This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/994,907, filed on Dec. 19, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,129.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an information label for attachment to a mailpiece. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mailing label having a removable receipt flap. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for imaging the label system to configure the same as a special service mailing label.

It is generally known to transport and deliver packages or articles via a mailing service where the time or day of delivery is critical. This type of service usually includes a mailing label or form attached to the package or article. A conventionally known mailing label of this type has several components including a top information receiving sheet, one or more carbonless print transfer layers for providing copies of the information sheet, a bottom layer for attachment to the package or article, and often a peel back sheet covering an adhesive layer on a back side of the bottom layer.

A typical mailing label for packages and articles to be mailed wherein the time or the day of delivery is critical includes multiple layers which are joined together along one side by a tear strip. The tear strip is usually an edge portion of each layer permanently adhered to one another and includes a perforated tear line for removing each layer sheet from the tear strip as needed. The upper most layer is an information sheet to which information regarding addressee and sender information may be added as is known in the art. The subsequent layers may have carbonless printing transfer layers or sometimes further include intermediate carbon paper layers for transferring information printed on the uppermost information sheet to all of the layers of the label. The lower-most layer sometimes includes an adhesive layer or backing for attaching the label to a package or article and further includes a removable adhesive cover sheet for protecting the adhesive until the label is to be attached to the article or package. One example of such a mailing label is the label assembly used for Express Mail packages by the United States Postal Service.

For a typical Express Mail label, one layer is usually returned to the mailing party for their files and for proof of mailing. This copy typically is one of the intermediate carbonless transfer layers and includes all of the information printed on or added to the information sheet. The other layers may go to various departments within the mail service provider for tracking and billing purposes. The uppermost sheet is retained on the label until delivery at which time delivery information is added to it. This loose sheet contains much information not needed on a return receipt and further may be damaged or accidentally torn from the label during shipping.

A need, therefore, exists to provide a mailing label having smaller sheets and a smaller removable receipt for proof of mailing containing only the necessary information thereon. A further need exists for a mailing label which provides a return receipt portion which is not loose and, therefore, not easily damaged during shipping. In addition, a need exists to provide a mailing label as a generic blank to be used in printing as one of either Priority Mail, Express Mail and International Express Mail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a label, a method and an apparatus for delivering a mailpiece wherein the method simplifies the delivery process and the acquisition of proof of mailing. The article provides a simpler and less expensive mailing label for a package or article to be mailed which also permits obtaining a simplified means for obtaining proof of delivery of the package or article and a more durable return receipt portion.

To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a label is provided for use in delivering an article and for indicating thereon mailing and address information relating to mailing, shipping and handling of the article. The label has a laminate with a primary layer and a secondary layer. Each of the layers has a surface confronting and adjoined to one another. A removable receipt flap is formed from the primary layer. The removable receipt flap having mailing information therein. An area is disposed beneath the receipt flap. The area is exposed when the receipt flap is removed. A removable section is detachably connected to a remainder of the label.

In an embodiment, the label has adhesive on a back side of the secondary layer.

In an embodiment, the label has a removable protective layer received over a back side of the secondary label.

In an embodiment, the label has an adhesive disposed between the primary layer and the secondary layer.

In an embodiment, the label has a first tear line formed in the primary layer defining the receipt flap.

In an embodiment, the label is adapted for use by the United States Postal Service as one of Priority Mail, Express Mail, and International Express Mail.

In an embodiment, the label has a rectangular configuration.

In an embodiment, the label has a tear line formed in the primary layer defining an edge of the removable section and an edge of the remainder of the label wherein the tear line extends through both the primary layer and the secondary layer.

In an embodiment, the label has a designator section variably printed with information designating a special service wherein the special service is one of Priority Mail, Express Mail or International Express Mail.

In an embodiment, the label has a transfer material adapted to transfer information added to the receipt flap onto the area beneath the receipt flap.

In an embodiment, the label has a removable sticker in the primary layer having a tracking code variably printed thereon.

In an embodiment, the label has and area on the label upon which variable information is printed to aid in the delivery of the mailpiece.

