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Which patents say a sealed message can be changed or answered, and what happens?

Research question: Which patent filings describe a way for a sealed message to be altered or answered by its recipient after the sender has already locked it, and what do they say the reply would do?

The evidence covers two kinds of filings. The encrypted messaging patent lets the sender restrict whether a recipient can add recipients to a response 15, and lets a recipient who cannot access the message due to outdated contact information notify the sender of that inability 2. Physical envelope patents describe a recipient opening the seal, replacing the contents with a response such as a payment, and mailing it back 1216, or refilling a reusable reply envelope and resealing it for the return trip 13. Watermark-based envelope filings describe a response that can send a delivery confirmation to the sender 9 or direct a browser to a page soliciting survey responses or votes 7. The evidence does not show an encrypted message's locked content being altered by the recipient, and the only filing dates given are from 1964, so it cannot show how recent these filings are 23.

Checked 2026-10-18. Only documented and supported facts are used.
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[1] documented
The sender can restrict the recipient from adding additional recipients to any response sent to the encrypted message.
"Additional security features available to the sender include restricting recipients from forwarding the message, printing the message or adding additional recipients to any response to an encrypted message."
US8837739B1 - Encryption messaging system - Google Patents
[2] documented
If the recipient cannot access the encrypted message due to outdated contact information, they may generate a message to the sender informing them of this inability.
"In such cases, the recipient 306 may generate a message to the sender 300 informing the sender 300 that the recipient 306 cannot access the encrypted message 310 ."
US8837739B1 - Encryption messaging system - Google Patents
[3] documented
For unregistered recipients, the system can implement restrictions preventing them from forwarding, printing, or adding recipients to replies, while keeping the message on servers for a sender-defined lifetime.
"For added security, if the recipient 306 is not registered with the encryption system servers 100 , additional restrictions can be implemented such that the recipient may not be able to forward, print or add additional recipients on any reply sent to the sender 300 and the encrypted message is kept at the encryption servers 100 for a sender defined life."
US8837739B1 - Encryption messaging system - Google Patents
[4] documented
The sender can create a life period for the message content such that it is deleted at the end of that period.
"12. The public key encryption systems of claim 1 , where the sender of the encrypted first message creates a life period for the content so that at the end of the life period the content is deleted."
US8837739B1 - Encryption messaging system - Google Patents
[5] documented
The sender can restrict the recipient from adding recipients in a reply to the contents of the first message.
"11. The public key encryption systems of claim 1 , where the sender of the encrypted first message restricts the recipient from adding recipients in a reply to the contents of the first message."
US8837739B1 - Encryption messaging system - Google Patents
[6] documented
A watermark can instruct a recipient's computer to automatically compose and send an email message confirming the delivery of the envelope to the sender.
"A second type of watermark may indicate that a delivery confirmation message is to be dispatched to the sender of the envelope. When such an envelope is presented to the recipient's web cam, the associated computer automatically composes an email message confirming delivery of the envelope, and sends it to an address represented in the watermark."
EP1552441A2 - Envelopes and printed documents employing digital watermarks, and related methods - Google Patents
[7] documented
A watermark can direct a web browser to a destination that presents a form soliciting input or responses, such as survey responses or votes, from the envelope recipient.
"The linked web address may present a form soliciting input or response from the envelope recipient, including survey responses, votes, etc."
EP1552441A2 - Envelopes and printed documents employing digital watermarks, and related methods - Google Patents
[8] documented
The response triggered by presenting an envelope to a webcam can include updating a contact database on the recipient's device with information corresponding to the sender.
"The method of claim 34 in which the response comprises updating a contact database on said device with information corresponding to a sender of said envelope."
EP1552441A2 - Envelopes and printed documents employing digital watermarks, and related methods - Google Patents
[9] documented
The response triggered by presenting an envelope to a processing device can include sending a delivery confirmation to the sender of the envelope.
"The method of claim 34 in which the response comprises sending a delivery confirmation to a sender of said envelope."
