Patent Application
20060021272
The present invention relates to a device for supporting a substantially planar article. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for mounting and displaying a substantially planar article, such as a photograph, on a substrate without use of adhesives on the substantially planar article.
Devices for the display of substantially planar articles, such as photographs, recipe cards, greeting cards, and the like, typically utilize a construction such as a book, a loose-leaf binder with pages, or a frame on which the planar articles are mounted by various means. A wide variety of pages and devices used to support and display the planar articles are known in the art. These pages and devices use various means to mount the planar articles to the page, such as adhesives, individually applied corner mounts, and so on.
For pages and devices on which an adhesive is used to mount the planar articles, an adhesive substance is typically applied to completely coat a paper or cardboard sheet. When a photograph is placed on the page covered in the adhesive substance, the adhesive substance retains the photographs on the page. While the use of an adhesive substance provides an acceptable short-term means of attaching photographs to a page, the properties of the adhesive material change over time. This often has a deleterious effect on the integrity of the planar article. For example, when a photograph is exposed to the adhesive substance for an extended period of time, the photo paper may begin to degrade and/or the emulsion chemistry of the photograph may begin to change, resulting in a permanent color change of the photograph. Furthermore, a photograph may become difficult or impossible to remove from the adhesive substance after long-term exposure.
Another means of mounting a planar article is by attaching to a substrate a plurality of triangular-shaped pockets to receive a corner of the planar article. These triangular-shaped pockets are commonly referred to as “photo corners.” Photo corners are an alternative to mounting planar objects with an adhesive substance, and the inherent drawbacks of using an adhesive substance are avoided. However, photo corners must be individually purchased and subsequently arranged on the substrate to precisely align with the contours of the planar article. This approach is very time-consuming and subject to human error. Furthermore, if the photo corners are made of an opaque or translucent material, the portion of the planar object received and held by the photo corner will be obscured from view on the album page.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a device that avoids the drawbacks of the various approaches to mounting planar articles heretofore described.
The present invention is a display device for supporting a substantially planar article, such as a photograph. The display device includes a support layer having a size substantially similar to the substantially planar article. The display device also includes a plurality of mounts arranged for receiving portions of the substantially planar article therein to secure the substantially planar article relative to the support layer. In one embodiment, the display device includes means, such as an adhesive material, provided on at least a portion of a back surface of the display device for attaching the display device to a substrate. A sheet of release liner material may also be removably provided on the adhesive material.
While the above-identified drawing figures set forth several embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principals of this invention. The figures may not be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers have been used throughout the figures to denote like parts.
Substantially planar article 12 is supported by display device 10 as shown in
Support layer 20 has a size that is substantially similar to the size of substantially planar article 12. That is, the size of support layer 20 is such that, when substantially planar article 12 is supported by support layer 20, support layer 20 remains largely hidden when viewing substantially planar article 12. Support layer 20 is made of a resilient material which provides support for substantially planar article 12. In a preferred embodiment, support layer 20 is made of a transparent polymeric material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, an ionomer, or the like. While the use of a transparent polymeric material for support layer 20 is preferred, support layer 20 (or portions thereof) may also be made of a translucent resilient material or of an opaque fibrous material such as paper.
Securing tabs 22 are preferably made of a material that is pliable to permit the corners of substantially planar article 12 to be easily received by corner pockets 30, but durable to allow frequent insertion into corner pockets 30 and removal from corner pockets 30 of substantially planar article 12 without damage to corner pockets 30. In one embodiment, securing tabs 22 are made of transparent polymeric material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, a polyester, a polyamide, an ionomer, or the like. The use of a transparent material for securing tabs 22 allows viewing of the corners of substantially planar article 12 through securing tabs 22 when received by corner pockets 30. As stated above, securing tabs 22 are secured to front surface 28 of support layer 20, along sealed edges 35. Typically, securing tabs 22 are affixed to support layer 20 along sealed edges 35 with an adhesive material or by heat bonding means such as ultrasonic welding or thermal bonding. The opening for insertion of a corner of substantially planar article 12 into corner pocket 30 is provided by leaving one edge of securing tabs 22 unaffixed to support layer 20.
Display device 10 includes a layer of adhesive material 24 on back surface 29 to allow display device 10, and substantially planar article 12 supported thereby, to be mounted and displayed on any number of substrates, including albums, scrapbooks, doors, walls, refrigerators, computer monitors, and so on. In one embodiment, adhesive material 24 is provided on a portion of back surface 29, but adhesive material 24 may alternatively completely coat back surface 29. Adhesive material 24 may be a repositionable adhesive, which permits display device 10 to be adhered to and removed from a variety of substrates multiple times without significant loss of adhesive capability. In one embodiment, the repositionable adhesive is a repositionable microsphere pressure sensitive adhesive, for example as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,571,617, 5,045,569, 4,495,318, 4,166,152, 3,857,731, and 3,691,140. Alternatively, adhesive material 24 may be a permanent adhesive.
Release liner 26 is provided on adhesive material 24 to prevent display device 10 from becoming adhered to a surface before desired. When a user wishes to place display device 10 on a substrate for display of substantially planar article 12, release liner 26 is peeled away from back surface 29 to expose adhesive material 24. When adhesive material 24 is exposed, display device 10 may be mounted on a desired substrate. In one embodiment, release liner 26 is a sheet of paper coated with a release coating on its side facing adhesive material 24. The release coating may be of any known materials used for their release properties for adhesives. Exemplary materials of this type are silicones and modified silicones, the modification including both copolymerization of silicones with other non-release chemical agents or by adding non-silicone materials to the silicone coating solution prior to application to the base paper of the release liner. Other release agents such as polyethylene, fluorocarbons, and polyvinyl octadecyl carbamate may also be used. The choice of release coating is dependent on the tack, adhesion level, and chemical nature of adhesive material 24.
It should be noted that corner pockets 30 shown in
Substantially planar article 12 is supported by display device 40 as shown in
Support layer 50 has a size that is substantially similar to the size of substantially planar article 12. That is, the size of support layer 50 is such that, when substantially planar article 12 is supported by support layer 50, support layer 50 remains largely hidden when viewing substantially planar article 12. Support layer 50 is made of a resilient material which provides support for substantially planar article 12. In one embodiment, support layer is made of a transparent polymeric material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, an ionomer, or the like. While the use of a transparent polymeric material for support layer 50 is preferred, support layer 50 (or portions thereof) may also be made of a translucent resilient material or of an opaque fibrous material such as paper.
Openings 52 are shaped to receive the corners of substantially planar article 12. Support layer 50 is made of a material that is pliable to permit the corners of substantially planar article 12 to be easily received by openings 52, but durable to allow frequent insertion into openings 52 and removal from openings 52 of substantially planar articles 12 without damage to the openings 52. Openings 52 are shown to have a substantially triangular shape, but any opening having a shape capable of receiving and maintaining the corners of substantially planar article 12 may be provided. For example, openings 52 may be provided with various other contours, including square, rectangular, crescent, and circular shapes, or each opening 52 may simply constitute a straight cut line through support layer 50.
Display device 40 includes a layer of adhesive material 54 on back surface 59 to allow display device 40, and substantially planar article 12 supported thereby, to be mounted and displayed on any number of substrates, including albums, scrapbooks, doors, walls, refrigerators, computer monitors, and so on. In one embodiment, adhesive material 54 is provided on a portion of back surface 59, but adhesive material 54 may alternatively completely coat back surface 59. Adhesive material 54 may be a repositionable adhesive, which permits display device 40 to be adhered to and removed from a variety of substrates multiple times without significant loss of adhesive capability. In one embodiment, the repositionable adhesive is a repositionable microsphere pressure sensitive adhesive, for example as described in the patents listed above. Alternatively, adhesive material 54 may be a permanent adhesive.
Release liner 56 is provided on adhesive material 54 to prevent display device 50 from becoming adhered to a surface before desired. When a user wishes to place display device 40 on a substrate for display of substantially planar article 12, release liner 56 is peeled away from back surface 59 to expose adhesive material 54. When adhesive material 54 is exposed, display device 40 may be mounted on a desired substrate. In one embodiment, release liner 56 is a sheet of paper coated with a release coating on its side facing adhesive material 54. The release coating may be of any known materials used for their release properties for adhesives. Exemplary materials of this type are silicones and modified silicones, the modification including both copolymerization of silicones with other non-release chemical agents or by adding non-silicone materials to the silicone coating solution prior to application to the base paper of the release liner. Other release agents such as polyethylene, fluorocarbons, and polyvinyl octadecyl carbamate may also be used. The choice of release coating is dependent on the tack, adhesion level, and chemical nature of adhesive material 54.
