EP0885436B1

EP0885436B1 - Picture frame post card

Info

Publication number: EP0885436B1
Application number: EP97908693A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jeanne Maree Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-02-27
Filing date: 1997-02-25
Publication date: 2002-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2017-02-25
Also published as: CA2247634A1; MXPA98007000A; ATE227873T1; DE69717081D1; WO1997032292A1; EP0885436A1; EP0885436A4; AU2053797A; JP2002515983A

Abstract

A picture frame postcard for transmitting and displaying a photograph or other visual display. The picture frame postcard includes a main panel (110) having a front face (120) and a rear face (130) and defining an interior region for containing a photograph or other visual display. The front face (120) includes a removable panel (230) to permit the display of the photograph or other visual display contained within. The rear face (130) may be used to provide a postage and address panel and includes a slot (300) into which the removable panel (230) may be placed to permit the entire assembly to be supported in the vertical direction to facilitate viewing of the photograph or other visual display.

Description

The present invention relates generally to display devices for photographs and, more particularly, to picture frames adapted for easy transport.

Postcards are commonly used for communicating with friends and loved ones and are both economical and easy to use.

US-A-4825574 discloses a picture frame post card for mailing items such as photographs and then framing and displaying the photographs after transmittal. The post card has front and rear panels with an interior space between them for accepting the photographs and there is a removable front panel to form a window. The post card has an "L" shaped cut in the rear panel defining tabs that can be pulled out from the rear panel to form an easel-back.

US-A-4167241 discloses a letter envelope and display formed from three panels, one panel having a removable area which can be removed and an intermediate panel having two spaced apart perforated lines which form the opposed edges of a section which can form a leg, when the perforated lines have been torn and the leg has been bent out of the plane of the panel along a bend line.

US-A-4450638 discloses a photograph display device formed by a rectangular strip of cardboard, folded and scored to define a plurality of panels and hinge lines. In a collapsed state the panels provide an envelope for mailing photographs and, in an erect state, an easel with a rectangular display frame.

US-A-4640030 discloses a combination envelope and display device which includes front and side flaps combined to form an envelope enclosure, together with a back flap which may be folded upon the envelope enclosure and secured thereto by a delayed-tack adhesive or folded to provide a support for display use.

According to this invention there is provided a picture frame postcard for mailing enclosed visual material and then framing and displaying the visual material after transmittal, the postcard having a front panel and rear panel with an interior space between them for accepting visual material inside, there being perforation in the front panel to form a removable area in the front panel which can be removed to expose visual material and cause the remaining portion of the front panel to form a frame around the exposed visual material, the postcard having a slot in the rear panel, the removable area in the front panel having at least one score line so that, after removal, the front panel is bendable along the score line to form a portion insertable in the slot in the rear panel for holding the remaining portion of the removable area as an extension from the rear panel to support the framed visual material in the postcard in a display position.

Preferably, the slot in the rear panel is perforated for separation to allow insertion of the portion of the removable area.

Conveniently, a sheet folded along a scored line forms both the front panel and the rear panel, the outer edges of the front and rear panels which extend from the fold being attached together to form the interior space, and the remaining opening between the front and rear panels being sealable after visual material is inserted.

Advantageously, a flap extends from one of the said panels and folds over the remaining opening to seal against the other panel.

Conveniently, the removable area of the front panel is sized so that the remaining portion of the front panel is adapted to frame a photograph.

Preferably, the removable area contains a scored line which enables an end of the removable area to be bent to form said portion for insertion in the slot and for holding the remaining length of the removable area as an extension from the rear panel to support the framed visual material in a display position.

Advantageously, the periphery of the removable area is defined by at least one perforation in the front panel to allow removal of the area, and the removable area includes a first foldable score across it near an end and a second foldable score transverse of the first foldable score whereby the removable area is foldable along the second score and then foldable along the first score to form a folded support for insertion in the slot, the portion formed by the fold along the first score being said portion insertable in the slot to hold the remaining length as a rearward extension from the rear panel to provide a support.

