WO1993018925A1

WO1993018925A1 - Stationery item

Info

Publication number: WO1993018925A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1993/000014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Melvin Perrine; James Allen Cassera
Original assignee: Perrine P M; James Allen Cassera
Priority date: 1992-03-16
Filing date: 1993-03-09
Publication date: 1993-09-30
Also published as: AU3650793A

Abstract

A stationery item (1) as a stack capable of being fed through a photocopier to customise an envelope or envelopes provided as a blank therein or an envelope and a card or the equivalent incorporated therein. The invention also consists in the method of use of such items and relating templates. Also disclosed is preparation of a photograph for photocopying which comprises taking a self adhesive sheet configured to provide a frame for a region of a photographic print to be photocopied so as not to emphasize an edge in the photocopy made therefrom. The apparatus (30) comprises a mounting release sheet (31) upon which a self adhesive sheet is laminated to provide a mask.

Description

"STAΗONERY ITEM" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in and/or relating to a stationery item, a stack of such items, a method of customising a mailing or mailable assembly, a mailing or mailable assembly produced by such a method, apparatus for presenting an image into a photocopying machine, a combination of a stationery item and apparatus for presenting an image into a photocopying machine onto such a stationery item, a method of presenting an image into a photocopying machine for photocopying onto a stationery item, a method of preparing a photograph for photocopying and/or apparatus for enabling the framing and/or cropping of a photograph for photocopying.

The present invention is directed to the various facets helpful in providing customised mailing assemblies which may include an addressed envelope containing customising text, graphics, or art work thereon and including an envelopable sheet having some preprinted material thereon prior to being customised by a photocopying machine using the techniques of the present invention. Some of the techniques of the present invention have application outside of producing such mailing or mailable assemblies.

The present invention therefore is directed to any aspect of an invention as previously set forth which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in a stationery item comprising a sheet of a stationery material having; i) a first region defined by cuts and/or perforations that will in use provide at least one envelopable sheet, and; ϋ) a second region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for an envelope, said blank being separable from said first region and being foldable to define an envelope into which said at least one envelopable sheet (at least after folding of the sheet) can be enclosed. Preferably an. item wherein said second region defined by cuts and/or perforation includes perforations and/or scoring for the folding thereof into the form of an envelope that will enclose said at least one envelopable sheet. Preferably said stationery material is a paper or is paper based. Preferably said sheet has been preprinted to provide some graphics on one or both of said first and second regions.

Preferably said second region defines a square or rectangular envelope blank having a square or rectangular area to define one side of an envelope and four flaps, each dependent from a separate side of said area, which upon folding of three flaps form an envelope closable by the fourth flap.

Preferably said sheet is substantially rectangular in form save for any removed regions of said second region that facilitate the forming of an envelope.

Preferably said sheet is substantially rectangular and said first region is at one end thereof while the second region is at the other end thereof. Preferably said second region defines a square or rectangular envelope blank having a square or rectangular area to define one side of an envelope and four flaps, each dependent from a separate side of said area, which upon folding of the three flaps form an envelope closable by the fourth flap, and the axis of said substantially rectangular sheet and a like axis of said square or rectangular area is in a mutual oblique interrelationship.

Preferably said sheet has a rectangular dimension selected from the range of about 8V2" x 11", about 8V2" x 14", about 11" x 17", about 210mm x 297mm, about 216mm x 330mm and about 297mm x 420mm.

Preferably said sheet is rectangular and of a dimension selected from the range of about x 11", about 8V2" x 14", about 11" x 17", about 210mm x 297mm, about 216mm x 330mm and about 297mm x 420mm and wherein respectively the rectangular envelope size is about 3Vi" by 5", about 4%" x 6 3/16", about 43/16" by / , either about 88mm x 143mm or 105mm x 225mm, either about 108mm x 145mm or about 95mm x 166mm and about 105mm x 225mm. Preferably, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitudinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° when said sheet size is about 8W x 11" and the envelope size is about 3" x 5".

Preferably, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitudinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° when said sheet size of about 8V2" x 14" and the envelope size is about 4%" x 6 3/16".

Preferably, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitudinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° when said sheet size is about 11" x 17" and the envelope size is about 4 3/16" x Wz". Preferably, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitudinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° when said sheet size is about 210mm x 297mm and the envelope size is about 88mm x 143mm.

Preferably, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitudinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° when said sheet size is about 210mm x 297mm and the envelope size is about 105mm x 225mm.

Preferably, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitudinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° when said sheet size of about 216mm x 330mm and the envelope size is about 108mm x 145mm.

Preferably, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitudinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° when said sheet size is about 216mm x 330mm and the envelope size is about 95mm x 166mm.

Preferably, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitudinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° when the sheet size is about 297mm x 420mm and the envelope size is about 105mm x 225mm. Preferably at least one edge has no notches removed but it perforated to allow at least one such notch to be removed.

Preferably the sheet is rectangular and both one longer edge and one smaller edge has no notches removes but is perforated to allow at least one such notch to be removed.