Substantially planar article 12 is supported by display device 70 as shown in
Support layer 80 has a size that is substantially similar to the size of substantially planar article 12. That is, the size of support layer 80 is such that, when substantially planar article 12 is supported by support layer 80, support layer 80 frames substantially planar article 12. Support layer 80 is made of a resilient material which provides support for substantially planar article 12. In one embodiment, support layer 80 is made of a transparent polymeric material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, an ionomer, or the like. While the use of a transparent polymeric material for support layer 80 is preferred, support layer 80 (or portions thereof) may also be made of a translucent resilient material or of an opaque fibrous material such as paper.
Slits 82 are shaped to receive the corners of substantially planar article 12. Support layer 80 is made of a material that is pliable to permit the corners of substantially planar article 12 to be easily received by slits 82, but durable to allow frequent insertion into slits 82 and removal from slits 82 of substantially planar articles 12 without damage to the slits 82. In one embodiment, slits 82 are formed in support layer 80 by die cutting, and preferably have a length in the range of 0.50 and 1.00 inch and a width of less than 0.25 inch. The pattern and shape of slits 82 shown in
Display device 70 includes a layer of adhesive material 84 on back surface 89 to allow display device 70, and substantially planar article 12 supported thereby, to be mounted and displayed on any number of substrates, including albums, scrapbooks, doors, walls, refrigerators, computer monitors, and so on. In one embodiment, adhesive material 84 is provided on a portion of back surface 89, but adhesive material 84 may alternatively completely coat back surface 89. Adhesive material 84 may be a repositionable adhesive, which permits display device 70 to be adhered to and removed from a variety of substrates multiple times without significant loss of adhesive capability. In one embodiment, repositionable adhesive is a repositionable microsphere pressure sensitive adhesive, for example as described in the patents listed above. Alternatively, adhesive material 84 may be a permanent adhesive.
Release liner 86 is provided on adhesive material 84 to prevent display device 70 from becoming adhered to a surface before desired. When a user wishes to place display device 70 on a substrate for display of substantially planar article 12, release liner 86 is peeled away from back surface 89 to expose adhesive material 84. When adhesive material 84 is exposed, display device 70 may be mounted on a desired substrate. In one embodiment, release liner 86 is a sheet of paper coated with a release coating on its side facing adhesive material 84. The release coating may be of any known materials used for their release properties for adhesives. Exemplary materials of this type are silicones and modified silicones, the modification including both copolymerization of silicones with other non-release chemical agents or by adding non-silicone materials to the silicone coating solution prior to application to the base paper of the release liner. Other release agents such as polyethylene, fluorocarbons, and polyvinyl octadecyl carbamate may also be used. The choice of release coating is dependent on the tack, adhesion level, and chemical nature of adhesive material 84.
The display devices heretofore described have been described with regard to mounts for receiving corners of the substantially planar article supported thereby, but it will be understood that any portions (e.g., edges) of the substantially planar article may be supported by the mounts formed in or on the support layer. In addition, the size and shape of the support layer and the pattern and shape of the mounts for receiving a portion of the substantially planar article may be varied to accommodate substantially planar articles of various shapes and sizes. For example, the support layer and mounts may be configured in a standardized pattern to accommodate, for example, photographs of standard size (e.g., wallet, 3½″×5″, 4″×6″, 5″×7″, etc.), or configured in a customized pattern to accommodate substantially planar articles of unique sizes.
For example,
Substantially planar article 102 is supported by display device 100 as shown in
Support layer 110 has a size that is substantially similar to the size of substantially planar article 102. That is, the size and shape of support layer 110 is such that, when substantially planar article 102 is supported by support layer 110, support layer 110 frames substantially planar article 102. Support layer 110 is made of a resilient material which provides support for substantially planar article 102. In one embodiment, support layer 110 is made of a transparent polymeric material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, an ionomer, or the like. Support layer 110 (or portions thereof) may also be made of a translucent resilient material or of an opaque fibrous material such as paper.
Mounting tabs 112 are configured to receive edge portions of substantially planar article 102. Support layer 110 is made of a material that is pliable to permit the edge portions of substantially planar article 102 to be easily received by mounting tabs 112, but durable to allow frequent insertion into mounting tabs 112 and removal from mounting tabs 112 of substantially planar articles 102 without damage to the mounting tabs 112. In one embodiment, mounting tabs 112 are formed in support layer 110 by die cutting, and preferably have a length in the range of 0.50 and 1.00 inch and a width of less than 0.25 inch. The pattern and shape of mounting tabs 112 shown in
Display device 100 includes a layer of adhesive material 114 on back surface 119 to allow display device 100, and substantially planar article 102 supported thereby, to be mounted and displayed on any number of substrates, including albums, scrapbooks, doors, walls, refrigerators, computer monitors, and so on. In one embodiment, adhesive material 114 is provided on a portion of back surface 119, but adhesive material 114 may alternatively completely coat back surface 119. Adhesive material 114 may be a repositionable adhesive, which permits display device 100 to be adhered to and removed from a variety of substrates multiple times without significant loss of adhesive capability. In one embodiment, repositionable adhesive is a repositionable microsphere pressure sensitive adhesive, for example as described in the patents listed above. Alternatively, adhesive material 114 may be a permanent adhesive.
Release liner 116 is provided on adhesive material 114 to prevent display device 100 from becoming adhered to a surface before desired. When a user wishes to place display device 100 on a substrate for display of substantially planar article 102, release liner 116 is peeled away from back surface 119 to expose adhesive material 114. When adhesive material 114 is exposed, display device 100 may be mounted on a desired substrate. In one embodiment, release liner 116 is a sheet of paper coated with a release coating on its side facing adhesive material 114. The release coating may be of any known materials used for their release properties for adhesives. Exemplary materials of this type are silicones and modified silicones, the modification including both copolymerization of silicones with other non-release chemical agents or by adding non-silicone materials to the silicone coating solution prior to application to the base paper of the release liner. Other release agents such as polyethylene, fluorocarbons, and polyvinyl octadecyl carbamate may also be used. The choice of release coating is dependent on the tack, adhesion level, and chemical nature of adhesive material 114.
The display devices for supporting a substantially planar article heretofore described provide several advantages over the prior art. For example, the display devices provide a mounting option for a substantially planar article without exposing it to an adhesive material. This avoids the potential for deleterious effects to the integrity of the substantially planar article due to contact with the adhesive. Also, the repositionability of the display device and the simple insertion and removal of the substantially planar article allow for an impermanent and informal mounting option of the substantially planar article on a substrate. Furthermore, a substantially planar article supported by a display device according to the present invention can be mounted in a myriad of locations, and in a variety of configurations and orientations.
Various modifications to the display devices heretofore described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the size and shape of the support layer may be varied and the various mounts heretofore described may be provided in any number, combination, or configuration to provide a device which is capable of receiving a portion of a substantially planar article to secure the substantially planar article relative to the display device. Also, the support layers of any of the display devices may optionally be provided with printing to provide a personalized, decorative, or framed appearance for the substantially planar article supported thereby, or to provide product promotion or use instructions. Furthermore, the display devices have been described with regard to an adhesive material on the back surface of the display device, but any material or mechanism may be used to provide a means for attaching the display device to a substrate. Examples of alternative means for attaching the display device to a substrate include surface fasteners such as hook and loop system fasteners, magnetic devices such as a magnetic strip or a magnetic backing, or other adhesive materials such as double-sided tape.
In summary, conventional devices for supporting and displaying a planar article, such as a photograph, use various means to mount the planar article to a substrate, including adhesives on the planar article and individually applied corner mounts. These various mounting means suffer from a variety of drawbacks that may have a deleterious effect on the integrity of the planar articles and may result in difficulty in mounting the photograph. The present invention is a display device for supporting a substantially planar article, such as a photograph. The display device includes a support layer having a size substantially similar to the substantially planar article. The display device also includes a plurality of mounts arranged for receiving portions of the substantially planar article therein to secure the substantially planar article relative to the support layer. In one embodiment, the display device further includes means, such as an adhesive material, provided on at least a portion of a back surface of the display device for attaching the display device to a substrate. In this way, the substantially planar article is not exposed to the attaching means, thereby avoiding the drawbacks heretofore described.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