Preferably, the slot in the rear panel is transverse of the length of the rear panel and located about midway of the length of the rear panel.

Conveniently, the slot in the rear panel is slightly longer than the width of the removable area when it is folded in half.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a picture frame postcard for mailing an enclosed photograph and then framing and displaying the photograph, which postcard comprises a single sheet of material with a fold to form a front panel and rear panel with the outer edges of the front and rear panels extending from the fold being attached to form an interior space between the panels for accepting a photograph inside through the remaining opening which is directed away from the fold, a flap extending from one of the panels to close the remaining opening and seal against the other panel after insertion of a photograph, a substantially rectangular perforation in the front panel to form a removable area which can be removed to expose the enclosed photograph and cause the remaining portion of the front panel outside the perforation to form a frame around the photograph, and a slot in the rear panel transverse to and located about midway along the length of the rear panel, the removable area containing a scored line which enables an end of the removable area to be bent transversely across its length after removal for insertion in the slot and for holding the remaining length of the removable area as an extension from the rear panel to support the photograph in a display position.

Preferably, the removable area includes a first foldable score across its width near one end and another foldable score along the middle of its length whereby the removable area is foldable along its length and then foldable along the first score to form a folded support for insertion in the slot, the portion defined by the fold along the first score being insertable in the slot to hold the remaining length as a rearward extension from the rear panel to provide a support for display of the photograph.

The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:-

FIG. 1a is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a picture frame postcard prior to assembly in a substantial flattened condition;

FIG. 1b is a rear view of the picture frame postcard of FIG. 1a in a substantially flattened condition prior to assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of the picture frame postcard of FIG. 1a by folding the unassembled picture frame postcard about a predetermined line;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the assembly of the picture frame postcard of FIG. 1a by folding the unassembled picture frame postcard about a predetermined line;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the picture frame postcard of FIG. 1a in an assembled condition;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the picture frame postcard of FIG. 1a in an assembled condition;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the assembled picture frame postcard of FIG. 4 illustrating the removal of the perforated panel;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the picture frame postcard of FIG. 6 with the perforated front panel removed.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the perforated panel;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the perforated panel of FIG. 8 demonstrating folding the perforated panel about a predetermined line;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the perforated panel of FIG. 8 demonstrating folding the perforated panel about another predetermined line;

FIG. 11a is a rear perspective view of the use of the folded perforated panel to support the picture frame postcard;

FIG. 11b is a side view of the use of the folded perforated panel to support the picture frame postcard;

FIG. 12a is a rear perspective view of another use of the folded perforated panel to support the picture frame postcard; and

FIG. 12b is a side view of another use of the folded perforated panel to support the picture frame postcard.

The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a picture frame postcard permitting an individual to mail a picture to a friend or loved one that can be displayed by the receiving party using only the picture frame postcard. While illustrated by means of specific illustrative embodiments providing a picture frame postcard, the illustrative embodiments will also find broad application to a wide-range of applications calling for the transmission of visual information using a conventional mail or parcel delivery service. Therefore the illustration by means of a picture frame postcard is meant to be illustrative and not limiting.

Referring to FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, 3, 4 and 5, a preferred embodiment of a picture frame postcard 100 will now be described. The picture frame postcard 100 is constructed from a main panel 110 having a front face 120, a rear face 130, upper and

lower edges

140 and 150, upper left and

right edges

160a and 170a, and lower left and

right edges

160b and 170b. The main panel 110 further includes an upper region 180 and a lower region 190 defined by a scored dividing line 200. In a preferred embodiment, the lower region 190 is used to provide postage and address information for mailing the picture frame postcard 100.

