Abstract:
A magnetic mailable postcard picture frame made from a planar blank. A center piece is attached to the planar blank&#39;s interior by a plurality of ties, and at least one magnet is attached to the planar blank&#39;s backside. The center piece may be at least partially detached by breaking the plurality of ties, thereby forming a window. A photograph may be positioned against the blank back, allowing the photograph to be displayed through the window. Attachment of the frame to a metallic object sandwiches the photograph between the postcard back and the metallic object, further holding the photograph in place.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/173,377, filed Dec. 28, 1999. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    (a) Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a magnetic picture frame made from a planar blank for a mailable postcard picture frame. A detachable center piece, or at least a partially detachable center piece, is located in the interior of the planar blank and is attached to the planar blank by a plurality of ties. The detachable center piece is detached by breaking a plurality of ties between the surrounding frame of the planar blank and the detachable center piece. A window is formed in the planar blank when ties are broken and the center piece removed. A flap is then folded along a score line toward the backside of the planar blank. A photograph can then be positioned on the ledge created by the fold between the flap top edge and the planar blank along the score line. The window permits the photograph or other item to be displayed as if in a picture frame. At least one side of the planar blank may be lined with a laminate sheet to add strength and durability and to enhance the aesthetic qualities of the picture frame. The postcard back contains a magnet so that the picture frame can be removably attached to a metal surface. When the postcard picture frame is attached to a metallic object using the magnet, the photograph is sandwiched between the postcard back and the metallic object, further holding the photograph in place. Alternatively, a second magnet may be employed in place of the flap, where at least one of the magnets is used to secure the photograph in place against a metallic object.  
           [0004]    (b) Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Applicant is aware of no prior art where a postcard mailer can be converted into a picture frame by breaking ties connecting a center piece and employing a flap to support a photograph.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention relates to a planar blank for a postcard picture frame and a picture frame made therefrom. The planar blank may be unlined, or at least one side of the blank may be lined with a laminate sheet to add strength, durability and enhance the aesthetic quality of the resulting picture frame. The laminate may be applied to either the front face, the back face or both the front and back faces of the planar blank.  
           [0007]    Formation of a picture frame from the planar blank requires only two steps. A detachable center piece, or at least partially detachable center piece, is located in the interior of the planar blank and is attached to the planar blank by a plurality of ties. Removal or partial detachment of the center piece is easy, as the consumer only has to break a plurality of ties between the surrounding frame of the planar blank and the center piece.  
           [0008]    The dimensions of the center piece are preferably approximately 3 inches tall by 5 inches wide, but the size and shape may be varied to accommodate various items to be displayed. A window is formed in the planar blank when the consumer breaks the ties and folds back the center piece or detaches the detachable center piece and folds a flap along a score line toward the backside of the planar blank. A photograph or other item of interest can then be positioned on the ledge created by the fold between the folded back center piece or the flap top edge and the planar blank along the score line. The window permits the photograph or other item to be displayed as if in a picture frame.  
           [0009]    The postcard back contains a magnet so that the picture frame can be removably attached to a metal surface, such as a refrigerator. When the postcard picture frame is attached to a metallic object using the magnet, the photograph is sandwiched between the postcard back and the metallic object, further holding the photograph in place. Alternatively, a second magnet may be employed on the frame back in place of the flap, where at least one of the magnets is used to secure the photograph in place against a metallic object.  
           [0010]    Information, such as business card type information, other advertising information or coupons, can be pre-printed on the front side of the detachable center for advertising or mailing purposes. The center piece may also contain one or more lines of perforation in any arrangement, thereby allowing the consumer to easily separate the center piece into two or more pieces, which for example, may be used as coupons. In addition, magnetic material can also be placed on the back of the detachable center piece to create a magnetic business card, for example.  
           [0011]    More particularly, the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a windowed postcard for magnetic attachment to a metallic surface, including: a frame having two faces, the two faces being a front and a back, the frame having an outer top edge, an inner top edge, an outer bottom edge, an inner bottom edge, an outer right edge, an inner right edge, an outer left edge, and an inner left edge; a detachable center piece, having a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge, and a left edge; a flap having a front, a back, a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge, and a left edge; a magnet affixed to the back face near the top edge of the frame; the top edge of the detachable center piece being connected to the inner top edge of the frame by a first tie and a second tie; the right edge of the detachable center piece being connected to the inner right edge of the frame by a third tie and a fourth tie; the bottom edge of the detachable center piece being connected to the top edge of the flap by a fifth tie and a sixth tie; the left edge of the detachable center piece being connected to the inner left edge of the frame by a seventh tie and an eighth tie; the first tie and the second tie having a first cut line therebetween; the second tie and the third tie having a second cut line therebetween; the third tie and the fourth tie having a third cut line therebetween; the fourth tie and the fifth tie having a fourth cut line therebetween; the fifth tie and the sixth tie having a fifth cut line therebetween; the sixth tie and the seventh tie having a sixth cut line therebetween; the seventh tie and the eighth tie having a seventh cut line therebetween; the eighth tie and the first tie having an eighth cut line therebetween; the right edge of the flap being separated from the inner right edge of the frame by a ninth cut line; the left edge of the flap being separated from the inner left edge of the frame by a tenth cut line; and the flap bottom edge being connected to the inner bottom edge of the frame, the flap bottom edge having a score line there along on said frame front. Additionally, a laminate sheet may be affixed to one or both faces of the frame. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a plan front view of a postcard planar blank of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as it would be placed in the mail;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a front view of the postcard planar blank of FIG. 1, showing the center piece removed, the flap folded along the score line away from the frame front, and the front of the flap supporting a photograph;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a back view of the postcard planar blank of FIG. 1, showing the center piece removed, the flap folded along the score line toward the frame back, a photograph resting on and supported by the flap, and a magnetic strip attached near the top of the frame back;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a right side view of the postcard, showing a photograph resting on the folded out flap and a magnetic strip attached to the frame back;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the postcard along the lines  5 - 5  of FIG. 2;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a right side view of an alternate embodiment of the postcard having the center piece removed, showing a photograph resting on the folded out flap and a magnetic strip attached to the frame back, where the front face of the postcard frame has a laminate sheet applied thereon;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a cross section view of the postcard of FIG. 6 along the lines  5 - 5  of FIG. 2;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a right side view of an alternate embodiment of the postcard having the center piece removed, showing a photograph resting on the folded out flap and a magnetic strip attached to the frame back, where both the front face and the back face of the postcard frame have a laminate sheet applied thereon;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a cross section view of the postcard of FIG. 8 along the lines  5 - 5  of FIG. 2;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the planar blank having a center flap portion detachable from the blank on three sides; and,  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a front view of the blank of FIG. 10, modified to include at least one line of perforations on the center flap portion to create at least one detachable portion.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the planar blank which has a detachable center piece detachable from the frame portion of the blank on all four sides, a magnetic strip attached near the top of the frame back, and a magnetic strip attached near the bottom of the frame back. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]    With reference to the figures, FIG. 1 shows the postcard planar blank  10  combined with magnet  100  to make the postcard picture frame  18 ,  118 ,  218  depicted in FIGS.  2 - 9  and the process of making the postcard picture frame  18 ,  118 ,  218 . The embodiments of FIGS.  1 - 9  and  12  teach a completely detachable center portion  30 , while the embodiments of FIGS.  10 - 11  teach center portions  130 ,  230  which may not be completely removed.  
         [0026]    It is envisioned that the planar blank  10  will be  9  point card stock in thickness, although heavier card stock can be used, as well as other materials such as plastic. Additionally, as seen in later embodiments, at least one laminate layer can also be employed.  
         [0027]    The postcard planar blank  10  is unitary and preferably has all of the cuts shown in FIG. 1 made simultaneously. The planar blank  10  of FIG. 1 has two faces, a frame front  11  and a frame back  80 . Frame front  11  has an outer top edge  12 , an inner top edge  40 , an outer bottom edge  14 , an inner bottom edge  44 , an outer right edge  13 , an inner right edge  42 , an outer left edge  15 , and an inner left edge  46 .  
         [0028]    A detachable center piece  30  has a top edge  32 , a bottom edge  36 , a right edge  34 , and a left edge  38 . A flap  70  has a front  76 , a back  78 , a top edge  72 , a bottom edge  73 , a right edge  74 , and a left edge  75 .  
         [0029]    The frame  18 ,  118 ,  218  and detachable center piece  30  are connected by a plurality of ties  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  62 ,  64  at their respective top edges  40 ,  32 , their respective left edges  46 ,  38  and their respective right edges  42 ,  34 . Two ties are shown connecting each of the respective top edges, left edges, and right edges, although one or more ties may be employed. The top edge  32  of the detachable center piece  30  is connected to the inner top edge  40  of the frame  18 ,  118 ,  218  by a first tie  50  and a second tie  52 . The right edge  34  of the detachable center piece  30  is connected to the inner right edge  42  of the frame  18 ,  118 ,  218  by a third tie  54  and a fourth tie  56 . The left edge  38  of the detachable center piece  30  is connected to the inner left edge  38  of the frame  18 ,  118 ,  218  by a seventh tie  62  and an eighth tie  64 .  
         [0030]    The flap  70  is connected to the detachable center piece  30  and the frame  18 ,  118 ,  218 , wherein the bottom edge  36  of the detachable center piece  30  is connected to the top edge  72  of the flap  70  by a fifth tie  58  and a sixth tie  60 , and the flap bottom edge  73  is connected to the inner bottom edge  44  of the frame  18 ,  118 ,  218 . A score line  79  runs along the flap bottom edge  73  on the front  11 . The score line  79  is a cut line that does not extend fully through the thickness of the card stock used for the planar blank  10 . This partial cut enables the flap  70  to be easily folded at the score line  79  by the consumer.  
         [0031]    There is a first cut line  20  between the first tie  50  and the second tie  52 . A second cut line  21  exists between the second tie  52  and the third tie  54 . There is a third cut line  22  between the third tie  54  and the fourth tie  56 . The fourth tie  56  and the fifth tie  58  have a fourth cut line  23  therebetween. There is a fifth cut line  24  between the fifth tie  58  and the sixth tie  60 . A sixth cut line  25  lies between the sixth tie  60  and the seventh tie  62 . There is a seventh cut line  26  between the seventh tie  62  and the eighth tie  64 . The eighth tie  64  and the first tie  50  have an eighth cut line  27  therebetween. A ninth cut line  28  separates the flap right edge  74  from the inner right edge  42  of the frame  18 ,  118 ,  218 . A tenth cut line  29  separates the flap left edge  75  from the inner left edge  46  of the frame  18 ,  118 ,  218 .  
         [0032]    Preferably cuts  20  and  24  are substantially parallel to each other as are cuts  22  and  26 . Preferably cuts  21 ,  23 ,  25  and  27  contain substantially ninety degree angles, with all cuts  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27  forming substantially a rectangle around the detachable center piece  30  with dimensions that are preferably approximately 3 inches tall by 5 inches wide. However, the cuts  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27  may be formed or aligned so as to create other shapes or rectangle sizes, such as approximately 4 inches tall by 6 inches wide, for the detachable center piece  30 . Furthermore, the number of cuts  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27  may be greater or lesser, depending upon the number of ties  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  utilized. Cut  28  adjoins cut  23  to form a T shaped cut. Cut  28  is in the same plane as cut  22 . Cut  29  adjoins cut  25  to form a T shaped cut. Cut  29  is in the same plane as cut  64 .  
         [0033]    With the addition of a magnet  100  as depicted in FIGS.  2 - 9 , placement of an address label on the detachable center piece  30  and postage, the planar blank  10  of FIG. 1 for the postcard picture frame  18 ,  118 ,  218  of FIGS.  2 - 9  may be mailed. Alternative means of addressing and postage may be employed, such as printing directly on the frame  18 ,  118 ,  218 .  
         [0034]    As depicted in FIGS.  2 - 3 , 5 , 7 , and  9 , the score line  79  serves as a fold line. The consumer detaches the center piece  30  by breaking the ties  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  to create a window  90 , and then folds the flap  70  backwards at the score line  79  to create an angled ledge  77  which will support a photograph  1  or other item of interest behind the window  90 , resting against the frame back  80 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 is a front view of the planar blank  10  of FIG. 1, wherein a postcard picture frame  18  has been formed by removal of the center piece  30  creating a window  90 , and creation of an angled ledge  77  by folding the flap  70  toward the frame back  80  at the score line  79 . The frame  18  displays a photograph  1  which is resting against the frame back  80  behind the window  90  and is supported by the angled ledge  77  created by the folded flap  70 .  
