Printed matter – Stamp
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-17
2004-01-13
Fridie, Jr., Willmon (Department: 3722)
Printed matter
Stamp
C283S101000, C283S105000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06676164
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and article for making a personal postal product by modifying an official postal product such as a stamp so that when the stamp is affixed to the personal image portion of the personal postal product the stamp but does not detract from the personal image.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In 1982, a Texas firm called American Discount Stamps proposed to combine postage stamps with advertising matter. A gummed stamp was affixed to a 2-inch by 3-inch label bearing a printed advertisement that had adhesive on the back. Users would affix the entire label containing the affixed stamp to an envelope or parcel. The system is disclosed U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,706. In the art previously described a conventional stamp was used. No attempt was made to make the official portion of the postage either blend into the image on the label or to reduce the size of the stamp or provide a stamp with only the basic information such as the stamp denomination and country.
A very similar postal product is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,573 were a personal image is printed as a separate sticker and adhered directly to an official stamp in a designated area. As described in articles in the hobby press the U.S. Pat No. 5,423,573 patent is almost identical to a scheme from the 19
th
century. From 1876 to 1886, the U.S. Post Office Department permitted so-called advertising collars to be printed around the embossed stamps on stamped envelopes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,605 discloses creating a postage stamp using an electronic camera to capture an image of oneself via a vending machine. Likewise U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,406 discloses producing a postage stamp using an electronic camera and a vending machine. In both cases a personal image is captured by an electronic camera in a kiosk and printed in a designated area on and official postal product. In each case of the prior art disclosed the personal image is affixed to or printed on the official stamp where the stamp is still a prominent feature.
In co-pending patent Application entitled “MODIFICATION OF RECEIVER SURFACE TO REJECT STAMP CANCELLATION INFORMATION” of Patton et.al Ser. No. 09/605,246, filed on Jun. 28, 2000, there is disclosed a system used for creating a coating on an image produced by a thermal printer, wax sublimation printer, electrophotographic printer or inkjet printer, with a layer of material that produces a surface capable of rejecting information transferred by a stamp canceling device.
At present official postage stamps are designed to accept a cancellation mark as the stamp passes through the postal sorting equipment. The cancellation mark shows the stamp has been used as postage on a piece of mail and cannot be used again. Because of the nature of the equipment used to print the cancellation mark no attempt is made to place the cancellation mark other than to ensure the mark is printed across a portion of the stamp. The cancellation mark extends across the official postal area of the stamp as well as the personal image area thus obscuring as well as marring the personalized portion.
There are several problems that are not addressed by the prior art. The first problem is no attempt is made to construct the official postal product so that it can be affixed to the personal image in a non-obtrusive manner.
Secondly, the user is offered no choice as to where the official postage stamp may be placed in relationship to the personal image.
Finally, the prior art provides the personal image no protection from the cancellation mark using the existing postal cancellation methods.
The present invention provides a method and article for making a personal postal product by modifying an official postal product such as a stamp so that when the stamp is affixed to the personal image portion of the personal postal product the stamp but does not detract from the personal image.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an official postal product comprising a planner support structure, the support structure being substantially clear and an official postal indicia comprising only a portion of the support structure, the official postal indicia being placed on the planar support structure and is in the form of individual letters, numbers and/or symbols.
In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a postal assembly comprising a first planner support structure being a top surface and having a personal image thereon. An official postal product having a second planner support, the second support structure being substantially clear. The official postal product adapted to be placed on the personal image on the first planner support structure.
In accordance with yet anther aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for making an official postal product, comprising the steps of:
providing a support structure,
placing an official postal indicia on said support structure using a dry transfer for transferring of the postal indicia on to the support structure.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an official postal product comprising a plurality of individual letters, numbers and/or symbols that are connected together to form.
These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4640030 (1987-02-01), Wood et al.
patent: 4872706 (1989-10-01), Brewen et al.
patent: 4895747 (1990-01-01), Birkholz et al.
patent: 5044669 (1991-09-01), Berry
patent: 5090736 (1992-02-01), Minkus
patent: D327370 (1992-06-01), Mittelstrass
patent: 5423573 (1995-06-01), de Passille
patent: 5806895 (1998-09-01), Sharabani
patent: 5836617 (1998-11-01), Beaudoin et al.
patent: 5848810 (1998-12-01), Beaudoin et al.
patent: 5873605 (1999-02-01), Kaplan
patent: 5923406 (1999-07-01), Brasington et al.
patent: 6123361 (2000-09-01), Cohen
patent: 1172226 (2002-01-01), None
Delman H. M.
Forger, Jr. James R.
Patton David L.
Pincelli Frank
Eastman Kodak Company
Fridie Jr. Willmon
Pincelli Frank
LandOfFree
Personal postal product does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Personal postal product, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Personal postal product will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3250712