The main panel 110 may be approximately rectangular in shape and may have overall dimentions of approximately 17.38 x 24.13 cm² (7" x 9 ½") with a thickness of about 0.79 mm (1/32"). In a preferred embodiment, the main panel is substantially rectangular in shape and has overall dimensions of about 17.78 x 24.13 cm² (7" x 9 ½") with a thickness of 0.79 mm (1/32"). The upper region 180 of the main panel 110 may be approximately rectangular in shape and may have overall dimensions of approximately 17.78 x 12.85 cm² (7"x 5 1/16"). The lower region 190 of the main panel 110 may be approximately rectangular in shape and may have overall dimensions of approximately 17.78 x 11.43 cm² (7" x 4½"). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the left and right

upper edges

160a and 170a are longer than the left and right

lower edges

160b and 170b. In this manner the upper region 180 will overlap the lower region 190 thereby providing a sealing flap that may be provided with an adhesive surface for sealing the interior of the picture frame postcard 100. The overall dimensions of the picture frame postcard 100 may be adjusted to accommodate a range of photograph sizes. The main panel 110 may be constructed from any number of conventional lightweight materials. In a preferred embodiment, the main panel 110 is constructed from paper postcard stock.

The scored dividing line 200 may be positioned approximately parallel to the upper edge 140 and the lower edge 150. In a preferred embodiment, the scored dividing line 200 is substantially parallel to the upper edge 140 and the lower edge 150. The scored dividing line 200 may be provided using conventional scoring methods.

The upper region 180 of the main panel 110 includes an upper scored line 210 defining a flap 220, a removable perforated panel 230 having upper, lower, left and right

outer edges

230a, 230b, 230c, and 230d, a first scored line 240, a second scored line 250a and a third scored line 250b, and first, second, third, and

fourth glue areas

260, 270, 280 and 290.

The upper scored line 210 may be aligned approximately parallel to the upper edge 140 and may be positioned approximately 9.52 to 12.7 mm (3/8" to ½") from the upper edge 140. In a preferred embodiment, the upper scored line 210 is aligned substantially parallel to the upper edge 140 and is positioned about 15.8 to 12.7 mm (5/8" to ½") from the upper edge 140. The upper scored line 210 may be provided using conventional scoring methods.

The flap 220 may be provided with a glue area 260 having an adhesive surface covered with peelable tape. The adhesive surface and peelable tape of the preferred embodiment may be applied using conventional methods and materials. In this manner, the user of the picture frame postcard 100 may easily remove the peelable tape and fold over the flap 220 to seal the interior of the picture frame postcard 100. In an alternative embodiment, the glue area 260 may be provided with a dry adhesive that must be applied with moisture by the user in order to seal the flap 220. In still another alternative embodiment, the user may simply apply an adhesive or other sealing device such as, for example, tape or staples to seal the picture frame postcard 100.

The removable perforated panel 230 may be approximately rectangular and may have overall dimensions of approximately 11.43 x 7.62 cm² (4½" x 3"). In one preferred embodiment, removable perforated panel 230 is substantially rectangular and has overall dimensions of about 11.43 x 7.63 cm² (4½" x 3"). In an alternative preferred embodiment, the removable perforated panel is substantially square. The perforations of the removable perforated panel 230 may be produced using conventional methods.

The first scored line 240 may aligned approximately parallel to the left and

right edges

230c and 230d and may be positioned approximately halfway between the left and

right edges

230c and 230d. In a preferred embodiment, the first scored line 240 is aligned substantially parallel to the left and

right edges

230c and 230d and is positioned substantially halfway between the left and

right edges

230c and 230d. The first scored line 240 may be provided using conventional scoring methods.

The second and third scored

lines

250a and 250b may aligned approximately parallel to the upper and

lower edges

230a and 230b and may be positioned approximately 1.90 to 2.54 cm² (3/4" to 1") from the upper edge 230a. In a preferred embodiment, the second and third first scored

lines

250a and 250b are aligned substantially parallel to the upper and

lower edges

230a and 230b and are positioned about 1" from the upper edge 230a. The second and third scored

lines

250a and 250b may be provided using conventional scoring methods.

In a particular preferred embodiment, the removable perforated panel 230 further includes a slotted perforated edge 235 to facilitate the removal of the removable perforated panel. The slotted perforated edge 235 may be provided using conventional methods of slotting.

