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(11) | EP 4 345 802 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | SELF-ADHESIVE FUNERARY PLATE |
| (57) The self-adhesive nameplate (1) is intended, in particular, for funerary objects
such as cinerary urns, memorial vases and the like, and comprises a main body (2)
which defines in order from the outside to the inside: a frame (3) surrounding a window
(30); a housing pocket (4), of similar shape and having dimensions equal to or slightly
greater than those of said window (30); a support plate (5), intended to constitute
the bottom of the aforementioned housing pocket (4). The window (30) is closed to
the outside by a transparent slab (6), inserted into said housing pocket (4). A foldable portion (50) is made in the support plate (5), that can be folded to uncover an inlet port (40) of said housing pocket (4), for inserting, in said housing pocket, a customised sheet (7) containing images, including photographic images, drawings and/or short texts. The same foldable portion (50) is then locked in a closed position by adhesive means (51). Once completed with the customised sheet (7), the nameplate (1) can be permanently attached to one of said funeral containers by means of an adhesive layer (8) associated with the rear face of said support plate (5). The nameplate (1) has good flexibility so that it can also be adapted to surfaces with a moderately curved or convex shape. |
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field concerning nameplates to be affixed to various objects for the purpose of specifying their belonging, showing images or inscriptions or other peculiarities.
[0002] In particular, the invention relates to the field of funerary articles, for example containers, such as cinerary urns, memorial vases or other objects used in funeral ceremonies or related functions, for the purpose of indicating, on said articles and objects, the name and/or a picture of the deceased and/or the dates of birth and death and/or possible short farewell sentences.
PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is to be understood, however, that the nameplate proposed by the invention can be likewise advantageously used in all contexts in which a support to a surface is to be applied in order to provide the latter with text, graphic or photographic information, in a simple, inexpensive and visually pleasing form.
[0004] The prior art proposes various articles that serve the above-mentioned purpose, made of various materials, for example, metal such as brass, aluminium, stainless steel, or plastic, in different shapes, sizes and prices.
[0005] Generally, such articles define a frame intended to display a customised insert with images, photos and/or writings, which is introduced on the back and protected outside by a transparent slab of glass or synthetic material.
[0006] More traditional type nameplates are also known, usually made of brass, where the name and data are engraved into the surface and then made more visible with a contrasting paint.
[0007] A first technical problem that arises concerns the shape of the surface supporting the nameplate and of the object to which it is to be applied: if the nameplate is rigid and has only a flat attachment surface, it becomes difficult to affix it to a curved or convex surface.
[0008] Another limit of the prior art solutions sometimes concerns the speed of preparing the nameplate with the required customisation, which must fit the tight deadlines between the moment of death and the celebration of the funeral, and which naturally involves a multitude of other things to be completed and/or prepared with the same urgency.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to propose a self-adhesive nameplate for funerary articles, in particular cinerary urns, which overcomes the limits of the prior art in terms of versatility of use.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to propose a nameplate which offers the maximum possibility of customisation, since it can carry images, including photographs, drawings and/or short texts which can be quickly inserted into the nameplate and, just as quickly, made substantially integral with it.
[0011] A further object of the invention is to realise a nameplate that can be applied, without distinction and without particular problems, both on flat surfaces and on moderately curved or convex surfaces.
