WO1989006192A1

WO1989006192A1 - Mailable, self-contained display unit

Info

Publication number: WO1989006192A1
Application number: PCT/US1989/000043
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eldon L. Weir
Original assignee: Weir Eldon L
Priority date: 1988-01-07
Filing date: 1989-01-06
Publication date: 1989-07-13
Also published as: AU3030489A

Abstract

A self-contained, initially flat display unit (10) has a rear section (32) which may be unfolded to support the unit in an upright, inclined orientation. The rear support section, before unfolded toward its use or display orientation, is positioned relative to the remaining extent of the unit to enable the unit to be readily introduced into feed rollers or other gripping apparatus of postal processing machinery without becoming caught and possibly torn by the gripping apparatus. The support section is of a generally triangular or trapezoidal configuration, and is oriented on the unit such that a relatively narrow upper region (38) of the support section, or alternatively a hinge region (34) of the support section, is nearer in distance to a top marginal edge portion (24) of the unit than the remaining extent of the support section so that the support section is urged toward a flat orientation coplanar with remaining areas of the display unit in order to avoid undue presentation of protruding edges and the like.

Description

MAILABLE, SELF-CONTAINED DISPLAY UNIT

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mail- able display preferably of post card size and having a self-contained support section which may be un¬ folded once the display has reached its destination to retain a front display panel in an upright orien¬ tation for viewing.

10

2. Description of the Prior Art Self-contained displays for placement on a desk top, table top or shelf are used for supporting a photograph, graphic work, or other work of art in an upright orientation for viewing. These types of

15 display units are often comprised of a composite panel assembly that takes the form of a front panel presenting the work of art and a rear panel affixed in back-to-back relationship with the front panel. The rear panel is cut or perforated to enable a

20 support section of the rear panel to be unfolded toward an orientation perpendicular to the front panel and the remaining extent of the rear panel for supporting the unit in an upright, inclined orienta¬ tion. In addition, a section of the rear panel is

25 formed to interlock with the support section and retain the latter in its perpendicular orientation to thereafter prohibit, for the most part, shifting of the support section and collapse of the unit.

One principal advantage of self-contained

^'3 n. desk top display units is the fact that the units when manufactured present a thin, flat profile and thus can be readily handled and inexpensively dis¬ tributed en masse to end users who, by the same token, can store the unit in its flat configuration

35 until unfolded for use. In the past, self-contained display units which are mailed to the end user have typically been inserted within a larger, covering envelope and mailed at letter rates to the user, a practice which substantially adds to the overall cost of manufacturing and distributing the units due to the cost of the envelopes, the labor for insert¬ ing the units into respective envelopes and the letter rate postage for mailing the envelope.

Use of mailing cards or post cards is particularly advantageous for mass mailings inasmuch as the present postal rate for post cards is con¬ siderably less than matter which is mailed at letter rates. However, postal authorities typically restrict the type and configuration of matter which may be classified as a post card for the purpose of qualifying for mailing at the post card rate, in order to differentiate such matter from material that must bear postage at letter rates. For exam¬ ple, as a general rule, cards bearing structure that may be designated an "attachment" are not mailable at the post card rate.

Certain of the automated apparatus cur¬ rently used by postal authorities has a feed mechan¬ ism for gripping envelopes or post cards and direct¬ ing the same toward a downstream processing station. Cancellation machines, for example, are sometimes provided with feed rollers for gripping a top mar¬ ginal edge of the envelope or card near the stamp and directing the same toward a marking device for cancelling the stamp. As a consequence, the- attach¬ ments or other sections of the envelope or card which are shiftable relative to the remaining extent of the envelope or card may become caught in the feed mechanism and possibly destroyed. Summary of the Invention

My present invention is directed toward a mailable, self-contained display unit and includes the discovery of certain critical factors for con¬ struction of a self-contained display unit which may be successfully mailed without an outer envelope or other covering, and without substantial likelihood of jamming within the feed mechanism of postal conveyors. Smaller display units constructed in accordance with the invention may qualify for post 0 card rates, a considerable advantage when used in mass mailings for promotion of commercial or non¬ commercial services or goods.

