A display apparatus

Abstract

A display apparatus (1, fig 1B) for storing and displaying one or more planar objects, comprising an outer frame (4, fig 1B) having a front surface (12, fig 1B), and an inner tray (3, fig 1B) connecte

Description

Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a display apparatus for storing and displaying one or more planar objects. Background Photographs, postcards, and the like are commonly displayed in frames and other display apparatuses. However, changing of the displayed photographs or postcards within the display can sometimes be cumbersome. Additionally, unused photographs and postcards are typically stored separate to the display. Summary The present disclosure relates to a display apparatus for storing and displaying one or more planar objects, the display apparatus comprising an outer frame having a front surface, and an inner tray connected to the outer frame, wherein the inner tray comprises at least one recess configured to receive a planar object and wherein the outer frame comprises a corresponding aperture aligned with the or each of the at least one recess in the inner tray and configured to facilitate insertion of a planar object into the recess of the inner tray through the aperture in the outer frame, and wherein the display apparatus is configured such that a planar object received in the recess of the inner tray component protrudes from the aperture in the outer tray component at an angle so that a gap is formed between a top edge of a planar object received within the recess and the front surface of the outer frame. The aperture may comprise a pair of tab portions configured to prevent a planar object received within the respective of the inner tray from falling out of the recess. The tab portions may extend inwardly into the respective aperture, coplanar with the front surface of the outer frame. A height of the or each aperture may be less than a height of a planar object received within the respective recess such that a planar object received within the recess and protruding from the aperture is prevented from falling into the recess. The or each recess may be configured to receive a plurality of planar objects. The inner tray may be secured within the outer frame via a push-fit or friction-fit connection. The inner tray may be secured within the outer frame via an adhesive. The inner tray may comprise at least one slot configured to enable mounting of the display apparatus to a wall. The inner tray may comprise a storage space configured to store spare planar objects. The storage space may comprise four L-shaped protrusions defining a space to accommodate the spare planar objects. The storage space may be provided on a rear side of the inner tray. The inner tray may comprise a plurality of recesses configured to receive a planar object and the outer frame may comprise a plurality of corresponding apertures configured to facilitate insertion of a planar object into the plurality of recesses of the inner tray. Each recess may be configured to receive a plurality of planar objects. The display apparatus may comprise a plurality of planar objects. The planar objects may be formed from paper and / or board material. The planar objects may be postcards or photographs. The inner tray and outer frame may be formed from hot-press plant fibre. The plant fibre may be bagasse pulp and / or bamboo pulp. The outer frame may comprise side walls extending from the front surface, and the inner tray may be received within the side walls of the outer frame. The inner tray may comprise a front surface and side walls depending from the front surface. When the inner tray is received within the outer frame, the front surface of the inner frame may lie flush with a rear side of the front surface of the outer frame, and the side walls of the inner tray may lie flush with the side walls of the outer frame. The inner tray may comprise one or more indentations at a perimeter edge of the inner tray where the front surface meets the side walls. The or each indentation may comprise a bevelled surface extending at an angle relative to the front surface and to the side walls of the inner tray. Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1A and IB are isometric and exploded isometric views respectively of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; Figures 2A and 2B are front and rear isometric views of an inner tray of the display apparatus shown in Figures 1A and IB; Figures 3A and 3B are front and rear isometric views of an outer frame of the display apparatus shown in Figures 1A and IB; and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the display apparatus shown in Figure 1A. Detailed Description Figures 1A and IB illustrate an isometric view and an exploded isometric view respectively of a display apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The display apparatus 1 is for storing and displaying one or more planar objects 2. In some embodiments, the planar object 2 may be formed from a paper and / or board material. Specifically, the planar object 2 may be a photograph, postcard, or the like. The display apparatus 1 comprises an inner tray 3 (shown in more detail in Figures 2A and 2B) and an outer frame 4 (shown in more detail in Figures 3A and 3B). As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the inner tray 3 comprises a front surface 5 and side walls 6 depending from the front surface 5. The inner tray 3 also comprises a plurality of recesses 7 configured to receive one or more planar objects 2. The recesses 7 are sized to be slightly deeper and wider than the planar object 2 which the recesses hold. In some embodiments, each recess 7 is configured to receive a plurality of planar objects 2. In other words, each recess 7 may be designed such that the recess can support multiple planar objects 2 stacked on top of one another. Specifically, the recesses 7 are formed in the front surface 5 of the inner tray 3. In the depicted embodiment, the inner tray 3 comprises seven recesses 7, each recess 7 being configured to receive planar objects. The recesses 7 are shown as being rectangular, although recesses of other configurations are envisaged within the scope of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment shown, some of the rectangular recesses 7 are formed in a vertical, portrait orientation and others in a horizontal, landscape orientation. Specifically, the inner tray 3 comprises a column of three landscape-oriented recesses 7, adjacent an arrangement of four portrait-oriented recesses 7, themselves arranged in a rectangular layout. It is to be appreciated that the disclosure is not limited in this regard and the inner tray 3 may comprise any number of recesses 7 in any configuration. The inner tray 3 further comprises at least one slot 8. The at least one slot 8 is configured to enable mounting of the display apparatus 1 to a wall. Specifically, the at least one slot 8 is a moulded and die-cut keyhole slot which cooperates with fastening means, such as a screw, to fix the display apparatus 1 to a wall. In the depicted embodiment, the inner tray 3 comprises two slots 8. However, it is to be appreciated that the inner tray 3 may comprise any number of slots 8 to facilitate wall-mounting of the display apparatus. As shown in Figure 2B, the inner tray 3 comprises a storage space 9 configured to store spare planar objects 2. In other words, the storage space 9 is designed to hold planar objects 2 that are not selected to be placed within the recesses 7 of the inner tray 3. In this manner, the planar objects 2 received within the recesses 7 can be easily substituted for planar objects 2 located within the storage space 9 if desired. The storage space 9 is preferably provided on a rear side 11 of the inner tray 3. This advantageously allows storage of the planar objects 2 within the display apparatus 1 but out of sight from the front face of the display apparatus 1. Specifically, the storage space 9 comprises four L-shaped protrusions 10 which together define a space to accommodate the spare planar objects 2. The L-shaped protrusions 10 extend from the rear side 11 of the inner tray 3 and form the corners of a rectangular-shaped space. It is to be appreciated that the disclosure is not limited to the specific construction of the storage space shown and other forms of the storage space are envisaged. Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the outer frame 4 of the display apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The outer frame 4 has a front surface 12 and side walls 13 depending from the front surface 12. The outer frame 4 comprises a corresponding aperture 14 to the recess 7 of the inner tray 3. Specifically, the aperture 14 is formed in the front surface 12 of the outer frame 4. The aperture 14 is configured to facilitate insertion of a planar object 2 into the recess 7 of the inner tray 3. The aperture 14 is sized and positioned to correspond to the size and position of the recess 7 of the inner tray 3. In particular, the height of the aperture 14 is less than the height of a planar object 2 received within the recess 7. Therefore, a planar object 2 received within the recess 7 and protruding from the aperture 14 is prevented from falling into the recess 7. Additionally, the aperture 14 comprises a pair of tab portions 15 which extend inwardly into the aperture 14 coplanar with the front surface 12 of the outer frame 4. The tab portions 15 are configured to prevent a planar object 2 received within the recess 7 of the inner tray 3 from falling out of the recess 7. In other words, a planar object 2 received within the recess 7 rests upon the pair of tab portions 15 of the aperture 14. Although each aperture 14 is illustrated as comprising two tab portions 15, only one tab portion may be provided, or more than two tab portions may be provided on each aperture 14. The display apparatus 1 advantageously comprises the apertures 14 arranged corresponding to a position and orientation of respective recess 7 in the inner tray 3. In the specific embodiment shown, the outer frame 4 comprises seven apertures 14, each one corresponding to the position and orientation of the recesses 7 of the inner tray 3 shown in Figure 2A. It is to be appreciated that the disclosure is not limited in this regard and the outer frame 4 may comprise any number of apertures 14 in any configuration, so long as the apertures 14 correspond with the recesses 7 of the inner tray 3. The inner tray and outer frame 3, 4 may be moulded from a single material or a mixture of materials. In particular, the inner tray and outer frame 3, 4 may be formed by hot-press plant fibre. Specifically, the plant fibre may be bagasse pulp and / or bamboo pulp. The front surfaces 5, 12 and side walls 6, 13 of the inner tray and outer frame 3, 4 have a wall thickness of 1 mm. This material advantageously helps with sustainability and recyclability of the display apparatus 1. Referring back to Figures 1A and IB, when the inner tray and outer frame 3, 4 are connected together to form the display apparatus 1, the inner tray 3 is configured to be received and nest within the side walls 13 of the outer frame 4. More specifically, when fully constructed, the front surface 5 of the inner tray 3 and a rear surface 16 of the outer frame 4 face and contact each other to lie flush with one another. Additionally, the side walls 6 of the inner tray 3 and the side walls 13 of the outer frame 4 face and contact each other to lie flush with one another. The inner tray and outer frame 3, 4 are sized such that the inner tray 3 is slightly smaller than the outer frame 4 so that when the outer frame 4 is placed over the inner tray 3 to form the display apparatus 1, an interference fit is formed. In other words, the inner tray 3 is secured to the outer frame 4 via a friction or push-fit connection. In some embodiments, the inner tray and outer frame may be detachably secured together and can may be repeatedly detached and secured together. However, in other embodiments, the inner tray and outer frame may be permanently secured together. Additionally, in some embodiments the inner tray 3 may be secured to the outer frame 4 via an adhesive. It is to be appreciated that other suitable securing means may be used to connect the inner tray and outer frame 3, 4 together, such as clips or magnets or other mechanical fasteners. Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, the inner tray 3 comprises a plurality of indentations 22 formed around the perimeter edge 23 of the inner tray 3 where the front surface 5 of the inner tray meets the side walls 6. The indentations 22 are advantageously bevelled with a surface extending at an angle to the front surface 5 and the side walls 6 of the inner tray 3. The angle of the bevelled surfaces may advantageously be around 45 degrees to the front surface 5 and to the side walls 6. However, the bevelled surfaces may extend at other angles relative to the front surface 5 and side walls 6. The indentations act to provide enhanced rigidity to the inner tray 3 to help prevent distortion or excessive flexing of the display apparatus 1 during handling and use. The inner tray may comprise one or any number of indentations 22, and may advantageously comprise indentations on one or more perimeter edges 23 of the inner tray 3, and may comprise at least one and preferably two or more indentations 22 on each perimeter edge 23 of the inner tray 3. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the display apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1A. When the inner tray and outer frame 3, 4 are connected together, the recess 7 and aperture 14 form a pocket 17 within which a planar object 2 can be placed. The display apparatus 1 is configured such that a planar object 2 received in the recess 7 of the inner tray 3 protrudes from the aperture 14 in the outer frame 4 at an angle so that a gap G is formed between a top edge 18 of a planar object 2 received within the recess 7 and the front surface 12 of the outer frame 4. In other words, a bottom edge 19 of the planar object 2 received within the recess 7 contacts a lower surface 20 of the recess 7, and a front surface 21 of the planar object 2 rests against the pair of tab portions 15 of the aperture 14 such that the planar object 2 is angled with respect to the front surface 12 of the outer frame 4. In this manner, a planar object 2 within the recess 7 can be easily removed or replaced by a user inserting their fingers into the gap G between the top edge 18 of the planar object 2 and the front surface 12 of the outer frame 4 and by grasping and pulling the planar object 2 out of the recess 7 through the aperture 14. 5 The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and 10 equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A display apparatus for storing and displaying one or more planar objects, the display apparatus comprising an outer frame having a front surface, and an inner tray connected to the outer frame, wherein the inner tray comprises at least one recess configured to receive a planar object and wherein the outer frame comprises a corresponding aperture aligned with the or each of the at least one recess in the inner tray and configured to facilitate insertion of a planar object into the recess of the inner tray through the aperture in the outer frame, and wherein the display apparatus is configured such that a planar object received in the recess of the inner tray component protrudes from the aperture in the outer tray component at an angle so that a gap is formed between a top edge of a planar object received within the recess and the front surface of the outer frame.

2. A display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aperture comprises a pair of tab portions configured to prevent a planar object received within the respective recess of the inner tray from falling out of the recess.

3. A display apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the tab portions extend inwardly into the respective aperture, coplanar with the front surface of the outer frame.

4. A display apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein a height of the or each aperture is less than a height of a planar object received within the respective recess such that a planar object received within the recess and protruding from the aperture is prevented from falling into the recess.

5. A display apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the or each recess is configured to receive a plurality of planar objects.

6. A display apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner tray is secured within the outer frame via a friction -fit connection.

7. A display apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner tray is secured within the outer frame via an adhesive.

8. A display apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner tray comprises at least one slot configured to enable mounting of the display apparatus to a wall.

9. A display apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner tray comprises a storage space configured to store spare planar objects.

10. A display apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the storage space comprises four L-shaped protrusions defining a space to accommodate the spare planar objects.

11. A display apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the storage space is provided on a rear side of the inner tray.

12. A display apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner tray comprises a plurality of recesses configured to receive a planar object and the outer frame comprises a plurality of corresponding apertures configured to facilitate insertion of a planar object into the plurality of recesses of the inner tray.

13. A display apparatus according to claim 12, wherein each recess is configured to receive a plurality of planar objects.

14. A display apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of planar objects.

15. A display apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the planar objects are formed from paper and / or board material.

16. A display apparatus according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the planar objects are postcards or photographs.

17. A display apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner tray and outer frame are formed from hot-press plant fibre.

18. A display apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the plant fibre is bagasse pulp and / or bamboo pulp.

19. A display apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer frame comprises side walls extending from the front surface, and wherein the inner tray is received within the side walls of the outer frame.

20. A display apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner tray comprises a front surface and side walls depending from the front surface.

21. A display apparatus according to claim 20 when dependent on claim 19, wherein when the inner tray is received within the outer frame, the front surface of the inner frame lies flush with a rear side of the front surface of the outer frame, and the side walls of the inner tray lie flush with the side walls of the outer frame.

22. A display apparatus according to claim 20 or claim 21, comprising one or more indentations at a perimeter edge of the inner tray where the front surface meets the side walls.

23. A display apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the or each indentation comprises a bevelled surface extending at an angle relative to the front surface and to the side walls of the inner tray.

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