U.S. patent application number 09/824407 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-29 for bi-directional page for photograph album.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rembrandt Photo Services, a California corporation. Invention is credited to Fu, David.
Application Number | 20010045041 09/824407 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26891768 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010045041 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fu, David |
November 29, 2001 |
Bi-directional page for photograph album
Abstract
A bi-directional album page including two flexible plastic
sheets, at least one and preferably both of which are transparent,
configured such that photographs of one width may be inserted
through side openings and a photograph of a greater width may be
inserted through a top opening. The page may include a paper sheet
captured between the two plastic sheets.
Inventors: |
Fu, David; (Rowland Heights,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David Weiss
2551 Colorado Blvd.
Los Angeles
CA
90041-1040
US
|
Assignee: |
Rembrandt Photo Services, a
California corporation
|
Family ID: |
26891768 |
Appl. No.: |
09/824407 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60196253 |
Apr 11, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
40/776 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42F 7/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
40/776 |
International
Class: |
A47G 001/06 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A page for storing a first rectangular photograph having a
height dimension and a width dimension or a second rectangular
photograph having a height dimension and a width dimension greater
than the width dimension of the first photograph, the page
comprising the combination of: a first rectangular plastic sheet
having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side
edge, a first dimension parallel to said top edge greater than the
width dimension of the first photograph and greater than the height
dimension of the second photograph, and a second dimension parallel
to said second side edge greater than the width dimension of the
second photograph; a transparent second rectangular plastic sheet
having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side
edge, a first dimension parallel to said top edge of said second
sheet greater than the width dimension of the first photograph and
greater than the height dimension of the second photograph, and a
second dimension parallel to said second side edge of said second
sheet greater than the width dimension of the second photograph;
said sheets in face-to-face relation secured to one another along
said top, bottom and second side edges respectively; said sheets
further secured to one another by two welds in an alignment
perpendicular to said second side edges, said welds spaced from one
another along said alignment by a distance greater than the height
dimension of the second photograph, said welds spaced from said top
edges by a distance greater than the height dimension of the first
photograph; a top opening along said top edges of said sheets, said
top opening being greater than the height dimension of the second
photograph and positioned for permitting the second photograph to
be inserted through said top opening and between said welds with
the width dimension of the second photograph parallel to said
second side edges; and at least one of said sheets providing a side
opening parallel to said second side edges and spaced from said
second side edges by a distance greater than the width dimension of
the first photograph and greater than the height dimension of the
second photograph, said side opening being greater than the height
dimension of the first photograph and positioned for permitting the
first photograph to be inserted through said side opening and
between at least one of said welds and said top edges with the
height dimension of the first photograph parallel to said second
side edges.
2. The page according to claim 1, wherein: said sheets are secured
along said top edges to one another by a first top weld seal and a
second top weld seal, said first and second top weld seals having
facing ends defining said top opening.
3. The page according to claim 1, wherein: said side opening is
along said first side edge of said second sheet; and said first
dimension of said first sheet is greater than said first dimension
of said second sheet.
4. The page according to claim 1, further including: a rectangular
paper sheet captured between said plastic sheets and including a
margin extending from said first side edges.
5. The page according to claim 4, wherein: said side opening is
along said first side edge of said second plastic sheet; and said
page further includes a second side opening along said first side
edge of said first plastic sheet.
6. The page according to claim 1, wherein: said welds are spaced
from said bottom edges by a distance greater than the height
dimension of said first photograph; and at least one of said sheets
provides a second side opening parallel to said second side edges
and spaced from said second side edges by a distance greater than
the width dimension of the first photograph and greater than the
height dimension of the second photograph, said second side opening
being greater than the height dimension of the first photograph and
positioned for permitting the first photograph to be inserted
through said second side opening and between at least one of said
welds and said bottom edges with the height dimension of the first
photograph parallel to said second side edges.
7. The page according to claim 6, wherein: said side openings are
along said first edge of said second sheet; and said first
dimension of said first sheet is greater than said first dimension
of said second sheet.
8. The page according to claim 6, further including: a rectangular
paper sheet captured between said plastic sheets and including a
margin extending from said first side edges.
9. The page according to claim 8, wherein: said side openings are
along said first edge of said second plastic sheet; and said page
further includes side openings along said first side edge of said
first plastic sheet.
