WO1992009937A1

WO1992009937A1 - Methods of and apparatus for reproducing photographs as greetings cards and the like

Info

Publication number: WO1992009937A1
Application number: PCT/GB1991/002123
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Lawrence Cooper
Original assignee: John Lawrence Cooper
Priority date: 1990-11-28
Filing date: 1991-11-28
Publication date: 1992-06-11
Also published as: GB9025898D0; GB9215839D0; GB2257394A

Abstract

A greetings card, calender or other like article is made by re-photographing or photocopying a plurality of photographs, drawings, paintings or the like, together with additional decorative or informative material, with the reproduction being fixed to a card. The photographs or other original work are arranged in a desired location on a support (44), holding means (47) are actuated to retain the articles arrayed in place on the support, and the array is then exposed photographically or on a photocopier to produce the reproduction. By using a jig (40) which comprises a compressible support (44) with a transparent cover plate (46) one can use a colour photocopier to produce reproductions which can be affixed directly onto a card.

Description

METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING PHOTOGRAPHS AS GREETINGS CARDS AND THE LIKE

This invention relates generally to methods of and apparatus for reproducing photographs, drawings, paintings and the like in the form of greetings cards, calendars or other sheet-like articles. The invention also extends to greetings cards, calendars or other sheet-like articles incorporating a reproduction of one or more photographs, drawings, paintings or the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a means for producing customised greetings cards, calendars and the like by using one or more original photographs or the like which can be arrayed according to personal choice, with or without additional material .

It is one object of the invention to provide a method of and apparatus for making such articles using photographic reproduction techniques to the order of a customer.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method of and apparatus for making such articles on a "do it yourself" basis using a colour photocopier.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a method of making a greetings card, calendar or other sheet-like article incorporating a reproduction of one or more photographs, drawings, paintings or the like, which comprises the steps of arranging one or more photographs or the like in a desired location on a support, actuating holding means to retain the photograph or photographs arrayed in place on the support and exposing the array to produce a reproduction thereof.

The array can either be photographed or exposed xerographically using a photocopier, particularly a colour photocopier.

In order to carry out the method, especially using xerographic exposure, a jig is used which ^•*^•■ comprises a compressible support on which the photographs or like material is laid, a transparent cover plate which can be positioned on the support, and means to hold the support and cover plate in compression. --- Preferably, the cover plate is not more than of the order of 1 mm in thickness, in order to avoid potential problems of distortion of the image such as might occur with a plate of greater thickness.

With the method and apparatus of the present -^■-- invention one can produce a multi-picture card incorporating up to for example 50 different photographs as a composite, with or without additional material such as titles and messages and means to produce special effects. 0 In order that the invention may be fully understood, two preferred embodiments in accordance with the invention will now be described in detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 5 Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of apparatus for producing customised greetings cards;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the air bed of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows the use of one type of special 0 effect;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the air bed showing the use of a precut stencil;

Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the air bed of the apparatus of Fig. 1; 5 Fig. 6 is a side view, partly in section, of a jig for producing greetings cards in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the jig of Fig. 6; and, *-> Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of the jig of Figs. 6 and 7 in use on a photocopier.

Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown a suction table 10 above which is supported a camera 12 on a stand 14. The table 10 is illuminated by a lamp

-^• - or lamps 16 and an adjustable programme selector unit

18 is provided to ensure synchronisation and to permit a choice of settings. The camera is preferably a dedicated 50 mm auto focus camera, so that pre¬ programmed focal lengths are obtained to enable a

^•■-^••> variable field of view to be captured on film.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, there is provided a tray 20 which is mounted above a fan 22, below which is a motor 24 and ducting 28. The base of the tray is perforated as indicated by the holes 30 and is covered

20 by thin fabric which is air permeable. The apparatus is intended to provide a multi-picture card, which can incorporate up to for example 50 different photographs as a composite. The photographs which are to be used are placed face upwards on the air bed formed by the

--⁵ tray 20. The suction generated by the motor and fan causes the photographs to be held lightly on the base, while allowing them to be positioned or repositioned. The photographs can be arranged in any desired manner on the tray. Preferably, the photographs are arranged

³⁰ with clusters of overlapping photographs and/or with individually framed photographs. The tray 20, which forms part of a locating and masking jig, permits the photographs to be viewed as they will appear in the finished greetings card. The jig also allows the

³⁵ insertion of names and dates, in different languages if appropriate, as desired.

