Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to novelty and promotional buttons. The button includes a magnet that is exposed through an opening in a button back to adhere the button to a ferrous metal substrate.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to novelty and promotional buttons. The button includes a magnet that is exposed through an opening in a button back capable to adhere the button to a ferrous metal surface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Novelty and promotional buttons with text and/or graphics are widely used for promotional purposes. Conventional buttons include a front plate made of metal or plastic and a button back that are secured at the rear of the front plate. The text and/or graphics are engraved or printed on the front plate or are printed onto a sheet that overlies or is laminated to the front plate. Optionally, a transparent film or sheet is placed over the text and/or graphics. Edges of the front plate are usually folded back to form a circumferential rim that is crimped over the button back to secure it in place. The button back typically includes a mechanical fastener, such as a pin, for coupling the button to, for example, clothing. 
     The button back may also be prepared from a magnetic material, such as a flexible magnetic sheet, to adhere the button to a ferrous metal surface. The magnetic sheet is cut and arranged behind the front plate to form the button. However, the magnetic sheet is prone to deteriorate quickly and the magnetic attraction is often weak. Accordingly, these buttons often are of low quality. 
     To address this, stronger magnets sometimes are adhered to the button back via an adhesive. But the adhesive can crack or deteriorate, resulting in failure. 
     There is a need for a button that features a magnet with a strong magnetic charge that also has a professional appearance for use in promotional campaigns. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a first aspect, disclosed is a button. The button includes a plate having front and rear surfaces, a circumferential rim, and a cavity extending from the front surface toward the rear surface; a back element having front and rear surfaces and an opening that extends from the front surface to the rear surface, wherein the front surface of the back element is disposed against the rear surface of the plate; and a magnet between the back surface of the plate and the front surface of the back element that is exposed through the opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a button as disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a side, cross-sectional view of the button, showing the button back separated from ( FIG. 2A ) and against ( FIG. 2B ) the rear surface of the plate. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the button. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the button of  FIG. 3  with an extended easel arm. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of a button according to a further embodiment hereafter described. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of a button according to a further embodiment hereafter described. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Herein, when a range such as 5-25 (or 5 to 25) is given, this means preferably at least 5 and, separately and independently, preferably not more than 25. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of a button  100 . The button  100  includes a front plate  101 , a button back  201 , and a magnet  301 . Text and/or graphics may be engraved or printed on the plate front surface  102  (seen in  FIG. 2 ). In another embodiment, the plate  101  supports a graphic layer  401  (such as printed paper) that includes the text and/or graphics for display. Optionally, a transparent layer (not shown) is disposed over the text and/or graphics for protection and durability. Once the individual components are assembled, they are inserted into a crimping press where they are pressed together with the plate  101  and optional graphic layer  401  and transparent layer overwrapping the perimeter edge of the button back  201 . 
     The plate  101  may be substantially flat or slightly domed. The plate  101  includes front and rear surfaces  102  and  103 , and a circumferential rim  104  that extends rearward and defines a recess  105  formed at the rear surface  103  of the plate  101 . The plate  101  may be prepared from paper, plastic, or metal, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals. In one embodiment the plate  101  is stamped from sheet metal. In another embodiment the plate  101  is injection molded from plastic. 
     The button back  201  includes one or more openings  204  that extend from a front surface  202  to a rear surface  203  of the button back  201 . In one embodiment, the button back  201  is disposed in the recess  105  of the plate  101 , wherein the back element front surface  202  is arranged against the plate back surface  103  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Once the button back  201  is arranged in this manner, the circumferential rim  104  may be crimped over the perimeter edge of the button back  201  to secure the button back  201  within the recess  105  of the plate  101 . The button back  201  may be prepared from a paper, plastic, or metal. 
     The button back  201  can further include an easel arm  205  that pivots outward from the button back rear surface  203  to stand the button  100  on a surface such as a table, as shown in  FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 . 
     In one embodiment, the button  100  includes a fastener for fastening the button  100  to clothing or another surface. The fastener can be any number of common fasteners, such as a clip, a pin  207  and clasp as shown in  FIG. 6 , or a hook  206  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     At least one magnet  301  extends in an associated opening  204  in the button back  201  from between the plate rear surface  103  and the button back front surface  202 , preferably protruding from the button back rear surface  203 . In the illustrated embodiment, two such magnets  301  are provided protruding via respective openings  204 , and are supported on a common magnet-support bar  305  disposed between the button back  201  and the front plate  101 . In this embodiment, respective outer surfaces of the magnets  301  stand proud of the button back rear surface  203 . Alternatively, the exposed surface(s) of one or both of the magnets  301  can be exposed through the opening(s)  204  yet remain flush with the button back rear surface  203 . 
     The magnet(s)  301  may be fitted within the respective opening(s)  204  via an interference fit. Alternatively, it/they may be adhered to the button back  201  via an adhesive; e.g. between the magnet(s) and the button back  201  directly, or between the magnet-support bar  305  and the button back front surface  202 . 
     The button  100  can include a transparent film (not shown) to protect the text and/or graphics. The transparent film (when present) is disposed over (e.g. laminated to) the graphic layer  401  or the plate front surface  102 . In another embodiment, both sides of the graphic layer  401  are laminated with a transparent film. The transparent film is made from a conventional clear plastic material. 
     The button  100  may be provided with a ferrous metal anchoring bar (not shown) for magnetically attaching the button  100  to clothing. The ferrous bar can be placed at the inside surface of a clothing item or garment and attracted to the magnet  301  disposed at the outside surface thereof for securing the button  100  to the clothing. 
     Optionally, the button  100  includes a textured, soft-touch matte finish, such as that of velvet or suede, on the plate front surface  102  through which indicia printed or applied thereon is visible. In another embodiment, the button  100  includes a textured, soft-touch matte finish on the graphic layer  401 . 
     Optionally, the button  100  includes a glossy finish on the plate front surface  102  through which indicia printed or applied thereon is visible. In another embodiment, the button  100  includes a glossy finish on the graphic layer  401 . 
     Although the illustrated embodiments show circular buttons, the novelty and promotional buttons may be in any shape, including triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, ellipses, and crescents. In desirable embodiments the button  100  is a novelty item having a diameter of approximately six inches, less preferably a diameter of approximately five to seven inches, even less preferably a diameter of approximately four to eight inches. However, other dimensions and diameters can be used. 
     Typically the button back  201  has an overall lateral dimension (i.e. diameter when button back  201  is circular) that is smaller than the corresponding dimension of the front plate  101 . This allows the button back  201  to be received in the recess  105  defined at the rear of the front plate  101  and to be crimped by the circumferential rim  104  thereof. 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the claims.