Abstract:
A memento and a process for manufacturing mementos is disclosed wherein a rectangular laminated sheet is created by face-mounting a color graphic print to an acrylic sheet with an optically-clear adhesive. Then, the laminated sheet is precision-divided into a plurality of discrete mementos with full-bleed imagery conforming to the size and shape of the sub-images comprising said graphic print. Also disclosed are: (i) methods for customizing such mementos with company logos, individual names, or other information; (ii) a first embodiment in the form of a name badge with a removable film backing and finding that permits the user to easily detach the finding from the back of the badge and utilize the remainder as a personalized key fob or luggage tag; and (iii) other embodiments in the form of golf bag tags, name tags, award plaques, photo frames, and mounting boards for physical totems and memorabilia.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to the art of mementos and physical objects that are emblematic and reminiscent of an individual&#39;s attendance at an event or location of significance, including souvenirs, memorabilia, remembrances, totems, keepsakes, and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to the special events, group entertainment, and meeting industries, where the professional meeting-planners who organize and orchestrate such events can utilize customized embodiments of the invention to enhance the experience of participants and establish favorable impressions and recollections in the minds of attendees, which in turn benefit the hosts and sponsors of such events. 
   Mementos, souvenirs, keepsakes and the like are well known in commerce and are widely available in settings where businesses serve the tourist trade. While the disclosed invention has general applicability in the tourism industry, its principal application is perceived to be in the segment of the special-events market served by professionals known as “meeting planners”. Such professionals—acting as on-staff corporate employees of the event sponsors, as on-staff corporate employees of the host venue, or as independent consultants—organize and orchestrate special events such as seminars, conventions, training sessions, business meetings, golf outings, concerts, theatrical productions, spectator sport events, participatory sporting events, vacation travel tours, incentive travel trips, casino visits, ocean cruises, festivals, reunions, weddings, parties, and similar events with the objective of making the experience pleasant and memorable for the attendees in order to establish good will in the minds of the attendees towards the event sponsor. 
   One aspect of the meeting and special event industry that has experienced a dramatic increase in sophistication in recent years is the development of custom graphics. This is attributable in part to the advances in computer technology that have enabled professional publishers of books, magazines, videos and other media to create and distribute high-quality and specifically-customized graphics at a greatly reduced cost, compared to prior methodologies. This has increased consumer expectation for these types of graphics. Also, personal computer and inkjet printer technology has made relatively sophisticated graphic capabilities available to the mass market in real time. 
   As a result, with regard to mementos, people have come to expect short-lead-time and even real-time personalization and customization of mementos that contain high-quality graphic images, but are nevertheless priced economically. The specified invention uniquely satisfies those market demands. Items suitable for manufacture using this method include name badges, key fobs, luggage tags, golf bag tags, ticket-stub savers, photo frames, signs, displays, award plaques, and similar items, particularly those that are intended to create a favorable impression in the minds of participants in special events such as those described above. 
   2. Discussion of the Related Art 
   The term “memento” is used herein to refer to devices such as: souvenirs, keepsakes, remembrances, emblems, name badges, key fobs, plaques, awards, signs, displays, golf bag tags, luggage tags, photo frames, memorabilia, collectible preservation/display cases, or the like. 
   Typically, mementos do not serve any utilitarian function. Conversely, name badges—especially the “temporary” and disposable badges typically used at meetings and special events—usually serve a utilitarian function, but are not valued by those who wear the badges as desirable mementos of the occasion. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,514, (the &#39;514 patent) discloses name badges produced by using a small printer which prints typographical graphics on the adhesive side of a transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. These name badges do not, and are not intended to, display high quality full-color/full-bleed graphic images by utilizing the herein-described face-mounting and laser-cutting processes. The badge production techniques described in the &#39;514 patent require users to have access to a specialized printer capable of printing graphics on the adhesive side of a self-adhering transparent tape. 