[0012] A still further object of the invention is to propose a nameplate that can be made with different technical solutions, in order to obtain an inexpensive and valuable product, in accordance with common design features.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] These and other purposes are fully achieved by means of a self-adhesive nameplate for funerary objects, in particular cinerary urns, with said nameplate of a type which can be customised with images, including photographic images, drawings and/or short texts, and comprising:
- a main body, in which the following are defined in order from the outside to the inside: a frame surrounding a window; a housing pocket having a similar shape and dimensions equal to or slightly greater than those of said window; a support plate, intended to constitute the bottom of the aforementioned housing pocket;
- a transparent slab, inserted in said housing pocket, designed to close the aforementioned window to the outside;
- a foldable portion, provided in said support plate and aimed, when in its open position, at uncovering an inlet port of said housing pocket, in order to introduce, into said housing pocket, behind the aforementioned transparent slab, a customised sheet containing images, including photographs, drawings and/or short texts, which will be visible from the outside through said window;
- means for locking said foldable portion in the respective closed position, in which it is aligned with said support plate;
- an adhesive layer, associated with the rear face of said support plate and protected by a film, the removal of which allows to stably attach said customised nameplate to a predetermined article, in particular a cinerary urn.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The characteristics of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the self-adhesive nameplate in accordance with the content of the claims and with the help of the appended drawing nameplates, in which:
- Fig. 1 illustrates, in an exploded schematic view, a preferred embodiment of the proposed self-adhesive nameplate;
- Fig. 2 illustrates a view of the inside of a frame of the nameplate of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 illustrates a first variant embodiment of a support plate of the nameplate of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 4 illustrates a second variant embodiment of said support plate;
- Fig. 5 illustrates a variant embodiment of the above mentioned frame;
- Figs. 6A, 6B, 6C illustrate, in schematic side views, subsequent moments of the phase of introducing a customised sheet with images and/or writings into the nameplate;
- Fig. 7A illustrates a detail A of Fig. 6C, in a greatly enlarged scale and with deliberately exaggerated thickness proportions;
- Fig. 7B illustrates a detail B of Fig. 6C, in a greatly enlarged scale and with deliberately exaggerated thickness proportions;
- Fig. 8 illustrates a front view of the assembled nameplate, with some cut-away parts to better highlight others;
- Fig. 9 illustrates a front view of the nameplate, with an optional auxiliary component attached;
- Fig. 10 illustrates a side view of the nameplate with an auxiliary component of Fig. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In the above figures, the reference number 1 indicates the self-adhesive nameplate proposed by the present invention, as a whole.
[0016] The self-adhesive nameplate 1 is intended mainly, though not exclusively, for funerary objects such as, for example, cinerary urns, memorial vases or other objects used in funeral ceremonies and, for this purpose, it can be customised by including the name and/or a picture of the dead person and/or the dates of birth and death and/or any short farewell phrases.
[0017] According to the invention, the self-adhesive nameplate 1 essentially comprises a main body 2, which defines the following in order from the outside inwards:
- a frame 3 surrounding a window 30;
- a housing pocket 4 having a similar shape and dimensions equal to or slightly greater than those of said window 30;
- a support plate 5, intended to constitute the bottom of the aforementioned housing pocket 4.
[0018] In the not limiting example shown in the figures, the frame 3 has an elliptical shape; the window 30 has also elliptical shape in its upper part, while its lower part is flattened in such a way as to define, below it, a space 31, in which printed or engraved inscriptions, logos and the like can be applied, concerning, for example, the article itself or the funeral home performing the service.
[0019] A transparent slab 6, preferably made of polyethylene or the like, is inserted in the aforementioned housing pocket 4 to close the aforementioned window 30 to the outside.
[0020] A foldable portion 50, provided in the support plate 5, is aimed, when in its open position, at uncovering an inlet port 40 of said housing pocket 4, in order to introduce, into said housing pocket, behind the aforementioned transparent slab 6, a customised sheet 7 containing images, including photographs, drawings and/or short texts, which will be visible from the outside through said window 30.
[0021] The sheet 7 is usually made of paper or cardboard, but, depending on specific requirements, also of an aesthetic nature, it may also be made of plastic material or metal foil. The text, graphics or images may be imprinted on the sheet 7 by printing, or, for example, laser or milling engraving, or by other reproduction techniques.
[0022] The foldable portion 50 is equipped with means 51 for locking it in the closed position, in which it is aligned with the remaining part of the support plate 5.
[0023] A double-sided adhesive layer 8, associated with the rear face of said support plate 5 and protected by a film 80, which is aimed at being removed (Fig. 7B) to allow to stably attach said customised nameplate 1 to a predetermined article, in particular a cinerary urn (not shown).
[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the self-adhesive nameplate 1, said main body 2 is made of superimposed layers, mutually assembled by adhesive means 10, for example, double-sided adhesive, the first of which constitutes said frame 3, the second one constitutes said support plate 5 and a third one, interposed between the first two, constitutes a spacer 41 aimed at defining the aforementioned housing pocket 4.
