A metal poster manufactured of a first and a second metal sheet and a method of manufacturing a metal poster

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a metal poster manufactured of a first and a second metal sheet (1, 2), each provided with a printed side, where the first metal sheet (1) and the second metal sheet (2), which is larger than the first metal sheet, are joined by folding an edge (3) of the second metal sheet (2) around an edge (4) on the first metal sheet (1) after being printed. The disclosure further relates to a method of manufacturing a metal poster.

Description

[0001] A metal poster manufactured of a first and a second metal sheet and a method of manufacturing a metal poster

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a metal poster manufactured of a first and a second metal sheet and a method of manufacturing a metal poster. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a metal poster manufactured of a first and a second metal sheet and a method of manufacturing a metal poster as defined in the introductory parts of the independent claims.

[0004] Background art

[0005] Metal posters have been known for years, carrying prints on one side. Metal posters having prints on both sides are also known, where a front, face and a rear face of the poster is printed on. US patent 5,538,135 discloses a poster manufactured of a first and a second sheet, each provided with a printed side, where the second sheet is made of metal and is larger than the first sheet, and where the sheets are joined by folding an edge of the second metal sheet around an edge of the first sheet after being printed.

[0006] A problem with the solutions of the prior art is that when printing on one side of the poster and following printing on the other side, the opposite side, it is very likely that the print on the already printed side will be damaged.

[0007] There is thus a need for improved techniques for manufacturing such posters.

[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at least the above mentioned problem. According to a first aspect there is provided a metal poster manufactured of a first and a second metal sheet, each provided with a printed side, where the first metal sheet and the second metal sheet, which is largerthan the first metal sheet, are joined by folding an edge of the second metal sheet around an edge on the first metal sheet after being printed.

[0009] Hereby it is possible to print on one side of each metal sheet and join the two metal sheets to form a metal poster. It is further achieved that prints on each side of the poster can be selected as a front, for example being visible when the poster is hanging on a wall or supported by a stand on a kind of furniture. According to some embodiments, the edge of the first metal sheet is folded in such a way that the edge is displaced to be parallel to rest of the first metal sheet, corresponding to an offset between the edge and the first metal sheet of 0,5 to 25, preferably 0,5 to 15 and more preferably 0,5 to 5 times a thickness of the metal sheet.

[0010] Hereby is achieved an area of the first metal sheet being raised in relation to the edge and when the first and second metal sheets are joined a space between the first and second metal sheets are formed. This will also give an impression of a thicker poster, but with much lower weight compared to a solid metal poster of same thickness. Further it is more convenient to print on a thin metal sheet instead of a thick metal sheet due to the thin sheet being more flexible.

[0011] According to some embodiments, a sheet of metal, paper, cardboard, textile or plastic is placed between the first and second metal sheets before they are folded to be held together.

[0012] Hereby is achieved that the space between the metal sheets is filled and for example prevents dents from forming if the metal sheets are pressed together.

[0013] According to some embodiments, the metal sheets are made of iron, steel, aluminium or other types of metal being between 0,05 to 0,50 mm thick, preferably 0,15 to 0,30 mm, more preferably 0,23 mm thick.

[0014] Hereby alternative materials for different impressions of printed images are achieved.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the metal sheets are coated with a layer of tin.

[0016] Hereby an advantageous surface coating of the metal sheets is achieved.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the poster is provided with an NFC chip placed between the metal sheets.

[0018] Hereby is achieved a number of possible utilities for the metal poster.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the poster is provided with a magnet between the metal sheets.

[0020] Hereby is achieved a further number of possible utilities for the metal poster.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the folded edge of the first metal sheet is folded in a rounded way in such a way that the outer edge of the second metal sheet presses against a side of the folded edge of the first metal sheet. Hereby is achieved a firm assembly of the metal sheets into a metal poster, further giving a possibility to select each side of the poster to be a front side. The rounded edge around the poster or along a perimeter of the poster gives a viewer the impression of a frame when facing the viewer and when the rounded edge is facing away from the viewer, the poster gives the impression of being "frameless".

[0022] Another advantage is when a poster is embossed to show a motif or text being raised or recessed in the metal sheet, the other side of an ordinary poster will normally not be attractive to view from the back, but a metal poster according to the invention, will show the "pretty side" of both sheets, since the side of the embossing that is intended to be viewed will face towards the viewer regardless of which side of the poster is used as a front side. Especially when the embossed area shows a text, the back side will show the text mirrored. This can now be avoided by a metal poster according to the invention. Embossing is also made easier due to the possibility of using thinner metal sheets for manufacturing of the metal poster as well as making it possible to provide a cost-effective way of manufacturing a metal poster having embossed areas rising from the rest of the sheets on both sides of the poster at the same time.