         [0036]    A magnet  100  is affixed to the frame back  80  above the window  90  near the top edge  82  of the frame back  80 . The magnet  100  is preferably a known thin sheet of flexible magnetic material, such as a vinyl material having magnetic material dispersed therethrough. Such a sheet of flexible magnetic material can be obtained under the trademark “UltraMag” from Flex-Mag Industrial, Inc., of Marietta, Ohio. Alternatively, a slurry of magnetic material can be affixed to at least a portion of the blank  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the postcard is approximately 6 inches high and 9 inches wide. Magnetic strip  100  is preferably about 1 inch high and 5 inches wide. However, depending on the magnetic capabilities of the magnetic material and the weight of the item to be magnetically affixed, magnet size can be varied. Also, a plurality of magnetic strips could be used; for example, magnetic strips could be placed in the four corners of the frame, or a top magnetic strip and a bottom magnetic strip could be employed. Even further, the frame back surface could be completely covered with magnetic material. The detachable center piece could be covered with magnetic material if, for example, a magnetic business card was desired, or the center piece could not include magnetic material. If completely covered, address information and postage could be directly or indirectly (through a label or postage meter strip) applied to the magnetic material.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 3 is a back view of the postcard picture frame  18  depicted in FIG. 2, which has a frame back  80 , containing a top edge  82 , a bottom edge  86 , a right edge  84 , and a left edge  88 . The postcard picture frame  18  displays a photograph  1  which is resting behind the window  90  against the frame back  80  and supported by the angled ledge  77  of the flap  70 . A magnet  100  is affixed to the frame back  80  above the window  90  near the top edge  82  of the frame back  80 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4 is a right side view of the postcard picture frame  18  depicted in FIGS.  2 - 3 . FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the postcard picture frame  18  depicted in FIGS.  2 - 3  and as identified by the lines  5 - 5  in FIG. 2.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 6 is a right side view of a postcard picture frame  118 . The only difference from frame  18  depicted in FIGS.  2 - 3  is the additional application of a first laminate sheet  94  to the front face  11  of the postcard frame  118 . FIG. 7 is a cross section view of the postcard picture frame  118  of FIG. 6 taken along the same cross section as that of frame  18  in FIG. 5.  
         [0040]    Instead of placing the laminate on the front face  11 , if only a single sheet is to be used, it could be placed on the back  80 , if desired. Alternatively, if desired, laminate could be placed on both the front  11  and back  80 , as seen in the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 8 is a right side view of a postcard picture frame  218 . The only difference from frame  18  depicted in FIGS.  2 - 3  is the additional application of a first laminate sheet  94  to the front face  11  of the postcard frame  218  and a second laminate sheet  96  to the back face  80  of the postcard frame  218 . FIG. 9 is a cross section view of the postcard picture frame  218  of FIG. 8 taken along the same cross section as that of frame  18  in FIG. 5.  
         [0042]    Therefore, as seen in the examples of FIGS.  6 - 9 , one or more laminate sheets  94 ,  96  may be applied to one or more faces  11 ,  80  of the frame to enhance the strength, durability and aesthetic qualities of the frame. A laminate sheet  94 ,  96  may be applied to either the front face  11 , the back face  80 , or both faces  11 ,  80  of the planar blank  10 , before formation of the frame  118 ,  218 . Each laminate sheet  94 ,  96  is unitary and preferably the same size as and has all of the cuts shown on the planar blank  10  depicted in FIG. 1. However, where there is laminate  94 ,  96  affixed to the front face  11 , the score line  79  will preferably pass through the laminate  94 ,  96  and into the planar blank  10 . The size of the laminate sheets  94 ,  96  may vary with the size of the planar blank  10 .  
         [0043]    The planar blank  10  of FIG. 1 is easily convertible to the postcard picture frame  18 ,  118 ,  218  of FIGS.  2 - 9 . A consumer can detach the center piece  30  by securely holding the frame  18 ,  118 ,  218  while exerting pressure on the detachable center  30  or on the plurality of ties  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 , thereby breaking the ties  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 . The consumer then folds the flap  70  at the score line  79  toward the frame back  80  thereby forming an angled ledge  77 . The consumer then places a photograph  1  or other like item on the angled ledge  77  and places the frame back  80  against a substantially metallic surface, such as a refrigerator. The postcard picture frame  18 ,  118 ,  218  is held in position against the metallic surface by the magnet  100 , thereby securing the photograph  1  between the frame back  80  and the metallic surface. This leaves the frame front  11  and the photograph  1  as seen in FIG. 2 viewable. The postcard picture frame  18 ,  118 ,  218  can then be repeatedly reused by the consumer as a frame to show off photos or items of interest.  
         [0044]    FIGS.  10  shows an alternate embodiment of the planar blank  210  where the center portion may not be removed. FIG. 10 shows the front view of a blank  210  having center portion  130 . The front  111  of blank  210  has the center piece  130  which is connected to three sides of the frame by a plurality of ties, namely  62  and  64  on left,  50  and  52  on the top, and  54  and  56  on the right. Score line  79  passes along the bottom of piece  130 . Cuts  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  26 , and  27  are as previously described. Cuts  123  and  125  at the bottom right and left of the piece  130  are straight cuts, there being no cut intersecting them as in blank  10 . As in the embodiment of blank  10 , all of the cuts are preferably made simultaneously. In use, a user can break ties  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  62 , and  64 , severing the center piece  130  from the planar blank  210  on three sides. Then, the user can fold the center piece  130  backwards along score line  79 , thereby creating a flap for a photograph using the entire center piece  130 . Piece  130  will engage some of the back of the photograph. A magnetic strip  100  can be employed as in the earlier embodiment.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 11 shows the front view of a blank  310  having center portion  230 . The front  211  of blank  310  has the center piece  230  which is connected to three sides of the frame by a plurality of ties, namely  62  and  64  on left,  50  and  52  on the top, and  54  and  56  on the right. Score line  79  passes along the bottom of piece  230 . Cuts  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  26 , and  27  are as previously described. Cuts  123  and  125  at the bottom right and left of the piece  230  are straight cuts, there being no cut intersecting them as in blank  10 . As in the embodiment of blank  10 , all of the cuts are preferably made simultaneously. In use, a user can break ties  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  62 , and  64 , severing the center piece  230  from the planar blank  310  on three sides. Then, the user can fold the center piece  230  backwards along score line  79 , thereby creating a flap for a photograph using the entire center piece  230 . Piece  230  will engage some of the back of the photograph. A magnetic strip  100  can be employed as in the earlier embodiment. This blank  310  includes at least one perforation line on center piece  230  to create a portion which can be removed by the user if desired. As shown, piece  230  includes a first perforation line  97 , parallel to score line  79 . As shown, the upper portion of piece  230  can be removed by tearing along the perforation line  97 . However, a portion is left between score line  79  and perforation line  97 , this portion being the same as flap  70  of blank  10 . If desired, a plurality of detachable pieces can be made by using additional perforation lines. As shown in FIG. 11, a center perforation line  98 , transverse to perforation line  97  creates two detachable sections. As an example, the front  211  outside center portion  230  could include advertising information, such as a business name and phone number. The detachable sections of center piece  230  created by perforation lines  97  and  98  could be printed to be redeemable coupons. The user could use the frame to display a photograph on their refrigerator, but know that the coupons were behind the photograph. When desired, the user could tear off a coupon and use it without impacting on the display of the photograph.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the planar blank  410  having no flap and a detachable center piece  330  which is attached to the frame portion  318  of the blank  410  on all four sides by fourteen ties  150 ,  51 ,  152 ,  53 ,  154 ,  156 ,  57 ,  158 ,  59 ,  160 ,  61 ,  162 ,  164 ,  66  with fourteen cut lines  87 ,  220 ,  88 ,  89 ,  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  91 ,  224 ,  92 ,  93 ,  225 ,  226 ,  227  therebetween. Five ties  66 ,  150 ,  51 ,  152 ,  53  are shown connecting the respective top edges  132 ,  140 , although one or more ties may be employed. Five ties  57 ,  158 ,  59 ,  160 ,  61  are shown connecting the respective bottom edges  136 ,  144 , although one or more ties may be employed. Two ties  154 ,  156  are shown connecting the respective right edges  134 ,  142 , although one or more ties may be employed. Two ties  162 ,  164  are shown connecting the respective left edges  138 ,  146 , although one or more ties may be employed.  
         [0047]    There is a first cut line  87  between the first tie  66  and the second tie  150 . A second cut line  220  exists between the second tie  150  and the third tie  51 . There is a third cut line  88  between the third tie  51  and the fourth tie  152 . The fourth tie  152  and the fifth tie  53  have a fourth cut line  89  therebetween. There is a fifth cut line  221  between the fifth tie  53  and the sixth tie  154 . A sixth cut line  222  lies between the sixth tie  154  and the seventh tie  156 . There is a seventh cut line  223  between the seventh tie  156  and the eighth tie  57 . The eighth tie  57  and the ninth tie  158  have an eighth cut line  91  therebetween. There is a ninth cut line  224  between the ninth tie  158  and the tenth tie  59 . A tenth cut line  92  lies between the tenth tie  59  and the eleventh tie  160 . There is an eleventh cut line  93  between the eleventh tie  160  and the twelfth tie  61 . The twelfth tie  61  and the thirteenth tie  162  have a twelfth cut line  225  therebetween. A thirteenth cut line  226  lies between the thirteenth tie  162  and the fourteenth tie  164 . There is an fourteenth cut line  227  between the fourteenth tie  164  and the first tie  66 .  
         [0048]    Preferably cuts  87 ,  220 ,  88 , and  89  are substantially parallel to cuts  93 ,  92 ,  224 , and  91 , and cut  222  is substantially parallel to cut  226 . Preferably cuts  221 ,  223 ,  225  and  227  contain substantially ninety degree angles, with all cut lines  87 ,  220 ,  88 ,  89 ,  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  91 ,  224 ,  92 ,  93 ,  225 ,  226 ,  227  forming substantially a rectangle around the detachable center piece  330  with dimensions that are preferably approximately 2 inches tall by 4 inches wide. However, the cuts  87 ,  220 ,  88 ,  89 ,  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  91 ,  224 ,  92 ,  93 ,  225 ,  226 ,  227  may be formed or aligned so as to create other shapes or rectangle sizes, such as approximately 3 inches tall by 5 inches wide, for the detachable center piece  330 . Furthermore, the number of cuts  87 ,  220 ,  88 ,  89 ,  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  91 ,  224 ,  92 ,  93 ,  225 ,  226 ,  227  may be greater or lesser, depending upon the number of ties  150 ,  51 ,  152 ,  53 ,  154 ,  156 ,  57 ,  158 ,  59 ,  160 ,  61 ,  162 ,  164 ,  66  utilized. As in the embodiment of blank  10 , all of the cuts are preferably made simultaneously. A user can break ties  150 ,  51 ,  152 ,  53 ,  154 ,  156 ,  57 ,  158 ,  59 ,  160 ,  61 ,  162 ,  164 ,  66 , severing the center piece  330  from the planar blank  410 . The user may then position a picture or other item to be displayed against the frame back  180 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 12 shows a view of the postcard picture frame planar blank  410  as it would be placed in the mail. Two magnets  200 ,  202  are affixed to the frame back  180 . A first magnet  200  is affixed above the center piece  330  near the inner top edge  140  of the frame back  180 . A second magnet  202  is affixed below the center piece  330  near the inner bottom edge  144  of the frame back  180 . The magnets  200 ,  202  are preferably known thin sheets of flexible magnetic material, such as a vinyl material having magnetic material dispersed therethrough. Such a sheet of flexible magnetic material can be obtained under the trademark “UltraMag” from Flex-Mag Industrial, Inc., of Marietta, Ohio. Alternatively, a slurry of magnetic material can be affixed to at least two portions of the blank  410 . Preferably, the magnetic material  200 ,  202  used has a magnetic charge sufficient to hold a picture or other item to be displayed vertically against a metal object but weak enough to avoid adversely magnetically affecting the automated mailing equipment used by the United States Postal Service. The postcard is preferably approximately 4.25 inches high and 6.25 inches wide. The magnets  200 ,  220  are preferably {fraction (7/8)} inches high and five inches wide and extend substantially across the length of the frame back  180 . The magnets  200 ,  200  are sized, both in height, width, and thickness to minimize protrusion of the magnets  200 ,  202  from the frame back  180 , thereby minimizing problems during automatic mail sorting of the postcard during the mailing process. However, depending upon the magnetic capabilities of the magnetic material and the weight of the item to be magnetically affixed, magnet size can be varied. Also, only one or a plurality of magnetic strips could be used; for example, magnetic strips could be placed in the four corners of the frame. Even further, the frame back surface could be completely covered with magnetic material. The back of the detachable center piece  330  could be covered with magnetic material if, for example, a magnetic business card was desired.  
         [0050]    Advertising or other desired information may be printed on the front face  311  of both the blank  410  and the detachable center piece  330 . The center piece  330  may be used as a business card, or as one or more coupons. For instance, one or more perforation lines may be added to the center piece  330 , as shown in FIG. 11, to create additional detachable sections which could be printed to be used as redeemable coupons. Address information may be printed directly on the back of the detachable center piece  330  or an address label  3  may be adhered thereto. Alternative means of addressing and postage  5  may be employed, such as printing directly on the frame  18 ,  118 ,  218 . With the addition of postage  5  and address information, the planar blank  410  of FIG. 12 for the postcard picture frame  318  may be mailed. With removal of center piece  330  a window is formed. Planar blank  440  without center piece  330  therefore creates a frame  318 . One or more magnets  200 ,  202  can help hold a picture in place so that the desired image is seen through the window.  
         [0051]    The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modifications can be made by those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.