The invention relates to a photograph holder for holding multiple photographs and a film cartridge. The invention is particularly well suited for use with Advanced Photo System (APS) photographs and film cartridges.
Folders for holding photographic prints generally include a single pocket. They sometimes include a divider or second pocket so that negatives may be placed in the folder with the photographs. These folders are generally constructed from thin, insubstantial paperboard that is susceptible to tearing and does not provide protection for the photographic prints and negatives, which may be easily damaged.
The development of the Advanced Photo System (APS) presents additional problems for packaging developed photographs with the corresponding negatives. APS film is contained in a cartridge similar to that of 35 mm film. Like 35 mm film, when APS film is processed, it is removed from the cartridge. However, after processing, APS negatives are placed back in the original cartridge rather than provided to the customer in flat strips as in conventional 35 mm film.
Currently, when APS film is developed, the APS cartridge is simply placed in an envelope with the photographs, much like a traditional negative would be. Because the APS film cartridge is not thin and flat like a traditional negative, an envelope may not provide sufficient protection to the APS film cartridge. Often, additional protection, such as a box or an inner envelope is provided for the photographs, but generally, no provision is made for the APS film cartridge. Although an APS film cartridge provides added security for negatives, it is not damage proof. Improper handling can result in breaking the cartridge and damaging the negative. The cartridge may also fall out of existing photo holders. Thus, a envelope, box or other photograph holder that provides protection for an APS film cartridge is needed.
It is also important that the APS film cartridge not be separated from the photographs. Because APS negatives are stored within a cartridge, they cannot be easily viewed, as traditional negatives can. Separating the APS negatives from the photographs can cause substantial problems for the consumer, as it may be difficult to identify the corresponding negatives when reprints or enlargements are desired. When traditional photo holders, which do not provide a compartment for the APS film cartridge, are used, it is more likely that the film cartridge will be separated from the photos. Even photo holders providing a compartment for the APS film cartridge are likely to allow the film cartridge to fall out of the photo holder because most do not have a locking mechanism.
Although consumers generally care most about the photographs, at least initially, the negatives are of utmost importance in truly preserving the images and memories captured in the photographs. By preserving the negatives, the consumer is able to have additional photographs reprinted, cropped or enlarged. Thus, a package is needed that provides storage space for both photographic prints and an APS or similar film cartridge and that provides additional protection for the film cartridge.
The exterior of every APS film cartridge includes a unique identifying number. Many cartridges also include an area where the consumer can make his or her own notation regarding the subject matter of the photographs. When the cartridge is simply placed in an envelope with the photographs, the consumer must find the cartridge within the envelope and remove it to determine what the cartridge number is or look through the photographs to determine the subject matter. A photograph holder that effectively displays a portion of the APS film cartridge is needed to enable consumers to quickly identify the cartridge number or subject matter.
Although photo holders incorporating a compartment for APS film cartridges are known, they suffer from a number of defects. Most do not have a locking mechanism and thus, allow the film cartridge to be separated from the photographs. Many photo holders require that an additional strip of material is glued into the photo compartment to form the film cartridge compartment. Other photo holders require an abundance of material in order to incorporate a film cartridge compartment. Thus, a photo holder that secures the film cartridge in the compartment, is made from a single blank and requires a minimum amount of material is needed.
A photograph holder is provided, which is formed from a unitary blank of material and includes a photograph compartment for containing a plurality of photographs and a film cartridge compartment for containing a generally cylindrical film cartridge. The film cartridge compartment is formed from a panel created by cutting portions of the blank that correspond to at least one side edge of the photo holder and pushing the cut portions inward toward the interior of the holder in order to prepare the film cartridge compartment to contain the film. In a more particular embodiment, the film cartridge is visible from the exterior of the holder.
In another more particular embodiment, the film cartridge compartment includes a platform for elevating the film cartridge and preventing it from falling to the bottom of the holder. In another embodiment, the film cartridge compartment further includes a locking mechanism formed from a panel created by cutting portions of the blank that correspond to at least one side edge and pushing the cut portions inward toward the interior of the holder.