[0023] According to a second aspect there is provided a method of manufacturing a metal poster comprising a first side and a second side where both sides are carrying prints, comprising the steps of: cutting a first metal sheet into a prescribed size and printing on one side of the first metal sheet, regardless of whether cutting or printing occurs first; cutting a second metal sheet into a prescribed size having a size larger than the first metal sheet and printing on one side of the second metal sheet, regardless of whether cutting or printing occurs first; folding the first metal sheet so an edge is formed displaced parallel to the rest of the sheet ; folding the second metal sheet so an edge is pre-bent to extend substantially perpendicular away from a plane along the second metal sheet at a side opposite to the printed side of the second metal sheet ; placing the first metal sheet with its printed side away from the second metal sheet and within the extending pre-bent edge; folding the pre-bent edge of the second metal sheet in a rounded way around the folded edge of the first metal sheet in such a way that the first and the second metal sheets are held firmly together forming a metal poster.

[0024] Hereby is achieved an expedient way of manufacturing a metal poster having prints on each side of the poster an eliminating the risk of damaging the prints on one side when printing on the other side.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the method comprises the step of placing a sheet of metal, paper, cardboard, textile or plastic between the first and second metal sheets before they are folded to be held together, at least partly filling a space formed between the first and second metal sheet.

[0026] Hereby is achieved a method of providing a filling in a space provided between the metal sheets.

[0027] Effects and features of the second aspect are to a large extent analogous to those described above in connection with the first aspect. Embodiments mentioned in relation to the first aspect are largely compatible with the second aspect.

[0028] The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure.

[0029] Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0030] Terminology -- The term "folding in a rounded way" is to be interpreted as folding the edge of the metal sheet in such a way that a cross sectional view of the fold will be substantially circular.

[0031] Brief descriptions of the drawings

[0032] The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and nonlimiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 shows a metal poster seen from one side and having a folded edge that gives the impression of being a frame;

[0034] Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of the metal poster along the line ll-ll;

[0035] Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the area of Figure 2 marked III; Figure 4 shows a first and second metal sheet before joining;

[0036] Figure 5 shows enlarged sections of the edges along lines V-V of the sheets in Figure 4;

[0037] Figure 6 shows a first and second metal sheet joined before folding the edges together;

[0038] Figure 7 shows enlarged sections of the edges along lines VI I -VI I of the sheets in Figure 6;

[0039] Figure 8 shows a first and second metal sheet joined when the edges are folded together;

[0040] Figure 9 shows enlarged sections of the edges along lines IX-IX of the sheets in Figure 8;

[0041] Figure 10 shows schematically the flow through the folding and joining process of manufacturing of the metal poster;

[0042] Figure 11 shows the edges of the metal sheets in the flow through the folding and joining process of manufacturing of the metal poster,

[0043] Figure 12 shows a variation of the final steps of the process shown in figure 11 and

[0044] Figure 13 is a view similar to figure 9.

[0045] Detailed description

[0046] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

[0047] The first aspect of this disclosure shows a metal poster 10 manufactured of a first and a second metal sheet 1, 2, each provided with a printed side, where the first metal sheet 1 and the second metal sheet 2, which is larger than the first metal sheet, are joined by folding an edge 3 of the second metal sheet 2 around an edge 4 on the first metal sheet 1 after being printed.

[0048] Figure 1 shows one side of a metal poster 10 when assembled. From Figure 2 and 3 it can be seen, that if the poster is viewed from one side, in Figure 3 from left, the poster appears with the edge being a frame (for example a picture frame) and if the poster is viewed from right, the poster appears frameless.

[0049] Hereby the user can turn the metal poster to give a different impression as well as showing another image due to the possibility to provide the sheets with different prints. Printing processes used on the metal poster can be off-set printing, digital printing, silkscreen print, pad print or other usable printing methods.

[0050] When printing on the metal sheets 1, 2 a possible procedure can be: feeding metal sheet into the printing apparatus, printing / coating the metal sheet, drying (heat path), collect the printed metal sheet 1, 2, repeat the process for another color / coating until finished.

[0051] Usable ink or solvents can be alkyd resin, pigment, high boiling point solvent or other suitable compositions.

[0052] Generally cutting and forming of the metal sheets 1, 2 can be performed as follows: cutting a large metal sheet into individual smaller metal sheets to form first and second metal sheets 1, 2, pre-bending the edge 3 of the second metal sheet 2 to assume a shape shown by way of example in figure 5, pre-folding the edge 4 of the first metal sheet 1, combining the metal sheets 1, 2 by laying the first metal sheet 1 into the second metal sheet 2, as shown in figures 6 and 7, and rolling or folding in a rounded way the edge 3 of the second metal sheet 2 to assume the shape shown by way of example in figures 8 and 9.

[0053] In an embodiment, the edge 4 of the first metal sheet 1 is folded in such a way that the edge 4 is displaced to be parallel to rest of the first metal sheet 1 as shown in figure 5, corresponding to an offset between the edge 4 and the first metal sheet 1 of 0,5 to 25, preferably 0,5 to 15 and more preferably 0,5 to 5 times a thickness of the metal sheet 1.

[0054] In an embodiment, a sheet of metal, paper, cardboard, textile or plastic (not shown) is placed between the first and second metal sheets 1, 2 before they are folded to be held together.

[0055] In an embodiment, the metal sheets 1, 2 are made of iron, steel, aluminium or other types of metal being between 0,05 to 0,50 mm thick, preferably 0,15 to 0,30 mm, more preferably 0,23 mm thick.

[0056] In an embodiment, the metal sheets 1, 2 are coated with a layer of tin.

[0057] In an embodiment, the poster is provided with an NFC chip (not shown) placed between the metal sheets 1, 2.

[0058] Providing the metal poster 10 with an NFC chip provides a wide range of options for the person viewing the poster 10. Examples can be that users can tap their smartphones on the poster to access additional content, such as videos, artist information, related media or other information about or related to the image displayed on the poster. This is only a narrow listing of possibilities linked to the use of an NFC chip in a poster 10, the possibility of commercial exploitation of this area is manifold.

[0059] In an embodiment, the poster 10 is provided with a magnet (not shown) between the metal sheets 1, 2.

[0060] In an embodiment, the folded edge 3 of the first metal sheet 1 is folded in a rounded way in such a way that the outer edge 5 of the second metal sheet 2 presses against a side 6 of the folded edge 4 of the first metal sheet 1, as shown in figure 9.

[0061] The second aspect of this disclosure shows a method of manufacturing a metal poster 10 comprising a first side and a second side where both sides are carrying prints, comprising the steps of: cutting a first metal sheet 1 into a prescribed size and printing on one side of the first metal sheet 1, regardless of whether cutting or printing occurs first; cutting a second metal sheet 2 into a prescribed size having a size larger than the first metal sheet 1 and printing on one side of the second metal sheet 2, regardless of whether cutting or printing occurs first; folding the first metal sheet 1 so an edge 4 is formed displaced parallel to the rest of the sheet 1; folding the second metal sheet 2 so an edge 3 is pre-bent to extend substantially perpendicular away from a plane along the second metal sheet 2 at a side opposite to the printed side of the second metal sheet 2, as shown in figure 5; placing the first metal sheet 1 with its printed side away from the second metal sheet 2 and within the extending pre-bent edge 3, as shown in figures 6 and 7; folding the pre-bent edge 3 of the second metal sheet 2 in a rounded way around the folded edge 4 of the first metal sheet 1 in such a way that the first and the second metal sheets 1, 2 are held firmly together forming a metal poster 10, as shown in figures 8 and 9.

[0062] Figures 10 and 11 shows the flow through the folding and joining process of manufacturing of the metal poster 10 shown in figure 8.

[0063] In step A the metal sheets are trimmed to a prescribed size for forming a poster of a certain size or format. Examples of such formats can be 50 x 50 mm, 210 x 297 mm 314 x 314 mm, 330 x 460 mm, 480 x 670 mm or 600mm x 600mm, but other formats can also be used. In step B the edges 3, 4 of the first and second metal sheet 1, 2 are folded or bent. The edge 4 of the first metal sheet 1 is folded to be parallel displaced in relation to the rest of the first metal sheet 1 and the edge 3 of the second metal sheet 1 is pre-bent to extend substantially perpendicular away from a plane along the second metal sheet 2 at a side opposite to the printed side of the second metal sheet 2. In step C, the outer edge 5 of the edge 3 of the second metal sheet 2 is pre-bent further to start the folding the pre-bent edge 3 of the second metal sheet 2.

[0064] In step D, the first metal sheet 1 is placed on the second metal sheet 2 with its printed side away from the second metal sheet 2 and within the upright extending pre-bent edge 3.

[0065] In step E, the pre-bent edge 3 of the second metal sheet 2 is folded or bent in a rounded way around the folded edge 4 of the first metal sheet 1 in such a way that the first and the second metal sheets 1, 2 are held firmly together forming the metal poster 10. Here the outer edge 5 of the second metal sheet 2 presses against a side 6 of the folded edge 4 of the first metal sheet 1.

[0066] Figure 12 shows a variation of the process shown in figure 11 with steps C, D and E being shown as steps 3, 4 and 5 and where, in a subsequent step 6, a region along a part of or the entire periphery of the second sheet 2, that includes the outer edge 5 that has been folded in a rounded way, is flattened to assume the shape shown in figure 13, whereby the outer edge 5 of the second metal sheet 2 presses against a side 6 of the folded edge 4 of the first metal sheet 1 to a larger extend compared to figure 3.

[0067] In an embodiment, the method comprises the step of placing a sheet of metal, paper, cardboard, textile or plastic between the first and second metal sheets 1, 2 before they are folded to be held together, at least partly filling a space 7 formed between the first and second metal sheet 1, 2. The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the metal poster 10 can be manufactured having a sheet of metal, paper, cardboard, textile or plastic placed in the internal space 7 between the first and second metal sheets 1, 2, or the metal poster 10 can be manufactured without or almost without an internal space 7 between the metal sheets 1, 2. In an embodiment, parts of the edge can be free and not covered by the folded edge, for example one or more corners. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A metal poster (10) manufactured of a first sheet and a second metal sheet (1, 2), each provided with a printed side, wherein the first sheet (1) and the second metal sheet (2), which is larger than the first sheet, are joined by folding an edge (3) of the second metal sheet (2) around an edge (4) of the first sheet (1) after being printed, characterized in that the first sheet is a metal sheet (1).

2. The metal poster (10) according to claim 1, wherein the edge (4) of the first metal sheet (1) is folded in such a way that the edge (4) is displaced to be parallel to rest of the first metal sheet (1), corresponding to an offset between the edge (4) and the first metal sheet (1) of 0,5 to 25, preferably 0,5 to 15 and more preferably 0,5 to 5 times a thickness of the metal sheet (1).

3. The metal poster (10) according to anyone of the claims 1 or 2, wherein a sheet of metal, paper, cardboard, textile or plastic is placed between the first and second metal sheets (1, 2) before they are folded to be held together.

4. The metal poster (10) according to anyone of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the metal sheets (1, 2) are made of iron, steel, aluminium or other types of metal being between 0,05 to 1,50 mm thick, preferably 0,15 to 0,30 mm, more preferably 0,23 mm thick.

5. The metal poster (10) according to anyone of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the metal sheets (1, 2) are coated with a layer of tin.

6. The metal poster (10) according to anyone of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the poster is provided with an NFC chip placed between the metal sheets (1, 2).

7. The metal poster (10) according to anyone of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the poster (10) is provided with a magnet between the metal sheets (1, 2).

8. The metal poster (10) according to anyone of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the folded edge (3) of the first metal sheet (1) is folded in a rounded way in such a way that the outer edge (5) of the second metal sheet (2) presses against a side (6) of the folded edge (4) of the first metal sheet (1).

9. A method of manufacturing a metal poster (10) comprising a first side and a second side where both sides carry prints, comprising the steps of:- cutting a first metal sheet (1) into a prescribed size and printing on one side of the first metal sheet (1), regardless of whether cutting or printing occurs first;- cutting a second metal sheet (2) into a prescribed size having a size larger than the first metal sheet (1) and printing on one side of the second metal sheet (2), regardless of whether cutting or printing occurs first;- folding the first metal sheet (1) so an edge (4) is formed displaced parallel to the rest of the sheet (1);- folding the second metal sheet (2) so an edge (3) is pre-bent to extend substantially perpendicular away from a plane along the second metal sheet (2) at a side opposite to the printed side of the second metal sheet (2);- placing the first metal sheet (1) with its printed side away from the second metal sheet (2) and within the extending pre-bent edge (3);- folding the pre-bent edge (3) of the second metal sheet (2) in a rounded way around the folded edge (4) of the first metal sheet (1) in such a way that the first and the second metal sheets (1, 2) are held firmly together forming a metal poster (10).

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of placing a sheet of metal, paper, cardboard, textile or plastic between the first and second metal sheets (1, 2) before they are folded to be held together, at least partly filling a space (7) formed between the first and second metal sheet (1, 2).

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