GB2484985A

GB2484985A - Photograph album and method for mounting photographs

Info

Publication number: GB2484985A
Application number: GB1018352.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hayley Adams; Karl Goshawk
Original assignee: MADE IN BLIGHTY Ltd
Current assignee: MADE IN BLIGHTY Ltd
Priority date: 2010-10-29
Filing date: 2010-10-29
Publication date: 2012-05-02
Also published as: GB201018352D0

Abstract

A photograph album 1 includes at least one leaf 3 and mounting means for mounting a photograph on the leaf 3. The mounting means includes at least one portion of a repositionable type adhesive (15, fig.2) for attaching the photograph to the leaf 3 and a protective cover (19, fig.2) that is arranged to overlie the portion of repositionable adhesive (15, fig.2). The protective cover (19, fig.2) is removable from the portion of repositionable adhesive (15, fig.2) to expose the adhesive to receive the photograph. The protective cover (19, fig.2) may be provided with a tab 19a to assist a user to remove the protective cover (19, fig.2). A method of mounting photographs in a photograph album and a photograph album kit are both also disclosed.

Description

Photograph Album & Method for Mounting Photographs The present invention relates to a photograph album and a method for mounting photographs.

There are many different types of known photograph albums. For example, one type includes an arrangement of transparent plastics pouches that are each arranged to receive a photograph. Typically, the pouches are sized to receive a particular size of photograph, for example a 6"x 4" (approximately 15mm x 10mm) or 7"x 5" (approximately 18mm x 13mm) photograph. This arrangement significantly limits the flexibility of the mountings that can be achieved. If an undersized photograph is placed into a pouch, it slides to the bottom of the pouch and can look unsightly. Also, the plastics pouches can give the sense that the product is a low value product. It is therefore not often used by professional photographers.

Another type of photographic album is provided with a series of mounting corners, with each corner having an adhesive pad attached thereto. The user is able to attach the corners to a page in the album in the desired place and subsequently mount the photograph on to the page via the corners. A significant drawback with this approach is that the corners are awkward to handle and it can take a significant amount of time to position them in the correct locations and orientaitons. While the flexibility provided by this mounting system is attractive for professional photographers, the increased mounting time is highly °, 20 undesirable.

* .* S..

* Other more simple albums are provided with sheets of paper only and it is necessary for * *.: the user to apply an adhesive to the rear of the photograph and mount the photograph on the page in the desired position. This is a time consuming process and it can often be difficult to obtain a ôorrect orientation on the first attempt. If the correct orientation is not : ... 25 achieved on the first attempt, repositioning the photograph can leave adhesive marks * . around the edges of the photograph, which is unsightly. These adhesive marks can be very difficult to remove without damaging the mounting paper.

Yet another photograph album includes paper pages on which the photographs can be mounted. Plastics transparent sheets of material are provided between the paper pages and are used to overlay the photographs and hold the photographs in place. A drawback to this arrangement is that the photographs are not always firmly held in position.

Yet another photograph album comprises a series of photograph frames that are arranged to receive and hold the photographs mounted therein. This is a more upmarket version of the plastic pouches described above. A drawback to this type of album is that the frames are relatively thick and therefore the album can hold fewer photographs.

It will be appreciated from the above discussion that there is a desire for a convenient way of mounting photographs that provides the user with a flexible mounting arrangement, that looks attractive and that gives a relatively quick way of mounting photographs. It is also desirable to provide a photograph album that is easy to manufacture.

Accordingly the present invention seeks to mitigate at least one of the aforementioned problems.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a photograph album, including at least one leaf and mounting means for mounting a photograph on the leaf, said mounting means including at least one portion of a repositionable type adhesive for attaching the photograph to the leaf and a protective cover that is arranged to overlie the portion of adhesive, said protective cover being removable from the portion of adhesive to expose the adhesive to receive the photograph.

* The invention it provides an easy way to attach a photograph to a leaf of the photograph : 20 album that has an attractive professional looking arrangement. Since the adhesive is a repositionable type adhesive, the user is able to easily reposition the photograph until the ** .* * : desired position and orientation are achieved without risk of smearing adhesive onto the * leaf The cover extends fully across the portion of adhesive and therefore protects the * adhesive until the cover is peeled away by the user. The protective cover prevents the * * 25 adhesive from sticking to an adjacent leaf and from dirt accumulating thereon.

Each leaf comprises a flexible sheet. For example, the flexible sheet can comprise a sheet of paper, card or plastics material. The album can include a plurality of leaves bound together in the form of a book and/or a plurality of leaves in loose leaf arrangement, for example stored in an openable binder arrangement, wherein the leaves can be inserted into, and removed therefrom, by a user. At least some, and preferably all, of the leaves in the photograph album include mounting means according to any configuration described herein.

Advantageously the repositionable adhesive can include an acrylic adhesive, and preferably an aqueous acrylic adhesive.

Advantageously the mounting means can include at least one additional portion of repositionable adhesive on the leaf. This enables a plurality of photographs to be mounted thereon.

Advantageously the portions of repositionable adhesive can be arranged substantially in an array. This enables a plurality of photograph sizes to be mounted onto the leaf Advantageously the repositionable adhesive can include an embossed and I or recessed pattern formed therein. This helps to prevent air becoming trapped when a photograph is mounted onto the adhesive. Advantageously the protective cover can be textured such that it imparts the embossed and / or recessed pattern into the repositionable adhesive layer.

The protective cover can comprise a release liner that includes sheet plastics material such as a polyethylene film. Advantageously the polyethylene film can have a silicon coating on one side to provide good release characteristics.

* *,. Advantageously the protective cover can include an extended portion that extends beyond S...

* the portion of repositionable adhesive. For example, the extended portion can comprise a * 20 tab that enables a user to grip when releasing the cover from the rcpositionable adhesive. tee..

* Advantageously each portion of adhesive can include an individual protective cover that is *t S...

* peelable from its associated portion of repositionable adhesive. This provides a very *.... flexible mounting arrangement since only those portions of adhesive that are required by the user are exposed.

The size and shape of the protective covering can be substantially matched to the size and shape of the portion of adhesive. That is, the protective covering has an area that is similar in size and shape to the area of the portion of adhesive that it protects. In some embodiments it may be desirable to have covers that extend beyond the portions of adhesive.

Advantageously the or each protective cover can be separable from the photograph album.

Preferably the or each cover is only attached to its respective leaf via its associated portion of repositionable adhesive. This enables the cover(s) to be disposed of or reused elsewhere, for example on a different leaf within the album.

Advantageously the size of the or each portion of repositionable adhesive can be arranged to substantially match a standard photograph size. This ensures that the photograph is held firmly in place, that the edges do not curl, that photograph does not bow when mounted, and that the adhesive does not substantially extend beyond the photograph, which would otherwise stick to an adjacent leaf. For example, the portion of repositionable adhesive can be matched to one of the following standard photograph sizes: 6"x4" and 7"x5". Typically the size of the adhesive is slightly less than the size of the photograph, for example for a 6"x4" photograph a 5.5"x3.7" portion of adhesive can be provided, and for a 7"xS" photograph a 6.5"x4.6" portion of adhesive can be provided. This ensures that the photograph always partly overhangs the adhesive such that the adhesive does not stick to an adjacent leaf.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that other sizes can be used.

* Typically the or each portion of repositionable adhesive is substantially rectangular in plan. nfl

* * . 20 Advantageously the mounting means can include first and second portions of repositionable adhesive positioned on the leaf substantially in an array. The portions of **** ** * : repositionable adhesive can be arranged in a I by 2 or a 2 by 1 array. For example, the leaf * can have two rectangular portions of repositionable adhesive attached thereto that are sized around 6"x4". With this arrangement, the repositionable adhesive can accommodate two * ...: 25 6"x4" photographs or one 8"x6" photograph that overlies both the first and second portions of repositionable adhesive. When the leaf has two rectangular portions of repositionabic adhesive attached thereto that are sized around 7"xS", the arrangement can accommodate two 7"x5" photographs or one 1 0"x7" photograph that overlies both the first and second portions of double sided substrate.

Advantageously the mounting means can include third and fourth portions of repositionable adhesive positioned on the leaf such that the first, second, third and fourth portions are arranged substantially in an array. Preferably the portions of double sided substrate are arranged in a 2 by 2 array. In this arrangement, four portions of double sided substrate each sized around 6"x4" can accommodate four 6"x4" photographs, two 8"x6" photographs, two 1 2"x4" photographs and one 1 2"x8" photograph. Four portions of double sided substrate each sized around 7"x5" can accommodate four 7"x5" photographs, two l0"x7" photographs, two 14"x5" photographs and one 14"xlO" photograph. This provides a very flexible mounting arrangement for the user. Typically each portion of double sided adhesive substrate is separated by a short distance, typically less than 3 0mm.

