REMOVABLE MOUNTING DEVICES

An example removable mounting device can include: a main body; a flap portion coupled to the main body, wherein the flap portion pivots relative to the main body; and an adhesive applied to a back side of the main body and the flap portion; wherein the main body is configured to be removably coupled to a surface by the adhesive; and wherein the flap portion is configured to be removably coupled to an item by the adhesive to hang the item on the surface.

BACKGROUND

Tape or other adhesives can be used to hang items on objects such as walls or refrigerators. However, the tape does not always work to hold the item and can result in damage to the item and/or the object to which the item is attached.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an example removable mounting device can include: a main body; a flap portion coupled to the main body, wherein the flap portion pivots relative to the main body; and an adhesive applied to a back side of the main body and the flap portion; wherein the main body is configured to be removably coupled to a surface by the adhesive; and wherein the flap portion is configured to be removably coupled to an item by the adhesive to hang the item on the surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples described herein are related to removable mounting devices. The mounting devices are configured to removably hang items on surfaces.

Embodiments may be configured to be used with or as part of a piece of mail, post card, holiday card, advertisement, flier, photo, newspaper insert, etc. Configurations may be processed by mail systems, such as the U.S. Post Office, FedEx or UPS, such that the removable mounting device may flow through such systems and mail sorters, regardless of the reasonable variations in conditions, such as temperature and humidity or the types of machines used for handling mail. Example embodiments may be included on or as part of an item, such as a post card, holiday card, or picture, with or without an encasing or envelope.

In one example, a mounting device includes an adhesive. The adhesive holds the mounting device to a surface. The adhesive also holds the mounting device to an item. This allows the mounting device to hold the item on the surface. The adhesive may be configured to allow the mounting device to be removed from the surface leaving no noticeable or barely noticeable adhesive or marks on the surface. The adhesive may also be configured to allow the mounting device to be removed from the item leaving no noticeable or barely noticeable adhesive or marks on the item.

Referring now toFIGS.1-8, an example removable mounting device100is shown. In this example, the mounting device100includes a main body102. Two slits110are kiss cut in the main body102. As shown, each of the slits110runs from an edge112of the main body102through a portion of the main body102. A curved portion114formed at an end of each of the slits110resists further ripping of the main body102while the mounting device100is in use.

The slits110in the main body102generally form a flap portion108that can be released and pivoted along an imaginary hinge line120(added to generally indicate the area at which the flap portion108pivots), while portions104and106of the main body102remain in place, as shown inFIG.2. A back side of the main body102, including an inner surface202of the flap portion108, includes an adhesive.

For instance, referring now toFIGS.3-7, another example removable mounting device300is shown affixed to an item302. In this example, the item302includes a picture, such as a holiday card. In this example, text and graphics320(“Happy Holiday” and associated holiday graphic) are printed on the mounting device300.

As shown inFIGS.4-5, the mounting device300is removably affixed to a back surface304of the item302by the adhesive on the back side of the mounting device300. In this example, the back surface304of the item302is photo printer paper. Other types of paper or material can be used.

The mounting device300can be applied to the back surface304of the item302by pressing the mounting device300against the back surface304of the item302to allow the adhesive to removably couple the mounting device300to the item302. This can be done in an automated or manual fashion, as described further below. The flap portion108of the mounting device300can be pulled away from the back surface304to couple the mounting device to a surface.

As shown inFIG.6, the flap portion108can be pivoted approximately180degrees to expose the inner surface202of the flap portion108with the adhesive. In this position, the inner surface202of the flap portion108can be pressed against a surface602to couple the mounting device300(and associated item302) to the surface602, as shown inFIG.7. In this configuration, the mounting device300removably hangs the item302on the surface602.

The surface602can be any surface where it is desirable to hang the item302. For instance, the surface602can be a wall, door, refrigerator, etc., potentially any desired surface or material.

When desired, the item302can be removed from the surface602by the user pulling the item302away from the surface602. The adhesive on the inner surface202of the flap portion108releases the surface602leaving no noticeable or barely noticeable adhesive or marks on the surface602. The mounting device300can thereupon be used to mount the item302to another surface, if desired. The mounting device300can also be removed from the item302by the user pulling the mounting device300off of the item302. This results in the mounting device300leaving noticeable or barely noticeable adhesive or marks on the item302.

