DE102005036566B4 - Pre-franked postcard with a pictorial view motif - Google Patents

Abstract

Prepaid postcard (10) with a flat front on which a pictorial view motif (12) is printed, and with a back to be written on, characterized in that a symbol (14), which is also visually recognizable by machine, is printed on the front, which is used as a warning signal for this it can be seen that the postcard (10) is prepaid, and which is designed as an edge strip which is clearly different from the rest of the pictorial view motif (12).

Description

Background of the invention

The invention relates to a pre-franked postcard with a flat front side, on which a pictorial view motif is printed, and with a back to be inscribed.

For picture postcards, which carry a pictorial view motif and are sold, for example, at souvenir stands near sights, there is the problem that the buyer must always purchase a stamp separately. However, as buyers often have to overcome significant language hurdles, for example as foreign tourists when buying stamps, and souvenir stalls often do not sell stamps, the purchase of matching stamps can be a real problem.

Because stamps can be commonly used for various mail items, they also represent a monetary value, which may be represented by e.g. B. Theft can lead to damage and loss.

Finally, the production and distribution of stamps generally represents a considerable effort.

Postcards are known from the field of mail, which are essentially completely blank and contain only on your back, so that side on which the recipient address is to apply a monochrome printed note that the postcard is pre-franked as such. The buyer pays with such a postcard when buying the postage already.

However, such postcards are completely unsuitable as picture postcards, because you already lack the pictorial view motif that makes up the essence of a postcard.

Out US Pat. No. 6,269,158 B1 a card system is known, which has a combination of a postcard and a phone card. The postcard may have a service code with a barcode imprint used for tracking on its back.

Out GB 2 392 747 A is a greeting card known on the back of a postage value is printed. WO 93/21024 A1 concerns a greeting card and an envelope for the greeting card for sending the card by mail. The envelope contains a note authorizing a postage charge.

Underlying task

The invention has for its object to provide a picture postcard, with which overcomes the above-mentioned problems and in particular for all the buyer, the seller and the carrying postal companies overall very simple and inexpensive to be practiced mailing is possible.

Inventive solution

This object is achieved with a picture postcard according to claim 1. Such a postcard according to the invention has a pictorial, printed view motif on a flat front side and is provided on its rear side with sufficient free area, so that the buyer can label or otherwise make it graphic. On the front of a machine-visually recognizable character is also printed according to the invention, which can be seen as an indication that the picture postcard is pre-franked.

The picture postcard according to the invention therefore not only has a pre-franking, but is also provided on the front with a machine-readable indication signal, which is easy to recognize both for the buyer, the seller and also the postal company transporting the postcard.

The thus-formed notification signal has the following multiple function: For the buyer, the notification signal according to the invention is a clear sign that he does not have to worry about a franking himself when he sees and acquires such a postcard according to the invention.

The seller recognizes on the basis of the sign according to the invention (possibly by a reader at a checkout) that this postcard has an increased sale price, because the buyer must pay the postage.

Finally, the postal company can determine from the notification signal according to the invention (again, if appropriate with the aid of machine recognition) that the postcard is franked and must be transported accordingly.

In addition, the solution according to the invention excludes the risk that the postcard and stamp would have to be purchased at two different locations. The invention also ensures that the pre-franking is already imprinted on the picture postcard and thus ready for shipment. Also, according to the invention, stamps are no longer possible improper treatment by the acquirer will be invalidated.

By the optical indication signal, the buyer clearly and in particular already clearly visualized from a greater distance that it is a pre-franked postcard which has the above-mentioned advantages and brings with it. The potential buyer is encouraged by the postcard to look closer and then to acquire them.

With the picture postcards according to the invention, a sales point offering them does not need to hold any associated stamps. This significantly reduces the risk of theft and associated damage. Outlets that have not sold any stamps can generate additional business due to the invention. This additional business includes the pre-franking sold in the context of the invention and also the profit of new customers, which was the previous separate acquisition of postcard and stamp too expensive.

An over or under franking of the postcard according to the invention is excluded. This has advantages for the buyer because he pays for the promotion of the postcard neither too much nor too little. For the postal company, the advantage is that the postage stamp can be printed in a simple manner and thereby an increase or decrease in the transport fee of the postcard according to the invention can be implemented easily and flexibly.

Finally, it should be emphasized that the respective postal company does not have to produce and sell stamps for the picture postcards according to the invention, so that corresponding savings are also made in this area.

Advantageous developments of the invention

In an advantageous development of the postcard according to the invention, to increase the abovementioned advantages, the characters which are also visually recognizable on the front side of the postcard are designed as marginal strips that differ significantly from the rest of the pictorial view motif.