Advantageously the mounting means can include at least one portion of double sided adhesive substrate, said substrate having a layer of a first adhesive on a first side of the substrate for attaching the substrate to the leaf, and a layer of a second adhesive on a second side of the substrate for attaching the photograph to the substrate, wherein the first adhesive has a higher tack than the second adhesive, and the second adhesive is the repositionable type adhesive. When a user removes a photograph from the leaf the double sided substrate remains bonded to the leaf and the photograph separates from the second adhesive without substantially damaging the substrate, photograph or leaf. Using double sided adhesive substrate provides a simple and easy way of manufacturing a photograph album having portions of repositionable adhesive.

*. Advantageously the first adhesive is a permanent adhesive that provides a substantially * : * permanent bond between the leaf and double sided substrate. Advantageously the first adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive, and can include an acrylic adhesive, and **** .* * preferably a solvent acrylic adhesive.

*ee* S * * * 25 Advantageously the first adhesive can include an embossed and / or recessed pattern * formed therein, to prevent air from becoming trapped. * S

Advantageously the first adhesive is arranged to have a peel strength that is at least three times greater than the repositionable adhesive, and preferably at least four times greater than the repositionable adhesive. Advantageously the repositionable adhesive has a peel strength of less than 8Nf25mm2, preferably less than 6N/25mm2, and more preferably still around 5N/25mm2.

The substrate can comprise a plastics sheet material, such as a polyvinyl sheet.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for mounting a S photograph in a photograph album, including providing a photograph album having at least one leaf, providing mounting means for attaching the photograph to the leaf, said mounting means including at least one portion of a repositionable type adhesive for attaching the photograph to the leaf and a protective cover that is arranged to overlie the portion of adhesive, removing the protective cover from the portion of repositionable adhesive to expose the adhesive to receive the photograph, and attaching the photographs to the repositionable adhesive.

Advantageously the photograph album can be arranged substantially in accordance with any configuration described herein.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a photograph album kit, including a photograph album having at least one leaf, and mounting means for mounting a photograph on the leaf, said mounting means including a portion of double sided adhesive substrate, said substrate having a layer of a first adhesive on a first side of the substrate for attaching the substrate to the leaf, a layer of a second adhesive on a second side of the substrate for attaching the photograph to the substrate, a first protective cover for the first adhesive and a second protective covei for the second adhesive, wherein the first adhesive * * has a higher tack than the second adhesive, and the second adhesive is a repositionable type adhesive. *

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with r reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: :° 25 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1, showing a protective liner partially removed; Figure 3 is a cross section of a double-sided adhesive film mounted on a leaf from the photograph album; Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of removable adhesive; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Figures 1 to 4 show a photograph album 1 having several leaves (pages) 3 and two portions of double-sided adhesive sheet material 5 (hereinafter referred to as adhesive sheet 5) on each side of each leaf 3. The leaves 3 are bound together such that the photograph album 1 is in the form of a book. However, the photograph album I may comprise a loose leaf arrangement together with an openable binder.

The portions of adhesive sheet 5 are mounted on the rear 7 of the leaf (sometimes referred to as the "verso") and the front 9 of the leaf (sometimes referred to as the "recto").

Each portion of adhesive sheet 5 is substantially rectangular in plan and is sized to match a standard photograph size. For example, the portions of adhesive sheet 5 can be sized to match a 6" x 4" or a 7"x 5" photograph. Typically, the area of adhesive is slightly smaller than the area of the photograph such that the edges of the photograph extend a beyond the edges of the adhesive by a short distance. This prevents the adhesive from being exposed when the photograph is mounted thereon. Accordingly when a photograph is mounted on the adhesive, substantially the full area of the rear side of the photograph overlies the portion of adhesive sheet 5.

S. S S Each portion of adhesive sheet 5 comprises a flexible sheet material 11, such as a 50 p.m * S5I S* * * 20 gloss PVC film, a 25 p.m layer of a first adhesive 13 spread across a first side 11 a of the * ....: sheet material, and a 25 p.m layer of a second adhesive 15 spread across a second side 1 lb of the sheet material 11. The first adhesive 13 comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive such as a solvent acrylic adhesive and is arranged to provide a permanent bond with the leaf 3.

The first adhesive 13 has a peel strength (20 mm, FTM1) of around 22 N/25mm2. The 25 second adhesive 15 is a removable adhesive (also known as repositionable adhesive), such as an aqueous acrylic adhesive. The second adhesive 15 has a peel strength (20 mm, FTM I) of around 5N/25mm2, Each portion of adhesive sheet 5 includes a textured filmic release liner 19 that covers the second adhesive 15. The liner 19 protects the second adhesive 15 until it is ready for use.

The liner 19 includes an embossed pattern 21 which is imparted to the second adhesive 15.

Thus the pattern 21 provides the second adhesive 15 with a textured upper surface 23 having recessed parts 25 and embossed parts 27. The textured upper surface 23 enables air to escape from between the second adhesive 15 and the photograph when the photograph is being mounted thereon. This helps to prevent air bubbles from forming between the adhesive sheetS and the photograph.

The liner 19 also includes a tab I 9a to assist the user to remove the liner 19.

Each portion of adhesive sheet 5 is mounted on the leaf 3 such that the first adhesive 13 bonds to the leaf 3. The photograph is mounted on the second adhesive 15, which holds the photograph finnly in place. Since the size of the adhesive sheet 5 is matched to the size of the photograph, the photograph does not peel at the corners and the edges do not bow.

Since the second adhesive 15 is a repositionable adhesive the photograph can be easily peeled away from the second adhesive 15 and repositioned. This provides the user with good flexibility for mounting the photograph to the leaf 3. It also allows the album to be reused, for example by removing all of the current photographs and replacing them with a new set of photographs. This is particularly useful for professional photographers.

The portions of adhesive sheet 5 are arranged on each side 7,9 of each leaf in a 2 row by 1 * : :: 20 column array. That is, with their side edges 29 substantially aligned and their longitudinal * edges 31 substantially parallel, as shown in Figure 1. The portions of adhesive sheet 5 are spaced by a distance A. A is small, typically less than 30mm.

* ***** * S The effect of the layout is that a standard size photograph 33, the size of which has been matched to the size of the portion of adhesive sheet 5 (shown diagrammatically as dotted : 25 lines in Figure 1) can be mounted on each portion of adhesive sheet 5 when the liner 19 has *5S*I.

* * been removed therefrom. The layout also enables a larger size photograph 35 to be mounted over two portions of adhesive sheet 5 (shown diagrammatically as dotted lines in Figure 1). For example, having two portions of 6" x 4" adhesive sheet 5 enables two 6" x 4" photographs 31 to be mounted on the leaf 3 or one 8" x 6" photograph to be mounted across the two portions of the adhesive sheet 5. Since the distance A is small, the large -9..

photograph 35 is held firmly in place with little or no bowing. Thus the user has significant flexibility in the size of photographs that can be mounted within the album using the afore-described arrangement.

Similarly, two 7" x 5" portions of adhesive sheet 5 can accommodate two 7" x 5" photographs or one 10" x 7" photograph.

Figure 5 shows a second photograph album 105 that is similar to the first embodiment, except that it includes four portions of adhesive sheet 5 on each side 107,109 of each leaf 103. The portions of adhesive sheet 105 are arranged in a 2 row by 2 column array (see Figure 5). The distances A,B between the portions of adhesive sheet 105 are small, and are typically less than 30mm. The arrangement* can provide greater flexibility and can accommodate even larger photographs 135. For example, four 6" x 4" portions of adhesive sheet 105 can accommodate four 6" x 4" photographs, two 8" x 6" photographs, two 12" x 4" photographs and one 12" x 8" photograph. Four 7" x 5" portions of adhesive sheet 105 can accommodate four 7" x 4", two 10" x 7" photographs, two 14" x 5" photographs and one 14" x 10" photograph.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that variants to the above embodiments can be made that still fall within the scope of the invention. For example, different forms of adhesive sheet can be used. The adhesive sheet may include different types of adhesive andlor a different sheet material. With regard to the adhesives, it is important that the adhesive that grips the leaf has a higher peel strength than the adhesive that grips the S..

* photograph. Typically the peel strength of the leaf adhesive is at least three times greater than the peel strength of the photograph adhesive and preferably at least four times the peel S.. S *S * strength.

** S. e. * S

Preferably the album is sold ready manufactured. However, the album can be sold in kit :... 25 form wherein the adhesive sheet has not been attached to the leaves of the photograph *: album. This provides the user with flexibility to attach the adhesive sheet to the leaves as required. In this arrangement, the adhesive sheet includes another liner which overlies the first adhesive. Typically this liner is a silicon paper liner that can be easily removed before the adhesive sheet is mounted onto a leaf Typically the first adhesive has a peel strength of less than less than N/25mm2.

