Abstract:
A combination post card mailer and display easel formed from a die-cut blank. The card and easel have an easel portion, an address and message portion, and a display portion, the latter typically containing an attractive color photo. The address and message portion is separably attached to the display portion. The easel portion is foldable over the display portion, and the address and message portion is in turn foldable over the superposed easel portion and separably held thereon. The arrangement is such that the consumer can purchase the post card in a flat, folded condition which largely resembles the configuration of a conventional post card, but which has provision for enabling the recipient to easily tear off the message and address portion and retain the decorative display portion and attached easel portion. The latter in turn can be folded along pre-creased fold lines, to form a stand. The display portion, typically containing the color photo, can thus be supported in an upright position on a desk or table, for subsequent viewing as a memento, decoration, or ornament.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to decorative post cards, and more particularly to displays associated with such cards, for supporting them in the manner of an ornamental or decorative table article. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART INCLUDING INFORMATION DISCLOSED UNDER 37 CFR Sections 1.97-1.99 
     The following patents are hereby cited as being of interest in the field to which the present invention pertains: 
     U.S. Pat. Nos.: 
     871,833 1,207,577 1,767,753 
     1,890,258 2,383,776 3,473,777 
     3,758,065 
     British Patent No. 113,330 
     Considering the patents in chronological order, U.S. Pat. No. 871,833 relates to an easel attachment for a display card, wherein scored side panels of the easel can be folded outwardly and secured in coextensive relation by means of tab/slot fastener structures. The card to be supported is constituted as a piece separate from the easel, and the two are glued together, to form the composite display article. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,207,577 discloses an inclined support structure on a display box, wherein the support, prior to assembly, has a flattened configuration so as to reduce the overall size and bulk of the box, for storage and/or shipping. The support consists of multiple panels that can be unfolded into a semi-rigid, wedge-shaped base, upon which the box rests in order that the contents can be readily seen from one side thereof. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,767,753 relates to an easel construction adapted to be glued to an article to be displayed, such as a picture or sign. The easel features adjustability as to the angle of support, by means of supplemental score lines &#34;b&#34;. These enable the easel panels to fold in the manner of a bellows, allowing expansion of the lower edge portions of the easel and thus varying the incline of the article being supported. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,890,258 relates to a display device for advertisements, comprising a sign portion and a pedestal portion. The two portions are secured by suitable adhesive. The combined sign and pedestal can be folded into a flat configuration as needed, for storage or shipping. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,383,776 discloses a multi-part easel construction, having a back board (10) with integrally formed easel panels, a face board (12) superposed thereon, and an optional frame member (14) overlying the face board. The easel can be folded between flat and extended positions. Several different arrangements for holding the easel panels in desired, extended positions are shown. 
     A one-piece easel/display panel is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,777. The panel is die-cut from a single sheet of paper or cardboard. The display portion of the panel is covered by a transparent laminated sheet (11), which protects the surface of the panel face. The display is intended for use as a picture frame 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,758,065 relates to an easel for supporting cards, posters, or tags. The easel per se, is constituted as cut-out or blank, formed from a sheet of cardboard or paper board. 
     British Patent No. 113,330, FIGS. 1 and 2, disclose an easel utilizing a stud fasteners. The resulting structure comprises essentially a triangular pyramid. FIGS. 14-16 show a combined easel support and picture frame, for supporting articles such as photos or display cards. 
     It appears that the devices noted above have not enjoyed commercial success to any significant extent. One possible explanation is the apparent disassociation between the support mechanisms that have been described and the specific articles that are intended to be displayed. Also, in the case of picture post cards there does not appear to exist in the prior art, a truly simple, integrally formed support mechanism of a type which accompanies the card during shipping to the retail outlet, or during storage, sale, and ultimate purchase by a tourist, for example, for mailing to a friend or relative. 
     Also, consumers are not likely, when purchasing a post card, to be overly concerned with its ultimate disposition. Instead, the purchaser&#39;s main interest is in buying the card, writing a message, and having the card and attached message delivered to the recipient in a timely manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly there has existed a long-felt need for a combined mailer-and-display holder which remain with one another at all times, such that the recipient, upon receiving the post card, automatically has in hand, a supporting easel structure that he can utilize to display the card on a desk or table, as desired, and with a minimum of time and effort expended in figuring out what to do with the card after it is initially read or examined. 
     Accordingly, the present invention obviates the problem of conveniently and inexpensively displaying a decorative post card on a desk or table, for subsequent viewing. Thus an object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved combined post card mailer and integrally-attached display easel which is extremely simple in its structure, and economical to manufacture and assemble. 