In yet another embodiment, a photograph holder is provided that includes a front panel, a back panel, a pair of side panels, a bottom panel, a top panel and a front flap, the top panel and the front flap forming a cover for the photograph holder; a compartment for containing photographs formed from the front panel, the back panel, the pair of side panels and the bottom panel; at least one compartment for containing a film cartridge comprising a retaining member, a locking mechanism and a platform and formed by cutting a portion of one side panel and at least one of the front panel and the back panel and pushing the cut portions inward toward the interior of the holder in order to prepare the film cartridge compartment to contain the film. The at least one compartment for containing a film cartridge is visible from the exterior of the photograph holder.
In a further embodiment, a photograph holder is provided that includes a front panel, a back panel, a pair of side panels, a top panel and a front flap, the top panel and the front flap forming a cover for the photograph holder; a compartment for containing photographs formed from the front panel, the back panel and the pair of side panels; at least one compartment for containing a film cartridge comprising a retaining member and a platform and formed by cutting a portion of one side panel and at least one of the front panel and the back panel and pushing the cut portions inward toward the interior of the holder in order to prepare the film cartridge compartment to contain the film. The at least one compartment for containing a film cartridge is visible from the exterior of the photograph holder.
In a more particular embodiment, the holder further includes a box configured to hold photographs and fit beneath the photograph compartment and the film cartridge compartment.
In another embodiment, a blank of material for forming a photograph holder is provided including a front panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; a bottom panel connected to the bottom edge of the front panel, the bottom panel having a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; a back panel connected to the back edge of the bottom panel, the back panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; a top panel connected to the top edge of the back panel, the top panel having a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; a front flap connected to the front edge of the top panel, the front flap having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; a pair of side panels attached to the side edges of the back panel and the front panel; at least one film cartridge compartment disposed between at least one side panel and the side edge of at least one of the front panel and the back panel.
In still another embodiment, a blank of material for forming a photograph holder is provided that includes a front panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; a first side panel connected to the first side edge of the front panel, the first side panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; a top panel connected to the top edge of the front panel, the top panel having a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; a front flap connected to the front edge of the top panel, the front flap having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; a second side panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, the second side panel connected to the second edge of the front panel at the first side edge of the second side panel; a back panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, the back panel connected to the second edge of the second side panel at the first side edge of the back panel; a third side panel connected to the second side edge of the back panel, the third side panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; at least one film cartridge compartment disposed between at least one side panel and the side edge of at least one of the front panel and the back panel.
The photo holder of the invention includes many advantages over known photo holders. It is formed from a single blank, thus reducing material and manufacturing costs. It can be assembled very simply, further reducing manufacturing costs. The photo holder provides multiple benefits for consumers. It can be constructed of a sturdy material, such as paperboard, allowing the consumer to use the photo holder for long-term storage of photographs and film. Various features of the invention reduce the likelihood that the film cartridge will be separated from the photographs. Consumers are able to view at least a portion of the unique APS identifying number, or any other notation the consumers makes on the exterior of the film cartridge, from the exterior of the photo holder. Therefore, opening the photo holder is unnecessary to identify the photographs and film within.
The photo holder 10 of
The photo holder 10 of
The bottom panel 60 is attached to the back panel 48 by a fold line 76. The back panel 48 is attached to the top panel 58 by a fold line 78. The top panel 58 is also attached to the front flap 62 by a fold line 80. Although the front flap 62 is shown extending substantially across the front panel 56, the front flap 62 may be of any size. For example, when the front panel 56 includes a film covered aperture 64, the front flap 62 may end just before the aperture 64 begins so that the photographs are visible from the exterior of the photo holder 10. The front flap 62 may also include a locking mechanism (not shown), such as a tab that fits into a corresponding slot on the front panel 56, snap, hook and loop fasteners, or any other method for locking the front flap 62 to the front panel 56.
The front panel 56 and back panel 48 are attached to sides panels 50, 51 by fold lines 52, 53. The side panels 50, 51 may be further divided into first and second panels 82, 84 and 126, 128 divided by fold lines 90, 92. When both the side panels 50, 51 and the bottom panel 60 are further divided into first and second panels 82, 84, 126, 128, 70, 72, respectively, the empty photo holder 10 is able to be collapsed completely flat, requiring minimal storage space and provided for easy shipping to photo-processors. The photo holder 10 is also able to easily expand or contract to hold varying quantities of photographs.