   Further, the name badges described in the &#39;514 patent are in the nature of “permanent” or re-usable name badges, described in contradistinction to temporary name badges or “name tags.” Commercial custom and practice dictate that permanent and re-usable name badges are purchased only for an organization&#39;s personnel who regularly deal with an ever-changing consumer clientele. Such personnel have an ongoing need for indicia of personal identification, and a re-usable name badge that costs 10 to 50 times the cost of a temporary name tag can make economic sense only if it is re-used 10 to 50 times more than a temporary, disposable name tag. Also, permanent and re-usable name badges generally are more attractive in appearance than temporary name tags—and thus create a more favorable impression on an organization&#39;s consumer clientele—because such badges are made of more durable materials and are made using more sophisticated manufacturing techniques that are not usually cost-justified for temporary applications. 
   With respect to mementos used as display plaques, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,902 (the &#39;902 patent), which describes a display plaque comprised of a back plate which serves as a substrate for two or more integrated workpieces, at least one of which is transparent and one of which is opaque, the two of which workpieces coincide and are joined along at least one side. The display plaque disclosed in the &#39;902 patent is characteristic of all other plaques and signs described in the prior art where the personalization of the plaque is accomplished by engraving, painting, or silkscreening the front-facing or outward-facing surface of an opaque material or by attaching one or more previously engraved, painted or silkscreened member(s) to the front-facing or outward-facing surface of such plaque. 
   While the plaque of the &#39;902 patent describes the inclusion of indicia at the rear surface of the transparent workpiece member, it does not contemplate face-mounting lamination. The inventors now realize that face-mounting lamination would be desirable because it permits an aperture to be cut in the full-color graphic itself (as well as through the entire laminated face-piece) prior to the attachment of the face-piece to a backplate. The resulting aperture could provide a location within the display plaque of the precise size and shape of a standard adhesive-backed label. The plaque therefore could be customized or personalized in real time by the end-user employing an ordinary computer printer, without need to resort to the difficult and expensive engraving, painting and/or silkscreen methods described in the &#39;902 patent. 
   Reference also is made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,691 (the &#39;691 patent), which describes a trophy plaque that includes a recess suitable for the insertion of an adhesive-backed label with alphanumeric or graphic indicia, and a corresponding press-fitted lens. The methodology of forming the trophy plaque disclosed does not contemplate the integration of the label into an acrylic surface defined by a full-color/full-bleed face-mounted graphic image. More specifically, while the &#39;691 patent describes a press-fitted decorative member as one element of the trophy plaque, it contemplates a standard decorative surround in the nature of a “picture frame molding” to enhance the visual importance of the graphic insert, as opposed to physical totems of remembrance and/or physical memorabilia. 
   In this connection, reference is also made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,619 (the &#39;619 patent), which describes a protective case for collectible sports cards. The &#39;619 patent describes a method for encapsulating a printed item of memorabilia within transparent acrylic for purposes of preservation and display. However, the &#39;619 patent, and similar products disclosed in the prior art do not integrate the collectible sports card or other printed totem of remembrance into a display plaque that enhances the appearance of the sports card or totem by surrounding it with a related full-color/full-bleed graphic image. 
   One primary shortcoming common to all mementos disclosed in prior art is the lack of any inexpensive, yet visually attractive, method for personalizing mementos with the name of the purchaser or recipient. The various means of personalizing characteristic of previous mementos as disclosed in the prior art are: (i) engraving; (ii) attaching an embossed adhesive label to the surface of the item; or (iii) attaching a regular adhesive label to the surface of the item. With regard to these means of personalizing, engraving is an expensive technique, suitable primarily to metal or wooden products and surface-mounted labels are unattractive and are associated in the minds of consumers with “cheap” merchandise. Also, no previous mementos have utilized an optically-clear lens to “encapsulate” a label, protecting it from possible damage and adding vibrance and luster to the label. 