[0025] As can be seen in particular in Fig. 1, the above mentioned spacer plate 41 is arc-shaped and extends to circumscribe said housing pocket 4, leaving free the inlet port 40 of the latter.
[0026] In the example, the joint between said support sheet 5 and the foldable portion 50 is defined by a creasing 52 made in the thickness of the second layer.
[0027] Advantageously, the layers constituting the main body 2, as well as the transparent nameplate 6, are made of flexible material, for example, plastic material, so that the entire nameplate 1 can adapt to the surface of the object to which it is to be applied.
[0028] The aforementioned flexibility can be increased by the support plate 5 with a layer of embossed material having, for example, a squared net texture (Fig. 3) or a texture in radial wedges (Fig. 4) which makes it softer and more mouldable.
[0029] Said locking means 51 of the foldable portion 50 are, for example, associated with the inner side of the above mentioned frame 3 and preferably comprise a double-sided adhesive layer, whose side facing the same foldable portion 50 is protected by a film 53 (Fig. 2).
[0030] Therefore, the opening and closing movement of the above mentioned foldable portion 50 is free and can reach angles of even 90° so as to optimise accessibility to the inlet port 40 (see Figs. 6A, 6B); after the introduction of the customised sheet 7 into the housing pocket 4 (Figs. 6C, 7A), the above mentioned film 53 is removed (Fig.2) so that, by bringing the foldable portion 50 back to its closed position (Figs. 6C, 7B,), it is permanently fixed to the frame 3.
[0031] Advantageously, on its inner face, the frame 3 has a step 32 with increased thickness, situated at the edge of the inlet port 40 of said housing pocket 4: in the example illustrated in Fig. 2, said step 32 is close to the flattened lower part of the window 30.
[0032] The step 32 is intended to constitute a shoulder for the stabilization of the corresponding edges of the transparent slab 6 as well as of the aforementioned customised sheet 7 once the latter is inserted into the same housing pocket 40 (see again Fig. 7B).
[0033] It should be noted that in Figs. 7A, 7B, the proportions of the thicknesses of the superimposed layers, as well as those of the thicknesses of the transparent slab 6 and of the customised sheet 7 have been deliberately exaggerated, with respect to the actual scale, in order to better highlight and graphically distinguish them.
[0034] Fig. 5 illustrates a possible variant embodiment of the frame 3, which is provided with tabs 33 of the adhesive type projecting radially from the outer edge thereof and intended to be folded to surround the aforementioned support plate 5 for a better tightness of the pack of layers.
[0035] In an alternative embodiment of the nameplate 1, that is not illustrated here, said main body 2 is made of a moulded single body of plastic material, preferably of a flexible type.
[0036] In this case, it is necessary that the inlet port 40 of said housing pocket 4 has such width dimensions as to allow the introduction of said transparent slab 6 after the main body 2 has been moulded.
[0037] The nameplate 1, in both the described embodiments, may include, for example as an optional auxiliary component, a module 11 associated with said frame 3, comprising a lamp holder block 12 carrying in its upper part a votive lamp 13, which is positioned near the base of said window 30 (Figs. 9, 10).
[0038] Advantageously, the same lamp holder block 12 carries thereinside an electrical circuit and a battery 14, for example, of the button type (with broken line in Fig. 10), for the supply of said votive lamp 13.
[0039] As a further variant, it is possible that the same nameplate 1, while maintaining the aforementioned flexibility to adapt to the attachment surface, presents a thickness, which can also be differentiated by zones, sufficient to integrate the aforementioned electric circuit, the housing for the battery 14 as well as the annexed votive lamp 13.
[0040] The peculiar characteristics of the self-adhesive nameplate proposed by the present invention, which better overcome the technical problems of the prior art, are evident from the foregoing description.
[0041] The nameplate offers the possibility of maximum customisation, since it can carry images, including photographs, drawings and/or short texts, which can be quickly inserted into the nameplate and, just as quickly, made substantially integral with it.
[0042] This aspect is particularly advantageous for respecting the tight deadlines between the moment of death and the celebration of the funeral.