Preferably said first region is adapted to be folded as a card so as to be envelopable by the envelope to be formed by the second region. Preferably said item is preprinted at least to the extent such that a subsequent single printing on one side of the sheet during a pass through a photocopying machine can provide for such customising of text and/or graphics to prepare said first region for its purpose (whether as a card, invitation or the like) as well as to provide at least some customised text and/or graphics on the outside of an envelope to be formed from said second region.

In a further aspect the invention is, as a stack, a plurality of identical said stationery items where each said stationery item.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of customising a mailing or mailable assembly which comprises; preparing a stationery item or a stack of stationery items as previously set forth with non-customised printed matter thereon, feeding the sheet or serially feeding the sheets from the stack through a photocopying or other printing machine such that at least said first region is customised with at least part of the image presented into the photocopying machine or prepared for printing by said other kind of printing machine, after such additional text, if any, is added to one or both of said first and second regions of a or each sheet, separating said regions and enveloping the first region(s) in an envelope formed from the or a said second region(s), and, finally should the envelope not by then be addressed, addressing the envelope(s).

Preferably the first region is folded as a card prior to enveloping.

Preferably said envelope is sealed by a self adhesive sticker or an adhesive flap or flaps of the envelope blank.

Preferably said image is presented into a photocopying machine and said image has been prepared over a substrate acting as a template of the first and second regions of said stationery items of said stack.

Preferably said image presented into a photocopying machine or other printing machine has been prepared using a computer screen presented template which substantially corresponds to said stationery item.

Preferably said first region is a foldable card after the photocopying or printing step that has been customised as an invitation. Preferably said customising includes both text and a photograph.

Preferably the photocopying or printing step is with a colour photocopier.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in apparatus for presenting an image into a photocopying machine which comprises means providing a substrate marked and/or formed to act as a layout template corresponding to a stationery item as previously set forth, said layout template providing means to position photographs and/or text so that such images required thereof in said first region will inevitably be accurately positioned on said first region of said stationery item when the stationery item is appropriately fed into a photocopier and said layout template is appropriately used on the glass of the photocopier and providing a like interrelationship between a second region of the layout template and said second region of said stationery item.

Preferably when for presenting an image into a colour photocopying machine said apparatus includes a transparent overlay sheet attached to an edge or extending from an edge thereof. In a further aspect the invention consists in apparatus for presenting an image into a photocopying or other printing machine comprising a computer with a display screen conditioned by a program to provide a layout template corresponding to a stationery item as previously set forth, conditioned to enable the preparation of an image within said layout template and thereafter to allow downloading directly or indirectly (eg via a printout) into a photocopier or other printing machine.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a stationery item comprising a sheet of a stationery material having

(i) a first region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for an envelope, and (ii) a second region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for another envelope, the envelope blanks being separable one from the other and each being foldable to define an envelope, each envelope being of a rectangular form and having each side of the rectangular form of the centre of the blank marked, perforated and/or scored to show the appropriate foldlines for the flaps thereof, wherein the longitudinal axis of said rectangular form are parallel one with the other and with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet in which each is formed at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° where said sheet is of a dimension of about SY2" x 14" and each envelope is of a dimension of about 3V2" x 5" or greater. In a further aspect the present invention consists in a stationery item comprising a sheet of a stationery material having

(i) a first region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for an envelope, and (ii) a second region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for another envelope, the envelope blanks being separable one from the other and each being foldable to define an envelope, each envelope being of a rectangular form and having each side of the rectangular form of the centre of the blank marked, perforated and/or scored to show the appropriate foldlines for the flaps thereof, wherein the longitudinal axis of said rectangular form are parallel one with the other and with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet in which each is formed at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° where said sheet is of a dimension of about 11" x 17" and each envelope is of a dimension of about 43/16" x 9*4". In a further aspect the present invention consists in a stationery item comprising a sheet of a stationery material having

(i) a first region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for an envelope, and (ii) a second region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for another envelope, the envelope blanks being separable one from the other and each being foldable to define an envelope, each envelope being of a rectangular form and having each side of the rectangular form of the centre of the blank marked, perforated and/or scored to show the appropriate foldlines for the flaps thereof, wherein the longitudinal axis of said rectangular form are parallel one with the other and with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet in which each is formed at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° where said sheet is of a dimension of about 216mm x 330mm and each envelope is of a dimension of about 88mm x 138mm or greater.

(i) a first region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for an envelope, and

(ii) a second region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for another envelope, the envelope blanks being separable one from the other and each being foldable to define an envelope, each envelope being of a rectangular form and having each side of the rectangular form of the centre of the blank marked, perforated and/or scored to show the appropriate foldlines for the flaps thereof, wherein the longitudinal axis of said rectangular form are parallel one with the other and with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet in which each is formed at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° where said sheet is of a dimension of about 297mm x 420mm and each envelope is of a dimension of about 105mm x 225mm.