   Another primary short-coming common to all name-badges as disclosed in the prior art is that the badges either are inexpensive “temporary” badges printed on paper (sometimes inserted into a thin plastic “jacket” with a “safety-pin” finding) or paper backed with pressure-sensitive adhesive; or they are “permanent” badges (such as those used to identify food-service waiters and waitresses) to be used by the same person repeatedly on multiple occasions. Temporary badges could be printed with graphic images because they were printed on paper; but permanent badges could be enhanced at best with a simple logotype of one or two colors, with no photographic range of colors, because the enhancement was produced using engraving or silkscreening technologies. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing various types of mementos that have far more visual appeal than similar products made without full-color/full-bleed graphic images. Until now, there has been no economical way to produce mementos containing integral high-quality graphic images with a photographic range of colors, because of the limitations characteristic of the previously most sophisticated technique for attaching color images to rigid and semi-rigid surfaces—known as “silk screening”. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide a manufacturing technique that produces name badges that are less expensive but more visually appealing than all “permanent” name badges described in the prior art. 
   And, with the addition of a removable film backing, the object of one preferred embodiment of this invention is to provide a “convertible” name badge that serves temporarily as a name-badge, and then is converted to permanent use thereafter as a key fob or luggage tag. In doing so, the invention allows the sponsor or host of a function or special-event to provide a “temporary” name-badge with an appearance superior in quality normally associated with “permanent” name badges. Furthermore, the invention&#39;s flexibility, in converting from a name-badge to a key fob or luggage tag, adds a dimension of utility omitted from all name-badges described in the prior art. 
   The disclosed invention thus differs in several important respects from the prior art and all commercially-available name badges pre-dating the invention:
         (a) The invention results in name badges made of durable materials like permanent and re-usable name badges, but allows users to easily and inexpensively customize the badges with self-printed labels similar to the practice typical for inexpensive temporary name tags;   (b) The invention&#39;s label-based personalization is combined with a transparent snap-in lens to encapsulate the label on the same plane as the face-mounted graphic image, thus producing the same deep luster and vivid visual appearance for the personalized label as exists for the corresponding graphic image, and thereby resulting in a visual effect that implies the personalized label is an integral part of the surrounding image;   (c) Economical production processes dictate that name badges produced using the invention are only slightly more expensive than temporary name tags (i.e. 2 or 3 times the retail price) but have quality and appearance features typical only of the more expensive permanent name badges, thus making it economically viable to use “permanent” name badges in “temporary” applications like weddings, meetings, and other special events;   (d) The use of an optically-clear adhesive film, with a removable plastic film backing, to secure the lens in place over the personalization label inserted by the end user results in a bond that is much stronger than a mere mechanical snap-in lens could accomplish, thus making items produced using the invention suitable for rough-use applications like golf bag tags, key fobs, and luggage tags.   (e) Production processes that permit the inexpensive introduction of full-color/full-bleed photographic quality images in re-usable name badges applications that typically are characterized by only one or two solid colors, make badges produced using the invention more attractive to users and their consumer clientele than limited-color or bordered-image permanent name badges, and thus make them more desirable as mementos of special events;   (f) In an embodiment of the invention where an electrostatically-attached plastic film is laminated to the back of the name badge, permitting the easy removal of a safety pin or other finding without damaging the back of the name badge or the full-color/full-bleed graphic image produced there, the invention serves a temporary utilitarian function of name identification and a permanent function as a memento in the form of a personalized luggage tag or key fob.       

