Companies are constantly seeking to produce interesting ways of presenting pictures and graphics, relating either to their products, or to promotional activities in which they are involved. Furthermore, there is a constant demand for inexpensive'novelty'items which companies can give away as promotional gifts/incentives, either with or without their products.

According to the present invention, there is provided apparatus for displaying a picture or graphic made from a single sheet of paper, plastic, or indeed from any inexpensive material, either standing by itself or against a background (a'diorama'), and which may be on any of the surfaces of the apparatus. There may be, for example, an image on a surface or member which becomes visible when the apparatus is deployed, or which may become visible when the deployed apparatus is set up with one surface facing outwards, the other downwards, and vice versa. There may also be on the apparatus, information relating to the picture/s or graphics.

In the examples provided, there are eight variants on a common constructional theme, which deploy in similar ways but which employ different shapes, which dictate different constructional methods, and different ways of locking surfaces together. Additionally, the way the apparatus may be dispensed bears directly on the method of construction adopted ; for example, if the apparatus were to be dispensed with a long flat product, the configuration would almost certainly be flat, whereas, if the product was sold as part of a smaller package, the format would probably involve folding, and a different construction.

In the first four versions, the basic format is the same, i. e., three sections, which may be circular, joined in series by a fold at the circumference. In three of the versions, the panel intended to display the main picture or graphic, is located within, and cut out from, the centre section, to which it is joined by a hinge at one end. In the first configuration, the fold at the base of the panel is also common to a fold which forms the base fold of a section cut into the join between the first and second panels, which, when the two panels are folded towards one another during deployment, will fold inwards in the opposite direction, to form a box like structure, immediately behind the base of the central picture panel. If the apparatus is to be dispensed in a compact, ie folded, modus, the lower plane of the inward-folding section may be glued flat against the back of the base of the hinged picture bearing member in the central panel. The third of the three circular sections, joined by a fold at the circumference in the same way as the previous two panels, functions as a retaining and positioning member for the picture-panel. Into the far end of this section, is cut an aperture similar to an inwardly curled fork, or pincers. When the apparatus is deployed, this last section is brought down so that the central picture panel slides through a guide slit, open at the outside edge to form two'arms', which slide down behind the picture panel, and past the upper part of the inward folding box to'embrace'the lower part of the box and the picture panel. The picture panel has two small extensions, projecting outwards on either side, at the base, which stops the third, or retaining panel, from continuing all the way to the bottom of the picture panel; this allows the picture panel to stand upright, directly in front of the first panel, which may bear another graphic or image, as a back-drop... a diorama. A further locking mechanism may comprise a small 'spur'or tooth, which engages with an aperture cut into the base of the vertical picture panel.

The next version achieves the same final structure, i. e., a diorama, but in a different way. The configuration of the three panels, which may be circular, is the same, i. e., joined in series at two fold lines. This differs from the first version, insofar as the deployment of the apparatus is achieved by simply lifting the picture panel from out of the central section, and bringing the third panel down upon it, and sliding the picture panel through a slit located near the far end of the last panel, until it is stopped by the side projections, or by the locking tooth. On the far outside edge of this last panel, projects a tab, with a slit cut into one side. When the last panel is fully depressed down over the picture member, this'hook'will, when pushed slightly to one side, against the tension of the structure, slide into an aperture cut into the base of the first, or back panel, and the slit will engage with one side of this aperture when the structure is allowed, by it's own tension, to move back to it's original position.

The third version is almost identical to the first in configuration, except that instead of pushing the picture member through a slit on the other panel, the erection of the picture member is achieved by the same means as the first, i. e., by gluing the lower section of the inward-folding section behind the picture panel, to the back of the base of the picture panel. This version is intended to be dispensed folded, and therefore, the third panel is folded back wards, beneath the central section and glued to it at the edges, allowing the picture panel to rise when the first section is pulled upwards to the vertical. Locking the apparatus is achieved by means of two'wings', cut into the far outside edge of the last section, and which, when glued into position beneath it, lie directly beneath the two inward folding panels, or'box'immediately behind and beneath the picture member.