In an embodiment, the label has a removable sticker having a tracking code variably printed thereon and a layer of adhesive on a back side of the removable sticker.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for delivering an article is provided including the steps of: providing an article; providing a label having a primary layer and a secondary layer secured together including a receipt flap in the primary layer bounded by a first tear line and an area disposed beneath the receipt flap in the secondary layer and further having a removable section detachably connected to a remainder of the label; printing information of the label relating to delivery of the mailpiece by a special service; and adhering the label to the article.

In an embodiment, the method includes the step of providing an adhesive layer on a back side of the secondary layer.

In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing an adhesive layer on a back side of the secondary layer; providing a protective layer over the adhesive layer; providing a second tear line through the primary layer, the secondary layer and the protective layer; removing the protective layer from the adhesive layer prior to the step of adhering the label; and placing the adhesive layer against the article.

In an embodiment, the method includes the step of removing the receipt flap from the label upon delivery of the article.

In an embodiment, the method includes the step of removing the receipt flap from the label upon delivery of the article.

In an embodiment, the method includes the step of removing the removable section from the remainder of the label prior to mailing the mailpiece.

In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a sticker in the primary layer and removing the sticker prior to mailing.

In an embodiment, the method includes the step of printing information on the label relating to the delivery of the mailpiece by one of Priority Mail, Express Mail, or International Express Mail.

The present invention provides several advantages over known mailing labels. The mailing label of the invention provides a simple and inexpensive label construction requiring less paper product per label.

Another advantage of the present invention is the incorporation of a removable receipt which may contain any desired information.

A further advantage of the present invention is the transfer of information to the label which may be added to the receipt at the time of delivery prior to removing the receipt.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the label provides for an all-in-one construction wherein it may include a number of special instruction or informational stickers which are removable from the label and may be added to a package which is to be mailed. The label of the invention, therefore, provides a simple and low cost label of the return receipt type.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a generic blank mailing label which allows a label to be printed as one of either Priority Mail, Express Mail or 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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts,

FIG. 1

generally illustrates a perspective view of a mailing label

10

constructed according to the present invention. The label

10

includes an exposed front side

12

and a back side

14

. For purposes of discussion and description, the label

10

will be described as having a top edge

16

, an opposed bottom edge

18

, and left and right side edges

20

and

22

, respectively. The identification of top, bottom, and left and right sides is not intended to limit the invention in any way but is merely intended to assist in describing the article of the invention.

The label

10

of the invention is shown as having a finite length along the top and bottom edges

16

and

18

and a finite width along the left and right side edges

20

and

22

, but it should be understood that a particular label or form constructed according to the present invention may vary considerably in size to satisfy the requirements of a particular mailing service without departing from the scope of the present invention. Additionally, a label constructed according to the invention may be utilized for many types of mail and delivery services for delivering packages and articles while satisfying the present invention. Still further, the label may be constructed as one of a plurality of continuously repeated labels on, for example, a continuous sheet of labels.

As illustrated in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, the label

10

of the invention is of a laminate construction having a primary sheet or layer

30

with one of its surfaces defining the exposed front side of the label

10

. The label

10

also includes a secondary sheet or layer

32

having one of its surfaces defining the exposed back side

14

of the label

10

. The layers

30

and

32

may be constructed from any conventionally desirable paper product selected to accommodate specific printing or ink requirements or other such requirements as necessary for a particular mailing service.

The primary sheet

30

includes a surface

34

opposite the exposed front side

12

, and similarly, the secondary sheet

32

includes a surface

36

opposite the back side

14

which confront and adhere to one another when the laminate label

10

is constructed. The surfaces

34

and

36

may be adhered to one another by any conventional known means, such as utilizing an adhesive, in order to ensure that the primary sheet

30

and the secondary sheet

32

remain adhered to one another throughout the mail delivery process. An adhesive layer

38

is indicated between the surfaces

34

and

36

in

FIGS. 3 and 4

.

Referring now to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, a tear line

40

is provided on the exposed front side

12

of the label

10

and is illustrated in the present embodiment as a continuous line. The tear line

40

may be a score line, perforated tear line or the like. The tear line

40

in the present embodiment defines a rectangular receipt flap

42

in the primary layer

30

adjacent but spaced from the top and right edges

16

and

22

, respectively. As will be evident to those skilled in the art, the size, shape and configuration of the receipt flap

42

as well as the location of the receipt flap

42

relative to the label

10

may vary considerably without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Additionally, the tear line

40

may be provided having numerous different constructions. For example, the tear line

40

may include at least one edge portion

44

having a different construction than the remainder of the perforated line such as a 50% cut line or a tear line having different perforations to ensure that the receipt flap

42

remains attached to the primary layer

30

until it is desired that it be removed. The tear line

40

, therefore, may be a perforated tear line of the same form throughout or may be a combination of two or more kinds of perforated lines, cut lines or other such separable lines.