In this regard, I have found that a dis¬ play unit having a self-contained, selectively 5 shiftable support section may be constructed in such a fashion that the support section should not become caught or otherwise entangled with the feed mecha¬ nism of postal processing apparatus. In particular, the display unit constructed in accordance with the 0 invention has a shiftable support section of a generally triangular or trapezoidal configuration and an elongated hinge region of the support section is integrally joined to a rear panel of the unit. The support section is oriented on the rear panel so 5 that either of the hinge region or a narrowed end region of the support section lie closer in distance to a top marginal edge portion of the unit than the remaining extent of the support section. In this r, manner, the support section when directed into the feeding mechanism remains in a flat, folded orien¬ tation parallel to the remaining areas of the unit, and the feeding mechanism during passage over the support section tends to urge and retain the re- 5 maining portions of the support sections in close engagement with the remainder of the unit.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the display unit comprises a front panel bearing art work or other material for viewing, and a rear address panel secured to the front panel . in back- to-back relationship therewith. The rear panel is cut In a manner to form the support section, along with small, tearable tabs initially interconnecting the support section and adjacent regions of the rear panel. Once the display unit reaches its final destination, the user grasps the support section to tear the tabs and shift the section toward an orien¬ tation generally perpendicular to the front panel, and thereafter a latching section of the rear panel may be moved toward an orientation in locking en¬ gagement with the support section to fix the same in its unfolded orientation.

In another form of the invention, the rear panel of the display unit is cut to present two substantially identical support sections, each of which is shiftable outwardly away from the remaining extent of the unit for facilitating support of the same, especially when the unit has somewhat larger overall dimensions. In this embodiment, a relative¬ ly narrow, upper region of both support sections is located adjacent the top marginal edge portion of the unit in order to promote smooth handling of the unit by the feed mechanism of the postal processing apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a mailable display unit constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, showing a front panel of the unit bearing art work or other material to be displayed;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the unit shown in Fig. 1, illustrating a support section which has been unfolded for support¬ ing the unit in inclined, upright disposition;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the unit shown in Fig. 2, except that the support sect¬ ion is illustrated in its initial, mailing or flat orientation; 0

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4, illustrating a latching section unfolded to retain the support 5 section in its transverse orientation for supporting the unit;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, rear elevational view of a display unit constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, wherein 0 two support sections are provided;

Fig. 7 is a rear elevational view of yet another embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 8 is a reduced, front perspective view of the display unit shown in Fig. 7. 5

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring initially to Figs. 1-5, a mail- able display unit is broadly designated by the r, numeral 10 and includes a front panel 12 of a rec¬ tangular, flat configuration. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the front panel 12 bears artwork to be displayed, although of course other types of materi¬ als such as photographs, graphic artwork or the like can also be imprinted on the front panel 12. 5 The unit 10 also includes a rear panel 14 having an overall rectangular configuration similar, or preferably identical in dimension to the overall configuration of front panel 12. The rear panel 14 includes a fixed section 16 which is secured in parallel relation to front panel in back-to-back relationship therewith to make the panel 12, 14 appear as a single component. As illustrated in

Figs. 2 and 3, the fixed section 16 of rear panel 14 includes an upper right side corner portion 18 for 0 optionally receiving a stamp, as well as an address portion 20 below the stamp receiving portion 18 and generally located on the right-hand side of rear panel 14 when viewing Fig. 3. Additionally, the rear panel 14 includes an upper left-hand corner 5 portion 22 for receiving a return address.

As perhaps best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the fixed section 16 of the rear panel 14 has a top marginal edge portion 24, a bottom marginal edge portion 26 parallel to top edge portion 24, and a 0 right side marginal edge portion 28 and a left side marginal edge portion 30 respectively. Right side and left side portions 28, 30 extend in directions parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of extension of edge portions 24, 26. The 5 stamp receiving portion 18 is located adjacent the intersection of top marginal edge portion 24 and right side marginal edge portion 28.

The rear panel 14 of unit 10 is formed to present a support section 32 which is selectively 3 J movable relative to the fixed section 16. The flat support section 32 is shiftable between a mailing orientation in coplanar alignment with the fixed section 16 as illustrated in Fig. 3, and a display

-.,- orientation in perpendicular relation relative to the fixed section 16 as is illustrated in Figs. 2, 4, and 5.

Referring to Figs. 2-4, the support sec¬ tion 32 includes an elongated hinge region 34 that is integrally connected to the adjacent portions of the fixed section 16. Moreover, support section 32 includes a relatively wide foot region 36, a rela¬ tively narrow region 38 remote from foot region 36, and an elongated edge region 40 which extends from the foot region 36 and toward the relatively narrow 0 region 38 at a direction converging toward a refer¬ ence axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of hinge region 34.

As shown perhaps best in Fig. 3, a releas- able means for retaining the support section 32 in a 5 folded, coplanar orientation relative to the fixed section 16 for purposes of mailing the unit 10 comprises a number of tabs 42 integrally intercon¬ necting support section 32 and adjacent areas of fixed sections 16. In particular, two tabs 42 are 0 located adjacent opposite ends of the elongated edge region 40, while a third tab 42 is disposed near the center of the same although other configurations are, of course, possible. Each of the tabs 42 may be readily torn by finger pressure in order to shift 5 the support section 32 away from its mailing orien¬ tation as shown in Fig. 3 and toward its display orientation as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 5.

