Abstract:
A kit for enabling a child to produce a book format record including customized text and photographs of a particular event experienced by the child is provided. The kit includes a board book including a plurality of bound, substantially rigid pages and a plurality of picture pockets. Each picture pocket includes an affixing portion for enabling the picture pocket to be affixed to a page of the board book and a front portion adapted to permit picture viewing. The board book and the picture pockets are packaged together for purchase with at least some of the picture pockets unattached to the board book so that picture pockets can be attached to the pages at child selected locations after the kit is purchased.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present application relates to a customizable board book and a kit for use in making a customized board book.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Photo albums are frequently used to collect and arrange photographs for viewing. Typically, a photo album includes numerous pages and acid-free protective sheets attached thereto along one edge. Photographs can be placed on a surface of a page of the photo album beneath the protective sheet. In some instances, a user may dedicate an entire photo album to a single event such that the photo album includes only photographs from that event. The photographs may be arranged in the album in some form of logical order, such as chronologically.  
         [0003]     Typical photo albums may be ill suited for use by young children, for example, due to their size or level of interactivity. To this end, display books have been proposed having predetermined locations to which photographs can be applied. The display books include pictorial representations such as cartoon characters that include a photographic site to which a personalized photograph can be applied.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     In an aspect, a kit for enabling a child to produce a book format record including customized text and photographs of a particular event experienced by the child is provided. The kit includes a board book including a plurality of bound, substantially rigid pages and a plurality of picture pockets. Each picture pocket includes an affixing portion for enabling the picture pocket to be affixed to a page of the board book and a front portion adapted to permit picture viewing. The board book and the picture pockets are packaged together for purchase with at least some of the picture pockets unattached to the board book so that picture pockets can be attached to the pages at child selected locations after the kit is purchased.  
         [0005]     In another aspect, a method of making a kit for use in creating a book format record including customized text and photographs of a particular event experienced by a child is provided. The method includes providing a board book including a plurality of bound, substantially rigid pages. A plurality of picture pockets are also provided with each picture pocket including an affixing portion for enabling the picture pocket to be affixed to a page of the board book and a front portion adapted to permit picture viewing. The board book and the picture pockets are packaged together for purchase with at least some of the picture pockets unattached to the board book so that picture pockets can be attached to the pages at child selected locations after the kit is purchased.  
         [0006]     In another aspect, a kit for enabling a child to produce a book format record including customized text and photographs of a particular event experienced by the child is provided. The kit includes a board book including a plurality of bound, substantially rigid pages disposed between a front cover and a back cover. The pages and the front cover and back cover are each in the form of a laminate where the front cover includes a title permanently applied to an outer surface of the front cover, the title tending to create a first theme. Adhesive-backed picture pockets carried by a backing sheet are provided. The backing sheet is configured to allow the picture pockets to be removed therefrom and to be affixed to a page of the board book. The picture pockets include a front portion adapted to permit picture viewing. A writing instrument is also provided for use in customizing the board book. The board book, the picture pockets and the writing instrument are packaged together for purchase with at least some of the picture pockets unattached to the board book so that picture pockets can be attached to the pages at child selected locations after the kit is purchased.  
         [0007]     In another aspect, a method of creating a book format record including customized text and photographs of a particular event experienced by a child is provided. The method includes affixing picture pockets at child-selected locations to rigid pages of a board book. Photographs can be placed within the picture pockets for viewing. The pages can be written on so that a child can customize pages of the board book. In some instances, the board book and picture pockets are not packaged together for purchase (in some embodiments, the board book and picture pockets are purchased separately prior to affixing the picture pockets to pages of the board book). In some embodiments, openings of the picture pockets affixed to pages of the board book may be closed, for example, using adhesive-backed stickers.  
         [0008]     The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is front view of an embodiment of a kit including customizable board book;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front, perspective view of an embodiment of a board book packaged in the kit of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic illustration of a page cantilevered at one end;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a section view of an embodiment of a page of the board book of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0013]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a method of customizing a board book using the kit of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates an inside surface of a front cover and sheet of the board book of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a front, perspective view of a customized board book using the kit of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  is a front view of an alternative binding for an embodiment of a board book; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  is a front view of another embodiment of a board book. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a kit  10  includes a customizable board book  12  and various other items that can be used by a child to create a book format record of an event, such as a vacation, sporting event, educational activity such as a field trip or school lesson, family activity such as a reunion, holiday activity, birthday activity, etc. As will be described in greater detail below, the board book  12  is customizable by a child or adult, e.g., with the assistance of a child using other components included in the kit  10 . As customized, the completed board book  12  with book format record can be made especially for handling and viewing by young children such as infants, toddlers and pre-school age children. The other items in the kit  10  can also be suitable for use and handling by a child.  
         [0019]     In addition to board book  12 , kit  10  includes adhesive-backed picture pockets  14 , adhesive-backed graphics  16  and adhesive-backed closures  18 . As shown, the picture pockets  14 , graphics  16  and closures  18  are adhered to a common backing sheet  20  that can allow for their removal therefrom without damage to the adhesive backings. Alternatively, the picture pockets  14 , graphics  16  and/or closures  18  may be adhered to separate backing sheets  20 . In some embodiments, the backing sheet  20  may include separable portions (not shown) that are connected along a weakened boundary such as a perforated boundary to allow for separation between adjacent portions of the backing sheet. In some instances, the backing sheet  20  may be folded to facilitate insertion into a product package  24 .  