The portions of sheet material 5 can be arranged differently on the leaves, for example in different arrays, such as a one row by two column, three row by one column, three row by two column, three row by three column, etc. Many arrangements are possible. The portions of sheet material 5 do not have to be arranged in an array, they can be arranged in any desired display configuration, however an array is preferred since it enables larger photographs to be mounted when overlaying a plurality of portions of sheet material.

The removable adhesive can be applied to the leaves in a different manner than using double-sided adhesive substrate, for example by applying a layer of repositionable adhesive directly onto the leaves in the required positions. 0s** * * *

* 0***. * * *

****** * * * St eq * * ** * S * S.. -

S S*..

Claims

Claims 1. A photograph album, including at least one leaf and mounting means for mounting a photograph on the leaf, said mounting means including at least one portion of a repositionable type adhesive for attaching the photograph to the leaf and a protective cover that is arranged to overlie the portion of adhesive, said protective cover being removable from the portion of adhesive to expose the adhesive to receive the photograph.
2. A photograph album according to claim I, wherein the repositionable adhesive includes an acrylic adhesive, and preferably an aqueous acrylic adhesive.
3. A photograph album according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting means includes at least one additional portion of repositionable adhesive.
4. A photograph album according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the repositionable adhesive includes an embossed and / or recessed pattern formed therein.
5. A photograph album according to claim 4, wherein the protective cover is textured and imparts the embossed and / or recessed pattern into the repositionable adhesive layer.
6. A photograph album according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the S...* protective cover comprises a release liner that includes a plastics sheet material, *.*.* * and perfeably a polyethylene film.ISSSI SI* I
7. A photograph album according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the
S.....* protective cover includes an extended portion that extends beyond the portion of iS repositionable adhesive.

S

*5*5*5 * 5 8. A photograph album according to any one of the preceding clams, wherein each portion of adhesive includes an individual protective cover that is peelable from its associated portion of adhesive.
9. A photograph album according to claim 8, wherein the size of the protective covering is substantially matched to the size of the portion of adhesive.
10. A photograph album according to any one of the preceding clams, wherein the or each protective cover is separable from the photograph album.
ii. A photograph album according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the size of the or each portion of repositionable adhesive is arranged to substantially match a standard photograph size.
12. A photograph album according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each portion of repositionable adhesive is substantially rectangular in plan.
13. A photograph album according to any one of the preceding claims, including first and second portions of repositionable adhesive positioned on the leaf substantially in an array.
14. A photograph album according to claim 13, including third and fourth portions of repositionable adhesive positioned on the leaf such that the first, second, third and fourth portions are arranged substantially in an array.
15. A photograph album according to any one of the preceding claims, including at least one portion of double sided adhesive substrate, said substrate having a layer of a first adhesive on a first side of the substrate for attaching the substrate to the leaf, * ** * and a layer of a second adhesive on a second side of the substrate for attaching the S.....* photograph to the substrate, wherein the first adhesive has a higher tack than the * * second adhesive, and the second adhesive is the repositionable type adhesive.S*S SSSS *
16. A photograph album according to claim 15, wherein the first adhesive is a permanent adhesive that provides a substantially permanent bond between the leaf * .. and double sided substrate.
17. A photograph album according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the first adhesive includes an acrylic adhesive, and preferably a solvent acrylic adhesive.
18. A photograph album according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the first adhesive has a peel strength that is at least three times greater than the repositionable adhesive, and preferably at least four times greater than the repositionable adhesive.
19. A photograph album according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the substrate comprises a plastics sheet material, such as a polyvinyl sheet.
20. A method for mounting a photograph in a photograph album, including providing a photograph album including at least one leaf, providing mounting means for attaching the photograph to the leaf, said mounting means including at least one portion of a repositionablc type adhesive for attaching the photograph to the leaf and a protective cover that is arranged to overlie the portion of adhesive, removing the protective cover from the portion of repositionable adhesive to expose the adhesive to receive the photograph, and attaching the photographs to the repositionable adhesive,
21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the photograph album is arranged substantially in accordance with any one of claims 2 to 19.
22. A photograph album kit, including at least one leaf and mounting means for mounting at least one photograph on the leaf, said mounting means including a portion of double sided adhesive substrate, said substrate having a layer of a first * °* adhesive on a first side of the substrate for attaching the substrate to the leaf, a layer S.....of a second adhesive on a second side of the substrate for attaching the photograph * :.. to the substrate, a first protective cover for the first adhesive and a second protective cover for the second adhesive, wherein the first adhesive has a higher tack than the second adhesive, and the second adhesive is a repositionable type adhesive.* S555 * S
23. A photograph album substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.