ADHESIVE PICTURE FRAME SYSTEM

Abstract

A picture-frame system for securement to a flat-surface. The picture-frame system includes a first-layer defined by a first front-surface and a first rear-surface having adhesive thereon; and a second-layer defined by a second front-surface and a second rear-surface having an adhesive thereon. The picture-frame system is useful for displaying a plurality of different size/shape pictures in one picture frame.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of picture frames and more specifically relates to an adhesive picture frame for displaying a plurality of pictures on a wall.

2. Description of Related Art

A wide variety of picture frames exist. The essential elements of most known picture frames include a frame, a transparent member, and a backing mounted to the frame to retain the artwork under the transparent member and to facilitate upright display of the framed artwork. The backing is typically a heavy cardboard, and typically includes a hinged leg for upright display of the framed artwork, such as on a tabletop. The backing or frame also commonly includes wall mounting means such as a paper tab, hole, bracket, or wire for mounting over a nail driven into a wall. Such wall mounting means do not provide secure mounting because the attachment supports the frame at only a single point (i.e. at the nail location), allowing the picture to sway, or worse to become dislodged and fall to the floor.

Many individuals accumulate a good number of photographs, including candid photos, studio photographs, and school pictures. It becomes expensive to buy picture frames for all of the different photos that they would like to display in their home. In addition, hanging all the frames is time and space consuming and creates holes in the wall. There are often photographs of many different sizes and shapes and it can be difficult to find frames to accommodate these photographs. Expensive photos, such as those from a studio, often end up in storage due to a lack of adequate display options. Thus, a suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pub. No. 2010/0325930 to Valarie Moody relates to an adhesive frame. The described adhesive frame includes a clear flexible sheet member with an optional printed ink layer disposed on a border of a first side of the clear flexible sheet member. A semi-permanent adhesive layer is disposed on a second side of the clear flexible sheet member at the border of the clear flexible sheet member. No adhesive is disposed in the middle of the adhesive frame, either through using a patterned adhesive or through use of a liner. Such adhesive frames allow for quick and easy mounting of visual media on nearly any surface. Media can be quickly removed and replaced from underneath the adhesive frame because of the lack of adhesive in the middle portion of the adhesive frame.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known picture frames art, the present disclosure provides a novel adhesive picture frame system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an adhesive picture frame for attachment to a wall and for displaying a plurality of pictures in one frame.

A picture-frame system is disclosed herein. The picture-frame system includes a first-layer defined by a first front-surface and a first rear-surface opposite the first front-surface. The first front-surface and the first rear-surface may each include an adhesive-material and the adhesive-material may configured to attach the first front-surface or the first rear-surface to the flat-surface. Further, a second-layer may be defined by a second front-surface and a second rear-surface opposite the second front-surface. Either the second front-surface or the second rear-surface may include the adhesive-material thereon, and the adhesive-material may be configured to attach either the second front-surface or the second rear-surface to another one of the first front-surface or the first rear-surface. Further, another one of the second front-surface or the second rear-surface may include a decorative border.

A method of using picture-frame system is also disclosed herein. The method of using picture-frame system may comprise the steps of: a providing the picture-frame system as above; removing the first protective-sheet from the one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface; attaching the one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface to the flat-surface; removing the second protective-sheet from the another one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface; adhesively-attaching at least one picture to the adhesive-material on the another one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface; removing the third protective sheet from the one of the second front-surface and the second-rear surface; and attaching the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface to the another one of the first front-surface and the second rear-surface.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, an adhesive picture frame system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the picture-frame system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the picture-frame system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the picture-frame system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the picture-frame system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the picture-frame system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the picture-frame system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to picture frames and more particularly to an adhesive picture frame system as used to improve picture frame displaying means.

Generally disclosed is a frame that displays various sizes of professional portraits, school photos, and candid photographs. This may enable users to position and replace photographs from a collage-style frame quickly and easily, and may allow photographs of various shapes, sizes, and orientations to be displayed together in one frame. Further, the frame may offer easy installation and removal without any nails, allowing the device to be installed without damage to the wall surface. The frame may eliminate the need to hang an excessive amount of picture frames on the wall in one space.

