DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an envelope for mailing and displaying a display sheet, and more particularly to an envelope that can be opened out to form a picture frame for displaying the display sheet.

A known envelope for mailing and subsequently displaying a photograph is described in US 5,822,897. After mailing, the envelope may be opened out with a front panel of the envelope forming a frame and a rear panel of the envelope forming a stand. The size of the picture frame is determined by the size of the front panel of the envelope, and accordingly the size of the envelope must be

significantly larger than the size of the photograph in order for the photograph to fit within the frame.

It is therefore an aim of the invention to provide an improved envelope for mailing and subsequently displaying a display sheet such as a photograph.

According to the invention, there is provided an envelope for mailing and displaying a display sheet, wherein the envelope comprises a back panel, a front panel adjoining the back panel, and an overlap panel adjoining the front panel, the overlap panel for fixing to the back panel to close the envelope when the panels are folded over one another, wherein the front and back panels are provided with a border, and wherein the envelope is openable out to unfold the front and back panels so that the border forms a picture frame border around the periphery of the combined first and second panels within which the display sheet can be held for display.

The envelope thereby utilises both the front and the back panels of the envelope to form the borders of the picture frame. This means that the frame may be substantially double the original envelope size, allowing it to contain and amply frame a display sheet such as a greetings card or picture or photograph of nearly the whole size of the envelope. For example, if the original envelope has a surface area of A4, when unfolded the frame may have a surface area of A3.

Accordingly, the envelope can be opened out to frame a display sheet that fully fills the space within the envelope during mailing. The ability to use an envelope which is no larger than that required to hold the display sheet, may help reduce wastage, excess postal charges etc.

Advantageously, the envelope and picture frame border is sized such that a display sheet that just fits inside the envelope when closed can be rotated through 90 degrees to just fit inside the picture frame border when the envelope is opened out.

The envelope may comprise means for preventing or disguising any creasing of the picture frame border that occurs at the interface between the font and back panels whilst the envelope is closed. Namely, the picture frame border may be patterned, embossed or corrugated such that any creases formed in the picture frame border blend in with the patterning, embossing or corrugation.

Alternatively, an insert strip may be provided for placing over a fold line of the picture frame border when the envelope is opened out, thereby hiding the fold line from view. Alternatively, a thickness of the picture frame border may be reduced where the front and back panels adjoin one another, and an insert strip may be insertable between the picture frame border at the area of reduced thickness and the front and back panels. A protector strip may be provided over a fold line of the picture frame border to protect the picture frame border from creasing when the envelope is closed.

Advantageously a wall attachment and or support stand may be provided as an addition to, or as an integral part of the picture frame. The wall attachment and or support stand may be constructed from the same material as the frame. A live hinge may be used to facilitate either of the aforementioned display methods. This is also advantageous due to eliminating the need for additional manufacturing processes and reducing overall cost. The wall attachment and or support stand may be attached to the envelope as per the frame and pushed into operation mode via lines of weakness situated on the envelope and folded into position.

Alternatively, a wall attachment device may be provided on the back panel for conveniently attaching the picture frame to a surface such as a wall. The wall attachment device may be positioned on the back panel such that the wall attachment device is covered by the overlap when the envelope is closed, thereby preventing wall attachment device from catching on any other objects during mailing of the envelope. This can also help to improve the aesthetic appearance of the envelope, by retaining a simpler appearance much closer to a classic envelope.

The envelope may further comprise two side panels adjoining the front panel along opposite sides of the front panel, the two side panels for fixing to the back panel when the envelope is closed. The two side panels may provide additional security to the envelope when closed and help assure that a display sheet remains safely held in the envelope during posting. Each side panel may be provided with a tab portion to assist in releasing the side panels from the back panel when the envelope is opened.

Advantageously, the front and rear panels may be provided with lines of weakness such that the overlap panel and any side panels can be torn away from the envelope once opened if desired. The lines of weakness are preferably inset from the edges of the front panel and are beneath the picture frame border, so that the tears are not visible when the picture frame is viewed from the front.

Almost all of the all elements of the envelope are utilised to create the finished piece, with very little being thrown away.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a plan schematic rear view of a blank for forming an envelope according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a plan schematic front view of the blank of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 shows a rear view of a closed envelope formed from the blank of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the envelope of Fig. 3 when opened up and used as a picture frame; and

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view looking in along lines X-X of Fig. 4.

The plan schematic diagram of Fig.1 shows a rear view of a blank for forming an envelope according to an embodiment of the invention. The envelope comprises a back panel 10, a front panel 12 adjoining the back panel 10 along a fold line , and an overlap panel 4 adjoining the front panel 12 along a fold line 3. The back panel 0 can be folded downwardly about the fold line 11 until it meets the front panel 12, and then the overlap panel 14 can be folded downwardly about the fold line 13 until it meets the back panel 0, whereupon the overlap panel 14 can be temporarily secured to the back panel 10 by an adhesive for mailing.

The envelope of Fig. 1 further comprises two side panels 17 adjoining the front panel 12 along opposite sides of the front panel, the two side panels for folding about fold lines 16 and for temporarily securing to the back panel 10 by an adhesive for mailing. The two side panels 7 each comprise a tab portion 18 for assisting the release of the side panels from the back panel 10 upon opening the envelope.

The front panel 12 comprises lines of weakness 15 so that the side panels can be torn away after the envelope has been opened, and a line of weakness 20 so that the overlap portion can also be torn away if desired. The lines of weakness do not have to be straight lines, although straight lines may be preferred for ease of tearing.

The lines of weakness 15 and 20 are inset from the fold lines 16 and 3, and accordingly when the side panels 17 and/or overlap panel 14 are torn away, part(s) of the front panel are also torn away. The panels of the envelope may be constructed using various types of sheet material, for example paper, card, etc. One type of material that has been found to allow easy tearing-away of the side and overlap panels without risking the tearing of other parts of the structure is DuPont™ Tyvek®.

A wall attachment device 19 on the back panel 0 is in the form of a triangular metallic element partially embedded into the back panel 10. The triangular element may be used to hook the envelope onto a wall after the envelope has been opened out. The wall attachment device 9 is positioned on the back panel 0 so that it is covered by the overlap panel 14 when the envelope is sealed for mailing. Other suitable types of wall attachment device will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

A front view of the blank of Fig. 1 is shown in Fig. 2, and it can be seen that a picture frame border 22 extends all around the periphery of the combined front and back panels 10 and 2, just fitting within the area of the front and back panels. The picture frame border 22 defines an aperture 24 within which a display sheet can be fitted, for example a photograph 25 as shown in Fig. 4.

When the envelope is sealed with the overlap panel 14 secured to the back panel 10 and the photograph 25 inside the envelope, the envelope conceals the picture frame border 22 on the inside of the envelope. Fig.3 shows a schematic diagram of the closed envelope when viewed facing towards the back panel 10 of the envelope.

When the envelope is subsequently opened (for example, after mailing), the photograph 25 can removed from the envelope, the envelope with picture frame border 22 can be unfolded, and the photograph 25 can be fitted within the aperture 24 of the picture frame border 22 as shown in Fig. 4. The placement of the photograph 25 within the picture frame border helps provide stability to the overall design, and the fold line 11 between the front and back panels becomes hidden behind the photograph 25. The envelope and picture frame border 22 are sized so that the photograph 25 just fits inside the sealed envelope as shown in Fig. 3, and can be rotated through 90 degrees to just fit inside the picture frame border 22 when the envelope is opened out as shown in Fig.2

The side panels 17 can be removed from the opened envelope by tearing along the lines of weakness 15. The overlap panel 4 may also be removed from the opened envelope by tearing along the line of weakness 20, for example if the opened envelope is to be hung from a wall using the wall attachment device 19. Alternatively, the overlap panel may be left on the opened envelope and used to stand the envelope up as shown in Fig.4, for example if the photograph 25 in the picture frame border 22 of the opened envelope is to be displayed on a flat surface. The lines of weakness may for example be perforations in the front panel.

Since the lines of weakness 15 and 20 are placed at different locations to the fold lines 6 and 13, the locations being underneath the picture frame border, when the side panels 17 and/or overlap panel are torn away, the edges of the tear are underneath the picture frame border 22 and so are not visible when the picture frame border is viewed from the front as in Fig. 4.

Although in this embodiment the side panels extend substantially along the whole length of the left and right sides of the front panel as viewed in Fig.2, in alternative embodiments the side panels may extend only partially along the length of the left and right sides of the front panels, or the side panels may not be implemented at all.

The size of the picture frame border 22 should match the accompanying display sheet (in this embodiment photograph 25), and is designed to allow the display sheet to slip underneath the edges of the picture frame border 22 to be held in place.

