CA2332865A1 - Sheet stock for producing slides with a laser printer, ink jet printer or the like - Google Patents
Sheet stock for producing slides with a laser printer, ink jet printer or the like Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2332865A1 CA2332865A1 CA002332865A CA2332865A CA2332865A1 CA 2332865 A1 CA2332865 A1 CA 2332865A1 CA 002332865 A CA002332865 A CA 002332865A CA 2332865 A CA2332865 A CA 2332865A CA 2332865 A1 CA2332865 A1 CA 2332865A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- substrate
- frame
- slide unit
- sheet
- windows
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
- B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
- B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
- B41M5/52—Macromolecular coatings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
- B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
- B41M7/00—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock
- B41M7/0027—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock using protective coatings or layers by lamination or by fusion of the coatings or layers
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G7/00—Selection of materials for use in image-receiving members, i.e. for reversal by physical contact; Manufacture thereof
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
- B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
- B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
- B41M5/502—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording characterised by structural details, e.g. multilayer materials
- B41M5/508—Supports
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
- B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
- B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
- B41M5/52—Macromolecular coatings
- B41M5/5218—Macromolecular coatings characterised by inorganic additives, e.g. pigments, clays
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
- B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
- B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
- B41M5/52—Macromolecular coatings
- B41M5/5254—Macromolecular coatings characterised by the use of polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. vinyl polymers
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Ink Jet Recording Methods And Recording Media Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
A printable substrate (40) including one or more units (42) that can be removed from the substrate (40) and used for projection purposes after printing.
Description
SHEET STOCK FOR PRODUCING SLIDES WITH A
LASER PRINTER, INK JET PRINTER OR THE LIKE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention The present invention relates generally to the production of slides and, more particularly, to the production of slides with a laser printer, ink jet printer, copier or the like.
LASER PRINTER, INK JET PRINTER OR THE LIKE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention The present invention relates generally to the production of slides and, more particularly, to the production of slides with a laser printer, ink jet printer, copier or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art Transparencies have been used for many years to visually convey information.
For example, photocopiers are commonly used to transfer images, such as pictures, text and graphs, to 8.5 inch by 11 inch transparent film sheets. Information is conveyed by placing a finished 8.5 inch by 11 inch film sheet on an overhead projector and projecting the image onto a wall or screen. The use of 8.5 inch by 11 inch transparencies has proven to be less than optimal, both from the perspective of the viewer and the perspective of the person giving the presentation, because the transparencies must be placed on the overhead projector one at a time. The viewers of such a presentation are forced to watch the sheets being put into place on the projector and then removed because this process is projected onto the wall or screen. The person giving the presentation is also distracted by the task of changing the sheets. Moreover, great care must be taken to insure that the sheets remain in the proper order.
Another transparency-based method of conveying information is 35 mm slides.
Such slide transparencies typically include a 2 inch by 2 inch cardboard or plastic outer frame with a 24 mm by 36 mm viewing area {or window). The frame protects the slide in that it allows the slide to be handled without damaging the transparency.
The frame also helps keeps the transparency flat during projection. The slides are loaded into a slide projector magazine in the order that they are to be presented and the slide projector shows the slides in sequence. The person giving the presentation need only press a button to change from slide to slide. As such, 35 mm slides are more convenient to use than 8.5 inch by 11 inch transparent sheets and the presentations given therewith are better for viewer.
There are, however, many drawbacks associated with conventional 35 mm slides. Most notably, slide projection is typically used to view photographic images.
Thus, the production of conventional 35 mm slides requires a camera., film, and filin processing. 35 mm slides may also be produced by transferring a dye layer from a donor element to the transparent image receiving portion of a slide. U.S. Patent No.
5,234,886 discloses such a process. The transfer process is, however, somewhat complex.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the general object of the present invention is to provide a device which avoids, for practical purposes, the aforementioned problems. In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide a substrate for receiving a printed image that allows slides to be manufactured using conventional home and office type printers and photocopiers.
In order to accomplish these and other objectives, a printable substrate in accordance with the present invention includes one or more units that can be removed from the substrate and used for projection purposes after printing. For example, a printable substrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a sheet of substantially opaque frame material having at least two windows formed therein with an area of reduced strength between the at least two windows, and a sheet of substantially transparent material adapted to receive a printed image thereon and secured to the at least one sheet of frame material. The sheet of substantially transparent material is arranged such that the substantially transparent material occupies the entire window area of at least one of the windows.
The present invention provides a number of advantages over the prior art. For example, the present invention allows 35 mm slides to be produced with a typical home or office printer or photocopier. More specifically, the substrate (or sheet) may be fed through a printer or copier and an image transferred to a portion of the substantially transparent material. A portion of the frame material which includes the image and which corresponds to the shape of a 35 mm slide may then be removed from the substrate. Thereafter, light may be transmitted through the slide with, for example, a typical 35 mm slide projector to project the image onto a wall or screen.