         [0020]     Graphics  16  can include a theme-related message and/or illustration and closures  18  can be used to close openings  26  of the picture pockets  14 , for example, once a photograph has been inserted therein. In some embodiments, closures  18  are substantially circular stickers (e.g., having a ¾ inch diameter) and are formed of a transparent or semi-transparent material. A writing instrument  22  such as a marker, ink pen or crayon is provided for use in customizing the board book  12 . In some instances, the kit  10  may not include one or more of the graphics  16 , closures  18  and/or writing instrument  22 . In some embodiments, the picture pockets  14  may not be adhesive-backed and may include other affixing means such as a fastener component including, for example, hooks and/or loops for releasably securing the picture pocket to a mating fastener component affixed to a sheet of the board book  12  or for use in closing openings  26 .  
         [0021]     Board book  12 , picture pockets  14 , graphics  16 , closures  18  and writing instrument  22  are disposed in package  24 . Package  24  includes a pouch  28 , e.g., formed of a transparent plastic material that is connected to a header  30  having a hole  32  for use in hanging the kit  10  on a display for retail sale. In some embodiments, a seal (not shown), such as a reclosable seal is disposed between the header  30  and pouch contents. Components of the kit  10  may be packaged together to accommodate display in a retail store and/or components of the kit  10  may be packaged together for mailing, for example, directly to a purchaser who has purchased the kit  10  or to a retail store for customer purchase or any location in a distribution chain.  
         [0022]     While  FIG. 1  shows a pouch or bag  28 , any suitable package can be used including a box, shrink-wrap, a blister package, a clamshell package, mail packaging, etc. Furthermore, the package may include compartments for use in separating selected items. For example,  FIG. 1  shows an alternative pouch  28  that includes a seal  34  (shown by dotted lines) forming a compartment  36  in which only writing instrument  22  is located. In some embodiments, the bag  28  or other package is reusable and reclosable to allow items to be placed back into the package and to be secured therein. Kit  10  may include items in addition to those described above such as glitter, glue, fabrics, buttons, tape, yarn, string, ribbon, bows, etc. In cases where the kit  10  is theme oriented, items disposed in the kit may have characteristics associated with the pre-selected theme. Kit  10  may include multiple board books  12 , for example, having differing or the same themes. In some embodiments, one or more of the board book  12 , picture pockets  14 , graphics  16 , closures  18  and writing instrument  22  may be provided separate from the other components.  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , board book  12  includes a front cover  38 , a back cover  40  and multiple, bound pages  42  disposed therebetween. Each page  42  includes two sides. Pages  42 , front cover  38  and back cover  40  are relatively rigid, for example, compared to ordinary notebook or multipurpose paper. Referring to  FIG. 3 , by “rigid,” we mean that the pages  42 , front cover  38  and back cover  40 , each have a stiffness such that their end  43  will not bend over an angle θ from horizontal that is more than about  20  degrees under their own weight when cantilevered at an opposite end  44 . In some embodiments, pages  42  and/or front and back covers  38 ,  40  will not perceivably bend under their own weight when cantilevered at end  44 . The pages  42 , front cover  38  and back cover  40  may also have a resilience such that when bent about  20  degrees or less, they spring back toward their original shape. The stiffness and resilience of the pages  42 , front cover  38  and back cover  40  can provide protection for photographs affixed thereto and can increase the life of the customized board book  12 .  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , page  42  is a laminate formed of a base layer  46  and outer layers  48  and  50  located at opposite sides of the base layer  46 . In some embodiments, front and back cover  38 ,  40  are also laminates. Outer layers  48  and  50  can include a pigment to provide permanently colored surfaces (e.g., red, yellow, blue and/or combinations thereof) and/or designs including text for the pages. For example, the title “MY VACATION BOARD BOOK” shown in  FIG. 2  is permanently displayed on the front cover  38 . In some cases, opposite sides of a single page  42  may include differing colors. The colors of the pages  42  may be selected to correspond to a pre-selected theme.  
         [0025]     Any suitable materials can be selected to form the pages  42  (and front and back cover  48  and  50 ) including cardboard, plastics, etc. Preferably, the pages  42  are formed of a relatively durable material to inhibit their tearing due to ordinary handling by a child and outer layers  48  and  50  are bonded to base layer  46  to inhibit separation therefrom. In some embodiments, the base layer  46  is formed of die cut cardboard having a thickness of between about ⅛ inch and 1/16 inch and outer layers  48  and  50  are formed of a thin (e.g., less than about 1/16 inch) layer of plastic. In an alternative embodiment, pages  42  may not be a laminate and may be formed of a single layer of, for example, whiteboard. The pages  42  can have a width W of about 7.5 inches and a height H of about 7.5 inches, e.g., to accommodate 4″×6″ photographs, or the pages  42  can have a width W of about 6.5 inches and a height H of about 6.5 inches, e.g., to accommodate 3″×5″ photographs ( FIG. 2 ), as examples.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , once package  24  has been opened and the items removed from pouch  28 , the board book  12  can be customized to create a book format record. In one example, adhesive-backed picture pockets  14  are removed from backing sheet  20  and adhered to pages  42  at user-determined locations. Depending on the number of pages  42 , kit  10  may include enough picture pockets  14  for placement of a picture pocket on each side of each page and, in some instances, on front cover  38 . Alternatively, there may be less or more picture pockets. In some instances, there may be between about one and 20 picture pockets  14 , such as about ten picture pockets included in kit  10 .  