   The use of face-mounted full-color graphics to create laser-cut acrylic mementos with full-bleed images is a substantial improvement over all previously-disclosed methods and products, in part because of this invention&#39;s flexibility matches the shape of the mementos to irregular shapes of graphic images. The use of lens openings and clear, snap-in lenses in the exact size and shape of readily-available standard adhesive labels also is a substantial improvement over all previously-disclosed methods and products. The use of an electrostatically-adhered film coating on the reverse side of a name badge that contains a face-mounted vibrant image on both sides (with a label-size opening and lens on one side to accommodate real-time insertion of name identification) to facilitate the easy and non-damaging removal of a safety pin or other finding so that the memento can serve as a personalized key tag or luggage tag long after the conclusion of the event for which the name badge was utilized, is a substantial improvement over all previously-disclosed methods and products. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a means of producing ready-to-hang “frames” that are, in fact, a combination “frame” and graphic artwork that also can be easily and inexpensively personalized. The use of face-mounted full-color graphics to create laser-cut acrylic mementos with full-bleed images in the form of ready-to-hang display plaques, awards, and photo frames that combine a vibrant graphic image with subsequently-inserted items, is a substantial improvement over all previously-disclosed methods and products. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a backing board that serves as a mounting substratum for the photograph, concert ticket, sport-card, casino chip or other physical totem of remembrance, while at the same time serving as the hanging apparatus by which the product can be attached to a wall for display. The invention&#39;s snap-in clear acrylic lens protects and secures the photograph or other inserted item, and encapsulates and adds luster and vibrance to the same. The full-color/full-bleed graphic artwork that is face-mounted to the acrylic provides context for the totem of remembrance and enhances its display in a way that no prior frame has achieved. 
   Face-mounting a high-quality color print to a semi-rigid overlay of clear acrylic having a thickness dimension of between 0.05 in and 0.130 in adds vibrancy and luster to the images comprising the print because the acrylic captures light and creates a “depth” to the image, much as multiple coatings of polyurethane varnish adds luster to wood products. 
   The disclosed invention thus differs in several important respects from the prior art and all commercially-available display having frames or plaques predating the invention:
         (a) Plaques produced using the invention may be personalized in full-color by the end-user in real time using inexpensive inkjet or laser printer technology and inexpensive and readily-available standard-size adhesive-backed labels that correspond to apertures that may be flexibly-located virtually anywhere within the surface of the graphic image;   (b) Such label-based personalization is combined with a transparent snap-in lens to encapsulate the label on the same plane as the face-mounted full-color graphic image, thus producing the same deep luster and vivid visual appearance for the personalized-label as exists for the corresponding graphic image, and thereby resulting in a visual effect that implies the personalized-label is an integral part of the surrounding image;   (c) Plaques produced using the invention result in photographic-quality full-color/full-bleed imagery of exceptional luster. The full-bleed characteristic of the invention means that the graphic images extend all the way to the outside boundaries of the particular embodiment, and do not need any surrounding border, mat, frame, or guide to orient the image, hold it in place, provide grip during manufacturing, etc. The full-bleed characteristic of the invention is made possible through the unique production sequencing disclosed herein and the face-mounting and laser-cutting techniques disclosed.   (d) The use of an optically-clear adhesive film, with a removable plastic film backing, to secure the lens in place over the personalization label inserted by the end user results in a bond that is much stronger than a mere mechanical snap-in lens could accomplish, thus making items produced using the invention more permanent and shock-resistant.   (e) The invention and the face-mounting technique provide flexibility such that the aperture may be cut out to correspond to the dimensions of various totems, or physical memorabilia of significance, such as ticket stubs, casino chips, and collectible sports cards, which may be fit into openings of a correspondingly precise size and shape, and secured under pressure to become integrated into the display plaque, with or without a transparent lens.       

   The methods, means, and embodiments comprising the invention constitute a material improvement as compared to all previously-described products in the prior art because the full-bleed graphic imagery of said mementos extends all the way to the perimeter of the objects, with no border being necessary as with less sophisticated techniques of printing images on rigid or semi-rigid surfaces (such as silk screening). 
   Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present invention. 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the basic elements used in forming a two-sided memento according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a lamination process used to form the elements into each half of the memento of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2   a  is a schematic side view of the lamination of the elements into each half of the memento in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the basic elements adhered to one another to form each side of the memento of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of the halves of the memento of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a completed memento; 
       FIG. 6  is a partially broken away perspective view of the memento of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a circular, exploded cross-sectional view along line  7 — 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view along line  8 — 8  of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the attachment of an adhesive-backed label to the memento of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the attachment of a clear lens attached to the memento of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a flow chart schematically representing the steps and forming the memento of FIG.  5 . 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a memento according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a memento according to a third embodiment of the invention; and 
       FIGS. 14A-E  collectively illustrate the formation of the memento of FIG.  13 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   With reference now to the drawing Figures in which like reference numerals described like parts throughout the disclosure,  FIG. 1  shows the basic elements involved in making a two-sided memento  20  according to the invention, namely, two graphic prints or lithographs  22  and  24  and two pieces of acrylic sheet  26  and  28  corresponding in size to the prints  22  and  24 . (As used herein, the term “acrylic” also includes all other forms of rigid, optically clear plastics and similar materials, including, but not limited to, polycarbonate and PETG.) In a preferred embodiment, one of the graphic prints  24  is comprised of images  60  containing a void or unprinted area  30  that has dimensions similar to an adhesive-backed label or other insert of corresponding dimension. 
   The manufacturing methodology is initiated by generating the color graphic prints  22  and  24  on paper or some other flexible and ink-receptive medium using known computerized technology involving digital pixels. This technology permits short-run printing wherein the main images on the medium can be superimposed with an image comprising one or more logotypes for the special event, its venue, or its sponsors. The resulting rectangular print sheets  22  and  24  are thus typically comprised of a plurality of identical images  58  and  60 , respectively, which themselves may be either geometrically or irregularly shaped. 
   As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2   a , the finished color graphic prints  22  and  24  are face-mounted under pressure to the clear acrylic sheets  26  and  28  using an optically-clear adhesive  44  so as to enhance the vibrance of the images  58  and  60 . The term “face-mounted” is used and defined in contradistinction to the common-place or known method of mounting a graphic image printed on paper to a rigid or semi-rigid substrate for support and stability. Such common-place or known mounting involves the application of an adhesive  46  to the rear or back-side of the paper print  22  or  24 , which then is pressed on to the substratum (not shown). When “face-mounted”, the graphic print  22  or  24  is shielded “beneath” and visible through a clear super-stratum, such as the acrylic sheets  26  or  28 , that is adhered to the face-side of the graphic  22  or  24  by the optically-clear adhesive  44 . Absent the use of the optically-clear adhesive  44 , face-mounting results in a degradation of the quality of images  58  and  60  on the graphic prints  22  and  24 . But, when an optically-clear adhesive  44  is employed—such as that sold under the 3M brand as product “8141” or under the SEAL brand name “OptiMount”—and a clear acrylic sheet  26  or  28  is utilized as the super-stratum, the image quality and the vibrance of the colors of the graphic  22  or  24  actually are enhanced. 
   The sheets  26  and  28  of semi-rigid clear acrylic preferably have a thickness between 0.05″ and 0.130″ and width and height dimensions slightly larger than the associated rectangular prints  22  and  24 , and are affixed as a super-stratum to each of the graphic prints  22  and  24  by interposing a thin film of optically-clear, two-sided adhesive  44 , as discussed above, between the face of the graphics  22  and  24  and the clear acrylic super-stratum  26  and  28 , respectively. A laminating machine  48  is then used to apply evenly distributed pressure to the prints  22  and  24  and the sheets  26  and  28  by passing the sheets  26  and  28 , prints  22  and  24  and adhesive  44  between two rollers  50  and  52  on the machine  48  capable of applying adequate pressure to eliminate air bubbles and other imperfections between the prints and sheets. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3-5 , completion of the lamination process forms a pair of laminated boards  54  and  56  from the prints  22  and  24  and sheets  26  and  28 . Each laminated board  54  and  56  is then transferred to a conventional computer  25  numerically-controlled laser cutting device (not shown). The cutting device circumscribes each of the individual images  58  and  60  of each graphic print  22  and  24  on each board  54  and  56 , thus producing a plurality of full-bleed geometrically or irregularly shaped pieces  62  and  64  of the shape and size characteristic of the images  58  and  60  comprising the graphic. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the operator can also utilize the laser-cutting device to circumscribe in the piece  64  a cut out opening  38  that is exactly the same size and shape as the void  30  and as a standard adhesive-backed label that can be utilized by the consumer to customize or personalize the memento  20  by adding indicia to the memento  20  specific to a special event, location, or experience. (An exemplary label  40  is illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Once the two pieces  62  and  64  of the same size and mirror-image shapes have been produced, they can be joined in a back-to-back configuration to comprise a single memento  20  in which the pieces  64  and  62  comprise a rear half  68  in which the label-size cut-out  38  has been circumscribed, and a front half  66  without the cut out, respectively. 
