Picture frame

Abstract

An Apparatus for framing and/or hanging a picture ( 1 ) which comprises one or more framing portions ( 2 ). Each framing portion ( 2 ) is made from a flexible material. Each framing portion ( 2 ) is adapted so as to have a first position in which it can be freely removed from a substantially flat conformation to other conformations and a second position in which it is secured in the shape of a three-dimensional shape, by means such as flaps ( 3 ) and corresponding slits ( 4 ). The apparatus may be provided with an integral packaging means. Also provided is a framed picture ( 1 ) provided with four framing portions ( 2 ) such that each edge of the picture ( 1 ) is provided with a framing portion ( 2 ).

1 . An apparatus for framing and/or hanging pictures which comprises one or more framing portions, wherein the or each framing portion is made from a flexible material and is adapted so as to have a first, unsecured, position in which it can be freely moved from a substantially flat conformation to other conformations and a second, secured, position in which it is secured in the shape of a three-dimensional shape. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus comprises one, two or four framing portions. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein one framing portion is provided and it is of a size such that in use it is placed along the top edge of the picture. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the framing portion is of a size such that in use it runs along all or substantially all of the length of the top edge of the picture. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein two framing portions are provided and they are of a suitable size, such that in use one is placed along the top edge of the picture and the other is placed along the bottom edge of the picture. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein each framing portion is of a size such that in use it runs along all or substantially all of the length of one of the top or bottom edge of the picture. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein four framing positions are provided, and they are of a size such that in use one is placed along the top edge of the picture, one is placed along the bottom edge of the picture, one is placed along the left hand edge of the picture and one is placed along the right hand edge of the picture. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein each framing portion is of a size such that in use it runs along all or substantially all of one of the length of the top, bottom, the left hand and the right hand edge of the picture respectively. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  or  claim 8  wherein in the second position an end portion of each framing portion meets an adjacent end portion of an adjacent framing portion. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein one or more of the framing portions is provided with suitable means such that it may be hung from a wall. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the or each framing portion is provided with securing means for securing the portion in its second, secured position in the shape of a three-dimensional shape. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the securing means are releasable securing means. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the or each framing portion is provided with a releasable securing means comprising a flap and corresponding slit system. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the or each framing portion is of a shape such that when in its second, secured position it is in the shape of a regular three-dimensional shape. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising a picture to which the or each framing portion is attached. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  14  further comprising a backing portion to which the or each framing portion is attached. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein a packaging means is provided integrally with the apparatus for framing and/or hanging a picture. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein the packaging means is made from a flexible material and is adapted to have a first position in which it can be freely moved from a substantially flat conformation to other conformations and a second position in which it is formed into a package. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the packaging means is secured in the second position by suitable releasable securing means. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to any of  claims 17  to  19  wherein the flexible material of the packaging means in the first position forms a backing portion for the or each framing portion, and in a second position forms a package around the or each framing portion for storage and transportation. 
   
   
       21 . A framed picture which comprises one or more framing portions according to  claim 1  attached to one or more edges of a picture. 
   
   
       22 . A framed picture according to  claim 21  wherein the or each framing portion of the framed picture is, in use, in its second, secured position such that the or each edge of the picture having a framing portion attached is provided with a frame border in the shape of a three-dimensional shape. 
   
   
       23 . The framed picture according to  claim 21  or  claim 22  wherein the framed picture is provided with four framing portions, such that each edge of the picture is provided with a framing portion. 
   
   
       24 . A method of framing a picture, which method comprises attaching one or more framing portions as described above to a picture, with the or each framing portion being located at an edge of the picture.