Various embodiments of the film cartridge compartment 12, such as that shown in
The fold lines 92, 93 allow the retaining panel 14 to hold the film cartridge 54 snugly against the interior of the film cartridge compartment 12. When the retaining panel 14 is pushed inward to provide access for the film cartridge 54, the additional fold lines 92, 93 allow the retaining panel 14 to conform to the substantially round or oval shape of the film cartridge 54. Any number of vertical fold lines may be incorporated into the retaining panel 14. For example, when the photo holder 10 is constructed of a more pliable material, less fold lines on the retaining panel 14 are necessary to conform to the shape of the film cartridge 54, but when using a stiffer material, more fold lines may be necessary.
In certain embodiments of the invention, such as that shown in
The film cartridge component 12 may be on the left or right side of the photo holder. Although the film cartridge compartment 12 has been described as being formed from the back panel 48 and the side panel 51, it may be formed from back panel 48 and side panel 50 or front panel 56 and side panel 50, as is shown in
In certain embodiments of the invention, such as that shown in
Because the embodiment shown in
In another embodiment (not shown), the photo holder 10 shown in
The film cartridge compartment 12 also includes a platform 34 to prevent the film cartridge 54 from falling to the bottom of the photo holder 10. In one embodiment, shown in
In another embodiment of the film cartridge compartment 12, shown in
As shown in
The photograph compartment 11 and the film cartridge compartment 12 are formed from a unitary blank of material.
The back panel 48 also includes break-in panels formed by cutting portions of panels and pushing the cut portions inward toward the interior of the photo holder 10. The film cartridge compartment 12 is formed by fold lines and cut lines. On the side edge where the film cartridge compartment 12 is to be located, which may be either side of the photo holder 10, cut lines 142, 144 and fold lines 100, 102 define a first section 96 of the locking mechanism 94. Substantially parallel cut lines 142, 144, perpendicular to the fold line 53 attaching the side panel 51 to the back panel 48, extend a short distance across the back panel 48. The distance may be any length sufficient to help retain the film cartridge 54. A fold line 100 attaches the first section 96 of the locking mechanism 94 to the back panel 48.
A second section 98 of the locking mechanism is formed in the same way and is defined by cut lines 142, 144 and fold lines 88, 102.
The back panel 48 also includes cut lines extending to the side edge and located below that cut lines used to form the locking mechanism 94. These cut lines form a first section of the retaining member 14. A first cut line 20 extends transversely from the side edge of the back panel 48 toward the center of the back panel 48. A second cut line 22 also extends from the side of the back panel 48 toward the center of the back panel 48. The second cut line 22 is substantially diagonal to the first cut line in order to retain the film cartridge 54 in the photo holder 10. A fold line 24 connects the first section of the retaining member 14 to the back panel 48. An optional fold line 93 may divide the first section of the retaining member 14 into two panels 30, 32. This optional fold line 93 allows the retaining member 14 to conform to the shape of the film cartridge 54 and more securely retain the film cartridge 54.
The blank 120 can be easily assembled to form a photo holder 10 similar to that shown in
The blank 122 can be easily assembled to form a photo holder 10 similar to that shown in
The back panel 48 and side panel 50 also includes break-in panels defined by fold lines and cut lines, forming a portion of the film cartridge compartment 12. On the side panel where the film cartridge 12 is located, which can be either side, cut lines and fold lines form a retaining member 14. A first cut line 20 extends transversely from the side edge of the front panel 56 toward the center of the front panel 56. A second cut line 22 also extends from the side of the front panel 56 toward the center of the front panel 56. The second cut line 22 is substantially diagonal to the first cut line 20 in order to retain the film cartridge 54 in the photo holder 10. A fold line 24 connects the retaining member 14 to the front panel 56. The retaining member 14 is divided into two sections by fold line 28. The fold line 28 allows the retaining member 14 to more readily conform to the shape of the film cartridge 54.
The front panel 56 and side panel 50 also include cut lines 18, 36 and fold lines 38, 40, 42 to form a platform 34 to prevent the film cartridge from falling to the bottom of the photo holder 10. Cut lines 18, 36 and fold lines 38, 40 form the platform 34. The platform 34 includes two panels 44, 46. A first panel 44 is formed from the back panel 48 and is defined by cut lines 18, 36 and fold lines. A second panel 46 is formed from the side panel 50 and defined by cut lines 18, 36 and fold lines.
The foregoing description is provided for describing various embodiments and structures relating to the invention. Various modifications, additions and deletions may be made to these embodiments and/or structures without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
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