     A related object of the invention is to provide an improved combined post card mailer and easel as above set forth, which is light-weight so as to not introduce significant extra expense, as for example, added postage due to either overweight, or over-size physical characteristics. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved combined post card mailer and easel of the kind indicated, which can be readily mass produced at a minimum overall cost. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved combined post card mailer and easel as above characterized, which is especially eye-catching, thereby having overall appeal to the consumer and rendering the article highly saleable as a marketable item. 
     In accomplishing the above objects the invention provides as a new article of manufacture, a combination mailing post card and display easel comprising in combination, a die-cut blank having an easel portion, an address and message portion, and a display portion. The address and message portion is separably attached to the display portion; also, the easel portion is foldable over the display portion. The address and message portion is in turn, foldable over the folded easel portion, and means are provided for separably holding the address and message portion in such overlying position. 
     The arrangement is such that the consumer can purchase the post card in a flat, folded condition which largely resembles the configuration of a conventional post card when viewed from either the front or the rear, but which has provision for the recipient to tear off the message and address portion and retain the decorative display portion and attached easel portion. The latter in turn can be folded along pre-creased fold lines, to form a stand at the rear of the display portion. The recipient can thereby support the latter in an upright position on a desk or table, for subsequent viewing. 
     As an added advantage, the construction can be virtually 100% cardboard, with the exception of a plurality of small glue strips that are utilized for securement of several of the panels of the post card in assembled relation. 
     Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a die-cut blank of cardboard as utilized in the fabrication of the combined post card and easel of the present invention. The blank comprises an easel portion, an address and message portion, and a display portion. The display portion has on one face, three elongate glue strips positioned in a triangular configuration. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the post card&#39;s easel portion having been folded upwardly over its display portion, and a central panel of the easel portion permanently affixed thereto by the triangularly-disposed glue strips of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the post card, wherein the message and address portion thereof has been folded downwardly over the superposed assembly of display portion and easel portion, and secured by a glue strip that is coextensive with a fold line which lies between the address and message portion, and the display portion. 
     FIG. 4 is a right edge elevation of the card of FIG. 3. 
     FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of the card, subsequent to the address and message portion having been removed or torn away by the recipient of the card, in readiness for assembling the easel portion thereof. 
     FIG. 6 is a side edge elevation of the card of FIG. 5. 
     FIG. 7 is a rear elevation of the card of FIGS. 5 and 6, with the easel portion assembled, and with the display portion supported thereby. The decorative face of the display portion faces rearwardly in this view. 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the assembled easel portion and display portion. 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the easel portion and display portion of FIG. 8, and 
     FIG. 10 is bottom plan view of the easel portion and display portion of FIGS. 8 and 9. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Essentially the present invention embraces, as a new article of manufacture, a combined mailer/photo post card and display easel for the photo portion of the post card, such that the recipient, after receiving the card and reading its message, can display the card in a simple and straightforward manner, as a decorative or ornamental article of display on a table or desk. 
     In accomplishing the dual function, namely a mailer and display article, there is provided a die-cut blank of cardboard generally designated by the numeral 10, FIG. 1, which is so arranged to comprise three individual sections or portions, namely an address and message portion 12, a display portion 14, and an easel portion 16, the nature of these being described in more detail hereinbelow. 
     FIG. 1 shows the initial form of the die-cut blank 10. As can be readily understood, a large number of such forms can be laid out on an expansive cardboard sheet, and a series of blanks formed simultaneously therefrom by blanking techniques that are, per se, known in the art. 
     In order to provide a glossy, high-contrast color picture on the display portion of each card, the sheet (not shown) from which the blanks are cut is first printed with the desired pictorial material at the locations corresponding respectively to the display portions 14 of the post cards. In FIG. 1, the color photo is impressed on the reverse of the rectangular panel constituting the display portion 14, for example. 
     By the invention, there is created a unique configuration involving the various portions of the blank 10, in order to provide the desired end-product when the blank 10 is folded and glued, and subsequently unfolded by the recipient, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     Referring now again to FIG. 1, the display portion 14 and easel portion 16 are integrally formed, with a fold line 18 that is preferably impressed or stamped at the time of the die-cutting. The cutting produces a pair of deep V-notches 20, 22 of generally triangular shape, the apices of each notch 20, 22 being at the opposite ends of the fold line 18, as shown. 
     Also, by the invention, the easel portion 16 is provided with additional die-cut fold lines indicated 24, 26, 28 and 30, which ultimately define the configuration of the folded easel panels to be described below. The easel portion 16 comprises a center or anchorage panel 32, a left-side panel 34, a right-side panel 36, an easel back under-panel 38, and an easel back over-panel 40. In addition, the easel portion 16 is provided with a semi-circular locking cut 42 in the easel back under-panel 38, constituting a retainer slit, and a locking tab formation 44 or, the easel back over-panel 40, which tab formation is receivable in the slit 42 when the easel is assembled. Adjacent the V-notches 20, 22 are two flat extensions, respectively on the left- and right-side panels 34, 36 respectively, each extension, constituting a foot 46 of the easel portion 16, such feet ultimately engaging the surface of the table or desk (not shown) when the post card/easel is assembled as a stand-alone unit. 
     Further by the invention, the display portion 14 is provided with a plurality of glue strips 48, 50 and 52, respectively, which are shown as being disposed in a generally triangular configuration and which are adapted to permanently secure the center or anchorage panel 32 of the easel portion 16 when the latter is folded onto the display portion 14. Additional glue patches or spots are provided on the display portion 14, indicated at 54, which due to the provision of the V-notches 54, are left exposed when the easel portion 16 is folded over the display portion 14, as in FIG. 2. By such an arrangement, the glue patches 54 remain accessible to secure the address and message portion 12, which is subsequently folded downwardly from the position of FIG. 1, to the position of FIG. 3. 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, by the invention there is provided a foldable strip 56 between the address and message portion 12, and the display portion 14, the strip 56 being defined by a fold line 58 and a die-cut tear line or line of weakness 60 that is generally parallel to, but spaced from the fold line 58. An additional, elongate glue strip 62 is provided on the foldable strip 56. 
     With such an arrangement the blank 10 of FIG. 1 can be folded and glued progressively according to the illustrations of FIGS. 2 and 3, so as to produce a finished picture post card which is ready for mailing. In particular, the assembly steps are briefly outlined in summary; with reference to FIGS. 1-3; first the easel portion 16 is folded upwardly along the fold line 18, and the anchorage panel 32 is pressed onto the glue strips 48, 50 and 52, which thereafter hold the entire easel portion 16 in flat, superposed relation with the display portion 14. The folded cardboard now has the configuration of FIG. 2. Thereafter, the address and message portion 12 is folded downwardly over the superposed easel portion 16 and display portion 14, along the fold line 58, to the position of FIGS. 3 and 4, the glue strip 62 adhering to the adjacent edge region of the display portion 14, and thereby functioning to retain the folded disposition of the address and message portion 12. The glue patches 54 also contact the opposite corners 66 of the upper edge area in FIG. 2, of the address and message portion 12, although along limited areas so as to permit separation of the address and message portion 12 from the display portion 14 at a later time, by the recipient of the post card. 
     The post card of FIGS. 3 and 4 is thus substantially flat, consisting of three superposed cardboard layers, namely the address and message portion 12 facing one side, the display portion 14 facing the opposite side, and the easel portion 16 sandwiched therebetween, so as to be normally hidden from view while the post card is being displayed at a store counter or stand. 
     Upon picking up the card, the purchaser can see the display portion having the photo on one side of the package, and the message/address portion on the opposite face of the package. After being suitably stamped and addressed, the package can be mailed to a friend or relative in the usual manner. It is to be noted that all of the glue strips 48, 50, 52 are intact, as are the two glue patches 54. The package thus resembles, in many respects, a conventional post card, though differing therefrom in that it consists of three layers, FIG. 4, and not a single layer. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, when the post card is delivered to the recipient, he or she can immediately view the color photo appearing on the exposed side of the display portion 14, designated as a photo surface 68 in FIG. 8, and read the message on the exposed side of the address and message portion 12, as would be the case with a conventional post card. 
     In the past, following initial inspection the recipient of a conventional photo post card would usually either place it face down on a table or desk, or discard it. Frequently, however, the recipient was reluctant to merely discard the item, since some of the photos are truly picturesque and worthy of saving, so as to be able to show them to friends, family, or associates. As a consequence, often the card would be temporarily propped against a table weight or bowl, or in the case where multiple cards were being saved, they were often stacked as in bookcase fashion, and usually in such a way that little or none of the material on the card faces could be directly viewed. 
     In contrast, with the improved combined post card and display of the present invention, the recipient can tear off the address and message portion 12 at the die cut line, or line of weakness 60, thereby exposing the easel portion 16. By following printed instructions (not shown) that can be optionally be applied to one of the now-visible easel portion panels 32, for example, the recipient can readily unfold the panels 34, 36, 38 and 40 in FIG. 5 to thus form a three-dimensional stand for the card. Typically, such instructions would be visible only after the address and message portion 12 has been removed. 
     In assembly of the easel portion to form the stand, all panels formed by fold lines 24, 26, 28 and 30, FIG. 1, can be folded in directions away from the central or anchorage panel 32, and in the manner of FIGS. 7-10, to form a truncated pyramid. The central panel 32 remains glued to the display portion 14 during such folding. 