EP1552441A2 - Envelopes and printed documents employing digital watermarks, and related methods - Google Patents
[10] documented
The response triggered by presenting an envelope to a processing device can include directing an internet web browser to a specific internet destination.
"The method of claim 34 in which the response includes directing an internet web browser to an internet destination."
EP1552441A2 - Envelopes and printed documents employing digital watermarks, and related methods - Google Patents
[11] supported
The recipient can open the sealed envelope by pulling off a removable access strip, then remove the item and later place it back in the pocket to return it to the sender.
"In this arrangement, envelope 600 may be sent from a sender to a recipient with an item in the pocket. Upon receipt, the recipient pulls removable access strip 618 upward, tearing it away from the envelope along perforations lines 616 , 620 ."
US6966484B2 - Mailing and response envelope - Google Patents
[12] documented
The recipient can open the sealed envelope by pulling a tab, insert a response (such as payment), reseal it, and mail it back to the original sender.
"Once the correspondence is received by the recipient, such recipient simply removes the correspondence from the two-way mailer by pulling an opening tab, re-inserts an appropriate response correspondence, re-seals the main flap, and mails the envelope back to the original sender."
US5570835A - Self-reply envelope - Google Patents
[13] supported
In the patent's reusable envelope design, after the lower portion is removed, the remaining reply envelope is refilled with new contents by the recipient and resealed with its bottom flap for the return trip.
"After new contents are inserted, seal flap 61 is used for sealing reply envelope 80 for the return trip."
US9878825B1 - Reusable top flap envelope with dual opposing seal flaps - Google Patents
[14] documented
The reply-paid envelope lets the recipient reopen the sealed envelope by cutting at the center cutting line, then reseal it with adhesive on the lower glued part, so it can be sent back as a reply.
"uses the reciprocating envelope. When it is received, cut it at the cutting line at the center of the opening tongue, apply adhesive to the lower glued part, and partially cut the opening tongue via adhesive. Seal."
WO2003055759A1 - Reply-paid envelope - Google Patents
[15] documented
To send the item back, the recipient reseals the envelope by activating the return sealing adhesive and sealing the return strip onto the bottom panel.
"To return the item to the sender, the recipient places the item back in the pocket by sliding it laterally inward. The return sealing adhesive is activated, for example, by peeling off its non-stick cover layer, and the return sealing strip 615 is then sealed to bottom panel 604 ."
US6966484B2 - Mailing and response envelope - Google Patents
[16] documented
The recipient removes the original correspondence and replaces it with a response, such as a payment, inside the opened envelope.
"the recipient is able to remove the correspondence 55, and replace it with response correspondence 56 such as payment."
US5570835A - Self-reply envelope - Google Patents
[17] documented
To resend the reply envelope, the recipient folds up the bottom seal flap and flattens the bottom lip, and an affixer on the flap is used to seal the smaller envelope for return.
"To resend the new reply envelope 80 , seal flap 61 is folded up and bottom lip 19 flattened into the plane of seal flap 61 . An affixer 62 provided on seal flap 61 , preferably including being provided on bottom lip 19 , is used for sealing the envelope when the smaller reply envelope is going to be returned."
US9878825B1 - Reusable top flap envelope with dual opposing seal flaps - Google Patents
[18] documented
The invention's stated object is an envelope usable both as an outgoing mail and as a reply envelope, which can be opened without scissors.
"is to provide a reciprocating envelope that can be used not only as an outgoing credit but also as a reply envelope, and can be opened without using scissors, etc., and used as a reply envelope."
WO2003055759A1 - Reply-paid envelope - Google Patents
[19] documented
The envelope's claims include a means for sealing the recipient address panel over the sender address panel so the closed envelope can carry a response item.
"An envelope as recited in claim 1 , further comprising means for sealing the recipient address panel over the sender address panel to form a closed envelope that may carry a response item."
US6966484B2 - Mailing and response envelope - Google Patents
[20] documented
The envelope can be resealed by the recipient without covering the return mail indicia, so it can be sent back to the sender by re-mailing it.