10. The page according to claim 1, wherein: said plastic sheets are
further secured to one another by two additional welds in an
alignment perpendicular to said second side edges, said additional
welds spaced from one another by a distance greater than the height
dimension of the second photograph, said additional welds spaced
from said bottom edge by a distance greater than the height
dimension of the first photograph, said additional welds positioned
with respect to said top opening for permitting the second
photograph to be inserted through said top opening and between said
additional welds with the width dimension of the second photograph
parallel to said second side edges; and at least one of said sheets
provides a second side opening parallel to said second side edges
and spaced from said second side edges by a distance greater than
the width dimension of the first photograph and greater than the
height dimension of the second photograph, said second side opening
being greater than the height dimension of the first photograph and
positioned for permitting the first photograph to be inserted
through said second side opening and between at least one of said
additional welds and said bottom edges with the height dimension of
the first photograph parallel to said second side edges.
11. The page according to claim 10, wherein: said side openings are
along said first edge of said second sheet; and said first
dimension of said first sheet is greater than said first dimension
of said second sheet.
12. The page according to claim 10, further including: a
rectangular paper sheet captured between said plastic sheets and
including a margin extending from said first side edges.
13. The page according to claim 12, wherein: said side openings are
along said first edge of said second plastic sheet; and said page
further includes side openings along said first side edge of said
first plastic sheet.
14. The page according to claim 10, wherein: said two additional
welds are spaced from said welds parallel to said second side edges
by a distance greater than the height dimension of the first
photograph; and at least one of said sheets provides a third side
opening parallel to said second side edges and spaced from said
second side edges by a distance greater than the width dimension of
the first photograph and greater than the height dimension of the
second photograph, said third side opening being greater than the
height dimension of the first photograph and positioned for
permitting the first photograph to be inserted through said third
side opening and between at least one of said additional welds and
at least one of said welds with the height dimension of the first
photograph parallel to said second side edges.
15. The page according to claim 14, wherein: said side openings are
along said first edge of said second sheet; and said first
dimension of said first sheet is greater than said first dimension
of said second sheet.
16. The page according to claim 14, further including: a
rectangular paper sheet captured between said plastic sheets and
including a margin extending from said first side edges.
17. The page according to claim 16, wherein: said side openings are
along said first edge of said second plastic sheet; and said page
further includes side openings along said first side edge of said
first plastic sheet.
18. A page for storing a first rectangular photograph having a
height dimension and a width dimension or a second rectangular
photograph having a height dimension and a width dimension greater
than the width dimension of the first photograph, the page
comprising the combination of: a first rectangular plastic sheet
having a horizontal top edge, a horizontal bottom edge, a first
vertical side edge and a second vertical side edge; a transparent
second rectangular plastic sheet having a horizontal top edge, a
horizontal bottom edge, a first vertical side edge and a second
vertical side edge, said sheets in face-to-face relation and
secured to one another along said respective top, bottom and second
side edges; each of said sheets having a horizontal dimension
greater than the width dimension of the first photograph and
greater than the height dimension of the second photograph, each of
said sheets having a vertical dimension greater than the width
dimension of the second photograph; a top opening along said top
edges of said sheets, said top opening having ends separated by a
distance greater than the height dimension of the second
photograph; said sheets further secured to one another by a
plurality of first weld seals and a plurality of second weld seals
arranged such that respective ones of said first weld seals and of
said second weld seals are horizontally aligned, said respective
ones of said of said first weld seals and of said second weld seals
having facing ends substantially aligned vertically with the ends
of said top opening for permitting the second photograph to be
inserted through said top opening and between said facing ends of
said first and second weld seals with the width dimension of the
second photograph vertically disposed; said first weld seals being
vertically spaced apart such that at least two adjacent ones of
said first weld seals are vertically separated by a distance
greater than the height dimension of the second photograph; and at
least one of said sheets providing vertical side openings
respectively between said at least two adjacent first weld seals
and horizontally spaced from the second side edges by a distance
greater than the width dimension of the first photograph and
greater than the height dimension of the second photograph for
permitting the first photograph to be inserted through said side
openings with the height dimension of the first photograph
vertically disposed.
19. The page according to claim 18, wherein: said sheets are
secured along said top edges to one another by a first top weld
seal and a second top weld seal, said first and second top weld
seals having facing ends defining said top opening.
20. The page according to claim 18, wherein: said side openings are
along said first side edge of said second sheet; and said
horizontal dimension of said first sheet is greater than said
horizontal dimension of said second sheet.
21. The page according to claim 18, further including: a
rectangular paper sheet captured between said plastic sheets and
including a margin extending from said first side edges.