In some examples, the mounting device300and associated adhesive are configured to removably hang items such as pictures (e.g., 3 inches by 5 inches, 4 inches by 6 inches), greeting cards (e.g., 4 inches by 6 inches, 5 inches by 7 inches), and other similarly-sized items. Larger items, such as jumbo postcards of 6 inches by 11 inches (seeFIG.16) can also be hung by the mounting device300. Further, multiple mounting devices can be used to hang larger or heavier items.

As previously noted, the adhesive used is strong enough to hold the mounting device on the mounting surface and couple the mounting device to the item being hung. The adhesive is also removable so that little or almost no adhesive is left on the mounting surface or item when removed. In one example, the adhesive is a Fasson® R120 adhesive applied to Fasson® Laser Code™ II vinyl (Standard Product Data Sheet #79718) provided by Avery Dennison Corporation. Many other types of adhesives can be used.

The adhesive can be applied to the entire back side surface. In potential other embodiments, the adhesive may be applied to only a portion of a surface of the mounting device. It may also be applied to the mounting device using a pattern where only a certain percentage of the entire side of the mounting device is covered by the adhesive. The pattern could be lines, “x's”, a dot matrix, or a pattern of shapes or any desired shape.

The adhesive may also be applied at different rates or densities deepening on the area part of the surface to provide different levels of adhesion for different parts of the mounting device depending on its intended use. For example, the inner surface202may have more adhesive to provide a better adhesion depending on the intended use. In addition to having different parts of the mounting device have different amounts of adhesive or different areas covered by adhesive, the mounting device may also use two or more different types of adhesives. For example, a stronger adhesive can be used on the inner surface202than other parts of the mounting device or vice versa. Other arrangements, types of adhesives, numbers of adhesives, various portions covered with adhesive of the mounting device could also be used.

In one example, the mounting devices100,300are each 1.25 inches in height and 1.5 inches in width. The slits110are 0.625 inches long. Other sizes and configurations for removable mounting devices are possible. For instance, the size, shape, and/or coloring of the removable mounting devices can be modified as desired to fit an intended use.

For instance, referring now toFIGS.8-13, another example removable mounting device800is shown. In this example, the mounting device800is affixed to a backing paper810that allows the mounting device800to be easily removed and applied to a surface and item.

The backing paper810also includes a text portion804with instructions for use (“Lift up middle panel, insert item, stick up”) of the mounting device800. The mounting device800functions similarly to the mounting devices100,300described previously, except a flap portion808of the mounting device800does not need to be pivoted180degrees for use.

Instead, as shown inFIGS.9-13, the mounting device800can be used by removing the mounting device800from the backing paper810and applying the mounting device800to a desired surface902. The adhesive on the back side of the mounting device800holds the mounting device800on the surface902.

Once in place, the flap portion808is pulled slightly away from the surface902, and the item302is slid under the flap portion808until an upper edge1102of the item302is generally positioned under the flap portion808.

In this configuration, the user can press the flap portion808against the upper edge1102of the item302to couple the item302to the mounting device800(and associated surface902), as shown inFIGS.11-13. In this configuration, the mounting device800removably hangs the item302on the surface902.

Further, the flap portion808can generally move with the item302so that the item302is retained even if the item undergoes changes. For instance, if the item302“cups” or otherwise changes shape because of aging or modifications in the environment (temperature and/or humidity), the flap portion808is maintained in contact with the item302and continues to hang the item302.

When desired, the item302can be removed from the surface902by the user pulling the item302away from the mounting device800. The adhesive on the inner surface202of the flap portion808releases the item302leaving no noticeable or barely noticeable adhesive or marks on the item302. The mounting device800can thereupon be used to mount other items to the surface902, if desired. The mounting device800can also be removed from the surface902by the user pulling the mounting device800off of the surface. Again, no or barely noticeable adhesive or marks are left on the surface902after removal.

The removable mounting devices can be used in a variety of other applications. For instance, as shown inFIGS.14-16, the removable mounting devices can be applied to items that are sent through the mail, such as postcards, envelopes, coupons, and other similar mailers.

InFIG.14, a removable mounting device1400is applied to a postcard1402. The mounting device1400can be applied before the postcard1402is mailed. For instance, the user can manually apply the mounting device1400to the postcard1402by placing the mounting device1400onto the postcard1402so that the adhesive on the back side of the mounting device1400holds the mounting device1400to the postcard1402.

In other examples, the removable mounting device1400is applied to the postcard1402through an automated application. This process the automated application of the removable mounting device to an item, such as a postcard or other mail item. In such an example, labeling equipment from Label-Aire, Inc. can be used to automatically apply removable mounting devices to items. Other configurations are possible.

Whether placed manually or automatically onto the postcard1402, the mounting device1400is configured to remain intact on the mail item as the mail item is transported through the postal system. For instance, the mounting device1400is configured to stay in place on the mail item as the mail item goes through the rollers used by the postal system to process the mail. This is accomplished through use of a proper adhesive for the mounting device, which minimizes the possibility of the mounting device becoming dislodged from the mail item as the mail item is handled by the postal system.

The mounting device1400includes advertising information printed thereon. The mounting device1400allows the recipient to mount the postcard1402using the mounting device1400. For instance, a flap portion1408of the mounting device1400can be used to mount the postcard1402to a refrigerator or other surface. This can be desirable, for instance, when postcard1402includes an advertisement or coupon, and the user wishes to save the postcard1402for later use.

For instance, the mounting device can include information relating to a business, such as a business name, logos, slogans, address, phone number, and/or web site address. The mounting device can be applied to a post, coupon, or other item associated with the business. The item including the mounting device can be delivered to the user, and the user can use the mounting device to hang the item. Further, if the item expires, such as a coupon, or otherwise is no longer needed, the user can remove the mounting device from the item. The user can thereupon use the mounting device to hang other items. The mounting device can continue to function as advertising in such a scenario, since the mounting device includes the business information printed thereon.

Referring now toFIG.15, an example mailer1502includes multiple removable mounting device1500positioned thereon. In this example, the mounting devices1500are printed to depict an item associated with the mailer1502(e.g., in this instance, the mounting devices1500are printed to resemble credit cards with associated branding and logos). In other alternatives, the mounting devices can be colored differently or made to be transparent so that imaging or coloring under the mounting devices are visible.

The mounting devices1500can be used to mount the mailer1502to a surface by pivoting a flap portion1508on each. Alternatively, the mounting devices1500can be removed from the mailer1502and used to mount other items to other surfaces.

InFIG.16, an example postcard1602includes a removable mounting device1600that is shaped (circular) and branded (with colors and trademarks). The mounting device1600can be used to hang the postcard1602or other items, as desired.

Referring now toFIG.17, an example of a magazine1702is shown. In this example, multiple removable mounting devices1700are attached to one or more of the pages1704of the magazine1702. Each of the mounting devices1700is printed with different branding. The mounting devices1700can be removed from the page1704of the magazine1702and used to hang different items to different surfaces. The branding is desirably retained in application of the mounting devices1700.

The removable mounting devices can be delivered to the user in various manners. For instance, as noted above, the mounting devices can be affixed to mail items and magazine pages before the mail items and magazines are delivered. In other examples, the mounting devices can be delivered separately for use by the user.

For example, as shown inFIG.18, a plurality of the mounting devices800are delivered to the user attached to a page1800of the backing paper810. The user can remove one of the mounting devices800when desired to affix an item to a surface.

For example, the page1800with the plurality of mounting devices800can be delivered along with an order of developed pictures. The mounting devices800can thereupon be used to mount one or more of the pictures by applying the mounting devices800to the pictures and desired surfaces as described herein. The mounting is accomplished with marking of the pictures.

Yet other configurations are possible. For example, in another embodiment, a mounting device can be integrated as a portion of the item itself. For instance, a portion of a photo or greeting card can be removed and the mounting device applied during manufacture of the photo or greeting card. Many other configurations are possible.