Preferably at least one edge has no notches removed but it perforated to allow at least one such notch to be removed.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in an envelope or envelopes formed from an item as previously set forth wherein it has been customised by the printing thereof while in its sheet form by a photocopier or other printing device. In a further aspect the present invention consists in, in combination, a stationery item, or a stack thereof, and apparatus for presenting an image into a photocopying machine. In a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of presenting an image into a photocopying machine for photocopying onto a stationery item as previously set forth which comprises using the stationery item as a feedstock into the copier and; (a) in the case of a noncolour copier, positioning image providing materials selected from photographs, graphics and text to be presented into the photocopying machine on a substrate marked with a template for the feedstock stationery item using a template layout in a colour which is not substantially reproduced by the photocopying machine and thereafter inverting the substrate with its template located image onto the glass of the photocopying machine so that the template first region and template second region of said substrate and thus the or any image providing material located thereon accords with the first region and second region of said feedstock stationery item, and thereafter photocopying the image onto said feedstock stationery item, or,

(b) in the case of a colour copier, positioning image providing materials selected from photographs, graphics and text to be presented into the photocopying machine on a substrate marked with a template for the first region and second region of the feedstock stationery item, and thereafter closing over said image providing material, a transparent sheet and thereafter inverting the substrate with its image providing material sandwiched between said substrate and said transparent sheet onto the glass of the photocopier so that the template first region and template second region of said substrate and thus the or any image providing material located thereon accords with the first region and second region of said feedstock stationery item, and thereafter photocopying the image onto said feedstock stationery item. Preferably said copier is a colour copier. Preferably said copier is a noncolour copier. Preferably a stack of said stationery items is provided in the paper feed bin of the photocopying machine.

Preferably at least one photograph is provided as an image providing material on the template for said first region.

In a further aspect the invention consists in a method of preparing a photograph for photocopying or other photo printing which comprises taking a self adhesive sheet configured to provide a frame for that region of a photographic print to be photocopied and adhering the same to the front of the sheet on which the photograph has been produced, if necessary after cropping of the photograph such that the self adhesive material defining the inside of the frame is adhered to the sheet of the photograph but the outer edge thereof extends beyond the photograph, and ensuring the outer edge(s) of the self adhesive material extend or are adhered to a sheet (whether a positiomng template or not) so as not to emphasise an edge in any photocopy to be made therefrom in a photocopying machine.

Preferably said self adhesive material is taken from a release sheet.

Preferably any cropping of the photograph uses as a guide the self adhesive material from the release sheet that is inwardly of said frame of said self adhesive material.

Preferably said self adhesive sheet to provide a frame also has the self adhesive infill of the frame carried on the same release sheet for the self adhesive material, and the steps comprise: i) identifying desired frame size by reference to the frame or frames (if more than one) on the same release sheet, ii) cropping the photograph after temporary adhesion or location of the infill for that frame on the front or back of the photograph, ϋi) adhering the frame to the face of the photograph as well as a carrier sheet to be used as an image carrier to be presented into a photocopier or other photoprinting device.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in apparatus for enabling the framing and/or cropping of a photograph for photocopying or other photoprinting by a method as previously set forth, said apparatus comprising a mounting release sheet releasably carrying as a lamination thereon a self adhesive sheet, said releasable self adhesive sheet having at least one separation (whether pressed, cut or otherwise formed) therein of an endless kind whereby there is the possibility of removing a frame of said material for a photograph. Preferably a self adhesive portion of the same sheet from which the frame has been formed is also on the mounting release sheet.

Preferably a number of different frames on the same sheet, each frame being separable from another is included. Preferably the frames are of different configurations in the same sheet of the self adhesive sheet material.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a mailing or mailable assembly customised by a method as previously set forth.

As used herein the term "perforation" includes any sequence of punching or cutting or the like (whether also scored or not) which facilitates either folding and/or tearing at or along the perforation.

In relation to envelope sizes the given dimension is to be interpreted as not being below 3Y2' x 5" or 88mm x 138mm and "about" in relation to such sizes as are given mean either ±VΪ' or its metric equivalent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure IA is a plan view of an item in accordance with one form of the present invention in which the envelopable sheet is scored in order to facilitate folding into three sections; Figure IB shows the plan view of a stationery item according to one form of the present invention in which the envelopable sheet does not have score marks;

Figure 2 shows the plan view of a blank which has an envelopable sheet and a waste region;

Figure 3 shows the plan view of a stationery item according to the present invention which has no envelopable sheet but a waste region;

Figure 4A shows a plan view of a stationery item according to the present invention which consists of two adjacent blanks for an envelope.

Figure 4B shows a plan view of a stationery item according to the present invention as shown in Figure 4A with an additional waste region added to the longer edge so as to produce a standard A3 size item.

