The present invention relates generally to printable paper products and methods for producing them and, in particular, to an apparatus and method for printing images integral with a frame.
The availability of low-cost, high-quality digital cameras has enabled users of these cameras easy and quick access to the images captured by the cameras. The availability of low-cost, high-quality color printers has enabled users of digital cameras to print photographic-quality images directly from a personal printer.
While printing the images captured by the digital cameras has been made easier, it remains desirable to provide a frame for mounting and displaying the images once printed or for presenting the images as a gift or the like. Conventional picture frames, however, can be both heavy and expensive.
There is shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,854 a picture frame formed of a unitary blank formed in three sections that may be folded to form the picture frame. The frame includes an aperture formed in one of the sections for displaying a separate photograph.
There is shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,862 a computer program for generating picture frames from a single sheet of paper along with a pattern with fold and cut lines to create the picture frame. The frame includes a window that the user may remove, or may choose to place art, an imported picture, or design patterns on the window. The frame is assembled by cutting and pasting various portions of the frame and/or picture.
There is shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,061 a foldable picture frame that permits direct printing of a picture and a border. The specification recites that a first side of a flat sheet is utilized to print a digital photograph or picture and is then turned over to print graphics on the other side of the sheet. In addition, a center panel is then removed in order to form a viewing window for the picture.
It is desirable, therefore, to provide a picture frame with a picture display area formed from a single sheet of stock that does not require removal of a window and can be printed in a single pass.
The present invention concerns a sheet of stock for use in printing images with an integral frame and a computer program for printing an image on the sheet. In one embodiment, an image portion and a support portion are separated, the support portion folded and the two portions attached to stand upright on a surface. In another embodiment, the sheet of stock has magnetic properties that permit attachment to a metal surface such as a refrigerator door.
A display apparatus for use in printing images with an integral frame includes an image portion having a display side and an opposite side, the image portion having first attachment means formed integral therewith, and a support portion attached to the image portion to form the sheet of stock, the support portion being attached to the image portion at a separation die cut line formed in the sheet of stock, the support portion having second attachment means formed integral therewith, whereby when the support portion is separated from the image portion at the separation die cut line and the first and second attachment means are engaged, the image portion and the support portion cooperate with a generally horizontal support surface to orient the display side in a generally vertical plane for viewing. The first attachment means can be a pair of frame extensions extending along opposite edges of the image portion and separated from an image area by a pair of attachment die cut lines while the second attachment means can be a pair of tabs extending from the support portion for engaging associated openings formed by the attachment die cut lines.
The display apparatus includes a plurality of score lines formed in the support portion for folding the support portion into a generally V-shape after separation from the image portion. The sheet of stock can include a carrier portion detachably attached to the image portion and the support portion during printing of at least one image on the image portion, the carrier portion being separated from the image portion and the support portion prior to engagement of the first and second attachment means. The image portion includes an image area bounded by a pair of frame extensions, each frame extension being separated from the image area by an attachment die cut line extending between a pair of score lines.
In an alternate embodiment, the display apparatus includes a sheet of stock having a display side with at least one image portion and a support side opposite the display side, and magnetic means being one of integral with the sheet of stock and a layer attached to the support side, whereby when the image is printed on the at least one image portion, the magnetic means is operable to retain the sheet of stock on a metal surface with the display side oriented for viewing the image. The image portion can have a representation of a picture frame printed thereon and can be surrounded by a carrier portion of the sheet of stock and including die cut lines formed in the sheet of stock for separating the carrier portion from the image portion. The sheet of stock is sized for use with a personal computer printer.
The present invention includes a method for forming an image display apparatus having an integral frame, comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of stock having an image portion separable from a support portion, the sheet of stock having a display side; obtaining an image in digital form; printing the image on the display side in an image area of the image portion; separating the support portion from the image portion; and assembling the support portion to the image portion to form a framed image display apparatus that cooperates with a generally horizontal support surface to orient the display side of the image portion in a generally vertical plane for viewing. The image can include a frame image representing a simulated picture frame and a photo image wherein the frame image is selected from a stored plurality of different frame images.
The method can include a step of obtaining a clip art image and printing the clip art image on the display side at a selected location in the image portion. The method includes forming a die cut line in the sheet of stock between the image portion and the support portion and separating the support portion from the image portion at the die cut line. The method can include a step of generating text and printing the text on the display side at a selected location in the image portion.
The assembled frame fits into a standard greeting card size envelope, which advantageously allows the frame to be mailed with any brand-name greeting card or separately utilizing provided envelopes. The present invention may advantageously include inserts for any occasion, including Christmas, birthday, retirement, and thank you inserts.
The sheet of stock in accordance with the present invention advantageously provides a picture frame that is portable and inexpensive to produce.
The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:
a and 2b are front elevation views in landscape and portrait orientations, respectively, of the frame of
a and 3b are side elevation views in landscape and portrait orientations, respectively, of the frame of
a and 4b are rear elevation views in landscape and portrait orientations, respectively, of the frame of
Referring now to
As shown in
The frame 10 is formed by a plurality of die cut and score lines. In
The frame 10 is formed by a plurality of die cut and score lines and includes an image portion 16 and a support portion 18. The image portion 16 and the support portion 18 are separated by the die cut line 20 extending substantially through the vertical center of the sheet 12. The image portion 16 includes a plurality of die cut lines 22, 24, and 26 adjacent and substantially parallel with respective portions of the edge 14 of the sheet 12 and another die cut line 28 adjacent and substantially parallel to the cut line 20. The image portion 16 also includes the score line 30 extending between the cut lines 22 and 24, a score line 32 extending between the cut lines 24 and 26, a score line 34 extending between the cut lines 22 and 28, and a score line 36 extending between the cut lines 26 and 28. The die cut lines 22, 24, 26, and 28, and the score lines 30, 32, 34, and 36 define an image area 38 therebetween. The image area 38 is a location wherein a digital image may be printed when the sheet 12 is run through a computer printer (not shown), discussed in more detail below.
The support portion 18 includes a plurality of score lines 40, 42, and 44 extending between the cut line 20 and an upper portion of the edge 14. A die cut line 46 extends from the die cut line 20 to a die cut line 48, which extends to another die cut line 50. Similarly, a die cut line 52 extends from the cut line 20 to a die cut line 54, which extends to another die cut line 56. A score line 58 extends between the cut lines 46 and 50 and a score line 60 extends between the cut lines 52 and 56.
The die cut lines 22, 24, 26, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, and 56 define a periphery of the frame 10 at which the frame 10 can be separated from a surrounding carrier portion 13 of the sheet 12. During manufacture of the frame 10, the die cut lines 20, 22, 24, 26, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, and 56 are cut and formed by a die (not shown), which provides a complete cut through the sheet of stock 12 at the solid portions but allows the frame 10 to be run through the printer without separating from the sheet 12. The score lines 30, 32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44, 58, and 60 do not extend completely through the sheet 12 and allow the image portion 16 and a support portion 18 to be folded to form the frame 10.
After the sheet 12 with the frame 10 has been run through the computer printer, the frame 10 may be separated from the carrier portion 13 of the sheet 12 to form the frame 10, best seen in
The frame 10 is formed by separating the image portion 16 and a support portion 18 from the sheet 12 along the die cut lines 22, 24, 26, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, and 56. The image portion 16 and a support portion 18 are then separated from each other along the die cut line 20. The die cut lines 24 and 28 are then separated from the image portion 16, while the score lines 30, 32, 34, and 36 allow respective frame portions 62 to remain attached to the image area 38 and fold or flex with respect to the image area 38.
When the support portion 18 is separated from the carrier portion 13, the cut lines 48 and 54 form respective tabs 64 and 65 at opposite ends of the support portion 18. The score lines 58 and 60 allow the respective tabs 64 and 65 to remain attached to the support portion 18 and fold or flex with respect to the support portion 18. The score lines 40, 42, 44, 58, and 60 define a plurality of support sections 66, 68, 70, and 72 of the support portion 18.
To form the frame 10, the support sections 66, 68, 70, and 72 of the support portion 18 are folded along the score lines 40, 42, and 44. The sections 66, 68, 70, and 72 form a substantially V-shape support, best seen in
Referring now to
The frame 100 includes a plurality of die cut lines 116, 118, 120, and 122 adjacent and substantially parallel with respective portions of the edge 114 of the sheet 112 that define an image area 124 therebetween. The image area 124 is a location wherein a digital image may be printed when the frame 100 and sheet 112 are run through a computer printer (not shown). The die cut lines 116, 118, 120, and 122 define a periphery of the frame 100 at which the frame 100 can be separated from a surrounding carrier portion 126 of the sheet 112. During manufacture of the frame 100, the die cut lines 116, 118, 120, and 122 are cut and formed by a die (not shown), which provides a complete cut through the sheet of stock 112 at the solid portions but allows the frame 100 to be run through the printer without separating from the sheet 112. After being run through the printer, the frame 100 is separated from the carrier portion 126 by applying pressure to the sheet 112 adjacent the cut lines 116, 118, 120, and 122 while holding on to the frame 100. Once the frame 100 is separated from the carrier portion 126, the frame 100 can be attached to a preferably metallic display surface (not shown), such as a refrigerator door outer surface or the like. The surface having magnetic materials and/or properties advantageously allows the frame 100 to be attached to the display surface without the use of a support member.
Referring now to
The frame 130 includes a plurality of die cut lines 136, 138, 140, and 142 adjacent and substantially parallel with respective portions of the edge 134 of the sheet 132. The frame 130 also includes a substantially oval die cut line 144, and perpendicular die cut lines 146 and 148. The die cut line 144 defines an image area 150. The cut lines 140, 146, and 148 define an image area 152 therebetween and the cut lines 136, 138, 140, and 146 define an image area 154 therebetween. The image areas 150, 152, and 154 are locations wherein a digital image may be printed when the frame 130 and sheet 132 are run through a computer printer (not shown). The die cut lines 136, 138, 140, and 142 define a periphery of the frame 130 at which the frame 130 can be separated from a surrounding carrier portion 156 of the sheet 132. During manufacture of the frame 130, the die cut lines 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, and 148 are cut and formed by a die (not shown), which provides a complete cut through the sheet of stock 132 at the solid portions but allows the frame 130 to be run through the printer without separating from the sheet 132. After being run through the printer, the image portions 150, 152, and 154 of the frame 130 are separated from the carrier portion 156 by applying pressure to the sheet 132 adjacent the cut lines 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, and 148 while holding on to the frame 130. Once the image portions 150, 152, and 154 of the frame 130 are separated from the carrier portion 156, the image portions 150, 152, and 154 of the frame 100 can be attached to a preferably metallic display surface (not shown), such as a refrigerator door outer surface or the like. The surface having magnetic materials and/or properties advantageously allows the frame 130 to be attached to the display surface without the use of a support member. Although one image portion is shown in the frame 100 and three image portions are shown in the frame 130, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any desired number of image portions of any desired shape may be formed from the sheets of stock 112 or 132 while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the steps shown in the
In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20060064907 A1 | Mar 2006 | US |