GB2109681A - Picture frames and postal packets containing picture frames - Google Patents

Abstract

A lightweight picture frame is made up of a tray-like rear member (11) moulded from rigid polystyrene, a thin front member (12) moulded from a flexible transparent sheet, and optionally an opaque intermediate member (33) placed between the front and rear members. All the members have conforming, forwardly projecting peripheral rims through which they are held together frictionally to display a picture postcard placed under the first member. A postal packet is made up with the frame, an outer envelope, (31) and intervening protecting cards (35, 36) which may also provide spaces for an address and a message. A postal packet so made and adapted to display a normal size picture postcard may weigh less than 55 grams. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Picture frames and postal packets containing picture frames This invention relates to frames for pictures (the term "picture" being used herein in a broad sense to embrace all manner of generally planar objects that may be displayed in a frame under a protective cover), and to postal packets that contain picture frames.

Conventionally, a picture frame comprises a rigid surrounding frame member which has a rebate formed in an inside edge in which there is fitted a protective glass cover and a supporting backing, between which the picture itself is held.

Such picture frames are relatively expensive to produce and being made of a number of rigid components are relatively heavy even for small pictures.

According to the present invention, there is provided a picture frame comprising a first, rear member including a generally planar backing support for the picture, a forwardly projecting edge element surrounding said support, said element being integral with the first member or provided by a separate member, and a further, front member having a covering face to overlie said backing support of the first member to hold the picture between the covering face and the backing support, said further member comprising an integral rim surrounding the covering face and providing a peripheral recess in which said forwardly projecting edge element fits to hold the picture between the first and further members, said covering face of the further member being transparent over at least a part of its extent for the picture to be visible through it.

Preferably, the first member is a lightweight plastics moulding, e.g. of expanded polystyrene.

The further member may also be a moulding, in this case of a transparent plastics material, conveniently in the form of a thin flexible sheet.

The edge element if this is a separate member, may be similarly formed from a thin flexible sheet, and even if the material extends over the main planar area within the rim it can be extremely light, so that the combined members have a very low weight.

The first member may have integrally moulded into its rear face means for the attachment of support elements, e.g. to stand the frame up or to hang it on a wall, while in the front face of the first member there may be location means for positioning a picture of smaller dimensions than the space bounded by the surrounding edge element.

Examples of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. 1 and 2 are front and rear views of a first, rear member of a picture frame according to the invention, Figs. 3 to 6 are respectively a perspective view, a front view, and two mutually transverse sectional views of a further, front member of the picture frame, Fig. 7 is an exploded view of another picture frame according to the invention, and Figs. 8 and 9 are exploded views of a picture frame according to the invention with additional parts to make a postal packet.

The picture frame of Figs. 1 to 6 comprises a first, rear member 11 moulded in expanded polystyrene and a front member 1 2 that is a blow moulding from a thin sheet (15000 gauge) of transparent polyvinylchloride.

The first, rear member is in the form of a tray with a main support area providing a generally planar front face 1 3 and a surrounding, integrally moulded bead or peripheral projection 1 4 forming a rim or edge element. The member is relatively rigid, over its main area having a thickness of about 10 mm. The second, front member 12 has a complementary shape to the front face and bead of the rear member, with a planar covering face 15 surrounded by an integral peripheral rim 16, and is easily flexible, though stable in form.The outer walls of the rims of the front and rear members are slightly inclined outwards and rearwards to form a small positive draft angle assisting removal from their respective moulds, but are nearly perpendicular to the main planar faces 13, i 5 so that there is between the members a secure frictional fit when the front member 1 2 is placed over the rear member 11 with the rim of the rear member fitting in the complenentary recess 17 provided by the hollow rim of the front member.

All that is needed to frame a picture is to place it between the members before they are fitted together. Once the rear member rim seats in the front member recess, the picture is held securely between them, and is visible through the main covering face 1 5 of the front member.

If the picture has a size and shape corresponding to the main planar area of the rear member, it is automatically located by the bead 14. k is alternatively possible for the main planar area of the rear member to have locations, e.g. in the form of a shallow recess 21, to locate a smaller picture. For example, if the main planar area of the illustrated example is 18 cm by 14 cm, such a recess may conveniently be A6 or a standard postcard size.

In the rear face of the first member 11, slots 22 are moulded integrally to receive a separate rearwardly projecting element (not shown) in one or other of them in order to stand the frame upright with either a longer or shorter edge uppermost. Also integrally moulded are alternative recesses 23 for suspension of the picture frame from a hook, and further recesses 24 providing a fingergrip to separate the two parts of the frame.

While in its simplest form the front member 12 is completely transparent, its rim 1 6 can be coloured for aesthetic effect, and the outer borders of its main planar area 1 5 can similarly be coloured to give the appearance of a conventional picture mount. Additionally or alternatively, the peripheral bead 14 and/or the main planar front face 13 of the rear member can be similarly treated, or a backing sheet can be placed behind the picture.

In an alternative construction illustrated in Fig.

7 the frame has three separate components. The first, rear member 11 and the further, front member 12 can be of the form already described.

The further member, including its rim, is left transparent, and there is now a third member 33 of opaque plastics in the form of an edge or rim element, of a complementary form to and fitting closely within the integral rim of the first member, but terminating at the inner edge of that rim to leave the main face of the first member visible through the main area 1 5 of the transparent member 1 2. This provides a very convenient and inexpensive way of providing the frame with a lightweight coloured rim, the third member being simply a thin, e.g. 0.25 mm (0.010 inches), moulding of self-coloured polyvinylchloride.

The third member will conveniently be moulded from a fiat sheet and as a further alternative, with very little increase in weight the centre may be left in as a planar portion, the picture then being inserted between the front and third members 12,33.

The constructions described can provide very simple, economical and light frames for pictures, e.g. less than 55 g (2 oz) for an overall size 200 mm x 160 mm (8 inches x 66 inches). A feature of their low weight is that using the frame size indicated it is possible to send a ready-framed picture through the post at low cost, possibly no more than sending a picture postcard. Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate how, with the illustrated embodiments described, above, a postal packet can be made up of the picture frame itself (with the picture in it) inserted with a message and address sheet 30 into an envelope 31, e.g. of clear polyethylene in which it is sealed to ensure its security. Fig. 9 shows how the envelope may be overprinted to leave a window 34 through which the address on the sheet 30 can be seen while any message on the sheet is obscured.

If means are provided to positively fix the front member to the rear member, it may be possible to dispense with the outer bag and simply have an adhesive label for the address and message. By employing an outer envelope, however, as shown in the example of Fig. 9, the message and address sheet can form part of a protective thin card 35 very slightly larger in size than the picture frame and a second protective card 36 of the same size as the first card (but preferably with its centre removed for lightness) placed over the front of the frame, with both cards held in place by the outer envelope. Fig. 9 also illustrates the optional use of a thin backing sheet 37 between the members 11, 12 to mount a picture in the frame. If, as already described, the coloured rim 33 has its planar centre left in, the picture and backing sheet 37 are of course then placed between it and transparent front member 12.

It will be understood that many modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

For example, while the relatively rigid rear member has been shown in both illustrated embodiments with a forwardly projecting rim, where there is a separate rimmed member between it and the front member this is not necessary, although it has the advantage that it gives the frame greater rigidity.

Also, where an intermediate member is provided that extends into the area surrounded by the rim it may be adapted to form a mount for locating a smaller picture within that area.

Claims (15)

1. A picture frame comprising a first, rear member including a generally planar backing support for the picture, a forwardly projecting edge element surrounding said support, said element being integral with the first member or provided by a separate member, and a further, front member having a covering face to overlie said backing support of the first member to hold the picture between the covering face and the backing support, said further member comprising an integral rim surrounding the covering face and providing a peripheral recess in which said forwardly projecting edge element fits to hold the picture between the first and further members, said covering face of the further member being transparent over at least a part of its extent for the picture to be visible through it.

2. A picture frame according to claim 1 wherein the first member is a lightweight plastics moulding.

3. A picture frame according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the further member is moulded from a thin flexible sheet.

4. A picture frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said rim of the further member is opaque or coloured.

5. A picture frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said separate member is moulded from a thin self-coloured flexible sheet.

6. A picture frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer edges of the respective members of the frame are substantially perpendicular to Lhe generally planar backing support.

7. A picture frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said flexible member, and/or said separate member when provided, as arranged to be held in place by friction.

8. A picture frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rear of the first member is provided with gripping means, to assist separation of the member.

9. A picture frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein mounting means are provided to locate within the area of said planar support a smaller are picture.

1 0. A postal packet comprising a picture frame according to any one of the preceding claims together with an enclosing envelope.

11. A postal packet according to claim 10 having a weight less than 55 grams.

12. A postal packet according to claim 10 or claim 11 further comprising a protective card for the frame provided with spaces for an address and a message, the envelope comprising transparent and opaque areas to overlie said spaces respectively.

1 3. A picture frame constructed and arranged for use substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A picture frame constructed and arranged for use substantially as described herein with reference to Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings

1 5. A postal packet constructed and arranged for use substantially as described herein with reference to Fig. 8 of the accompanying drawings.

1 6. A postal packet constructed and arranged for use substantially as described herein with reference to Fig. 9 of the accompanying drawings