| US 7,467,747 B2 | ||
| Method and system for protecting privacy of signatures on mail ballots | ||
| Bertrand Haas, New Haven, Conn. (US); Bradley R. Hammell, Fairfield, Conn. (US); Jay Reichelsheimer, Shelton, Conn. (US); Frederick W. Ryan, Jr., Oxford, Conn. (US); Robert A. Cordery, Danbury, Conn. (US); and Matthew J. Campagna, Ridgefield, Conn. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, Conn. (US) | ||
| Filed on Dec. 19, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/641,179. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2008/0142594 A1, Jun. 19, 2008 | ||
| This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer. | ||
| Int. Cl. G06K 19/06 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 235—491 [235/386; 235/454; 283/116; 229/71; 229/300; 229/301; 229/303; 229/304] | 25 Claims |
| 1. An envelope comprising:
a body portion having a pocket for holding contents, the body portion including a predefined area for a person's signature
to be provided on the body portion, the predefined area being reflective of light having a predetermined wavelength;
a movable stub attached to the body portion, at least a portion of the movable stub covering the predefined area for the person's
signature to be provided on the body portion, the movable stub having a first side that faces the predefined area that includes
a material that will transfer to the body portion in the predefined area when pressure is applied to a second side of the
movable stub that is opposite to the first side, the material absorbing light having the predetermined wavelength, and
a flap portion connected to the body portion for covering the pocket when the flap portion is in a closed position, the flap
portion including a window that corresponds with the predefined area of the body portion when the flap is in the closed position
such that the predefined area is covered by the window, the window passing light having the predetermined wavelength and reflecting
light that does not have the predetermined wavelength.
|