Different types of apparatus are known for converting a photograph into a postcard. The known types of apparatus are of a complicated construction which makes them difficult to use and expensive to produce.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem and simplify the process.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for converting a photograph into a postcard, which apparatus comprises an alignment frame and the postcard for receiving the photograph : the alignment frame being such that it is a flat sheet having a recessed portion and a raised edge which defines the recessed portion, the recessed portion being rectangular in shape and of a size which receives the photograph as a close fit for the purpose of holding the photograph in position whilst the postcard is applied to the photograph; and the postcard being such that it has a first side for receiving the photograph, a second side for receiving a message and address details, an adhesive which covers the first side, and a protective release sheet which covers the adhesive; and the apparatus being such that in use the photograph is converted into the postcard by placing the photograph face down in the recessed portion, removing the protective release sheet from the postcard, placing the postcard with its second side up on the photograph whilst using the raised edge of the alignment frame to align the postcard on the photograph, pressing and smoothing the postcard on the photograph so that they become firmly stuck together, and removing the photograph stuck to the postcard from the alignment frame.

The alignment frame and the postcard can easily and cheaply be produced. The apparatus is extremely easy to operate. The apparatus is aimed primarily at the person who wishes to use an easily-operable means of mailing a photograph of his or her choice together with a standard postcard, the design of the standard postcard, as is generally recognised, having spaces for a message and an address. While the series-produced picture postcard has been commercially available for over a hundred years, only in a few instances will the originator of the picture or the photograph which is printed on the back of this type of postcard also be the sender. The apparatus of the present invention, on the other hand, provides a simple means for every originator of a photograph or a picture to mail his or her own produced work on a postcard.

Preferably, the apparatus is one in which the alignment frame includes release means for facilitating release of the photograph stuck to the postcard from the recessed portion of the alignment frame. The release means may be at least one finger hole in the recessed portion, the finger hole being for receiving a person's finger for the purpose of pushing the photograph stuck to the postcard out of the recessed portion of the alignment frame. Preferably there are two of the finger holes.

Advantageously, the alignment frame is made of cardboard. The cardboard is an extremely cheap and easily used material. If desired, other materials may be used for the alignment frame so that, for example, the alignment frame may be made of a plastics material.

Preferably, the apparatus is one in which the recessed portion is slightly larger than it need be for receiving the photograph, whereby the recessed portion is able to receive photographs which are nominally cut to the same size but which may vary slightly in size due to being processed by different processing laboratories.

Usually, the apparatus would be one in which the recessed portion has a depth which is substantially the same as the combined thickness of the photograph stuck to the postcard. The recessed portion may have a different depth if desired so that, for example, the recessed portion may have a depth which is more than the combined thickness of the photograph stuck to the postcard.

Usually, the second side of the postcard will be pre-printed with a section for a message and a section for the address of an intended recipient of the postcard.

The recessed portion may be of a different colour to the raised edge of the alignment frame in order to emphasise where the photograph is to be placed. Thus, for example, the recessed portion may be black and the raised edge may be white. Other colours may be employed.

Advantageously, the alignment frame is printed with step-by-step instructions for use of the apparatus.

The protective release sheet may have a gripping portion for facilitating releasing of the protective release sheet from the adhesive. The gripping portion may be an oversized portion of the protective release sheet or it may alternatively be a tag.

The apparatus of the invention extends to including the photograph.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of apparatus for converting a photograph into a postcard; and Figure 2 is a section on line A-A through the apparatus as shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown apparatus 2 for converting a photograph 4 into a postcard 6. The apparatus 2 comprises an alignment frame 8 and the postcard 6 which is for receiving the photograph 4.

The alignment frame 8 is such that it is a flat sheet having a recessed portion 10 and a raised edge 12 which defines the recessed portion 10. The recessed portion 10 is rectangular in shape as shown in Figure 1. The recessed portion 10 is of a size which receives the photograph 4 as a close fit for the purpose of holding the photograph 4 in position whilst the postcard 6 is applied to the photograph 4.

The postcard 6 is such that it has a first side 14 for receiving the photograph 4, and a second side 16 for receiving a message and address details. The postcard 6 is also such that it has an adhesive 18 which covers the first side 14. A protective release sheet 20 covers the adhesive 18.

The apparatus 2 is such that in use, the photograph 4 is converted into the postcard 6 by placing the photograph 4 face down in the recessed portion 10. Thus the picture side of the photograph 4 faces down in the recessed portion 10. The protective release sheet 20 is removed from the postcard 6. The postcard 6 is then placed with its second side 16 up on the photograph 4. As this is being done, the raised edge 12 of the alignment frame 8 is able to be used to align the postcard 6 on the photograph 4. This alignment facility is useful because the adhesive 18 is exposed and mis- alignment of the postcard 6 on the photograph 4 can be difficult to correct.

When the postcard 6 has been correctly aligned on the photograph 4, the postcard 6 is pressed and smoothed onto the photograph 4 in order to ensure that the photograph 4 and the postcard 6 become firmly stuck together. The stuck composite of the photograph 4 on the postcard 6 is then removed from the alignment frame. It will thus be apparent that the apparatus 2 is extremely simple to use in addition to being able to be produced in a very cost effective manner.

The alignment frame 8 includes release means in the form of a pair of finger holes 22 in the recessed portion 10. The finger holes 22 are for receiving two fingers of a person for the purpose of pushing the photograph 4 stuck to the postcard 6 out of the recessed portion 10 of the alignment frame 8.

As can best be seen from Figure 2, the recessed portion 10 has a depth which is substantially the same as the combined thickness of the photograph 4 stuck to the postcard 6. As shown in Figure 1, the second side 16 of the postcard 6 is pre-printed with a section 24 for a message, and a section 26 for an address.

The recessed portion 10 is of a different colour to the raised edge 12 of the alignment frame 8 in order to emphasise where the photograph 4 is to be placed. Preferably the recessed portion 10 is black, and the raised edge 12 is white, but other colours may be employed if desired.

Advantageously, the alignment frame 8 is provided with step-by-step instructions for use of the apparatus 2. Thus, for example, the upper side 28 of the alignment frame 8 may be provided with the following instructions on the raised edge 12.

Step 1-Place your photograph FACE DOWN in the recessed portion 10.

Step 2-Peel off the protective release sheet 20 from the postcard 6.

Step 3-Place the postcard 6 FACE UP over the photograph 4, and use the inside edges of the raised edge 12 to align the photograph 4 and the postcard 6.

Step 4-Press down and smooth outwards.

The lower side 30 of the alignment frame 8 may be provided with the following instruction: Remove your photograph 4 stuck to the postcard 6 from the alignment frame 8 by inserting your fingertips through the finger holes 22.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the alignment frame 8 is preferably made of cardboard but it may be made of another material such for example as a plastics material. Only one finger hole 22 could be employed if desired. The protective release sheet 20 may have a oversized portion or a tag for enabling the protective release sheet 20 easily to be gripped and removed from the adhesive 18 on the postcard 6. The alignment frame 8 will normally be produced for a specific size of photograph. Thus the alignment frame 8 and especially the recessed portion 10 will be in different sizes to accommodate different sizes of photograph. The size of photograph intended for each alignment frame 8 can be printed or otherwise provided on the alignment frame 8.