The invention relates to a method for sending mail items and the like.

It is known to send mail items by sticking a sticker or like label thereon, on which label at least address data of the addressee are provided.

Moreover, postage is provided on the mail item, for instance with the aid of a stamp which has been purchased at a post office. Also, postage can be obtained with the aid of a franking device in which a module is included with the relevant rates. In this franking device, the nature of the mail item is entered, and a relevant part of the address to which the mail item is to be sent.

Notably, a setting is provided for the postal area, for instance inside or outside of Europe. Further, the weight of the mail item is entered and, optionally, a priority, an air mail indication and the like. On the basis of the entered data, a correct postage is set and the mail item is provided with this postage by printing the correct postage value either on the mail item or on a loose label.

In the franking device a record of the total of all postages is kept, which total is invoiced once every period of time.

The possibility has already been proposed to print stamps from an internet site (website). A particular value of a desired stamp is entered and a printing command is given, whereupon on a private printer on for instance a label sheet a stamp can be printed. Payment of the printed stamps is carried out electronically.

These known methods each have as a disadvantage that an address and postage need to be provided separately. Moreover, when using a franking device, a separate device has to be purchased, which is expensive and susceptible to malfunction. Moreover, such a device takes up extra space and regularly (at least at each change of rate) a new rate cartridge needs to be provided, rendering such a system even more expensive. Although the use of a

website for printing stamps prevents the user having to go to a post office for stamps, printing such stamps is relatively laborious.

The invention contemplates a method of the type described in the opening paragraph, wherein the drawbacks mentioned of the known methods are obviated while maintaining their advantages. To that end, a method according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 1.

With a method according to the invention, the advantage is achieved that a label for a mail item can be manufactured in a simple manner, from a workplace of a user. On this label, in a simple manner, address data and/or data regarding the sender can be included, while, moreover, in an advantageous embodiment, with the aid of the same label postage can be obtained, which can be paid for automatically, at least electronically. A further advantage of a method according to the invention is that in a simple manner, an overview of sent mail items with associated addresses can be obtained.

It is preferred to arrange the website in a manner such that the postage required for sending a mail item is obtained automatically on the basis of a number of data to be entered such as the address of the addressee, the address of the sender and the nature of the mail item.

As postage, a print of a stamp can be provided on the label, but also a mail item-specific code can suffice, which code is given out by the webmaster, for instance a mail or courier service. Preferably, this code is specific to the respective user and/or the respective mail item. A record of the costs for sending the respective mail item are kept by the webmaster, coupled to, on the one hand, the user and, on the other hand, the code. Thus, if desired, in accordance with the code, the mail item can be traced, while on the basis of the codes an invoice can be presented to the user.

Further, it is preferred that each user or group of users is assigned an access code with which a part of the website specific to the respective user or group of users can be accessed. On this part of the website, for instance, a specific label can be prepared and, optionally, stored for repeated use.

Moreover, in this manner, fraud can be prevented. Also, on the respective part of the website specific offers for the respective user can be made.

For the webmaster, at least for the mail or courier service, with a method according to the invention, the advantage is achieved that already in a relatively early stage information is obtained about the nature and amount of mail items for different destinations, so that these can be taken into account from a logistic point of view.

The invention further relates to an assembly of a mail item, in particular a package for a mail item, a label sheet, a printer and a website address belonging to a website for printing data onto the label sheet mentioned.

With such an assembly, a method according to the invention can be carried out in a particularly simple manner.

In further elaboration, an assembly according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 11.

With the aid of such a website, a mail item can be made ready for dispatch in a particularly simple manner. A log-in code for a specific user can then be provided, with which the sender field is directly filled in. The nature of the mail item can for instance be entered by hand but also a weighing device can be utilized, communicating with the respective website, and set up at the user's. The address data to be filled-in in sender field and/or address field can comprise full name and address but, for instance by entering a postal code or house number, can also be entered from a central data bank as commercially available, jsomprismg addresses and associated postal codes, zip codes and the like. Thus, entering address data is considerably facilitated. Naturally, address data also can be entered and stored on the website or a computer coupled therewith, so that these are always directly available, for instance by a shortcut.

In the further subclaims, further advantageous embodiments of a method and assembly according to the invention are given. In clarification of

the invention, an embodiment of a method and assembly according to the invention will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a label for use with a mail item; Fig. 2 shows a label according to Fig. 1, applied to a mail item; Fig. 3 schematically shows a method according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of a method according to the invention; and Fig. 5 shows a logistic chain including a mail item manufactured with a method according to the invention is included.