"The envelope is resealable by the recipient without obscuring the return mail indicia so that the envelope may be returned to the sender by re-mailing the envelope."
US5570835A - Self-reply envelope - Google Patents
[21] documented
The envelope's printed reply destination is hidden when the outgoing mail is sealed and becomes visible once the recipient reseals it for the reply.
"the reply destination and the like are hidden in the sealed state of outgoing credit, and the reply destination and the like appear in the sealed state of the reply."
WO2003055759A1 - Reply-paid envelope - Google Patents
[22] documented
The design's stated purpose is that a fragile item can travel from sender to recipient and back again without being damaged.
"In this configuration, a fragile item may be conveyed from a sender to a recipient and from the recipient back to the sender, without damage to the item."
US6966484B2 - Mailing and response envelope - Google Patents
[23] documented
The patent describes a letter sheet with an integral envelope that the recipient can use to send a return mail reply.
"Further, the present invention discloses a letter sheet in which there is provided an integral envelope for the recipient to use in return mail."
US3228586A - Combination letter sheet and integral envelope - Google Patents
[24] documented
The invention lets a sender and recipient exchange correspondence both ways using a single envelope.
"In conclusion, herein is presented a self-reply envelope system, that allows dual correspondence between a sender and a recipient using a single envelope."
US5570835A - Self-reply envelope - Google Patents
[25] supported
In the prior-art design, cutting the opening tongue free with scissors made the envelope unusable as a reply envelope afterward, which this invention avoids.
"If the tongue is cut from the base with scissors, it cannot be used as a reciprocating envelope anymore."
WO2003055759A1 - Reply-paid envelope - Google Patents
[26] supported
The recipient tears open the sealing flaps, removes the message panels, puts material into the reply envelope, and reseals it by folding a panel over the envelope.
"Such a procedure allows the recipient to insert into the pocket of the reply envelope 23 such material as he may desire and then seal the envelope 23 by revolving panel 29 about score line 27"
US3228586A - Combination letter sheet and integral envelope - Google Patents
[27] documented
The patent says a recipient can detach the return envelope portion from the mailed envelope so it can be used to send a response.
"A recipient of the envelope can thus simply detach the return envelope portion from the envelope mailed to his/her."
US6227443B1 - Envelope with a designated return envelope portion - Google Patents
[28] documented
The recipient can send the reply envelope back to the original sender or another destination.
"there is shown a letter sheet and integral envelope in which the recipient may remove the message sheet 22 and return the reply envelope to the sender or other suitable place."
US3228586A - Combination letter sheet and integral envelope - Google Patents
[29] documented
The patent says that for replies such as purchase orders, survey papers, or questionnaires, the recipient can address the detached portion and send it back as a fresh envelope without preparing a new one.
"For mailing out a purchase order for goods or commodity based on the offered merchandise information mailed in or returning a survey paper or questionnaire so received and filled in, or doing a similar response action, the recipient has no need to prepare an envelope anew and can simply use and address on the detached envelope portion now as a fresh envelope and send it out."
US6227443B1 - Envelope with a designated return envelope portion - Google Patents
[30] supported
The sender may leave a blank panel so the recipient can write whatever information they want on it, such as a return address.
"leaves panel 30 exposed to view upon which the sender may have inscribed his return address or may have left a blank to allow the recipient to place whatever information upon it that would be desired."
US3228586A - Combination letter sheet and integral envelope - Google Patents
[31] documented
The patent suggests the sender may pre-address the return envelope portion so the recipient does not have to write an address on it.
"In this case, the sender may very well care to have the return envelope portion self-addressed to eliminate the need for the recipient to address the return envelope on his/her its own."
US6227443B1 - Envelope with a designated return envelope portion - Google Patents
[32] documented
A stated object of the invention is a letter sheet whose integral return envelope can be easily detached, sealed, and returned to the sender.
"Another object of this invention is the provision of a letter sheet having an integral return mail envelope that may easily be detached from the letter, sealed and returned to the sender."
US3228586A - Combination letter sheet and integral envelope - Google Patents