INNOVATION
Advelope (Advertisement-Driven, Paid-Postage Envelopes)
This is a Design Patent designed to change the appearance, functionality, and application of the standard business class (#10) envelope.
The basic function of this invention is to allow for-profit and/or non-profit companies to utilize the physical real-estate on the surface of an envelope in order to effectively advertise to both the sender and end recipient of a letter sent through the USPS First-Class mailing system.
In much the same way as television content is delivered to the end-consumer via ad-sponsorship and digital content such as video streaming services or online articles is delivered to the consumer via ad-driven web mediums, this invention allows for First-Class mailings to be sent and received at no cost to the average person. In return for this “freemium” service, the users are exposed to an advertisement on the surface of the envelope in which their mail content is delivered.
The “Advelope” sports several beneficial points--
For the sender/ recipient:
They utilize the existing and legally protected USPS system, which ensures content delivery and security satisfaction to the degree the USPS does with all other customers.
The content is totally free. There is no longer a need to purchase conventional “plain” envelopes, stamps, or mailing supplies. We haven’t figured out how to eliminate the need to lick glue however.
The method may introduce offers of interest to the users, without exposing them to impersonal “junk” mail, insecure electronic mediums that “read” their mail skimming for keywords, or other annoyances. Consumers may elect which company they wish to sponsor their mailings--ensuring their perceived endorsement is personal.
For the Corporate Sponsor:
A unique and personal way to get their brand recognition into a whole new audience. Especially geared toward large companies with national and international presence, this medium successfully couples an “old” and reliable content delivery option with the new, content-value driven advertising market.
An earnest and appreciated manner to improve existing relationships by offering something virtually all customers can and will utilize.
Powerhouse mailings improvement, dollar over dollar. While typical mailings may only gain returns of 1-2%, what with their unspecific targeting, traditional reputation as “junk mail”, and wide margin of error, the Advelope stands to penetrate the threshold of the home over 90% of the time. The Advelope contains real mail-- personal correspondence, bills, checks, etc. Therefore, the mail goes into the house, while competitors junk goes in the garbage, where it belongs.
From the USPS itself:
SOURCING: https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/postal-history/first-class-mail-since-1926.htm
The Appearance of the AdVelope is standard to its prototype: There is always a protected area for return addresses, delivery addresses and postage application. They are uniformly possessed of the standard company logo along the bottom runner of the envelope, in red and white, which also bears the disclaimer warning-- notifying postal carriers and recipients that (no matter how flashy the advertisements on the surface) that the Advelope is NOT a solicitation-- important content is inside. The rest of the envelope real estate is completely customizable to customer specifications.
The Companion: AdStamp
The AdStamp is an extension of the Advelope. This is a Design Patent for the USPS traditional stamp. Incredibly simple, the AdStamp replaces traditional stamp imagery of flags, eagles, or pictures of historical figures with the contemporary logos of corporations and non-profits.
In application, the USPS owns the stamp, and so it’s permission needs to be sought out for this added layer of awesome-- but it functions just the same. Companies buy the stamp itself, plus a small fee for design and production, and then make these available for free. Their benefit: Brand recognition galore, in exchange for the gift of free postage.
An added benefit of the AdStamp, while of course requiring an envelope or packaging of some sort, is that they can be applied to anything, in whatever quantities might be needed to post it successfully. Conversely, the Advelope provides the packaging, but establishes a fixed value of First Class (under 13oz).
The hope is to establish a relationship with the USPS to generally redux costs associated with higher volumes.