Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Layer or component removable to expose adhesive
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-12
2004-02-17
Ahmad, Nasser (Department: 1772)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Layer or component removable to expose adhesive
C040S702000, C040S709000, C040S722000, C040S737000, C040S771000, C040S775000, C040S776000, C428S013000, C428S014000, C428S041700, C428S041800, C428S138000, C428S192000, C428S194000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06692806
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates generally to card, picture, sign and readable disc exhibiting and, more particularly to a device and method for holding and displaying articles such as photographs, certificates, compact discs and the like.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
People are always searching for ways to appropriately display articles such as pictures, photographs and certificates of award or recognition. For documents signifying important milestones such high school or college graduation, the attainment of professional license, or the attainment of significant recognition, expensive framing such as the traditional picture frame that is used for the wall mounting of articles is often employed. Such framing is also used to display pictures such as graduation or wedding photos.
This type of traditional framing is expensive and usually involves rigid three-dimensional structures that require some form of hooking device mounted on the wall working in tandem with a wire or protrusion attached to the back of the frame in order to hang the frame on to the surface of a wall. Another type of framing device utilizes a brace that extends from the back of the frame, thereby allowing the frame to stand on a level surface such as a desk or table top.
For certain needs, a shortcoming of both of these framing devices is that their relative cost prevents them from being widely used to display informal candid photographs of people, pets, or scenery taken during parties, vacations, or everyday occurrences. Many such photographs are displayed on a refrigerator, filing cabinet or locker using a magnet. Such method of display offers no form of protection for the article—nor is it particularly attractive aesthetically. This lack of protection results, in many cases, in some type of disfigurement of the displayed article, either in the form of torn or curled edges or damage to the face of the article.
Another form of informal display involves putting the article beneath a glass table or desk top or the clear cover sheet of a desk blotter. Such display is limited in that the article is usually visible only to the person sitting behind the desk or table.
Other types of inexpensive framing devices employ smooth, static cling film, tacks or tape to secure a photograph to a flat surface such as a wall. While inexpensive, tape or static cling film have a shortcoming in that either can lose its mounting properties over time. Also, when an adhesive is used, the adhesive may either leave a residue on or mar the mounting surface once the framing device is removed. Additionally, the static cling film can be difficult to work with in that it can bunch up and stick to itself, thereby making mounting difficult. And a framing device made with such film is not very sturdy and, therefore, not ideally suited for long-term use.
Still another inexpensive framing device is sold under the Magnetic FREEZ•A•FRAME™ name. Such device uses a smooth backing having magnetic properties. The display side of the magnetic backing is imprinted around the edges with some message such as “My Birthday,” “Friends.” or “I Love You.” A clear protective sheet is heat sealed to the edges of the display side of the magnetic backing in such a manner that one of the edges remains open so that the photograph to be displayed can be slid in between the protective sheet and the backing. In addition to being sealed along the edges, the protective sheet is heat sealed on three sides at a position between the edge and the center of the backing sheet. This second seal provides a snug fit in which to secure a picture.
Because it utilizes a magnet, the FREEZ•A•FRAME™ device can only be displayed on a metallic surface. In addition, because the border of the FREEZ•A•FRAME™ device is prelabeled with a message for a particular occasion, the device is not “universal” in application; that is, it does not lend itself to use with a variety of types of articles to be displayed.
There has also long been a need for the convenient storage of readable discs, e.g., compact discs, digital versatile/video discs, cd roms. Typically, storage of such discs requires a hard case, such as a “jewel” case. Such cases are easy to lose and are not conveniently stored. Often, people purchase specially made shelves or towers to hold such cases. However, such shelves and towers take up a large amount of space. In addition, to find a disc a person must open up each jewel case to determine if the desired disc is inside.
An easy-to-use displaying device that addresses problems and shortcomings of earlier displaying devices would be an important advance in the art.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide an improved displaying device for photographs, certificates, discs and the like that overcomes some of the problems and shortcomings of the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved displaying device for photographs, certificates, discs and the like that is durable yet inexpensive.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved displaying device for photographs, certificates, discs and the like that is capable of adhering to a variety of metal and non-metal surfaces.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved displaying device for photographs, certificates, discs and the like that is capable of adhering to non-planar surfaces.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved displaying device for photographs, certificates, discs and the like that is reusable.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved displaying device for photographs, certificates, discs and the like that may be removed from a first surface and then cling to a second surface.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved displaying device for photographs, certificates, discs and the like that is capable of being removed from a mounting surface without marring or leaving a residue on the surface.
How these and other objects are accomplished will become apparent from the following descriptions and from the drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention involves an improved device for displaying items such as photographs, certificates, discs and the like. The displaying device is comprised of (a) a coversheet forming a viewing region and having inward and outward sides, an outer edge and an entry portion and (b) foam sheet material having front and back sides, and provides a pocket for receiving and holding a planar item for display through the viewing region. The front side of the foam sheet material is secured with respect to the coversheet at positions along the outer edge other than along the entry portion thereof. The back side of the foam sheet material is capable of clinging in a removable and replaceable manner to a display surface.
In one preferred embodiment the foam sheet material is located only at the positions along the outer edge and the pocket is formed by the coversheet and foam sheet material. In this embodiment the foam sheet material holds the planar item in registration with the device when the planar device is received in the pocket. It is preferred that the coversheet be translucent and have a frame imprinted on one of its sides. The frame preferably overlies the positions at which the foam sheet material is secured with respect to the coversheet. It is further preferred that device be flexible and capable of clinging to a cylindrical display surface.
In an alternate embodiment the coversheet includes an opening at the viewing region. The opening preferably has smaller dimensions than the planar item. In such an embodiment the coversheet may be opaque, since the item is viewed through the opening rather than through the coversheet.
The device includes foam sheet material which is capable of clinging to the display surface without use of adhesive and is capable of leaving no residue on the display surface when the foam sheet material is removed from the display surface.
The preferred device further includes a sheet of backing material whi
Ahmad Nasser
Jansson & Shupe & Munger Ltd.
Werner Richard S.
LandOfFree
Device for displaying photographs, certificates, compact... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device for displaying photographs, certificates, compact..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for displaying photographs, certificates, compact... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3278266