22. The page according to claim 21, wherein: said side openings are
along said first side edge of said second plastic sheet; and said
page further includes side openings along said first side edge of
said first plastic sheet.
23. A page for storing a first rectangular photograph having a
height dimension and a width dimension or a second rectangular
photograph having a height dimension and a width dimension greater
than the width dimension of the first photograph, the page
comprising the combination of: a first rectangular plastic sheet
having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side
edge, a first dimension parallel to said top edge greater than the
width dimension of the first photograph and greater than the height
dimension of the second photograph, and a second dimension parallel
to said second side edge greater than the width dimension of the
second photograph; a transparent second rectangular plastic sheet
having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side
edge, a first dimension parallel to said top edge of said second
sheet greater than the width dimension of the first photograph and
greater than the height dimension of the second photograph, and a
second dimension parallel to said second side edge of said second
sheet greater than the width dimension of the second photograph;
said sheets in face-to-face relation secured to one another along
said top, bottom and second side edges respectively; said sheets
further secured to one another by a first weld seal spaced from
said second side edges by a distance greater than the height
dimension of the second photograph, said first weld seal spaced
from said top edge by a distance greater than the height dimension
of the first photograph; a top opening along said top edges of said
sheets, said top opening being greater than the height dimension of
the second photograph and positioned for permitting the second
photograph to be inserted through said top opening and between said
first weld seal and said second side edges with the width dimension
of the second photograph parallel to said second side edges; and at
least one of said sheets providing a first side opening parallel to
said second side edges and spaced from said second side edges by a
distance greater than the width dimension of the first photograph
and greater than the height dimension of the second photograph,
said side opening being greater than the height dimension of the
first photograph and positioned for permitting the first photograph
to be inserted through said first side opening and between said
first weld seal and said top edges with the height dimension of the
first photograph parallel to said second side edges.
24. The page according to claim 23, wherein: said first weld seal
is spaced from said bottom edges by a distance greater than the
height dimension of said first photograph; and at least one of said
sheets provides a second side opening parallel to said second side
edges and spaced from said second side edges by a distance greater
than the width dimension of the first photograph and greater than
the height dimension of the second photograph, said second side
opening being greater than the height dimension of the first
photograph and positioned for permitting the first photograph to be
inserted through said second side opening and between said first
weld seal and said bottom edges with the height dimension of the
first photograph parallel to said second side edges.
25. The page according to claim 24, wherein: said side openings are
along said first edge of said second sheet; and said first
dimension of said first sheet is greater than said first dimension
of said second sheet.
26. The page according to claim 24, further including: a
rectangular paper sheet captured between said plastic sheets and
including a margin extending from said first side edges.
27. The page according to claim 26, wherein: said side openings are
along said first edge of said second plastic sheet; and said page
further includes side openings along said first side edge of said
first plastic sheet.
28. The page according to claim 23, wherein: said sheets are
further secured to one another by a second weld seal spaced from
said second side edges by said distance that said first weld seal
is spaced from said second side edges, said second weld seal spaced
from said bottom edge by a distance greater than the height
dimension of the first photograph; and at least one of said sheets
provides a second side opening aligned with said first side
opening, said second side opening being greater than the height
dimension of the first photograph and positioned for permitting the
first photograph to be inserted through said second side opening
and between said second weld seal and said bottom edges with the
height dimension of the first photograph parallel to said second
side edges.
29. The page according to claim 28, wherein: said side openings are
along said first edge of said second sheet; and said first
dimension of said first sheet is greater than said first dimension
of said second sheet.
30. The page according to claim 28, further including: a
rectangular paper sheet captured between said plastic sheets and
including a margin extending from said first side edges.
31. The page according to claim 30, wherein: said side openings are
along said first edge of said second plastic sheet; and said page
further includes side openings along said first side edge of said
first plastic sheet.
32. The page according to claim 28, wherein: said first and second
weld seals are spaced apart parallel to said second side edges by a
distance greater than the height dimension of the second
photograph; and at least one of said sheets provides a third side
opening aligned with said first side opening, said third side
opening being greater than the height dimension of the first
photograph and positioned for permitting the first photograph to be
inserted through said third side opening and between said first and
second weld seals with the height dimension of the first photograph
parallel to said second side edges.
33. The page according to claim 32, wherein: said side openings are
along said first edge of said second sheet; and said first
dimension of said first sheet is greater than said first dimension
of said second sheet.
34. The page according to claim 32, further including: a
rectangular paper sheet captured between said plastic sheets and
including a margin extending from said first side edges.
35. The page according to claim 34, wherein: said side openings are
along said first edge of said second plastic sheet; and said page
further includes side openings along said first side edge of said
first plastic sheet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/196,253, filed Apr. 11, 2000, which
application is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to photograph albums, and more
particularly to pages for storing and displaying extra-width or
panoramic photographic prints as well as photographic prints of
more common shorter width. At least two shorter or conventional
width prints may be held on the page with their width dimension
horizontally disposed, i.e. disposed perpendicular to the album's
spine; and at least one panoramic or extra-width print may be held
on the page with its width dimension vertically disposed, i.e.
disposed parallel to the album's spine. In view of the two
directions with which the photograph's width dimension may be
disposed, this type of page is commonly referred to as a
"bi-directional page".
[0003] Bi-directional album pages are well known, such as the
bi-directional page disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,948 to Jason
I. Ruebens, in which two photographs of different widths may be
inserted through a side opening in the page. Another type of
bi-directional album page is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,445
to Thomas Hoffmeister, in which a photograph may be inserted in
different orientations through a top opening in the page. Yet
another type of bi-directional album page is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,447,973 to Hans Wihlke, in which photographs of the same
dimensions may be inserted in different orientations through side
openings in the page.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a bi-directional album page
in which photographs of one width may be inserted through a side
opening in the page, and in which a photograph having a
substantially greater width may be inserted through a top opening
in the page. According to one aspect thereof, the invention
provides a page for storing a first rectangular photograph having a
height dimension and a width dimension or a second rectangular
photograph having a height dimension and a width dimension greater
than the width dimension of the first photograph, the page
comprising the combination of: a first rectangular plastic sheet
having a horizontal top edge, a horizontal bottom edge, a first
vertical side edge and a second vertical side edge; a transparent
second rectangular plastic sheet having a horizontal top edge, a
horizontal bottom edge, a first vertical side edge and a second
vertical side edge, the sheets in face-to-face relation and secured
to one another along their respective top, bottom and second side
edges; each of the sheets having a horizontal dimension greater
than the width dimension of the first photograph and greater than
the height dimension of the second photograph, each of the sheets
having a vertical dimension greater than the width dimension of the
second photograph; a top opening along the top edges of the sheets,
the top opening having ends separated by a distance greater than
the height dimension of the second photograph; the sheets being
further secured to one another by a plurality of first weld seals
and a plurality of second weld seals arranged such that respective
ones of the first weld seals and of the second weld seals are
horizontally aligned, the respective ones of the first weld seals
and of the second weld seals having facing ends substantially
aligned vertically with the ends of the top opening for permitting
the second photograph to be inserted through the top opening and
between the facing ends of the first and second weld seals with the
width dimension of the second photograph vertically disposed; the
first weld seals being vertically spaced apart such that at least
two adjacent ones of the first weld seals are vertically separated
by a distance greater than the height dimension of the second
photograph; and at least one of the sheets providing vertical side
openings respectively between the at least two adjacent first weld
seals and horizontally spaced from the second side edges by a
distance greater than the width dimension of the first photograph
and greater than the height dimension of the second photograph for
permitting the first photograph to be inserted through the side
openings with the height dimension of the first photograph
vertically disposed. The sheets are preferably secured along their
top edges to one another by a first top weld seal and a second top
weld seal, the first and second weld seals having facing ends
defining the top opening.
[0005] In one embodiment of the bi-directional page of the present
invention, the side openings are along the first side edge of the
second sheet, and the horizontal dimension of the first sheet is
greater than the horizontal dimension of the second sheet.
[0006] In another embodiment, the page further includes a
rectangular paper sheet captured between the plastic sheets and
including a margin extending from the first side edges. The side
openings are preferably along the first side edge of the second
plastic sheet; and the page preferably further includes side
openings along the first side edge of the first plastic sheet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic
of the invention, together with further advantages thereof, will be
better understood from the following description considered in
connection with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of
example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the
drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only
and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the
invention.
[0008] FIG. 1a is a front view of a photographic print of one
common aspect ratio;
[0009] FIG. 1b is a front view of a photographic print of a
panoramic or extra-width aspect ratio;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front view of a first preferred embodiment of a
bi-directional page in accordance with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional representation of the
bi-directional page embodiment of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3-3
in the direction of the appended arrows;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a front view of a second preferred embodiment of a
bi-directional page in accordance with the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional representation of the embodiment
of FIG. 4 taken along the line 5-5 in the direction of the appended
arrows;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front view of a third preferred embodiment of a
bi-directional page in accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional representation of the page shown
in FIG. 6 taken along the line 7-7 in the direction of the appended
arrows;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a front view of the intermediate sheet of the
bi-directional page of FIGS. 6 and 7;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a front view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a
bi-directional page in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0018] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional representation of the page
shown in FIG. 9 taken along the line 10-10 in the direction of the
appended arrows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Turning first to FIGS. 1a and 1b, the photographic print 10
is of one common aspect ratio w/h where w is the width of the print
10 and h is its height, while the print 12 is of a panoramic or
extra-width aspect ratio w'/h' where w' is the width and h' the
height of the panoramic print 12. Photographic prints typically
produced by photographic apparatus according to a system commonly
known as APS or "Advanced Photo System" are ordinarily of two
general sizes, the first of which may be represented by the
"conventional" print 10 where its height h is nominally 4 inches
and its width w is nominally 6 or 7 inches, and the panoramic or
extra-width print 12 having a height h' of nominally 4 inches and a
width w' of nominally 111/2 inches.
[0020] The preferred embodiments of the bi-directional pages shown
in FIGS. 2-8 are adapted for holding photographic prints of two
different aspect ratios such as the two prints 10, 12 of FIGS. 1a
and 1b. More specifically, the preferred embodiments shown are
specifically adapted for holding photographic prints 10, 12 of the
APS type and in particular conventional size prints 4 inches in
height by 6 or 7 inches in width as well as panoramic or
extra-width prints 12 of 4 inches in height by 111/2 inches in
width.
[0021] Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first preferred embodiment of a
bi-directional page 14 includes a first substantially rectangular,
flat, flexible, transparent plastic sheet 16 facing a second
substantially rectangular, flat, flexible, transparent plastic
sheet 18. Both sheets 16 and 18 are of substantially the same
vertical or height dimension H (as viewed in the drawing of FIG. 2)
slightly greater than the width w' of the panoramic prints 12 (FIG.
1b) and the second sheet 18 has a horizontal or width dimension W
preferably slightly less than the width of the first sheet 16 but
at least slightly greater than the width w of a photographic print
10 (FIG. 1a) intended for being held horizontally lengthwise (along
the print's width w) on the page 14. The second sheet 18 is
superposed on the first sheet 16 with their respective right side
edges 19 aligned and secured together preferably by weld-seal 20,
while the horizontal lower or bottom edges 21 of the sheets 16, 18
are aligned and secured together preferably by weld-seal 22. The
page 14 is adapted for being secured or held by a binder, for
example by apertures 24 along the left margin 26 (as viewed in the
drawing) for cooperation with the rings of a loose-leaf album
cover.
[0022] The sheets 16, 18 are secured together along their
respective upper or top edges 27, such as by two weld-seals 28, 30.
The seal 28 extends from the left edge 32 of the second sheet 18,
and the seal 30 extends from the right edge seal 20, the facing
ends 34, 36 of the respective seals 28, 30 being spaced apart by a
distance slightly greater than the height h' of the panoramic print
12 (FIG. 1b) so as to provide a top opening 38 along the top edges
27 of the two sheets 16, 18 of length slightly greater than the
height h' of the photo print 12, i.e. the top opening 38 has ends
at the respective facing ends 34, 36 separated by a distance
slightly greater than the height h' of the photo print 12.
[0023] The two plastic sheets 16, 18 are further secured together
by horizontal weld-seals or welds 40 each extending from the left
edge 32 of the second sheet 18 and each having an end 42 vertically
aligned with the end 34 of the left upper seal 28. The vertical
separation between the first and second adjacent seals 40 is
slightly greater than the height h of the print 10 (FIG. 1a),
providing a first side opening 44 between the two sheets 16, 18 of
length slightly greater than the height h of the photo print 10.
Similarly, the vertical separation between the third and fourth
adjacent seals 40 is slightly greater than the height h of photo
print 10 (FIG. 1a), providing a second side opening 46 of length
slightly greater than the height h.
