Patent Application
20100147452
The present embodiments relate generally to a layered media product for printing in an electrophotographic or xerographic device in which the top layer of the layered media product may be removed easily without transferring adhesive from a bottom layer to the removed top layer. The top layer is die-cut into pre-determined dimensions that may be disassembled by the recipient without the need for post processing image cutting equipment.
In commercial processing, images can be provided to an operator for developing in several ways. If the images are on film, the film is removed automatically or by an operator handling the film in a light proof bag, which then feeds the film into the processing machine. If the images are digital, and located on a storage media, such as a flash memory card, the images are downloaded or emailed to a computer, which then provides the images to the processing machinery. The processing machinery is generally run on a continuous basis with films spliced together in a continuous line. All the processing steps are carried out within a single processing machine with automatically controlled time, temperature and solution replenishment rate. The prints emerge washed and dried, and are ready to be cut by hand or by post-processing equipment.
Printers currently producing photographs are limited to onsite cut-size papers, and must have post-processing equipment to trim the photograph paper into desired dimensions. Often times, retail space is limited, and post-processing equipment is difficult or impossible to place within the retail space.
In order to overcome these problems, the foregoing embodiments are provided. The purpose of these embodiments is to enable printing of standard consumer size photographs, which are traditionally developed through a silver halide process from an electronic file with the use of a toner-based laser printer, without the need for post-processing cutting and trimming equipment.
The foregoing generally describes photo processing in which printing sheets are cut by post-processing equipment into desired dimensions.
According to embodiments illustrated herein, there is provided a photo processing invention and method for providing various printing sheets that may be sized according to desired photo dimensions without requiring post-processing equipment for trimming the printing sheets to a desired photo size.
More particularly, a multi-layered sheet suitable for digital printing comprises a first sheet patterned in pre-determined dimensions for rendering a photographic image thereupon, and a second sheet married to the first sheet by an adhesive. The adhesive only remains upon the second sheet when the second sheet is removed from the first sheet.
Also, a method for providing printed digital photos of conventional dimensions without post-processing photo trimming equipment. The method comprises patterning a first sheet in pre-determined dimensions for rendering a photographic image thereupon, and marrying the first sheet to a second sheet with an adhesive. The adhesive only remains upon the second sheet when the second sheet and the first sheet are separated.
A multi-layered sheet suitable for digital printing comprises a first sheet patterned in pre-determined dimensions for rendering a photographic image thereupon, and a second sheet married to the first sheet by an acrylic based adhesive. The adhesive allows for repositioning of the first sheet on the second sheet.
For a better understanding of the present embodiments, reference may be had to the accompanying figures.
a through 7c illustrate the separation of a multi-layer sheet into single photographs in accordance with the present embodiments.
a and 8b illustrate the production of various combinations of images in accordance with the present embodiments.
In the following description, it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural and operational changes may be made without departure from the scope of the present embodiments disclosed herein.
The present embodiments relate to a photo processing product and method for providing various printing sheets that may be sized according to desired photo dimensions without requiring post-processing equipment for trimming the printing sheets to a desired photo size.
In order to keep photograph edges free of ties and other debris, the photograph sizes are clean die-cut, for example by a die-cut perforation or a die-cut score, into a digitally optimized 8 mil thick Xerox® Supreme Gloss sheet, which is designed to have a high gloss cast coated surface. For example, the coating formulation for a 93 GSM 8 mil Xerox® Supreme Gloss sheet with high gloss finish is smoothness optimized for image quality and toner anchorage. This surface possesses characteristics that are the closest to commercial grade photographic paper, and because the surface has enhanced smoothness and coating formulation, it promotes optimum laser image quality and toner anchorage.
Although other combinations will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, in the preferred embodiment, the Xerox® Supreme Gloss sheet is backed with a 35# Densified Kraft® liner, which is used as a carrier for an adhesive that is used to hold the lamination together. In other words, the adhesive adheres the Xerox® Supreme Gloss sheet to the 35# Densified Kraft® liner. The Densified Kraft® liner allows for the least expensive method of construction, and it has the lowest propensity for static build-up in a sheet feed xerographic printer. The Densified Kraft® liner also has a hard surface that will not be damaged by the use of dies.
The Xerox® Supreme Gloss sheet and the Densified Kraft® liner combination (“the product”) is received by an end user, who then places the product into a laser printer paper feed drawer of the xerographic printer (or similar printer). The printer is activated with appropriate image files, and the images are transferred onto the product. The product is then delivered to an appropriate output module, such as a Top Tray, Stacker, or the like. The end user, who may be an operator of the printer or a customer of the photograph processing service, removes the printed sheet and peels away die-cut photos from the backing liner. The removed die-cut photos are free of adhesive and have clean edges, meaning free of ties and other debris.
Photographs are rendered in several standard conventional sizes. For example, common standard conventional sizes include: 8 inches×10 inches (commonly referred to as an “8×10” or “eight by ten”), 5 inches×7 inches (commonly referred to as a “5×7” or “five by seven”); 4 inches×6 inches (commonly referred to as a “4×6” or “four by six”); 3 inches×5 inches (commonly referred to as a “3×5” or “three by five”); and wallet size. “Four by six” and “three by five” are the more common sizes among consumer print sizes.
Standard conventional wallet sized photographs may have different dimensions depending on the size of the photo sheets from which the wallet photographs are cut. For instance, if the photo sheet has the dimensions 5×7 inches or 11×14 inches, then the wallets are sized to the dimensions 2½×3½ inches, in order to evenly divide the photo sheet. Likewise, if the photo sheet is 8×10 inches in dimension, then in order to evenly divide the photo sheet into the smaller wallet-sized prints, the dimensions of the wallet-sized prints will be 2⅓×3⅓ inches. Wallet sized photos may also be 2×3 inches.
Other photographs are produced in dimensions consistent with international paper sizes, such as A2 (60 cm×42 cm), A3 (42 cm×30 cm), and A4 (30 cm×21 cm).
In the preferred embodiment, an 11 inch×17 inch Xerox® Supreme Gloss sheet is used with a 35# Densified Kraft® liner of similar dimensions. The 11×17 sheet size accommodates multiples of standard photograph sizes, which may be all of one dimension, or a mix of various dimensions. For example, an 11×17 sheet can accommodate the following conventional sizes: two 8×10 photographs; one 8×10, one 5×7, and four 2½×3½ wallet photographs; six 4×6 photographs; four 5×7 photographs, or any other combination that will fit within the confines of the 11×17 sheet.
Throughout the description of the figures, terms such as “top x-axis” and “bottom x-axis” are used to help describe the placement of various pre-determined dimensioned patterns as shown in the particular figure being described. Likewise, terms such as “left y-axis” and “right y-axis” are used to help describe the placement of various pre-determined dimensioned patterns as shown in the particular figure being described. These terms are relative to the figure, and it will be commonly understood in the art that the placement of the pre-determined dimensioned patterns may result in several variations that maintain the spirit of this product. Furthermore, in order to help clarify the actual positioning of the pre-determined dimensioned patterns, the first listed dimension is equivalent to the x-axis measurement, and the second listed dimension is equivalent to the y-axis measurement. Therefore, as an example, if the standard size being used is an 8×10, this may be re-written as “10×8” in order to illustrate that the pre-determined dimensioned pattern is positioned in such a way that the “10” represents the number of inches along the x-axis, and the “8” represents the number of inches along the y-axis.
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Other embodiments may include a sheet as described above, but with different dimensions, such as 11 inches×14 inches.
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In each of the embodiments described above, an adhesive is used to marry the first sheet to the second sheet, which as described as the preferred embodiment the first sheet comprises a photo quality Xerox® Supreme Gloss sheet, and the second sheet comprises a Densified Kraft® liner as a backer. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive is acrylic based, and the adhesive is designed to cleanly release from the photograph face stock, e.g., the Xerox® Supreme Gloss sheet, without adhesive residue. In the preferred embodiment, the adhesive is applied in a thickness of 0.70 mils to the 35# Densified Kraft® liner. The adhesive dries, which causes the adhesive to adhere to the second sheet, which is the 35# Densified Kraft® liner in this embodiment. The adhesive will remain tacky after drying on the surface, which allows for the first sheet, in this embodiment the Xerox® Supreme Gloss sheet, to releasably adhere to the second sheet to form a lamination. The first sheet is then clean edge die-cut into specific photograph sizes. In the preferred embodiment, the amount of force required to separate the die-cut photographs from the second sheet is 17.45 pounds pull as measured by Instron® testing equipment.
It should be understood that any of the features, characteristics, alternatives, or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described herein.
While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
The examples set forth herein below and are illustrative of different physical properties and conditions that can be used in practicing the present embodiments.
Two sheet pilot trails of 3000 11×17 sheets were conducted with subsequent laboratory testing of sheets performance in three different digital printer product lines. These sheets were clean die-cut in a combination of the following pre-determined patterns: one 8×10, one 5×7, and four 2½×3½ photograph sizes. Performance was measured in printer jams per 1000 prints and compared to printer design for shut down rates.
Other qualitative performance metrics involved were: stacking integrity post fuser, static build in feed drawer, output, toner anchorage, visual appearance of the finished photo compared to silver halide process, and ease of release of the individual photos from the Densified Kraft® liner. Results were acceptable for all qualitative specifications.
Measurements describing the physical properties:
