GB2428970A

GB2428970A - A folded display stand

Info

Publication number: GB2428970A
Application number: GB0516735A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bridget Hayward
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-08-13
Filing date: 2005-08-13
Publication date: 2007-02-14
Also published as: GB0516735D0

Abstract

A display stand, for the upright support of a flat card, is formed from a lightweight rigid sheet material, possibly cardboard. The device folds along a line 3 which in use forms the substantially vertical spine of the device. Two elements 5 are angularly displaced with respect to each other about the fold line. They define a base 1, a support 2 for the lower edge of the display card and a back stay 11 which supports the back of the card. The display stand may be folded flat for storage.

Description

1 2428970 P516888GB

DISPLAY STAND

The invention relates to a flat pack display stand br displaying a flat card.

Greeting cards are generally folded. A folded greetings card is not designed for long term display. Exhibited beyond its intended display life, its stability and balance degrade. The display-life of a folded greetings card is therefore invariably a short one.

A fiat card cannot be displayed without a means of support. If a top edge of the card is lent against a support, and its bottom edge wedged against a stop, for example, the card tends to warp. A free-standing flat greetings card is known to have a pull out display stand. Invariably the pull out display stand is affixed to the back of the card leaving no room for a greetings message. !5

Display stands for plates, paintings and books are well known. There are inherent disadvantages in using these types of stands to display a flat greetings card. They are not explicitly designed to allow a fiat greetings card to be displayed to its best effect.

As such stands are not retailed together with fiat greetings cards, a separate display stand must be acquired. They also tend to be manufactured using a material that is not lightweight and flexible, for example, wood, acrylic, brass, plastic and vinyl.

Therefore, the packaging and retailing of these types of display stand with a flat greetings card would be weighty and expensive. l'here is also the risk of the stand damaging the card during transport.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a display stand that reduces the

aforementioned problems of the prior art.

In a first aspect of the invention there is a flat pack stand for displaying a flat card, the elements being moveable relative to each other between a stored position in which the stand is substantially planar for storage, and a standing position in which the stand is arranged to display the card, wherein, in the standing position, the elements define: (1) a base for supporting the stand; (2) a support being arranged to support a lower edge of the card; and (3) a back stay being arranged to support a back of the card.

Advantageously, the stand can be easily packaged with a flat card, when the stand is in its stored position, and support the card when it is in its standing position. Preferably the stand is free-standing in its standing position. Preferably the elements are angularly displaceable with respect to each other between the stored position and the standing position.

The stand can be made of rigid lightweight material. Preferably the material is a lightweight, rigid sheet. Advantageously, the stand will not damage the flat card whilst they are packaged together. Also, the stand made of this material is inexpensive to make. Preferably the material is a lightweight flexible material such as wood, cardboard or plastic. Most preferably the stand is made from a cardboard sheet.

Advantageously, the stand can be the same material as the card.

A panel can extend between the base and the back stay, the panel having an edge joining the support and a part of the stay that is arranged to be in contact with back of the card. Advantageously the stand has increased strength and rigidity. The panel can comprise a buttress extending from the base. The panel can also comprise a strut extending from the stay. Advantageously, these features contribute to the rigidity of the stand.

A fold line may be located between the elements. Advantageously, the material used to make the stand is foldable, and the stand comprises a flat of material. Preferably, the stand is pre-folded in its stored position. Advantageously, this avoids a user having to fold the stand in order for it to be used.

The stand can be biased towards the fold line into its standing position.

Advantageously, if the stand is supplied pre-folded in a pack, it automatically moves into its standing position, ready for use.

The buttress may have an edge that is angled back towards the fold line. The stay may have an edge that is parallel to the fold line. Advantageously, these features contribute to the rigidity of the stand.

Preferably the fhld line forms a central spine of the stand. The stand can be symmetrical about an axis of symmetry. Preferably the stand is symmetrical about the fold line.

The stand is preferably arranged to support the card in a substantially upright position.

