Apparatus and method for displaying an item

Abstract

A display device, comprising a clear-front envelope formed by foldable blank including at least one backing flap folded around a viewing window and leaving an opening for receiving the planar displayed item, such as a photo; postcard; etc. The opening is at least partially closed when a sealing flap integrally formed with said foldable blank is secured to the backing flap. A support flap integral with the sealing flap, the support flap configured to fold at fold line adjacent to the backing flap and having an end for resting on a horizontal surface to support the clear-front envelope at a viewing angle to the horizontal surface. Optional hanging flaps and a hidden magnet may be used to hang or otherwise mount the display device.

1 . A display device formed from a foldable blank, comprising: 
 a main window portion defining a frame having an outer perimeter and an inner edge, said inner edge defining a viewing window;    at least one foldable backing flap integral with said main window portion and folded along a living hinge connecting said backing flap and said main window portion to sandwich said transparent sheet between said backing flap and said main window portion; and    at least one support flap integral with said main window portion and folded along a living hinge connecting said support flap and said main window portion, the support flap configured to fold at fold line and having an end for resting on a horizontal surface to support the main window portion at a viewing angle to the horizontal surface,    wherein said at least one foldable backing flap and said main window portion define a pocket for receiving a display item.    
   
   
       2 . A display device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the support flap comprises a connection portion adhered to the backing flap and a support portion integrally formed with the connection portion and foldable along a fold line away from the backing flap.  
   
   
       3 . A display device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one foldable backing flap comprises three separate foldable flaps disposed on three sides of said main window portion, said separate foldable flaps folded to define said pocket.  
   
   
       4 . A display device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a transparent sheet attached to said main window portion.  
   
   
       5 . A display device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the connection portion comprises postal indicia indicating a preferred location for a postage stamp.  
   
   
       6 . A display device in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the postal indicia comprises a plurality of address lines.  
   
   
       7 . A display device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising additional indicia printed on said foldable blank.  
   
   
       8 . A display device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a magnet disposed opposite said viewing window.  
   
   
       9 . A display device in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said magnet is disposed on said backing flap and exposed by a die-cut window in said support flap.  
   
   
       10 . A display device formed by a foldable blank for displaying a planar displayed item, the foldable blank comprising: 
 a main window portion having an outer perimeter and an inner edge, said inner edge defining a viewing window of said display item;    at least one foldable backing flap integral with said main window portion and foldable along a living hinge connecting said backing flap and said main window portion; and    at least one support flap integral with said main window portion and foldable along a living hinge connecting said support flap and said main window portion, the support flap configured to fold at fold line defined by said living hinge and having an end for resting on a horizontal surface to support the main window portion at a viewing angle to the horizontal surface.    
   
   
       11 . The display device in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising a transparent sheet attached to the main window portion.  
   
   
       12 . The display device in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein said end of said support flap is oriented at an angle with respect to said outer perimeter.  
   
   
       13 . The display device in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising indicia printed on the single foldable blank.  
   
   
       14 . The display device in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the indicia is printed on the transparent sheet.  
   
   
       15 . The display device in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the indicia is etched on the transparent sheet.  
   
   
       16 . A display device in accordance with  claim 15 , further comprising a picture visible through the transparent sheet.  
   
   
       17 . A display device in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising a magnet disposed opposite said viewing window.  
   
   
       18 . A display device in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein said magnet is disposed on said backing flap and exposed by a die-cut window in said support flap.  
   
   
       19 . A display device, comprising: 
 a clear-front envelope formed by foldable blank including at least one backing flap folded around a transparent sheet leaving an opening for receiving the planar displayed item, the opening at least partially closed when a sealing flap integrally formed with said foldable blank is secured to the backing flap; and    a support flap integral with the sealing flap, the support flap configured to fold at fold line adjacent to the backing flap and having an end for resting on a horizontal surface to support the clear-front envelope at a viewing angle to the horizontal surface.    
   
   
       20 . A display device in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the support flap comprises a connection portion adhered to the backing flap and a support portion integrally formed with the connections portion and foldable along a fold line away from the backing flap.  
   
   
       21 . A display device in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein said at least one foldable backing flap comprises three separate foldable flaps folded along three sides of said transparent sheet, said separate foldable flaps folded to define said envelope.