   Looking now at  FIGS. 6-8 , the two halves  66  and  68  are joined by adhering the back of the print  22  on the front half  66  to the back of the print  24  on the back half  68  by means of a standard chemical adhesive or bonding agent  48 . In a separate embodiment (not shown), the halves  66  and  68  can also be adhered to opposite sides of a substrate. The rear half  68  of the now-unified laminated memento  20  forms a backing board to which a standard label  40  with a pressure sensitive adhesive backing or the like can be adhered, after being printed with photographic images or other indicia by the consumer, as shown in FIG.  9 . The edges of the cut out opening  38  in the front half  66  act as a guide for the insertion of the label  40 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a material component of the memento  20  of the present embodiment invention is a clear lens  36 . The lens  36  may be formed of the same acrylic material utilized in producing the front half  66  and rear half  68  of the memento  20 , as described above. The width and height dimensions of the lens  36  are slightly larger than the dimensions of the cut-out opening  38 , so that the lens  36  snaps securely into place within the opening  38  after the label  40  is placed in the opening. One side of the lens  36  also may be coated with the optically-clear pressure sensitive adhesive  44  so that, once a protective mask (not shown) is removed therefrom, the adhesive  44  will act to hold the lens  36  securely in place over the top of the label  40  within the opening  38 , thus effectively encapsulating the label  40  on approximately the same plane as the graphic print  24  comprising a part of the rear half  68 . 
   Referring to FIGS.  6  and  8 - 10 , the memento  20  also may include an opening  70  that extends through each of the halves  66  and  68  above the opening  38 . The opening  70  can be formed by the laser cutter in each half  66  and  68  before the halves are joined, or by a separate process after the halves  66  and  68  are joined. The opening  70  allows the memento  20  to be attached to a strap  72  used to secure the memento  20  to another object (not shown) such as a golf bag or piece of luggage. 
   By utilizing known digital printing processes and database merging software, stock graphic images can be printed-over with logotypes, names, phrases, etc. in order to custormize the individual mementos  20  for specific events. In addition, the images  56  and  60  and graphics  22  and  24  can be oriented to facilitate easy on-the-spot customization, while displaying the images  58  and  60  in an attractive “full-bleed” format where the edges of the images  58  and  60  extend to the periphery of the mementos  20  without any border. 
   The method of forming the first preferred embodiment of the invention is schematically illustrated in FIG.  11 . To form the front half  66 , in block  86  the optically clear adhesive  44  is laminated on one side of the acrylic sheet  26 . Thus, in block  88  the print sheet  22  is laminated to the acrylic sheet  26  by placing the image-containing side of the print sheet  22  against the optically clear adhesive  44 , or “face-mounting” the print sheet  22 . Next, in block  90  the acrylic sheet  26  is cut by a suitable device, such as laser cutter, in order to separate the individual images  58  on the print sheet  22  from one another to form a plurality of front halves  66 . 
   While the front halves  66  are being created, each rear half  68  is simultaneously formed by placing the optically clear adhesive  44  on the acrylic sheet  28  in block  92 . The acrylic sheet  28  is then joined with the print sheet  24  in block  94  to allow the optically clear adhesive  44  to secure the print sheet  24  to the acrylic sheet  28 . The conventional adhesive  46  is then placed on the print sheet  24  opposite the acrylic sheet  28  in block  96 , and in block  98  each rear half  68  is cut from the acrylic sheet  78  using the laser cutter to separate the individual images  60  from the print sheet  24 . In this step, the cut-out opening  38  can also be formed to allow the label  40  or other customizable element to be positioned within the cut-out opening  38 . The lens  36  can be formed in a separate step by forming an acrylic piece (not shown) into the desired shape, or by using the portion of the acrylic sheet  28  removed from each rear half  68 . 
   After the front half  66  and rear half  68  have been formed as described previously, in block  100 , the front half  66  is secured to the rear half  68  by contacting the non-image side of the first print  22  with the adhesive  46  on the rear half  68 . 
   In another preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in  FIG. 12 , the memento  20  is formed to be used as an award plaque, in which the front half  66  of the memento  20  is removed and replaced with a backing member  74 . The backing member  74  is preferably between 0.125 and 0.25 inches thick, with a length and width approximately 0.25 inches smaller than the rear half  68 . The backing member  74  is formed of a rigid material, such as wood, particle board, melamine, medium density fiber board, fiber board, hard board, masonite, foam backer board or the like. The backing member  74  includes a slot  76  that is positioned opposite the rear half  68  and is adapted to receive a nail or other element (not shown) that extends outwardly from a wall in order to hang the backing member  74  and memento  20  from the wall. In this manner, the memento  20  can be formed to constitute a plaque or other award suitable for display on a wall. 
   A third preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS.  13  and  14 A-E, is a name badge  78  formed with the rear half  68 , described previously, and a releasable film  80  in place of the front half  66 . The film  80  is electrostatically laminated onto or otherwise releasably secured to the front of the rear half. The badge  78  is convertible to a key fob or luggage tag through the removal of the film  80  initially adhered to the back surface of the badge  78 , thus allowing a finding  82 , such as a safety pin, a magnetic button, or a spring-biased clip or hook and loop closure, to be attached to the film  80  for the purpose of attaching the name badge to the clothing of the identified person. The film  80  adheres to the badge  78  in such a manner that it and the finding  82  may be removed from the badge  78  without damaging the back surface of the badge  78  or defacing the image  60  apparent there. After the film  80  is removed, a strap (not shown) can be inserted through the opening  70  to enable the badge  78  to be used in another capacity. 
     FIGS. 14A-E  illustrate the attachment of a label  40  to the badge  78  in order to personalize the badge  78 . In  FIG. 14A  a badge  78  is shown including an opening  38  in which the label  40  can be positioned.  FIG. 14B  illustrates the removal of a label  40  including the desired graphic material from a suitable substrate  89  in order to apply the label  40  to the badge  78  and the positioning of the label  40  within the opening  38  in the badge  78 . The label  40  is then adhered to the opening such that the label  40  completely covers the opening  38 . In  FIGS. 14C-E , a lens  36  including a peripheral backing  84  formed with the optically clear adhesive  44  is positioned within the opening  38  over the label  40 . The lens  36 , by means of the adhesive  44 , adheres to the label  40  and protects the graphic material on the label  40  while the badge  78  is in use. 
   In each of the above-described preferred embodiments, depending on the particular use for the memento  20 , the label  40  positioned within the opening  38  can be a label, a card, a photograph, a scorecard, a certificate and a casino chip, among others. For example, when the memento  20  is used as a golf bag tag, the memento  20  can display photographic images of the course where an outing, tournament, or charity fundraising event is conducted, possibly combined with a graphic display of the course layout, wherein the print image contains a depiction of the logo of the corporate or charitable sponsor of the event, and an opening specifically sized to fit a standard adhesive-backed label is utilized to customize the memento in real time with the player&#39;s name and other indicia relevant to the event. 
   Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention.