GB2236053A

GB2236053A - Framed post or greetings card

Info

Publication number: GB2236053A
Application number: GB9018830A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Cairns Campbell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-09-13
Filing date: 1990-08-29
Publication date: 1991-03-27
Also published as: GB9018830D0

Abstract

A framed post or greetings card comprises a front face 1 having printed matter of a primarily literary and/or artistic character a rear face 3 having provision for addition of a message and optionally an address a lightweight filling 6 sandwiched between the front and rear faces, and a frame 2 extending about the edges of the sandwiched front and rear faces and the filling. A mounting hole 7 is provided in the frame to enable the framed card to be hung on an upright surface. A stand may be provided for attachment to the rear face of the framed card to support the card on a horizontal surface. <IMAGE>

Description

FRAMED POST OR GREETINGS CARD Description This invention relates to a framed post or greetings card.

The object of the invention is to provide an article which can be mailed and used as a permanent ornament and can also carry a message or greetings for the recipient.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a framed post or greetings card comprising printed matter of a primarily literary and/or artistic character on its front face, provision for addition of a message or greeting on its rear face, a lightweight filling sandwiched between the front and rear faces, and a frame extending about the edges of the sandwiched front and rear faces and the filling.

Preferably, means is provided to enable the framed card to be hung on an upright surface.

Preferably also a support means is provided for attachment to the rear face of the framed card to support the card on a horizontal surface.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a framed post or greetings card comprising a front face having printed matter of a primarily literary and/or artistic character, a rear face, a lightweight filling sandwiched between the front and rear faces and a frame extending about the edges of the front and rear faces, and support means pivotally attached to the framed card to overlie the rear face and be adjustable relative thereto to support the framed card on a horizontal surface, provision being made on the rear face of the framed card and/or on the support means for a message or greeting.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is a front elevation of a framed postcard; Fig 2 is a section on line A - A in Fig 1; Figs 3 and 4 are rear elevations of alternative framed postcards; Fig 5 is rear elevation of a stand for the framed card; Fig 6 is a side elevation of Fig 5; Fig 7 is a detail of Fig 6 to an enlarged scale; Fig 8 illustrates the stand in use; Fig 9 is a perspective view of a modified card from the rear and to one side; Fig 10 is a plan view showing another modified card; and Fig 11 is a plan view of a further modified card.

In the drawings, a framed postcard comprises a printed reproduction of a picture on its front face 1 and provision for addition of a message on its rear face 3 (Fig 3) or for addition of a message and address on its rear face 5 (Fig 4). Sandwiched between the front and rear faces 1 and 3/5 is a lightweight filling 6, eg of expanded polystyrene. The sandwich formed by the front and rear faces 1 and 3/5 and the filling 6 has a frame 2 extending about the edges of the sandwich. The frame 2 may be moulded from plastics material or alternatively, may be an assembly of mitred lengths of wood, plastics material, metal or composite material. A hole 7 may be drilled in the frame 2 from the rear for mounting the framed postcard on a pin on the wall.

It is to be noted that, as shown in Fig 3, the rear face 3 is intended to bear only a message. In this case the framed postcard is mailed in a box carrying the address and postage stamp.

The framed postcard as shown in Fig. 4 is intended to be stamped and addressed and posted. The lightweight filling 6 and the material of the frame 2, for a normal sized postcard are intended to keep the weight of the article within the range of a first or second class postage stamp.

The invention may also be applied to greetings cards wherein the rear face 3/5 bears a printed greeting appropriate to a specific occasion. The section of the frame 2 may vary considerably.

Referring now to Figs 5 to 8, there is shown a stand 10 by which the framed card 11 can be displayed standing on a surface 12 as opposed to hanging on a wall.

The stand comprises a narrow strip of plastics or other suitable material having a ribbed protrusion 13 at its upper end extending forwardly relative to the stand's position in use. A short distance below the protrusion is a horizontal V-shaped cut 14 on the rear surface of the stand which allows the stand to hinge. The angles of the "hinge" may be determined by the size of the stand and the properties of the material. Thus, when the protrusion 13 engages in the mounting hole 7 the uppermost portion of the stand lies against the rear face 3 of the framed card but the major portion of the stand hinges rearwards to form a support leg and support the framed card substantially upright on a horizontal surface, as illustrated in Fig 8. The stand can be cut if necessary to reduce its length depending on the size of the frame and/or its orientation.

The stand 10 also includes a hole 15 just above the hinge 14 by which the card can be hung from a drawing pin protruding from a wall or other upright surface.

Referring now to Fig 9, the framed card 11 shown thereon has a hinged flap 20 which in this embodiment is hinged at 21 along one side of the frame; alternatively, it may be hinged along the top of the frame.

The end of the flap remote from the hinge 21 may be free as illustrated in solid lines in Fig 9 or a gusset 22 may be provided as illustrated in chain lines in Fig 9.

In the former construction, the message and address may be applied to the rear face 3 of the framed card 11 or to the rear face of the flap 20. In the latter construction the hinged flap constitutes the back of the framed card and any message and address are contained thereon.

The gusset 22 may be positioned at other locations between the rear surface 3 and the flap 20. The flap 20 has a hole 23 which registers with the hole 7 in the framed card so that the framed card can be hung if desired.

In a modification, Fig 10, two half flaps 24 are provided, temporarily secured at their adjacent edges, eg by a strip of low-tack adhesive. The secured flaps 24 constitute the back of the framed card and any written message and/or address are applied thereto. A printed message, however, may be contained on the rear face 3 of the framed card, to be visible only when the flaps have been opened to provide the standing-support.

In a further modified construction Fig 11, the flap 25 is attached to the framed card by two gussets 22, one at each end of the frame so that the flap can be pulled rearwards to be spaced from the framed card and act as the standing-support.

The flap constitutes the back of the framed card and contains any message and address on its rear face.

Provision is made to retain the flaps 20, 24 or 25 flat against the rear of the framed card until the card.

has been received through the post and is ready to be displayed on a horizontal surface; this may be achieved by a low-tack adhesive attaching the flap to the frame or by a low-tack adhesive strip which can be pulled off to release the flap.

The front face of the framed card may be for example a printed picture, photograph or drawing; it may be three dimensional or a holographic image or it may be an original painting. It may be in the form of a text only or may incorporate text with graphic design.

Claims

1. A framed post or greetings card comprising printed matter of a primarily literary' and/or artistic character on its front face, provision for addition of a message or greeting on its rear face, a lightweight filling sandwiched between the front and rear faces, and a frame extending about the edges of the sandwiched front and rear faces and the filling.

2. A card as claimed in claim 1, in which means is provided to enable the framed card to be hung on an upright surface.

3. A card as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which a support means is provided for attachment to the rear face of the framed card to support the card on a horizontal surface.

4. A card as claimed in claim 3, in which the support means comprises a stand formed by an elongate strip which is attachable to the framed card to lie against the rear face of the stand and pivotal below the means of attachment to pivot away from the stand to provide a support leg therefor.

5. A framed post or greetings card comprising a front face having printed matter of a primarily literary and/or artistic character, a rear face, a lightweight filling sandwiched between the front and rear faces and a frame extending about the edges of the front and rear faces, and support means pivotally attached to the framed card to overlie the rear face and be adjustable relative thereto to support the framed card on a horizontal surface, provision being made on the rear face of the framed card and/or on the support means for a message or greeting.

6. A stand as claimed in claim 5 in which the support means comprises one or more flaps, pivotally attached to the frame to overlie at least a part of the rear of the framed card and be pivoted relative thereto to support the framed card in an upright position on a horizontal surface.

7. A stand as claimed in claim 5 in which a flap is hinged at one side to one portion of the rear of its framed card and attached thereto at opposed side by a gusset.

8. A stand as claimed in claim 5 in what a flap is attached at opposed sides to the rear of framed card by means of gusset.

9. A framed post or greetings card substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 or Figs.

5 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A post or greeting card asembly comprising first and second juxtaposed data-bearing sheet form members spaced apart by a filler material interposed therebetween and a single frame member arranged to surround the outer peripheral surfaces of the first member and the filler material.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the first data-bearing sheet constitutes the front face of the assembled post or greetings card.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the second data-bearing sheet constitutes the rear face of the assembled post or greetings card.

4. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which means is provided to enable the framed card to be hung on an upright surface.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which a support means is provided for attachment to the rear face of the framed card to support the card on a horizontal surface.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, in which the support means comprises a stand formed by an elongate strip which is attachable to the framed card to lie against the rear face of the stand and pivotal below the means of attachment to pivot away from the stand to provide a support leg therefor.

7. A framed post or greeting card assembly comprising a front face having printed matter of a primarily literary and/or artistic character, a rear face, a lightweight filling sandwiched between the front and rear faces and a frame extending about the peripheral edges of the front face and fitting, and support means pivotaly attached to the framed card to overlie the rear face and be adjustable relative thereto to support the framed card on a horizontal surface, provision being made on the rear face of the framed card and/or on the support means for a message or greeting.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 7 in which the support means comprises one or more flaps, pivotally attached to the frame to overlie at least a part of the rear of the framed card and be pivoted relative thereto to support the framed card in an upright position on a horizontal surface.

9. An assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which the flap is hinged at one side to one portion of the rear of its framed card and attached thereto at opposed sides by a gusset.

10. An assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which a flap is attached at opposed sides to the rear of framed card by means of a gusset.

11. A framed post or greetings card assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 or Figs 5 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.