Figure 5 shows a stationery item according to one form of the present invention in which the blank for the envelope and the envelopable sheet is divided up into two large regions and one small region, the small region in some forms being waste;

Figure 6A shows the plan view of a stationery item according to one form of the present invention in which the envelopable sheet comprises a blank for a greeting card;

Figures 6B and 6C show the separation of the greeting card from the envelope blank and the removal of the waste from the envelope blank;

Figure 6D shows a plan view of the envelope blank being assembled according to one form of the invention; Figure 6E is a plan view of the greeting card which has been folded at the provided perforations or score marks;

Figure 6F is a plan view of the envelope blank as illustrated in Figure 6A, 6B, & 6D, wherein the envelope blank is folded in a different sequence from that as illustrated in Figure 6D so as to form an end opening envelope; Figure 7 shows a plan view of a stationery item according to yet another form of the present invention in which the envelopable sheet is divided up into one large region and one small region. The small region being waste or folded over onto the large sheet;

Figure 8 shows a plan view of a stationery item similar to Figure 7; Figure 9 shows a plan view of a greeting card template according to one form of the present invention;

Figure 10 shows a plan view of a picture framing sheet according to another aspect of the present invention;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the copying procedure when used in a top printing sideways feeding photocopier;

Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the copying procedure when used in a bottom printing sideways feeding photocopier;

Figure 13 shows the copying procedure when using the top printing lengthways feeding photocopier.

DFTAπ FD DESCRIPTION

As shown in the figures, one form of the present invention consists of a stationery item 1 a sheet of stationery material which has a first region 2 which is defined by cuts and/or perforations in which in use provides a envelopable sheet 2. Both the envelope blank 3 and envelopable sheet 2 can take many different forms. Some of these possible forms are shown in the figures. One form is as shown in Figure IA in which the sheet 2 has two parallel score lines 13 and 14. These score lines 13 and 14 facilitate the folding of the sheet and ensure that the folds are placed accurately and consistently and form a neat folded article.

In one preferred form of the present invention the score lines are spaced so that the distance between the score line 13 and 14 is greater than the distance between the line 13 and the outer edge of the paper and the distance between the line 14 and the opposite outer edge of the paper. This spacing of the lines means that either of the peripheral sections of the paper i.e. the portions between the score lines and the outer edges of the paper can be folded over the central section, i.e. the portion between score line 13 and 14. This ensures that the item when folded is very neat.

In other forms of the invention the score lines 13 and 14 can have different spacing, one form as is shown in Figure 5 wherein the score lines 13 and 14 divide the paper up into two sections which may or may not be equal in size and a third section which is substantially smaller than the first two sections. In other forms of the invention the score lines 13 and 14 comprise cuts or perforations through the paper and thus enabling the envelopable sheet 2 to be easily divided up into smaller sheets. In one form similar to that shown in Figure IA the lines 13 and 14 enable the envelopable sheet 2 to be divided up into three approximately equal sections. All of these sections may be used and inserted into the envelope or if the user desires a smaller sheet a single section may be used.

In other forms of the invention the sheet may be as shown in Figure IB wherein the envelopable sheet 2 is not scored or cut or perforated in this form of the invention the user is free to fold or cut the sheet as they wish.

Other forms of the invention utilising perforated sheets are as shown in Figures 7 and 8 wherein the line 17 runs parallel to the longer edges of the sheet. In one form of the invention as shown in Figure 7 the perforations run close to the outer edge of sheet 2 i.e. the edge distant from the envelope blank. In the form of the invention as shown in Figure 8 the perforations run close to the edge of the sheet adjacent to the envelope blank.

These lines of perforations enable the shape of the sheet to be altered. Another preferred form of the present invention as shown in Figure 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E, wherein the envelopable sheet 2 is divided approximately half way along its longer side by means of a score line 16. This score line enables the detached sheet to be folded in half so as to form a card.

The sequence of forming the card and envelope as shown in Figure 6A to 6E. The envelope link three is separated from their card sheet 2, this is shown in Figure 6B and 6C. The waste regions 11 and 12 are removed from the envelope blank. One form of forming the envelope from the blank is as shown in Figure 6D wherein the flaps 5 and 7 are folded over the region 4 utilising the score marks. The flap 6 is then folded over the flaps 5 and 7 and the region 4 utilising the score mark. In forms of the invention the flap 6 as produced with pressure sensitive glue around its outer edges, thus the flap 6 can be stuck onto the underlying flaps 5 and 7. In other forms of the invention the flap 6 has moisture activated gum or glue near its outer edge and thus the flap 6 can be stuck onto the flaps 5 and 7 by means of licking otherwise dampening the moisture activated glue and sticking the flap down.

In other forms of the invention there is no glue or gum on the envelope blank as supplied and the flaps must be stuck together using either a bottle of glue, a glue stick or other similar means. In other less preferred forms of the invention the flaps are held together either by sticky tape or the use of double sided tape between the flaps.

In some forms of the present invention the flap 8 is provided with a region containing moisture activated glue, this is shown as region 17 on Figure 6D, this enables the user to seal the envelope after inserting the sheet or card, as in known envelopes.

In other forms of the invention flap 8 is provided with a region of pressure sensitive gum or glue, again enabling the envelope to be sealed after insertion. In yet other forms of the present invention the flap 8 is not provided with any region of gum or glue and the envelope can be sealed either by sellotaping or gluing the flap 8 down or by tucking the flap 8 inside the flaps 5, 6 and 7 of the completed envelope.

Another form of the stationery item is shown in Figure 4 wherein a double envelope is provided which is joined by means of perforations or partial weakening.