In one embodiment, illustrated generally in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, the exposed front side

12

includes printed information and instructions thereon and further includes defined spaces for information to be added thereto by individuals using the label

10

of the invention. For example, instructions, information and space may be provided for adding information regarding the sender, the addressee, delivery instructions, fee information and signatures to the exposed front side

12

beyond the boundary of the receipt flap

42

. The receipt flap

42

also may include information and instructions along with space adapted for insertion of information regarding, for example, delivery information, recipient's signature, and, if desired, origin information thereon.

As illustrated in

FIG. 2

, when the receipt flap

42

is removed from the label

10

, an opening

50

remains exposing an area

52

of the surface

36

. The exposed area

52

may include the identical information, instructions and spaces as that of the receipt flap

42

or at least a portion thereof. For example, a section

53

of the receipt flap may include delivery information indicating time of delivery or attempted delivery and the signature of an individual receiving delivery. This same information may be transferred to and disposed on the exposed area

52

in a corresponding section

54

as shown in FIG.

2

. Also, since some information included on the receipt flap

42

may be redundant, such as origin information, to the recipient of the article or package, a section

56

may be provided that includes information different than that in a corresponding location

57

on the receipt flap

42

. Information such as, for example, customer claim instructions or other such instructions may be included in the section

56

.

As discussed above, transfer of information written on the receipt flap

42

onto the appropriate corresponding portions of the exposed area

52

such as the section

54

is desirable. Therefore, either the material used to produce the primary layer

30

includes the receipt flap

52

or the material used to produce the secondary layer

32

, at least within the area

52

, may include, for example, means for transferring information from one sheet to another as is known in the art. Preferably, a carbonless means for transferring may be implemented as is generally known by those skilled in the art.

An alternative embodiment is illustrated in

FIG. 5

to incorporate the invention into a more conventional label.

FIG. 5

illustrates a form

100

in cross-section incorporating a cover layer

102

, an intermediate layer

104

and a label portion

106

. The label portion

106

has a construction corresponding to that of the label

10

described above and has a primary layer

108

and a secondary layer

110

laminated to one another. The primary layer

108

includes a receipt flap

112

which corresponds to the receipt flap

42

as described above. In this embodiment, the cover layer

102

, the intermediate layer

104

, and the label portion

106

are joined via individual perforated tear lines

113

along one edge to a removable tear strip

111

as is known and utilized for a conventional mailing form such as an Express Mail label.

In this embodiment, the cover layer

102

contains the same information as that on the exposed front side

12

of the label

10

. In such an embodiment, either the cover layer

102

or primary layer

108

may include a carbonless copy or transfer features such that any information added or written onto the cover layer

102

may be copied or transferred onto an exposed front side

114

of the primary layer

108

and further onto an area

116

of the secondary layer

110

similar to the area

52

for the label

10

. The cover layer

102

may, therefore, provide an additional sheet to give to the sender for their records at the time of submitting a package or article to the mailing service.

In another embodiment, the label

10

and the form

100

may also include, on their respective back sides

14

and

118

, a layer of adhesive

60

. The adhesive

60

is shown in

FIGS. 3 and 5

but as will be evident to those skilled in the art, the adhesive

60

need not be utilized for the label or form to fall within the scope of the present invention. A protective layer or peel away sheet

62

may also be included covering the adhesive

60

until such time as the labels are attached to an article or package for mailing as is known in the art.

The exposed front side

12

of the label

10

and similarly the exposed front side

114

of the form

100

may include a variety of information thereon. For example, as is illustrated in

FIG. 1

, the label

10

may include conventional bar coding

64

extending partly onto the receipt flap

42

for each label and partly onto the exposed front side

14

so that when the receipt flap

42

is removed, the bar coding

64

is both on the flap and on the remaining portion of the label

10

. This bar coding

64

typically includes the tracking number, such as an Express Mail number, for example, which is utilized for many purposes including tracking the article during the delivery process and/or for billing purposes.