These two wings are hinged along their outside edges, corresponding exactly to the cut- lines of the lower section of the inward folding box. The apparatus is deployed when opened, therefore, and locking is achieved by pushing the two wings inwards into the box-cavity behind the picture panel.

The fourth version, again, three sections, which may be circular, joined in series, has the picture, or vertical member cut from the last panel, and joined to it by a fold/hinge, which is located at the far edge of that panel. The apparatus is deployed by folding the last panel back beneath the central panel, which has the slit and locking-tooth cut into a position near the far edge, corresponding to the position of the picture member, on the last panel, when brought into position beneath the central panel. In this version, the picture member is pushed through the slit until stopped by the locking tooth, or by the side projections on the picture member, and the apparatus is locked into position by the insertion of the tab cut into the join/fold between the first and second panels, which extends downwards through the fold, into an aperture cut into the far edge of the last panel.

In addition to the display achieved by the main picture member, another feature of the first two configurations, and the fourth, of the apparatus, is that the base section from which the picture panel is cut, presents itself as a recess in the base, providing an ideal location for another picture or graphic, if the apparatus is turned on it's back panel.

Additional configurations account for variations in both shape and construction, related to their size, dimensions and suitability for various forms of packaging. Although most of these are'dioramas', featuring two, or perhaps more, raised panels, the inventions also relate to a simple'stand-up'picture display system consisting of only one raised member.

A further configuration, consists of three panels, again joined in series at hinge/fold lines, which may be rectangular, where the first panel, either may itself form the back panel of the diorama, or alternatively, have that panel cut from out of it, the edges being then of neccessity, glued to the central panel, into which is cut the smaller or'front'image. In deployment, the user raised first the back panel, which is generally the larger, from the top surface, thus exposing the rear of the smaller, or front member, which is then raised up on the same side as the first. The third panel, which has two slits cut into it, corresponding to the base-position of the two raised panels is rotated about the fold on the outside edge, to be brought down and engaged with the two raised panels, so that they slide through the two slits, and are stopped either by a locking tooth or projections from the base of the raised members, so as to present their surfaces to the viewer as a diorama.

Further configurations may consist in increased numbers of erectable panels, different angles of presentation, and the achieving of a curved surface on any of the panels or members by cutting the hinges and the slits through which the panels are slid.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : (FIRSTconfiguration) Fig 1 is a front view of the apparatus prior to folding or deployment; Fig 2 is a rear view of the same ; Fig 3 is a front view showing the picture panel folded back against the body of the apparatus for gluing; Fig 4 is a rear view of the same; Fig 5 is a front view showing the top panel folded down over the central panel; Fig 6 is a rear view, showing the interior folded section behind the picture panel, now contained inside the body of the apparatus; Fig 7 shows the'front'of the apparatus closed, as it would be for dispensing; Fig 8 shows the reverse side; Figs 21-26 are schematic drawings showing the deployment of the apparatus; Fig 27 shows the apparatus in the display position, the central picture panel against the backdrop; Fig 28 shows the alternative display, the recessed aperture on the base which may contain an image or graphic.

According to Figs 1 and 2, the apparatus 1 consists of a single sheet of paper, card, plastic or some other suitable material. The apparatus 1 is in this case, three panels, 9,10,11 which may be circular, joined in series at fold lines C-C and E-E. Into the central panel 10 is cut a member 15, joined at the top end by fold-line D-D, close to and parallel to fold line C-C Immediately behind the fold line D-D, and running upward from it, are two cut-lines enclosing a central panel 13. This ends at the fold C-C, but within the panel, is called fold line B-B: the fold line B-B is contained by, and on the same line as the fold line C-C. A second panel 12 continues in the same direction and into the top panel 9, but this panel 12 is indented by semi-circular cut-lines, and ends at fold line A-A. The distance between fold lines D-D and B-B is equal to the distance between fold lines B-B and A-A. In fig 3 the picture member 15 is shown raised flat against the panel 13, to which, in the case of a folded dispensing, it may be glued. In Fig 5 the top panel 9 is shown folded downwards over both the central panel 10, and the picture panel 15. The effect of this movement would be to cause the two panels contained within fold lines A-A and D-D, to fold inwards along fold line B-B, in the opposite direction from the folding of panel 9 downward to panel 10 along fold line C-C In the course of manufacture, the apparatus 1 may be finished for distribution by folding the lower panel 11 backwards along fold line E-E, to be glued at some point on the opposite side of the apparatus 1 to the side on which the top panel 9 is glued.