" CA 02332865 2000-11-17 T"he above described and many other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the production of slides in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is plan view of a sheet in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a slide prior to completion in accordance with the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a completed slide in accordance with the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a section view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a section view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a sheet in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. $ is a plan view of a sheet in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a sheet in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a slide prior to completion in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of a sheet in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For example, photocopiers are commonly used to transfer images, such as pictures, text and graphs, to 8.5 inch by 11 inch transparent film sheets. Information is conveyed by placing a finished 8.5 inch by 11 inch film sheet on an overhead projector and projecting the image onto a wall or screen. The use of 8.5 inch by 11 inch transparencies has proven to be less than optimal, both from the perspective of the viewer and the perspective of the person giving the presentation, because the transparencies must be placed on the overhead projector one at a time. The viewers of such a presentation are forced to watch the sheets being put into place on the projector and then removed because this process is projected onto the wall or screen. The person giving the presentation is also distracted by the task of changing the sheets. Moreover, great care must be taken to insure that the sheets remain in the proper order.
Another transparency-based method of conveying information is 35 mm slides.
Such slide transparencies typically include a 2 inch by 2 inch cardboard or plastic outer frame with a 24 mm by 36 mm viewing area {or window). The frame protects the slide in that it allows the slide to be handled without damaging the transparency.
The frame also helps keeps the transparency flat during projection. The slides are loaded into a slide projector magazine in the order that they are to be presented and the slide projector shows the slides in sequence. The person giving the presentation need only press a button to change from slide to slide. As such, 35 mm slides are more convenient to use than 8.5 inch by 11 inch transparent sheets and the presentations given therewith are better for viewer.
There are, however, many drawbacks associated with conventional 35 mm slides. Most notably, slide projection is typically used to view photographic images.
Thus, the production of conventional 35 mm slides requires a camera., film, and filin processing. 35 mm slides may also be produced by transferring a dye layer from a donor element to the transparent image receiving portion of a slide. U.S. Patent No.
5,234,886 discloses such a process. The transfer process is, however, somewhat complex.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the general object of the present invention is to provide a device which avoids, for practical purposes, the aforementioned problems. In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide a substrate for receiving a printed image that allows slides to be manufactured using conventional home and office type printers and photocopiers.
In order to accomplish these and other objectives, a printable substrate in accordance with the present invention includes one or more units that can be removed from the substrate and used for projection purposes after printing. For example, a printable substrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a sheet of substantially opaque frame material having at least two windows formed therein with an area of reduced strength between the at least two windows, and a sheet of substantially transparent material adapted to receive a printed image thereon and secured to the at least one sheet of frame material. The sheet of substantially transparent material is arranged such that the substantially transparent material occupies the entire window area of at least one of the windows.
The present invention provides a number of advantages over the prior art. For example, the present invention allows 35 mm slides to be produced with a typical home or office printer or photocopier. More specifically, the substrate (or sheet) may be fed through a printer or copier and an image transferred to a portion of the substantially transparent material. A portion of the frame material which includes the image and which corresponds to the shape of a 35 mm slide may then be removed from the substrate. Thereafter, light may be transmitted through the slide with, for example, a typical 35 mm slide projector to project the image onto a wall or screen.
" CA 02332865 2000-11-17 T"he above described and many other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the production of slides in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is plan view of a sheet in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a slide prior to completion in accordance with the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a completed slide in accordance with the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a section view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a section view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a sheet in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. $ is a plan view of a sheet in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a sheet in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a slide prior to completion in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of a sheet in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following is a detailed description of the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.
As illustrated for example in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is in the form of a sheet (or substrate) 10 that includes a plurality of slide units 12. There are ten slide units 12 in the exemplary 8.5 inch by 11 inch sheet 10, which is discussed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 2-6. A blank sheet 10 may be placed in the paper tray of a common home or office printer, such as the color ink jet printer 14 with a tray 16 shown in FIG. 1. [Note arrow A.] Of course, other printers and even photocopiers may also be used for printing onto the slide units. The resolution of the printer should be at least 300 x 300 dots per inch (DPI), and is preferably at least 600 x 600 DPI. Once the printing process is completed (note arrow B) and the slide units include images 17, the sheet 10 may be removed from the printer and the individual slide units 12 may be separated from the sheet.
Referring more specifically to FIGS. 2 and 6, the exemplary sheet 10 includes two columns of slide units 12. The sheet is formed from a sheet of substantially opaque frame material 18 and two sheets of clear, substantially transparent material 20 and 22.
