(d) Staple. Too few staples result in ineffectual closures. Heavy parcels and those of unusual length should be strengthened with metal bands or reinforced tape applied around the middle. The ends of such parcels should also be reinforced. Illustration 8 shows various staple closures.

ILLUSTRATION 8

Tape in center if gap is more than 5"

(c) Conditional labeling. (1) Words like "Do Not Bend" or "Do Not Fold or Crush" may be used only when content is fully protected with stiffening material.

(2) Words like "Rush" or "Do Not Delay" may be used only on packages intended for shipment as special delivery or special handling mail.

(d) Unauthorized labeling. (1) Labels and markings printed on cartons or on wrappers of parcels or on gummed tape on parcels are not permitted in place of any required label.

(2) Obsolete markings or labels shall be covered or obliterated.

(3) Parcels improperly labeled as to nature of contents are not acceptable.

(e) Twine. Packages may be closed or additionally reinforced by securely tying with a strong twine. Ordinary light string should not be used. Twine should be knotted at several intersecting points to preclude loosening and loss in case of breakage of one or more segments of the twine. See Illustration 6 in § 121.4.

(f) Glue. When a glue closure is used, not less than 50 percent of the area of contact (carton flaps) must be glued firmly.

§ 121.6 Marking on packages.

(a) Fragile. Packages containing articles of a delicate nature such as glass, chinaware, electrical appliances, jewelry, musical instruments and radios, must be marked "Fragile" by the mailer.

Use paper strong enough to withstand normal handling. Highly glazed paper, or paper with an overall design, is not satisfactory for showing the address and necessary postal endorsements.

[26 F.R. 11520, Dec. 6, 1961. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

§ 122.3 Size, shape, and ratio.

Envelopes of standard sizes and shapes are essential to the economical handling of mail, both by machine and manual methods. The following standards apply to envelopes:

(a) Envelopes less than 3 inches in width (height) or 44 inches in length are nonmailable.

(b) Envelopes more than 9 inches in width (height) or 12 inches in length are not recommended.

(c) Envelopes having shapes other than rectangular are nonmailable.

(d) Envelopes having a ratio of width (height) to length of less than 1 to 1.414 (1 to the square root of 2) are not recommended.

[28 F.R. 1466, Feb. 15, 1963. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

§ 122.4 Window envelopes.

Window envelopes, or open panel envelopes, may be used under the following conditions:

(a) The address window must be parallel with the length of the envelope.

(b) The proper place for the address window is in the lower portion of the address side.

(c) Nothing but the name, address, and any key number used by the mailer may appear through the address window.

(d) The return address should appear in the upper left corner. If there is no return address and the delivery address does not show through the window, the piece will be handled as dead mail.

(e) The address disclosed through the window must be on white paper or paper of a very light color.

(f) When used for registered mail, they must conform with the conditions in § 161.7 (d) of this chapter.

[26 F.R. 11520, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 27 F.R. 6975, July 24, 1962. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

address; the street and number, or post office box number, or general delivery, or rural or star route designation (except simplified address mail as prescribed in § 123.4). Mail for patrons on rural route may be addressed to street names and numbers provided this type of address has been approved by the Regional Director.

(c) All mail should bear the name and address of the sender. For instructions concerning mail which must bear a return address, see:

(1) Second-Class mail in envelopes or wrappers-§ 126.2(f) of this chapter. (2) Fourth-Class mail-§ 125.5(a) (1) of this chapter.

(3) Air parcel post-§ 136.6 (a) of this chapter.

(4) Mail of any class, when its return is desired-§ 158.3 of this chapter. (5) Registered mail-§ 125.7(a) of this chapter.

(6) Insured mail-§ 162.1(b) of this chapter.

(d) Include the ZIP code in all addresses and return addresses. See § 123.6.

(e) Matter bearing dual addresses or the names of more than one post office in the return address or in the recipient's address is not acceptable for mailing.

(f) Matter bearing instructions to return to "Point of Mailing" (postmark) is not acceptable for mailing.

(g) See § 123.7 for special instructions on addressing second-class mail.

(h) See § 123.8 for special instructions on addressing overseas military mail; and §§ 221.1(b) and 231.2(d) (1) of this chapter for addressing international mail.

[26 F.R. 11520, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 27 F.R. 2101, Mar. 3, 1962, 28 F.R. 1995, Mar. 1, 1963, 28 F.R. 12581, Nov. 23, 1963, 29 F.R. 3809, Mar. 27, 1964. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

Frank B. White

Rural Route 3, Box 261 Mitchellville, Md. 21109

U.S. POSTAGE

5¢

(b) Leave at least 31⁄2 inches of clear space, from top to bottom, at the right end of the address side of envelopes, folders, or labels. This space will be used for address, postage, postmark, and other prescribed endorsements such as "airmail" or "special delivery." On large en

velopes or mailing pieces, leave on the right end of the address side a clear rectangular space of not less than 3 by 44 inches or an equivalent area, for the address, stamps, postmarks, etc. See § 131.2(b) (2) of this chapter.

FROM JOHN G.SMITH
SOI WASHINGTON AVE.

WILKEVILLE, NY. 13847

Return Requested

§ 123.4 Simplified address.

(a) General distribution without individual names and addresses-(1) Rural route, star route, and post office boxholders. When general distribution of mail is desired for each boxholder on a rural or star route or for each family on a rural route (at any post office) or for all post office boxholders at a post office that does not have city or village carrier service, mailers may use the simplified address (except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section):

(2) City routes and post office boxholders. (i) The individual name and street address or post office box number may be omitted from the address on official matter mailed by any State Government or the Governments of the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, relating to general, special and primary elections when distribution is to be made to each stop or possible delivery on city or village carrier routes, or to each post office boxholder at a post office which has city or village carrier service. The following forms of address may be use:

(a) Postal Patron, Local.

(b) Residential Patron, Local. (Delivery desired at residences only.)

(c) Business Patron, Local. (Delivery desired at business addresses only.)