Abstract: A letter whose letter card consists of one or more plates of hard-paste china bearing one or more messages in the form of images, handwritten notes, proverbs, verses or the like. The envelope for the letter card consists of relatively stiff and shock-absorbent material, such as corrugated cardboard. Prior to introduction into the envelope, the letter card is placed into a recess formed in one side of an insert which snugly fits into the envelope and is also made of corrugated cardboard. The letter card can be assembled of two plates which are pivotally connected to each other by one or more flexible strips so that they can pivot relative to each other between first positions of full overlap and second positions in which they are located in mutually inclined planes. The letter card can be placed on a table top, suspended on a wall, framed or otherwise set up for more or less permanent exhibition in a home, office, dormitory, military barracks or the like.

Abstract: A color decal is applied to the flat side of a relief image consisting of ceramic or like material in such a way that the color fields are adjacent to the flat side and are overlapped by a lacquer mask which contains frit and is separated from a paper carrier by a water-soluble film of glue or albumen. In order to apply the combined color and relief image to the surface of a ceramic or like object, the uneven side of the relief image is pressed against the surface of the object prior or subsequent to melting of the film so as to detach the carrier and expose the mask. In the next step, the images are treated by a squeegee or an analogous tool so as to partially deform the originally flat side of the relief image prior to sintering which entails evaporation of lacquer and conversion of frit into a glaze overlying the color fields which, in turn, overlie the uneven side of the relief image.

Abstract: A letter whose letter card consists of one or more plates of hard-paste china bearing one or more messages in the form of images, handwritten notes, proverbs, verses or the like. The envelope for the letter card consists of relatively stiff and shock-absorbent material, such as corrugated cardboard. Prior to introduction into the envelope, the letter card is placed into a recess formed in one side of an insert which snugly fits into the envelope and is also made of corrugated cardboard or a like shock-absorbent material to reduce the likelihood of chipping, breakage and/or other damage to the letter card during mailing or other mode of shipment to the recipient(s). The letter card can be assembled of two plates which are pivotally connected to each other by one or more flexible strips so that they can pivot relative to each other between first positions of full overlap preparatory to introduction into the envelope and second positions in which they are located in mutually inclined planes.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a glass parison comprises a spindle and a plunger mounted in the spindle for axial displacement. Mechanism is provided for axially displacing the plunger relative to the housing. A press mould has a cavity for carrying glass melt and is movable into a working position aligned with the plunger so that the plunger may enter the mould cavity. A recess is provided in the housing in communication with the mould cavity to receive excess glass melt displaced thereinto in response to positioning of the plunger within the mould cavity. The plunger functions as a valve to alternately block and establish access between a blowing air passage and the front end of the plunger to allow air to be blown against a glass parison being produced. Retaining ring segments which partly define the melt-receiving recess are pivotable between a first position retaining a parison in place, and a second position allowing removal of the parison.