AU641601B2 - Improvements in and relating to picture cards - Google Patents

Description

AU-Al-13480/88

PCT

WORL 0 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION ilhaernaionnl Bureau

S

INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 4 (1I) International Publication Number: WO 88/ 07452 B42D 15/00, G09B 3/04 Al 85/62, G09B 19/00 (43) International Publication Date: 6 October 1988 (06.10.88) (21) International Application Number: PCT/GB88/00142 (81) Designated States: AT, AT (European patent), AU, BB, BE (European patent), BG, BJ (OAPI patent), BR, (22) International Filing Date: 26 February 1988 (26,02.88) CF (OAPI patent), CG (OAPI patent), CH, CH (European patent), CM (OAPI patent), DE, DE (Utility model), DE (European patent), DK, FI, FR (Euro- (31) Priority Application Number: 8707446 pean patent), GA (OAPI patent), GB, GB (European patent), HU, IT (European patent), JP, KP, KR, LK, (32) Priority Date: 27 March 1987 (27.03.87) LU, LU (European patent), MC, MG, ML (OAPI patent), MR (OAPI patent), MW, NL, N, (European (33) Priority Country; GB patent), NO, RO, SD, SE, SE (European patent), SN (OAPI rint), U, T D(OAPJ at TG (API patent), U (71) Applicant (for ll designated States except US): FAX- t T PAX INVESTMENTS, N.V. [NL/NL]; De Ruyterkade 58a, P.O Box 837, Curagao Published With international search report.

(72) Inventors; and Before the expiration of the time limit for amending the Inventors/Applicants (for US only): MICKLEWRIGHT, claims and to be republished In the event of the receipt of Ashley, James [GB/GB]; 58 Lemon St., Truro, Corn- amendments, wall FAIRHURST, Mark [GB/GB]; 50 Goo- A. nown, St. Agnes, Cornwall A.O.J. P I DE 198 (74) Agent: MICKLEWRIGHT, Charles, 58 Lemon St., AUSTRALIAN Truro, Cornwall (GB).

-2 NOV 1988 PATENT OFFICE (54) Title: IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO PICTURE CARDS (57) Abstract A plurality of packs (10) of picture cards, the packs being in respect of a range of different general subject matters, and the picture cards for each separate pack being in respect of the same general subject matter while each picture card is in respect of a different specific subject matter, all the picture cards of all the packs having a picture/photograph of its particular specific subject mattci on one side and a short written description of its particular specific subject matter on the other side. Boxes (30 and 75) for transporting and storing the packs which boxes can be converted into display boxes, and a display poster (86) for picture cards (88) are also disclosed.

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO PICTURE CARDS This invention relates to packs/sets of picture cards and methods of producing/printing such.

In accordance with the invention, a plurality ot packs of picture cards are provided, each of the packs encompassing a set of stacked picture cards, at least two of said packs being in respect of different general subject matters, and the picture cards for each separate pack being in respect of the same general subject matter while each picture card is in respect of a different specific subject matter, all the picture cards of all the packs having a picture/photograph of its particular specific subject matter on one side and a short written description of its particular specific subject matter on the other side, Such can for instance be used in ah educational or instructional environment as a simple and effective information/teaching aid for a whole range of different S" general subject matters.

0 The picture cards are preferably made of a quality board having a weight between 275 and 360 gm/m 2 more preferably between 300 and 345 gm/m 2 and even more preferably about 330 gm/m 2 The thickness of the board is o suitably between 300 and 400 microns, more preferably 25 between 350 and 375 microns, and even more preferably about S360 microns. Such a board has "good flick", in other words the corners of the board do not remain bent after each flick, or indeed after a number of flicks.

The picture cards may be coated on one or both sides with a varnish, suitably either an ultra-violet varnish, a high gloss varnish, or a catalytic varnish.

Such a finish gives the cards good smooth surfaces.

The picture cards suitably have between 100 to 130 screen dots per square inch, more preferably between 110 to 125 screen dots per square inch, and even more preferably about 120 screen dots per square inch. Such gives the cards an excellent clarity and sharpness.

The picture cards are advantageously printed on one side sequentially with four primary colours, and on the other side with a single colour black) either prior to or after the four colour printing of said one side. Such individual registration leads to full colour picture cards, 46 Suitably the card is between 70 x 40 mm ai 150 x e• S' 100 mm in size, more preferably between 85 x 50 mm and 130 x 85 mm, and even more prefezably between 100 x 60 mm and 4 110 x 70 mm. The card may be approximately hai postcard size.

iei The picture/photograph on one side of the card preferably covers at least 85%, and more pre£era ,y of the surface area of said side.

The written description on the other ide of the card suitably contains less tkan 200 words, and more i preferably less than 150 words.