The bend in the picture frame border 22 that occurs along the fold line 11 when the envelope is closed may be designed to be 'hidden' into the picture frame border aesthetic, for example the picture frame border may be patterned or embossed such that a crease formed in the picture frame border at the boundary between the front and back panels when the envelope is closed, blends in with the patterning or embossing.

In the illustrated embodiment, an insert strip is provided at each of the two bends in the picture frame border material, as can be seen in the cross sectional diagram 40 of Fig. 5, which has been taken looking in at X-X marked on Fig. 4.

The Fig. 5 cross sectional diagram shows that a part 42 of the thickness of the picture frame border material 22 in the regions of the bends at fold line 11 has been removed, so that the thickness of the picture frame border material at the bends is reduced, giving little or no creasing when the picture frame border material 22 is folded in the envelope. Then, upon opening the envelope the insert strip 45 is inserted between the picture frame border and the front and back panels 12 and 10 to provide more rigidity to the thinned picture frame border material. The part 42 has been removed from the rear of the picture frame border material, i.e. entirely at the side of the picture frame border material closest to the front and back panels, thereby maintaining the front side appearance of the picture frame border material.

In the illustrated embodiment, two insert strips are provided, one for each of the bends in the picture frame border material. Each of the two insert strips are long enough to provide rigidity to the picture frame border at one of the two bends. Alternatively, a single insert strip may be provided that extends substantially the whole way along the fold line 1 from one bend in the picture frame border material 22 to the other bend in the picture frame border material 22.

As a further alternative, insert strip(s) may be designed to cover over the two bends in the picture frame border and help provide rigidity. The insert strips may for example fit into slightly cut-away portions at the front side of the picture frame border material at the bends, or just attach directly on top of the picture frame border material at the bends. Furthermore, two protector strips (not show in Figs) may be respectively placed at the two bends to reduce the angle of curvature of the bends when the envelope is closed, and to thereby minimise any creasing of the picture frame border.

The picture frame border 22 is formed of a picture frame border material that is adhered or otherwise attached to the front panel 14 prior to the sealing of the envelope. In this embodiment, the picture frame border material is a card sheet having an aperture 24 for holding the photograph 25 therein, allowing quality printing on the card's surface.

In alternative embodiments the picture frame border material may be made of other materials, for example a dense foam, or non-creasing materials such as fabrics. In the case of dense foam, the use of a small protective throw away strip of additional foam along the fold line may be particularly advantageous to help prevent the foam folding past the critical point and then permanently creasing whilst the envelope is closed.

The picture frame border 22 may be formed as a single sheet , or in separate parts, for example one half may be fixed to the front panel 12 and the other half may be separately fixed to the back panel 10 to form the aperture 24 for the photograph 25. When the picture frame border is formed as two halves on the front and back panels respectively, the use of two inserts to help bridge the two halves together once the envelope has been opened may be particularly advantageous.

Although in the illustrated embodiment the picture frame border is rectangular, other picture frame border shapes such as for example triangles or ovals may be used in alternative embodiments.

Further alternate embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims will also be apparent to the skilled person. Alternative embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 6 shows a plan schematic rear view of a blank for forming an envelope according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 shows a plan schematic front view of the blank of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows a rear view of a closed envelope formed from the blank of Fig. 6 and Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 shows a front view of a closed envelope formed from the blank of Fig. 6 and Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the envelope of Fig. 9 when opened up and used as a picture frame; and

Fig. 11 shows a cross-sectional view looking in along lines Z-Z of Fig. 0.

The plan schematic diagram of Fig .6 shows a rear view of a blank for forming an envelope according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. The envelope comprises a back panel 10, a front panel 12 adjoining the back panel 10 along a fold line 11 , and an overlap panel 14 adjoining the front panel 12 along a fold line 13. The back panel 10 can be folded downwardly about the fold line 1 until it meets the front panel 12, and then the overlap panel 14 can be folded downwardly about the fold line 13 until it meets the back panel 10, whereupon the overlap panel 4 can be temporarily secured to the back panel 10 by an adhesive for mailing.

The envelope of Fig. 6 further comprises two side panels 17 adjoining the front panel 12 along opposite sides of the front panel, the two side panels for folding about fold lines 6 and for temporarily securing to the back panel 0 by an adhesive for mailing. In this embodiment a tab portion 18 may be created, which adjoins two parallel lines of weakness 15 to create tear strip 31. Once torn away it allows for the release of side panels 17 and unwanted excess outer envelope materials of back panels 10 and 12, including overlap panel 14. This process allows for the simultaneous opening of the envelope.

The panels of the envelope may be constructed using various types of sheet material, for example paper, card, etc. A front view of the blank of Fig. 6 is shown in Fig. 7, and it can be seen that a picture frame border 22 extends all around the periphery of the combined front and back panels 10 and 12, just fitting within the area of the front and back panels. The picture frame border 22 defines an aperture 24 within which sits an integrated picture frame stand/wall hanging attachment device that is connected to the frame via a live hinge. Once activated, via either pushing the stand 26 downwardly through back panels 10 and 12 as shown in fig 10 or pushing through wall hanging attachments 32 or 33, a display sheet can be fitted within the aperture, masking any sign of the stand/wall hanging attachment device. An example of this is the display sheet 34 as shown in Fig. 11. Other suitable types of wall attachment device will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

When the envelope is sealed with the overlap panel 4 secured to the back panel 0 and the display sheet 34 inside the envelope, the envelope conceals the picture frame border 22 on the inside of the envelope. Fig.8 shows a schematic diagram of the closed envelope when viewed facing towards the back panel 0 of the envelope. Fig.9 shows a schematic diagram of the closed envelope when viewed facing towards the front panel 12 of the envelope.

When the envelope is subsequently opened (for example, after mailing), the display sheet 34 can removed from the envelope, the envelope with picture frame border 22 can be unfolded, the picture frame can be assembled and given extra rigidity via folding along lines 27 edges 29 are folded relational to frame inner area 28 the folds may be at 90 degrees and may be held in place via glue or gum tape. Other suitable methods of holding the edges in place will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. The display sheet 34 can then be fitted within the aperture 24 of the picture frame border 22 as shown in Fig. 1 . The placement of the display sheet 34 within the picture frame border helps provide stability to the overall design, whilst concealing the cavity left behind by the activation of either display method.

The envelope and picture frame border 22 are sized so that the photograph 25 just fits inside the sealed envelope as shown in Fig. 8, and can be rotated through 90 degrees to just fit inside the picture frame border 22 when the envelope is opened out as shown in Fig.7

The lines of weakness 15 and tear strip 31 are placed at different locations to the fold lines 27, these locations being underneath the picture frame border. Therefore, when the side panels 1 , overlap panel 14 and excess outer envelope materials comprising of rear and front sheets 10 and 12 are torn away, the edges of the tear are underneath the picture frame border 22 and so are not visible when the picture frame border is viewed from the front as in Fig. 10.

Although in this embodiment the side panels extend substantially along the whole length of the left and right sides of the front panel as viewed in Fig.7, in alternative embodiments the side panels may extend only partially along the length of the left and right sides of the front panels, or the side panels may not be implemented at all.

The size of the picture frame border 22 should match the accompanying display sheet on one axis but be slightly smaller on the other (in this embodiment display sheet 34). This is designed to allow the display sheet to slip underneath the edges of the picture frame border 22 on one axis to be held in place.

The bend in the picture frame border 22 that occurs along the fold line 1 when the envelope is closed may be designed to be 'hidden' into the picture frame border aesthetic. For example, the picture frame border may be patterned, embossed or corrugated, whereby the lines of corrugated fluting run along the same axis as fold line 11. This is in order that a crease formed in the picture frame border at the boundary between the front and back panels when the envelope is closed, blends in with the patterning, embossing or corrugated fluting. One such type of material that has been found to easily disguise the fold crease line is single faced corrugated cardboard.

The picture frame border 22 is formed of a picture frame border material that is adhered or otherwise attached to the front panels 10 and 12 prior to the sealing of the envelope. In this embodiment, the picture frame border material is a card sheet having an aperture 24 for holding the display sheet 34 therein, allowing quality printing on the card's surface. When the display sheet is slipped underneath the edges of the picture frame border 22, the placement of the glue between panels 10, 12 and the frame boarder 22 can be utilised to ensure that display sheet 34 sits securely and does not slip between the gap which would otherwise exist between the envelope and frame.

Although in the illustrated embodiment the picture frame border is rectangular, other picture frame border shapes such as for example triangles or ovals may be used in alternative embodiments.

Further alternate embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims will also be apparent to the skilled person.