PROTECTIVE CAPSULE FOR AIRTIGHT PRESERVATION OF PHOTOGRAPHS OR DOCUMENTS

Abstract: The capsule (10, 260) includes a front portion (14, 261) and a mating rear portion (16, 266) adapted to be bonded toghether. Preferably, the rear portion includes a sealable opening (268, 271) in the rear portion into which a photograph or document (12, 289), or a carrier (290) containing a photograph or document, can be inserted. The front portion is transparent at least in the central area through which the photograph or document is viewed. The rear portion has a recessed cavity (25, 275) for positioning the photograph or document or a carrier containing the photograph or document. A lid (280) adhesively seals the opening in rear portion. By placing a photograph or document in the recessed cavity and sealing the capsule, an airtight container is created to protect the photgraph or document from the deteriorating effects of ultra-violet light, air circulation, atmospheric pollution and humidity. The capsule may be later opened without damaging the photograph or document.

Description: PROTECTIVE CAPSULE FOR AIRTIGHT PRESERVATION OF PHOTOGRAPHS OR DOCUMENTS Background It is known to encapsulate a document, such as an identification photograph, with lamination materials that are intended to prevent tampering by destroying the photo¬ graph if the encapsulation is opened. It is known to en¬ capsulate a document for preservation by the assembly of transparent film and double coated adhesive tape in a manner that protects the document from abrasion yet does not provide an effective airtight seal. However, none of the known constructions provide an effective means of greatly deterring the gradual fading of documents, such as photographic prints. The fading of photographic prints, especially color photographs made with chromogenic dyes, is a slow but continuously progressive process caused by ultraviolet radiation, cycling relative humidity, high temperature, atmospheric pollution and oxidation. Because the fading process progresses slowly over a period of years, the eye tends to adjust to such gradual changes, and the fading is not usually noticed until substantial deterioration has occurred and the condition has become irreversible. There is a need for a simple do-it-yourself device for preserv¬ ing color photographs and other valuable documents in a manner which will permit removal of the photograph or document at any time in the future without damaging the photograph or document. By the use of the present invention, the fading pro¬ cess is greatly deterred over a period of time long enough to enable photographic color prints to be used for archival purposes. Summary Of The Invention In its broadest aspect, the present invention is a protective capsule for a photograph or document character- ized by a front portion and a mating rear portion, each por¬ tion being larger in contour than the contour of the photo¬ graph or document to be preserved; the rear portion having a recessed cavity within which the photograph or document is to be placed, the front portion being transparent at least in a central area overlying the recessed cavity; and an adhesive sealant circumscribing the periphery of the recessed cavity without touching the face of said photo¬ graph or document to provide an airtight seal which is non-destructive of the photograph or document. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a protective capsule for a photograph or docu¬ ment characterized by a front portion and a mating rear portion, each portion being larger in contour than the contour of the photograph or document to be preserved; the rear portion having a recessed cavity adapted to contain the photograph or document, the front portion being tran¬ sparent at least in the central area overlying the cavity, the rear portion including a means for defining the cavity, the rear portion being bonded to the front portion along the outer periphery of the means defining the cavity, the rear portion having an opening therein through which the photograph or document is insertable into the capsule; and sealing means for sealing the opening in an airtight manner which will permit removal of the photograph or document without destroying the photograph or document. j EA OMPI. Preferably, the photograph or document is contained in a carrier which positions the photograph or document within the cavity. The photograph or document is first placed in the carrier and then the carrier is inserted into the capsule through the opening in the rear portion thereof. The present invention provides a protective capsule for airtight preservation of photographs or documents which is simple and easy to use by the average consumer and by professionals. The front portion of the capsule overlies the photograph or document, particularly a color photograph, and provides for filtering of ultraviolet light, while being an air and moisture barrier. Further, the protective capsule provides airtight preservation of photographs or documents in a manner which permits access to the contents without damaging the contents and which permits observation of the contents at all times. Brief Description Of The Drawings For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently pre¬ ferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumen¬ talities shown. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a document pre- served in a capsule in accordance v/ith one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the com¬ ponents of the capsule of the present invention and shown transversely sectioned. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the components com¬ prising the rear portion of the capsule. Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views of the front portion in accordance with alternative embodiments. Figure 6 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a capsule in accordance with the present invention. Figure 7 is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 6, taken along line 7—7, but with the capsule sealed and containing a photograph or document. Detailed Description Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in Figure 1 a capsule in accordance with the present invention desig¬ nated generally as 10. The capsule 10 includes a photo¬ graph or document 12 preserved within the capsule 10 in an airtight manner. The capsule 10 includes a front portion 14 and a rear portion 16. Referring to Figure 3, there is shown an exploded view of the components of the rear portion 16. An an¬ nular layer 18 is releasably bonded to a release layer 20 thereabove by adhesive layer 22. The layers 18, 20 and 22 are die-cut so as to provide a hole 25 therethrough. A backing layer 28 is bonded to the rear surface of layer 18 by an adhesive layer 30. Layer 28 forms a rear wall for the hole 2% and converts the same into a recessed cavity. The various layers of the rear portion 16 may be varied widely as to the material from which they are made and the thicknesses thereof. The preferred construction of the rear portion 16 is as follows. Layer 28 is pref- erably a translucent white acrylic sheet having a thick¬ ness of about 0.76 to 3.18 mm (about 0.020 to 0.125 inch). Layer 18 is preferably an opaque white acrylic sheet having a thickness of about 0.13 to 1.14 mm (about 0.005 to about 0.045 inch). The adhesive layer 30 is preferably a heat- -sealable acrylic adhesive. The adhesive layer 22 is preferably a pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive. The adhesive thicknesses are preferably 0.03 to 0.10 mm (0.001 to 0.004 inch). The release layer 20 is preferably a paper or polyester film with a silicone or polyethylene release coating. The layers 20, 22 could be on the rear surface of the front portion 14 if desired. OΓΛP The front portion 14 may be a laminate of at least two layers but preferably is a single rigid layer 32. The layer 32 is preferably a transparent acrylic layer incor¬ porating an ultraviolet light absorber having a thickness of about 0.76 to 3.18 mm (about 0.030 to 0.125 inch). A decorative, opaque or translucent border 38 may be provided on the rear surface of the layer 32 so as to be inside the capsule. The border 38 is preferably applied to the layer 32 by screen printing onto the rear surface of layer 32. The front portion 14 and the rear portion 16 are preferably the same peripheral contour. Front portion 14 may be separate from rear portion 16 or may be joined thereto by a hinge 42 so as to form a booklet. Hinge 42 may be a film of pressure sensitive or hot melt adhesive. The portions 14 and 16 are preferably joined together by hinge 42 so as to automatically have alignment between the portions 14 and 16 thereby minimizing any inadvertent misalignment during use. The capsule 10 is utilized as follows. Rear portion 16 is placed on any support surface with the recessed cavity on its most forward surface as shown in Figure 2. The photograph or document 12 is placed in the recessed cavity or in a carrier, such as that illustrated as item 290 in Figures 14 and 15, which is then placed in the recessed cavity. Thereafter, the release layer 20 is removed. The front portion 14 is placed'over the rear portion 16 and pressed thereto around the periphery of the photograph or document 12 to provide an airtight seal whereby the inner surface of layer 32 will be adhesively bonded to the rear portion 16 by way of adhesive layer 22. The photograph or document 12 is now preserved in an airtight capsule. The capsule is easy to use by any aver¬ age consumer. If layer 28 is made translucent, any data on the rear surface of the photograph or document 12 will be visible. For a capsule that is transparent on both OMPI sides, a second front layer 14 may be used in place of translucent layer 28. In Figure 4 there is shown another embodiment of the front portion designated 14A. Front portion 14A is the same as front portion 14 except as is set forth below. The front portion 14A is a laminate including layer 32 bonded to an inner layer 33 by an optically clear adhesive. The inner layer 33 is preferably a polyester layer having a thickness of about 0.05 to 0.18 mm (about 0.002 to 0.007 inch). Alternatively, layer 33 may be a fluorocarbon