Jr -J 1 _i The packs and picture cards are suitably made of the same material, whereby the pack gives an indication as to the quality of the picture faads contained therein.

A method of printing the picture cards in two separate runs comprises printing the front face of the card sequentially with four primary colours in one run and printing the rear face of the card with a single colour in the other run either prior to or after printing of the front face.

A method of printing the picture cards in a single run comprises printing of the front face of the card sequentially with four primary colours, and printing of the rear face of the card with a single colour in the same run either prior to or after printing of the front face.

SPreferably, the printing of the rear face is by perfecting.

J method of producing the picture cards comprises taki g ela latively high resolution photograph of a ri 4 subject, making up relatively small tolerance separations 20 of the photograph, one separation for each primary colour present in the photograph, forming a printing plate from each separation, and printing a c~ with the plates with constant manual attetion being made to registration and e 4 inking procedures of the printing stage.

A card produced in accordance with the invention has high definition and clarity, and is of full colour and excellent quality.

A method of producing/assembling the packs of picture cards comprises printing one side of a sheet of material (suitably paper) with pictures, printing the other side of the sheet with writing, cutting the sheet to form individual picture cards, collating the individual picture cards into sets, and placing the sets of picture cards into packs.

Suitably the cutting is by means of a guillotine, and the collating is either manual or automatic. The sheet may be printed with the pack design in addition to the picture cards.

Preferably each pack of picture cards is either shrink wrapped or blister packed. Finally, the packs are advantageously stored in boxes.

Suitably, the pack for a set of stacked picture 20 cards comprises a cover member and a sleeve member, the sleeve member encompassing the set of stacked picture cards, and slidable within the cover member.

suitably, the sleeve member has at least two flap portions which encompass opposite ends of the set of •6 25 stacked picture cards. Preferably, the cover member is in tubular form.

Such a pack is easily assembled, and provides simple access to the picture cards. The design of the pack also allows simple printing of such, since both the sleeve and cover member prior to folding (and if necessary securing for instance by glue) are basically of rectangular shape.

A container for storing a plurality of the packs of picture cards is suitably provided which is designed, arranged and adaptable to form a display box.

Preerably the container has a top member (and suitably a front member also) which may be folded unDvr itself to form an upright display member. The.top member is advantageously cut along part of its width whereby when the top member is folded, the cut portion forms a part upright extension to the upright display member.

Suitably the contaner is formed substantially from a single piece of material.

Advantageously, the container is formed in a tiered manner in order that at least the upper portion of 20 each pack is visible when the container is in the display mode.

4444 61p 44i4 *i .Z .4 4 4 461i 4 44 ii4 i *i i 4 25 4i44 i 44 4.

4 4 The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which:- Figure 1 shows a flow diagram of a first embodiment of method for producing packs in accordAnce with the present invention; 6 printing steps of Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of a second embodiment of method for producing packs in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 shows a pack in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 shows a box for packs in accordance with the present invention, in a closed position; Figure 5 shows the box of Figure 4 in an open position; Figure 6 shows the box of figure 4 prior to folding and assembly; Figure 7 shows another box for packs in accordance with the present invention in a perspective view; Figure 8 shows a side view of the inner box member of the box shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 shows a first component of the inner box member of Figure 8 in a flat and pre-folded condition; and Figure 10 shows a second component of the inner box member shown in Figure 8 in a flat and pre-folded conditior.

In Figure 1, a flow diagram shows a method of a picture card in two separate runs comprising the printing the front face of the card sequentially ease 0 0 4, 0 0 a S *r S Sr *r S

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-7 with four primary colours in one run Ogee 54, 56, 58 and"' and then printing the rear face of the card with a single colour in the other separate run (see 62).

In Figure 2, a flow diagram shows a method of printing the card in a single run comprising the steps of printing the front face of the card sequentially with. four primary colours (see 64, 66, 68 and 70) and then printing the rear face of the card with a sihgle colour (e.g.

black) in the same run (see 72) after printing of the fr6nt face. Printing of the rear face is by perfecting, in particular by means of the transportation system of printing machine.

The method of producing a picture card by either of the printing methods shown in Figures 1 or 2 comprises taking a relatively high resolution photograph of a subject, making up relatively small tolerance separations of the photograph, one separation for each primary colour present in the photograph, forming a printing plate from each separation, mounting each printing plate on ,a cylinder, and printing a card in sheets of 450 x 640 mm in size with the plates with constant manual attention being made to registration and inking procedures/processes of the printing stage.