A series of areas of reduced strength 24a-f define the outer boundaries of each of the respective slide units 12 and allow the slide units to be separated from the sheet 10, and from one another, after printing. Such areas may be formed in the frame material 18 with micro-perforations, scoring, and other conventional methods. The substantially transparent material 20 and 22 may be die cut before or after lamination to the sheet of frame material 18. A pair of windows 26 and 28 are also formed in each of the slide units 12 by, for example, die cutting. The sheets of substantially transparent material 20 and 22 are secured to the substantially opaque frame material 18 by an adhesive which is preferably either a hot melt adhesive or a pressure sensitive adhesive. One of the substantially transparent sheets completely covers one window of each slide unit in one of the columns, while the other substantially transparent sheet completely covers one window in each of the slide units in the other column.
In the exemplary embodiment, the frame material 18 in each slide unit 12, i.e.
the material within the boundaries formed by areas 24a-f, may be divided into a pair of frame members 30 and 32 by an area of reduced strength 34 located therebetween. This area, which may be formed by, for example, scoring, micro-perforations or other 5 conventional methods, allows the slide unit 12 to be folded in the manner shown in FIG.
3 after the printing process has been completed and the slide unit has been removed from the sheet 10. This forms the completed slide shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
After folding, the frame members 30 and 32 are preferably held together with an adhesive. For example, the user may simply apply an adhesive to frame member prior to folding. Referring to FIG. 10, a preferred embodiment of the invention includes areas of pressure sensitive adhesive 36 and a release layer 38 which may be removed prior to folding. Alternatively, frame members 30 and 32 may each be provided with a cohesive adhesive, i.e. an adhesive that only sticks to itself. The frame members 30 and 32 may also be mechanically fastened to one another.
As noted above, the exemplary sheet 10 shown in FIGS 1-6 is about 8.5 inches wide and about 11 inches long. The maximum thickness is preferably about 12 mils, with the frame material being about 9 mils thick and the transparent material being about 3 mils thick. These dimensions allow sheet 10 to be fed through conventional home, office and personal desktop printers (such as dot matrix printers, laser printers and ink jet printers) and copiers. Of course, the overall dimensions may be modified to suit the needs of particular printers or copiers. The frame members 30 and 32 are each 2 inches by 2 inches. As such, the exemplary sheet 10 can include up to ten of the slide units. Window 26, which is the rear window, is preferably 24 mm by 36 mm, while window 28, which is the front window, is preferably slightly larger. Making the front window 28 slightly larger than the rear window 26 prevents the frame member 32 from covering portions of the front window if the front and rear windows are not perfectly aligned with one another after folding.
With respect to materials, the sheet of substantially opaque material which forms the structural basis for the slide frame is preferably heavy paper or card stock. One suitable type of paper stock is available from Champion Paper Company. This paper stock is about 6.5 to 8 mils thick and has a basis weight of 57 pounds per 1800 square feet. Of course, other card stocks, paper stocks and films of varying thickness may also be used.
The substantially transparent material is preferably a temperature stable film that can withstand the heat of a slide projector and laser printer (about 375°F to 450°F) and that is about 0.5 to 5 mils thick. Suitable materials include polyester terathalate, cellulose acetate and polyester napthalate. Polyester is preferable if the sheet is to be used in conjunction with laser printers because polyester has inherent properties that allow laser printers to print directly thereon. Nevertheless, it is also desirable to add coatings to the polyester that enhance its performance in laser printers enhancing the electrostatic properties of the film. One such coating includes aluminum oxide (A1203), PE 200 resin chips available from Goodyear, methyl ethyl ketone, and toluene.
By weight, this composition is preferably 14.3 parts aluminum oxide, 18.7 parts resin chips, 33.5 parts methyl ethyl ketone, and 33.5 parts toluene. The composition may, however, be varied as desired. The thickness of the coating preferably ranges from about 0.01 to 0.03 mil, but may also be varied as desired.
Although polyester filin is the preferred substrate for use with ink jet printers, an ink receptive layer must be added to the film because polyester has little to no ink absorbing properties. Suitable ink receptive coatings include polyvinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate, starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, gelatin, soybean protein, malefic anhydride resin, acrylic polymer latexes, and polymethyl methacrylates, with polyvinyl alcohol being the prefer ed coating. Approximately 20 to 30 grams per square meter is the preferable coat weight. The choice of coating and coat weight may be varied as desired.
As shown by way of example in FIG. 7, and in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a sheet 40 may be configured such that there are twenty 2 inch by 2 inch slide units 42 in an 8.5 inch by 11 inch sheet. The slide units 42 in this embodiment are not folded after printing. Each of the windows 44 is covered by substantially transparent material and each of the fi-ame members 46 is bounded by areas of reduced strength 48a-d that allow the slide units 42 to be separated from the sheet 40, and fiom one another, after printing. Sheet 40 is preferably a three layer laminate with the substantially transparent material located between two layers of substantially opaque frame material. Here too, the maximum thickness is preferably about 0.012 inch.
Other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, are especially useful in conjunction with a ViewmasterT"'' image viewing toy and other similar devices. Such toys are used in combination with a disk having a plurality of circumferentially spaced slide areas, each with a different image. The viewing toy rotates the disk, thereby allowing the user to sequentially view a series of images. Referring first to FIG. 8, exemplary sheet 50 includes areas of reduced strength 52 and 54 in patterns corresponding to the peripheral shape of a disk used with a Viewmaster~ image viewing toy. Areas 52 and 54 define a pair of frame members and 58 and also allow the frame members to be removed from the sheet. An area of reduced strength 60 is provided to accommodate folding. The frame members 56 and 58 also include windows 61 and 62, respectively. Windows 61 are covered with a sheet of substantially transparent material 63 in the manner described above and windows 62 are preferably slightly larger than windows 61. After folding, frame members 56 and 58 may be secured to one another in the manner described above. As shown by way of example in FIG. 9, exemplary sheet 64 may be used to produce two disks 66 with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slide areas 68. Here, like the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, no folding is required.
Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.
11. The exemplary sheet 70 shown in FIG. 11 includes three slide units 72. The sheet is formed from a sheet of substantially opaque frame material 74 and one sheet of substantially transparent material 76. A series of areas of reduced strength 78a-f, which may be formed from micro-perforations, scoring, and other conventional methods, define the outer boundaries of each of the respective slide units 72 and allow the slide units to be separated from the sheet 70. The substantially transparent material 76 may be die cut before or after lamination to the sheet of frame material 74 at locations 80 and 82. A pair of windows 84 and 86 are also formed in each of the slide units 72 by, for example, die cutting. Pressure sensitive adhesive 88 is provided between the frame material 74 and a release sheet 90. A fold line 94, preferably formed by micro-perforations or scoring, is also provided.
As shown by way of example in FIG. 11, sheet 70 is separated into three sections by cut and tie lines 96. The cut and tie lines include 3 mm holes (cuts) spaced at 1 mm intervals (ties). The primary benefit of the cut and tie lines 96 is that they allow a section to be separated from the remainder of the sheet prior to the image transfer process. Thus, if a user desires to produce a single slide, he or she can remove one of the sections from the sheet 70 and feed that section into a printer.
Although the present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment above, numerous modifications and/or additions to the above-described preferred embodiments would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. by way of example, but not limitation, colored substantially transparent material may be used in place of the clear substantially transparent material. It is intended that the scope of the present invention extends to all such modifications and/or additions and that the scope of the present invention is limited solely by the claims set forth below.
As illustrated for example in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is in the form of a sheet (or substrate) 10 that includes a plurality of slide units 12. There are ten slide units 12 in the exemplary 8.5 inch by 11 inch sheet 10, which is discussed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 2-6. A blank sheet 10 may be placed in the paper tray of a common home or office printer, such as the color ink jet printer 14 with a tray 16 shown in FIG. 1. [Note arrow A.] Of course, other printers and even photocopiers may also be used for printing onto the slide units. The resolution of the printer should be at least 300 x 300 dots per inch (DPI), and is preferably at least 600 x 600 DPI. Once the printing process is completed (note arrow B) and the slide units include images 17, the sheet 10 may be removed from the printer and the individual slide units 12 may be separated from the sheet.
Referring more specifically to FIGS. 2 and 6, the exemplary sheet 10 includes two columns of slide units 12. The sheet is formed from a sheet of substantially opaque frame material 18 and two sheets of clear, substantially transparent material 20 and 22.
A series of areas of reduced strength 24a-f define the outer boundaries of each of the respective slide units 12 and allow the slide units to be separated from the sheet 10, and from one another, after printing. Such areas may be formed in the frame material 18 with micro-perforations, scoring, and other conventional methods. The substantially transparent material 20 and 22 may be die cut before or after lamination to the sheet of frame material 18. A pair of windows 26 and 28 are also formed in each of the slide units 12 by, for example, die cutting. The sheets of substantially transparent material 20 and 22 are secured to the substantially opaque frame material 18 by an adhesive which is preferably either a hot melt adhesive or a pressure sensitive adhesive. One of the substantially transparent sheets completely covers one window of each slide unit in one of the columns, while the other substantially transparent sheet completely covers one window in each of the slide units in the other column.
In the exemplary embodiment, the frame material 18 in each slide unit 12, i.e.
the material within the boundaries formed by areas 24a-f, may be divided into a pair of frame members 30 and 32 by an area of reduced strength 34 located therebetween. This area, which may be formed by, for example, scoring, micro-perforations or other 5 conventional methods, allows the slide unit 12 to be folded in the manner shown in FIG.
3 after the printing process has been completed and the slide unit has been removed from the sheet 10. This forms the completed slide shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
After folding, the frame members 30 and 32 are preferably held together with an adhesive. For example, the user may simply apply an adhesive to frame member prior to folding. Referring to FIG. 10, a preferred embodiment of the invention includes areas of pressure sensitive adhesive 36 and a release layer 38 which may be removed prior to folding. Alternatively, frame members 30 and 32 may each be provided with a cohesive adhesive, i.e. an adhesive that only sticks to itself. The frame members 30 and 32 may also be mechanically fastened to one another.
As noted above, the exemplary sheet 10 shown in FIGS 1-6 is about 8.5 inches wide and about 11 inches long. The maximum thickness is preferably about 12 mils, with the frame material being about 9 mils thick and the transparent material being about 3 mils thick. These dimensions allow sheet 10 to be fed through conventional home, office and personal desktop printers (such as dot matrix printers, laser printers and ink jet printers) and copiers. Of course, the overall dimensions may be modified to suit the needs of particular printers or copiers. The frame members 30 and 32 are each 2 inches by 2 inches. As such, the exemplary sheet 10 can include up to ten of the slide units. Window 26, which is the rear window, is preferably 24 mm by 36 mm, while window 28, which is the front window, is preferably slightly larger. Making the front window 28 slightly larger than the rear window 26 prevents the frame member 32 from covering portions of the front window if the front and rear windows are not perfectly aligned with one another after folding.
With respect to materials, the sheet of substantially opaque material which forms the structural basis for the slide frame is preferably heavy paper or card stock. One suitable type of paper stock is available from Champion Paper Company. This paper stock is about 6.5 to 8 mils thick and has a basis weight of 57 pounds per 1800 square feet. Of course, other card stocks, paper stocks and films of varying thickness may also be used.
The substantially transparent material is preferably a temperature stable film that can withstand the heat of a slide projector and laser printer (about 375°F to 450°F) and that is about 0.5 to 5 mils thick. Suitable materials include polyester terathalate, cellulose acetate and polyester napthalate. Polyester is preferable if the sheet is to be used in conjunction with laser printers because polyester has inherent properties that allow laser printers to print directly thereon. Nevertheless, it is also desirable to add coatings to the polyester that enhance its performance in laser printers enhancing the electrostatic properties of the film. One such coating includes aluminum oxide (A1203), PE 200 resin chips available from Goodyear, methyl ethyl ketone, and toluene.
By weight, this composition is preferably 14.3 parts aluminum oxide, 18.7 parts resin chips, 33.5 parts methyl ethyl ketone, and 33.5 parts toluene. The composition may, however, be varied as desired. The thickness of the coating preferably ranges from about 0.01 to 0.03 mil, but may also be varied as desired.
Although polyester filin is the preferred substrate for use with ink jet printers, an ink receptive layer must be added to the film because polyester has little to no ink absorbing properties. Suitable ink receptive coatings include polyvinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate, starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, gelatin, soybean protein, malefic anhydride resin, acrylic polymer latexes, and polymethyl methacrylates, with polyvinyl alcohol being the prefer ed coating. Approximately 20 to 30 grams per square meter is the preferable coat weight. The choice of coating and coat weight may be varied as desired.
As shown by way of example in FIG. 7, and in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a sheet 40 may be configured such that there are twenty 2 inch by 2 inch slide units 42 in an 8.5 inch by 11 inch sheet. The slide units 42 in this embodiment are not folded after printing. Each of the windows 44 is covered by substantially transparent material and each of the fi-ame members 46 is bounded by areas of reduced strength 48a-d that allow the slide units 42 to be separated from the sheet 40, and fiom one another, after printing. Sheet 40 is preferably a three layer laminate with the substantially transparent material located between two layers of substantially opaque frame material. Here too, the maximum thickness is preferably about 0.012 inch.
Other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, are especially useful in conjunction with a ViewmasterT"'' image viewing toy and other similar devices. Such toys are used in combination with a disk having a plurality of circumferentially spaced slide areas, each with a different image. The viewing toy rotates the disk, thereby allowing the user to sequentially view a series of images. Referring first to FIG. 8, exemplary sheet 50 includes areas of reduced strength 52 and 54 in patterns corresponding to the peripheral shape of a disk used with a Viewmaster~ image viewing toy. Areas 52 and 54 define a pair of frame members and 58 and also allow the frame members to be removed from the sheet. An area of reduced strength 60 is provided to accommodate folding. The frame members 56 and 58 also include windows 61 and 62, respectively. Windows 61 are covered with a sheet of substantially transparent material 63 in the manner described above and windows 62 are preferably slightly larger than windows 61. After folding, frame members 56 and 58 may be secured to one another in the manner described above. As shown by way of example in FIG. 9, exemplary sheet 64 may be used to produce two disks 66 with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slide areas 68. Here, like the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, no folding is required.
Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.