[0043] The possibility of customising the nameplate is further complemented by the fact that a space is provided for affixing logotypes and/or headings referring, for example, to the funeral home performing the service.
[0044] It is of utmost importance that the nameplate is flexible in all directions, so that it can be adapted even to a moderately curved or convex shape of the attachment surface.
[0045] As intuitively understood, the described embodiment with glued layers gives rise to a more economical product, while the plastic-moulded one can achieve greater aesthetic value for customers willing to pay a little more.
1. A self-adhesive nameplate, in particular for funeral containers such as cinerary urns
or the like, said nameplate (1) being customisable with images, including photographs,
and with drawings and/or short texts and being characterised in that it comprises:
- a main body (2), in which the following are defined in order from the outside to the inside: a frame (3) surrounding a window (30); a housing pocket (4), of similar shape and having dimensions equal to or slightly greater than those of said window (30); a support plate (5), intended to constitute the bottom of the aforementioned housing pocket (4);
- a transparent slab (6), inserted in said housing pocket (4), designed to close the aforementioned window (30) to the outside;
- a foldable portion (50), provided in said support plate (5) and aimed, when in its open position, at uncovering an inlet port (40) of said housing pocket (4), in order to introduce, into said housing pocket, behind said transparent slab (6), a customised sheet (7) containing images, including photographs, drawings and/or short texts, which will be visible from the outside through said window (30);
- means (51) for locking said foldable portion (50) in the respective closed position, in which it is aligned with said support plate (5);
- an adhesive layer (8), associated with the rear face of said support plate (5) and protected by a film (80), the removal of which allows the stable attachment of said customised nameplate (1) to a predetermined aforementioned funeral container.
2. A self-adhesive nameplate according to claim 1, characterised in that said main body (2) is made up of superimposed layers, the first of which constitutes
said frame (3), the second constitutes said support plate (5) and a third, interposed
between the first two, constitutes a spacer (41) aimed at defining the aforementioned
housing pocket (4), and in that said superimposed layers (3, 5, 41) are mutually assembled by adhesive means (10).
3. A self-adhesive nameplate according to claim 2, characterised in that said third layer, which identifies said spacer (41), is arc-shaped and extends so
as to circumscribe said housing pocket, leaving free said inlet port (40).
4. A self-adhesive nameplate according to claim 1, characterised in that said main body (2) is made in a moulded in one single body, and in that said inlet port (40) of the housing pocket (4), uncovered by opening the aforementioned
foldable portion (50), has dimensions that allow the introduction of said transparent
slab (6) after the main body (2) has been moulded.
5. A self-adhesive nameplate according to claim 1 or 2 or 4, characterised in that said frame (3) is shaped in such a way as to define a space (31) in which writings,
logos and the like can be printed or engraved.
6. A self-adhesive nameplate according to claim 1 or 2 or 4, characterised in that the internal face of said frame (3) has a step of increased thickness (32), located
at the edge of the inlet port (40) of said pocket housing (4), uncovered by opening
the aforementioned foldable portion (50), said step (32) being intended to constitute
a shoulder for the stabilization of the corresponding edges of said transparent slab
(6) as well as of the aforementioned customised sheet (7) once the latter is inserted
into the same housing pocket (4).
7. A self-adhesive nameplate according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said support plate (5) has a creasing (52) intended to define the joint between said
support plate (5) and foldable portion (50).
8. A self-adhesive nameplate according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said support plate (5) is made of a layer of embossed material with a net texture
squared or in radial wedges.
9. A self-adhesive nameplate according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said frame (3) is provided with tabs (33) of the adhesive type, projecting radially
from the outer edge thereof and intended to be folded to surround the aforementioned
support plate (5).
10. A self-adhesive nameplate according to claim 1 or 2 or 4, characterised in that said main body (2), as well as said transparent slab (6) are made of flexible material.
11. A self-adhesive nameplate according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that it includes, associated with said frame (3), a module (11) comprising a lamp-holder
block (12) which carries, in its upper part, a votive lamp (13), which is positioned
in proximity to the base of said window (30), and in that the same lamp-holder block (12) carries thereinside an electric circuit and a battery
(14) for powering said votive lamp (13).