GB2524879A

GB2524879A - Re-usable picture frame

Info

Publication number: GB2524879A
Application number: GB1502861.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice Mindel
Original assignee: FRAME ANYWHERE Ltd
Current assignee: FRAME ANYWHERE Ltd
Priority date: 2014-02-20
Filing date: 2015-02-20
Publication date: 2015-10-07
Also published as: WO2015124730A1; GB201502861D0; GB201402981D0

Abstract

An adhesive frame for displaying an item comprises a holding element for holding the item in place; a layer of a removable adhesive on one side of the holding element for removably adhering the adhesive frame to a surface. A strengthening element for strengthening the holding element may be provided. The adhesive is comprised of a material which is pliant, enabling the adhesive frame to be removably attached to a non-smooth surface.

Description

I

PEUSABILE PICTURE FRAME

Field of invention

The present invention relates to an adhesive frame, such as a wall frame, for displaying an item, such as a photograph, postcard, picture. signage, or an office item such as a calendar or planner. The invention also relates to a method of making the same. Embodiments of the present invention provide reusahle frames which can be reliably mounted and remounted to a nonsmooth surface without any additional components and without damaging the surthce or the frame. rounl

A normal photographic frame is a manufactured product that frames a photograph or other picture in order to enhance its appearance. Photographic frames generally provide a border which is raised above and around the picture. Such frames were originally designed to be pennanen.tiy attached to a vertical surface, such as a wall, or to be stood on a horizontal surface, such as a shelf or table. Typically, existing frames have a rear attachment which allows a frame to be hung from a nail or pin in a wall, or allows tbr the attachment of a device on the rear of the frame that enables the frame to stand. at an angle on a flat horizontal surface. In these arrangements. the a nornsmooth vertical surface was not a particular problem, since because it is hanging from a pin or nail, a frame typically sits slightly away from a wail, and is not affected. by any bumps, ridges or hollows which may he present.

Accordingly, prior art arrangements are known in which a photograph can be displayed on a vertical surthce using a nail or other damaging object to he inserted into the vertical surface from which the photo frame can be hung.

it is also known to provide viali frames which have to he attached directly to a wail, or other surface, without the use of a nail or pin. Several different systems are known. A permanent adhesive may be employed, hut this can only be removed by causing damage to the surface to which the frame is attached (for example by ripping wallpaper, or pulling off paint on a painted surface), SeN-adhesive foam pads which are external to the frame have also been employed, but these still cause damage, and are not therefore re-usable. A known alternative which is re-useable is a frame vhich is magnetic. However, the use of this frame is restricted to metal surfaces. One-time only attachment and removal has been made possible using stickers, such as 3M command stickers, hut these are not suitable for multiple re-use.

In more recent times, frames have been developed which use more advanced materials, such as hydrocarbon-based gels and resins. These materials are more suitable thr cheaper mass production of frames. For example, published patent application KR 2004-002332A discloses a picture frame comprising a base plate pre-formed with a desired pattern on the top surface; an adhesive layer knned by applying transparent and gel-type adhesive on the base plate.

The gel-type adhesive layer includes an epoxy-resin type adhesive material. The base plate has a copper plate attached at the bottom side. Published patent US 8,104,208 discloses a frame assemhy. which in some embodiments is deformabie and adapted to fit around a picture, or other item to be framed. In these embodiments, the frame may comprise a deformable material, such as an epoxy resin/gel. Published patent application US 2006/083148 discloses a picture frame formed typically from a hydrocarbon gel material, which is elastic and may he stretched to dncose a picture.

In these more recent frames, gel-type materials have been employed, either as adhesives or to fonn the frame as a whole, However, these frames are either not re-useable. or are not designed. to (and are not capah!e oi adhering to a non-smooth surface. For example, although the frame in 1IS 200FV083 148 is designed to have sufficient adhesive property' (in this case a suction or capillary effect) to cling' to an ideal fiat surface such as glass, it is not fanned from an adhesive and is not capable of adhesion to a non-smooth surface, such as a wall.

US 2006/032100 discloses a similar system utilizing an expanded polyvinylehioride (P\TC) foam having cohesive and high static-friction properties, which is capable of adhering to a smooth surface without the use of adhesive, although the use of standard adhesive in some circumstances is not excluded.

The present applicant has found that none of the aforementioned arrangements are suitahk for providing a re-usable frame which can he reliably mounted and re-mounted to a non-smooth surface without any additional components and without damaging the surface or the frame.