The card has high definition and clarity, and is of full colour and excellent quality. In particular, individual registration leads to full colour which presents a good quality product. The card has first SdIc colour definition and clarity, A method of assembling a pack of these picture cards comprises printing one side of a sheet of paper with pictures, printing the other side of the sheet with writing, cutting by means of a guillotine the sheet to form the individual picture cards, collating either manually or automatically the individual picture cards into sets, placing the sets of picture cards into packs, shrink wrapping or blister packing the packs, and finally storing the packs in boxes. The sheet of paper is also printed with the pack design in addition to the picture cards.

In Figure 3, the pack 10 for a set of stac',ed picture cards is shown having a tubular cover member 12 and a sleeve me-!ber 14, the sleeve member encompassing the set of itacked picture cards, and slidable within the cover, member. The sleeve member 14 has two f lap portioiis 16 and 18 I I which are folded bac% from the ma~in section 20 of the sleeve member, to encompass opposite ends of the stacked picture cards.

The cover ni mber 12 and sleeve member 14 are bit~h formed from basically rectangular sh pieces of material, the cover member 12 being ,1ded and secured (by gluing) to itsolf to form it's tubular fina~l configuration.

*boo 0s.6 aa *4 to a In Figure 4, a box 30 for storing a plurality of packs 10 is shown having a top/front member 32 which can be folded upon itself to form an upright display member 34 (see Figure The top member 32a is cut (see 36 in Figure 4) alqng part of it's width, whereby when the top/front member 32. is folded, the cut portion forms a part upright extension (see 38 in Figure 5) to the display member 34.

The box 30 is formed from a single sheet of material as will be seen from Figure 6, both sides, outer base and inner base members (numbered 40,42 and 44 respectively in Figure 6) all lying along the same straight line 46, while the front, outer base, rear end top members (numbered 32b, 42,48 and 32a respectivel.y in Figure 6) all lie along another straight line 50 which is perpendicular to the straight line 46.

The inner base member 44 of the box 30 is q a~ w also provided along its centre line with an upward dividing extension 52 which co-eperates with a a dividing member 53 to form your searate pockets(see 9 Figure 5) in which a plurality of packs 10 may be displayed. The dividing extension 52 and dividing bast a. member 55 each have slots 57 which co-operate to position the dividing extension and dividing member at Zight angles to each otW-,r, and the dividing member also acts to hold down the inner base member 44 of the boX The outer base member 42 of the box 30 meanwhile is provided with two pairs of slots 59, in which ledge members 61 situated on the end firstly of both the side members 40 and secondly of the inner, base member 44 of the box 30, lock the side members 40 and inner base. member 44 to the outer base member 42 of the box In Figure 7, a further box 75 for storing a plurality of packs 10 is shown comprising an outer box member 76, and an inner box member 77. The outer box member 76 has, a top/front member 78, which can be folded upon itself to form an upright display member 79. The top member 78 is cut (not shown) along part of its wl-Ath, whereby the top/front member 78 when folded causes the cut portion to form a part i.pZ'ight extension 80 to the d.Lsplay box box 75 The inner member 77 of the box 75 is shown in Figure 8, having a five tier configuration whereby five S"rows of packs 10 zan be stored in the box 75, in such a manner that a tdp portion of each pack 10 is in view to a person looking at the display box 75. In particular, the k%6.tr M2W 77 is comprised from two component parts, %4 sa namely a support portion 81, and a five stepped ledge

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forming portion 82. Vhe support portion 81 is provided 6 6 with four pairs of finger extension members 84, which pass through four pairs of holes 83 in the ledge forming portion S82, to position &nd contaln the ledge forming portion 82 in 1 01 correct manner within the h. 12 In Figure 9 and 10, the support portion 81 and ledge forming portion 82 are shown in a pre-folded condition, and in particular in a flat configuration.

Figure 9 shows the support portion 81 with the finger extension members 84, while Figure 10 shows the ledge forming member 82 with a number of holes 83, such that when the component shown in Figure 10 is duly folded along the various fold lines (shown dotted), such holes 83 act as entrances for the finger extensions 84 of the support member 81 (which has itself been folded along the dotted lines shown in Figure in order to obtain the configuration shown in Figure 8.

Finally, the arrangement shown in Figure 10 is shown at one end with three flap portions 85, which co-operate with the front portion of the display box 75, in order to further contain the inner member 77 within the box a e arrangement The picture cards are made from high quality printing paper which has a flat and smooth surface to 20 facilitate printing in a press, and gloss to preduce a more attractive surface, particularly after printing.

0 SSuitably the picture cards have a Parker Print

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Surf value of suitably less than 2, more preferably less than 1.4, and most preferably less than 25 The picture cards preferably have a 75% Hunter Gloss reading of preferably between 50 and 90, and most 13 preferably above 70 (in accordance with TAPPI T-480 The picture cards are advantageously made up from a mixture of Northern hardwood and softwood fibres.