The original photographs can be of any size and colour and may be arranged in a random or pre¬ designed array. Paper or cloth of different colours ⁵ or patterns may be laid on the air bed prior to the photographs being positioned in the selected layout. Different colour and texture mountings may be overlaid on the photographs. These mountings may be cut from coloured fabric boards for example. Unwanted parts of --- the photographs may be masked by sliding them partially under other photographs or under or behind the inlaid mountings. In addition, overlay frames of different designs, colours and styles may be placed over the photographs. Titles and messages may be inlaid in set 5 or random positions within the overall design. The wording can be chosen by the person creating the layou .

Special effects in the finished article can be obtained by a number of means. For example, one 0 can use wire meshes of black, silver or gold material to cause shadow and optical effects. One can use meshes made of linen, silk, polyester, etc., to cause "fogging" and "misty" effects. Cut glass beads which may be clear or coloured, may be placed between the 5 photographs to give "star flash" effects on the finished re-photograph. As shown in Fig. 3, which is an enlarged view of the zone indicated by the reference numeral III in Fig. 2, a variable shaped outline of coloured pins 32 can be arranged at one or more zones 0 of the tray to give shape to an area of photographs, for example a fan or star effect.

As shown in Fig. 4, a flat sheet 34 of matt plastics material is laid over the photographs. Latches 36 are provided around the tray to hold the 5 sheet in place. The plastics sheet 34 can be pre- shaped with cut-outs. The cut-outs can match the cut¬ outs in a front cover of a card which is to form the basis of the final product. The sheet 34 allows a check to be made visually of what will be seen through 5 the cut-outs of the printed card and individual photographs can be moved to a finally adjusted position before locking the jig. A clear or tinted mesh can optionally be laid over the plastics sheet 34 for special effects.

--- The jig and contents are then photographed using a camera 12 at a set focal length. The photograph is developed as a normal photograph and a conventional print is made. If enlargement is required then this can be carried out photographically

-S in the conventional way, or alternatively the photographic print can be electronically scanned and enlarged and colour laser printed onto variable size paper up to A3 size. After laser printing, the paper can be used as it is or clear varnished to give 0 different textures and degrees of gloss. The reproduction of the original photographs is then fixed to a pre-printed and shaped card. This can be by adhesive. The reproduction may be laminated between two different types of card. From the front the 5 photograph shows through the "stencil" or lattice precut and formed in the card.

If desired, two different composite photographs may be produced as two separate photographed enlargements, with the respective 0 enlargements being attached to the two inside faces of the card so that when the card is opened the composite photographs will fully cover the full opened area. In this case the front of the card would normally carry a suitable message or printing. 5 If a number of cards are required, using the same composition of photographs, then further reproductions can be provided by the use of a suitable colour photocopier. The photocopies will then be fixed into the cards in the same way as described above.

It will be appreciated that the original photographs, after use, are returned to the customer in their original state, unlike framed mounted collages which retain the original photographs.

Referring now to Figs. 6 to 8, this shows a second embodiment in accordance with the invention. Whereas the first embodiment described above requires the use of photographic techniques and therefore a time delay in producing and returning the completed card to the customer, the second embodiment enables the customer to create the desired layout himself. The customer has complete control of the finished layout and design and the finished card is available within minutes instead of days. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the customer uses a jig 40 which comprises a base plate 42 of aluminium or plastics material within which is inset a compressible soft rubber mat 44. The user arranges the photographs, drawings, paintings or other like originals, together with any additional material such as titles and designs, face up on top of the rubber mat 44 in the desired array. A cover plate 46 of glass or transparent plastics material is positioned above the photographs. As shown, the cover plate has a recessed bolt-type hinge 47 along its one side, and opposite that is a bolt-type fastening 47. This removes stress from the relatively thin cover plate. It is considered preferable to have a cover plate which can be lifted off the jig and lowered into place on the jig rather than having a cover plate which is pivotably hinged at one edge only and which is thus a permanent -7-

part of the jig. This provides improved access to the working surface of the rubber mat. Lifting handles 48 are provided on the two sides of the jig which do not have the locking hinges 47. ⁵ The photographs or the like are held in place by the pressure of the compressed rubber against the cover plate. Once the cover plate has been put in place then the whole jig unit is inverted and placed, as shown in Fig. 8, on the platen of a colour ¹⁰ photocopier 50. Prints can then be taken and fixed into cards in the same manner as described above.

The cover plate 46 is preferably not more than approximately 1 mm. thick. This is so that distortion is not created when the cover plate is

15 placed in contact with the platen.

Because the jig 40 is independent of the photocopier 50, the jig can be used independently, leaving the photocopier free for other uses. The jig is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. The cover

20 plate can be replaced if damaged, as also can the rubber insert 44.

The jig 40 is designed particularly for use as a "point of sale" facility. A customer can either request the use of the jig for a predetermined fee or 5 operate a coin-operated dispenser which for payment would release the jig for use. The customer would buy titled cards in the quantity required and would have the option of buying pre-printed decorative material, numbers, letters, names, dates, etc., together with

30 different coloured and pre-designed backgrounds and frames. The customer lays out the photographs, drawings, paintings or the like and embellishes and customises them. When satisfied he simply closes the jig and presents it to the photocopying machine to

35 produce the number of prints required for the cards, at the same time setting the machine for appropriate enlargement or reduction if required.

Although reference has been made above to the production of greetings cards, it is to be understood 5 that the invention is applicable to production of other articles, such as calendars. Customised calendars can be produced by printing onto a single board. The produced photograph or photocopy would be fixed to the pre-printed board by suitable adhesive. Clubs, ^•*-^•*-' businesses, families and other organisations could produce uniquely customised calendars which could incorporate their own wording or logos as desired. A standard printed calendar or greetings card could have individual reproduced photographs mounted on them, ^•*-^•*> individually produced for different members of a club or other organisation. In this way, individual items can be produced within minutes, each uniquely customised to the custome 's particular requirements.

Although reference has been made above to the 0 use of photographs, the invention is equally applicable to the reproduction of drawings, paintings, or other artistic works. Similarly, although reference has been made to greetings card and calendars as particular examples of articles suitable for this invention, other -- sheet-like articles of a like nature could also be produced using the methods described above.

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Claims

CLAIMS :

1 . A method of making a greetings card , calendar or other sheet-like article incorporating a reproduction of one or more photographs , drawings , paintings or the like , which comprises the steps of arranging one or more photographs or the like in a desired location on a support , actuating holding means to retain the photograph or photographs arranged in place on the support, and exposing the array to produce a reproduction thereof .

2 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the array is photographed.

3 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the array is exposed xerographically.

4 . A method as claimed in claim 2 , in which the photograph or photographs are held in place on the support by suction.

5 . A method as claimed in claim 4 , in which the support comprises a perforated bed onto which the photograph or photographs are placed.

6. A method as claimed in claim 2 , 4 or 5 in which the photograph or photographs are covered by a flat pre-shaped overlay having cut-outs therein before being re-photographed.

7 . A method as claimed in claim 3 , which includes arranging the photograph or photographs on a j ig wherein they are held in plac e between a compressible base and a cover.

8 . A method as claimed in claim 7 , which includes arranging the photographs in place f ace upwards on the base , closing the cover to hold the photographs in place by compression, inverting the jig and placing it on the platen of a colour photocopier , and exposing the array.

9 . A method as claimed in any preceding cl aim, which includes arranging auxiliary material on the support in addition to the photograph or photographs to create a customised layout.

10. A jig for use in carrying out the method ^•■> of claim 1, 3, 7, 8 or 9, which comprises a compressible support on which the photographs or like material is laid, a transparent cover plate which can be positioned on the support, and means to hold the support and cover plate in compression. --^Q

11. A jig as claimed in claim 10, in which the coverplate is not more than of the order of 1 mm in thickness.

12. Apparatus for use in carrying out the method of claim 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 or 9, comprising a ⁵ suction table incorporating said support, means to illuminate the array, and a camera for photographing the array.

13. A greetings card, calendar or other sheet-like article when made by a method as claimed in 0 any of claims 1 to 9.

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