[0024] Horizontally aligned with the respective seals 40 are
horizontal weld-seals or welds 48, further securing the plastic
sheets 16, 18 together, the seals 48 having left ends 50 (i.e.
facing the right ends 42 of the seals 40) vertically aligned with
the left end 36 of the upper edge seal 30. Accordingly, a panoramic
print 12 may be inserted between the two plastic sheets 16, 18
through the top opening 38, with the height dimension h' of the
panoramic print 12 passing between facing weld-seal ends 34, 36 and
facing seal ends 42, 50, for being contained between the facing
seal ends 42, 50. Two conventional size prints 10 may be inserted
between the plastic sheets 16, 18 through the side openings 44, 46,
with the prints' height dimension h passing between respective
pairs of horizontal welds 40 and respective pairs of horizontal
welds 48. Vertical weld-seals 52 may be provided, further securing
the first and second sheets 16, 18 together, horizontally spaced
from the left side openings 44, 46 by a distance slightly greater
than the greatest width w of a print 10 to be horizontally held by
the page 14. In one example, this distance may be slightly greater
than 7 inches, so that a 4 by 7 inch print may be inserted as well
as a 4 by 6 inch print 10.
[0025] Plastic materials and processes for fabricating the
bi-directional page 14 are well known in the art. One preferred
type of plastic sheet material is polypropylene, and the pages 14
may be fabricated and the weld-seals formed in accordance with well
known thermal welding techniques such as the thermocontact welding
method taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,507, the disclosure of which
is incorporated herein by reference. Other plastic materials and
fabrication processes may be utilized as well.
[0026] The second preferred bi-directional page embodiment 54,
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, is similar to the first preferred
bi-directional page embodiment 14 of FIGS. 2 and 3, except for the
features discussed below. The bi-directional page 54 may be
slightly shorter in the width dimension and slightly longer in the
height dimension than the bi-directional page 14 (as viewed in the
drawings of FIGS. 2 and 4). In one example, the width of the second
plastic sheet 18 may be sufficient for permitting the page 54 to
hold conventional size prints of 4 inches by 6 inches (e.g., such
width dimension W may be 61/4 inches), and in another example one
additional inch may be added to the width of the second sheet 18
for permitting the page 54 to horizontally hold conventional size
prints 10 of 4 inches by 7 inches as well.
[0027] In addition to the page 54 permitting panoramic or
extra-width prints 12 to be admitted through the top opening 38 and
contained between the pairs of facing weld ends 42 and 50, the
horizontal weld-seals 40 are vertically spaced from each other and
from the upper edge seal 28 and the lower edge seal 22, and the
horizontal weld-seals 48 are vertically spaced from each other and
from the upper edge weld-seal 30 and the lower edge weld-seal 22,
by a distance slightly greater than the height dimension h of the
print 10. A first conventional size print 10 may be inserted
between the two plastic panels 16 and 18, through the first side
opening 44 between the upper edge seal 28 and the upper left
horizontal seal 40, with the print's height dimension h being
contained between the upper edge seals 28, 30 and the two upper
horizontal seals 40, 48; a second conventional size print 10 may be
inserted through the second side opening 46 between the upper and
lower horizontal seals 40, with the print's height dimension h
contained between the two upper horizontal seals 40, 48 and the two
lower horizontal seals 40, 48; and a third conventional size print
10 may be inserted between the plastic panels 16 and 18 through a
third side opening 55 between the lower left horizontal seal 40 and
the lower edge seal 22, with the print's height dimension h
contained between the lower horizontal seals 40, 48 and the lower
edge seal 22. Each of the side openings 44, 46, 55 is slightly
greater in length (i.e., in height as viewed in the drawing of FIG.
4) than the height dimension h of the conventional size print 10
(FIG. 1a). Accordingly, in the example shown in FIG. 4, three 4
inch by 6 inch prints 10 may be inserted between the plastic sheets
16, 18 through the side openings 44, 46, 55, as well as one
panoramic print 12 (FIG. 1b) of 4 inch height h' may be inserted
between the plastic sheets 16, 18 through the top opening 38.
[0028] Turning to FIGS. 6-8, a third preferred embodiment of a
bi-directional page 56 includes an intermediate generally
rectangular sheet, preferably an opaque paper sheet 58, captured
between a first substantially rectangular, flat, flexible,
transparent plastic sheet 60 and a second substantially
rectangular, flat, flexible, transparent plastic sheet 62. The
first and second plastic sheets 60, 62 are preferably of the same
dimensions, and the paper sheet 58 is slightly shorter in its
height dimension(as viewed in the drawing of FIGS. 6 and 8) and is
greater in its width dimension than the respective height and width
dimensions of the plastic sheets 60, 62. The width of each of the
plastic sheets 60, 62 is at least slightly greater than the width
dimension w of the conventional size photo print 10 (FIG. 1a), and
the height of the plastic sheets 60, 62 is slightly greater than
the width dimension w' of the panoramic or extra-width print 12
(FIG. 1b). The left edge 64 of the intermediate paper sheet 58 may
be provided with means for securing the page 56 to a binder, such
as apertures 66 aligned adjacent to the paper edge 64 for
cooperating with a ringed or spiral binding of an album cover for
being retained thereby in conventional manner. For one example of
the bi-directional page 56, the width or horizontal dimension of
the two plastic sheets was 61/4 inches and the height or vertical
dimension was 131/2 inches.
[0029] The respective right edges of the plastic sheets 60, 62 are
aligned and secured together, such as by a weld-seal along their
right edges 63 (as shown by the weld-seal 20 in FIGS. 4 and 5).
Preferably, however, the first and second sheets 60, 62 may
comprise a single rectangular plastic sheet folded along a fold
line represented at 68 (FIGS. 6 and 7) resulting in the two sheets
60, 62 secured to one another along their right edges 63 (i.e.
along the fold line 68). The horizontal lower or bottom edges 67 of
the plastic sheets 60, 62 are aligned and secured together such as
by weld-seal 69.
[0030] The sheets 60, 62 are further secured together along their
respective upper or top edges 71, such as by the two weld-seals 70,
72. The seal 70 extends from aligned left edges 74 of the plastic
sheets 60, 62, and the seal 72 extends from the right edge seal or
fold 68, the facing ends 76, 78 of the respective seals 70, 72
being spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than the height
dimension h' of the panoramic print 12 (FIG. 1b) so as to provide a
first top or upper opening 80 between the second plastic sheet 62
and the intermediate paper sheet 58, and a second top or upper
opening 82 between the first plastic sheet 60 and the intermediate
paper sheet 58, with the length (i.e. their width as viewed in the
drawing of FIG. 6) of the two top openings 80, 82 being slightly
greater than the height dimension h' of the photo print 12.
[0031] The two plastic sheets 60, 62 are further secured together
by two horizontal weld-seals 84 through respective apertures 85 in
the paper sheet 58. Each seal 84 is in proximity of the plastic
sheets' left edges 74 and each seal 84 has a right end 86
vertically aligned with the right end 76 of the left upper edge
seal 70. The vertical separation between the left upper edge seal
70 and the first or upper weld-seal 84, between the two weld-seals
84, and between the second or lower weld-seal 84 and the lower edge
seal 69, in each case is slightly greater than the height h of the
conventional print 10 (FIG. 1a), providing a first side opening 88
between the second plastic sheet 62 and the intermediate paper
sheet 58 (as well as another first side opening 88 between the
first plastic sheet 60 and the intermediate paper sheet 58) of
length slightly greater than the height h of the photo print 10.
Similarly, the vertical separation between the two weld-seals 84 is
slightly greater than the height h of the photo print 10, providing
a second side opening 90 between the second plastic sheet 62 and
the intermediate paper sheet 58 (as well as another second side
opening 90 between the first plastic sheet 60 and intermediate
paper sheet 58) of length slightly greater than the height h of the
photo print 10. Finally, the vertical separation between the second
or lower horizontal seal 84 and the lower edge seal 69 is slightly
greater than the height h of the photo print 10, providing a third
side opening 92 between the second plastic sheet 62 and the
intermediate paper sheet 58 (as well as another third opening 92
between the first plastic sheet 60 and the intermediate paper sheet
58) of length slightly greater than the height h of the photo print
10.
[0032] Horizontally aligned with the respective seals 84 are
horizontal weld-seals 94, securing the first and second plastic
sheets 60, 62 to one another through respective apertures 95 in the
paper sheet 58. The respective left ends 96 of the horizontal seals
94 are vertically aligned with the left end 78 of the right upper
edge seal 72. Accordingly, a panoramic print 12 may be inserted
between the second plastic sheet 62 and the intermediate paper
sheet 58 through the top opening 80, with the height dimension h'
of the panoramic print 12 passing and contained between facing
weld-seal ends 86 and 96. In addition, a second panoramic print 12
may be inserted between the first plastic sheet 60 and the
intermediate paper sheet 58 through the top opening 82, with the
height dimension h' of the second panoramic print 12 passing and
contained between facing weld-seal ends 86 and 96.
[0033] As many as six conventional size prints may be stored and
displayed on the page 56. A first conventional size print 10 may be
inserted between the second plastic sheet 62 and the intermediate
paper sheet 58, through the appropriate first side opening 88, with
the print's height dimension h being contained between the upper
edge seals 70, 72 and the two upper horizontal seals 84, 94; a
second conventional size print 10 may be inserted between the
second plastic sheet 62 and the intermediate paper sheet 58,
through the appropriate second side opening 90, with the print's
height dimension h being contained between the two upper horizontal
seals 84, 94 and the two lower horizontal seals 84, 94; and a third
conventional size print 10 may be inserted between the second
plastic sheet 62 and the intermediate paper sheet 58, through the
appropriate third side opening 92, with the print's height
dimension h contained between the lower horizontal seals 84, 94 and
the lower edge seal 69. Similarly, three additional conventional
size prints may be inserted between the first plastic sheet 60 and
the intermediate paper sheet 58, through the appropriate side
openings 88, 90, 92 along the left edge 74 of the first plastic
sheet 60.
[0034] The left margin 98 of the paper sheet 58 may be used for
writing or printing notations thereon corresponding to the photo
prints contained on the page 56.
[0035] In one manner of fabricating the bi-directional page 56, a
single plastic sheet having a height equal to the height of each of
the plastic sheets 60, 62 and a width of twice the width of each of
the two plastic sheets 60, 62, is folded along its length midway
its width to produce the fold line 68. The upper weld-seals 70, 72
and the lower edge seal 69 are produced by thermal welding
techniques well known in the plastics fabrication art. Although
other plastic materials may be used, polypropylene is a preferred
material, and the seals may be produced by such processes as
conventional ultrasonic welding, or by thermocontact welding such
as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,507 incorporated herein by
reference. If desired, a notch 100 may be cut along the upper edge
of the plastic sheets 60, 62, between the facing ends 76, 78 of the
respective upper edge seals 70, 72.
[0036] The paper sheet 58 is provided with edge apertures 66, and
with the four apertures 85, 96 situated for registration with the
four horizontal welds 84, 94 to be subsequently formed. The paper
sheet 58 may also be provided with a notch 102 for registration
with the notch 100 of the plastic sheets 60, 62. The paper sheet 58
is inserted in the pocket formed by the folded and edge-welded
plastic sheets 60, 62, with the paper sheet's right edge 104
preferably against the plastic sheets' fold line 68. The four
horizontal seals 84, 94 are then produced, by welding the two
plastic sheets 60, 62 to each other through the apertures 85, 95,
by conventional welding techniques.
[0037] The fourth preferred embodiment of a bi-directional page 56'
shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is similar to the page 56 of FIGS. 6 and 7,
except as noted below, and similar reference numerals are used in
FIGS. 9 and 10 to identify components similar to those in FIGS. 6
and 7. The page 56' is configured to horizontally hold two
conventional width photographs or vertically hold one extra-width
photograph, on each side of the captured intermediate paper sheet
58. This is accomplished by providing only one weld seal 84 and one
corresponding weld seal 94, so that only two side openings 88, 92
are provided between the paper sheet 58 and each of the transparent
plastic sheets 60, 62. The side openings 88 extend between the top
edges 71 of the respect plastic sheets 60, 62 and the horizontally
aligned weld seals 84, 94, and the side openings 92 extend between
the bottom edges 67 of the respective plastic sheets 60, 62 and the
horizontally aligned weld seals 84, 94. For one example of the
bi-directional page 56', the width or horizontal dimension of the
two plastic sheets 60, 62 was 7{fraction (5/16)} inches and the
height or vertical dimension was 8{fraction (5/16)} inches.
[0038] A plurality of pages 56' may be secured to a binder by
providing apertures (not shown) aligned adjacent to the paper edge
64 for cooperating with a ringed or spiral binding of an album
cover, or alternatively the pages 56' may glue-bonded to the spine
of an album cover along the left edges 64 of the intermediate paper
sheets 58, in conventional manner. The left margins 98 of the paper
sheets 58 may be used for writing or printing notations thereon
corresponding to the photo prints contained on the page 56'.
[0039] Thus, there has been described preferred embodiments of
bi-directional plastic pages for photograph albums, wherein
conventional width photographic prints may be side-loaded onto the
page with their width dimension horizontally disposed and wherein
extra-width or panoramic photographic prints may be top-loaded on
the page with their width dimension vertically disposed. Other
embodiments of the present invention, and variations of the
embodiments described herein, may be developed without departing
from the essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the
invention should be limited only by the scope of the claims listed
below.
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