Abstract:
A scrapbook component customizing system includes a scrapbook cover having a cavity and a group of interchangeable inserts that may alternatively be placed in the cavity to customize the appearance of the scrapbook according to the contents of the book. The system provides a variety of different inserts to allow for many different possible finished scrapbook appearances, and the size, shape and design of the inserts is coordinated with the scrapbook cover so that the scrapbook presents a pleasing finished appearance when the selected insert is installed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to the design of scrapbooks, and, more specifically, to a scrapbook component system in which the cover appearance may be changed by the user of the scrapbook.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Scrapbooking is a general term used to describe creative methods of displaying images, typically photographs. Scrapbooking techniques include dedicating individual pages of a multipage album or folio to one or more photographs along with complementary keepsakes and other items of memorabilia. Among the items often kept in scrapbooks are clippings, postings, stickers, and other items of text, as well as cut-up portions of other photographs and/or sketches as well as background color shading and items providing a textural effect such a yarn, felt pieces etc. The complementary devices often relate to and enhance the subject matter of the image. An individual&#39;s creativity allows the user to personalize each scrapbook page. In addition to individual pages, the scrapbook cover is often also personalized by the artist with photos, drawings or other visual devices.  
         [0003]     Since the materials preserved in a scrapbook usually have special significance, and since the materials may be one-of-a-kind unique items, it is often important that the scrapbook present them with a high-quality appearance, preferably similar to that of a professionally prepared album. For example, merely pasting or gluing photographs or other items onto the cover the scrapbook often presents an amateurish appearance. However, it is usually difficult to provide a custom finished appearance to the scrapbook cover while maintaining the desired flexibility so that the scrapbook can be adapted for each particular application.  
         [0004]     In the past, photograph albums have been proposed where one or more photos may be displayed within a frame attached to the album cover. In some cases the frame is attached to the front of the album and may be removed in order to change the picture within and then returned to the album cover. However, the frame functions solely to hold the photograph in place, and is not intended as a design element in the appearance of the album cover. Furthermore, the album cover cannot be used without a photograph, as the cover would present a distinct unfinished appearance.  
         [0005]     What is desired is a way to be able to change the cover of a scrapbook according to the theme of a scrapbook by varying the visual devices, beyond just pictures, and to provide the person creating the scrapbook with a variety of design options so that the scrapbook can be customized for a particular theme or event.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Shortcomings, such the lack of device variety disclosed by the prior art are overcome by the present invention. The present invention provides a system of numerous display elements that can be selectively used to customize the appearance of a single scrapbook cover. As a result there is no need to replace the entire scrapbook when only its theme is to be changed.  
         [0007]     In accordance with the present invention, consumers can chose a design or theme consistent with the specific theme or event for which the scrapbook is being used, and customize the appearance of the scrapbook in accordance with that design or theme by selecting an special insert for the front cover the scrapbook, and, if desired, including a special photograph or other item along with the insert.  
         [0008]     The present invention provides a system in which a number of display variations may be available to the user who can customize the appearance of the scrapbook cover in accordance with the purpose for which the scrapbook is being used. A special photograph or other design, or a special keepsake, can be displayed on the scrapbook cover, and the appearance surrounding the photograph can be customized depending upon the wishes of the user. A plain frame can be used, or a frame that blends with the scrapbook cover. Alternatively, a frame can be used which contrasts with the scrapbook cover or carries a desired theme to which the scrapbook is devoted.  
         [0009]     The scrapbook component system of the present invention is intended to present on the scrapbook cover a wide variety of different inserts, each of a different material, color or design. This allows the user to customize the front cover of the scrapbook to match the contents or some other desired theme. Inserts can be used to frame a photograph or other visual element. Inserts can also be used to present a theme such as a wedding or birth. Furthermore, inserts can be used solely to provide a desired color theme to the scrapbook and the colors or designs on the inserts may be used to adorn the pages of the scrapbook to carry the design or theme throughout the scrapbook.  
         [0010]     The inserts used with the scrapbook cover of the present invention are also preferably removable and replaceable, so that a scrapbook can be reused with a different theme if desired.  
         [0011]     These and other advantages are provided by the present invention of a scrapbook component system comprising a scrapbook cover having a front display surface defining a cavity; and a set of at least two display inserts having equivalent outside dimensions, each insert alternately positionable within the cover cavity. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a scrapbook component system including a scrapbook with a cover and three different inserts;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the scrapbook cover of  FIG. 1  without any inserts;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of the scrapbook cover of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a scrapbook cover of  FIG. 2  with a first type of insert in place;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side sectional view similar to  FIG. 3  of the scrapbook cover of  FIG. 4  with the insert in place;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 4  of a scrapbook cover with a second type of insert in place; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view similar to  FIGS. 4 and 5  of a scrapbook cover with a third type of insert in place. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     Referring more particularly to the drawings, and initially to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a scrapbook component system  10  according to the present invention. The scrapbook component system  10  comprises a scrapbook  11  having front and back covers  12  and  13  with a plurality of scrapbook leafs or pages  14  bound between the covers, and a selection of different separate inserts  15 ,  16  and  17 . Any of the inserts  15 ,  16  or  17  is designed to fit within a cavity  18  formed in the front scrapbook cover  12  and may be easily swapped with another insert as desired.  
         [0020]     The front cover  12  of the scrapbook, without any inserts in place, is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The scrapbook front cover  12  is preferably comprised of a rectangular piece of cardboard or paper board or other industry standard material, forming a stiff structural core. The outer surface of the front cover  12  may be covered in book binding materials, fabric, or other desired decorative material. The inner surface (not shown) of the front cover  12  may be covered with a paper liner so the cardboard or paper board core is not exposed. The outer surface of the front cover  12  has a recess or cavity  18  formed therein. The cavity  18  may be formed by a die cutting process, as is well known in the art. The cavity  18  is cut into the outer surface of the cardboard or paper board of the front cover  12 , but not all the way through, so that the cardboard core supplies structural support for the front cover at the location of the cavity. Preferable, the cardboard core of the front cover  12  is formed of multiple plies of cardboard or paper board material, and the cavity is die cut in only the outer ply, leaving one or more inner plies to provide the structure core for the cover. As shown, the cavity  18  has a square shape, but it may be formed in any desired shape. The exposed outer surface  21  within cavity is covered with a paper liner to protect the cardboard core. Both the book binding material and paper liners provide good wear resistance and provide a pleasing esthetic appearance to the finished scrapbook.  
         [0021]     As shown in the preferred embodiment of the scrapbook in the drawings, each of the scrapbook covers  12  and  13  have a pair of parallel creases to allow the covers to hinge when the scrapbook is opened and to provide for the binding of the covers together along with the scrapbook pages  14 . The front cover  12  has a pair of parallel creases  23  and  24  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Similar creases are provided in the back cover  13 . The creases  23  and  24  allow one end of the cover to be folded under as shown in  FIG. 1 , and to allow the covers to be hinged to lie flat when the scrapbook is opened. A pair of apertures  25  are provided at one end between the creases  23  and  24  to provide for the passage of fasteners (not shown) such as a binding screws and nuts for holding the scrapbook leaves  14  and for holding the covers  12  and  13  together on each side. By providing for the folding of the end of the scrapbook cover along the pair for creases  23  and  24 , the binding screws and nuts or other fasteners are hidden from view when the scrapbook is closed. Other types of bindings may be used for the scrapbook, such as loose-leaf bindings or any of other known binding techniques used in making scrapbooks or photo albums.  
         [0022]     The scrapbook component system  10  includes a plurality of different inserts  15 ,  16  and  17  that may be selectively inserted into the cavity  18  formed on the outer surface of the front cover  12 . The inserts are preferably of different types, allowing the user to select the type of insert for the particular application for which the scrapbook is being designed by the user.  
         [0023]     A first type of insert  15 , as shown in detail in  FIG. 4 , functions as a frame for a photograph, drawing, keepsake or item desired to be displayed on the front cover  12  of the scrapbook. The insert  15  has an exterior peripheral shape conforming to the interior shape of the cavity  18 , and defines an interior aperture  31  having a shape that may be the same or different from the exterior peripheral shape of the insert. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the insert  15  has both a square exterior peripheral shape and a square aperture shape. A photograph may be placed in the cavity  18  between the insert  15  and the cover  12 , such that it will be held in place by the insert, and the insert will provide a frame for the photograph. The thickness of the insert  15  is approximately the same as the depth of the cavity  18 , so that, when the insert  15  is installed in the cavity  18 , the scrapbook cover and insert assembly provides a level outer surface. Preferably, the insert  15  is made of or covered with same material as the scrapbook cover, such as book binding material.  
         [0024]     Alternatively, the insert may be made from and/or covered with a contrasting material to provide a different texture to a portion of the scrapbook cover. The insert  16  shown in  FIG. 6  is provided with a different coordinating color and/or texture from that of the scrapbook cover. The insert  16  may be provided with a central aperture of any shape for the display of a photograph or other item, or it may be solid and continuous without any aperture.  
         [0025]     A third type of insert  17 , shown in  FIG. 7 , comprises a theme display in order to customize the scrap book to a particular theme such as “Baby Boy”, “Baby Girl”, “Graduation”, “Wedding”, “Vacation”, or the like. The themed insert  17  may include a central aperture similar to the insert  15  for a photograph or other visual display, or the insert  17  may be solid without an aperture to serve as a title block appearing on the scrapbook cover. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the insert  17  is directed with a series of polka dots, but any other decoration may be used with symbols or illustrations emphasizing a particular theme. The design appearing on the insert  17  may also be provided on scrapbook pages sold to the user who can then use the same design elements throughout the scrapbook.  
         [0026]     Other types of inserts are possible. For example, the insert may take the form of a jacket or holder for a compact disc. The insert may be provided with a slit from which the compact disc may be removed, or the insert may be in the form similar to a “jewel case” commonly used to store compact discs. The disc may include picture files, or music files pertaining to the subject matter of the scrapbook. Another type of insert may be a raised display case for storing a displaying a three-dimensional object, such as a lock of hair, a fabric swatch or other keepsake.  
         [0027]     The insert  15 ,  16  or  17  may be held in place by providing the exterior dimensions of the insert to be the same or even slightly larger than the dimensions of the cavity, so that the insert will fit very snugly within the cavity when it is installed and the insert will not be not prone to falling out if the scrapbook is jarred or dropped. The insert could be pried out of the cavity and replaced with a different insert if it is desired to reuse the scrapbook with a different theme or appearance. Alternatively, the insert may be secured within the cavity by applying a layer of adhesive to the inside of the cavity. The adhesive layer can be covered with a removable protective plastic sheet which is removable when the insert is installed. The use of an adhesive would generally prevent the replacement of the insert after the insert has been installed, unless the adhesive is of the type used on removable memo notes. Other means may be used to secure the insert onto the scrapbook cover such as glue or tape.  
         [0028]     The scrapbook of the present invention may be marketed as a complete component system with a scrapbook containing the leafs bound within the covers and a selection of different inserts which can be interchangeably combined with the front cover of the scrapbook to provide a finished scrapbook having the desired appearance. Alternatively, the system may be sold as individual components in which the purchaser buys the covers and pages each having the desired colors, sizes and materials, and then selects one or more inserts for use with the cover, depending upon how the scrapbook will be used. The customer would then have the option of purchasing additional inserts, if he or she decides to change the theme or appearance of the scrapbook.  
         [0000]     Alternatives  
         [0029]     The scrapbook cover  12  is shown having a rectangular shape, but may have any shape, such as square or having generally rectangular with curved sides. The scrapbook cover  12  is shown covered with book binding material and paper, but may be covered with any durable material, such as leather, imitation leather, fabric, plastic, paper, metal foil, etc. The cavity  18  defined by the scrapbook cover  12  is shown having a square shape, but may be any shape including rectangular, circular or oval.  
         [0030]     It is also possible to provide an insert which is merely in the shape of the scrapbook cover cavity without any aperture and made of the same material and color as the album cover. When such an insert is inserted into the cavity, the album has a continuous unadorned front cover without any identifying theme or decoration. Such a cover may be used in those circumstances in which a decorated front cover is undesirable. Furthermore, the scrapbook may be sold with such an insert in place, to allow the user to substitute a different insert as desired.  
         [0031]     The scrapbook system of the present invention contemplates a scrapbook having a front cover that can accommodate various different inserts, with a variety of inserts being available to the consumer to allow the consumer to customize the appearance of the scrapbook. The inserts may be available for purchase separately or they may be available as part of kit in which the scrapbook is sold with a variety or different inserts. In addition, the invention contemplates that scrapbook pages may be selected by the consumer to further customize the appearance of the scrapbook. Pre-printed designs may appear on scrapbook pages provide as part of the scrapbook component system of the present invention, and such pre-printed designs may match the designs on the cover inserts, or they may be designed to complement and coordinate with the designs on the cover inserts.  
         [0000]     Advantages  
         [0032]     The scrapbook cover system  10  of the present invention provides a selection of numerous inserts  15 ,  16  and  17  that may be installed to form part of the cover  10  and provide a pleasing finished appearance to the scrapbook, while the scrapbook can be customized to present a desired theme for the scrapbook contents. Any single insert may be removed and replaced with another insert from the system. The inserts customize the scrapbook, and thus, the information inside is easily identified.  
         [0033]     Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred and alternate embodiments, the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Minor variations and insubstantial differences in the various combinations of materials and methods of application may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art while remaining within the scope of the invention as claimed and equivalents.