The labels may also include a portion as is denoted in the label

10

at section

70

for indicating the mailing fee information thereon. In an embodiment, a standard mailing fee may be preprinted on a particular label for packages having standard fees such as letters. In another embodiment, the fee section may include spaces for adding fee information for particular packages or articles upon determination of the proper fee.

In an embodiment, the section

70

may be in the form of a fee flap

72

as illustrated in FIG.

6

. The fee flap

72

may be constructed in various manners without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the fee flap

72

may include an exposed side

73

having the mailing fee information printed thereon and an opposite side

74

facing the secondary layer

32

of the label

10

. In this embodiment, the fee flap

72

is formed as part of the primary layer

30

and defined by a continuous perforated tear line

75

similar to that of the receipt flap

42

as described above. In an embodiment, the fee flap

72

may include on the back side

74

an adhesive which may either be a self stick adhesive, a layer of adhesive requiring water such as that used for conventional stamps, or other such adhesive for adhering the fee flap

72

to the article or package when removed from the label

10

.

In another embodiment, the fee flap

72

may incorporate a carbonless transfer means similar to that described for the receipt flap

42

. Thus, any fee information which is printed on the exposed side

73

of the receipt

42

flap may be transferred to the secondary layer in the area

77

exposed when the fee flap

72

is removed from the label

10

. This will provide a record of the fee for mailing the package or article if the label

10

is not delivered with the article or package.

As illustrated in

FIGS. 7-9

, another embodiment of a label

150

constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a supplementary layer

152

at the exposed bottom side of the label. The supplementary layer

152

of the present embodiment includes a plurality of optional stickers individually separable from the supplementary layer

152

for attachment to the package or article. The stickers may include special delivery information or instructions, such as a “Weekend Delivery” sticker

153

, “Holiday Delivery” sticker

154

, “COD” sticker

155

, “Miliary” sticker

156

, “Signature Required” sticker

157

, “2nd Day” sticker

158

and/or a “Next Day” sticker

159

as generally illustrated in FIG.

7

. Of course, other designations may be implemented or customized for a particular application as necessary.

The supplementary layer

152

may be incorporated into a label constructed as shown and described for the label

10

above in one of several manners. For example, if the label

10

includes the adhesive layer

60

and the protective layer

62

thereover as shown and described, the supplementary layer

152

may include on its reverse side an adhesive material

160

for adhering to the exterior surface of the protective layer

62

as shown in FIG.

8

. In this embodiment, each of the individual stickers

153

-

159

of the supplementary layer

152

may be defined within the layer by cut lines

162

as illustrated in FIG.

7

. Each of the stickers may then be peeled individually from the label

150

shown in

FIG. 7

by separating a desired sticker from the supplementary layer

152

and pulling the sticker so that the adhesive releases from the exterior surface of the protective layer

62

.

FIG. 9

illustrated an alternative construction for the label

150

in cross-sectional view wherein the label portion corresponds to the label

10

as described above, except not including the adhesive

60

or the protective layer

62

. In this construction, the supplementary layer

152

includes a back side

164

facing the back side

14

of the label

10

. The supplementary layer

152

in this embodiment may include a releasable adhesive

166

on the back side

156

, and the secondary layer

32

may include a surface defining the exposed back side

14

adapted to permit the supplementary layer

152

to adhere thereto and further release the adhesive therefrom along with one or more of the stickers

153

-

159

when separated from the supplementary layer

152

. In this embodiment, the label

10

including the supplementary layer

152

is particularly useful for an article or package including a transparent pouch as is conventionally known in the art.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, the present invention is not to be limited to any type of specific information included on the labels. As will also be evident to those skilled in the art, the labels

10

and

150

and the form

100

described herein may be useful for many different types of packages, and are particularly suitable for article delivery and/or tracking.

To utilize the labels

10

and

150

and the form

100

of the invention, a package or article is prepared for mailing and, for example, the label

10

is filled out to include all pertinent and necessary information on the exposed front side

12

. The label

10

is then adhered to the mailpiece, for example, by removing the protective layer

62

to expose the adhesive

60

and then adhering the label

10

to the mailpiece. Alternatively, it is known in the art to provide a transparent flap or pouch attached to a package or article for inserting the label

10

therein exposing the printed information and instructions through the transparent material. The label

150

and the form

100

may also be attached to the article or package in a similar manner as the label

10

. If the label

10

includes the fee flap

72

as described above, the fee flap

72

may be removed from the label

10

and adhered to the mailpiece in the appropriate place. Further, one or more of the stickers

153

-

159

may be removed from the supplementary layer

152

of the label

150

and added to the mailpiece.

Upon submission of the mailpiece to the delivering party, further pertinent information may be added to the exposed front side

12

, such as the weight of the package and costs associated with delivering the package of a particular weight. In the embodiment illustrated in

FIG. 5

, the information may be added to and then the cover sheet

102

may be removed from the remainder of the form

100

and provided to the sender for their records.

Through the conventional systems of delivering a mailpiece, the mailpiece eventually arrives at the addressee's location. At such time, delivery information is filled in on the receipt flap

42

providing a record of information desired for proof of delivery. Upon entering the desired information, the receipt flap

42

is removed by tearing along the tear lines

40

and, if present,

44

for return thereof to the appropriate party.

Of course, this particular arrangement is suitable for many types of articles and packages to be delivered or shipped. The invention is, therefore, not to be construed or limited to Express Mail service delivery or even to mail delivery, but should rather encompass any type of package or article onto which a mailing or delivery slip may be placed, particularly those requiring a return receipt or acknowledgment of delivery.

Furthermore, printing of labels constructed in accordance with the present invention may be conducted in any known manner. The present invention is not to be limited in the manner in which the label itself is printed or the manner in which additional information is added to the label by those using it.

FIG. 10

generally illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a mailing label

200

constructed according to the present invention. The label

200

includes an exposed front side

202

having a top edge

204

, an opposed bottom edge

206

, and left and right edges

208

and

210

, respectively. The identification of top, bottom and left and right sides is not intended to limit the invention in any way but is merely intended to assist in describing the article of the invention. The label

200

of the invention is shown as having a finite length along the top edge

204

and the bottom edge and

206

and a finite width along the left side edge and the right side edge

210

, but it should be understood that a particular label or form constructed according to the present invention may be varied in size to satisfy the requirements of a particular mailing service without departing from the scope of the present invention.

A tear line

212

is provided on the exposed front side

202

of the label

200

. The tear line

212

may be a score line, perforated tear line or the like and defines a rectangular receipt flap

214

in the exposed front side

202

. As will be evident to those skilled in the art, the size, shape and configuration of the receipt flap

214

may vary considerably without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The tear line

212

may be provided having numerous different constructions. For example, the tear line

212

may include at least one edge portion

216

having a different construction than a remainder of the perforated line, such as a tear line having different perforations, to ensure that the receipt flap

214

remains attached to the front side

202

until it is desired for the receipt flap

214

to be removed.

The receipt flap

214

may include information that aids in the delivery of the mailpiece upon which the mailing label

200

may be attached. For example, the receipt flap

214

may include information such as a “Delivery Attempts” section

218

that chronicles, for example, attempts by the United States Postal Service to deliver the mailpiece. Further, the receipt flap

214

may contain a space

220

for the name of the addressee or agent and a signature area

222

for the addressee's or agent's signature. Further, the receipt flap

214

may contain an addressee information area

224

whereupon the addressee's address may be variably printed.

In use, upon delivery of the mailpiece, the addressee or agent of the addressee may sign the receipt flap

214

in the signature area

222

and subsequently the receipt flap

214

may be removed by the deliverer and retained, for example, by the United States Post Office. A carbonless transfer system may be provided on an underside

226

of the receipt flap

214

. The carbonless transfer system allows information that is printed on the receipt flap

214

to be transferred to an area

228

that is disposed beneath the receipt flap

214

. The area

228

may transfer any and all information printed upon the receipt flap

214

or may only transfer parts of the information printed upon the receipt flap

214

. Further, the area

228

may contain information that is different from the information contained upon the receipt flap

214

. The area

228

may provide duplicate information contained on the receipt flap

214

or other information that aids in the delivery of the mailpiece by the special service.

