Abstract:
The present invention relates to artwork preservation, and more particularly to an artwork preservation system that utilizes vacuum and is particularly suited to framed artwork. The artwork preservation system includes: a pair of corrugated planar members constructed and arranged to overlap a front side and back side of an artwork; at least one securing element, such as hook and loop fastener, for mating the first and second corrugated boards when the artwork is placed there between; a layer of air cushioning; and a sealable bag. The system may further include a vacuum pump for removing air from the sealable bag.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    In accordance with 37 C.F.R 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 61/691,527 entitled “ARTWORK PRESERVATION SYSTEM” filed on Aug. 21, 2012. The contents of each of the above referenced applications are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to art conservation; more specifically, the preservation of framed artwork using a sealable bag being operatively compatible with an external vacuum machine. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Art conservation is a profession devoted to the preservation of cultural heritage for the future. Many cultural works are sensitive to environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and exposure to light. They must be protected in a controlled environment where such variables are maintained within a range of damage-limiting levels. A conservator is typically employed to do so. The traditional definition of the role of the conservator involves the examination, conservation, and preservation of cultural heritage using “any methods that prove effective in keeping that property in as close to its original condition as possible, for as long as possible.” However, today the definition of the role of conservator has widened and would more accurately be described as that of an ethical stewardship. The conservator applies some simple ethical guidelines such as minimal intervention, the use of appropriate materials and methods that aim to be reversible to reduce possible problems with future treatment, investigation, and full documentation of all work undertaken. In order to maintain the ethical guidelines set forth, a conservator should employ methods and materials to ensure that the framed artwork is protected from harmful environmental factors while not compromising its condition or integrity. Furthermore, no process used by the conservator should be irreversible. Additionally, the conservator must take into account several environmental factors, such as light, heat, humidity, moisture, dirt, and dust, as they can be harmful to artwork. Any amount of light is damaging to artwork over time. Colors will fade as a result of exposure to ultraviolet rays from natural and fluorescent sources alike. Paper absorbs high-energy photons which, through a chemical reaction, break down the paper over time cause it to become brittle. Warm and moist conditions invite the growth of mold and bacteria. Framed artwork should be kept away from sources of heat or water. Moisture in the form of condensation can collect inside the framing if subjected to radical changes in temperature or humidity. Pollution in the atmosphere can combine with moisture in the air to form acids that will cause damage to works on paper. 
         [0004]    However, art owners are often not skilled in art preservation and may need to store, transport or protect their art collection. This is especially true in coastal areas where extreme storms and hurricanes can occur. In these areas, large amounts of art must be protected and/or transported from the storm area to a safe storage area before a storm arrives. Afterwards, the art must be transported a second time for return to its origin. This situation leaves the art owner with the need to hire a professional or move the art themselves. Often due to the volume of art that must be moved, professionals are unavailable to complete the work. Leaving the owner to pack the artwork into wooden crates or cardboard boxes with pieces of Styrofoam for transport or storage. During transport or storage the artwork may be subjected to high humidity and heat, vibration, rain and rough handling. This, in addition to the chemicals present in the packing materials, may cause damage to the artwork. 
         [0005]    Vacuum packaging is a method of packaging often utilized by the food industry, which removes air from the package prior to sealing. It can involve both rigid and flexible types of packaging. The intent is usually to remove oxygen from the container to extend the shelf life of the article within. Vacuum packing reduces atmospheric oxygen, limiting the growth of aerobic bacteria or fungi, and prevents the evaporation of volatile components. External vacuum sealers typically involve a bag being attached to a vacuum pump or placed within a vacuum atmosphere. The machine will remove the air and seal the container to resist vacuum loss. 
         [0006]    The advantages to vacuum packing appear to be consistent with the needs of a conservator for the conservation of artwork. However, any vacuum packing arrangement for artwork must overcome a few issues to be accepted by an end user. First, an airtight seal does nothing to protect the art from changes in temperature, and the art may not expand or contract properly with the temperature changes if it is improperly packaged before being vacuum-sealed. Symptoms of poor expansion and contraction include buckling and warping. Also, if an adhesive is used anywhere in the vacuum packaging (as in the tape or rice hinges used to attach the art to the substrate), extreme heat or cold can change the efficacy of the adhesive and cause it to release. Another issue relates to trapping bacteria, mold, moisture, or other foreign substances that may already be on the art to begin with. 
         [0007]    Thus, what is lacking in the art is a framed artwork preservation system incorporating a sealable bag, operatively compatible with an external vacuum pump that not only allows for proper ventilation but also indicates various levels of humidity and atmospheric pressure within the sealed bag. The construction of the artwork preservation system should allow for expansion and contraction of the artwork stored therein. The artwork preservation system should also resist bacteria and mold growth. Still, the artwork preservation system should provide cushioned protection to the artwork to prevent or reduce damage from inadvertent handling. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention relates to artwork preservation, and more particularly to an artwork preservation system that utilizes vacuum and is particularly suited to framed artwork. The artwork preservation system includes: a pair of corrugated planar members constructed and arranged to overlap a front side and back side of an artwork; at least one securing element, such as hook and loop fastener, for mating the first and second corrugated boards when the artwork is placed there between; a layer of air cushioning; and a sealable bag. The system may further include a vacuum pump for removing air from the sealable bag. The sealable bag has an interior and exterior surface, an opening, a port, a vacuum pressure indicator, and a humidity indicator. The bag opening is large enough to accommodate the pair of corrugated boards with an artwork placed in between, and includes a zip type fastener for the sealing thereof. A port is in fluid communication with the interior and exterior surfaces of the sealable bag, and includes an orifice which is operatively compatible with the vacuum pump for drawing out atmospheric pressure within the interior of the sealable bag. The humidity indicator senses and readily discloses the level of humidity within the sealable bag. The vacuum indicator gives a visual indication of the loss or presence of vacuum within the sealable bag. The framed artwork preservation system stores the artwork within, allows for proper ventilation within, and indicates various levels of humidity and pressure within. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an artwork preservation system that protects the artwork from the impact of light, heat, humidity, moisture, dirt, and dust. 
         [0010]    It is a further objective of the present invention to provide an artwork preservation system that allows for expansion and contraction of framed artwork that might result from temperature changes. 
         [0011]    It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an artwork preservation system that includes a vent on the port to allow for some ventilation within the sealable bag to prevent growth of anaerobic bacteria. 
         [0012]    It is still yet another objective of the present invention to provide an artwork preservation system that includes a humidity indicator to indicate a change in moisture conditions within the sealable bag. 
         [0013]    Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an artwork preservation system including corrugated boards to protect framed artwork from light as well as errant impacts. 
         [0014]    It is still yet a further objective of the present invention to provide an artwork preservation system that includes a vacuum indicator placed on the sealable bag to give a visual indication of the presence or loss of vacuum within the sealable bag. 
         [0015]    Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the present invention, illustrating the various components of the preferred embodiment, having a framed artwork therebetween; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top view of one embodiment of the artwork preservation system, illustrating the placement of a framed artwork, corrugated boards, edge and corner protectors; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a partial section view taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  illustrating an alternate embodiment of the sealable bag having air bladders incorporated therein; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section view along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  is a top right perspective view of the artwork preservation system of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a top right perspective view of the art preservation system within a shipping box; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a side view of one embodiment of the vacuum port of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the vacuum port illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a section view taken along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 , illustrated to show when vacuum is present in the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a section view taken along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 , illustrated to show when vacuum is not present. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0028]    An artwork preservation system is disclosed. The artwork preservation system is generally constructed and arranged for use by conservators, as well as art owners, to preserve their artwork for short or long term storage and/or transport. The system provides protection against atmospheric elements such as moisture, dust, mold, insects, ultraviolet light, impacts and the like. Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , the artwork preservation system  10  in part is comprised of a first corrugated board  12  constructed and arranged to overlap a front side  102  of a framed artwork  100 . The first corrugated board  12  has a first edge  14  about its periphery and at least four corners  16 . The first board  12  further includes a top surface  18  and a bottom surface  19 . The bottom surface  19 , which is in contact with the front side  102  of the artwork  100 , may include a foam laminate  15 , which insulates and protects the artwork  100 . A second corrugated board  20  as disclosed is constructed and arranged to overlap the back side  106  of an artwork  100 . The second corrugated board  20  has a second edge  22  about its periphery and at least four corners  24 . The second board  20  includes a top surface  28  and bottom surface  26 . The top surface  28  of the second board  20 , which is in contact with the back side  106  of the artwork  100 , and may include a foam laminate  15 , which insulates and protects the artwork  100 . Additionally, along the top surface  18  of the first edge  14  of the first board  12  are secured securement members  25  and more preferably bonded nylon loop pads  30 . The loop pads are constructed and arranged to cooperate with hook straps  32  to allow the inner assembly of the artwork and the corrugated boards to be securely fastened together. The securement members  25  preferably in the form of loop pads  30  are also placed along the bottom surface  26  of the second edge  22  of the second board  20 . The securement members  25  are constructed and arranged to cooperate with each other or with a secondary securement member to allow the boards to be secured in position about the artwork. In an alternative embodiment, tape or the like may be utilized in place of the first and second securement members without departing from the scope of the invention. The first and second corrugated boards,  12  and  20 , are preferably constructed from a polymeric material such as plastic, however, other materials such as, but not limited to, wood, paper, rubber, metal and the like are contemplated. The C-shaped hook straps  32  cooperate with the nylon loop pads  30  on the first and second edges  14 ,  22  of the top and bottom surface  18 ,  26  of the first and second board  12 ,  20 . The C-shaped hook strap  32  and bonded nylon loop pad  30  form a hook and loop fastener to maintain a close relationship between the first and second boards,  12  and  20 , with an artwork  100  in between. Along the four corners  16  and  24  of each first and second board  12  and  20 , are protective feet  40 . The feet  40  are preferably L-shaped to extend around the corners  41  of the artwork and may include a channel  43  large enough to hold a first board corner  16  and a second board corner  24  in addition to the corner of the artwork  41 . The feet  40  help protect the corners,  41 ,  16  and  24 , of the artwork and boards during moving and storage. The feet  40  are constructed from an impact absorbing material, preferably from an expanded or closed cell foam material, but may be constructed from rubber, air bladders or the like without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0029]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , a sealable bag  60  and a bubble bag  50  are disclosed. The bubble bag  50  is a secondary protective layer. The bubble bag  50  is large enough to hold the first and second boards,  12  and  20 , with an artwork  100  in between, and is preferably constructed of bubble wrapping or sealed air pockets and channels. Also shown is a sealable bag  60 . The sealable bag  60  has an interior surface  62 , exterior surface  64 , and an opening  66  large enough to accommodate the first and second corrugated boards,  12  and  20 , with an artwork  100  placed in between while wrapped in the bubble bag  50 , more aptly shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . The bag opening  66  has a zip type fastener  68  for sealing thereof; however, other sealing means such as a heating element, slider, top tape extension, top stop, pull tab, or the like can be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. A port  70 , vacuum indicator  90 , and humidity indicator  92  are all part of the sealable bag  60 . The port  70  is in fluid communication with the interior and exterior surface,  62  and  64 , of the sealable bag  60 . The humidity indicator  92  senses and readily discloses the level of humidity within the sealed bag  60 . The humidity indicator  92  is a card on which a moisture-sensitive chemical is impregnated such that it will change color when the indicated relative humidity inside the sealed bag  60  is exceeded. The most common humidity indicator cards change color from blue, indicating less than relative humidity (RH) level, to pink, indicating greater than relative humidity (RH) level. The base chemical is cobalt (II) chloride, however, cobalt-free humidity indicator cards are also contemplated, as well as maximum irreversible humidity indicator cards. The vacuum indicator device  90  gives a visual indication of the presence or loss of vacuum pressure within the sealable bag  60 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the port  70 , preferably includes a vacuum indicator  90  which includes an orifice  78  positioned on the outer surface of the sealable bag  60  which is operatively compatible with a hose from an external vacuum which can draw out a substantial amount of air within the interior  62  of the sealable bag  60 . Alternatively, the vacuum indicated  90  may be positioned in a second port. As shown in  FIGS. 7-10 , the vacuum indicator  90  includes a front end  72  and a back end  74 . The front end  72  includes the orifice  78 , and the back end  74  includes a vent  76 . The orifice  78  is constructed and arranged to receive an external vacuum hose for drawing out atmospheric pressure within the sealable bag  60 . Alternatively, when no vacuum is desired, the vent  76  functions to allow for proper ventilation within the sealable bag  60 , enabling for the artwork  100  to “breathe”, and helps eliminate the possibility of anaerobic bacteria growing within. Also shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the front end  72  of the vacuum indicator  90  includes a guide plate  80  and guide pins  82 , and the back end  74  preferably includes a flexible member  85  in the form of an expandable bladder  84 . The expandable bladder  84  is preferably formed from a pair of flexible members  85  sealed together around the perimeter thereof with a predetermined volume of gas  87  therebetween. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the bladder  84  expands under vacuum pressure and contracts under pressure, forcing the visual indicator  83  in the form of guide pins  82  to extend towards the front end  72  of the vacuum indicator to extend through the guide plate  80  while moving a sealing member  93  into a position against the guide plate  80 , forming an airtight seal within the sealable bag  60 . Additionally, when the guide pins  82  extend through the guide plate  80  they provide a visual indicator  83  that an air vacuum is present within the sealable bag  60 ; and likewise when the guide pins  82  drop below the surface of the guide plate  80 , it provides a visual indication of the loss of a vacuum or pressure within the sealable bag  60 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . It should also be noted that while the vacuum indicator is illustrated as including the guide pins as visual indicators, other types of visual indicators known in the art may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. Such visual indicators may include, but should not be limited to LEDs, rotary displays, analog gages, digital gages, bar gauges and the like. It should also be noted that a bladder is illustrated; however, other types of vacuum gauge mechanics may be utilized including, but not limited to diaphragms, piezos and the like. A shipping box or container  95  may be utilized to contain the sealable bag and all of the components of the artwork preservation system  10  for shipment through traditional shipping channels. It is also contemplated that the art preservation system be supplied with a vacuum pump which may be electric or manual in nature. 
         [0031]    All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
         [0032]    It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
         [0033]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out its objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which is encompassed within the spirit of the invention and defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.