The second, third, and

fourth glue areas

270, 280 and 290 are provided adjacent to the upper left edge 160a, the scored dividing line 200 and the upper right edge 170a respectively. In a preferred embodiment, a thin layer of a conventional adhesive is applied to each of these glue areas, 270, 280 and 290, to permit assembly of the picture frame postcard by folding the upper and

lower regions

180 and 190 about the scored dividing line 200. This will bring the upper and

lower regions

180 and 190 into intimate contact thereby bonding the upper and

lower regions

180 and 190 together. This can also be used to hold the photograph or other visual display in place by means of the adhesive placed on the glue areas, 270, 280 and 290. In an alternative embodiment, other types of bonding agents such as, for example, tape or staples may be used.

The lower region 190 of the main panel 110 includes a perforated slot 300 and fifth, sixth and seventh glue areas, 310, 320 and 330.

The perforated slot 300 may positioned approximately halfway between and parallel to the lower left and

right edges

160b and 170b. In a preferred embodiment, the perforated slot 300 is positioned about halfway between and substantially parallel to the lower left and

right edges

160b and 170b. The perforated slot 300 may range from approximately 4.44 to 4.60 cm². (1 ¾" to 1 13/16") in length. In a preferred embodiment, the perforated slot is about 4.60 cm² (1 13/16") in length. The perforated slot 300 may be positioned approximately perpendicular to and halfway between the scored dividing line 200 and the lower edge 150. In a preferred embodiment, the perforated slot 300 is positioned substantially perpendicular to and halfway between the scored dividing line 200 and the lower edge 150. The perforated slot 300 may be provided using conventional slotting methods.

The fifth, sixth and

seventh glue areas

310, 320 and 330 are provided adjacent to the scored dividing line 200, the lower left edge 160b and the lower right edge 170b respectively. In a preferred embodiment, a thin layer of a conventional adhesive is applied to each of these glue areas to permit assembly of the picture frame postcard by folding the upper and

lower regions

180 and 190 about the scored dividing line 200 into intimate contact. In an alternative embodiment, other types of bonding agents such as, for example, tape or staples may be used.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the picture frame postcard 100 is assembled by folding the upper and

lower regions

180 and 190 about the scored dividing line 200 and placing the upper and

lower regions

180 and 190 into intimate contact. The adhesive agents applied to the

glue areas

270, 280, 290, 310, 320 and 330 will then bond the upper and

lower regions

180 and 190 together to form the completed assembly illustrated in FIGS 4 and 5. The interior region of the completed picture frame postcard 100 may then be used to hold a photograph or other visual display device. The interior region of the picture frame postcard 100 may then be sealed by folding over the sealing flap 220.

In an alternative embodiment, one or more semi-circular slots 400 may be provided in addition to or in lieu of one or more of the glue areas, 270, 280, 290, 310, 320 and 330 to hold the photograph or other visual display in place within the picture frame postcard 100. Furthermore, one or more of the

glue areas

270, 280, 290, 310, 320 and 330 may be omitted since the flap 220 will hold the assembled picture frame postcard together.

The picture frame postcard 100 may then be sent to a friend or loved one using conventional mail or parcel delivery services. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the recipient of the delivered picture frame postcard 100 may then display the photograph or other visual display by removing the perforated panel 230. Note that the photograph or other visual display device may be oriented vertically or horizontally as indicated by the arrows V and H.

Referring now to drawing Figures 8, 9, 10, 11a, 11b, 12a and 12b, the use of the perforated panel 230 to facilitate the display of the photograph or other visual display device contained within the picture frame postcard 100 will be described. The removable perforated panel 230 having been removed from the picture frame postcard may be divided into sub-panels identified as first portion 230e and second portion 230f each having first and

second flaps

230g and 230h defined by the scored

lines

250a and 250b. As illustrated in FIGS. 11a, 11b, 12a and 12b, the first or

second portions

230e or 230f may then be used to support the picture frame postcard 100 in either of two orientations by inserting the first or

second flaps

230g or 230h into the slot 300. In an alternative embodiment, additional sub-panels may be provided by adding additional scoring lines oriented similar to scoring line 240.

A picture frame postcard has been described that permits an individual to send a photograph or other visual display device to a friend or loved one using conventional mail or parcel services. The recipient of the picture frame postcard may then easily display the photograph contained within by removing a removable panel and then support the photograph contained within by supporting the picture frame postcard using the removable panel. Alternatively, the recipient of the picture frame postcard may display the photograph contained within a conventional picture frame with the picture frame with the picture frame postcard providing a matte for the photograph contained within.

While the apparatus has been described with reference to specific illustrative embodiments of a picture frame postcard, the teachings of the present illustrative embodiments will find wide application to any number of applications requiring the transmission of visual information using conventional mail or parcel delivery services

Claims

A picture frame postcard for mailing enclosed visual material and then framing and displaying the visual material after transmittal, the postcard having a front panel and rear panel with an interior space between them for accepting visual material inside, there being perforation in the front panel to form a removable area in the front panel which can be removed to expose visual material and cause the remaining portion of the front panel to form a frame around the exposed visual material, the postcard having a slot in the rear panel, the removable area in the front panel having at least one score line so that, after removal, the front panel is bendable along the score line to form a portion insertable in the slot in the rear panel for holding the remaining portion of the removable area as an extension from the rear panel to support the framed visual material in the postcard in a display position.
The postcard of Claim 1 in which the slot in the rear panel is perforated for separation to allow insertion of the portion of the removable area.
The postcard of any one of the preceding Claims in which a sheet folded along a scored line forms both the front panel and the rear panel, the outer edges of the front and rear panels which extend from the fold being attached together to form the interior space, and the remaining opening between the front and rear panels being sealable after visual material is inserted.
The postcard of Claim 3, in which a flap extends from one of the said panels and folds over the remaining opening to seal against the other panel.
The postcard of any one of the preceding Claims in which the removable area of the front panel is sized so that the remaining portion of the front panel is adapted to frame a photograph.
The postcard of any one of the preceding Claims in which the removable area contains a scored line which enables an end of the removable area to be bent to form said portion for insertion in the slot and for holding the remaining length of the removable area as an extension from the rear panel to support the framed visual material in a display position.
The postcard of any one of the preceding Claims in which the periphery of the removable area is defined by at least one perforation in the front panel to allow removal of the area, and the removable area includes a first foldable score across it near an end and a second foldable score transverse of the first foldable score whereby the removable area is foldable along the second score and then foldable along the first score to form a folded support for insertion in the slot, the portion formed by the fold along the first score being said portion insertable in the slot to hold the remaining length as a rearward extension from the rear panel to provide a support.
The postcard of any of the preceding Claims in which the slot in the rear panel is transverse of the length of the rear panel and located about midway of the length of the rear panel.
The postcard of any one of the preceding Claims in which the slot in the rear panel is slightly longer than the width of the removable area when it is folded in half.
A picture frame postcard for mailing an enclosed photograph and then framing and displaying the photograph, which postcard comprises a single sheet of material with a fold to form a front panel and rear panel with the outer edges of the front and rear panels extending from the fold being attached to form an interior space between the panels for accepting a photograph inside through the remaining opening which is directed away from the fold, a flap extending from one of the panels to close the remaining opening and seal against the other panel after insertion of a photograph, a substantially rectangular perforation in the front panel to form a removable area which can be removed to expose the enclosed photograph and cause the remaining portion of the front panel outside the perforation to form a frame around the photograph, and a slot in the rear panel transverse to and located about midway along the length of the rear panel, the removable area containing a scored line which enables an end of the removable area to be bent transversely across its length after removal for insertion in the slot and for holding the remaining length of the removable area as an extension from the rear panel to support the photograph in a display position.
The postcard of Claim 10 in which the removable area includes a first foldable score across its width near one end and another foldable score along the middle of its length whereby the removable area is foldable along its length and then foldable along the first score to form a folded support for insertion in the slot, the portion defined by the fold along the first score being insertable in the slot to hold the remaining length as a rearward extension from the rear panel to provide a support for display of the photograph.