GB2295138A - A label arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A label arrangement (2) comprises a backing sheet (4), a first self-adhesive label (6) on a first side (8) of the backing sheet (4), and a second self-adhesive label (10) on a second side (12) of the backing sheet (4). The label arrangement (2) is such that one of the first and the second self-adhesive labels (6, 10) is a stampable, addressable, self-adhesive label which comprises a first label portion (14) which is for receiving postage payment means and is provided with a layer of adhesive which enables the first label portion (14) to be peeled off the backing sheet (4) and stuck on an item of mail. The second label portion (16) is for receiving an address and is provided with a layer of adhesive which enables the second label portion (16) to be peeled off the backing sheet (4) and stuck on an item of mail. <IMAGE>

Description

A LABEL ARRANGEMENT This invention relates to a label arrangement and, more especially, this invention relates to a stampable addressable self-adhesive label arrangement.

Many businesses advertise their products or services such that the businesses state that they will provide further details on receipt from interested persons of a stamped or unstamped self-addressed envelope. Problems often arise with persons sending an envelope that is of an incorrect size. Often businesses sending details of their products or services require a relatively large envelope and such envelopes are often not normally possessed by individuals and it may be necessary for such individuals to make a separate trip to a Post Office for the purpose of purchasing an envelope of the required size.

Furthermore, with advancing technology, many businesses are able automatically to pack products or details of products or services using automated packaging machines. Such businesses may find that time is wasted in taking a self-addressed envelope from a person making an enquiry or a purchase, and then filling that envelope with the appropriate products or information.

Some of the surfaces of materials that are used for sending items of mail through the post are not easily receptive to normal inks that are used by handwriting instruments or electro-mechanical addressing machines.

In the United Kingdom and some other countries1 payment of small sums of money is often effected through the post using loose postage stamps or coins, and such sums of money can easily be lost or stolen.

In my United Kingdom Patent No. 2219892 and my USA Patent No. 5044669 I have described and claimed and stampable addressable self-adhesive label which is of use in reducing the above mentioned problems.

It is an aim of the present invention also to reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a label arrangement comprising a backing sheet, a first self-adhesive label on a first side of the backing sheet, and a second selfadhesive label on a second side of the backing sheet, the label arrangement being such that one of the first and the second self-adhesive labels is a stampable addressable self-adhesive label which comprises a first label portion which is for receiving postage payment mearis and which is provided with a layer of adhesive which enables the first label portion to be peeled off the backing sheet and stuck on an item of mail, and a second label portion which is for receiving an address and which is provided with a layer of adhesive which enables the second label portion to be peeled off the backing sheet and stuck on an item of mail.

The label arrangement of the present invention is advantageous in that both sides of the backing sheet are used, thereby avoiding the use of two backing sheets if only one side were to be provided with a self-adhesive label. The compact construction of the label arrangement of the present invention makes it especially suitable for storage in various ways prior to use.

Still further, the first and the second self-adhesive labels are able easily to be stuck on items of mail such for example as envelopes, circulars, packages, postcards, postal tubes, parcels, and on surfaces which are normally not receptive to normal writing or printing inks, examples of such surfaces being plastics materials, metals, ceramics and photographic papers.

The backing sheet may be made of any suitable and appropriate material. A presently preferred material for the backing sheet is a transparent material.

Preferably, the backing sheet is provided with a release agent. Any suitable and appropriate release agent may be employed, for example a transparent release agent. A presently preferred release agent is a silicone release agent.

The faces of the first and the second label portions adjacent the backing sheet may be provided with coded information. The coded information may be such that it is usuable for preventing fraud. The coded information may be in alpha-numeric form or in bar code form.

The coded information may be provided with visible or invisible ink. The coded information may be provided by printing prior to the application of the layer of adhesive.

The coded information may be readable actively or passively.

The label arrangement may be one in which the selfadhesive label with the first and the second label portions includes a peel channel which extends along one edge of the first and the second portions and which enables the edge of the first and the second portions easily to be raised from the backing sheet for peeling off purposes when the label is bent about the peel channel.

The peel channel may be from 1-4mm thick.

Preferably the peel channel is 2mm thick.

The peel channel may have a base formed by the backing sheet, and at least one side formed by adjacent edges of the first and the second label portions and their layers of adhesive.

The peel channel may be formed by removing during manufacture of the label arrangement a length of the sheet material which is used to form the first label portion and the second label portion.

The label arrangement may include attachment means for attaching the label arrangement to a storage medium for storing the label arrangement until the label arrangement is required for use.

In one embodiment of the invention, the attachment means is a plurality of apertures for enabling the label to be stored in a storage medium in the form of a ring spine personal organiser, the rings of the ring spine being such that they are located in the apertures.

There may be any suitable and appropriate number of apertures, eg, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 or 12 apertures.

The label arrangement may include a line of perforations which is positioned between the attachment means and the peel channel and which is for enabling the first and the second label portions to be separated from the attachment means.

In another embodiment of the invention, the attachment means is at least one strip of adhesive for sticking the label arrangement to a storage medium in the 'form of a sellable object. There may be two strips of the adhesive, the two strips of adhesive being edge strips.

The attachment means may be in or on the backing sheet.

The first and the second self-adhesive labels may be the same. Alternatively, the first and the second self-adhesive labels may be different, in which case the self-adhesive label that is not the stampable addressable self-adhesive label may have a third label portion for receiving script.

When the first and the second self-adhesive labels are different, then the self-adhesive label that is not the stampable addressable self-adhesive label may include a fourth label portion for sealing or re-sealing items of mail. The third and the fourth label portions may be used for other purposes including receiving lottery numbers1 coupons, tokens1 information or messages.

The label arrangement of the invention may be one in which the first and/or the second self-adhesive labels include other label portions.

The first and/or the second self-adhesive labels may include a postcode receiving portion and/or advertising portion.

The adhesive for the label arrangement of the present invention will usually be a pressure sensitive adhesive. The pressure sensitive adhesive may be one which has a low temperature freezing point. The pressure sensitive adhesive will then tend not to freeze in especially cold conditions. Such cold conditions may be experienced in countries having cold winters such for example as Canada and Russia. In countries having cold winters, if the pressure sensitive adhesive freezes at a relatively high temperature, then difficulty may be encountered in removing the label portions from the backing sheet. Preferably, the pressure sensitive adhesive is also such that it does not melt when exposed to high temperatures, for example from direct exposure to the sun.

The adhesive employed, for example the pressure sensitive adhesive, is preferably one which can be mixed during its manufacture with one or more chemical products for the purpose of protecting or deterring counterfeiting. The chemical products may be non-toxic inert natural or proprietary chemical products.

The first and the second self-adhesive labels may each be formed from larger single sheet materials stuck on both sides of the backing sheet, the composite arrangement then being appropriately cut to define a plurality of the label arrangements.

The first and the second self-adhesive labels will usually be made of paper but they may be made of any suitable and appropriate materials including opaque and transparent materials1 synthetic materials, natural materials and combinations of materials.

Where cutting is effected to form the first and the second self-adhesive labels, then the cutting can extend completely through the material used for forming the labels or it can extend nearly through the material.

The cutting may thus be known as kiss-cutting and it may be effected with a skimming knife or skimming knives. A knife blade, a rotary cutting wheel or other cutting means may be employed as may be desired. Stamping by dyes may also be used. Such stamping may be especially useful where one or more lines of perforations are required.

The postage payment means may be one or more stamps, franking markings from a franking machines, postage paid impressions, an adhesive postage package strip, or any other suitable and appropriate means.

With one or more stamps, the stamps may be stuck on the postage portion and then the postage portion can be stuck to the item of mail to be posted.

The posted portion of the label will also be such that it is normally able to receive postmark cancellation means of the type normally employed by postal authorities.

The address part of the label arrangement may be of any convenient size for receiving an address. The address may be typed, written or otherwise provided.

Part of the label arrangement may have a portion for receiving a return address, or a portion for sealing or re-sealing envelopes or circulars.

During use of the label arrangement, it may be only necessary for a recipient of the label arrangement to remove the postage portion and the address portion, and then to stick them in appropriate positions on a required item of mail. Other portions of the label arrangement may be used for receiving a return address, or for sealing or re-sealing envelopes. Other portions of the label arrangement may be for receiving script, or a return address, or lottery numbers, coupons, or tokens, messages or other information.

Where the first and/or the second self-adhesive labels include a postcode receiving portion, then the postcode may be in the form of handwritten or printed alpha-numeric script as in Japan, or passively optically read bar codes as in the United Kingdom and the USA, or as actively read fluorescent bar codes as in most other countries. The postcode may be read optoelectronically, magnetically or holographically. The postcode can be transferred on to the label arrangement by using a sender's unique special personalised preinked micro porous plastics or rubber stamping device.

It will be apparent that the label arrangement of the present invention can be used to ensure that the sender of the label arrangement will be able to ensure that once the label arrangement. is used on an item of mail, then the item of mail will be sent back as soon as possible since all requirements to help the delivery of the item of mail will have been complied with.

Envelopes to receive the second label portion will not normally have a window, but if a window envelope is to be used, then the second label portion which is for receiving the address may be stuck on the outside of the envelope to cover the window. This is useful for reusing a window envelope. Other parts of the label arrangement can be used for re-sealing the window envelope if desired.

Because the backing sheet has self-adhesive label arrangements on each of its sides, it will be apparent that the backing sheet is normally coated with the release agent on both of its sides. The backing sheet is preferably transparent as mentioned above.

The backing sheet can be made of craft paper, or of materials currently used by international postal authorities so as to enable the various portions of the label arrangement easily to be removed.

The pressure sensitive adhesive may a high-tack adhesive if desired.

Some countries do not use alpha-numeric (Roman) script and they do not read horizontally from left to right, or right to left. To accommodate these countries, other scripts and modifications to the label arrangement can be made. For example, the postage and address portions of the label arrangement can be arranged vertically side by side.

The label arrangement may include a Japanese postcode. Japanese postcode may comprise a series of five boxes, three boxes being larger than the other two boxes. The boxes and their contents may be passively optically read by a machine, but, if desired, the postcode may contain active inks or markings.

Where the label of the present invention is used to facilitate payment of small sums of money by using postage stamps, then the postage stamps can be collected, collated and redeemed by the postal authorities for cash, but at a discount. The first label portion for receiving the postage payment means can be used for this purpose. Postage stamps having a value equal to the requested amount can be affixed to the first label portion. When the postage stamps are received by the payee together with the completed address portion, the posted portion can be removed from the backing sheet and affixed to a grid. When the grid is full, the value of the postage stamps on the grid can be totalled and, when a sufficient number of total grids have been accumulated, they can be sent to the postal authorities and redeemed for cash.

The securing of the stamps to the first label portion, along with the provision of the name and address of the remitter, helps to avoid the accidental loss or theft of the stamps, and helps to effect easy reconciliation. In this connection, it is well known that the cost of processing cheques, postal orders, money orders and credit cards etc for small amounts of money is uneconomic. Also, in many countries, even industrialised countries, the use of personal cheque accounts is very limited. Such countries would favour the use of the label arrangement of the present invention. When postage stamps become available having monetary denominations which are in an internationally accepted currency, for example a European economic community currency unit, then the label arrangement of the present invention will facilitate the transfer of money across borders.At the present moment in time, the cost of remitting small amounts of money across borders in prohibitively expensive. The use of the label arrangement of the present invention may greatly facilitate and increase the transfer of money across borders, even between countries who are not members of the European economic community.

The label arrangement of the present invention may be sold in the form of a single label arrangement.

Alternatively, the label arrangement may be sold in the form of a book of the labels or a packet, web or roll of the labels. Where a book, packet, web or roll of the labels is involved, the book, packet, web or roll of the labels may include stamps if desired. The first sheet of the book or the packet of labels may contain as many of the labels as desired, for example, five, ten twenty, twenty four, thirty or thirty six of the labels, or multiples of six labels.

The label of the present invention, irrespective of how it is made, for example as a single label, a book of labels, a packet of labels, a large sheet member or a roll or web, can be dispensed from machines if desired.

Thus, a dispensing machine may be arranged to dispense the appropriate form of the label arrangement of the present invention on receipt of appropriate coins, tokens, hological cards or magnetic cards. The machine may be programmed to dispense whatever is required and appropriate once appropriate control members have been pressed or dialed.

Many businesses sending back items of mail using the label arrangement of the present invention may wish to keep a note of the name and address of the persons to whom they are sending. This then enables the businesses to send follow up literature or whatever else may be desired. With a suitable adhesive such as a low tack adhesive, the label arrangement or parts thereof can be stuck on grid means which can then be photocopied or photographed as may be desired. Businesses can thus be provided with easy references of names and addresses.

The label arrangement of the present invention may be affixed to pages of a promotion or advertisements in a newspaper, periodical or magazine. The label of the present invention may be affixed or inserted in place by an appropriate machine which may apply a high or low tack adhesive to individual label arrangements or to a continuous reel of the label arrangements. The continuous reel may be appropriately cut and inserted in order to enable the cut portions to be inserted or fixed to the newspaper, periodical or magazine.

If desired1 one or more label arrangements of the present invention can be enclosed inside a sealed container of a non-liquid non-viscous consumer product containing a manufacturer's promotional instructions with either tokens, coupons or the like.

The label arrangement of the present invention can be in a continuous joinable form. This continuous joinable form can form part of a liquid or viscous consumer product external label1 with the inside of the product's label containing the promotional instructions, along with tokens, coupons or the like and at least one of the label arrangements. Any tokens or coupons present can be removed and repositioned in accordance with the promotor's instructions.

Outer faces of the label arrangement may contain a brand name and/or contents information.

If desired, the first and the second self-adhesive labels can be encapsulated by a transparent or opaque film. The film may carry details of a brand name and/or the contents of the container.

The label arrangement of the present invention may be of any suitable and appropriate size.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a first label arrangement; Figure 2 is a rear view of the first label arrdngement shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of a second label arrangement; Figure 4 is a rear view of the second label arrangement shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a section through another label arrangement; Figure 6 is a section through another label arrangement; Figure 7 is a section through another label arrangement; Figure 8 is a section through another label arrangement; Figure 9 is a section similar to that shown in Figure 5 but includes a printed information layer; Figure 10 is a section similar to that shown in Figure 6 but includes a pre-printed information layer; ; Figure 11 is a section similar to that shown in Figure 7 but includes a pre-printed information layer; Figure 12 is a section similar to that shown in Figure 8 but includes a pre-printed information layer; Figure 13 is a front view of a label arrangement; Figure 14 is a rear view of the label arrangement shown in Figure 13; Figure 15 is a front view of another label arrangement; Figure 16 is a rear view of the label arrangement shown in Figure 15; Figure 17 is a front view of another label arrangement and which is like the front view shown in Figure 15; Figure 18 is a rear view of the label arrangement shown in Figure 17 and is like the rear view shown in Figure 16.

Figure 19 is a rear view of a first sealed envelope using a portion of the label arrangement of the present invention; Figure 20 is a rear view of a second sealed envelope using a portion of a label arrangement of the present invention; Figure 21 is a front view of a Japanese envelope with portions of a label arrangement of the present invention; Figure 22 is a rear view of the Japanese envelope shown in Figure 21; Figure 23 is a rear view of a Japanese post card with parts of a label arrangement of the present invention; Figure 24 is a rear view of a postcard with portions of a label arrangement of the present invention; Figure 25 is a perspective view of a circular, with its flap unsealed; Figure 26 is a front view of a sealed Japanese circular; Figure 27 is a front view of a sealed circular;; Figure 28 is a perspective view of a postal tube with portions of a label arrangement of the present invention; Figure 29 is a perspective view of a second postal tube with Japanese style label portions of a label arrangement of the present invention; and Figure 30 shows a modification to the label arrangement shown in Figure 13.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a label arrangement 2 comprising a backing sheet 4, a first self-adhesive label 6 on a first side 8 of the backing sheet 4, and a second self-adhesive label 10 on a second side 12 of the backing sheet 4.

The label arrangement 2 is such that the first self-adhesive label 6 is a stampable addressable self adhesive label which comprises a first label portion 14, a second label portion 16 and a third label portion 18.

The first label portion 14 is for receiving postage payment means 20. The first label portion 14 is provided with a layer of adhesive which enables the first label portion 14 to be peeled off the backing sheet 4 and stuck on an item of mail (not shown) The second label portion 16 is for receiving an address 22. The second label portion 16 is provided with a layer of adhesive which enables the second label portion 16 to be peeled off the backing sheet 4 and stuck on an item of mail.

The third label portion 18 may be used for any suitable and appropriate purpose such for example as sealing an envelope, re-sealing an envelope, for enabling an envelope or a card to be re-used, or for receiving a return address.

The backing sheet 4 is made of a transparent material which is provided with a transparent release agent in the form of a silicone release agent.

The first self-adhesive label 6 includes a portion 24 for use in sealing or re-sealing envelopes.

The first self-adhesive label 6 includes a peel channel 26. The peel channel 26 extends along one edge 28 of the first, second and third label portions 14, 16 and 18. The peel channel 26 enables the edge 28 easily to be raised from the backing sheet 4 for peeling off purposes when the label arrangement 2 is bent about the peel channel 26. The peel channel 26 may be of any suitable and appropriate thickness and it is preferably 2mm thick.

The peel channel 26 has a base formed by the backing sheet 4 and at least one side formed by adjacent edges of the first, second and third label portions 14, 16, 18, and their layers of adhesive. The peel channel 26 is advantageously formed by removing during manufacture of the label arrangement 2 a length of the sheet material which is used to form the first, second and third label portions 14, 16, 18.

The label arrangement 2 includes attachment means 30 for attaching the label arrangement 2 to a storage medium (not shown) for storing the label arrangement 2 until the label arrangement 2 is required for use. The attachment means 30 comprises four apertures 32 formed in an edge strip 34. The apertures 32 enable the label arrangement 2 to be stored in a storage medium in the form of a ring spine personal organiser. The rings of the ring spine are such that they are located in the apertures 32.

Referring now to Figure 2, it will be seen that the second self-adhesive label 10 has a fourth label portion 36 which is blank and which is for receiving script.

The second self-adhesive label 10 has a peel channel 26 and a portion 24.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, similar parts as in Figures 1 and 2 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 3, the first label portion 14 has a part for the postage payment means 20 and another part for a Japanese postcode 37. It will be noticed from Figure 3 that there are six of the apertures 32, with three of the apertures being circular and three of the apertures being elongate. Either type of aperture can be employed. It will also be noticed from Figure 3 that a fifth label portion 38 has been provided. This label portion 38 may be used for sealing or re-sealing envelopes.

It will be noticed from Figure 4 that the second self-adhesive label 10 has a sixth label portion 40.

This label portion 40 may be used for sealing or resealing an envelope.

Referring now to Figures 5 - 8, similar parts as in Figures 1 to 4 have been given the same reference numerals. Each of these Figures shows the layer of adhesive as a layer of adhesive 42. The backing sheet 4 is shown provided with a coating of a transparent release agent 44 on each of its sides. Printed information is shown as a layer 46. Cuts 48 divide the first and the second self-adhesive labels 6, 10 into various portions as shown.

Figures 9 - 12 are the same as Figures 5 - 8 respectively except that Figures 9 - 12 include extra printing which has been shown as layer 50.

The label arrangement shown in Figures 13 and 14 has again been given similar reference numerals to those in previous Figures. It will be seen from Figure 13 that the first self-adhesive label 6 has two of the first label portions 14 and two of the second label portions 16. It will similarly be seen from Figure 14 that the second self-adhesive label 10 has two of the fourth label portions 36 and two of the portions 24.

The label arrangement 2 of Figures 13 and 14 has a first line of weakness in the form of a line of perforations 52 for enabling the majority of the label arrangement 2 to be torn away from the attachment means 30, for example if the attachment means 30 is secured in a ring binder.

The label arrangement 2 of Figures 13 and 14 has a second line of weakness in the form of a second line of perforations 54. The second line of perforations 54 enables the label portions 14, 16, 36 easily to be separated from one another whilst being retained on the backing sheet 4 if this should be desired.

Figures 15 and 16 show a label arrangement 2 which is such that the first self-adhesive label 6 has two of the first label portions 14, two of the second label portions 16 and one of the third label portions 18. The second self-adhesive label 10 has one of the fourth label portions 36. The label arrangement 2 is provided with adhesive edge strips 56 as shown for forming attachment means for sticking the label arrangement 2 to a storage medium, for example in the form of a sellable object.

Figures 17 and 18 are like Figures 15 and 16 respectively but show the presence of two lines of weakness in the form of two lines of perforations 58.

Figures 19 and 20 show two different ways in which an envelope 60 can be re-sealed with the portion 24.

Figures 19 and 20 show a Japanese envelope 62 having parts of a label arrangement 2. In Figure 19, the portion 64 is a return address portion. Figure 22 illustrates how the Japanese envelope 62 may be resealed with a portion 24 and then provided with a return address portion 64.

Figure 23 shows a Japanese style postcard 66 provided with various portions as shown.

Figure 24 shows a United Kingdom style postcard 68 provided with various portions as shown.

Figure 25 shows a circular 70 having an unsealed flap 72.

Figure 26 shows a sealed Japanese circular 70 with a flap 72 sealed by a first label portion 14, a second label portion 16 and a third label portion 18.

Figure 27 shows a sealed circular 70 with a flag sealed by a first label portion 14, a second label portion 16 and a third label portion 18.

Figures 28 and 29 show how a postal tube 74 may be provided with a first label portion 14, a second label portion 16 and a third label portion 18.

Figure 30 is like Figure 13 but shows how the horizontally extending perforations 52 can extend through the apertures 32.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected.

Claims (30)

1. A label arrangement comprising a backing sheet, a first self-adhesive label on a first side of a backing sheet, and a second self-adhesive label on a second side of the backing sheet, the label arrangement being such that one of the first and the second self-adhesive labels is a stampable addressable self-adhesive label which comprises a first label portion which is for receiving postage payment means and which is provided with a layer of adhesive which enables the first label portion to be peeled off the backing sheet and stuck on an item of mail, and a second label portion which is for receiving an address and which is provided with a layer of adhesive which enables the second label portion to be peeled off the backing sheet and stuck on an item of mail.

2. A label arrangement according to claim 1 in which the backing sheet is made of a transparent material.

3. A label arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the backing sheet is provided with a release agent.

4. A label arrangement according to claim 3 in which the release agent is a transparent release agent.

5. A label arrangement according to claim 3 or claim 4 in which the release agent is a silicone release agent.

6. A label arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims in which faces of the first and the second label portions adjacent the backing sheet are provided with coded information.

7. A label arrangement according to claim 6 in which the coded information is such that it is usable for preventing fraud.

8. A label arrangement according to claim 6 or claim 7 in which the coded information is in alpha-numeric form or bar code form.

9. A label arrangement according to any one of claims 6 to 8 in which the coded information is provided with visible or invisible ink.

10. A label arrangement according to claim 9 in which the coded information is provided by printing prior to the application of the layer of adhesive.

11. A label arrangement according to any one of claims 6 to 10 in which the coded information is readible actively or passively.

12. A label arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims in which the self-adhesive label with the first and the second label portions includes a peel channel which extends along one edge of the first and the second portions and which enables the edge of the first and the second portions easily to be raised from the backing sheet for peeling off purposes when the label is bent about the peel channel.

13. A label arrangement according to claim 12 in which the peel channel is from 1-4mm thick.

14. A label arrangement according to claim 13 in which the peel channel is 2mm thick.

15. A label arrangement according to any one of claims 12-14 in which the peel channel has a base formed by the backing sheet, and at least one side formed by adjacent edge's of the first and the second label portions and their layers of adhesive.

16. A label arrangement according to any one of claims 12 to 15 in which the peel channel is formed by removing during manufacture of the label arrangement a length of sheet material which is used to form the first label portion and the second label portion.

17. A label arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims in which the label arrangement includes attachment means for attaching the label arrangement to a storage medium for storing the label arrangement until the label arrangement is required for use.

18. A label arrangement according to claim 17 in which the attachment means comprises a plurality of apertures for enabling the label arrangement to be stored in a storage medium in the form of a ring spine personal organiser, the rings of the ring spine being such that they are located in the apertures.

19. A label arrangement according to claim 18 in which there are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 or 12 of the apertures.

20. A label arrangement according to claims 12 and 17 and including a line of perforations which is position between the attachment means and the peel channel and which is for enabling the first and the second label portions to be separated from the attachment means.

21. A label arrangement according to claim 17 in which the attachment means is at least one strip of adhesive for sticking the label arrangement to a storage medium in the form of a sellable object.

22. A label arrangement according to claim 21 in which there are two of the strips of adhesive, the two strips of adhesive being edge strips.

23. A label arrangement according to any one of claims 17 to 22 in which the attachment means is in or on the backing sheet.

24. A label arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first and the second selfadhesive labels are the same.

25. A label arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 23 in which the first and the second self-adhesive labels are different, and in which the self-adhesive label that is not the stampable addressable selfadhesive label has a third label portion for receiving script.

26. A label arrangement according to claim 25 in which the self-adhesive label that is not the stampable addressable self-adhesive label includes a fourth label portion for sealing or re-sealing items of mail.

27. A label arrangement according to claim 25 or claim 26 in which the third and the fourth label portions are used for other purposes including receiving lottery numbers, coupons1 tokens, information or messages.

28. A label arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first and/or the second self-adhesive labels include other label portions.

29. A label arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first and/or the second self-adhesive labels include a post code receiving portion and/or advertising portion.

30. A label arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.