The frame may be comprised of a first sheet of heat-stamped rubber, particularly, foam sponge rubber, and a second sheet of rigid clear vinyl plastic sheet. In one embodiment, the foam sponge rubber may be made from NBR foam. Alternatively, the foam sponge rubber may be VOLARA® foam. The foam sponge rubber may include a thickness of ⅛ inches, or alternatively 1/16 inches. The rigid clear vinyl plastic of the second sheet may include a thickness of 0.010 inches, or alternatively 0.020 inches. The rigid clear vinyl plastic may be PETG plastic to give an appearance of glass. The first sheet may provide the base frame and contain adhesive on both sides. The second sheet may include the adhesive on one side. The adhesive may be a low-tech adhesive such that no damage or residue is left behind from the adhesive. Alternatively, the adhesive may be a type of postage stamp gum adhesive.

A protective piece of wax-coated paper may be peeled from the back surface of the sheet to secure it to the desired location of a wall after it had been properly cleaned with a damp cloth. The second sheet may be comprised of a heated stamped rubber sheet with glass-type appearance. This sheet may include a painted border that resembles a conventional photo frame. Once the first sheet is properly installed on the wall, a protective piece of paper may be removed from the top of the sheet. Various sized photographs may then then be arranged upon the top surface in a desired manner A pre-designed template may also be used.

A protective piece of the paper located around a border of the second sheet may then be removed, then aligned and pressed firmly in place on top of the first sheet. The design of the frame may allow the photos to be arranged or changed at any time. The frame may be available in various sizes and designs.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-6, various views of a picture-frame system 100.

FIG. 1 shows a picture-frame system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Illustrated, the picture-frame system 100 may include a first-layer 110 and a second-layer 120. As shown, the picture-frame system 100 is suitable for securement to a flat-surface 5. In this figure, the flat-surface 5 is shown to be a wall-surface.

According to one embodiment, the picture-frame system 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. The kit may include a set of user instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the picture-frame system 100 (such that the picture-frame system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner).

Referring now to FIG. 2 showing a front perspective view of the picture-frame system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The first-layer 110 may be defined by a first front-surface 112 and a first rear-surface 114 opposite the first front-surface 112. Similarly, the may be second-layer 120 defined by a second front-surface 122 and a second rear-surface 124 opposite the second front-surface 122. Further, as illustrated, another one of the second front-surface 122 and the second rear-surface 124 may include a decorative border 126. In the above example where the second rear-surface 124 is configured to attach to the first front-surface 112, the decorative border 126 may be located on the second front-surface 122. In the preferred embodiment, the decorative-border 126 may be a painted-border. However, in some embodiments certain embellishments such as jewels, sequins, etc. may be used.

In the preferred embodiment, the first-layer 110 may both be made from a heat-stamped rubber-material. The second-layer 120 may be made from a rigid vinyl material. However, other materials are contemplated such as plastics, rubbers, silicones, etc. Further, the second-layer 120 may be transparent. In the preferred embodiment, the first-layer 110 and the second-layer 120 may be sized to receive a plurality of differently sized/shaped pictures. In one example, the first-layer 110 and the second-layer 120 may be square-shaped. In addition to this, the first-layer 110 and the second-layer 120 may be at least 1-foot×1-foot. In some embodiments, the picture-frame system 100 may be custom manufactured to the users' size preference.

FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of the picture-frame system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The first front-surface 112 and the first rear-surface 114 may each include an adhesive-material 130 thereon and the adhesive-material 130 may be configured to attach one of the first front-surface 112 and the first rear-surface 114 to the flat-surface 5. For example, in one embodiment, the first-rear surface may be configured to attach to the flat-surface 5 (FIG. 1) via the adhesive-material 130.

Similarly, in a preferred embodiment, one of the second front-surface 122 and the second rear-surface 124 may include the adhesive-material 130 thereon and the adhesive-material 130 may be configured to attach the one of the second front-surface 122 and the second rear-surface 124 to another one of the first front-surface 112 and the first rear-surface 114. In one example, the second-rear surface may be configured to attach to the first front-surface 112. In this embodiment, the another one of the first front-surface 112 and the first rear-surface 114 may be configured to adhesively-receive at least one picture 10. In one embodiment, the adhesive-material 130 on the one of the second front-surface 122 and the second rear-surface 124 may be located around a periphery 128 of the one of the second front-surface 122 and the second rear-surface 124. Again, in the above example, this may mean that the adhesive-material 130 located around the periphery 128 may be on the periphery 128 of the second rear-surface 124.

