Label system and method for delivering a mailpiece with return receipt

A label useful in delivering articles via many different mailing services, including Priority Mail, Express Mail and International Express Mail, and a method for delivering an article are provided. The label is adapted to indicate thereon mailing and address information relating to the mailing, shipping or handling of packages or articles. The label is constructed as a laminate having a primary layer and a secondary layer wherein each layer has a surface confronting and adjoined to the other layer. Mailing information is included on a front side and may also include spaces for receiving additional mailing information thereon. The label has a tear line provided on the primary label which defines a removable receipt flap on the label. The receipt flap contains a portion of the mailing label and is adapted to receive additional information. An area is exposed beneath the receipt flap on the secondary layer when the receipt flap is removed from the primary layer along the tear line. The label is adapted as a blank so that variable information may be printed thereupon, relating to delivery of an article via the different mailing services, including Priority Mail, Express Mail and International Express Mail.

These and other advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a layered laminate mailing label constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the mailing label of the present invention wherein the removable receipt flap is partially lifted from the mailing label.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the mailing label of the present invention taken generally along line III—III of FIG.

1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the mailing label of the present invention taken generally along line IV—IV of FIG. 2 wherein the removable receipt flap has been removed from the label.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of an embodiment of a layered laminate mailing form including a layered laminate label constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a layered laminate mailing label constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom plan view in perspective of another embodiment of a layered laminate mailing label constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the mailing label of the present invention taken generally along line VIII—VIII of FIG.

7.

FIG. 9 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the mailing label of the present invention illustrated generally in FIG.

7.

FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of a layered laminate mailing label provided as a blank to be variably printed.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the layered laminate mailing label of the present invention.

1. A label for use in delivering an article and for indicating thereon mailing and address information related to mailing, shipping and handling of the article, the label comprising:

2. The label according to claim 1 further comprising:

3. The label according to claim 1 further comprising:

4. The label according to claim 1 further comprising:

5. The label according to claim 1 further comprising:

6. The label according to claim 1 adapted for use by the United States Postal Service as one of Priority Mail, Express Mail or International Express Mail.

7. The label according to claim 1 having a rectangular configuration.

8. The label according to claim 1 further comprising:

9. The label according to claim 1 further comprising:

10. The label according to claim 1 further comprising:

11. The label according to claim 1 further comprising:

12. The label according to claim 1 further comprising:

13. The label according to claim 1 further comprising:

14. A method for delivering an article, the method comprising the steps of:

15. The method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of:

16. The method according to claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

17. The method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of:

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of: