Return mailer

Abstract

A return mailer that is adeptly suited for containing a data logger and mailing the data logger upon completion of environmental monitoring. The return mailer includes a pouch having an interior space and opening for receiving the data logger, and a detachable flap. The detachable flap includes a line of weakening for detaching the flap from the pouch, and first and second zones of adhesive disposed on opposite sides of the line of weakening. A single release liner covers both adhesive zones. Removal of the release liner exposes both zones of adhesive so that the first zone of adhesive can seal the opening of the pouch and the second zone of adhesive attaches the return mailer to an object. The pouch can be separated from the flap by tearing along the line of weakening. The pouch can then be mailed to a desired location.

1 . A return mailer comprising: 
 a pouch defining an opening through which an article can be placed;    a detachable flap connected to the pouch by a line of weakening;    a sealing agent disposed at least partially on a surface of the flap, the sealing agent being located in first and second zones on opposite sides of the line of weakening; and    a release liner releasably adhered to the sealing agent and covering said first and second zones, whereby upon removal of the release liner, the first zone of sealing agent is exposed for sealing closed the opening of the pouch and the second zone of sealing agent is exposed for securing the mailer to an object.    
   
   
       2 . A return mailer according to  claim 1 , wherein the first zone of sealing agent is disposed at least partially below the opening of the pouch on an interior surface of the pouch.  
   
   
       3 . A return mailer according to  claim 1 , wherein the detachable flap is adjacent the opening.  
   
   
       4 . A return mailer according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing agent is a pressure sensitive adhesive.  
   
   
       5 . A return mailer according to  claim 1 , wherein the pouch comprises thermoplastic material, cardboard, paperboard, or paper.  
   
   
       6 . A return mailer according to  claim 1 , wherein the line of weakening comprises a plurality of perforations.  
   
   
       7 . A return mailer according to  claim 1 , further comprising a return address indicia.  
   
   
       8 . A return mailer according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second zones of sealing agent comprise stripes of pressure sensitive adhesive located on opposite sides of the line of weakening.  
   
   
       9 . A mailer comprising: 
 a) a front sheet and a rear sheet affixed to each other to define a pouch and a pouch opening, the front sheet extending beyond the rear sheet and the pouch opening, and the front sheet having a line of weakening defining a detachable flap portion of the front sheet and a pouch portion of the front sheet;    b) a first adhesive on the pouch portion of the front sheet and facing the rear sheet;    c) a second adhesive on the detachable portion of the front sheet; and    d) a release liner covering both the first and second adhesives.    
   
   
       10 . A mailer according to  claim 9 , wherein the front and rear sheets comprise thermoplastic material, cardboard, paperboard, or paper.  
   
   
       11 . A mailer according to  claim 9 , wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.  
   
   
       12 . A mailer according to  claim 9 , wherein the first adhesive and the second adhesive are adjacent the line of weakening.  
   
   
       13 . A mailer according to  claim 9 , wherein the line of weakening comprises a plurality of perforations.  
   
   
       14 . A mailer according to  claim 10 , wherein the front and rear sheets are affixed to each other with an adhesive, thermal bond, or ultrasonic fusion bond.  
   
   
       15 . A return mailer assembly comprising: 
 front and rear sheets arranged in opposing face-to-face relation and each including a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposite side edges, the sheets being interconnected along the bottom edge and along opposite side edges to define a mailer with an interior space capable of receiving an article, and wherein the top edges of the sheets are unconnected to form an opening into the interior space;    a line of weakening formed in the front sheet adjacent the opening, wherein the top edge of said front sheet is located beyond the line of weakening to form a detachable flap along the top portion of the first sheet; and    a sealing agent disposed at least partially on an inward facing surface of the detachable flap, the sealing agent being located in a first zone between the top edge of the front sheet and the line of weakening, and in a second zone on the opposite side of the line of weakening.    
   
   
       16 . The return mailer assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the sealing agent is a pressure sensitive adhesive, and the assembly includes a release liner releasably adhered to the pressure sensitive adhesive and covering said first and second zones.  
   
   
       17 . The return mailer assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second zones comprise stripes of pressure sensitive adhesive located on opposite sides of the line of weakening.  
   
   
       18 . The return mailer assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said front and rear sheets are interconnected along said bottom edge by a fold line, and are interconnected along opposite side edges by bonds.  
   
   
       19 . The return mailer assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the front and rear sheets are formed of a thermoplastic material and the bonds comprise thermal or ultrasonic fusion bonds.  
   
   
       20 . The return mailer assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the front and rear sheets are formed of paper, paperboard or cardboard and the bonds comprise adhesive bonds.  
   
   
       21 . The return mailer assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said rear sheet has a top portion adjacent the top edge that is not connected to the front sheet by said bonds and that forms a closure flap disposed opposite said second zone of adhesive so that upon removal of the release liner, the exposed second zone of adhesive adheres to the closure flap to seal the opening of the mailer and the first zone of adhesive is exposed for securing the mailer to an object.  
   
   
       22 . The return mailer assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said line of weakening comprises a perforation line extending parallel to the top edge of the front sheet to enable removing the sealed return mailer from the object, and wherein the return mailer includes return address indicia printed on the exposed outwardly facing surface of said rear sheet.  
   
   
       23 . A method of using an electronic monitoring device to monitor an object comprising: 
 a) providing the return mailer of  claim 1;     b) placing an electronic monitoring device into the pouch;    b) removing the release liner to expose the first and second zones of sealing agent;    c) sealing the pouch closed to enclose the electronic monitoring device by pressing the first zone of sealing agent against an opposite surface of the pouch; and    d) attaching the mailer to an object by pressing the second zone of sealing agent against the object.    
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the sealing and attaching steps occur substantially simultaneously.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising the step of activating the electronic monitoring device before placing the electronic monitoring device in the pouch.  
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising the step of activating the electronic monitoring device after placing the electronic monitoring device in the pouch.  
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising the step of activating the electronic monitoring device after the step of attaching the return mailer to the object.  
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising monitoring the environmental condition to which the object has been exposed.  
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising retrieving the environmental data from the electronic monitoring device.  
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the step of retrieving the environmental data further comprises reading the electronic monitoring device with a RF reader while the electronic monitoring device is disposed in the return mailer.  
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 28 , including the further steps, performed upon completion of monitoring, of 
 detaching a return portion of the return mailer from the object; and    returning the electronic monitoring device to its origin in said return mailer.    
   
   
       32 . A method according to  claim 31 , wherein return address indicia is imprinted on the return mailer, and the step of returning the electronic monitoring device comprises depositing the return mailer with a postal or parcel delivery service.  
   
   
       33 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the step of detaching the mailer comprises tearing the return portion of the return mailer along the line of weakening.  
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising the step of supplying instructions with the return mailer for retrieving data from the electronic monitoring device.  
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 34 , further comprising retrieving stored data from the electronic monitoring device.  
   
   
       36 . The method according to  claim 35 , further comprising at least one of the following steps: 
 analyzing data retrieved from the electronic monitoring device;    storing data retrieved from the electronic monitoring device;    forwarding data retrieved from the electronic monitoring device to a desired recipient; and    deleting data retrieved from the electronic monitoring device.    
   
   
       37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the step of analyzing the data further comprises at least one of the following steps: 
 discarding the object;    returning the object;    retaining the object; and    selling the object at a discounted price.