In response to this, the applicant previously developed an adhesive frame which employs felt to enable removable adhesion to a. surface that is nonsmooth. This frame is disclosed in published patent application Wi 2008/090335.. However, since the frame is formed from a felt support portion permanently adhered to a front decorative frame, such a frame requires several different materials and its manufacture is more complex and expensive than may he desirable for removable frames. Moreover although the felt is flexible, the adhesive is not pliant (and. so is not malleable) and cannot cope with some non-smooth surfaces, especially those that are particulady rough, such as textured surfaces and some wall-papered surfaces.

Accordingly, less expensive frames that are simpler to manufacture and to use, hut have improved removable adhesion to uneven surfaces, are still required.

Having regard to the above, it is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to solve the problems associated with known frames. In particular it is an aim of the present invention to provide a re-usshle frame, which. has fewer components and which is cheaper and/or simpler to manufacture than existing fi'ames, and which is capable of being mounted on a non-smooth vertical surface, such as a wall, and especially to rough and/or uneven surfaces. It is a thrther aim of the invention to provide such a frame which is additionally capable of displaying both the front and reverse sides of an item simultaneously.

iigry. of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention provides an adhesive frame for displaying an item, the frame comprising: a holding element for holding the item in place; a layer of a removable adhesive on one side of the holding element for removably adhering the adhesive frame to a surfhce; and optionally a strengthening element for strengthening the holding ekment; wherein the adhesive is comprised of a material Which is pliant, enabling the adhesive frame to be removably attached to a non-smooth surface, Thus, the present inventors have determined that employing a pliant (or malleable) adhesive rather than a. flexible frame provides significant advantages in re-usable adhesion to non-smooth surfaces, With this system, it is possible to adhere to even rougher surfaces, whilst additionally enabling use of a stronger (stiffer, less flexible) frame or holding clement which does not necessarily require strengthening.

The present invention further provides a method of mannfacturing an adhesive frame as defined above, the method comprising coating the holding element with a pliant removable adhesive on at least one side.

The present invention still thrther provides an adhesive frame kit for displaying an item, the kit comprising: a holding element capable of holding the item in place; a removable adhesive element capable of removably adhering the adhesive frame to a surface; and optionally a strengthening element for strengthening the holding element; wherein the removable adhesive element it adapted to be attached to one side of the holding element and wherein the adhesive is comprised of a material which is pliant, enabling the adhesive frame to be removably attached to a non-smooth surface.

In the present context removahk adhesive does not mean that the adhesive can necessarily be removed from the holding element. Rather it is meant that the adhesive provides a removable bond with a surface to which it is adhered such that the adhesive frame can be adhered to a surface, removed, and then re-adhered. For this reason, typically the adhesive is more strongly attached to the holding element than the surface, In the present context, a non-smooth surthee may mean a surIhce that is uneven, chipped.

cracked, has holes or is damaged in some way. it may farther mean a surface that is not ideal.

is not flat or is contoured. In these cases the surface may be such that a normal flat support frame wifl not contact all parts of the surface without bending, cracking, creasing or otherwise deforniing, or such that adhesion to the surface is impaired, which interferes with good display of the item. Such siwfaces are typically walls and may include, for example.

walls with textured surfaces, wallpaper, or other deformities typical in the home environment.

Alternatively, such a surface may be in an office environment, especially where the item to be displayed is a calendar, office planner or the like.

Further in the present context. pliant typically means that the material may be both compressed and stretched in the manner of an elastic substance, a rubber substance, a modelling c1a, a putty or the like. Thus, it is typically yielding, flexible, malleable andior defonnable. In more detail, typically pliant means that the material is sufficiently malleable to be capable of following the contours of a nonsmooth surface to promote contact with substantially all parts of the surface, whilst absorbing uneven surface contours so that the dispayed item is itself not bent, creased or otherwise deformed. This significantly improves the quality of display. lIt is for this reason that it is the removable adhesive that is pliant. This improves adhesion and allows the holding material to be formed from stifler material, since the adhesive absorbs the uneven contours, contacts all parts of the wail, and provides a flat surface for the holding element. Because the holding element may therefore be fonned from stiffer material, the frame typically does not require a strengthening element to help support the displayed item. In other embodiments, the holding element itself may also be pliant. In these embodiments, the holding element also follows the uneven contours of the wall, in order *to complement the effects of the adhesive. Typically. hut not exclusively, these embodiments employ a strengthening element, since the pliant holding element may not he stiff enoui for some display items, The item is not especially limited, and may he any item for display. This may include large or small items, and items either in the home environmert, or in a shop, business or office environment, Thus, typically the item may be a photograph, a postcard, or a picture, or may be siiage, such as in a shop or station, may he an office item such as a caendar or planner.

Thus, the item may be a CD or game cover display, or may even be an artwork.

Thus, one advantageous feature of the present applicafion lies in the finding that if the removable adhesive is made from pliant material, it ideal for mounting an item, such as a photograph, postcard, or picture, onto a nonsmooth or textured surface such that they can be removed, replaced or rearranged several times without damagjng or altering the surface of the wall and at the same time not damaging the adhesive or the holding element. Accordingly, the adhesive frame of the present invention is reliably adhered to the svail even after several cycles of removing and replacing.

It should be noted that the adhesive properties required for mounting a display item or object to a wail are highly dependent or1 the nature of the object. For removable adhesion, the mounting materials must he stron.g enough to support the object to be mounted while being weak enough that the object can be removed and then remounted several times. As stch, tbr any particular type of object, there is a narrow range of adhesive strength. A mounting arrangement must be found which fails within this narrow range for mounting a particular object. in the present case, the applicant has found that a holding element coated with a pliant removable adhesive is ideal for mounting a photograph, postcard, or picture frame or mount onto a wall such that they can be removed, replaced or rearranged several times without damaging or altering the surface of the wail, even when the wail has an uneven or nonsmooth surface. The particular application of integrating a holding element with a pliant removable adhesive into a picture frame is far from trivial, since adhesive strength, pliancy and also reusability are typically competing characieristics mutually exclusive to one another. There are a very large number of ways of adhering various objects in various different fields of art and the provision of a particular adhesive arrangement fbr a particular use is not a straightforward matter.

In the following, the invention will be described i.n further detail, by way of examp'e only, with reference to the fbllowing Figures.

Figure 1 shows a plan for production of a-iTflple folded holding element.

Figure 2 shows a tile spacer which may he employed to ensure even picture placement.

Figure 3 shows a frame of the present invention, in which the holding element is in transparent piasti.c and is folded in two to create an enclosure for the item to be displayed, Such an element is advantageously used with pliant transparent gel adhesive.

Pt1ccipiicg As has been mentioned, the present invention provides an adhesive frame for displaying an item, the frame comprising: a holding elemeni for holding the item in place; a layer of a removable adhesive on one side of the holding element for removably adhering the adhesive frame to a. surface; and optionally a strengthening element for strengthening the holding element; wherein the adhesive is comprised of a material which is pliant, enabling the adhesive frame to he removably attached to a nonsTnooth surface.

Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter he referred to as Smart Frame AnywhcreTM. As has been explained. Smart Frame AnywhereTM allows for photographs or other display items or objects, to be displayed on most vertical surthees without the necessity of piercing the vertical surface or causing any damage to it *hatsoever. Smart Frame AnywhereAM provides an adhesive frame for a photo, or other item, that is backed by a layer of a pliant adhesive coating. Smart Frame Anywher&M both holds and provides a frame or mounting for the item or photograph. and attaches by adhesion to most surfaces thereby holding the photograph in place against a vertical wail or other surface. The unique pliant adhesive arrangement allows the object or picftire to be readily stuck to a wall or another surface such as a door, a refrigerator, a mirror or cupboard without damaging or aRering that surface, even if the surface is damaged or uneven. The pressure sensitive adhesive property of the adhesive arrangement permits this to take place several times without leaving a residue on the surface such that the adhesive frame can he removed, replaced or re-arranged as required. Furthermore, the adhesive has sufficient yielding effect to absorb any irregularities on the surface to which the frame is attached to allow the frame to he stuck to a wide variety of surfaces without falling off.

The holding element is designed to he very simply and cheaply manufactured, and yet provide good support for an item to be displayed. The present applicant has found. that a simple thided structure allows very simple manufacture and yet also provides good support for the item. Moreover, the folded structure adds to the yielding effect, by allowing the back portton of the folded element to bend to the contours or uneven parts of the vertical surface, whilst the front portion remains fiat and better for display. Therefhre, in some emboduients, the holding element comprises at least one fold adapted to hold the item in place relative to the holding clement. In further embodiments, the holding element comprises at least one transparent layer which enables the item to be seen through the holding element layer.