In the preferred embodiment, may be a plurality of pictures of different shapes and sizes. In one preferred embodiment, the adhesive-material 130 may be pressure-sensitive, whereby a user may apply pressure to a surface opposite the surface to be adhered. In another embodiment, the adhesive-material 130 may be water-activated, whereby the user may apply a moist cloth over the surface opposite the surface to be adhered. Other means of affixing the first-layer 110 to the wall and affixing the second-layer 120 to the first-layer 110 are also contemplated. For example, the means of affixing may be hook and loop fasteners, snap-fasteners, etc.

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of the picture-frame system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the picture-frame system 100 may further include a first protective-sheet 140 removably attached to the one of the first front-surface 112 and the first rear-surface 114 and configured for removal prior to attachment of the one of the first front-surface 112 and the first rear-surface 114 to the flat-surface 5. In addition to this, a second protective-sheet 150 removably attached to the another one of the first front-surface 112 and the first rear-surface 114 and configured for removal prior to attachment of the at least one picture 10. Similarly, a third protective-sheet 160 removably attached to the one of the second front-surface 122 and the second rear-surface 124 including the adhesive-material 130 and configured for removal prior to attachment of the one of the second front-surface 122 and the second rear-surface 124 to the another one of the first front-surface 112 and first rear-surface 114.

In the example provided above whereby the first rear-surface 114 may be attached to the flat-surface 5 and the second-rear surface may be attached to the first front-surface 112; the first protective-sheet 140 may be removably attached to the first rear-surface 114, the second protective-sheet 150 may be removably attached to the first front-surface 112, and the third protective-sheet 160 may be removably attached to the second rear-surface 124. In any event, each protective-sheet may be located wherever the adhesive-material 130 is located to protect the adhesive-material 130.

In the preferred embodiment, the first protective-sheet 140, the second protective-sheet 150 and the third protective-sheet 160 may be made from a wax-coated paper-material. However, other materials may be used. For example, paper-material, or any water-resistant material used to protect the adhesive properties of the adhesive-material 130.

FIG. 5 shows a side cut-away view of the picture-frame system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here is shown the first-layer 110 and the second-layer 120 attached to a flat-surface 5 (shown here to be a wall-surface). The second-layer 120 is shown as a decorative-border 126 around a periphery of the first-layer 110. The first-layer 110 and the second-layer 120 may be at least 1-foot×1-foot. However, in the preferred embodiment, the first-layer 110 may be 30 inches×42 inches and the second-layer 120 may be 36 inches×48 inches. A border may be located around a periphery of the second-layer 120 on the rear-surface 124 and may be 3 inches in width. However, it should be appreciated that other sizes may be used. In some embodiments, the picture-frame system 100 may be custom manufactured to the users' size preference. However, it should be appreciated that other sizes may be used.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of securing a picture-frame system to a flat-surface 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the method of securing a picture-frame system to a flat-surface 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing the picture-frame system 100 as above; step two 502, removing the first protective-sheet 140 from the one of the first front-surface 112 and the first rear-surface 114; step three 503, attaching the one of the first front-surface 112 and the first rear-surface 114 to the flat-surface 5; step four 504, removing the second protective-sheet 150 from the another one of the first front-surface 112 and the first rear-surface 114; step five 505, adhesively-attaching at least one picture 10 to the adhesive-material 130 on the another one of the first front-surface 112 and the first rear-surface 114; step six 506, removing the third protective sheet 160 from the one of the second front-surface 122 and the second-rear surface 124; and step seven 507, attaching the one of the second front-surface 122 and the second rear-surface 124 to the another one of the first front-surface 112 and the second rear-surface 124. Further steps may include: step eight 508, removing the second-layer 120 from the first-layer 110 attached the flat-surface 5; step nine 509, replacing the at least one picture 10 adhesively attached to the another one of the first front-surface 112 and the first rear-surface 114; and step ten 510, re-attaching the one of the second front-surface 122 and the second rear-surface 124 to the another one of the first front-surface 112 and the second rear-surface 124.

It should be noted that step eight 508, step nine 509 and step ten 510 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for picture-frame system 100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A picture-frame system for securement to a flat-surface, the picture-frame system comprising: a first-layer defined by a first front-surface and a first rear-surface opposite the first front-surface, the first front-surface and the first rear-surface each including an adhesive-material thereon, and wherein the adhesive-material is configured to attach one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface to the flat-surface; anda second-layer defined by a second front-surface and a second rear-surface opposite the second front-surface, one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface including the adhesive-material thereon, the adhesive-material configured to attach the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface to another one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface, and wherein another one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface include a decorative border.