         [0027]     As can be seen from  FIG. 5 , the openings  26  of picture pockets  14  face each other and are disposed on opposite side of binding  52 . Picture pockets  14  are placed above marking regions  54  that are bounded by a permanently marked border  56 . The size of marking regions  54  may be selected such that the picture pocket  14  can be placed on the page  42  without obstructing the marking region, if desired. The marking region  54  may further be filled with a color, such as white, that is different from the color of the rest of the page  42 . In some embodiments, marking region  54  may have a surface texture, such as a matte surface, that facilitates marking thereon. In some embodiments, a strip of material, such as an adhesive-backed strip that can be located on the page by the user, may form marking region  54 . Material forming the marking region  54  may be selected based on the type of writing instrument  22  included in the kit  10  so that markings can be made using the writing instrument with relative ease. In some instances, there may not be a bordered marking region  54  on the page  42 .  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , photographs  58  (shown in phantom) can be located within the picture pockets  14  by inserting (as by sliding) the photographs through openings  26  either prior to or after affixing the picture pockets to pages  42 . In some embodiments, the picture pockets  14  are sized to receive certain standard size photographs such as 4″×6″, 3″×5″, etc. and are formed of a transparent material that will not harm the photographs  58  over time. In some embodiments, the picture pockets  14  may also include color and/or designs. Once the photographs  58  are in the desired locations, closures  18  may be adhered to the picture pockets  14  at openings  26  to secure the photographs therein. The child or adult may write text  60  using writing instrument  22  within the marking regions  54  (or anywhere else on the page  42 ). The text  60  can tell a story or record an event associated with the photograph  58  on the respective page  42 .  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , board book  12  can include pages  42 , front cover  38  and/or back cover  40  having any desired layout and any desired permanent designs. For example,  FIG. 7  shows a relatively large (e.g., compared to that of page  42 ) marking region  54  disposed on an inside surface  62  of front cover  38 . This marking region  54  can be used, for example, to include a child&#39;s name as the author or main character, to record the date and location of the recorded event, and/or to include a preface or introduction to the record or story.  FIG. 8  shows outside surface  64  front cover  38  with picture pocket  14 , photograph  58  and marking region  54 . The marking region  54  on the front cover  38  can be used to create a subtitle  66  for the recorded event.  
         [0030]     While the title “MY VACATION BOARD BOOK” is a title example referred to above tending to create a vacation-oriented theme for the recorded event or story, examples of other titles include “MY BOARD BOOK,” “MY FAMILY BOARD BOOK,” “MY ADVENTURE BOARD BOOK,” “MY BIRTHDAY BOARD BOOK,” “MY COUNTING BOARD BOOK,” “MY ABCs BOARD BOOK,” “MY SPORTS BOARD BOOK,” “MY PET BOARD BOOK,” “MY HOLIDAY BOARD BOOK” and “MY ZOO BOARD BOOK.” 
         [0031]     Kit  10  can be specifically designed for use and assembly by young children, for example, between ages one and five. The board book  12  and other items included in kit  10  can be selected to allow for relatively quick assembly of the board book such as within about 40 minutes or less, such as between about 20 and 40 minutes. The number of pages  42  can be less than ten, such as five or less, such as four with each page having sides. The pages  42 , front cover  38  and rear cover  40  can be bound by any suitable method including adhesives that are child suitable. Referring to  FIG. 9 , in some embodiments, pages  42  may be bound using adhesive-backed film  68 . This can enable a child or adult to assemble a board book  12  from separate pages  42  and/or covers  38  and  40 . Components of kit  10  can also be selected to keep the weight of the completed board book below a pre-selected weight, such as less than about two pounds, such as about one pound or less to facilitate the completed board book&#39;s portability, particularly when being transported by a young child.  
         [0032]     A number of detailed embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, kit  10  may include other types of components for affixing the photographs  58  to the pages  42  such as photo corners. Referring to  FIG. 10 , different size picture pockets  14   a  and  14   b  may be included in the same kit  10 . As noted above, the board book  12  may include permanent, pre-applied designs on pages  42  and/or front and back cover  38 ,  40 . For example, a board book  12  entitled MY VACATION BOARD BOOK may include permanent, pre-applied drawings such as a beach, chairs, sea gulls, shells, surfboards or any other graphic associated with a vacation. In some embodiments, instructions for assembling the board book  12  are permanently printed on the board book, for example, on an outer surface of rear cover  40 . Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.