     In particular, the easel left side-panel 34 and easel right side-panel 36 are folded rearwardly at roughly 90 degrees, and the easel back under-panel 38 and easel back over-panel 40 each folded 90 degrees with respect to the easel side-panels 34 and 36. The locking tab 44 is thereafter nested in the locking slot 42, to retain the panels in assembled relation as shown in FIGS. 7-10. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates the disposition of the feet 46 of the easel, with respect to the remainder of the easel and with respect to the display portion 14. In FIG. 9, the display portion comprising the colored photo would appear on the leftward-facing surface 68. In FIG. 7, the photo would appear on the surface opposite the viewer. 
     Improved stiffness and strength are provided by the foldable strip 56, which remains intact on the display portion 14. The upper edge 57 of the strip, FIGS. 3 and 4, being folded as opposed to torn, is smooth and aesthetically pleasing, giving the post card an attractive, finished appearance. The torn line of weakness 60 appears at the rear of the display portion 14, just above the top of the easel center panel in FIG. 7; this is mostly out of view, and thus is not considered objectionable. 
     The recipient thus has the added enjoyment of subsequent viewing of the card, as opposed to the usual disposition of conventional cards which are often viewed only twice, once at the time of receipt, and the second typically being at the time they are discarded. 
     The one-piece die-cut cardboard construction as provided by the invention is extremely simple from the manufacturing standpoint. Subsequent operations involving application of glue strips/patches are readily performed by automatic equipment that is known in the art. Folding is similarly accomplished with known automatic equipment, the result of which is an extremely economical production routine, involving minimum of handling and/or manual labor. 
     The stand is completely self-supporting, and no additional glues or adhesives of any type are involved in assembling the combined post card and easel. 
     A distinct advantage of the product of the invention is the integrity of the easel and display; at the time of purchase of the post card, the mechanism for supporting the card is already on board, and accompanies the card as it is being filled out and mailed; it remains in position for the recipient, until his initial inspection of the card is completed, and the card is to be either stored or disposed of. 
     The method of the invention involves basically the steps of forming an elongate blank 10 of cardboard, by die-cutting, FIG. 1, imparting two transverse fold lines 18 and 58 in the elongate blank so as to partition the blank into three portions, an address and message portion 12, a display portion 14, and an easel portion 16. Thereafter the easel portion 16 is folded over the display portion 14 along the one fold line 18, so as to overlie the display portion 14 and remain in superposed relation therewith. The method further embraces the step of folding the address and message portion 12 along the other fold line 58, so as to overlie the superposed easel portion 16 and display portion 14. Finally, the address and message portion 12 is secured to the display portion 14 by pressing it onto the glue spots 54. The resultant post card assembly, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, thus consists essentially of a three layer package, with the easel portion 16 being sandwiched between, and largely concealed by, the address and message portion 12 and the display portion 14. One face of the assembly comprises a surface of the address and message portion 12, and the other face of the assembly comprises a surface of the display portion 14, as in FIG. 4. 
     In practice, the address and message portion has the foldable transverse strip 56 adjacent to and coextensive with the fold line 58. The strip 56 is adhered, as by the glue strip 62, to the display portion 14 after the address and message portion 12 is folded over the superposed easel portion 16 and display portion 14, to provide the assembly with the finished, folded edge 57, FIGS. 3 and 4, along the folded strip 56. There thus exists a double thickness of cardboard at the location of this folded edge. The address and message portion 12 is also secured to the display portion 14 by the adhesive patches 54, which contact the corners 66, FIG. 2, of the address and message portion 12 when the latter is folded. 
     Following initial inspection of the post card, the recipient can lift the address and message portion 12 at the relatively weak areas represented by the glue patches 54 and tear it off at the line of weakness 60, as can be readily understood. The resulting post card thus comprises the display portion 14 and easel portion 16, and the latter can be readily folded to form a three-dimensional pyramid, constituting a support or stand for the display portion, as shown in FIGS. 8-10. 
     The line of weakness 60 is disposed at that face of the display portion which is attached to the easel portion. Thus, following the tearing off of the message and address portion, the resulting tear line is not visible from the front of the display portion, and thus, any tendency for a ragged edge to occur does not materially degrade the overall appearance of the display portion when it is being supported by the easel portion and viewed from the front. 
     From the above it can be seen that I have provided a novel and improved combination post card mailer and easel which are simple in structure and convenient to use. Due to the integral nature of the easel portion and display portion, the recipient is conveniently supplied with all that is required to convert the card into an unusual, attractive item of display or decoration, or as part of a collection of travel or personal mementos. 
     The disclosed invention is thus seen to represent a distinct advance and improvement in the field of display articles of the type that are adapted for postal or courier-type delivery. 
     Variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     Each and every one of the appended claims defines an aspect of the invention which is separate and distinct from all others, and accordingly it is intended that each claim be treated as such when examined in the light of the prior art devices in any determination of novelty or validity.