Article having a multidirectional display

The present invention relates to articles having die cut portions that form a window or a frame-like structure. Set into the window or frame-like structure is an object, affixed or mounted in transparent material, such that the object is visible from both the front and the rear of the article.

BACKGROUND

Conventional flat stationery articles have many configurations for incorporation of display objects into the article itself. For example, it is known in the art to provide greeting cards having cutouts or windows in the front panel of the card for displaying features on the rear panel of the card. It is also known in the art to provide greeting cards having an opaque or transparent sheet situated between the front and rear panels of the card so as to enhance or modify the features on the rear panel of the card once the front panel of the card is lifted away from the rear panel. It is also known in the art to provide greeting cards having a cutouts or windows in the front panel of the card, wherein an article is affixed on or in one or more transparent sheets affixed to the inner side of the front panel of the card.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to articles having die cut portions that form a window or a frame-like structure. Set into the window or frame-like structure is an object, affixed or mounted in transparent material, such that the object is visible from both the front and the rear of the article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of this description, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” mean “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprises” and “comprising” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise, and should not be interpreted as being limitative to the elements listed thereafter. A description of an embodiment with several components does not imply that all such components are required. Although process steps or the like may be described in a sequential order, such process steps may be configured to work in alternate orders as practical. Unless otherwise specified in the description, all words used herein carry their common meaning as understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. In cases where examples are listed, it is to be understood that combinations of any of the alternative examples are also envisioned. The scope of the invention is not to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein, which serve merely as examples representative of the limitations recited in the issued claims resulting from this application, and the equivalents of those limitations.

The article may be any relatively thin, flat-shaped item. Examples of articles useful in this invention include but are not limited to greeting cards, postcards, bookmarks, recipe cards, envelopes, tickets, coupons, identification cards, business cards, stationary, gift bags, passes, ornaments, notepads, scorecards, pamphlets, key chains, drink coasters, picture frames and the like. The article may be made from any material suitable for the article's intended use. The material is preferably rigid or semi-rigid. Examples of suitable materials include but are not limited to paper, paperboard, cardboard, wood, plastic, vinyl, foam, neoprene, polymers and co-polymers, fiberglass, rubber, metal, cloth, cellulose, cork, resins, PVC and combinations thereof.

The article has at least one die cut portion7,8,19forming a hole or window12,13,20traversing the article from a front panel1to a rear panel2, each panel having an inner side3,4and outer side5,6, the two panels being mirror images of one another. The article therefore forms a frame-like structure surrounding the hole. The one or more holes or windows12,13may be of any size and shape such that they do not interfere with the intended purpose of the article. The cuts may be made separately in the panels, so long as the cuts are uniform from one panel to the next. In another embodiment, the cuts may be made at one time by first positioning the front and rear panels together as a unit. The die cuts can be made by any conventional means, including but not limited to sharp steel stamps or rollers or manual cutting. These and other methods of performing the die cuts are readily known by those persons having ordinary skill in the art.

The front panel1and rear panel2of the article are joined along their inner sides3,4so as to form a single unit. In one embodiment, the front panel1and rear panel2may be formed from two separate panels that are mirror images of one another. The two panels are aligned and then superimposed upon one another to form a single unit.

In another embodiment, the front panel1and rear panel2may be formed from a single panel14having opposing halves15,16that are mirror images of one another. Each half represents either the front panel1or the rear panel2. In this embodiment, the panel14is folded over itself at the axis21about which the mirrored, opposing halves15,16are positioned, and the two halves are joined along their inner sides3,4so as to form a single unit. The axis21may be scored to facilitate proper folding.

The display object9can be anything of a size and shape suitable for article in which it is housed. The display object9may be thinner than, equal to or thicker than the article. Where the display object9is thicker than the article in which it is housed, it should be of a thickness that does not interfere with the intended use of the article. The range of display objects is otherwise virtually limitless. Examples include but are not limited to dried flowers, leaves, die cut objects, coins, feathers, charms, paper goods, insects, buttons, beads, seeds, non-perishable foods, ribbons, and the like.

The display object9may be placed, fixed, mounted or otherwise situated within a clear, translucent or opaque housing element10, such that the display article9is visible from both the front and the rear of the article. For example, the object may be situated between two pieces of clear, transparent or opaque material that are joined to form the housing element10. The material may vary in finish and in thickness. The material may be joined by any conventional method including but not limited to lamination, thermo-welding, adhesion and magnetism. The housing element may be colorless or tinted. The housing element10may contain more than one display object9. In one embodiment, the display object9is immobilized within the housing element10. In another embodiment, the display object9is in an air-tight environment within the housing element10. In yet another embodiment, the display object9is in a liquid, semi-liquid, or viscous environment within the housing element10. The display object9may be contained within a compartment11which is situated within the housing element10.

The housing element10is situated between the front panel1and rear panel2of the article, at the location of the window12,13,20formed from the die cut portion7,8,19, so as to properly exhibit the display article9from the front and rear as desired. The housing element10extends beyond the perimeter of the window12,13,20such that joinder of the front panel1and rear panel2maintains the perimeter of the housing element10between the interface of their inner sides. The perimeter of the housing element10may be of any size suitable to maintain its position after joinder of the inner sides3,4of the front and rear panel. The appropriate size may be in the range of slightly larger than the perimeter of the window12,13,20to equal in size to the front panel1and rear panel2.

The inner sides3,4of the front panel1and rear panel2are joined by use of adhesive and optionally with co-adhesives. The type of adhesive required is determined by the type of substrate to which it will be applied, the facestock of the panel and the method in which it will be applied. Appropriate adhesives are readily known by those persons having ordinary skill in the art. The adhesive may be applied to either or both of the inner sides3,4of the front panel1and rear panel2. Additionally, the adhesive may be applied to either or both sides of the portion of the perimeter of the housing element10that is not visible from the outside of the article. Where the housing element10is the same size as the front panel1and rear panel2, the adhesive is preferably applied to both the inner sides3,4of the front panel1and rear panel2as well as both sides of the appropriate area on the housing element10. After the inner sides3,4of the opposing panels1,2are joined, the perimeter edges may be trimmed.

The article may optionally comprise one or more additional panels18on its exterior by adhering the additional panels18to the outer sides5,6of the front panel1and/or rear panel2and therefore across the housing element10as well. For example, the entire article may be laminated or otherwise covered with materials including but not limited to acrylic, plastic or other appropriate materials readily apparent to any person having ordinary skill in the art.

In another embodiment, at least one of the front panel1and rear panel2optionally has one or more flaps17located at the perimeter and folding away from the outer side of the panel1,2. Where one opposing panel1,2comprises a flap17and the other panel1,2does not, the flap17is joined to the perimeter edge of the opposing panel1,2. Where both opposing panels1,2comprise flaps17, the panels1,2may be joined at the flaps17. Joinder at a flap17may be at the outer edge of the flap17or overlapping the flap17. Where the article comprises one or more flaps17, the article may be somewhat hollow or otherwise contain space between the opposing panels1,2. The two panels1,2and optional flaps17may also be formed from a single panel14that is folded over itself. While the two opposing panel halves15,16should be symmetrical, the flap17portions do not have to be. In one embodiment, the panels1,2comprising one or more flaps17form a picture frame, and the display object9contains one or more pictures or photographs visible from both sides of the article.

The article may comprise one or more additional elements depending upon the intended use for the article. For example only, where the article is a greeting card, an additional panel18may be included as the front cover of the card, wherein the additional panel18contains a die cut19of the same size and shape of the panel1,2adjacent to it. In this embodiment, the display article9is visible from all sides whether the card is open or closed.

Where the article is a note pad, removable paper sheets may be included on one side of the article, wherein the sheets contain a die cut19of the same size and shape of the panel1,2,18adjacent to it such that the display article9is visible at all times. When all of the optional sheets of paper have been removed, the display article9remains as a memento.

The article may comprise additional elements readily apparent to any person having ordinary skill in the art. Such elements depend upon the intended use for the article and include but are not limited to tassles, hang-ties, ropes, strings, hangers, and chains.