layer having a thickness of about 0.03 to 0.15 mm (about 0.001 to 0.006 inch) . In Figure 5 there is illustrated another embodiment of the front portion and designated 14*. The front por- tion 14' is identical with front portion 14 except as will be made clear hereinafter. An anti-abrasion coating 44 is applied to the outermost surface of the layer 32. Any one of a wide variety of coatings may be utilized for coating 44. A preferred coating 44 is a hard silicone coating, such as sold by General Electric Company under the trademark "SCH-IOIO". The innermost surface of front portion 14 may be textured with an anti-reflection finish 46 to minimize internal reflections and "Newton's rings". Alternately, Newton's rings may be eliminated by a carrier used to hold and position the photograph or document, where the carrier includes a spacer to hold the front sur¬ face of the photograph or document away from the innermost surface of the front portion. See carrier 290 in Figures 6 and 7, for example. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the presently preferred embodiment of a capsule in accordance with the present invention which is generally designated 260. Capsule 260 comprises a front portion 261 and a rear portion 266. Front portion 261 includes a front layer 262 which may be a single rigid layer like layer 32 of the embodiment shown in Figure 2. Alternately, front layer 262 may com¬ prise laminates such as those shown in Figures 4 and 5. -BUREAIΓ Preferably, front layer 262 has beveled front edges 263 and a decorative, opaque border 264 around its perimeter. Border 264 may extend toward the center of layer 262 to overlap and thereby mask the edges of a photograph or document 289 or the carrier 290 to be retained within the capsule. Front layer 262 may have any suitable thickness, such as about 0.20 mm (about 0.080 inch). Rear portion 266 includes several components. The most rearward component is a backing layer 267. Backing layer 267 is preferably a translucent, v/hite acrylic sheet having a thickness of about 0.10 mm (about 0.04 inch). Backing layer 267 contains an opening 268 adjacent one end thereof through which carrier 290 containing photograph or document 289 is inserted into the capsule. Finger notches 269 aid in the removal of lid 279 from the capsule. Intermediate layer 270 is adhesively bonded to backing layer 267. For purposes of clarity, the adhesive bonding together layers 267 and 270 is not shown. How¬ ever, it may b-e an adhesive similar to those set forth elsewhere herein. Intermediate layer 270 is preferably a translucent, white acrylic sheet having a thickness of about 0.08 mm (about 0.03 inch). At one end of layer 270 is an opening 271. Opening 271 is aligned with and of the same general shape, but is of smaller dimensions than opening 268 in backing layer 267. Finger notches 273 are also contained in edge 272, and aid in the removal of carrier 290 or the photograph or document from the capsule. The innermost layer of rear portion 266 is annular layer 274 having an opening therein defining a cavity 275. Layer 274 is adhesively bonded to layer 270, although the adhesive layer is not shown for purposes of clarity. Any suitable adhesive, such as those mentioned herein, may be used. Inner layer 274 is preferably a translucent, white acrylic sheet having a thickness of about 0.10 mm (about 0.04 inch) . A peripheral channel 276 is formed in the inner sur¬ face of layer 274. Channel 276 contains an adhesive, such as a bead of silicone or acrylic adhesive sealant which bonds the front portion 261 to the rear portion 266 in an airtight manner. While the use of a channel 276 allows an effective and neat bond, it is not necessary that channel 276 be present. If no channel is present, front portion 261 is bonded to rear portion 266 using any suit¬ able adhesive. Edge 277 of inner layer 274 which defines one wall of cavity 275 is registered with the adjacent edge 272 which forms one wall of opening 271 in intermediate layer 270. Finger notches 278 are formed in edge 277 to align v/ith finger notches 273 formed in edge 272. Although rear portion 266 of capsule 260 is illus- trated including several substantially- coextensive layers, rear portion 266 may be molded as a single unit having the configuration of all layers 267, 270 and 274. The molding of a unitary rear portion 266 may be the most economical and effective way of forming the rear portion, since it will not be necessary to bond together the layers forming the rear portion. A photograph or document may be directly inserted into the cavity 275 within the capsule through openings 268 and 271. Preferably, however, the photograph or docu- ment is first placed in carrier 290 and then carrier 290 is inserted into the capsule. Carrier 290 is dimensioned so as to fit within cavity 275 formed in layer 274. Carrier 290 includes a photograph or document holder comprising annular layer 292 bonded with spacer 298 to backing layer 296. Backing layer 296 is a polymeric plas¬ tic material, preferably a polyester or acrylonitrile, with a thickness of about 0.01 to 0.03 mm (about 0.005 to 