WO2013164560A1

WO2013164560A1 - A frame for artwork

Info

Publication number: WO2013164560A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/000196
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Ramos-Gonzalez; Wayne Connelly
Original assignee: Gmc Marketing Limited
Priority date: 2012-05-03
Filing date: 2013-05-03
Publication date: 2013-11-07
Also published as: GB2503777A; GB201307949D0; GB201207801D0

Abstract

A cardboard blank on one side of which artwork is printed and the other side of which carries an adhesive. The sides of the blank fold inwardly to form a three-dimensional box frame when constructed.

Description

A frame for artwork

Field of invention The present invention relates to a frame for artwork. More especially the invention relates to a cardboard blank carrying artwork and having features to allow the blank to be constructed to form a three-dimensional artwork structure .

Background to the invention

Many people purchase artwork in the form of prints. Generally, a separate frame structure is required in which the artwork print is then mounted for display.

The present invention seeks to provide a cardboard blank on one side of which artwork is directly printed at the point of manufacture, and the sides of which can be subsequently folded inwards and against themselves to form a three-dimensional box frame when constructed.

Statement of invention According to a first aspect, there is provided A frame system for artwork comprising a blank with a substantially square central section, each side of central section having a foldable extension, each foldable extension consisting of first, second and third foldable sections, such that the system forms, once constructed, a three- dimensional box-frame structure; the main section having first and second opposing faces, the first face having imprinted thereon an artwork or image and the second face having an adhesive layer. Preferably the blank is made from a laminated folable material. Preferably still the blank is made from cardboard.

The first and second extensions may be foldable about score lines.

Each third foldable extension preferably includes a series of tabs formed within the section with a series of cuts. Preferably, each third section is foldable about the respective second section along crease lines.

Preferably, the edges of each second section are linked to the neighbouring second section through tapered corner sections .

The foldable extensions may have end tabs which overlap once the frame is constructed . to . retain the frame construction . Preferably the adhesive layer is covered by a release liner.

Preferably the frame system further comprises a stiffening element having the same profile as the recess formed in the back of the frame once - constructed, bordered by the sides formed by the extensions, but with reduced dimension, the stiffening element being locatable within the recess and pressed against the adhesive face thereby being adhered thereto and to the inner walls of the frame. Brief description of the drawings

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figure which · shows a cardboard blank constructed in accordance with the invention and which is assembled to form a three-dimensional artwork mount. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Much of the blank 10 of figure 1 is symmetrical so, to avoid over complication of the figure, the four sides of the blank have been marked A, B, C and D and only one of each feature A-D is identified in the figure.

The invention comprises, in its unassembled state, a blank 10 made from cardboard or similar laminated foldable material .

The blank 10 is generally square or rectangular and comprises a main central section 12 with four foldable extensions 14A-D. Four removable corner sections 16 complete the rectangular structure of the blank 10. Although the frame corner sections 16 are removed and discarded as part of the assembly process they preferably form part of the initial structure so that the overall shape is structurally simple and uniform thereby making it easier for the blank to be fed through printing machinery.

Each extension 14 comprises first, second and third sections 18A-D, 20A-D, 22A-D. The first and second sections 18, 20 foldable about score lines 24A, 24B. The third foldable section 22 has a series of tabs 26A-D which are formed within the section 22 with a series of cuts. The third section 22 is foldable about the second section 20 along crease lines 28A-D.

The edges of each second section (20A for example) are linked to the neighbouring section (20B for example) through tapered corner sections 30. The corner sections 30 are to provide the frame with mitred corners once assembled.

The extensions 14A, 14C on two opposing sides of. the blank 10 have further end tabs 32 which overlap once the frame is assembled to retain the frame construction.

The central section 12 of the blank 10 has first and second faces. In the figure only the second face 32 is shown, the first face being on the opposite side facing into the paper.

During the printing process artwork is printed onto the first face (not seen in the figure). The artwork extends across the entire surface and over the first foldable section 18 of each extension 14. The artwork may extend over the second foldable section 20 also.

The. second face 34 of the central section 12 carries an adhesive layer. The adhesive extends across the entire face 34 of the central section. The adhesive layer may extend across the face of the blank 10, which may include one, or more each extensions 14 and the corner sections 30.

A release liner is initially located over the adhesive layer which is then removed to expose the adhesive prior to the blank 10 being assembled. The adhesive layer and release liner may be laminated to the cardboard during the manufacturing process.

The assembly process will now be described. A consumer would first select a blank 10 based on their selection of the artwork imprinted on the first face of the main central section 12. Once selected the framework for the artwork is assembled by turning over the blank 10, breaking off the removable corner sections 16 and removing the release liner covering the adhesive layer.

The first foldable section 18 of each extension 14 is folded inwardly about the score line 24A and the central section 12. By doing this, the first sections 18 become the side edge of the frame assembly once assembled.

The second foldable section 20 of each extension 14 is then folded inwardly about score line 24B and the first foldable section 18. By doing this, the second sections 20 become the back edge of the frame assembly once assembled.

During the folding process the corner sections 30 are also folded about^' their score lines 36 and 38. The third section 22 is then folded inwardly about crease lines 28. At the same time, the tabs 26 are folded out from the section 22 through the cuts formed therein, and then folded along crease lines 40A-D such that the bottom part 42 of the third section 22 becomes the inner edge of the frame once assembled, and the top part 44 of the third section 22 is pressed against the face 34 of the central section to be adhered thereto.

Apertures 46 are formed in each second section 20 of the extensions 14. Once assembled, and as detailed, the apertures 46 are located in the back surface of the frame to allow the frame to be hung on a wall.

A stiffing element (not shown) which has the same profile as the recess formed in the back of the frame (bordered by the sides formed by the extensions 14) but with reduced dimension may also be provided and which can then be located within the recess and pressed against the face 34 thereby being adhered thereto. The walls of the stiffening element adhere to the inner wall of the frame (formed from the third sections 22 of the extensions 14) to provide further strength of the frame.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing are merely examples of embodiments and just some examples of their use and construction. The skilled reader will readily understand that modifications can be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

A frame system for artwork comprising a blank with a substantially square central section, each side of central section having a foldable extension, each foldable extension consisting of first, second and third foldable sections, such that the system forms, once constructed, a three-dimensional box-frame structure; the main section having first and second opposing faces, the first face having imprinted thereon an artwork or image and the second face having an adhesive layer.

A frame according to claim 1, wherein the blank is made from a laminated folable material.

3. A frame according to claim 2, wherein the blank is made from cardboard.

A frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each first and second extensions are foldable about score lines.

A frame system according to claim 4, wherein each third foldable extension includes a series of tabs formed within the section with a series of cuts. A frame system according to claim 5, wherein each third section is foldable about the respective second section along crease lines.

A frame system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the edges of each second section are linked to the neighbouring second section through tapered corner sections.

A frame system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the foldable extensions have end tabs which overlap once the frame is constructed to retain the frame construction.

A frame system according to any preceding claim when the adhesive layer is covered by a release liner.

A frame system according to any preceding claim further comprising a stiffening element having the same profile as the recess formed in the back of the frame once constructed, bordered by the sides formed by the extensions, but with reduced dimension, the stiffening element being locatable within the recess and pressed against the adhesive face thereby being adhered thereto and to the inner walls of the frame.