U.S. patent application number 10/139054 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-06 for display device.
Invention is credited to Bloom, Donald.
Application Number | 20030204982 10/139054 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29269498 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030204982 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bloom, Donald |
November 6, 2003 |
DISPLAY DEVICE
Abstract
A display device for displaying a generally planar artwork
display member such as a photograph or the like. The display device
includes a foldable enclosure member which, when folded forms a
structurally sound, frame-like assembly that substantially encloses
and supports the artwork display member and also supports a
generally planar scent emitting member such as a fragrant
impregnated blotter.
Inventors: |
Bloom, Donald; (South
Pasadena, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James E. Brunton, Esquire
Suite 860
700 N. Brand Blvd.
Post Office Box 29000
Glendale
CA
91203
US
|
Family ID: |
29269498 |
Appl. No.: |
10/139054 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/789 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 1/142 20130101;
A47G 1/0616 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
40/789 |
International
Class: |
A47G 001/06 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A display device comprising: (a) a laminate construction
including: (i) a generally planar, scent emitting member; and (ii)
a generally planar artwork display member; (b) a foldable enclosure
for substantially enclosing said laminate construction, said
foldable enclosure comprising a generally planar foldable member
having: (i) a central portion disposed in engagement with said
generally planar, scent emitting member, said central portion
having a viewing opening formed therein; (ii) a first side portion
foldably from a first position into a second position in engagement
with said generally planar artwork display member; (iii) a second
side portion foldably from a first position into a second position
in engagement with said generally planar artwork display member;
(iv) a top portion foldable from a first position into a second
position in engagement with said first and second side portions,
said top portion having first and second spaced apart slits; and
(v) a bottom portion foldable from a first position into a second
position overlaying said top portion, said bottom portion having a
first locking tab receivable in a selected one of said first and
second spaced apart slits.
2. The display device as defined in claim 1 in which each of said
first and second side panels has an outwardly extending engagement
tab and in which said bottom portion further includes an engagement
flap movable into engagement with said engagement tabs of said
first and second side portions when said bottom portion is folded
into said second position.
3. The display device as defined in claim 1 in which said central
part of said generally planar foldable member includes a marginal
portion circumscribing said viewing opening, said marginal portion
having a plurality of scent emitting openings formed therein.
4. The display device as defined in claim 1 in which said central
portion of said foldable enclosure includes an upstanding,
apertured hand tab and in which said top portion of said foldable
enclosure includes an opening for receiving said hang tab.
5. The display device as defined in claim 1 in which each of said
top and bottom portions of said generally planar foldable member
includes surface-gripping means.
6. The display device as defined in claim 1 in which said top
portion of said foldable enclosure is provided with a slit and in
which said bottom portion of said foldable enclosure includes a
locking tab receivable within said slit.
6. The display device as defined in claim 1 in which said top
portion of said foldable enclosure is provided with first and
second spaced apart slits and in which said locking tab of said
bottom portion of said foldable enclosure is receivable within a
selected one of said first and second slits.
7. A display device comprising: (a) a laminate construction
including: (i) a generally planar, scent emitting member; (ii) a
generally planar, substantially transparent member; and (iii) a
generally planar artwork display member; (b) a foldable enclosure
for substantially enclosing said laminate construction, said
foldable enclosure comprising a generally planar foldable member
having: (i) a central portion disposed in engagement with said
generally planar, scent emitting member, said central portion
having a viewing opening formed therein and a marginal portion
circumscribing said viewing opening, said marginal portion having a
plurality of scent emitting openings formed therein; (ii) a first
side portion foldable from a first position into a second position
in engagement with said generally planar artwork display member;
(iii) a second side portion foldable from a first position into a
second position in engagement with said generally planar artwork
display member; (iv) a top portion foldable from a first position
into a second position in engagement with said first and second
side portions, said top portion having first and second spaced
apart slits; and (v) a bottom portion foldable from a first
position into a second position overlaying said top portion, said
bottom portion having a first locking tab receivable in a selected
one of said first and second spaced apart slits.
8. The display device as defined in claim 7 in which each of said
first and second side panels has an outwardly extending engagement
tab and in which said bottom portion further includes an engagement
flap movable into engagement with said engagement tabs of said
first and second side portions when said bottom portion is folded
into said second position.
9. The display device as defined in claim 7 in which said central
portion of said foldable enclosure includes an upstanding,
apertured hang tab and in which said top portion of said foldable
enclosure includes an opening for receiving said hang tab.
10. The display device as defined in claim 7 in which each of said
top and bottom portions of said generally planar foldable member
includes surface-gripping means.
11. A display device comprising: (a) a laminate construction
including: (i) a generally planar, scent emitting member; (ii) a
generally planar, substantially transparent member; and (iii) a
generally planar artwork display member; (b) a foldable enclosure
for substantially enclosing said laminate construction, said
foldable enclosure comprising a generally planar foldable member
having: (i) a central portion disposed in engagement with said
generally planar, scent emitting member, said central portion
having a viewing opening formed therein and a marginal portion
circumscribing said viewing opening, said marginal portion having a
plurality of scent emitting openings formed therein, (ii) a first
side portion foldable from a first position into a second position
in engagement with said generally planar artwork display member,
said first side portion having an outwardly extending engagement
tab; (iii) a second side portion foldable from a first position
into a second position in engagement with said generally planar
artwork display member, said second side portion having an
outwardly extending engagement tab; (iv) a top portion foldable
from a first position into a second position in engagement with
said first and second side portions, said top portion having first
and second spaced apart slits; and (v) a bottom portion foldable
from a first position into a second position overlaying said top
portion, said bottom portion having a first locking tab receivable
in a selected one of said first and second spaced apart slits, said
bottom portion further including an engagement flap movable into
engagement with said engagement tabs of said first and second side
portions when said bottom portion is folded into said second
position.
12. The display device as defined in claim 11 in which said central
portion of said foldable enclosure includes an upstanding,
apertured hand tab and in which said top portion of said foldable
enclosure includes an opening for receiving said hang tab.
13. The display device as defined in claim 11 in which said
generally planar foldable member includes at least one
surface-gripping means.
14. The display device as defined in claim 11 in which each of said
top and bottom portions of said generally planar foldable member
includes at least one surface-gripping means provided in the form
of double sided adhesive tape.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to novelty display
devices for displaying artwork. More particularly the invention
concerns a self-supporting picture frame formed from a foldable
planar member that, when strategically folded, functions not only
to attractively display the artwork but also functions to carry an
air freshener card for controllably emitting a scent through
openings provided in the marginal portion of the front panel of the
picture frame.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art
[0004] The prior art is replete with various types of hanging
devices for hanging in living spaces and in the passenger
compartment of cars and trucks that include air freshener
components for emitting a scent. Frequently these devices comprise
a scented card that is adapted to be hung in the living space or
from the rear-view mirror or the sun shades in a vehicle.
[0005] Similarly the prior art is replete with various types of
frames for displaying artwork such as photographs and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,522 to issued to green discloses a combination
air freshener and picture frame that includes a front frame to
receive a picture and a removable back insert that can be attached
to the frame to retain the picture against the front face of the
picture frame. The front frame has a central opening for viewing
the picture in the frame and an enclosure adjacent to the rear
portion of the frame contains an air freshener material. The
enclosure has openings to allow diffusion of the air freshener
scent into the ambient atmosphere.
[0006] This invention provides a simple and inexpensive frame for
containing the air freshener and for attractively displaying the
artwork. In one form of the invention the air freshener comprises a
planar material stock that has been impregnated with selected
fragrance. Uniquely the picture frame of the invention is formed
from a foldable planar member which, when strategically folded,
securely holds the air freshener and the artwork securely in
position within the frame. More particularly, the foldable planar
member is provided with a plurality of strategically located slits
and cooperating locking tabs that are lockably receivable within
the slits so that when the planar member is in its folded condition
it provides a front panel having an opening for displaying the
artwork and cooperating foldable panels for securing the artwork
and the air freshener in position within the frame. The foldable
planar member also includes a locking panel which, when in one
position provides means for supporting the picture frame in an
upstanding configuration. When the locking panel is in an alternate
position it resides in close engagement with a pair of foldable
side panels that are disposed in holding engagement with the
artwork.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel
display device for displaying a generally planar artwork display
member such as a photograph or the like. The display device
uniquely includes a foldable enclosure member which, when folded
forms a structurally sound, frame like assembly that substantially
encloses and supports the artwork display member and also supports
a generally planar scent emitting member such as a
fragrance-impregnated blotter.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a display
device of the aforementioned character that can be affixed to a
vertical surface such as a wall, that, using a foldable hang tab
can be hung from a rigid part of the interior of the automobile
such as an automobile rearview mirror or visor or, alternatively,
can be positioned in an upright position on a flat surface such as
a dashboard or desktop.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a display
device that houses the scent emitting member in a manner so as to
effectively dispense a desired fragrance into the ambient
atmosphere over an extended period of time.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a display
device as described in the preceding paragraphs which is
lightweight, is attractive in appearance, is versatile in use and
is of a simple construction so that it can be easily assembled
without the use of special tools.
[0011] More particularly, it is an object of the invention to
provide a display device which allows the scent-emitting member to
be unobtrusively hidden behind an aesthetically pleasing frame like
assembly that is uniquely formed by the folded enclosure
member.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a display
device as described in the preceding paragraph in which the frame
like assembly is provided with strategically located openings to
allow diffusion of the air freshener scent into the ambient
atmosphere.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a display
device that includes means for holding the scented member in a
fixed position within the frame like assembly so as to prevent
moisture from the fragrance or scent from contacting the artwork
carried by the device.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a display
device that is uniquely constructed so as to enable the user to
quickly and easily replace the artwork being displayed.
[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a display
device as described in the preceding paragraph which can be
inexpensively manufactured in quantity. The foregoing objects of
the present invention as well as other objectives of the invention
will be more readily understood in view of the following detailed
description and the drawings illustrating the apparatus of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front view of one form of the display device of
the invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the display device shown in FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along
lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the display device folded in a
manner such that the device can be positioned on a flat surface
such as a desk top.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a generally perspective, exploded view of the
display device shown in FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a generally perspective, diagrammatic view showing
the initial steps in the method of folding the foldable enclosure
of the display device shown in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2,
and 7, one form of the display device of the present invention is
there shown and generally designated by the numeral 14. As best
seen in FIGS. 4 and 7, the display device here comprises a laminant
construction 16 that is made up of a generally planar-shaped,
scent-emitting, blotter-like member 18, a generally planar,
substantially transparent member 20 and a generally planar artwork
display member 22.
[0025] Also forming a part of the display device of the invention
is a foldable enclosure 24 for substantially enclosing the laminant
construction 16 in the manner shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. Foldable
enclosure 24 comprises a generally planar, foldable member 26
constructed of paper or plastic that has a central portion 28 that
is disposed in engagement with the generally planar, scent-emitting
member 18. Central portion 28 is provided with a central opening 30
and with an upwardly extending, foldable apertured hang tab 31 the
purpose of which will presently be described.
[0026] Also forming a part of planar member 26 is a first side
portion 32 that is foldable from a first position shown in FIG. 7
to a second position shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 wherein the first
side portion is in engagement with the generally planar artwork
display member 22. Similarly is a second side panel 34 of planar
member 26 is foldable from a first position shown in FIG. 7 to a
second position shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 wherein the panel is in
engagement with the generally planar artwork display member 22.
[0027] As best seen in FIG. 7, the generally planar member 26
includes a top portion 36 that is foldable from a first position
shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 into a second position shown in FIGS. 2, 3,
and 4 wherein said top portion overlays said first and second side
portions. Generally planar member 26 also includes a bottom portion
40 that is foldable from a first position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8
into a second position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 where it overlays top
portion 36.
[0028] Top portion 36 is provided with first and second
spaced-apart slits 42 and 44, the purpose of which will presently
be described. As best seen in FIG. 7, bottom portion 40 includes a
first locking tab 46 that is receivable in a selected one of the
first and second spaced-apart slits 42 and 44. Bottom portion 40
also includes an engagement flap 48 that is engagable by outwardly
extending engagement tabs 50 formed proximate the outer edges of
first and second side panels 32 and 34 (FIG. 7). Top portion 36
further includes a generally arch-shaped opening 35 that receives
hang tab 31 when planar member 26 is in an unfolded
configuration.
[0029] In using the display device of the present invention, with
the generally planar foldable member 26 in the unfolded
configuration shown in FIG. 7, the laminant construction 16 is
moved into engagement with the rear surface of the member so that
an opening 18a formed in scent-emitting member 18 is indexably
aligned with opening 30 formed in member 26. In this position, the
artwork is separated from scent emitting member 18 and is protected
by the substantially transparent member 20. With the laminant
construction in engagement with the rear surface of the planar
member 26, flaps 32 and 34 are folded inwardly in the direction of
the arrows 51 in FIG. 8. While holding the side panels 32 and 34 in
engagement with the artwork member 22, top panel 36 is folded
downwardly in the direction of arrow 53 of FIG. 8 and into
engagement with the folded side panels 32 and 34 in the manner
shown in FIG. 5. Holding top panel 36 in engagement with the side
panels, the bottom panel 40 is next folded upwardly in the
direction of the arrow 55 into the position shown in either FIG. 2
where flap 46 is inserted into slit 42 or, alternatively, into the
position shown in FIG. 5 where tab 46 is inserted into lower slit
44. When the tab is inserted into the upper slit 42, the device has
the folded configuration shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 wherein it
can be readily affixed to a wall surface such as wall surface "W".
The assemblage can be held in position against wall surface "W" by
a gripping means, here provided as a plurality of spaced-apart
segments of double-sided adhesive tape 56. Alternatively the
assemblage can be hung from a nail or similar structure using a
loop of string or wire "S" that is entrained through the aperture
31a formed in hang tab 31 (FIG. 1) when the tab is folded from the
folded configuration shown in FIG. 5 to the upstanding
configuration shown in FIG. 1.
[0030] When tab 46 is inserted into lower slit 44 as shown in FIG.
5, the device takes on the configuration shown in FIG. 6 wherein
the device can be positioned on a flat, horizontal surface such as
surface "H" and can be held in position thereon by means of the
gripping means, or segments of double-sided tape designated in FIG.
6 as 56a. In either case, the fragrance from impregnated card 18
can freely flow into the ambient atmosphere via the plurality of
openings 28a formed in the marginal portion of the central portion
28.
[0031] Having now described the invention in detail in accordance
with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this
art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in
the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet
specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications
may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention, as set forth in the following documents.
* * * * *