In one form of the invention the envelopes are oriented 180° different from each other.

In yet another form of the stationery item according to the present invention is as shown in Figure 3 wherein the sheet 2 consists of a narrow strip of paper which is integral with the waste region 10. In order to produce the fully formed envelope blank from the stationery item the user simply removes the regions 12 and 2.

An alternative sequence of forming the envelope is as shown in Figure 6F wherein the order of gluing the flaps is altered so as to produce an end opening envelope. In this sequence the flap 5 is not folded over until the envelope is fully sealed. Other sequences can provide the same end.

In the sequence the flap 8 is first folded over, then the flap 7, then finally the flap 6. Alternatively flaps 5 or 7 could be folded last. As mentioned previously the flaps can be held together by means of pressure sensitive gum or moisture activated glue or simply taped or glued together.

The sizes of the blank and the size of the envelopable sheet and envelope can be varied, examples of these are as shown in Table I below.

Examples of Combo Products

American

English

The blanks can be manufactured from paper or paper based substances, thin flexible plastics sheeting, laminated card, corrugated card, foil, substances consisting of laminated plys of any of the aforementioned or other material which is in the form of or able to be formed into thin sheets.

The stationery blanks may be supplied entirely plain or may be supplied with various images thereon. These images may consist of broad lines, pictures, greeting messages, information, direct mail reply forms, competition entry forms, or other colourful graphics. Other forms of the invention may have printed or affixed to the envelope blank a stamp or frank which are accepted by postal or courier services.

The aspect of the present invention consisting in the method of customising the mailing or mailable assembly will now be described. The method comprises the preparing a stack of stationery items as previously described and thereafter sequentially feeding the sheets from the stack through a photocopying machine such that at least one region of the stationery item as customised with at least part of the image which is presented into the photocopying machine.

In other forms of the invention the stationery items are fed singularly through the photocopier. Various copying procedures must be utilised depending on the type of photocopier used. Some of these procedures are as illustrated in Figures 11, 12 and 13.

Figure 11 shows the procedure when the photocopier is a top printing copier and the feed mechanism feeds sideways, i.e. the paper or stationery items fed into the machine are drawn in longer straight edge first When used in a machine and a feed device such as this and the stationery item is to be printed on the side indicated, the stationery items must be oriented as shown in the figure. The stationery items 1 are fed in so that their long straight edged side enters the machine first and the surface to be printed on is facing upwards. The copying procedure when using a photocopier that is bottom printing and a feed mechanism which loads the paper or stationery items in sideways is as shown in Figure 12. The orientation of the stationery items 1 as is shown in the figures, i.e. the items are stacked so that their long straight side enters the photocopier first and the side to be printed on faces downwards. The copying procedure when utilising a photocopier that top prints and uses a lengthwise feed mechanism is as shown in Figure 13. The orientation of the stationery items 1 is as shown in the figure i.e. the items are stacked so that their shorter side enters the machine first and the side to be printed on is facing upwards.

The design, graphics and additional text or combination of these 20 is prepared and placed on the photocopier. In one form of the invention this image 20 is simply prepared on a blank sheet of paper or a blank stationery item. The copier is activated and the stationery items 1 are either drawn from the stack in the paper feeder 41 or are fed into the photocopier individually.

The method may comprise passing the stationery item through the photocopier once or multiple passes may be utilised to build up more complicated graphical images. After the stationery items have been passed through the photocopier the envelope blank can be separated from the stationery item and the small waste notches 12 and 11 can be separated and discarded. The envelope blank can then be folded and assembled into an envelope. The envelopable sheet 12 may then be folded if necessary or may have additional text or graphics added before being placed in the envelope and sealing the envelope.

In yet another aspect of the present invention comprises the utilising of a layout template in order to position photographs and/or text before copying the photographs and/or text onto the stationery item. One form of the template according to the present invention as shown in Figure 9 which shows a layout template 20 which has marked thereon the different regions of the envelope blank, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 and the positioning of the perforations or score lines on the envelopable sheet, in this case this is represented by a score or fold line at 16. The regions may have marked thereon the lines to enable the user to accurately position text and/or graphical images onto either the envelope blank or sheet or both. In other forms of the invention the template as marked thereon a grid or series of dots or lines which are printed in a colour chosen so that it will not be copied by the particular photocopier being used, i.e. black and white photocopiers will not copy light blue ink.

The template 20 enables the user to accurately position the text and graphics on the envelope blank and sheets and also see the final design of their graphics, text and/or photographs and thus change it if they are not happy with it. Since the template has marked thereon the regions of the envelope blank 9, 10, 11, and 12 which are open notches when the envelope is assembled, the user can ensure that non of the important graphics and/or text is in these regions.

The template 20 can be made from light card or paper or plastic sheeting, it is also possible for more robust forms of the template 20 to be made from moulded plastic, metal or wood. The template 20 may have on the surface thereof a pressure sensitive glue or gum, this enables the text and/or graphics placed on the template to be held in place. In other forms of the invention the template 20 is reusable and the user directly sticks the text and/or graphics onto the surface thereof which is coated with low tack adhesive. The template 20 may have a clear oversheet which can be placed over the images positioned on the template, thus holding them in place.

