastener, or a chemical fastener.

14. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 12 , wherein the first fastener pattern and the second fastener pattern include one or more of a continuous strip, a plurality of dots, or a plurality of spots.

15. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 12 , wherein the first fastener pattern and the second fastener pattern are contiguous.

16. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 12 , further comprising a security marker to indicate if one or more of the first fastener pattern or the second fastener pattern has been compromised.

17. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 16 , wherein the security marker is one or more of a tab, a label, a sticker, or a staple.

18. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 12 , further comprising a third line of weakness located on the first panel between the confidential area and the first line of weakness to enable the confidential area to be removed from the mailer.

19. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 18 , wherein second fastener pattern is between the third line of weakness and the first line of weakness when the first and second subpanels are releasably adhered.

20. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 12 , wherein the first line of weakness is adjacent the first and second edges when the substrate is folded about the first and second lines of weakness.

21. A postcard mailer comprising:

a substrate having a first face and a second face and comprising a top edge, a bottom edge parallel to the top edge, a first side edge perpendicular to the top edge and a second side edge parallel to the first side edge;

a first line of weakness parallel to the top edge, a second line of weakness parallel to the top edge and a third line of weakness parallel to the top edge;

a first panel defined between the top edge and the first line of weakness;

a second panel defined between the first line of the weakness and the second line of weakness;

a third panel defined between the second line of weakness and the third line of weakness;

a fourth panel defined between the third line of weakness and the bottom edge;

a first fastener pattern comprising a fastener on the second face of at least one of the first panel, the second panel, the third panel or the fourth panel to adhere the first panel and the fourth panel and to adhere the second panel and the third panel when the substrate is folded about the second line of weakness so the second faces of the first panel and second panel are opposite the second faces of the third panel and the fourth panel;

a second fastener pattern comprising a fastener on the first face of at least one of the first panel or the second panel to adhere a first portion of the first panel and a first portion of the second panel when the substrate is folded about the first line of weakness and the third line of weakness so the first face of the first panel is opposite the first face of the second panel; and

a third fastener pattern comprising a fastener on at least one of the first panel or the second panel to adhere a second portion of the first panel to a second portion of the second panel, wherein the third fastener pattern and at least a portion of the second fastener pattern define an area that is not visible when the first panel is adhered to the second panel and the top edge, the bottom edge and the second line of weakness are moved closer to the first line of weakness and the third line of weakness and when the first panel and the fourth panel bow outward from the second panel and the third panel, wherein the area is at least partially outlined by (a) at least a portion of the second fastener pattern, (b) at least a portion of the third fastener pattern, and (c) one or more of the second line of weakness or the top edge.

22. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 21 , wherein the first fastener pattern, the second fastener pattern and the third fastener pattern include one or more of an adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a cohesive, a rewettable adhesive, a heat activated adhesive, a releasable adhesive, a permanent adhesive, a mechanical fastener, or a chemical fastener.

23. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 21 , wherein the second fastener pattern and the third fastener pattern are contiguous.

24. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 21 , further comprising a security marker to indicate if at least one of the second fastener pattern or the third fastener pattern has been compromised.

25. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 24 , wherein the security marker is one or more of a tab, a label, a sticker, or a staple.

26. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 21 , further comprising a fourth line of weakness located on the second panel between the area and the first line of weakness and a fifth line of weakness located on the third panel between the second line of weakness and the third line of weakness so that, when the substrate is folded about the second line of weakness, the fourth line of weakness and the fifth line of weakness align and enable the area to be removed from the mailer.

27. A postcard mailer as defined in claim 21 , wherein the first fastener pattern comprises a permanent fastener to permanently adhere the first panel and the fourth panel and to permanently adhere the second panel and the third panel, and wherein the second fastener pattern and the third fastener pattern comprise a releasable fastener to releasably adhere the first portion of the first panel and the first portion of the second panel and to releasably adhere the second portion of the first panel to the second portion of the second panel.

Assignments (20)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2025
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 070919/0394 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE NAME OF THE RECEIVING PARTY PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 31129 FRAME: 87. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Oct 8, 2024
From: MOORE WALLACE NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY
Reel/Frame 069129/0964 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS (R/F 064462/0445) Recorded Aug 9, 2024
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY; CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 068534/0306 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 9, 2024
From: R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY; CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS, INC.; VALASSIS DIGITAL CORP.; VALASSIS DIRECT MAIL, INC.; VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
To: APOLLO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY LLC
Reel/Frame 068533/0812 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 9, 2024
From: R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY; CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS, INC.; VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; VALASSIS DIGITAL CORP.; VALASSIS DIRECT MAIL, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 068534/0447 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 9, 2024
From: R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY; CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS, INC.; VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; VALASSIS DIGITAL CORP.; VALASSIS DIRECT MAIL, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 068534/0366 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS (R/F 064463/0597) Recorded Aug 9, 2024
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY; CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 068534/0330 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2024
From: APOLLO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY; CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 068467/0314 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT RF 047245/0245 Recorded Apr 17, 2024
From: APOLLO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY LLC
To: R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY; CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS, INC.; BANTA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 067247/0657 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2024
From: R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY; CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS, INC.
To: APOLLO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 067000/0669 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2023
From: R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY; CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS 2028 NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064463/0597 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2023
From: R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY; CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064462/0445 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS, PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL 056079, FRAME 0534 Recorded Jul 31, 2023
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY; CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 064441/0646 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME: 047245/0245 AND 059203/0277 Recorded Apr 28, 2023
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
To: APOLLO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY LLC
Reel/Frame 063486/0494 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 10, 2023
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 062702/0648 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL RECORDED AT R/F 047245/0245 Recorded Feb 25, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 059203/0277 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2021
From: R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY; CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 056079/0534 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM) Recorded Oct 17, 2018
From: R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY; CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS, INC.; BANTA CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 047245/0245 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Oct 16, 2018
From: R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY; CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS, INC.; BANTA CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 047240/0657 →
MERGER Recorded Sep 3, 2013
From: MOORE WALLACE NORTH AMERICA, INC
To: R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS
Reel/Frame 031129/0087 →