EP0376881A1 - Postcard with a main image and at least one secondary image - Google Patents

Abstract

The postcard comprises a main image which may be of the usual format, and one or more secondary images such as illustrations or printed messages supplementary to the main image. The card comprises an outer envelope (1) in the form of a wallet, bearing the main image (20) on the recto and possibly areas for the address and correspondence on the verso. An inner sheet (9) may, for example, slide into this envelope, and bears at least two sets of secondary images (23 to 28) appearing in windows (21) in the envelope. One of these sets may display the portions of the main image (20) which are occupied by the windows, so that this image is complete when the inner sheet (9) is inserted. Other embodiments may have pivoting internal elements, which are rotated by a direct movement or by means of a sliding tag. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a postcard or advertising card comprising an outer envelope, provided with a main image on a front face, and at least one mobile element provided with a secondary image.

By the term image, we mean here any graphic representation, figurative or not, encompassing both a printed image and a cut shape, as well as a text as a drawing, an advertising symbol, a photographic reproduction etc.

Postcards are known having one or more secondary images added or incorporated into a main photograph, for example in the form of fields containing another view or an inscription. However, this type of card has become commonplace and has lost much of its appeal. In addition, as a standard postcard has a limited format, the area that can be given to secondary images is very limited. A more attractive effect can be obtained with deploying cards having cut-out elements which are raised. This type of card is widely used as a greeting or advertising card, but it has the disadvantage of being fairly expensive and difficult to manufacture, the prints having to coincide perfectly with the cutouts. In addition, it must generally be put in an envelope.

A card of the kind defined in the preamble is described in patent application FR-A-2,571,308. Its outer envelope contains an annular part forming a housing for a spring which carries a fragment of the main image and which tends to lift it. . An external movable plate, carrying a secondary image, is pivotally mounted on the front face of the envelope, using a rivet, and it serves to hide and retain said fragment of the main image, up to 'to this rotate it to release this fragment and its spring. This card made up of seven separate parts is bulky and requires complicated manufacturing. It is too thick and too delicate to be usable as a postcard. Finally, the surface available for secondary images is very limited, since any increase in this surface represents a reduction in surface of the main image.

The present invention aims to remedy to a substantial extent the aforementioned drawbacks, by providing a new kind of postcard or advertising card, having a particular appeal and offering more surface area for secondary images.

A postcard according to the invention is characterized in that said movable element is a plane interior element, mounted in the envelope and movable in its own plane, and in that the card comprises at least one window in its front face, thus that manual control means for moving the inner element in the envelope between a position where a secondary image is hidden and a position where this image is visible from the outside through said window.

The card can include at least two secondary images for each window. One of the secondary images can advantageously represent a part of the main image which is occupied by the corresponding window.

Preferably, the control means comprise a notch formed along an edge of the envelope and revealing the interior element or a control element coupled to it.

In a first embodiment, the inner element can be slidably mounted, and the envelope can comprise at least one folded tab forming a stop which cooperates with a folded tab of the inner element to prevent it from coming out of the envelope. In another embodiment, the inner member can be pivotally mounted. In the latter case, a particular mounting form provides that the interior element is provided with a cutout. circular defining a central patch which is fixed to the envelope, and that said cutout is formed by a circular line interrupted at at least one point so as to leave, between the interior element and the central patch, a tear-away connecting bridge arranged to maintain the inner element in an initial position, then to be broken by a first pivot imposed on this element, the central pad then serving as a pivot.

The envelope may comprise, along its edges, at least one slot where a part of the interior element can emerge from the envelope by its movement, said part carrying a secondary image.

In an advantageous form of card whose inner element is pivoting, the control means comprise a control puller coupled to the pivoting inner element and arranged to slide through said notch of the envelope. Preferably, the control rod is flat and has an end tab having in plan a hook shape, and it is coupled to the interior element by engagement of said hook shape in a slot formed in the interior element.

• la fig. 1 représente la face avant d'une première forme de réalisation d'une carte postale selon l'invention,
• la fig. 2 est une vue en coupe transversale de cette carte, suivant la ligne II-II de la fig. 1,
• la fig. 3 est une vue de la face arrière de la carte de la fig. 1,
• la fig. 4 représente la face avant de la carte de la fig. 1, après un déplacement de l'élément intérieur qu'elle contient,
• les fig. 5 et 6 sont des vues analogues aux fig. 1 et 4 et représentent une deuxième forme de réalisation d'une carte selon l'invention,
• la fig. 7 représente l'intérieur d'une troisième forme de réalisation d'une carte selon l'invention, dont on a enlevé la face avant,
• la fig. 8 est une vue de l'avant de la même carte, après un déplacement de son élément intérieur,
• la fig. 9 est une vue éclatée représentant, en position déployée, les éléments d'une carte publicitaire dans une quatrième forme de réalisation,
• la fig. 10 est une vue de l'avant de la carte de la fig. 9,
• les fig. 11 et 12 sont des vues analogues aux fig. 7 et 8 et représentent une cinquième forme de réalisation,
• la fig. 13 est une vue en coupe transversale suivant la ligne XIII-XIII de la fig. 11,
• la fig. 14 représente, en position déployée, les éléments d'une sixième forme de réalisation,
• les fig. 15 et 16 sont des vues analogues aux fig. 7 et 8 et représentent une septième forme de réalisation, et
• la fig. 17 représente, en position déployée, les éléments d'une huitième forme de de réalisation.

The present invention will be better understood on the basis of the description of various exemplary embodiments, given below with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• fig. 1 represents the front face of a first embodiment of a postcard according to the invention,
• fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of this card, along the line II-II of FIG. 1,
• fig. 3 is a view of the rear face of the card of FIG. 1,
• fig. 4 shows the front face of the card of FIG. 1, after a displacement of the interior element which it contains,
• fig. 5 and 6 are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 4 and represent a second embodiment of a card according to the invention,
• fig. 7 shows the interior of a third embodiment of a card according to the invention, the front face of which has been removed,
• fig. 8 is a front view of the same card, after a displacement of its internal element,
• fig. 9 is an exploded view showing, in the deployed position, the elements of an advertising card in a fourth embodiment,
• fig. 10 is a view from the front of the card in FIG. 9,
• fig. 11 and 12 are views similar to FIGS. 7 and 8 and represent a fifth embodiment,
• fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 11,
• fig. 14 shows, in the deployed position, the elements of a sixth embodiment,
• fig. 15 and 16 are views similar to FIGS. 7 and 8 and represent a seventh embodiment, and
• fig. 17 shows, in the deployed position, the elements of an eighth embodiment.

The postcard shown in figs. 1 to 4 comprises an outer envelope 1 made of a printed sheet, folded as shown in fig. 2, to form a sort of pocket closed on three sides, thanks to folded and glued tabs such as 2. This envelope preferably has the standard format of a postcard; it has a rear face 3 of conventional appearance, divided into a field 4 for a postal address and a field 5 for a handwritten message, and a front face 6 on which a main image is printed 7. This front face is provided with a cut-out window 8 intended to reveal a secondary image printed on a plane interior element 9 inserted in the pocket 1. In this case, the element 9 consists simply of a rectangular sheet of strong paper which, in the position illustrated by FIGS. 1 to 3, is entirely hidden by the envelope with the exception of a small area appearing in a notch 10 formed in the open edge of the envelope 1, so that one can grasp the internal element 9 and the pull out to the position shown in fig. 4. In this figure, it can be seen that the element 9 carries a decorative impression 15 and four secondary images 11 to 14 appearing successively in the window 8 when the inner element 9 is slid. If necessary, the latter can be recalled in the envelope 1 by an elastic attached to the bottom thereof.

It should be noted that the outer envelope 1 does not necessarily have the form of pocket described above. It could simply comprise two small slides along its horizontal edges, in order to slide the internal element 9 so that it can carry not only the secondary images, but also the fields of the rear face of the card.

The map illustrated in figs. 5 and 6 has the same basic structure as that of the previous example, with an internal element 9 formed by a simple sheet inserted in an envelope 1 carrying on the front face 6 a main image 20. In this case, the front face is pierced by six windows 21 in which normally appear, that is to say in the position illustrated in FIG. 5, images which are printed on the sheet 9 but which are combined with the main image 20 so as to form with it a single continuous view. On the other hand, when the sheet 9 is pulled out of the pocket 1, up to the position illustrated in FIG. 6 and defined by a retaining tape 22 glued to the bottom of the envelope, the windows 21 reveal six different secondary views 23 to 28. Thus, the card can advantageously alternately present a main image whose surface is not reduced and a whole series of secondary views associated with this main image.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the postcard has an outer envelope 31 which is also constituted by a sheet folded in the form of a pocket. In this case, this envelope is closed at its two ends, but open at its upper edge 32 and at its lower edge 33. It contains a pivoting inner element 34 which is fixed by means of a central rivet 35 and on which are printed four secondary images 36 to 39 intended to appear two by two through two windows 41 and 42 of the pocket 31. The internal element 34 has two rounded ends 43 and 44 carrying respective secondary images, for example a funny drawing 45 and a message 46, and intended to appear outside the envelope 31 when the element 34 pivots a quarter of a turn. This pivoting is controlled by pulling on a strong paper puller 47 articulated to the element 34 by a rivet 48 and having an apparent end in a notch 49 of the outer envelope. A return elastic 50 ensures the return movement. A message 51, for example tourist or advertising, can also be printed on the zipper 47.

Figs. 9 and 10 show an advantageous embodiment of an advertising card similar to the card of FIGS. 7 and 8 from the point of view of its external appearance and the kinematics of the elements, but which can be manufactured in a very economical and simple manner, in particular without rivets or elastic. This card consists of four flat elements 61 to 64 which can all be cut from a sheet of strong paper or cardboard, printed on one side, and be assembled without any other external means than applications of glue. The element 61 is an outer envelope provided with a main image 52 on its front face (fig. 10). The element 62 is a pivoting interior element provided with four secondary images 53 to 56. The element 63 is a sliding zipper provided with a secondary image 57, and the element 64 is a business card intended to be placed initially on the pull tab 63, then removed to be used as an ordinary business card.

In fig. 9 the envelope 61 is seen on its internal face, the fold lines being shown in broken lines, while the broken lines represent the position of certain parts of the envelope after folding. The envelope 61 comprises a front part 65 provided with a window 66, and a rear part 67 provided with two central tabs 68 and lateral tabs 69, 70 bordered by slots 59, 60 which, after folding, will be on two edges opposite of the card. The envelope also has an end tab 71 which has a median cut 72 in almond between two fold lines 73, making it possible to fold it in double thickness before folding it back into position 71 ′ to constitute a fur which maintains a spacing sufficient between parts 65 and 67 of the envelope after folding. The two opposite tongues 68 are intended to be inserted through a circular central orifice 74 of the interior element 62 to mount the latter pivotally in the casing 61. One end of the latter is provided with a notch 75 from which the control rod 63 emerges.

The pull tab 63 has an end tab 76 which is profiled in a hook, thanks to a lateral notch 77, and which is arranged to be coupled to the pivoting inner element 62 so as to control its rotation in both directions. The tongue 76 is inserted through an arcuate slot 78 of the element 62 until its hook end is entirely on the other side of the element 62. When the pull tab 63 is pulled in the direction of the arrow A, the notch 77 hooked into the slot 78 pulls the element 62 and rotates it in the direction of the arrow B, until a stop notch 79 abuts against one end of the corresponding slot 59 in the position illustrated in fig. 10, where the secondary images 54 to 56 appear. In this position also appears the business card 64, inserted under a tab 80 of the pull tab; if the card 64 is removed, the secondary image 57 appears. The curved shape of the slot 78 allows the zipper to remain stable by sliding along the edge of the envelope, without approaching the pivot point of the element 62. When the zipper is pushed back into the envelope 61, a curved edge 76a of its tongue 76 abuts against one end of the slot 78 and rotates the element 62 in the opposite direction to arrow B, until the end of the tongue 76 abuts against the tab 71 folded in 71 ′. The secondary image 53 then reappears in the window 66. The thickness of the double-fold tab 71 creates an area where the card can be held by tightening it while the zipper 63 is being operated, without the element 62 being prevented from rotating.

This embodiment has the same attractive external appearance as that of FIGS. 7 and 8, but its manufacture is simpler and it contains only flat, non-metallic elements. The field of use of such a card extends as well to the field of advertising articles as to that of postcards or other.

The postcard or advertising card illustrated in figs. 11 to 13 comprises an outer casing 81 containing an inner element in the form of a pivoting disc 82 which appears in two windows 83 and 84, as well as in a control notch 85, in the front face of the casing 81. Thus, it is possible to spin the disc 82 like a car parking disc. In the present case, the disc 82 carries, in a peripheral zone, four rectangular secondary images 86 intended to appear in the window 83, and in an interior zone four circular secondary images 87 intended to appear in the window 84.

The structure of this embodiment appears more particularly in FIGS. 11 and 13. The envelope 81 has on the outside two sheets of strong paper 88 and 89 which form its two visible faces and which are glued to a central cardboard sheet 90 provided with a large circular cutout 91 where the disc 82 is housed, which is made of cardboard slightly thinner than sheet 90 so that the card can be pressed onto sheet 90 without blocking the disc. In fig. 11, the front sheet 88 has been removed to show a particularly advantageous form of rotary mounting of the disc 82. In the center of this disc, a circular patch 92 is defined by two cutting lines 93 each extending almost on a semicircle , the ends of these lines being separated by a small gap 94 which constitutes a bridge of material linking the pad 92 to the rest of the disc 82. During the manufacture of the card, the two faces of the pad 92 are glued to the sheets 88 and 89, thus defining the location of the pad and the disc. In addition, the two material bridges 94 temporarily prevent the disc from pivoting and maintain a correct position of two secondary images relative to the windows 83, 84. The postcard can be sold in this state, then a user can break the two bridges 94 by forcing the disc 82 to rotate around the pad 92 serving as a pivot.

Fig. 14 represents an execution which functions substantially like the preceding one, but which is constructed differently. In this case, the card comprises an envelope 101 (of which only the inner face is seen) and an inner element in the form of a pivoting disc 102, each of these two elements being simply cut from a sheet printed on one side. The envelope 101, where the fold lines are indicated by broken lines, has a window 103 in the form of a sector of a circle through which three secondary images 104 to 106 carried by the disk 102 will appear successively. The envelope 101 also has a control notch 107 from which a serrated edge of the disc 102 will emerge.

After folding of the envelope 101, the disc 102 will be centered only by abutment against folded edges of the envelope. For this purpose, they carry lateral tabs 108, 109 and 110 themselves having tabs 111 to 116 which provide a free thickness inside the envelope, forming a circular housing for the disc 102 which can be cut from the same sheet as the envelope 101. On the side opposite the notch 107, this housing is limited by a folded tongue 117, the disc being inserted between this tongue and the tab 110.

It is noted that this embodiment is extremely simple both from the point of view of the manufacture of the elements and of their assembly, requiring only folding and gluing operations which can be automated. In addition, the elements can be cut from relatively thin sheets.

In the example illustrated by FIGS. 15 and 16, the postcard or advertising card also comprises an outer envelope 121 in the form of a pocket, having a front face provided with a main image 122 and with a window 123 revealing secondary images carried by a pivoting internal element constituted by a mounted cardboard disc by a central rivet 125 or in another suitable manner. This disc here carries two secondary images, namely a first image 126 directly printed on the disc, and a photograph 127 intended to be inserted, as the arrow indicates, in a pair of parallel slides 128 arranged on either side. of a notch 129 of the disc 124. This allows for example the sender to introduce his portrait in the card to combine it with the main image 122. The rotation is controlled manually in a notch 130 formed in an edge of the 'envelope.

Finally, fig. 17 shows an embodiment of a postcard or advertising card which comprises an external envelope 131 and a sliding internal element 132 and which functions as the examples of FIGS. 1 to 6, but with certain constructive and functional improvements. Each of the elements 131 and 132 is cut from a sheet printed on one side. The fold lines are indicated in broken lines, while the dashed lines indicate positions of folded parts. Note that the casing 131 has three main parts, namely a front part 133 provided with a circular window 134, a control notch 135 and an end tab 136, a rear part 137 provided with a side tab 138 and end tabs 139 and 140, and a folding part 141 provided with lateral shoulders 142 and 143. The figure shows the inside of the envelope 131. The other side is printed and bears one or more several main images on the front 133 and rear 137 parts of the envelope, and a stationary secondary image 144 on the folding part 141. Thus, when the latter is folded down at 141 ′, the secondary image 144 will be in the position 144 ′ and may appear in window 134. Part 141 also includes a cutout 145 opposite the notch 135.

The sliding internal element 132 carries a secondary image 146 located in front of the window 134, over the other secondary image 144, when the element 132 has returned to the bottom of the envelope 131. On both sides other of the image 146 two legs 147 and 148 are foldable backwards to positions 147 ′ and 148 ′, so as to abut against the legs 139 and 140 internally folded forwards at 139 ′ and 140 ′, thus preventing the element 132 from escaping from the envelope 131. In addition, the two clearances thus created on each side of the image 146 allow the sliding of the element 132 while holding the envelope near the corresponding angles.

Of course, one can conceive a quantity of variants of the examples described above, whether from the point of view of the control mechanisms, the number, the shape and the arrangement of the windows or of the elements which emerge laterally, of the number secondary images, materials used etc. It is possible to provide several movable interior elements in a common envelope, for example two discs superposed coaxially and split radially, so as to be able to cross, one of the discs then progressively covering the other.

The card according to the invention can also be in the form of a double card, that is to say folded in two parts and generally intended to be put in an envelope for sending by post. We can thus make a new kind of fancy card for wishes or multiple messages appearing successively in the windows. In this context, the present invention extends to any modification or embodiment obvious to a person skilled in the art, in particular as regards the materials used, the constructive arrangements such as the cutting and folding of the elements, as well as their mode. assembly.

Claims (10)

1. Postcard or advertising card comprising an outer envelope (1, 31, 61, 81, 101, 121, 131), provided with a main image on a front face, and at least one mobile element provided with a secondary image, characterized in that said movable element is a plane interior element (9, 34, 62, 63, 82, 102, 124, 132), mounted in the envelope and movable in its own plane, and in that the card comprises at at least one window (8, 21, 41, 42, 66, 83, 84, 103, 123, 134) in its front face, as well as manual control means for moving the internal element in the envelope between a position where a secondary image (11 to 14, 23 to 28, 36 to 39, 53, 54, 86, 87, 104 to 106, 126, 127, 144, 146) is hidden and a position where this image is visible from the outside through said window. 2. Card according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least two secondary images for each window. 3. Card according to claim 2, characterized in that one of the secondary images represents a part of the main image (20) which is occupied by the corresponding window (21). 4. Card according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means comprise a notch (10, 49, 75, 85, 107, 130, 135) formed along one edge of the envelope and revealing the interior element or a control element coupled thereto. 5. Card according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner element (132) is slidably mounted, and in that the envelope comprises at least one folded tab forming a stop (139 ′, 140 ′) which cooperates with a folded tab (147 ′, 148 ′) of the interior element (132) to prevent it from coming out of the envelope. 6. Card according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner element (34, 62, 82, 102, 124) is pivotally mounted. 7. Card according to claim 6, characterized in that the inner element (82) is provided with a circular cutout (93) defining a central patch (92) which is fixed to the envelope, and in that said cutout (93) is formed by a circular line interrupted at at least one point so as to leave, between the interior element (82) and the central patch (92), a tear-away connecting bridge (94) arranged to hold the element inside in an initial position, then to be broken by a first pivot imposed on this element, the central pad then serving as a pivot. 8. Card according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the envelope (31, 61) comprises, along its edges, at least one slot (59, 60) where part of the interior element can emerge from the envelope by its movement, said part carrying a secondary image (45, 46, 55, 56). 9. Card according to claims 4 and 6, characterized in that the control means comprise a control pull (47, 63) coupled to the pivoting inner element (34, 62) and arranged to slide through said notch of the 'envelope. 10. Card according to claim 9, characterized in that the control pull tab (63) is flat and has an end tab (76) having in plan a hook shape, and in that the pull pull (63) is coupled to the inner member (62) by engagement of said hook shape in a slot (78) formed in the inner member.

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