11. The exemplary sheet 70 shown in FIG. 11 includes three slide units 72. The sheet is formed from a sheet of substantially opaque frame material 74 and one sheet of substantially transparent material 76. A series of areas of reduced strength 78a-f, which may be formed from micro-perforations, scoring, and other conventional methods, define the outer boundaries of each of the respective slide units 72 and allow the slide units to be separated from the sheet 70. The substantially transparent material 76 may be die cut before or after lamination to the sheet of frame material 74 at locations 80 and 82. A pair of windows 84 and 86 are also formed in each of the slide units 72 by, for example, die cutting. Pressure sensitive adhesive 88 is provided between the frame material 74 and a release sheet 90. A fold line 94, preferably formed by micro-perforations or scoring, is also provided.
As shown by way of example in FIG. 11, sheet 70 is separated into three sections by cut and tie lines 96. The cut and tie lines include 3 mm holes (cuts) spaced at 1 mm intervals (ties). The primary benefit of the cut and tie lines 96 is that they allow a section to be separated from the remainder of the sheet prior to the image transfer process. Thus, if a user desires to produce a single slide, he or she can remove one of the sections from the sheet 70 and feed that section into a printer.
Although the present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment above, numerous modifications and/or additions to the above-described preferred embodiments would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. by way of example, but not limitation, colored substantially transparent material may be used in place of the clear substantially transparent material. It is intended that the scope of the present invention extends to all such modifications and/or additions and that the scope of the present invention is limited solely by the claims set forth below.
Claims
I claim:
1. A substrate for receiving a printed image, comprising:
a sheet of substantially opaque frame material including a plurality of frame units formed therein such that the frame units are spaced longitudinally along the sheet and a separation line is provided between adjacent frame units, each frame unit including a pair of frame members and a fold line between the frame members, each frame unit having an outer periphery with a top edge and a bottom edge defined by an area of reduced strength which allows the frame unit to be readily removed from the remaining portion of the sheet of substantially opaque material, and the frame material defining a stiffness and thickness that allows the substrate to pass through one of a copier and a printer; and a sheet of substantially transparent material in one of the windows of each frame unit.
2. A substrate for receiving a printed image, comprising:
at least one sheet of substantially opaque frame material, the frame material having at least two windows formed therein and an area of reduced strength between the at least two windows, the at least two windows defining respective window areas; and at least one sheet of substantially transparent material adapted to receive a printed image thereon and secured to the at least one sheet of frame material, the at least one sheet of substantially transparent material being arranged such that the substantially transparent material occupies the entire window area of at least one of the windows.
3. A substrate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least two windows comprise first and second windows, the area of reduced strength in the frame material comprises a fold line, a first portion of the frame material located on one side of the fold line defines a first frame area around the first window, and a second portion of the frame material on the other side of the fold line defines a second frame area around the second window.
4. A substrate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first frame area defines a first outer periphery, the second frame area defines a second outer periphery, and the first and second outer peripheries define substantially the same shape.
5. A substrate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first window is larger than the second window.
6. A substrate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one sheet of substantially transparent material is arranged such that the substantially transparent material occupies the entire window area of one half of the windows.
7. A substrate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second windows and the first and second portions of the frame material define a first slide unit having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of lateral edges, the substrate further comprising:
a second slide unit substantially identical to the first slide unit and located such that one of the lateral edges of the first slide unit is adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the second slide unit.
8. A substrate as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first and second slide units are separated by a separation line.
9. A substrate as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:
a third slide unit substantially identical to the first slide unit and located such that the top edge of the first slide unit is adjacent to the bottom edge of the first slide unit.
10. A substrate as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first and third slide units are separated by a separation line.
11. A substrate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second windows and the first and second portions of the frame material define a first slide unit having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of lateral edges, the substrate further comprising:
a second slide unit substantially identical to the first slide unit and located such that the top edge of the second slide unit is adjacent to the bottom edge of the first slide unit.
12. A substrate as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second slide units are separated by a separation line.
13. A substrate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second windows and the first and second portions of the frame material define a first slide unit having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of lateral edges, the substrate further comprising:
a second slide unit substantially identical to the first slide unit and located such that the top edge of the second slide unit is in spaced relation to the bottom edge of the first slide unit.
14. A substrate as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:
a separation line between the top edge of the second slide unit and the bottom edge of the first slide unit.
15. A substrate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one sheet of frame material comprises first and second sheets of frame material and wherein the at least one sheet of substantially transparent material is located between the first and second sheets of frame material.
16. A substrate as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least two windows comprise first and second windows, the first sheet of frame material defines at least first and second rear window portions, the second sheet of material defines at least first and second front window portions, and the first front and rear window portions form the first window and the second front and rear window portions form the second window.
17. A substrate as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first front and rear window portions of the sheet of frame material define a first slide unit having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of lateral edges, the second front and rear window portions of the sheet of frame material define a second slide unit having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of lateral edges, and the first and second slide units are located such that one of the lateral edges of the first slide unit is adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the second slide unit.
18. A substrate as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:
a third slide unit substantially identical to the first slide unit and located such that the top edge of the first slide unit is adjacent to the bottom edge of the first slide unit.
19. A substrate as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first front and rear window portions of the sheet of frame material define a first slide unit having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of lateral edges, the second front and rear window portions of the sheet of frame material define a second slide unit having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of lateral edges, and the first and second slide units are located such that the top edge of the first slide unit is adjacent to the bottom edge of the first slide unit.
20. A substrate as claimed in claim 15, wherein the area of reduced strength comprises a separation line.
21. A substrate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame material comprises card stock.
22. A substrate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the area of reduced strength comprises a plurality of perforations.
23. A substrate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the area of reduced strength comprises a die cut.
25. A substrate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one sheet of substantially opaque frame material comprises an outer periphery defining a length substantially equal to 11 inches and a width substantially equal to 8.5 inches.
26. A substrate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one sheet of substantially transparent material comprises a film.
27. A method of producing a slide, comprising:
providing a substrate including at least one removable frame defining a window, the frame including substantially transparent material within the window;
feeding the substrate into one of a copier or printer transferring an image to the substantially transparent material; and removing the frame from the substrate.
28. A method of displaying an image, comprising:
providing a substrate including at least one removable frame defining a window, the frame including substantially transparent material within the window;
feeding the substrate into one of a copier or printer;
transferring an image to the substantially transparent material;
removing the frame from the substrate; and transmitting light through the window.
29. A method of producing a slide, comprising the steps of:
providing a slide; and transferring indicia to the slide with one of a copier and a printer.
30. A substrate for receiving a printed image, comprising:
at least one sheet of frame material, the frame material having a plurality of windows formed therein and a substantially circular area of reduced strength formed around the windows; and at least one sheet of substantially transparent material adapted to receive a printed image thereon and secured to the at least one sheet of frame material, the at least one sheet of substantially transparent material being arranged such that the substantially transparent material occupies the entire window area of at least one of the windows.
31. A substrate as claimed in claim 30, wherein the plurality of windows are circumferentially spaced.
32. A substrate as claimed in claim 30, wherein the substantially circular area of reduced strength defines a center and includes a plurality of curved regions and a plurality of regions extending towards the center.
33. A substrate as claimed in claim 30, wherein the frame material comprises substantially opaque frame material.
1. A substrate for receiving a printed image, comprising:
a sheet of substantially opaque frame material including a plurality of frame units formed therein such that the frame units are spaced longitudinally along the sheet and a separation line is provided between adjacent frame units, each frame unit including a pair of frame members and a fold line between the frame members, each frame unit having an outer periphery with a top edge and a bottom edge defined by an area of reduced strength which allows the frame unit to be readily removed from the remaining portion of the sheet of substantially opaque material, and the frame material defining a stiffness and thickness that allows the substrate to pass through one of a copier and a printer; and a sheet of substantially transparent material in one of the windows of each frame unit.
2. A substrate for receiving a printed image, comprising:
at least one sheet of substantially opaque frame material, the frame material having at least two windows formed therein and an area of reduced strength between the at least two windows, the at least two windows defining respective window areas; and at least one sheet of substantially transparent material adapted to receive a printed image thereon and secured to the at least one sheet of frame material, the at least one sheet of substantially transparent material being arranged such that the substantially transparent material occupies the entire window area of at least one of the windows.
3. A substrate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least two windows comprise first and second windows, the area of reduced strength in the frame material comprises a fold line, a first portion of the frame material located on one side of the fold line defines a first frame area around the first window, and a second portion of the frame material on the other side of the fold line defines a second frame area around the second window.
4. A substrate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first frame area defines a first outer periphery, the second frame area defines a second outer periphery, and the first and second outer peripheries define substantially the same shape.
5. A substrate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first window is larger than the second window.
6. A substrate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one sheet of substantially transparent material is arranged such that the substantially transparent material occupies the entire window area of one half of the windows.
7. A substrate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second windows and the first and second portions of the frame material define a first slide unit having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of lateral edges, the substrate further comprising:
a second slide unit substantially identical to the first slide unit and located such that one of the lateral edges of the first slide unit is adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the second slide unit.
8. A substrate as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first and second slide units are separated by a separation line.
9. A substrate as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:
a third slide unit substantially identical to the first slide unit and located such that the top edge of the first slide unit is adjacent to the bottom edge of the first slide unit.
10. A substrate as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first and third slide units are separated by a separation line.
11. A substrate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second windows and the first and second portions of the frame material define a first slide unit having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of lateral edges, the substrate further comprising:
a second slide unit substantially identical to the first slide unit and located such that the top edge of the second slide unit is adjacent to the bottom edge of the first slide unit.
12. A substrate as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second slide units are separated by a separation line.