The mailing label

200

also contains a label section

230

whereupon variable information may be printed. Specifically, a mailpiece tracking number may be printed within the label section

230

to allow the mailpiece to be tracked during delivery. In use, the label section

230

with the tracking number printed thereupon may be retained by the deliverer. The deliverer may make inquiries about the delivery of the mailpiece using the tracking number. The label section

230

may, however, be utilized in any fashion to aid, for example, in the delivery of the mailpiece by the special service.

A designator section

232

may be provided to indicate the special service required for the delivery of the mailpiece. The designator section

232

may be one of Priority Mail, Express Mail, International Express Mail or the like.

A blank section

234

may be provided on the mailing label

200

for the printing of further information for the delivery of the mailpiece, such as addressee information, addressor information and/or a United States Postal designation. An information section

236

may provide further information to aid in the delivery of the mailpiece, such as a United States Postal telephone number that aids the deliverer or addressee in tracking or pickup of the mailpiece.

A detachable receipt section

238

may be provided as part of the mailpiece

200

. The detachable receipt section

238

may contain information, such as addressee information and fees. In use, the receipt

238

may be separated from a remainder of the mailing label

200

at the tear line

240

and may be kept by the sender of the mailpiece. The tear line

240

may extend through the mailing label

200

to a backside

264

(as shown in

FIG. 11

) to aid in separation of the receipt

238

from a remainder of the mailing label

200

.

The mailing label

200

may be provided as a blank form upon which variable information is printed. The information printed on the blank mailing label

200

may be printed using an impact type printer or any other printer evident to those skilled in the art. An impact type printer aids in transferring information upon the receipt flap

214

to the area

228

. The mailing label

200

allows variable information to be printed thereupon, such as the type of special service delivery required for the mailpiece, including, for example, Priority Mail, Express Mail or International Express Mail.

FIG. 11

generally shows a cross-sectional view of the mailing label

200

. The mailing label

200

includes a top layer

250

containing the exposed front side

202

and the rectangular receipt flap

214

shown partially peeled away. An adhesive layer

252

is provided beneath the top layer

250

except directly beneath the rectangular receipt flap

214

. Disposed beneath the adhesive layer

252

is an intermediate layer

254

. The intermediate layer

254

includes the area

228

upon which information printed on the receipt flap

214

may be transferred. Disposed beneath the intermediate layer

254

is an adhesive layer

256

which covers the entire underside of the intermediate layer

254

. Disposed beneath the adhesive layer

256

is a removable backing layer

258

. Upon removal of the backing layer

258

from the remainder of the mailing form

202

, the adhesive layer

256

may be exposed allowing the mailing form

200

to be placed upon an article for mailing by a special service.

The tear line

240

may extend through each layer of the mailing form

200

and may allow the removable receipt section

238

to be removed from a remainder of the mailing label

200

. A tear line

262

may be disposed only within the backing layer

258

adjacent to the tear line

240

. The tear line

262

allows a majority of the backing layer

258

to be removed from the mailing label

200

while maintaining a remainder

266

of the backing layer

258

still attached to the receipt

238

. This construction allows the removable receipt section

238

to remain attached to the mailing label

200

so that upon processing of the mailpiece, the Post Office, for example, may postmark or date stamp the removable receipt section

238

and send the same back to the sender of the mailpiece.

The backing layer

258

contains a top side

268

and a bottom side

264

. The top side

268

may contain information pertaining to sender instructions on how to use the mailing label

200

. The bottom

264

of the backing layer

258

may contain information, such as a service guarantee and/or insurance coverage, for example. Other like information may be contained on the top side

268

and the bottom side

264

of the backing layer

258

and will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In use, the mailing label

200

may be passed through a printing device that may print information pertaining to the delivery of the mailpiece by the special service. The backing layer

258

may be removed up to the tear line

262

to expose the adhesive layer

256

to attach the mailing label

200

to the mailpiece. The Post Office may then date-stamp or postmark the removable receipt section

238

and remove the removable receipt section

238

from the remainder of the mailing label

200

. The removable receipt section

238

may be sent back to the sender to keep as a receipt and proof of mailing. Upon delivery of the mailpiece, the addressee may sign the receipt flap

214

whereupon the Post Office may remove the receipt flap

214

and retain the same for its records. The area

228

disposed beneath the receipt flap

214

may contain information pertaining to the delivery of the mailpiece and information such as claim instructions or other like information.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.