US20050274048A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20050274048A1
Application number: US10/867,409
Authority: US
Inventors: William Gerrie
Original assignee: Omnifile Inc
Current assignee: Omnifile Inc
Priority date: 2004-06-14
Filing date: 2004-06-14
Publication date: 2005-12-15

Abstract

An integral frame and mailer formed from a single blank is disclosed. The blank includes a frame having a frame front panel joined to a frame rear panel along a fold line. The frame rear panels includes easel forming cuts and has glue flaps foldably joined to opposite sides of the rear panel. The glue flaps define locator strips when folded and joined to both the front and rear panels. The locator strips each present an edge that abuts edge-to-edge with an adjacent edge of a photograph inserted into the frame for locating the photograph side-to-side relative to the viewing aperture of the frame. The frame rear panel is foldably connected to a mailer including front and rear mailer panels that wrap around both the frame front and rear to fully enclose and sandwich both the front and rear of the frame for mailing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is related to mailers and picture frames, and more specifically, to a combined mailer and picture frame including means to locate an image relative to the viewing aperture of the frame. The invention also relates to a mailer and picture frame combination that can withstand shipping and mailing and provide a separable frame having an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

2. Description of Related Art

People often want to send photographs through the mail, whether it be to family members, friends, or others. However, there are problems with sending photographs through the mail.

Most envelopes are too soft to be used to protect photographs during transit. Unlike letters, a photograph cannot be creased or bent without permanent damage to the photograph.

Alternatively, one may frame the picture before mailing it. While the frame will protect the picture during mailing, it will greatly increase the cost of mailing the photograph.

To alleviate this problem, special envelopes have been developed for mailing pictures such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,957 issued Apr. 21, 1998. However, one problem with the frame and mailer disclosed therein is that the easels are exposed during the shipping process. It is possible that they would catch on some other item in the mail and rip or tear away. This could not only cause problems for the end receiver, but could cause problems for the U.S. Post Office. If the easels were to be pulled into an extended position during shipping, the mailer may jam the sorting machinery that the post office uses.

The frame portion of the mailer generally is formed by superimposing a front panel having a picture view aperture over a rear panel and connecting the two panels along three sides. The fourth side is left open to accommodate the insertion of a photograph into the space between the two panels such that the image in the photograph shows thorough the viewing aperture.

However, if the photograph is too small relative to the frame, it may slide side-to-side or end-to-end in the frame so that the alignment of the photograph in the aperture is an issue. In an extreme case the photograph can move within the frame so much so that an edge of the photograph shows in the aperture and a portion of the image at an opposite side of the photograph becomes hidden beneath the front panel.

Accordingly, it also is desirable to provide a combined picture frame and mailer wherein the picture is accommodated in a manner that the image is properly aligned within the viewing aperture and the photograph is precluded from shifting within the fame.

Therefore, a need exists for a combined picture frame and mailer that properly orients the photographic image relative to the viewing aperture of the frame and which maintains this orientation during shipping and subsequent set up of the frame. The combination frame and mailer also should be able to withstand the postal process, and provide an attractive separable frame. The need also exists for a combined picture frame and mailer that reduces complications in the mailing process. It is also desirable to produce a combined picture frame and mailer that is easier to manufacture than current combined picture frame and envelopes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally the present invention provides a combined picture frame and mailer having means to align the photographic image in the viewing aperture as the photograph is inserted into the frame. Once inserted, the photograph is maintained in its proper alignment so as to prevent both the end-to-end and side-to-side shifting of the photograph in the frame. The invention allows a person to insert a photograph or picture into a frame, wherein locator strips within the frame guide the insertion so the viewable image of the picture is properly located within the viewing aperture of the frame. The locator strips furthermore maintain the proper orientation of the picture during shipping and subsequent viewing.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a blank divided into a series of panels. A first panel is a frame front panel. The frame front panel has a viewing aperture through which a photograph is viewed. A second panel is a frame rear panel and is connected to the frame front panel along a first fold line. The frame rear panel can include easels that may be folded outward from the panel. The easels allow the frame to be stood upright when the frame portion is detached from the mailer portion.