Alternatively the picture cards are made out of either woodfree papers (defined as having at least 50% and more preferably at least 80% of its paper making fibres provided by a chemical pulp), or groundwood papers (defined as having at least 20% and more preferably at least 50% of its paper making fibres provided by qroundwood pulp). The picture cards made from woodfree paper are suitably coated in an amount of at least 7.5g/m 2 while the picture cards made from other types of paper are preferably coated in an amount of at least 4.5g/m 2 The picture cards are preferably made from paper material impregnated with a glossing pigment coating clay, aluminium hydrate, precipitated calcium carbonate or titanium dioxide), and/or a thermoplastic binder (such as too: p-ttein, carbohydrate, polysaccharide or synthetic type 'material), and/or an anti-sticking agent (such as sulfonated castor oil, potassium oleate, calcium stearate or oleic acid).

O

Such high bulk gloss'papers have unifo2m density oo and excellent opacity and brightness characteristics. The gloss coatings exhibit excellentc .inting characteristics, 25 ith od ink hold-out and in setting times.

25 with good ink hold-out and ink setting times.

ft.

Claims (29)

1. A plurality of packs of picture cards, each of the packs encompassing a set of stacked picture cards, at least two of said packs being in respect of different general subject matters, and the picture cards for each separate pack being in respect of the same general subject matter while each picture card is in respect of a different specific subject matter, all the picture cards of all the packs having a picture/photograph of its particular specific subject matter on one side and a short written description of its particular specific subject matter on the other side.

2. A plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the picture cards are made of a quality board having a weight between 275 and 360 gm/m 2

3. A plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed 6in her Claim 1 or 2, uherein the thickness of the I picture cards is between 300 and 400 microns.

4. A plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the piture cards are coated on one or both sides with a varnish.

5. A plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the picture cards have 25 between ,00 to 130 screen dots per square inch.

6. A plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the picture cards are 15 printed on one side sequentially with four primary colours, and on the other side with a single colour.

7. A plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the picture cards are between 70 x 40 mm and 150 x 100 mm in size.

8. A plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the picture/photograph on one side of the picture cards covers at least

9. A plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the written description on the other side of the picture cards contains less than 200 words.

A plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the packs and picture cards are made of the same material.

11. A plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein each pack comprises a cover member and a sleeve member, the sleeve member encompassing the set of stacked picture cards, and slidable within the cover member.

12. A plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the sleeve member has at least two flap portions which encompass opposite ends of the set of :sr" stacked picture cards. 25

13. A plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in either Claim 11 or 12, wherein the cover member is in 16 tubular form.

14. A container when used for containing a plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in any preceding claim which is designed, arranged and adaptable to form a display box.

A container as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the container has a top member which may be folded upon itself to form an upright display member.

16. A container as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the top member is cut along part of its width whereby when the top member is folded, the cut portion forms a part upright extension to the upright display member.

17. A container as Claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 16, wherein the container is formed substantially from a single piece of material.

18. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 17 wherein the container is formed in a tiered manner in order that at least the upper portion of each pack in the container is visible when the container is in the display mode.

19. A container as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 18 wherein the container is used to transport and store the *s packs.

20. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 25 19 wherein the container transports, stores and/or displays the packs. p p* iS -17

21. A method of printing picture cards which are placed in a plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 20 in two separate runs comprises printing the front face of the picture cards sequentially with four primary colours in one run and printing the rear face of the picture cards with a single colour in the other run either prior to or after printing of the front face.

22. A method of printing picture cards which are placed in a plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 20 in a single run comprises printing of the front face of the picture cards sequentially with four primary colours, and printing of the rear face of the printed cards with a single colour in the same run either prior to or after printing of the front face.

23. A method as claimed in either Claim 21 or 22, wherein the printing of the rear face is by perfecting,

24. A method of producing picture cards which are S placed in a plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed S 20 in any one of Claims 1 to 20 comprises taking a relative.y S. SW j i S. high resolution photograph of a subject, making up relatively small tolerance separations of the photograph, n one separation for each primary colour present in the photograph, forming a printing plate from each separation, 25 and printing picture cards with the plates with constant manual attention being made to registration and K- 18 inking procedures of the printing stage.

A method of producing/assembling a plurality of packs of picture cards as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to comprises printing one side of a sheet of material with pictures, printing the other side of the sheet with writing, cutting the sheet to form individual picture cards, collating the individual picture cards into sets, and placing the sets of picture cards into packs.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the cutting is by means of a guillotine.

27. A method as claimed in either Claim 25 or 26, wherein the collating is either manual or automatic.

28. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 25 to, 27, wherein each pack of picture cards is either shrink wrapped or blister packed.

29. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 25 to 28, wherein the packs are stored in a container. 2 af 9 3