Three-dimensional supporting frame

Abstract

A three-dimensional supporting frame includes a blank, including an image receiving surface, a back surface opposed to the image receiving surface, a center portion defining a perimeter, and at least three foldable extensions extending from the perimeter. Each of the foldable extensions includes no less than four folds to be folded toward the back surface to form the three-dimensional supporting frame. An unfilled adhesive is positioned on the image receiving surface at least at the center portion, and a filled adhesive is positioned on the image receiving surface at each of the folds that is furthest from the perimeter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A three-dimensional supporting frame, comprising:
 a blank, including:
 an image receiving surface; 
 a back surface opposed to the image receiving surface; 
 a center portion defining a perimeter; and 
 at least three foldable extensions extending from the perimeter, each of the foldable extensions including no less than four folds to be folded toward the back surface to form the three-dimensional supporting frame; 
   an unfilled adhesive positioned on the image receiving surface at least at the center portion; and   a filled adhesive positioned on the image receiving surface at each of the folds that is furthest from the perimeter.   
     
     
         2 . The three-dimensional supporting frame as defined in  claim 1  wherein the filled adhesive includes:
 a polymeric material; 
 a filler; and 
 a surface treatment agent. 
 
     
     
         3 . The three-dimensional supporting frame as defined in  claim 2  wherein the surface treatment agent is a compound of the following formula:
   (RO) 3 SiR′—R″
 
 
       wherein:
 RO is hydrolysable in a neutral environment or an acidic environment and includes at least one oxygen atom; 
 R′ is chosen from alkyl groups, aromatic groups, and heteroaromatic groups; and 
 R″ is a group that can be converted into a cationic functional group. 
 
     
     
         4 . The three-dimensional supporting frame as defined in  claim 3  wherein:
 RO is chosen from a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, and an acetoxy group; 
 R″ is chosen from a carboxamide group, a primary amine group, a secondary amine group, a tertiary amine group, and a pyridine group. 
 
     
     
         5 . The three-dimensional supporting frame as defined in  claim 2  wherein the surface treatment agent is deposited onto a surface of the filler or is mixed into the filled adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . The three-dimensional supporting frame as defined in  claim 2  wherein the filler is an inorganic particle, an organic particle, or combinations thereof, and wherein the filler has an average particle size ranging from about 0.5 μm to about 3.0 μm. 
     
     
         7 . The three-dimensional supporting frame as defined in  claim 2  wherein the polymeric material is chosen from a polyacrylate, an elastic hydrocarbon polymer, and silicone, the polymeric material being a linear molecule having a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 200,000 to about 800,000 to about 350,000, or being a branched or cross-linked molecules having a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 300,000 to about 1,500,000. 
     
     
         8 . The three-dimensional supporting frame as defined in  claim 1  wherein the unfilled adhesive includes a polymeric material chosen from a polyacrylate, an elastic hydrocarbon polymer, or silicone, the polymeric material being a linear molecule having a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 200,000 to about 800,000 to about 350,000, or being a branched or cross-linked molecules having a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 300,000 to about 1,500,000. 
     
     
         9 . The three-dimensional supporting frame as defined in  claim 1  wherein the filled adhesive forms a bond line having a thickness ranging from about 35 μm to about 185 μm, and wherein the unfilled adhesive forms a bond line having a thickness ranging from about 12 μm to about 60 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The three-dimensional supporting frame as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a release liner positioned on each of the filled adhesive and the unfilled adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . An art canvas, comprising:
 a blank, including:
 an image receiving surface; 
 a back surface opposed to the image receiving surface; 
 a center portion defining a perimeter; and 
 at least three foldable extensions extending from the perimeter, each of the foldable extensions including no less than four folds that are folded toward the back surface; 
   a filled adhesive adhering respective portions of the back surface and each of the folds that is furthest from the perimeter;   an image receiving medium having an image printed thereon; and   an unfilled adhesive adhering the image on the image receiving surface at least at the center portion.   
     
     
         12 . The art canvas as defined in  claim 11  wherein the unfilled adhesive adheres the image on the image receiving surface at each of the folds that is closest to the perimeter. 
     
     
         13 . The art canvas as defined in  claim 11  wherein the filled adhesive includes:
 a polymeric material; 
 a filler; and 
 a surface treatment agent. 
 
     
     
         14 . The art canvas as defined in  claim 13  wherein:
 the filler is an inorganic particle chosen from ground calcium carbonate, precipitated calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, kaolin clay, silica, silicates, alumina trihydrate, and mixtures thereof; an organic particle chosen from polystyrene, copolymers of polystyrene, polymethacrylate, copolymers of polymethacrylate, polyolefins, copolymers of polyolefins, wax, paraffin, and mixtures thereof; or combinations of the inorganic particle and the organic particle; and 
 the surface treatment agent is a compound of the following formula:
   (RO) 3 SiR′—R″
 
 
 
       where:
 RO is hydrolysable in a neutral environment or an acidic environment and includes at least one oxygen atom; 
 R′ is chosen from alkyl groups, aromatic groups, and heteroaromatic groups; and 
 R″ is a group that can be converted into a cationic functional group. 
 
     
     
         15 . The art canvas as defined in  claim 11  wherein the image receiving medium is a digital inkjet image receiving medium.