For further improved recognizability of the sign according to the invention, in particular in the case of automatic recognition and also for possible buyers, the edge strip is preferably designed in at least two colors.

According to the invention, it is particularly preferred for the postcard to be substantially rectangular and for the edge strip to be formed on at least two of the sides of the rectangular shape.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned advantages in a particularly pronounced form, it is further preferred that on the back of the postcard according to the invention a machine-recognizable Postwertzeichen is printed, which is also to recognize as an indication that the picture postcard is pre-franked.

The postage stamp thus applied is advantageously also designed at least two-tone.

Finally, according to the invention, further, in particular multilingual, textual indication signals are preferably provided on the front and / or rear side which indicate the pre-franked character of the postcard.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. Show it:

1 each a view of the front of four different embodiments of a picture postcard according to the invention,

2 each a view of the front of four other different embodiments of a picture postcard according to the invention,

3 each a view of the front of four other different embodiments of a picture postcard according to the invention,

4 a view of the front side of another embodiment of a picture postcard according to the invention,

5 a view of the front side of another embodiment of a picture postcard according to the invention,

6 a view of the back of one of the embodiments of a picture postcard according to the invention,

7 a detail of the view according to 6 .

8th a view of the back of another embodiment of a picture postcard according to the invention,

9 a detail of the view according to 8th .

10 in each case a view of the back of four different embodiments of a picture postcard according to the invention and

11 a view of the front of second other various embodiments of a postcard according to the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments

In the 1 to 4 is always the front of a picture postcard 10 Fig. 11 illustrates a pictorial view motif substantially filling the entire front side 12 wearing. The view motif 12 is through a conventional color printing process on the postcard 10 have been printed.

At the front of the picture postcards 10 is with the imprint of the view motif 12 Furthermore, a clearly visible from afar and also visually recognizable mechanically by machine 14 have been printed. The sign 14 serves as a clear indication that the postcard 10 is pre-franked.

In the in the 1 to 4 Illustrated embodiments is the sign 14 each as an edge strip on the otherwise rectangular shaped front of the associated picture postcard 10 designed. The edge strip extends according to the various embodiments of different and in particular on several sides of the rectangular shape of the front of the postcard 10 , The or the edge strip is designed for better (even mechanical) recognizability in each case three colors, namely with alternating white, red and blue stripes.

In 5 an embodiment is illustrated in which in the area of the view subject 12 within a the sign 14 forming a complete border in the form of a multilingual text 16 located. This text 16 also indicates the pre-franked character of the associated picture postcard 10 out.

6 shows the back of the picture postcards 10 , as in the example 1 to 5 are shown. This back is with a printed postage stamp 18 provided, which is above an address field 20 is arranged. The postage stamp 18 is in 7 illustrated in more detail and with a green example hint field 22 designed, which of a red surface 24 is surrounded. Inside the red area 24 is again a multilingual text 26 , which again on the pre-franked character of the associated picture postcard 10 points.

The 8th and 9 illustrate once in overview and once as a detailed view of an embodiment of a picture postcard 10 , in which except the postal stamp 18 under the address field 20 also a multilingual textual reference 28 is also printed on the back of the picture postcard 10 again, indicating that the corresponding picture postcard 10 is pre-franked.

The 10 to 12 Finally, illustrate various preferred arrangement areas for a hint 28 on the back of a picture postcard 10 , These preferred placement areas are immediately below or above the address field 20 or on the edge of an open space, which is used for the lettering of the postcard 10 provided by the buyer.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

postcard

12

view Scene

14

character

16

text

18

Postage stamps

20

address field

22

Note field

24

surrounding area

26

text

28

Note

Claims (5)

Pre-franked postcard ( 10 ) with a flat front side, on which a pictorial view motif ( 12 ) is printed, and with a back side to be inscribed, characterized in that on the front of a mechanically visually recognizable character ( 14 ), which can be recognized as a warning signal that the picture postcard ( 10 ) is pre-franked, and which as a rest of the pictorial view motive ( 12 ) is designed clearly distinctive edge strip. Postcard according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge strip is designed at least two-tone. Postcard according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the postcard ( 10 ) is substantially rectangular in shape and the edge strip is formed on at least two of the sides of the rectangular shape. Postcard according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that on the back of a machine-recognizable Postwertzeichen ( 18 ) is printed, which also as Indication that this is the picture postcard ( 10 ) is pre-franked. Postcard according to claim 4, characterized in that the postal stamp ( 18 ) is designed at least two-colored.

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