2. The picture-frame system of claim 1, further comprising a first protective-sheet removably attached to the one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface and configured for removal prior to attachment of the one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface to the flat-surface.

3. The picture-frame system of claim 2, further comprising a second protective-sheet removably attached to the another one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface and configured for removal prior to attachment of the at least one picture.

4. The picture-frame system of claim 1, further comprising a third protective-sheet removably attached to the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface including the adhesive-material and configured for removal prior to attachment of the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface to the another one of the first front-surface and first rear-surface.

5. The picture-frame system of claim 4, wherein the adhesive-material on the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface is located around a periphery of the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface.

6. The picture-frame system of claim 1, wherein the first-layer is made from a heat-stamped rubber-material.

7. The picture-frame system of claim 6, wherein the second-layer is made from a rigid vinyl-material.

8. The picture-frame system of claim 7, wherein the second-layer is transparent.

9. The picture-frame system of claim 1, wherein the first protective-sheet is made from a paper-material.

10. The picture-frame system of claim 9, wherein the second protective-sheet is made from the paper-material.

11. The picture-frame system of claim 10, wherein the third protective-sheet is made from the paper-material.

12. The picture-frame system of claim 11, wherein the paper-material is wax-coated.

13. The picture-frame system of claim 1, wherein the decorative-border is a painted-border.

14. The picture-frame system of claim 1, wherein the flat-surface is a wall-surface.

15. The picture-frame system of claim 1, wherein the first-layer and the second-layer are square-shaped.

16. The picture-frame system of claim 15, wherein the first-layer and the second-layer are at least 1-foot×1-foot.

17. A picture-frame system for securement to a wall-surface, the picture-frame system comprising: a first-layer defined by a first front-surface and a first rear-surface opposite the first front-surface, the first front-surface and the first rear-surface each including an adhesive-material thereon, and wherein the adhesive-material is configured to attach one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface to the wall-surface;a second-layer defined by a second front-surface and a second rear-surface opposite the second front-surface, one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface including the adhesive-material thereon, the adhesive-material configured to attach the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface to another one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface, and wherein another one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface include a decorative border;a first protective-sheet removably attached to the one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface and configured for removal prior to attachment of the one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface to the flat-surface;a second protective-sheet removably attached to the another one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface and configured for removal prior to attachment of the at least one picture; anda third protective-sheet removably attached to the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface including the adhesive-material and configured for removal prior to attachment of the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface to the another one of the first front-surface and first rear-surface; andwherein the another one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface is configured to adhesively-receive at least one picture;wherein the adhesive-material on the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface is located around a periphery of the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface;wherein the first-layer is made from a heat-stamped rubber-material;wherein the second-layer is made from a rigid vinyl-material;wherein the first protective-sheet, second protective-sheet, and third protective-sheet are made from a paper-material;wherein the paper-material is wax-coated;wherein the decorative-border is a painted-border;wherein the first-layer and the second-layer are square-shaped; andwherein the first-layer and the second-layer are at least 1-foot×1-foot.

18. The picture-frame system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the picture-frame system is arranged as a kit.

19. A method of securing a picture-frame system to a flat-surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing the picture-frame system including: a first-layer defined by a first front-surface and a first rear-surface opposite the first front-surface, the first front-surface and the first rear-surface each including an adhesive-material thereon, and wherein the adhesive-material is configured to attach one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface to the flat-surface;a first protective-sheet removably attached to the one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface and configured for removal prior to attachment of the one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface to the flat-surface;a second protective-sheet removably attached to the another one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface and configured for removal prior to attachment of the at least one picture;a second-layer defined by a second front-surface and a second rear-surface opposite the second front-surface, one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface including the adhesive-material thereon, the adhesive-material configured to attach the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface to another one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface, and wherein another one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface include a decorative border; anda third protective-sheet removably attached to the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface including the adhesive-material and configured for removal prior to attachment of the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface to the another one of the first front-surface and first rear-surface.removing the first protective-sheet from the one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface;attaching the one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface to the flat-surface;removing the second protective-sheet from the another one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface;adhesively-attaching at least one picture to the adhesive-material on the another one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface;removing the third protective sheet from the one of the second front-surface and the second-rear surface; andattaching the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface to the another one of the first front-surface and the second rear-surface.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: removing the second-layer from the first-layer attached the flat-surface;replacing the at least one picture adhesively attached to the another one of the first front-surface and the first rear-surface; andre-attaching the one of the second front-surface and the second rear-surface to the another one of the first front-surface and the second rear-surface.