To form the frame the front panel is folded over the rear panel such that the first fold line defines one closed end of the frame. The frame front panel then is sealed to the rear panel along the two parallel opposite sides that run perpendicular to the first fold line. The end of the frame opposite the first fold line is left unsealed to provide an access opening for the insertion of a photograph between the front and rear panels.

Sealing of the front panel to the rear panel along the two parallel opposite sides is accomplished using two glue flaps that are connected to the rear panel along fold lines that define the opposite sides of the rear panel extending perpendicular to the first fold line. The glue flaps are first folded over the rear panel and a face of the glue flap is sealed to the rear panel. The front panel then is folded over the rear panel and sealed to the opposite face of the glue panel. This locates the glue panel between the front and rear panels along the opposite sides of the frame that run perpendicular to the open end.

The glue flaps in the folded position each have an inboard edge that together define parallel guides engageable with the opposite side edges of a photograph inserted into the frame open end. The distance between the inboard edges of the glue panels is just sufficient to accommodate the width of a picture of a given size therebetween. Accordingly the glue flaps comprise locator strips that engage the opposite side edges of a photograph in an edge-to-edge relationship to locate and maintain a side-to-side orientation of the photograph relative to the frame. This properly orients and locates the photographic image side-to-side in the viewing aperture.

The glue flaps each have an extension that extends inward one towards the other. These extensions are glued in a similar manner to each of the front and rear panels. Each of the extensions has an edge portion facing the open end of the frame. These extension edge portions are engageable with a leading edge of a photograph inserted through the open end of the frame. The distance from the open end of the frame to each of the extension edge portions is sufficient to properly locate the image of a photograph of a given size within the aperture when the picture leading edge is butted edge-to-edge against the extension edges.

A third panel forming a mailer rear panel is connected to the frame rear panel along a second fold line. A fourth panel forming a mailer front panel is foldably connected to the mailer rear panel along a third fold line. A closure flap is foldably connected to the fourth panel along a closure fold line. The closure flap can include an adhesive.

The frame may be folded over to overlay the frame front panel against the mailer rear panel. The frame and mailer rear panel may then be folded to overlay the frame rear panel against the mailer front panel, thereby protecting both the front and the rear frame panels.

The blank includes a separation line intermediate the first fold line and the second fold line to be proximal to the second fold line and located so that the mailer can be detached from the frame along the separation line. The separation line is located within the footprint of the periphery of the frame front.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed below properly positions and maintains a photograph of a given size relative to the image-viewing aperture of the frame so there is no shifting of the photograph relative to the viewing aperture during mailing. It also protects both the photograph exposed through the viewing aperture in the front panel and the easels cut into the frame rear panel. The projected markets for these combined picture frame and envelopes include retail sales to tourists and special order sales to businesses. The tourist consumer could write greeting information on the inside. The corporate client could include promotional information to clients, employees, or others.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a blank for making the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the blank showing the first step in formation of the frame;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing partial enclosure of the frame in the mailer;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view showing an unsealed folded mailer;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a folded and sealed mailer;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of a folded and sealed mailer;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view partly broken away showing the partial insertion of a photograph into the frame;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view similar toFIG. 7, showing the photograph seated in the frame; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines9-9 ofFIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIG. 1, a combinedpicture frame4 andmailer6 is formed from a blank generally indicated at10. The blank10 includes afirst panel20, afirst fold line12, asecond panel24, aseparation line30, asecond fold line14, athird panel28, athird fold line16, afourth panel32, aclosure fold line18 and aclosure flap36. The blank10 can be formed of a variety of materials including, but not limited to paper board, press board, board, composite, laminates, plastic, or corrugated cardboard.

The fold lines12,14,16 and18 are shown parallel one to the other and are located so that the panels can be folded one over another to assume an overlapping coplanar configuration. The term fold line refers to lines or creases that allow adjacent panels to fold or bend about an axis lying on the fold line. In a preferred embodiment, the blank10 is creased so that the fold lines all bend in the same direction.

Thefirst panel20 forms the front of the frame and is referred to as frame front panel. Anaperture22 is cut from theframe front panel20 and forms a window for viewing a photograph or picture subsequently placed within theframe4. A clear plastic or film pane may be placed over theaperture22; however, theframe4 can be employed without the pane. Theaperture22 could be any of a variety of shapes. Examples of other shapes include ovals, circles, ellipses and heart-shaped apertures.

Thesecond panel24 forms the rear of the frame and is referred to as the frame rear panel. The framerear panel24 is connected to theframe front panel20 along thefirst fold line12. The framerear panel24 includeseasel forming cuts26 and corresponding access apertures. The framerear panel24 thus provides for the formation of easel members (represented by easel cuts26) to orient the frame in an upright freestanding position.

The frame rear panel further includes a generally L-shapedglue flap5 foldably attached to the rear panel wherein thefold lines7 define the opposite side edges of the rear panel. The glue flaps extend generally perpendicular to thefold line12 and the short leg orextension8 of each L-shaped flap lies adjacent thefold line12 and extends outward and away from the fold lines7. Theedges9 of the glue flaps extend parallel to the fold lines7 (rear panel side edges). Theedges11 of theglue flap extensions8 are collinear one to the other and are parallel to thefold line12 for purposes set out hereinbelow.

A first surface, or side of the blank10 is shown inFIG. 1. Thus, a second surface, or side of the blank10 is not visible inFIG. 1. Accordingly, theframe4 is formed by folding the glue flaps5 so the first surface of each glue flap is adhered flush against the first surface of therear panel24 as shown inFIG. 2 (the second or reverse surface of the glue flaps showing inFIG. 2).

Theframe front panel20 then is folded along thefirst fold line12 as shown by thearrow13 to lay the first surface of the frame front panel over the framerear panel24. The first surface of the front panel is adhered flush against the second surface of the glue flaps. In this fashion theframe front panel20 and framerear panel24 are bonded to opposite surfaces of the glue flaps5.

After folding, theedges9 of the glue flaps will define inboard facing edges that are parallel and spaced from the adjacent edges of theviewing aperture22. For purposes of the present invention it is important that the distance “X” between the inboard facing edges9 is substantially equal to or at most slightly greater than the length of a given size photograph or picture. Consequently, the distance “X” is greater than the length of the viewing area defined by theviewing aperture22.

In a similar fashion, the size of theglue flap extensions8 are such that in the folded position shown inFIG. 2, theedges11 of the glue flap extensions are located a known distance from thefold line14 representing the open end of the frame. In particular, theedges11 preferably are the located about as far from the adjacent edge of theaperture22 as the opposite edge of the aperture is from thefold line14.

While not shown, both surfaces of the glue flaps can be coated with an adhesive and include a strip covering the adhesive that is selectively removed to expose the adhesive for forming the frame. While alternate adhesive arrangements are possible, it is important for the present invention that substantially the entire first and second surfaces of the glue flaps be adhered respectively to the first surface of the rear and

front panels

20,24.

The sealing by the glue flaps along the two opposite sides of the frame (represented by fold lines7) combined with the closed end at thefold line12, leaves the end of the frame opposite thefold line12 open. Also, since the front and

rear panels

20,24 are adhered to opposite surfaces of the glue flaps5, athin channel15 is formed as shown inFIG. 9 that is as thick as the glue flaps5. With theframe4 being assembled in this fashion, aphotograph40 of a given size may be inserted through the open end of the frame and into thechannel15 as shown inFIG. 7.

FIG. 7 shows thephotograph40 being inserted into the thin channel between the front and

rear panels

20,24. In this respect,FIG. 4 shows that theend17 of each glue flap adjacent the frame open end is tapered. This facilitates guiding aleading edge19 of the photograph into thethin channel15. Moreover, the width of the channel (as defined by the distance between the opposedinboard edges9 of the glue strips) is about equal to the length of the photograph of the given size.

As the photograph is inserted, the opposite side edges of the photograph slidably engage edge-to-edge against the opposedinboard edges9 of glue flaps5. In this fashion the glue flaps comprise guides and locators that engage the opposite side edges of the photograph first to guide the photograph into thechannel15 and then to properly locate the photograph relative to theviewing aperture22. Moreover, the edge-to-edge abutment of the photograph side edges and the glue flap edges9 prevents any side-to-side movement of the photograph relative to the viewing aperture. Accordingly, the glue strips comprise locator strips that not only locate the photograph relative to the aperture but also maintain the side-to-side position of the photograph.

The insertion of the photograph continues until the leadingend19 of the photograph abuts the glue flap extension edges11 as shown inFIG. 8. Given the location of theedges11 relative to the frame open end, the abutment of the photograph leading edge against the extension edges11 properly locates the photograph endwise relative to the viewing aperture. Accordingly, the locating function provided by the glue flaps effectively locates the photograph side-to-side and endwise relative to theviewing aperture22 and maintains this location during subsequent mailing and viewing of the photograph in the frame.

Although theviewing aperture22 is shown as rectangular, the aperture can have a variety of configurations such as oval, round or even an irregular shape. It is sufficient for purposes of the present invention only that the glue flaps be as described and to properly locate and maintain the position of the photograph relative to the viewing aperture so that a desirable portion of the image on the photograph is maintained in the viewing aperture.

The framerear panel24 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 includes aseparation line30 intermediate thefirst fold line12 and thesecond fold line14, and located proximal to the second fold line. Upon thefront frame panel20 overlaying therear frame panel24 as described above, theseparation line30 is within the periphery of the front frame panel. Theseparation line30 provides a line of weakness in the blank10, which is weaker than the fold lines.

Theseparation line30 can be a perforation line where the blank10 is sufficiently weakened to allow the material to separate easily. Theseparation line30 allows theframe4, including frame front panel and frame rear panel (20,24) to be detached from the mailer6 (panels28,32). After theframe4 is formed, theseparation line30 is located within the footprint of the periphery of theframe front panel20, so that an edge formed by theseparation line30 is not visible to a viewer of a picture in theframe4. Theseparation line30 does not have to be perforated, but may be any line where the material has been weakened to allow separation of the panels along theseparation line30 prior to any separation along a fold line.

Thethird panel28 forms a mailer rear panel and is foldably connected to the framerear panel24 along thesecond fold line14. Preferably, the mailerrear panel28 is a contiguous uninterrupted panel. That is, the mailerrear panel28 is free of cuts, perforations or apertures. Thefourth panel32 is a mailer front panel and is connected to the mailerrear panel28 along thethird fold line16. The first side of both the

mailer panels

28,32 can contain areas for writing or pasting a message or other information. The second side of the front mailer panel can include a mailing label as seen inFIG. 6.

Theclosure flap36 is connected to themailer front panel32 alongclosure fold line18. An adhesive strip or seal34 is formed on theclosure flap36 so that the flap will bond to the second side of the mailerrear panel28 when the mailer is prepared for mailing. The preferred embodiment includes a peel and seal type strip.

Theclosure flap36 further includes azip strip38 is located betweenclosure fold line18 and theadhesive strip34. The zip strip allows themailer6 to be unfolded without damaging the retained photograph. Alternatively, theclosure flap36 can include a tear strip, tear line or tear lines for breaking the closure flap. That is, theclosure flap36 is sacrificed to open the sealed mailer.

To prepare the present invention for mailing, a user inserts a picture into the open end of the frame and into thethin channel15 between the front and

rear frame panels

20,24 as described above. Theframe4 can then be folded over onto therear mailer panel28 to locate the second surface of the frame front panel flush against the first surface of thefirst mailing panel28.

In particular,FIG. 3 shows theframe4 folded along thefold line14 so theframe front panel20 overlays and is flush against the mailerrear panel28. At this point therear panel24 and the easel cuts26 are still exposed. To protect the easel cuts, theframe4 and the mailerrear panel28 can then be folded over thefold line16 and onto themailer front panel32 as shown onFIG. 4. In this fashion, the front and the

rear frame panels

20,24 are sandwiched between and are accordingly protected by the mailer front and rear panels. That is, the panels form a stack where the panels are superimposed one on another, the stack having in order, themailer front panel32, framerear panel24,frame front panel20 and the mailerrear panel28.

Finally, theclosure flap36 is folded over and sealed to the second side of the mailerrear panel28 as shown inFIG. 5.

The recipient of the mailer can open the mailer by pulling thezip strip38. Themailer6 can be unfolded along the second and

third fold lines

14,15. The recipient can then read or access any material attached to the first side of the mailer front and

rear panels

20,24. Theframe4 is detached from the mailer along theseparation line30, with the newly formed edge being behind, hidden by theframe front panel20. The easels are extended from the easel cuts26 so the framed picture becomes self-supporting on a table or mantel.

For purposes of manufacturing the combination frame and mailer of the present invention, printing, foil stamping, die-cut shapes and embossing can be provided on either side of the panels. In a preferred embodiment the second side of theframe front panel20 is foil-stamped.

The blank10 is cut from a sheet of desired material. One method of accomplishing this is by die-cutting. Theaperture22 is also created in thefirst panel20. Preferably these methods leave relatively smooth borders that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. That is, the edges are free of scallops or shards. In addition, the easel cuts26 and associated apertures can be similarly formed in the framerear panel24.

After the blank10 is completely cut, it may be folded and glued in a single one pass through an assembly line. That is, each of the manufacturing processes are applied to a single side of the blank10. Thus, the blank10 can be converted to the configuration ofFIGS. 2 through 5 without having the blank flipped or inverted.

Rather than applying adhesive and cover strips to both sides of the glue flaps as described hereinabove, an adhesive may be applied only to the first surface of the glue flaps shown inFIG. 1. After the glue flaps are folded over and adhered to therear panel24 and adhesive can be applied to the reverse surface of the glue flaps and theframe front panel20 can be automatically folded over onto the framerear panel24, where adhesive on the glue flaps bond the panels together. Typically, the product can be shipped to retail distribution or consumers in this configuration.

The present construction can be used with any relatively thin substrate such as photographs. However, drawings and sketches, invitations, or awards can be employed with the combined frame and mailer.

The combined frame and mailer provides an integral one piece frame and mailer, wherein a photograph can be retained and located within the frame. Text, messages or inserts can be connected to the mailer, and the integral mailer can then be folded and sealed about theframe4 to protect the front and rear of the frame during the transportation process. As the front and mailer panels have a foot print at least as large as the front frame and rear frame panels, the frame is protected. The sealed device can be readily opened by severing the closure flap without damaging the mailer or the frame. Subsequently, the mailer can be separated from the frame along an effectively hidden separation line.

Further protection of the frame during mailing can be provided by adding retainer flaps (not shown) along the edges of the mailerrear panel28. After theframe4 is folded over the mailer rear panel as described above, these retainer flaps are folded so as to overlay the side edge portions of the frame rear panel. Now, when theframe4 and mailer rear panel is folded over themailer front panel32, the retainer flaps will be captured therebetween to provide a more secure package for mailing.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described with particularity, it will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one having ordinary skill in the art upon being apprised of the present invention. It is intended to encompass all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An integral frame and mailer comprising;

a) generally rectangular frame front and rear panels connected along three sides with a fourth side open to provide an entry for the insertion of a photograph between the frame front and rear panels, the front panel having a photograph viewing aperture;

b) a pair of locator strips between the front and rear panels, the locator strips disposed along each of two opposite sides of the frame extending perpendicular to the open side with both the frame front and rear panels being adhered respectively to opposite surfaces of each strip;

c) the locator strips having parallel inboard edges that define a photograph receiving space therebetween, the inboard edges comprising guides slidably engageable edge-to-edge with opposite side edges of a photograph inserted through the entry and into the space so as to provide side-to-side positioning of the photograph relative to the viewing aperture; and

d) a first mailer panel foldably connected to the frame rear panel along a first fold line for folding to a position superimposed over the frame front panel.

2. An integral frame and mailer as inclaim 1 wherein each locator strip is generally L-shaped with the short leg of the L-shape extending generally parallel to the frame entry and an edge of each short leg being engageable edge-to-edge with a leading edge of a photograph inserted into the frame to provide end-to-end positioning of the photograph relative to the viewing aperture.

3. An integral frame and mailer as inclaim 1 wherein the end portion of each locator strip adjacent the entry is tapered outward towards an adjacent frame side to facilitate the insertion of a photograph into the space between the inboard edges of the locator strips.

4. An integral frame and mailer as inclaim 1 wherein the locator strips are formed by glue flaps foldably connected to opposite sides edges of the frame rear panel and are folded inward over the frame rear panel to locate the glue flaps between the frame front and rear panels.

5. An integral frame and mailer as inclaim 1 wherein the frame rear panel includes a separation line adjacent the first fold line, the separation line and first fold line being parallel.

6. An integral frame and mailer as inclaim 1 including a second mailer panel connected to the first mailer panel along a second fold line parallel to the first fold line the first and second mailer panels being foldable over the frame front and rear panels respectively to sandwich the frame panels therebetween.

7. An integral frame and mailer as inclaim 1 wherein the thickness of each locator strip is substantially equal to the photograph thickness.

8. An integral frame and mailer as inclaim 6 including a closure flap connected along a third fold line to the second mailer panel and the third fold line being parallel to the first and second fold lines.

9. A blank for forming a combined picture frame and mailer comprising:

a) a frame front panel having an photograph viewing aperture therein;

b) a frame rear panel connected to the frame front panel along a first fold line;

c) a mailer rear panel connected to the frame rear panel along a second fold line; and

d) locator strips foldably connected to opposite side edges of the frame rear panel that are perpendicular to the first fold line, each locator strip having an outboard edge that extends parallel to the opposite side edges of the frame rear panel and the outboard edges upon the folding of the strips over the frame rear panel defining photograph engaging guides that slidably engage edge-to-edge with side edges of the photograph.

10. A blank for forming a combined picture frame and mailer as inclaim 9 wherein each of the locator strips is generally L-shaped wherein the short leg of the L-shape is adjacent the first fold lie and extends outward from the side edge of the frame rear panel, each of the short legs having an edge that extends parallel with the second fold line.

11. A blank for forming a combined picture frame and mailer as inclaim 9 including a second mailer panel connected to the first mailer panel along a third fold line, the first, second and third fold lines being parallel.

12. A method of preparing a picture for mailing comprising:

a) forming a frame having three closed sides and an open side by

i) folding glue flaps over opposite side edges of a frame rear panel, the glue flaps each having an inboard edge that is parallel to the frame side edges,

ii) adhering a surface of the glue panels to side edge portions of the frame rear panel,

iii) folding a frame front panel having a viewing aperture over the rear panel and adhering side edge portions of the front panel to a reverse surface of the glue flaps leaving the side opposite the fold open for the insertion of a photograph;

b) inserting a photograph through the open side of the frame and into a space between the frame front panel and the frame rear panel and slidably engaging opposite side edges of the photograph edge-to-edge against adjacent parallel inboard edges of the glue flaps;

c) the sliding edge-to-edge engagement acting to locate the photograph side-to-side relative to the viewing aperture;

d) folding a first mailer panel connected to the frame rear panel at the open end over the front panel; and

e) effecting a seal to maintain the mailer panel disposed over the frame front panel for mailing.

13. A method as inclaim 12 wherein the glue flaps are generally L-shaped and the short leg of each glue flap has an edge equally spaced from and generally parallel to the open side of the frame, and inserting of the photograph into the frame continues until a leading edge of the photograph contacts edge-to-edge the short leg edge of the glue flaps

14. A method as inclaim 12 comprising:

a) folding a second mailer panel connected to the first mailer panel over the frame rear panel; and

b) folding a closure flap connected to the second mailer panel over the first mailer panel and the step of effecting a sealing comprises sealing the closure panel to the first mailer panel.