Advantageously, the card is displayed to its best effect. Preferably, the support is substantially flat. Advantageously, the support does not interfere with the display of the card.

The support can have raised ends, and advantageously each end is arranged to prevent the card from sliding away from the stand. Alternatively, the support, in non-limiting list, can have upturned ends, indentations or clips that are arranged to hold the bottom edge of the card in position whilst the card is supported by the stand.

The stay can have two contacts, either straight-edged or round-edged, each contact being located on one of the elements, and being arranged to be in contact with back of the card. Advantageously, the contacts provide greater stability to the card when it is held by the stand. [he support can be constituted by end portions of the elements.

Advantageously, this arrangement provides greater stability to the stand.

The weight of the stand, per unit area, will preferably be at least as great as the material of which the card is made. Preferably the card has a blank reverse for a message.

The base can be horizontal. Advantageously, this provides an increased stability to the stand. Also the support can be positioned on the base. The base may be formed of the bottom edge of the elements.

In a second aspect of the invention there is a greetings card pack comprising a greetings card and a flat pack stand according to a first aspect of the invention, the stand being arranged to support the greetings card.

Preferably the greetings card and the stand are packaged together in a protective wrapping. The stand can be pre-folded along a fold line between the two elements and, when the stand is in the storage position, one surface of each element is in contact with the surface of the other element.

In a third aspect of the invention there is a greetings card pack comprising a greetings card and a flat pack stand having two elements that are moveable with respect to each other between a stored position in which the stand is substantially planar for storage, and a standing position in which the stand is arranged to display the card.

is In a fourth aspect of the invention there is a stand for displaying a flat card, the stand comprising: (I) a base for supporting the stand; (2) a support being arranged to support a lower edge of the card; and (3) a back stay being arranged to support the back of the card, wherein the stand is arranged to support the card substantially upright.

Advantageously, the card is displayed to its best effect by the stand.

Embodiments of a flat pack display stand constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view of a display stand in a flat position; Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the display stand in its standing position; Figure 3 is a side perspective view olthe display stand in its standing position; Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the display stand in its standing position; Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the display stand in its standing position, supporting a flat card; Figure 6 is a view of a cellophanejpackage containing a fiat-packed display stand in its stored position, a greetings card and an envelope.

As shown in Figure 1, the display stand has a fiat symmetrical design with a horizontal base (I). A fold line (3) lies along the symmetrical axis of the stand, creating a rigid spine (3) and defining two elements (5). Each element (5) has a support foot (2) and a back stay (4). The support feet (2) are each located at an end of the base (1). The back stays (4) are positioned at the top of the stand, each having a contact (6) at its free end.

Each contact (6) is arranged to support the back of a flat card. The contacts (6) and back stays (4) are arranged to hold the card forward, away from the spine (3), in order to display a card, that is supported by the stand, to its best effect.

Connecting each support foot (2) to one of the back stays (4), and its associated contact (6), is a panel (7). The panel (7) has an edge that extends between the contact (6) and the support foot (2). The panels give rigidity to the stand. Each panel (7) comprises a buttress (8) and a strut (9). Each buttress (8) is connected to a support foot (2) and has an edge (10) that is angled towards the spine (3). Each strut (9) has an edge (11) which is substantially parallel to the spine (3). The struts (9) and the buttresses (8) provide rigidity and increased stability to the stand. At the point of contact between the strut (9) and buttress (8) is an indentation (12). The indentation is designed to maintain the horizontal angle of the flat card in a substantially upright position.

When the stand is folded along the fold line (3), and released, the stand moves into a standing position, substantially as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5. The elements (5) are angularly displaceable with respect to each other about the fold line. They are, therefore, moveable with respect to each other between the standing position and a stored position. In the stored position the stand is substantially planar.

In the standing position the stand can rest on its base (1), and is freestanding. The support feet (2) and the contacts (6) are configured to be an optimum distance apart from each other to stably support a flat greetings card in a substantially upright position and to prevent it from sliding from the display stand. A lower edge of the card rests on the two support feet (2). The back of the card, at a point towards its top edge, rests on the two contacts (6), as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 shows a view of a clear transparent bag (20), or wrapper, made of, for example, cellophane. The bag (20) contains a fiat greetings card (21), an envelope (22) and a flat-packed display stand (23) ready for sale. The stand (23) is shown folded about the fold line (3) in its stored position. One surface of each element (5) of the stand (23) is in contact with the surface of the other element (5). When the stand is removed from the bag (10), it is biased to move into its standing position, as shown in Figures 2 to 5.

The card and the stand can be packaged together in a number of other formats for retail in the greetings card market. For example, a single cardboard display stand can be packaged with several flat greeting cards and envelopes packaged in gift boxes. In another arrangement a gift box can contain an equal number of cardboard display stands and flat greetings cards.

In an alternative embodiment, the stand has a stored position in which the stand is substantially planar so that a surface of one element (5) is not in contact with a surface of the other element (5). A stand in this position is shown in Figure 1.

The stand can be dimensioned to support a card with a portrait ratio, as shown in Figure 5, or a landscape ratio. It can also be of a suitable size to support any size of card, as well as a greetings card. In the preferred embodiment the stand is dimensioned to support a card, in a portrait ratio, of at least 10 cm in width and 15 cm in height. The approximate dimensions of this embodiment of the stand are: a base length of 12 to 13 cm; a back stay length.of 3 cm; and a spine length of 13 to 14cm. The width of each support foot is approximately 1 cm. The strut edge length is approximately 6 cm and the buttress edge length is 6 to 7 cm.

The stand in the preferred embodiment is made of cardboard, preferably of the same quality as the card. The weight of the cardboard used to make the stand is also similar to, or greater than, that used to make the card. 1-lowever, the stand could be made of a lightweight flexible material suitable for being flat packed and for being sold with a flat card other than cardboard, for example wood or plastic.

Claims

Claims 1. A flat pack stand for displaying a flat card, the stand comprising two elements, the elements being moveable relative to each other between a stored position in which the stand is substantially planar for storage, and a standing position in which the stand is arranged to display the card, wherein the elements define in the standing position: (1) a base for supporting the stand; (2) a support being arranged to support a lower edge of the card; and (3) a back stay being arranged to support a back of the card. 2. A stand as claimed in claim I, wherein the stand is made of a lightweight, rigid sheet. 3. A stand as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sheet is made of cardboard. 4. A stand as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a panel extending between the base and the back stay, the panel having an edge joining the support and a part of the stay that is arranged to be in contact with back of the card. 5. A stand as claimed in any preceding claim, including a fold line located between the elements. 6. A stand as claimed in claim 5, wherein the stand is pre-folded along the fold line in the stored position. 7. A stand as claimed in claim 6, wherein the stand is biased towards the standing position. 8. A stand as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the fold line forms a central spine of the stand, and the stand is symmetrical about the fold line. 9. A stand as claimed in any preceding claim, the stand being arranged to support the card substantially upright. 10. A stand as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the stay has two contacts either straight-edged or round-edged, each contact being located on one of the elements, and being arranged to be in contact with back of the card. I I. A stand as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support is constituted by end portions of the elements. 12. A greetings card pack comprising a greetings card and a flat pack stand as claimed in any of the preceding claims, the flat pack stand being arranged to support the greetings card. 13. A greetings card pack as claimed in claim 12, wherein the stand is pre-folded along a fold line between the two elements and, when the stand is in the storage position, one surface of each element is in contact with the surface of the other element. 14. A greetings card pack comprising a greetings card and a flat pack stand having two elements that are moveable with respect to each other between a stored position in which the stand is substantially planar for storage, and a standing position in which the stand is arranged to display the card. 15. A stand for displaying a flat card, the stand comprising: (1) a base for supporting the stand; (2) a support being arranged to support a lower edge of the card; and (3) a back stay being arranged to support the back of the card, wherein the stand is arranged to support the card substantially upright. 16. A stand for displaying a fiat card constructed and arranged substantially as herein described, and with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. to

1 7. A greetings card pack for displaying a flat card, the pack constructed and arranged substantially as herein described, and with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 6.

II

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A greetings card pack comprising a single sheet greetings card and a flat pack stand being arranged to support and to display the greetings card, the stand comprising two elements, the elements being moveable relative to each other between a stored position in which the stand is substantially planar for storage, and a standing position in which the stand is arranged to display the card, wherein the elements define in the standing position: (1) a base for supporting the stand; (2) a support being arranged to support a lower edge of the card; and (3) a back stay being arranged to support a back of the card.

2. A greetings card pack stand as claimed in claim 1, the stand including a fold line located between the elements.

3. A greetings card pack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stand is prefolded along the fold line in the stored position.

4. A greetings card pack as claimed in claim 3, wherein one surface of each element is in contact with the surface of the other element when the stand is in the stored position.

5. A greetings card pack as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the stand is biased towards the standing position.

6. A greetings card pack as claimed in claim 5, wherein the stand is biased to move into the standing position when it is removed from the pack.

7. A greetings card pack as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, each element further comprising a panel extending between the base and the back stay, the panel having an edge joining the support and a part of the stay that is arranged to be in contact with back of the card.

8. A greetings card pack as claimed in claim 7, wherein the edge of the panel defines a strut extending from the back stay and a buttress extending from the base.

9. A greetings card pack as claimed in claim 8, wherein the buttress has an edge that is angled towards the fold line.

10. A greetings card pack as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the strut has an edge that is substantially parallel to the fold line.

11. A greetings card pack as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, wherein an indentation is located at the point of contact between the strut and the buttress.

12. A greetings card pack as claimed in any of claims 2 to 11, wherein each back stay is located substantially at the top of the stand, each stay having a contact at its free end that is arranged to support the back of the greetings card, and wherein the contacts and back stays are arranged to hold the greetings card forward and away from the fold line.

13. A greetings card pack as claimed in any of claims 2 to 12, wherein the fold line forms a central spine of the stand, and the stand is symmetrical about the fold line.

14. A greetings card pack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the stand is made of a lightweight, rigid material.

15. A greetings card pack as claimed in claim 14, wherein the material is a sheet.

16. A greetings card pack as claimed in claim 15, wherein the sheet is made of cardboard.

17. A greetings card pack as claimed in any preceding claim, the stand being arranged to support the card substantially upright.

18. A greetings card pack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the stay has two contacts, each contact being located on one of the elements, and being arranged to be in contact with back of the card.

19. A greetings card pack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support is constituted by end portions of the elements.

20. A greetings card pack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the supports are positioned on the base.

21. A greetings card pack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each support has an indentation that is arranged to hold the bottom of the card in position whilst the card is supported by the stand.

22. A greetings card pack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base is formed of the bottom edge of the elements.

23. A greetings card pack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base is substantially horizontal.

24. A greetings card pack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pack further comprises a protective wrapping in which the greetings card and the stand are packaged.

25. A greetings card pack as claimed in claim 24, wherein the protective wrapping is transparent.

26. A greetings card pack as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the pack further comprises a gift box containing at least one stand and at least one greetings card.

27. A flat pack stand for displaying a single sheet card, the stand comprising two elements, the elements being moveable relative to each other between a stored position in which the stand is substantially planar for storage, and a standing position in which the stand is arranged to display the card, wherein the elements define in the standing position: (1) a base for supporting the stand; (2) a support being arranged to support a lower edge of the card; and (3) a back stay being arranged to support a back of the card.

28. A stand for displaying a single sheet card constructed and arranged substantially as herein described, and with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

29. A greetings card pack for displaying a single sheet card, the pack constructed and arranged substantially as herein described, and with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 6.