A means for retaining the support section 32 in its display orientation comprises a latching n. section 44 integrally connected along a fold line to adjacent areas of fixed section 16. The latching section 44 is shiftable from a flat, coplanar dis¬ position relative to the fixed section 16 as shown in Fig. 3 and toward an outwardly extending, locking disposition which is depicted in Figs. 2, 4, and 5. An outer margin of the latching section 44 has a curved, somewhat w^"-shaped configuration and an indented region at the approximate mid-point of the outer margin engages an inner, cut-away region of the support section 32 for locking the latter in its display orientation.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, a rear panel 14a of a mailable display unit 10a is formed to present a fixed section 16a as well as two sub¬ 0 stantially similar, mirror-image support sections 32a, 33a, each of which are similar in nature to the support section 32 which is illustrated in Figs. 2-5. A single latching section 44a is provided with indented regions for selectively retaining both 5 the support sections 32a, 33a in a display orien¬ tation extending outwardly from rear panel 14a.

Finally, the embodiment of the invention as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is somewhat similar to the embodiment described in Figs. 1-5, in that a self- 0 contained mailable display unit 10b has a front panel 12b (Fig. 8) and a rear panel 14b (Fig. 7), the latter of which includes a fixed section 16b and selectively shiftable support section 32b. The fixed section 16b of rear panel 14b has a top mar¬ 5 ginal edge portion 24b, a bottom marginal edge portion 26b, a right side marginal edge portion 28b along with a left side marginal edge portion 30b. Additionally, a stamp receiving portion 18b is r located adjacent the intersection of top portion 24b and right side portion 28b, while an address portion 20b is located generally toward the half of the rear panel 14b adjacent right side marginal edge portion 28b. 5 -. The support section 32b, in similar fash¬ ion to support section 32 of Figs. 1-5, has a hinge region 34b integrally connected to adjacent areas of fixed section 16b. The support section 32b also c- includes a relatively wide foot region 36b, a rela¬ tively narrow region 38b and an elongated edge region 40b which extends from the foot region 36b and toward the narrow region 38b in a direction generally converging with a reference axis coinci-

,_n dent with the elongated axis of hinge region 34b.

As such, when the support section 32b is unfolded towards its perpendicular, display orienta¬ tion which is partially shown in Fig. 8, foot region 36b, in similar manner to foot region 36, engages

, c the top of a desk, table or other supporting surface for maintaining the unit 10b in an upright, inclined disposition. A number of tabs 42b releasably retain the support section 32b in its flat, mailing orien¬ tation coplanar with the substantial extent of fixed

20 section 16b until such time as the tabs 42b are broken and the support section 32b is unfolded by pivoting the same about the aforementioned reference axis extending along the longitudinal axis hinge region 34b.

In all forms of the invention, the gene¬ 5 rally triangular or generally trapezoidal shaped support sections 32 are oriented relative to the top marginal edge portion 24 of rear panel 14 such that the display unit 10 may be safely introduced into rollers or other types of gripping apparatus common¬ 0 ly associated with feed mechanism of postal process¬ ing machinery such as machines for effecting cancel¬ lation of stamps. In this regard, and in accordance with the invention, the support section 32 is ori- 5 ented such that the relatively narrow region 38 is closer in distance to the top marginal edge portion 24 than the remaining extent of the support section 32 as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-5, or alternatively the hinge region 34b of sup¬ port section 32b is located nearer in distance to the top marginal edge portion 24b than the remaining extent of the support section 32b as shown by the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.

As the unit 10 is fed onto a gripping mechanism such as feed rollers, the relative narrow region 38 approaches the gripping mechanism before other regions of the support section 32. Thus, such construction substantially reduces the risk that an inadvertently protruding edge of the support section 32 will become jammed with the feed mechanism. Once the relatively narrow region 38a is engaged with the feed mechanism, the latter urges the relatively narrow region 38 in a direction toward front panel 12 and thereby tends to cause the remaining extent of the support section 32 to remain on flat dis¬ position coplanar with the fixed section 16 as the unit 10 continues to be advanced by the gripping mechanism.

Alternatively, the support section 32b of the unit 10b shown in Figs. 7-8 is positioned such that the hinge region 34b approaches the gripping mechanism before the remaining regions of support section 32b. The integrally formed hinge region 34b avoids substantial presentation of cut edges which might otherwise protrude away from the fixed section 16b and become caught by the gripping mechanism. Once the unit 10b is advanced sufficiently to cause the gripping mechanism to pass over the hinge region 34b, the gripping mechanism biases the remaining extent of the support section 32b toward its flat orientation depicted in Fig. 7 so that the probabil¬ ity of mis-feeds or jamming is largely precluded.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the present invention represents an especially c effective means for constructing a self-contained J display unit mailable at post card rates. It is realized, of course, that those skilled in the art may make various modifications or additions to the presently preferred embodiments shown in the draw¬ ings without departing from the essence of my inven¬

10 tion. Consequently, the invention should be deemed limited only by a fair scope of the claims which follow.

15

20

5

Λ

35

Claims

Claims :

1. A mailable display comprising: a front display panel; a rear address panel secured to said front panel in generally back-to-back relation¬ ship therewit , said rear panel including address means and postage means, said rear panel being formed to present a 0 generally flat fixed section substantially stationary relative to said front panel and a support section selectively movable relative to said fixed section between a mailing orientation generally parallel to 5 said fixed section and a display orien¬ tation in generally non-parallel relation to said fixed section; and means for selectively retaining said support section in said display orientation. 0

5

'.=•.

2. A mailable display comprising: a unit having a front display surface and a rear mailing address. surface, said unit, when viewing said rear surface, presenting a top marginal edge portion and a right side marginal edge portion inter¬ secting with said top marginal edge por¬ tion and extending downwardly therefrom, said unit, when viewing said rear surface, presenting mailing means including an address means and an upper right-hand stamp receiving portion adjacent the intersection between said top marginal edge portion and said right side marginal edge portion, said unit including a support section select- ably shiftable relative to said rear surface between a mailing orientation and a display orientation extending outwardly from said rear surface, said unit including means for selectively retaining said support section in said display orientation, said support section including a hinge region, a relatively wide foot region, a rela¬ tively narrow region remote from said foot region, and an elongated edge region extending from said foot region and toward said relatively narrow region in a direc¬ tion converging toward said reference axis, said support section being oriented such that one of said hinge region and said rela¬ tively narrow region is closer in distance to said top marginal edge portion than the remaining substantial extent of said support section including said foot re¬ gion.

3. The invention as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said support section has a generally trapezoidal configuration bounded by said hinge region, said relatively narrow region, said elon¬ gated edge region and said foot region.

4. The invention as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said rear surface and said front surface present a generally rectangular configuration.

5. The invention as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said hinge region is integrally connected to said rear surface of said unit.

5

n.

5

6. A mailable display unit comprising: a front display panel; a rear address panel secured to said front panel in generally back-to-back relation¬ ship therewith, said rear panel presenting, when looking toward said rear panel, a top marginal edge portion and a right side marginal edge portion intersecting with said top mar¬ ginal edge portion and extending down¬

10 wardly away from the same, said rear panel including address means and a stamp receiving upper right side corner portion adjacent the intersection of said top marginal edge portion and said right

15 side marginal edge portion, said rear panel being formed to present a generally flat fixed section substantially stationary relative to said front panel and a support section selectively movable

20 relative to said fixed section between a mailing orientation in generally parallel relation to said fixed section and a display orientation in generally non- parallel relation to said fixed section;

25 and means for selectively retaining said support section in said display orientation, said support section including a hinge region integrally connected to said fixed section and extending in a direction along a reference axis

_.:. said support section including a relatively wide foot region, a relatively narrow region, and an elongated edge region extending from said foot region and toward said relatively narrow region in a direc¬ tion converging toward said reference axis, said support section being oriented such that one of said hinge region and said rela¬ tively narrow region is closer in distance to said top marginal edge portion of said rear panel than the remaining substantial extent of said support section including said foot region.

7. The invention as set forth in Claim 5; and including releasable means for retaining said support section in said mailing orientation.

8. The invention as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said releasable means comprise tearable tabs integrally interconnecting said fixed section and said elongated edge region of said support section.

9. The invention as set forth in Claim 5, wherein said one of said hinge region and said relatively narrow region extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said marginal top edge portion of said rear panel.

10. The invention as set forth in Claim 8, wherein said support section has a generally trapezoidal configuration.

11. The invention as set forth in Claim 5, wherein said means for selectively retaining said support section in said display orientation com¬ prises a latching section integrally connected to said fixed section and swingable relative to the latter toward a locking orientation in engagement with said support section when the latter is in said display orientation.

12. The invention as set forth in Claim 0 5, wherein said fixed section includes said address means and said stamp receiving right side corner section in spaced disposition from said support section.

5

0

5

Λ

5