0.010 inch). Spacer 298 may be made of a polymeric plastic material having about the same thickness as a photograph or document to be encapsulated, such as about 0.03 mm (about 0.010 inch). Spacer 298 may be coated on both sides with any suitable adhesive such as those set fc herein. Annular layer 292 includes an opening 293 to re¬ tain a photograph or document. The corners of the photo¬ graph or document are placed beneath the corner retention portions 297 of layer 292. Layer 292 may be made of a polymeric plastic material, an acid-free cellulosic product or the like. Opening 293 is dimensioned to be slightly larger than a photograph or document to be encapsulated, on the order of about 0.08 mm (about 0.03 inch) in each dimension. An inner mat 294 is attached to layer 292 along one edge thereof by a hinge 291, preferably made of hot-melt adhesive applied on the outside edges of layer 292 and mat 294. Inner mat 294 may be decorative and/or functional. Preferably, mat 294 is principally functional but may also be decorative. It may be made from any polymeric material and may be a laminate. The presently preferred material for inner mat 294 is a polyester or acrylonitrile. Opening 295 is die cut in mat 294. Opening 295 should be slightly smaller in dimension than opening 293 formed in layer 292 and slightly smaller than the dimen¬ sions of the photograph or document 289. This is to allow the inner edge of mat 294 to overlap and thereby mask the edges of the encapsuled photograph or document. The over-: lap also causes the mat to act as a mechanical retainer holding the photograph or other document in place, together with portions 297 of layer 292. The photograph or document is thereby held in a position spaced from the rear surface of front portion 261. This spacing eliminates the need for a coating or texture to prevent or at least minimize New- ton's rings on front portion 261. After the photograph or document 289 is placed in carrier 290, the carrier 290 is inserted into the capsule through openings 268 and 271. The capsule is then sealed with lid 279 which is adhesively attached by adhesive 280 to intermediate layer 270 adjacent to the walls of opening 268. In practice, adhesive 280 may be applied to substan¬ tially the entire surface of lid 279. A release layer 282 covers the adhesive until the lid is to be applied to seal the capsule. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, an optional plug 284 may be adhesively bonded by adhesive 280 to lid 279. Al- ternatively, optional plug 284 may be integrally formed with lid 279 and adhesive 280 and release layer 282 could be applied to the surface of lid 279 surrounding plug 284. Plug 284 includes projections 286 which mate with finger notches 273 and 278 in layers 270 and 274, respectively. The primary function of the plug is to fill the air space within opening 271 after the capsule is closed. With the protective capsule 260 illustrated in Fig¬ ures 6 and 7, an average consumer very easily may seal a photograph or document in the capsule in an airtight manner. While the other embodiments illustrated herein require the consumer to exert substantial pressure along the entire periphery of the capsule, capsule 260 illus¬ trated in Figures 6 and 7 make it easier for the con¬ sumer to provide an effective, airtight seal. All the consumer need do is to remove the release layer 282 from the adhesive 280 on lid 279 and insert the lid into opening 268. While the adhesive 280 provides an effec¬ tive, airtight seal for the capsule, lid 279 may be pried from opening 268 and the carrier 290 may be removed from capsule 260 and another photograph or document replaced in the carrier and the carrier may be replaced easily in the capsule. Finger notches 269, 273 and 278 assist in the removal of the carrier from the capsule. If a photograph or document is replaced and adhesive 280 loses its effec- ' tiveness as an air and moisture seal, rather than replacing the entire capsule, it is only necessary to replace the lid assembly 279, 280 and 282. It is believed that an airtight seal is more impor¬ tant than any other individual factor in preserving color photographs and documents. It is to be understood that an airtight seal is present even though a small amount of air may permeate through the adhesive layers or the plastic layers. Thus, a seal is considered airtight so long as there are no open channels and there is no significant amount of air circulation within the capsule. In the capsule of the present invention, each of the various layers have been chosen to accomplish a particular object. For example, the front portion provides stiffness without sacrificing clarity and is formed of a polymeric plastic which will age well so that the capsule will remain substantially transparent for as long as one hundred years. The preferred composition of the front portion is polymethylmethacrylate filtered with about 0.05% to about 1.0% of an ultraviolet stabilizer (such as the one sold by Ciba-Geigy under the trademark TINUVIN P. The preferred composition of the rear portion is injection moldable polymethylmethacrylate (such as that sold by Rohm & Haas under the trademark PLEXIGLAS VM) . The adhesives must have an equally long life expectancy. Silicone-based adhesives are preferred but suitable acrylic or other adhesives may Be utilized. The capsules may be manufactured in different sizes for accomodating different size photographs or documents. The surfaces of the layers should be free of oil or other substances which would interfere with the full adherence of the adhesive layers. The capsule of the present invention is simple and easy to use by the average consumer without the need for any laminating equipment or other tools. The seal provided by the adhesive will permit subsequent removal of the contents without destroying or harming the photograph or document. The encapsulated photograph or document, without the need for glass or an additional mat, may be set in a base as shown in Figure 1, or may be set in a frame.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A protective capsule for a photograph or document characterized by a front portion and a mating rear portion, each portion being larger in contour than the contour of the photograph or document to be preserved; the rear por¬ tion having a recessed cavity within which the photograph or document is to be placed, the front portion being trans¬ parent at least in the central area overlying the recessed cavity; and an adhesive sealant circumscribing the peri¬ phery of the recessed cavity without touching the face of said photograph or document to provide an airtight seal which is non-destructive of the photograph or document. 2. A protective capsule for a photograph or docu¬ ment characterized by a front portion and a mating rear portion, each portion being larger in contour than the contour of the photograph or document to be preserved; the rear portion having a recessed cavity adapted to contain the photograph or document, the front portion being tran¬ sparent at least in the central area overlying the cavity, the rear portion including a means for defining the cavity, the rear portion being bonded to the front portion along the outer periphery of the means defining the cavity, the rear portion having an opening therein through which the photograph or document is insertable into the capsule; and sealing means for sealing the opening in an airtight manner which will permit removal of the photograph or document without destroying the photograph or document. 3. A protective capsule in accordance with claim 2 wherein the sealing means comprises a lid having a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive adapted to seal the lid to the rear portion adjacent to the periphery of the ope ing . 4. A protective capsule in accordance with claim 3 further comprising a plug associated with the lid which is insertable into the opening. 5. A protective capsule in accordance with claim 2 wherein the rear portion comprises a plurality of layers L bonded together including a backing layer having an open¬ ing therein, an intermediate layer having an opening therein aligned with and of the same general shape but of smaller dimensions than the opening in the backing layer, and an inner annular layer defining the cavity. 6. A protective capsule in accordance with claim 5 wherein one edge of the inner layer which defines one wall of the cavity is registered with an adjacent edge of the intermediate layer which defines one wall of the opening in the intermediate layer. 7. A protective capsule in accordance with claim 2 wherein the rear portion includes a single layer of material in which the cavity and opening are formed, and sealing means to seal the opening. 8. A protective capsule in accordance with claim 2 wherein the photograph or document is insertable within a carrier containing an annular positioning means having a central opening therein for the photograph or document, the carrier befLng insertable into the cavity for position¬ ing the photograph or document therein. 9. A protective capsule in accordance with claim 8 wherein an annular mat overlies the carrier, the annular mat having a central opening therein, the central opening in the mat having the same shape but smaller dimensions than the central opening in the positioning means of the carrier. 10. A protective capsule in accordance with claim 9 wherein the carrier and the mat are hinged together along corresponding side edges. 11. A protective capsule in accordance with claim 2 wherein the front portion is a laminate of an outer layer and an inner layer bonded together with an optically clear adhesive. 12. A protective capsule in accordance with claim 2 including a decorative border on the front portion, the border circumscribing the recessed cavity. -BITREAIΓ OMPI _ 13. A protective capsule in accordance with claim 2 including an anti-abrasion coating overlying the outermost surface of the front portion. - β υ REA t/

Inventors: SEGEL JOSEPH M, STERN MICHAEL D, SEGEL, JOSEPH, M., STERN, MICHAEL, D.
Applicants: SEGEL JOSEPH M, STERN MICHAEL D, SEGEL, JOSEPH, M., STERN, MICHAEL, D.
Application year: 1982
Main classification: G09F3
IPC codes: A47G1