The bottom panel 11 has, cut into the far end, a slit 21,22, partially open on the outside edge. On either side of the slit 21,22 and forming the outside edge of the slit, are two retaining'arms'24,25.

In the case of the folded and glued version of the apparatus 1, to deploy this version, the user raises the back panel 9 (Figs 21-26) along the fold line C-C, which would also raise the picture member 15 from its position in the central panel 10 on the same plane as the back panel 9. To lock the apparatus 1 into a rigid structure, the user would then lift the last panel 11, and bring it down towards the base panel 10, and slide the picture panel 15 through the slit 21,22, with the retaining arms 24,25 on either side of the picture panel 15. the arms 24,25 meet the indented edges of the top surface 12 of the inward folding box 12, 13, on the edge, and are easily pressed down into the space below (Figs 25,26). The retaining panel 11 is stopped by the projections 17,18 on the base of the picture panel 15, and locked by engaging with indents 19,20 immediately above the projections 17,18.

Additionally, or alternatively, the small'tooth'23, in the slit 21,22 on the retaining panel 11 may, by engaging with the slit 16, at the base of the picture panel 15, provide a means of locking the apparatus 1 into a rigid position.

In the case of the un-glued version, the assembly would be almost exactly similar, except that user would have to hold the back panel 9 hard against the raised picture member 15, as the retaining panel 11, came down over the picture member 15; the effect of pressing the retaining arms 24,25 behind the picture panel 15, and into the space contained by the two panels 12,13 would secure the apparatus 1 in a rigid position.

Fig 27 shows the apparatus 1 in the final display position, and Fig 28 shows the apparatus 1 laid on it's back with the base panel 10 from which the main picture member 15 has been cut, shown as a recess which could provide a possible setting for another image or graphic located on the underside of panel 11.

(SECOND configuration) Fig 9 shows a front view of the apparatus prior to folding or deployment; Fig 10 is the rear view ; Figs 30-33 are schematic drawings showing deployment ; Figs 33-35 are schematic drawings showing variant configurations involving multiple picture panels 15a, 15B in Fig 33 set at different angles, and 15C, 15D, 15E.

The apparatus 2, is very similar to the first version 1, except that the locking of the apparatus 2 is achieved, not by the inward folding box 12,13 on apparatus 1, but by a tab 29 which has a slit 30 cut into one edge, which engages with an aperture 26 cut into the back panel 9, staggered slightly to one side, so that the natural tension of the structure 2 (Fig 31), tends the keep the slit 30 engaged with a side of the aperture 26. Deployment of the apparatus 2 is achieved therefore, in an almost similar way.

(THIRD configuration) Fig 11 shows the front of the apparatus; (obverse symmetrical) Figs 36 and 37 are schematic drawings showing how the apparatus is assemble prior to distribution ; Figs 38 and 39 show the deployment of the apparatus.

The apparatus 3, has similarities to previous versions, except that this configuration is dearly meant for a folded/compact distribution. The base panel 11 no longer acts as the retaining member, but becomes the base which is glued (Fig 36,39) at the outer edges to the top panel 10 from which the central picture member 15 is cut. The initial deployment of the apparatus 3, however, is identical with the action in the first version ; the back panel 9 is lifted along fold line C-C, which raises the picture member 15, as it is glued to the lower panel 13, of the inward folding box 12,13. There is now no un-attached retaining member 11, as it is now glued to the central panel 10. To lock the apparatus 3, two wings 32,33 have been cut, with fold lines F-F and G-G on the outside edges which correspond exactly to the space left by the panel 13, which now falls inwards, along fold-lines D-D and B-B, as it is glued to the back of the picture member 15. These wings are pressed upwards into the space below the top horizontal panel 12, behind the picture panel 15, which locks the apparatus 3 into a rigid position. No other locking projections or indents are required for this version, and it has no base aperture as in the other versions.

(FOURTH configuration) Fig 12 shows the front of the apparatus prior to folding/deployment; Figs 40-43 are schematic drawings showing how the apparatus is deployed by the user.

In this configuration, the apparatus 4, has the picture member 15, cut from the last panel 11 in the series, joined at the far end by a fold line D-D. To assemble the apparatus 4, the user folds the last panel 11, back beneath the central panel 10, (Fig 41) in which a slit 27, has been cut to correspond with the position of the picture member 15 on the panel 11 when folded beneath. As the user folds back the last panel 11, the picture panel 15 is lifted upwards about the fold line D-D and the end inserted into the slit 27 (Fig 41) on the central panel 10, and pushed in as far as it will go, when it will be stopped by the projections 17, 18 on either side of the picture panel 15, and engaged with the indents 19,20, and also by the tooth 28 engaging with the slit 16 at the centre base of the picture member. To lock the apparatus 4 into it's final position, the panel 9 is lifted into a vertical position parallel to the now vertical picture member 15. At this point, the tab 34, which extends downwards from fold line C-C some way into the central panel 10, on the same plane as the back panel 9, will be engaged with the aperture 31 cut into the far edge of the last panel 1L The tab 34 may have indents cut into it which will lock into the aperture 31, holding the apparatus 4 in the final position for display of the graphics. Like the first and second configurations, this version can be up-ended to show the recess in the base panel 11, in which a subsequent image may be displayed.

(OTHER configurations) Figs 13-17 show a rectangular version where both the back panel and the main picture panel are held in position by the retaining member-panel; Figs 44-45 are schematic drawings showing how the apparatus may be assembled by a manufacturer, prior to distribution; Figs 46-48 are schematic drawings showing the deployment of the apparatus; Figs 18 & 19 are simple single-member stand-up picture displays; Fig 20 is a smaller diorama similar to the version shown in Figs 13-17; Figs 48-51 are schematic drawings showing these variants fully deployed.

The other versions, 5,6,7,8 which may be rectangular or any other shape, differ from the previous versions insofar as the retaining member 35, on the apparatus 5, shown in Figs 44-48, holds both the front picture member 39, which is cut from the central panel 36 which acts as the base of the apparatus 5, and the back member 38 which is cut from the top surface 35. To deploy this version of the apparatus 5, the user first lifts out the larger back panel 38 from the top-surface 35 by means of a tab 40 located on the top of the member 38 and raises it vertical. This exposes the base surface 36, into which another smaller panel 39 has been cut, and this too is pressed upwards on the same plane as the rear panel (Fig 46).

The retaining member 37 is then brought round by folding along fold line L-L, and both vertical picture panels are slid through the apertures 43,44 which correspond to the position of the picture members 38,39. The retaining member 37 is pushed down as far as it will go (Figs 47,48) and is stopped by projections 48 on either side of the vertical picture members 38,39. A locking tooth 42 located centrally on the leading edge of the slit 43 may engage with an aperture 41 located in the corresponding position on the smaller picture panel 39, Fig 48 shows the apparatus fully deployed. As with previous versions, the recessed aperture may also be utilised for displaying further graphics/ images or information. Figs 18 and 19 show single standing displays 6,7, where in Fig 18 the picture member 52 is held in the vertical position, by the retaining member 53, by sliding the picture member 52 through the slit 55 in the same way as the previous versions.

Fig 19 shows another method (employed in the second version), where a locking tooth 56, on the outside edge of the retaining member 53 is engaged with an aperture 57 at the base of the picture member-ic ne S ; o : s a smaller diorama 8. almost exactly similar to the apparatus 5 except that the back panel 61 is a continuation of the central panel 51, rather than a panel cut from it as in the apparatus 5. Figs 48-50 show these subsequent variants 6, 7 (deployment not illustrated), and 8 in the final deployed position.