Alternatively or additionally, the holding element may comprise an aperture through which the. item may be viewed.

As mentioned above. in some preferred embodiments, the holding element has at kast one fold. Folding lightweight elements that are also pliant have never been used to make re-usable frames, and this is a unique introduction permitting economy and speed of manufacture. An example of s simple layout for producing such a folded structure is shown in Figure 1. Typically the at least one fold comprises a single fold at one edge of the holding element such that at least a portion of the holding element comprises two adiacent layers capable of holding the picture or item in place. Thus, the folds may fhrm an enclosure for holding the item, In typical embodiments of this type, the holding element is folded in two, so that the fold is adapted to hold (or enclose) the whole of the item in place between the two layers of the holding element. An example of.such a structure is depicted in Figure 3.

Alternatively, the holding element may have a fold at each edge such that at least a portion of the holding element at each edge comprises two adjacent layers capable of holding the edges of the item in place between them. In this configuration is preferred that the holding element folds are on its reverse side to keep the front side neat and tidy for better display. As a further alternative, the holding dement may comprise holes or slits, or may be formed with comers', the holes slits or corners being designed to hold the item in place, instead of using folds. These are particularly suited to items such as smaller picture, photos and classic postcards. This configuration is cheaper to produce, as the holes slits or corners may he formed with the holding element, or may he punched in the holding element, without the need for a further folding step. As still further, more high-end, version may employ walls at the edge of the holding element, the edge-walls being adapted to hold the item in place.

Although this arrangement is more expensive to produce, it is capable of holding larger items in place, A similar high-end product may employ slip-on, sleeves instead of edge-walls.

Typically, but not exclusively, the depth of the edge-walls in such high-end versions is 25% or more of the larger dimension of the frame. For example, a frame of dimensions 200 mm x 1 50 ram may have edge-walls of 5 mm or more. In other embodiments, the edge-wails may have depth of 10 mm or more. A typical example of such a high-end product is a frame of dimensions 180mm x 130mm having edge-walls of 10mm.

The thickness of the holding element is not especially limited, and may he selected depending upon the strength of frame required, and depending upon the deee of pliancy required in the holding element, However, in some embodiments, the holding element is typically thin, allowing it to be flexible and bend a little with the contours of the surface to which it is attached. This aids in the pliancy of the holding element referred to above. This in turn improves adhesion to uneven surfaces by allowing some yielding. in some embodiments, the holding element is formed from a layer of material having a thickness of 2 mm or less, Preferably I 5 mm or less, 1 mm or less, 0.5 mm or less, and 025 mm or less. In some instances, a thickness of approximately 240 im may be employed.

in some embodiments, the hokiing element is made of a p&ymeric material, preferably a plastic or an elastomer, Typically, the holding element is made of plastic, especially transparent plastic. in preferred embodiments, the plastic is APET (amorphous polyethylene terephthalate) or PETG (polyethylene terephthaiate glycol) since such polymers are suitable transparent and may be readily heat folded, making performance and manufacture excellent and simple. Recycled APET (RPET) may also he employed, as may other clear plastic; such as polyethylene-, polypropylene-, polyacetate-and acrylic-based polymers. Still other polymers or plastics may be employed if desired, depending on the size and strength (and use) of the frame required. In cases where the holding element need not be transparent, and/or when it need not be pliant (since the adhesive provides pliancy) it may he formed from non-plastic materials.

The nature of the adhesive is not especially limited, providing that it is pliant and is removable such that the frame is re-useable. Typically the removable adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive. In some embodiments, the removable adhesive is made of a polymeric material, preferably a gel or an elastomer, More preferably, the removable adhesive is a gel adhesive, in some embodiments, the adhesive ma.y he removable without leaving a residue, Gel adhesives are preferred, since such adhesives typically posses the required pliancy described above, and in addition are typically robust, allowing more cycles of adhesion and removal. The thickness of the adhesive coating is not especially limited, and may be selected depending upon the strength of adhesion required, and depending upon the degree of pliancy required. Typically, the thicker the coating of adhesive, the more strength and more pliancy it will have. The coating is typically a layer across the majority of the rear surface of the holding element, hut may also he at a plurality of locations on the rear surface, such as on each corner of the rear surface, in some embodiments, the adhesive can he removed washed (e.g. with light soapy water) to restore adhesive.

In some embodiments, the adhesive is transparent. This has a. particular advantage when both sides of the fold in the h&ding element are also transparent because it allows the item to be viewed from both sides of the holding element. Thus, if the item is to be displayed in a window, it may he viewed from inside or outside, simply by removing the item and turning it around. Alternatively two copies of the item may be inserted into the holding element, one for each viewing direction. This has particular advantage in a shop or office environment, where pointofsale, advertising, planner and notice information may need to be displayed.

The strengthening element is optionally present, depending upon the nature of' the frame and the item being displayed. The material of the strengthening element is not especially limited, provided that it imparts extra strength to the frame (holding element) and/or the item being displayed. Typically, but not exclusively, the strengthening element is transparent, allowing the item to he viewed through it. 1-lowever, if it is to be placed behind the item, transparency may not be necessary. Typically material for the strengthening clement is card, plastic, glass, felt, or other material. In some embodiments, the material may he the same material as the h&ding element. The thickness of the strengthening element is not especially limited, and may be chosen by a skilled person, depending upon the amount of strengthening desired, and on the material to be employed. In some embodiments, he strengthening insert can consist of a two pieces or one folded piece whereby the front can he decorative and the back punched with holes to hold a smaller photo or postcard.

As has been mentioned, frames may he provided for mounting any type of item, and so the size is not especially limited. For example, in addition to photos. postcards and pictures, the frames may be used for artwork, posters. office items such as planners and calendars, and other items to be displayed on a wail, Standard sizes of photographs are envisaged, e.g. to mount photographs of sizes 4 x 6 inch (10.2 x 15.24 cm), 5x7 inch (12.7 x 17.78 cm), 6x8 inch (15.24 x 20.32 cm), etc., although it will be understood that standard sizes of photograph may vary according to photographic equipment and geographical location. Other sizes may also be used, such as the standard postcard size 150mm x. 1.05.5;mn. or larger sizes such as mm x 130 mm.

In accordance with certain embodiments the frame (holding element) may be made of a material and thickness such that it is flexible. For example, according to embodiments the frame can be bent to an angle of 200, 400 60° or even 90° or more without breaking. In some such embodiments, it has been found that flexible frames, in combination with the pliant adhesive mounting, are ideal for adhering, removing, and re-adhering the frame to a surface, The flexibility aids in mounting the frame to a wall using a roll-on, peel-off action. However, as has been mentioned, in other embodiments the holding elements are rigid.

In addition to the above elements, further supporting and/or decorative elements may he included, as desired. in some embodiments, particularly where the use of edge-walls allows space for further elements, a loam interior may he provided (standard upholstery foam may be employed). This gives the framed item more body creating a better visual appearance.

Alternatively, or in addition, a decorative border may be provided so that items such as photos and postcards can be attractively set-off The borders are not especially limited, hut suitable borders may be created in a number of ways, for example: a) using an aperture punched from a high quality graphic material such as silver holographic, or wood veneer, with an additional punched backing card to centre the item h) using a ihided printed card or plastic material (such as acetate) such as colour polypropylene with punched corners for centring; 1:2 using a suitable card (or transparent plastic material such as acetate) that is compatible with a standard ink jet printer to allow the user to produce their own border. Such a card or transparent material may he punched using i icrodots to enable the aperture to be readily and cleanly removed. Punched holes may he included for centring.

Further elements may include antiglare material for reducing reflection when looking at the displayed item, and spacers (such as crosses) supplied within packaged products to allow even spacing between pictures when placed on a wall or other surface (see Figure 2).

As has been referred to above, the present invention also provides a method for manuthcturing the reuseahie frames of the invention. The method comprises manufacturing an adhesive frame as defined above by a method comprising -manufacturing the holding element, optionally by injection moulding: and coating the holding element with the pliant removable adhesive on at kast one side.

Typically the method further comprises creating at least one fold in the holding element. The folding step typically creates a double layer within which the item to be displayed can be held, in the manner of a sandwich. Typically, the thld is created by heat-folding.

in typical embodiments, the adhesive frame is manufactured using an injection moulding step to form the holding element, This step is particularly preferred when the holding element is a plastic element, such as an APET or PETO element. In. such embodiments, the holding e]ement is typically tbrmed by injection moulding in dear plastic with two parts that fit into each other. An advantage of this method is that of simplicity of manufacture with one shot injection, as well as the product having good strength.

As has been mentioned above, the present invention also provides an adhesive frame kit for displaying an item, the kit comprising: a holding element capable of holding the item in place; a removable adhesive element capable of removably adhering the adhesive frame to a surface; and optionally a strengthening element for strengthening the holding element; I 3 wherein the removable adhesive element it adapted to be attached to one side of the holding element and wherein the adhesive is comprised of a material which is pliant, enabling the adhesive frame to be removably attached to a non-smooth surface.

Thus, in some embodiments, the frame is provided in kit form, such that the adhesive element should he attached to the holding element by the user, bethre mounting an item. hi this way, the manufacturing cost of the system may he reduced, Typically, but not exclusively, the removable adhesive element is in the form of a pliant adhesive pad. This is particularly suitable for gel adhesives, which are readily provided in this fun-it, In the kits of the invention, the holding element and/or the pliant removable adhesive are typically as defined above in respect of the non4cit frames, The adhesive frame kit as defined above may he manufactured similarly to the non-kit frames, except the step of coating the holding element with the pliant removable adhesive is not required. Thus, the method comprises: -manufacturing the holding element, optionally by injection moulding; and -providing a pliant removable adhesive element.

In preferred embodiments, the method Further comprises creating at least one fold in the holding element, The removable adhesive element is typically provided in the form of an adhesive pad.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred emboditnents, it will he un.derstooci to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by th.e claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An adhesive frame for displaying an item, the frame comprising: a holding element for holding the item in place; a layer of a removable adhesive on one side of the holding element for removably adhering the adhesive frame to a surface; and optionally a strengthening element fir strengthening the holding element; wherein the adhesive is comprised of a materia.l which is pliant, enabling the adhesive frame to be removably attached to a nonsmooth surthee.
2. An adhesive frame according to claim 1, wherein the holding element comprises at least one fold adapted to h&d the item in place relative to the holding element.
3, An adhesive frame according to claim 2, wherein the at least one fold comprises a single fold at one edge of the holding element such that at least a portion of the holding element comprises wo adjacent layers capable of hoiding the whole of the item in place between them.
4. An adhesive frame according to claim 2.. wherein the at least one fold comprises a fbld at each edge of the holding element such that at least a portion of the holding element at each edge comprises two adjacent layers capable of holding a portion of the item in place between them.
5. An adhesive frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the holding elen:ient comprises at least one transparent layer and/or at least one aperture, which enables the item to he seen through the holding element layer.
6. An adhesive frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the removable adhesive is transparent which enables the item to be seen through the adhesive layer.
7. An adhesive frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the removable adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
8. An adhesive frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the removable adhesive is a ge adhesive.
9. An adhesive frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the removable adhesive is made of a polymeric material, preferably a plastic or an elastomer.
1 0. An adhesive frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the holding element has a thickness of 2 mm or less, preferaHy 1.5 mm or less, I mm or iess, (L5 nun or less, or ft25 mm or less.
11. An adhesive frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the holding element is made of a polymeric material, preferably a plastic or an elastomer,
12. An adhesive frame according to claim Ii, wherein the polymeric material comprises APP.;T (amorphous polyethylene terephthalate) and/or PElt] (polyethylene tereph.thaiate glycol), and/or po]ypropviene.
13. A method of manufacturing an adhesive frame as defined in any preceding claim, the method comprising: manuficturing the holding element, optional!y by injection moulding; and coating the holding element with the pliant removable adhesive on at least one side.4 A method according to claim 13, which method thrther comprises creating at least one fold in a holding element.15. An adhesive frame kit for displaying an item, the kit comprising: a holding element capable of holding the item in place; a removable adhesive element capable of removably adhering the adhesive frame to a surface; and optionally a strengthening element fhr strengthening the holding element; wherein the removable adhesive element it athpted to be a.tiached to one side of the holding clement and wherein the adhesive is comprised of a material which is pliant, enabling the adhesive frame to be removably attached to a nonsmooth surface.16. A kit according to claim 15, wherein the removable adhesive element is in the form of an adhesive pad.17. A kit according to claim 15 or claim 16. wherein the holding element and/or the removable adhesive are as defined in any of claims 2 to 12.18. A method of manufacturing an adhesive frame kit as defined in any of claims 15 to 1 7, the method comprising: manufacturing the holding clement, optionally by injection moulding; and providing a pRant removable adhesive element.19, A method according to claim 18, which method further comprises creating at least one fold in the holding element.