When utilising the template with a colour photocopier, i.e. one that will copy light blue marks it may be necessary to place a sheet of semi opaque tracing paper over the template before arranging the images thereon. The images may be stuck directly to the tracing paper or may be placed by a clear oversheet. The tracing paper with the images attached thereon may then either be removed from the template and placed upside down on the photocopier glass backed by a sheet of paper or a sheet of white paper may be placed in between the tracing paper and the template and this placed on the photocopier glass, white paper effectively blocking the template image.

In yet another aspect of the invention is illustrated in Figure 10 which illustrates apparatus for the framing and/or cropping of photographs before photocopying as previously set forth. The apparatus 30 comprises a mounting release sheet 31 carry the lamination thereon a self adhesive sheet. The mounting release sheet 31 has thereon at least one separation of an endless kind. This separation may outline the shape of a square circle, ellipse, rectangle, etc. The regions surrounded by this separation 32 may be removed from the sheet 31. The frame of the said material can then be removed and placed over the photograph thus framing or cropping it. The region surrounded by the separation 32 can be utilised as a cutting guide to be placed on the photograph to be photographed or cropped which can then be trimmed to a size at least marginally larger than the said framing or cropping hole.

It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides various apparatus and methods which allow customised stationery to be produced.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A stationery item comprising a sheet of a stationery material having; i) a first region defined by cuts and/or perforations that will in use provide at least one envelopable sheet, and; ii) a second region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for an envelope, said blank being separable from said first region and being foldable to define an envelope into which said at least one envelopable sheet (at least after folding of the sheet) can be enclosed.

2. An item as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said second region defined by cuts and/or perforation includes perforations and/or scoring for the folding thereof into the form of an envelope that will enclose said at least one envelopable sheet.

3. An item of Claim 1 or 2 wherein said item has at least one straight edge.

4. An item of Claim 3 wherein said at least one straight edge has at least one removal notch perforated therein. 5. An item as claimed in anyone of Claims 1 to 4 wherein said stationery material is a paper or is paper based.

6. An item as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said sheet has been preprinted to provide some graphics on one or both of said first and second regions.

7. An item as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein second region defines a square or rectangular envelope blank having a square or rectangular area to define one side of an envelope and four flaps, each dependent from a separate side of said area, which upon folding of three flaps form an envelope closable by the fourth flap.

8. An item as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said sheet is substantially rectangular in form save for any removed regions of said second region that facilitate the forming of an envelope.

9. An item as claimed in Claim 7 wherein said sheet is substantially rectangular and said first region is at one end thereof while the second region is at the other end

thereof.

10. An item as claimed in Claim 9 wherein said second region defines a square or rectangular envelope blank having a square or rectangular area to define one side of an envelope and four flaps, each dependent from a separate side of said area, which upon folding of the three flaps form an envelope closable by the fourth flap, and the axis of said substantially rectangular sheet and a like axis of said square or rectangular area is in a mutual oblique interrelationship.

11. An item as claimed in Claim 10 wherein said sheet has a rectangular dimension selected from the range of about 8V2" x 11", about SYz" x 14", about 11" x 17", about 210mm x 297mm, about 216mm x 330mm and about 7.97mm x 420mm. 12. An item as claimed in Claim 11 wherein said sheet is rectangular and of a dimension selected from the range of about 8Y2" x 11", about 8V2" x 17", about 11" x 17", about 210mm x 297mm, about 216mm x 330mm and about 297mm x 420mm and wherein respectively the rectangular envelope size is about 3W by 5", about 4%" x 6 3/16", about 43/16" by

either about 88mm x 143mm or 105mm x 225mm, either about 108mm x 145mm or about 95mm x 166mm and about 105mm x 225mm. 13. An item as claimed in Claim 12 wherein with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet the longitudinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle of within the range of from 45° to 75° when said sheet size is about 8V2" x 11" and the envelope size is about 3" x 5". 14. An item as claimed in Claim 12 wherein with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitudinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle of within the range of from 45° to 75° when said sheet size of about 8V2" x 14" and the envelope size is about 4%" x 63/16". 15. An item as claimed in Claim 12 wherein with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitudinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° when said sheet size is about 11" x 17" and the envelope size is about 43/16" x 9Yι".

16. An item as claimed in Claim 12 wherein with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitodinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° when said sheet size is about 210mm x 297mm and the envelope size is about 88mm x 143mm.

17. An item as claimed in Claim 12 wherein with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitudinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° when said sheet size is about 210mm x 297mm and the envelope size is about 105mm x 225mm.

18. An item as claimed in Claim 12 wherein with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitudinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° when said sheet size of about 216mm x 330mm and the envelope size is about 108mm x 145mm.

19. An item as claimed in Claim 12 wherein with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitodinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° when said sheet size is about 216mm x 330mm and the envelope size is about 95mm x 166mm. 20. An item as claimed in Claim 12 wherein with respect to the longitodinal axis of the rectangular sheet, the longitodinal axis of the rectangular envelope to be formed from the second region is at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° when the sheet size is about 297mm x 420mm and the envelope size is about 105mm x 225mm. 21. An item as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sheet is rectangular and both one longer edge and one smaller edge has no notches removed but is perforated to allow at least one such notch to be removed.

22. An item as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said first region is adapted to be folded as a card so as to be envelopable by the envelope to be formed by the second region.

23. An item as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said item is preprinted at least to the extent such that a subsequent single printing on one side of the sheet during a pass through a photocopying machine can provide for such customising of text and/or graphics to prepare said first region for its purpose (whether as a card, invitation or the like) as well as to provide at least some customised text and/or graphics on the outside of an envelope to be formed from said second region.

24. As a stack a plurality of identical stationery items where each said stationery item is as claimed in any one of the preceding claims. 25. A method of customising a mailing or mailable assembly which comprises; preparing a stationery item or a stack of stationery items as claimed in any one of the preceding claims with non-customised printed matter thereon, feeding the sheet or serially feeding the sheets from the stack through a photocopying or other printing machine such that at least said first region is customised with at least part of the image presented into the photocopying machine or prepared for printing by said other kind of printing machine, after such additional text, if any, is added to one or both of said first and second regions of a or each sheet, separating said regions and enveloping the first region(s) in an envelope formed from the or a said second region(s), and, finally should the envelope not by then be addressed, addressing the envelope(s).

26. A method as claimed in Claim 25 herein the first region is folded as a card prior to enveloping. 27 A method as claimed in Claim 13 or 14 wherein said envelope is sealed by a self adhesive sticker or an adhesive flap or flaps of the envelope blank. 28. A method of any one of Claims 25 to 27 wherein said image is presented into a photocopying machine and said image has been prepared over a substrate acting as a template of the first and second regions of said stationery items of said stack. 29. A method of any one of claims 25 to 27 wherein said image presented into a photocopying machine or other printing machine has been prepared using a computer screen presented template which substantially corresponds to said stationery item. 30. A method of any one of Clai 25 wherein said first region is a foldable card after the photocopying or printing step that has been customised as an invitation.

31. A method of Claim 17 wherein said customising includes both text and a photograph.

32. A method of any one of Claims 13 to 18 wherein the photocopying or printing step is with a colour photocopier.

33. Apparatus for presenting an image into a photocopying machine which comprises means providing a substrate marked and/or formed to act as a layout template corresponding to a stationery item as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 23, said layout template providing means to position photographs and/or text so that such images required thereof in said first region will inevitably be accurately positioned on said first region of said stationery item when the stationery item is appropriately fed into a photocopier and said layout template is appropriately used on the glass of the photocopier and providing a like interrelationship between a second region of the layout template and said second region of said stationery item. 34. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 33 for presenting an image into a colour photocopying machine wherein said item includes a transparent overlay sheet attached to an edge or extending from an edge thereof.

35. Apparatus for presenting an image into a photocopying or other printing machine comprising a computer with a display screen conditioned by a program to provide a layout template corresponding to a stationery item of any one of Claims 1 to 23, conditioned to enable the preparation of an image within said layout template and thereafter to allow downloading directly or indirectly (eg via a printout) into a photocopier or other printing machine.

36. A stationery item comprising a sheet of a stationery material having (i) a first region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for an envelope, and

(ii) a second region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for another envelope, the envelope blanks being separable one from the other and each being foldable to define an envelope, each envelope being of a rectangular form and having each side of the rectangular form of the centre of the blank marked, perforated and/or scored to show the appropriate foldlines for the flaps thereof, wherein the longitudinal axis of said rectangular form are parallel one with the other and with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet in which each is formed at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° degrees where said sheet is of a dimension of about 8Vi" x 14" and each envelope is of a dimension of about 3Yz" x 5" or greater. 37. A stationery item comprising a sheet of a stationery material having (i) a first region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for an envelope, and

(ii) a second region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for another envelope, the envelope blanks being separable one from the other and each being foldable to define an envelope, each envelope being of a rectangular form and having each side of the rectangular form of the centre of the blank marked, perforated and/or scored to show the appropriate foldlines for the flaps thereof, wherein the longitudinal axis of said rectangular form are parallel one with the other and with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet in which each is formed at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° where said sheet is of a dimension of about 11" x 17" and each envelope is of a dimension of about 4 3/16" x 9Yz".

38. A stationery item comprising a sheet of a stationery material having (i) a first region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for an envelope, and

(ii) a second region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for another envelope, the envelope blanks being separable one from the other and each being foldable to define an envelope, each envelope being of a rectangular form and having each side of the rectangular form of the centre of the blank marked, perforated and/or scored to show the appropriate foldlines for the flaps thereof, wherein the longitudinal axis of said rectangular form are parallel one with the other and with respect to the longitodinal axis of the rectangular sheet in which each is formed at an angle within the range of from 45° to 75° where said sheet is of a dimension of about 216mm x 330mm and each envelope is of a dimension of about 88mm x 138mm or greater.

39. A stationery item comprising a sheet of a stationery material having

(ii) a second region defined by cuts and/or perforations which is a blank for another envelope, the envelope blanks being separable one from the other and each being foldable to define an envelope, each envelope being of a rectangular form and having each side of the rectangular form of the centre of the blank marked, perforated and/or scored to show the appropriate foldlines for the flaps thereof, wherein the longitodinal axis of said rectangular form are parallel one with the other and with respect to the longitodinal axis of the rectangular sheet in which each is formed at an angle of within the range of from 45° to 75° where said sheet is of a dimension of about 297mm x 420mm and each envelope is of a dimension of about 105mm x 225mm.

40. An item as claimed in any one of Claims 36-39 wherein at least one edge has no notches removed but it perforated to allow at least one such notch to be removed. 41. An item as claimed in claim 40 wherein the sheet is rectangular and both one longer edge and one smaller edge has no notches removes but is perforated to allow at least one such notch to be removed.

42. An envelope or envelopes formed from an item as claimed in any one of Claims 36 to 41 wherein it has been customised by the printing thereof while in its sheet form by a photocopier or other printing device.

43. In combination, a stationery item as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23, or a stack thereof as claimed in Claim 24, and apparatus for presenting an image into a photocopying machine as claimed in any one of Qaims 33 to 35.

44. A method of presenting an image into a photocopying machine for photocopying onto a stationery item as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 23 which comprises using the stationery item as a feedstock into the copier and;

(a) in the case of a noncolour copier, positioning image providing materials selected from photographs, graphics and text to be presented into the photocopying machine on a substrate marked with a template for the feedstock stationery item using a template layout in a colour which is not substantially reproduced by the photocopying machine and thereafter inverting the substrate with its template located image onto the glass of the photocopying machine so that the template first region and template second region of said substrate and thus the or any image providing material located thereon accords with the first region and second region of said feedstock stationery item, and thereafter photocopying the image onto said feedstock stationery item, or, (b) in the case of a colour copier, positioning image providing materials selected from photographs, graphics and text to be presented into the photocopying machine on a substrate marked with a template for the first region and second region of the feedstock stationery item, and thereafter closing over said image providing material, a transparent sheet and thereafter inverting the substrate with its image providing material sandwiched between said substrate and said transparent sheet onto the glass of the photocopier so that the template first region and template second region of said substrate and thus the or any image providing material located thereon accords with the first region and second region of said feedstock stationery item, and thereafter photocopying the image onto said feedstock stationeiy item. 45. A method as claimed in Claim 44 wherein said copier is a colour copier.

46. A method as claimed in Claim 44 wherein said copier is a noncolour copier.

47. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 44 to 46 wherein a stack of said stationery items is provided in the paper feed bin of the photocopying machine.

48. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 44 to 47 wherein at least one photograph is provided as an image providing material on the template for said first region.

49. A method of preparing a photograph for photocopying or other photo printing which comprises taking a self adhesive sheet configured to provide a frame for that region of a photographic print to be photocopied and adhering the same to the front of the sheet on which the photograph has been produced, if necessary after cropping of the photograph such that the self adhesive material defining the inside of the frame is adhered to the sheet of the photograph but the outer edge thereof extends beyond the photograph, the self adhesive material being of a lesser thickness than the sheet of the photograph and ensuring the outer edge(s) of the self adhesive material extend or are adhered to a sheet (whether a positioning template or not) so as not to emphasise an edge in any photocopy to be made therefrom in a photocopying machine. - so - so. A method of claim 49 wherein said self adhesive material is taken from a release sheet

51. A method of Claim 49 or 50 wherein any cropping of the photograph uses as a guide the self adhesive material from the release sheet that is inwardly of said frame of said self adhesive material.

52. A method of any one of claims 49 to 51 wherein said self adhesive sheet to provide a frame also has the self adhesive infill of the frame carried on the same release sheet for the self adhesive material, and the steps comprise: i) identifying desired frame size by reference to the frame or frames (if more than one) on the same release sheet, ii) cropping the photograph after temporary adhesion or location of the infill for that frame on the front or back of the photograph, iii) adhering the frame to the face of the photograph as well as a carrier sheet to be used as an image carrier to be presented into a photocopier or other photoprinting device.

53. Apparatus for enabling the framing and/or cropping of a photograph for photocopying or other photoprinting by a method in any one of Qaims 49 to 51, said apparatus comprising a mounting release sheet releasably carrying as a lamination thereon a self adhesive sheet of a thickness less than that of normal photographic paper, said releasable self adhesive sheet having at least one separation (whether pressed, cut or otherwise formed) therein of an endless kind whereby there is the possibility of removing a frame of said material for a photograph.

54. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 53 wherein a self adhesive portion of the same sheet from which the frame has been formed is also on the mounting release sheet. 55. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 53 or Claim 54 including a number of different frames on the same sheet, each frame being separable from another.

56. Apparatus as claimed in Qaim 55 wherein the frames are of different configurations in the same sheet of the self adhesive sheet material.

57. A mailing or mailable assembly customised by a method of any one of Qaims 25 to 32.