In this description, identical or corresponding parts have identical or corresponding reference numerals.

In this description, 'mail item'is at least understood to include an object sent by a mail service, courier service or the like at a charge from a sender to an addressee. Preferably, proof of payment is then provided on the mail item by postage such as a stamp or a seal or the like. Mail items can be, for instance, boxes, envelopes, cylindrical cases, mail bags and the like.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a label 1 for use with the invention, at least obtained with the aid of the invention. Preferably, this label 1 is provided in a manner known per se with an adhesive layer on the rear side and built up from, for example, paper, plastic or plastic-reinforced paper. For instance, a label 1 can be manufactured from a sticker sheet. In Fig. 2, a box-shaped mail item 2 is shown, provided at the top with a label 1.

The label 1 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises an address position 3, a sender position 4, a logo or like print 5, schematically indicated by the word"LOGO", postage 6 and a coding position 7. A label 1 according to Fig. 1 can be manufactured with a method according to the invention, as will be described hereinafter, mainly with reference to Figs. 3 and 4.

With a method according to the invention, as schematically shown in Fig. 3, an assembly 10 is purchased or composed, comprising, for instance, a

label sheet 11 comprising two substantially blank labels 1, pre-punched via a punch line 12, and a packaging 2, for instance a box, envelope, bag, tubular case or the like. A suitable website address 13, for instance www. poststuk. nl is entered into a computer 14 with an internet connection 15, with which the website 16 belonging to this website address 13 can be opened. On this website 16, for instance four fields are presented, viz. a sender field AF, an address field AD, a field AV on which the nature of the box can be indicated and, optionally, a code field AC on which a code 17 can be entered. The purpose of this code 17, schematically represented by the word"CODE"will be explained further hereinafter. Further, on the website 16, a possibility is given for designing a print for the label 1, symbolically represented in the embodiment shown by the word"LOGO". This field is indicated with reference numeral 18. Moreover, on the website 16, a field 19 is provided on which postage 6 can be chosen, at least is presented on the basis of, inter alia, the data filled in in the fields AF, AD, AV and, if applicable, AC.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, a weighing device 21 is connected to the computer 14, so that at least the weight of the box 2 to be sent can be entered into the computer 14, at least in the field AV. Preferably, the postage 6 is determined automatically, depending on sender AF and addressee AD, the nature of the mail item as entered in field AV and, if applicable, a discount arrangement matching the code field AC, at least the user.

After the desired data are filled in on the fields AF, AD, AV and, optionally, AC, the label 1 is designed on the field 18 in the desired manner and the desired postage 6 is chosen, a printer 22 into which the label sheet 11 has been fed is controlled with the aid of the computer. Then, on one of the pre- punched labels 1, the desired design of the label 1 is printed, for instance the address of the addressee in the address position 3, data of the sender in the sender position 4, the postage 6, a logo 18 and the like. Moreover, for instance, product information 23 can be printed, which may have been entered on the website 16 with the keyboard 24. Preferably, the label 1 is provided in an

earlier described manner with adhesive means with which it can be stuck onto a closed box 2, whereupon a mail item 2A ready for sending is obtained.

In Fig. 4, schematically, a block diagram is shown for a method according to the invention, wherein within the rectangle 25, represented in broken lines, a part of the method is shown which is carried out with the aid of a website 16. The part shown in Fig. 4 above the rectangle 25 mentioned will take place before the website 16 is accessed, the part under the rectangle, will, normally, take place at the home of the user or at a company.

The code 17, to be filled in on the website 16, can be user-specific.

With this code, to a respective user, for instance, a specific part of the website 16 can be opened or a link can be made to another page of the website or a different, related website, on which information specific to the respective user can be entered and/or presented. For instance, a label lay-out can be stored and reused, address data can be kept up-to-date and a journal of sent mail items 2A can be kept. On the basis thereof, for instance also a discount arrangement can be offered. On the basis of this code 17, further, also an account of the respective user can become accessible, so that postages 6 obtained with the aid of the method according to the invention, can be added to the account automatically, for, for instance, electronic payment. The code 17 as such can also be printed onto the label on the code position 7, for instance for additional identification of the mail item.

In the above it has been indicated that the necessary data such as address and sender data on the website 14 are entered. However, it is also possible that a program is installed in the computer, for instance downloaded from the Internet, which program enables preparation of a label on site, i. e. free from the Internet, while postage of the mail item is obtained from the website 16, for instance by printing a separate label with the postage. To this end, the data necessary for determining the amount (and nature) of the postage can be exchanged with the website 16. Via the website 16, still, for instance payment can be carried out, the journal mentioned can be kept, etc.,

while the code 17 can be used for the access. Moreover, also, specific label sheets 11 can be presented, while on the or each label 11 postage 6 is already preprinted or attached, while, optionally, on each label sheet, at least attached thereto, there is a code 17, which can be entered on the website 16 for authentication, while, again, address data, sender data and the like can be entered on the website for forming a label to be printed. Then, payment takes place upon purchase of a label. The website 16 can be designed such that both options are possible.

Within a method according to the invention, a large number of variations are possible. For instance, upon purchase of the assembly 10, the postage 6 can already be paid, with the code 11 forming proof thereof. When printing a label 1 with the website 16, then, directly, postage 6 will also be printed. However, it is also possible to pay the postage, for instance, via electronic payment means or to use a separate stamp or to use a franking machine or obtain it from a different website by hyperlinking. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the label sheet 11 is provided with pre-punched labels 1. However, it will be clear that these can also be cut to size by a user, or clipped. The labels 1 shown are at least substantially blank. Naturally, a part of a (standard) printing can already be provided, for instance a pattern, the website address 13 or the like. The code 17 can be used as franking means 6, while, moreover, with the aid of the code, for instance movements of the mail item 2A can be checked and monitored, as will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The code 17 can be intended both for once-only use and repeated use.

The website address can for instance be made available by printing in a (telephone) directory, via the Internet, via SMS, e-mail, telephone or orally, for instance in a shop. Naturally, the same holds for the code 17 to be optionally provided. A website address for use within the invention can be internationally uniform, while, for instance, national parts are provided for the relevant rates. However, naturally, also per country, region, continent or the

like a website can be arranged, for instance differing in extension code (com, NL, DE, US, GOV and the like), in contents, in rates and other possibilities.

It will be clear that on the website 16, more or fewer data can be demanded and/or be filled in, while both example-labels, at least printings, and the possibility of compiling a label completely independently can be offered. The possibility can then be offered of introducing elements of a print from outside. For instance, a company logo can be provided on the label via the website without this logo having to be drawn on the website itself. Address data can be entered in any suitable manner, also, for instance, by using a postal code or zip code with house number or the like. For that matter,'the nature'of the box should at least be understood to include dimension, weight, type and the like.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a logistic system in which a method according to the invention, at least a package 2 and label 11 are used. A box 2 or different package is filled, weighed with the weighing device 21 and closed.

With the computer 14, at least partly on the website 16, a label 1 is prepared which is printed with the printer 22. Preferably, postage is here printed along on the label. Then, the label is stuck onto the box 2 for obtaining a mail item 2A ready for sending. This is entered into a logistic chain, for instance a mail system, schematically represented by the rectangle 30. The website host, at least the transporter, schematically represented by the rectangle 31, registers a number of data concerning the or each mail item 2A sent by the respective user. Preferably, on the mail item 2A, an individual identification means is includedr such as a : uwique barcode or the like, by which the mail item is recognizable, preferably electronically. In the logistic chain, in a manner known per se, a number of means 32 is included for recognition of the mail items. By means thereof, at different times, the position of the mail item in the logistic chain can be recorded by the webhost, at least the sender, which information can be presented to the user on the website 16 or in another manner.

From the logistic chain, the mail item 2A is delivered at the addressee, schematically represented by the mail box 33. Optionally, the position of the mail item 2A can then be registered as well, for instance by the deliverer, so that it is clear that the respective mail item 2A has arrived at the addressee.

The invention is not limited in any manner to the exemplary embodiments represented in the description and the drawing. Many variations thereon are possible within the framework of the invention outlined by the claims.

For instance, a label according to the invention can be designed in a different manner, for instance such that it can be glued on two or more sides of a packaging, so that, for instance, a packaging can be sealed. A label according the invention can have any desired shape and dimension, preferably such that the postage is applied at a point suitable for the logistic chain. On a label according to the invention more or fewer, and different data can be included.

Moreover, a label according to the invention can also be built up from several sub-labels, for instance an address label, a sender label and a postage label.

Also, as a label, a part of a packaging can be used. For instance, instead of a label sheet, also directly a package such as an envelope, wrapping paper or the like can be fed into the printer, so that the labeling data can be provided on the package directly from the website.

Naturally, also other printing techniques can be used for representing the data, other than by a printer. Instead of with a weighing device coupled to the computer, data concerning the weight can also be entered on the website manually.