13. A substrate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second windows and the first and second portions of the frame material define a first slide unit having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of lateral edges, the substrate further comprising:
a second slide unit substantially identical to the first slide unit and located such that the top edge of the second slide unit is in spaced relation to the bottom edge of the first slide unit.
14. A substrate as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:
a separation line between the top edge of the second slide unit and the bottom edge of the first slide unit.
15. A substrate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one sheet of frame material comprises first and second sheets of frame material and wherein the at least one sheet of substantially transparent material is located between the first and second sheets of frame material.
16. A substrate as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least two windows comprise first and second windows, the first sheet of frame material defines at least first and second rear window portions, the second sheet of material defines at least first and second front window portions, and the first front and rear window portions form the first window and the second front and rear window portions form the second window.
17. A substrate as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first front and rear window portions of the sheet of frame material define a first slide unit having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of lateral edges, the second front and rear window portions of the sheet of frame material define a second slide unit having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of lateral edges, and the first and second slide units are located such that one of the lateral edges of the first slide unit is adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the second slide unit.
18. A substrate as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:
a third slide unit substantially identical to the first slide unit and located such that the top edge of the first slide unit is adjacent to the bottom edge of the first slide unit.
19. A substrate as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first front and rear window portions of the sheet of frame material define a first slide unit having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of lateral edges, the second front and rear window portions of the sheet of frame material define a second slide unit having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of lateral edges, and the first and second slide units are located such that the top edge of the first slide unit is adjacent to the bottom edge of the first slide unit.
20. A substrate as claimed in claim 15, wherein the area of reduced strength comprises a separation line.
21. A substrate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame material comprises card stock.
22. A substrate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the area of reduced strength comprises a plurality of perforations.
23. A substrate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the area of reduced strength comprises a die cut.
25. A substrate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one sheet of substantially opaque frame material comprises an outer periphery defining a length substantially equal to 11 inches and a width substantially equal to 8.5 inches.
26. A substrate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one sheet of substantially transparent material comprises a film.
27. A method of producing a slide, comprising:
providing a substrate including at least one removable frame defining a window, the frame including substantially transparent material within the window;
feeding the substrate into one of a copier or printer transferring an image to the substantially transparent material; and removing the frame from the substrate.
28. A method of displaying an image, comprising:
providing a substrate including at least one removable frame defining a window, the frame including substantially transparent material within the window;
feeding the substrate into one of a copier or printer;
transferring an image to the substantially transparent material;
removing the frame from the substrate; and transmitting light through the window.
29. A method of producing a slide, comprising the steps of:
providing a slide; and transferring indicia to the slide with one of a copier and a printer.
30. A substrate for receiving a printed image, comprising:
at least one sheet of frame material, the frame material having a plurality of windows formed therein and a substantially circular area of reduced strength formed around the windows; and at least one sheet of substantially transparent material adapted to receive a printed image thereon and secured to the at least one sheet of frame material, the at least one sheet of substantially transparent material being arranged such that the substantially transparent material occupies the entire window area of at least one of the windows.
31. A substrate as claimed in claim 30, wherein the plurality of windows are circumferentially spaced.
32. A substrate as claimed in claim 30, wherein the substantially circular area of reduced strength defines a center and includes a plurality of curved regions and a plurality of regions extending towards the center.
33. A substrate as claimed in claim 30, wherein the frame material comprises substantially opaque frame material.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US8139098A | 1998-05-18 | 1998-05-18 | |
| US09/081,390 | 1998-05-18 | ||
| PCT/US1999/011071 WO1999059809A1 (en) | 1998-05-18 | 1999-05-18 | Sheet stock for producing slides with a laser printer, ink jet printer or the like |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2332865A1 true CA2332865A1 (en) | 1999-11-25 |
Family
ID=22163841
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002332865A Abandoned CA2332865A1 (en) | 1998-05-18 | 1999-05-18 | Sheet stock for producing slides with a laser printer, ink jet printer or the like |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU4192299A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2332865A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1999059809A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5010366A (en) * | 1989-06-15 | 1991-04-23 | Eastman Kodak Company | Slide transparency projector apparatus for use with an electrophotographic reproduction machine |
| US5322732A (en) * | 1991-06-28 | 1994-06-21 | Eastman Kodak Company | Image transparencies |
| US5234886A (en) * | 1991-06-28 | 1993-08-10 | Eastman Kodak Company | Thermal dye transfer receiver slide element |
-
1999
- 1999-05-18 WO PCT/US1999/011071 patent/WO1999059809A1/en active Application Filing
- 1999-05-18 CA CA002332865A patent/CA2332865A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-05-18 AU AU41922/99A patent/AU4192299A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU4192299A (en) | 1999-12-06 |
| WO1999059809A9 (en) | 2000-02-24 |
| WO1999059809A1 (en) | 1999-11-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |