Package for photographic prints in various formats

Abstract: The invention relates to a package for the return of photographic prints following development and printing. The package comprises a first compartment 32 able to receive the photographic prints, a second compartment 30 receiving the developed film 31 and a lid 14 provided with two flats connected to each other by a back 20. One of the flats is stuck under the bottom of the compartment 32 and the other flat 18 serves as a cover for the first compartment. The internal wall of the lid is provided with flexible members 50, 51 extending towards the base of the package in order to cooperate with at least one side of the photographic prints with a format smaller than the size of the compartment with a view to limiting their movement inside said compartment. Application to the distribution of photographic prints.

Description: The invention concerns a package for flat photographic products in various formats and, more especially, a container, designed to contain photographic prints in various formats preferably together with the cassette containing the film after processing. Until now, processing laboratories, after the development of the photographic film containing the images recorded, produce, from the various images recorded and developed, a paper print in a single format, and then cut the film which is stored flat in a return envelope containing a compartment for the prints of the images and a second compartment for the film. In a new photographic system, once the film has been processed and the images recorded thereon printed, the film used for recording is wound back into a cassette. The photographic industry therefore has a need for containers adapted to being able to return to the user the photographic cassette containing the film developed and processed together with the photographic prints produced by the photographic laboratory. In said new photographic system, it is envisaged that, when an image is recorded on the film, the user determines the format in which the print will be produced, for example a C format (13 cm x 18 cm), an H format (13 cm x 22 cm) and a P format (13 cm x 36 cm). Under these circumstances, the container will need to have at least one reception compartment able to receive the largest size format. However, the number of prints for any given format size for a specific film order is totally independent of other film orders. It is therefore difficult to provide a single size compartment in each of the format sizes since each of the individual compartments needs to be able to contain at a given time the maximum possible number of prints for that order. When containers comprising several different compartments of a respective size adapted to a specific format are used, it happens that for particular film orders when the photographic prints are returned to the customer, some compartments may be empty. When a single compartment is used to receive prints of more than one size, the prints of a size smallest than the largest size format are not held in a fixed position and can therefore move more or less freely when the container is transported. This leads to prints of smaller size hitting the walls of the box, which could damage the edges of the product and leads, in any case, to a bothersome noise. Additionaly, the unheld stationary prints of size smaller than the largest size format lead to sliding of the prints upon each other. This sliding operation could damage the surface of the prints and affect the image quality of the prints. EP0344695A describes a package for photographic prints. Said package is made of cardboard and comprises a box having a front face, two sides walls, a back face, a bottom side. Linked to the back face is a cover comprising several articulated flaps. The front face of the box presents an out cutting so as to define a tongue which can be depressed toward the back face. Due to the material of the box the tongue is flexible and permits to limit the internal dimensions of the box to hold smaller prints. This type of packages does not allow to show the surface of the photographic prints since the opening is on a side of the box. In the photographic industry it is preferred to use boxes having a front face as the opening in order for the user to allow the vision of the photographic prints in the box. The invention aims to produce a container which does not exhibit these drawbacks. The invention also aims to produce a container which is economical and easy to produce. Other advantages and objects of the invention will emerge from a reading of the description which follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 depicts, in perspective, a first embodiment of a container according to the invention; Figure 2 depicts a second embodiment of the present invention in which the flexible retaining members are situated at the other end of the flat forming a cover; Figure 3 depicts a third embodiment in which the flexible retaining members are disposed in such a manner as to immobilize the flat products in two orthogonal directions; Figure 4 depicts a possible cutting for a cardboard blank able to be used in the invention and serving to cover the container according to the invention; Figure 5 depicts another possible cutting for a cardboard blank able to be used in the invention and serving to cover the container according to the invention; Figure 6 depicts a third possible cutting in which the photographic prints are immobilized in two directions; Figure 7A to 7C represent schematically a section along the length of the container according to the invention, in fig 7A the container is empty, in fig 7B prints of every size format are in the container, and in fig 7C prints of the largest size format are missing. Fig 8A represents a cross section of an empty container according to the invention; Fig 8B represents the same container with prints of various size format introduced in the compartment of the container; Fig 9 represents a further embodiment of a container according to the invention. According to the present invention, the container or package 10 comprises a body 12 and a lid section 14. In a preferred embodiment, the body could be made of plastic material in order to obtain rigidity and the lid section could be made of cardboard so that the outlook of the container could be easily and economically customized. The cardboard lid section 14 consists essentially of two flats 16, 18. Each of the flats pivots on one side of a back 20. One of the flats 16 is stuck to the base of the body 12. The other flat 18 is adapted so as to cover the body and to serve as a cover portion 19. As can be seen in Figures 4 to 6, the cover section 19 consists, in reality, of two thicknesses of cardboard 18 and 22. This not only affords a more rigid cover portion 19, but also makes it possible to obtain a more attractive presentation, since the two faces of the cover portion have the same texture because they are situated on the same face of the cardboard blank serving to form the lid section 14. It is evident for the man skilled in the art that the cover portion 19 could be made of plastic. In such an embodiment the cover portion could be hinged to a plastic back 20 by a living hinge made of a thinner portion of plastic material. In the same manner the back 20 will be hinged to the plastic body 12 by another living hinge. The body 12 comprises a first compartment defining a hollow chamber 30 for receiving a film cassette 31. The dimensions of said chamber 30 are a little greater than the dimensions of a cassette 31 containing the developed, processed film of the prints to be placed within said container. The body 12 also comprises a second compartment 32 designed to receive the prints 35, 36, 37 (see Fig 7B) of images recorded on-the film which is contained in the cassette 31. The compartment 32 is substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped whose supporting surface 33 corresponds to the peripheral size and shape of prints having the largest size format 37. As shown on Fig 7, the height H1 of compartment 32 is greater than the total thicknesses of all the prints to be introduced in said compartment 32. It is obvious that the supporting surface 33 of the compartment 32 can be provided with one or more stiffeners 34 as depicted in Figure 1 to provide rigidity to the container 10. This arrangement enables a smaller quantity of plastic material to be used for the same strength. The container also comprises an element 40, fixed to the cover portion 19, which cooperates with the body 12 to hold the cover portion 19 in the closed position selectively and as desired. In a preferred embodiment, the element 40 can take the form of a T-shaped or L-shaped bar preferably made of plastic material. One of the arms of the L or the horizontal arm of the T is bonded to the free end of the cover portion 19 so as to form an integral part with this cover portion. The other arm of the T or L cooperates with a side of the container 10 to provide some fastening means so that the container is held in a closed position when the cover portion is pressed against the body 12. In a preferred embodiment, the plastic bar 40 cooperates with a groove 70 (fig 11) formed in the plastic body 12. Advantageously, the arm cooperating with the groove is provided with studs 42, the shape of which is arranged so as to cooperate with housings (not shown) of complementary shape disposed in the groove and providing an appropriate closure device. For the new photographic system, it is envisaged that the formats of prints should be encoded at the time the picture is taken. The processing laboratories therefore deliver sets of photographic prints of various sizes. These prints, sorted by format size, are placed in a container with the developed and processed film in order to be returned to the customer. The container therefore contains prints in various formats. Only the largest size format prints are then held substantially immobile inside the compartment. The prints of smaller format sizes, placed flat in the second compartment 32, without further retaining member will be free to move within their plane. They can therefore hit the walls of said second compartment 32, thereby risking causing damage to the edges and producing noise, or slide upon each other risking to affect the quality of the prints. According to the present invention, movement of these smaller format prints is avoided. The cover portion 19 is provided with flexible means 50, 51 projecting towards the supporting surface 33 of the compartment 32 when said cover portion 19 is in the closed position. Due to the fact that the format size of the images recorded on the film are determined upon capture of each image, any film order could comprise any number of prints for a given size format. Consquently, in order to immobilize the prints of smaller format size than the largest size format, there is a need for a flexible member to act on the edge of the smaller prints so that sliding movement is prevented. Acting only on the flat surface of the prints would require a relatively high pressure and consequently a positive locking device for closing the container. As shown on fig 7C, a specific film order could comprise no print of the largest size format. In order to immobilize all the prints of a smaller size format, the flexible retaining member needs to project from the plane of the cover portion 19 a distance at least equal to the hight H1 of the chamber 32 when at rest. In the embodiment illustrated on figures 1 to 7, the flexible means consist of cardboard projections 50, 51. These projections project from the plane of the cover portion 19 and are directed towards the supporting surface 33 of the container so as to rest on the photographic prints by a fold line 55. Advantageously, the flexible retaining member or projection 50 or 51 has an edge 52 situated in a plane practically orthogonal to the plane of the photographic prints and parallel to the edge of said photographic prints. Advantageously, the projections, at rest, are not disposed in a plane orthogonal to the plane of the cover portion 19, but form an angle with this plane. According to the present invention, the distance separating the projection 50 or 51 from one 39 of the side edges of the second compartment 32 is slightly greater than the size of the print to be immobilised. As shown on fig 7A and 7B, the length D1 of the compartment 32 corresponds to the length of the prints of largest format size. In the example mentioned above, this dimension corresponds to a print of P-format and to a distance slightly greater than 36cm. The length D2 between edge 52 of projection 51 and side edge 39 of compartment 32 is slightly greater than the size of a print of medium size, in the example mentioned above, a H-format. Consequently, D2 is slightly greater than 22 cm. The length D3 between edge 52 of projection 50 and side edge 39 of compartment 32 is slightly greater than the size of a print of smallest size, in the example mentioned above, a C-format. Consequently, D3 is slightly greater than 18 cm. In the example mentioned above three various format sizes of same width have been considered so that only two projections are needed to immobilize the prints. The use of projections according to the invention enables the container to be adapted to any number of prints in each of the three formats envisaged. This is because, if the prints sent to the customer have no P-format print (see fig 7C), that is to say print of the largest size, the projection 51 will touch the supporting surface 33 of the compartment 32 and despite everything immobilize all the H-format prints, that is to say the medium format, the C-format prints being immobilised by projection 50. In another film order, if there were no C-format prints, the tongue 50 would slide on the H- or P-format prints and would have no particular use in this context. In cases where the prints consisted only of C-format prints or H-format prints, the projection 51, or respectively 50, would not be used. In cases where all the prints were in P-format, none of the projections would be used, but they would not prevent the container from being used. The absence of one of the formats C or H format renders the presence of the corresponding projection pointless but does not modify the functioning of the other projection. It is clear that, for persons skilled in the art, the transverse position of the projections is not of primary importance and that, for certain applications, it may be preferable to have projections situated in the middle of the cover portion 19 as depicted in Figure 2. To this end, it is possible to use a blank which will be cut out in the manner depicted in Figure 5. In this embodiment, the lugs are folded at the middle of the cover portion 19. The areas 51a and 51b are bonded to each other while the area 51c restores the appearance of the whole cover portion 19. It is clear that this area 51c is not compulsory. In one embodiment not shown, it is possible to envisage fixing the projections by bonding them to the cover portion 19 or by a protuberance on the element 40 which will thus include the flexible retaining members, these being disposed on the other side of the flat 18 with respect to the depiction shown in Figure 1. In a third embodiment depicted in Figure 3, the flat serving as cover portion 19 is further provided with a flexible projection 53. As for the projections 50 and 51 the projection 53 comprises an edge 54 situated in a plane practically orthogonal to the plane of the prints to be immobilized. This plane is also practically orthogonal to the plane containing the edge 52 of the projections 50 and 51. In this manner, the prints to be immobilized can be of different sizes in terms of both length and width. The only constraint in order for the prints to be immobilized efficaciously is to have objects the dimensions of whose formats are either equal to or smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the nearest format. In another embodiment, represented in fig 8A and 8B, the flexible retaining member 101, is made of a pad of a very compressible foam material. As shown on fig 8A, which represents a container according to the invention, the height of the pad is slightly bigger than the height of the compartment 32 in order to engage the edge of a print of small size located on the supporting surface 33. Figure 8B represents the container of fig 8A with prints of all the format sizes 35, 36, 37 and corresponding to a film order located in the compartment 32. Upon closing the cover portion 19 of the container, the foam is compressed and portions of the pad engage the prints 35, 36 of smaller size, and preferably the edges of said prints, so that immobilization of all of the prints is obtained. In another embodiment represented on fig 9 the flexible retaining member is made of a plurality of pads of foam 102, 103. Each of said individual pads present an edge 105 functioning and located as the edge 54 of the embodiments described in connection with figures 1 to 7. In embodiments described in relation with fig 8 and fig 9, the foam is attached to the cover portion 19. The invention has been described with reference to a container for the return of photographic prints together with the film disposed in a cartridge 31. It is evident that the invention can be used to pack any prints in different formats and each dimension of which is either equal to or smaller than the corresponding dimension of the object with the closest format without a chamber 30 adapted to return the film in said cartridge. The invention enables all the prints disposed in the package to be immobilised automatically.

Claims: Package (10) for photographic prints having more than one size format, comprising a compartment (32) provided with a substantially flat supporting surface (33), side edges and a cover portion (19) designed to close the compartment (32) which is designed to receive the photographic prints, the package comprising at least one flexible element (50, 51, 53; 100; 101; 102, 103), which extends towards the supporting surface of the compartment (32) and able to engage the prints not in abutment with side edges of said compartment (32) such that all the prints of all sizes contained in said compartment are held surely in position, and characterized in that the flexible element is attached to the cover portion (19) of the package so as to engage at least one edge of the prints. Package according to Claim 1, wherein the flexible element is comprised of cardboard attached to the cover portion. Package according to Claim 1, wherein the flexible element is comprised of a pad of compressible foam attached to the cover portion. Package according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the flexible element comprises an edge (52; 54) disposed in a plane substantially orthogonal to the plane of the supporting surface (33) of the package in order to cooperate with at least one edge of the prints having a format size smaller than the size of the compartment with a view to preventing movement of these prints inside said compartment. Package according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the compartment is made of plastic material. Package according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover portion (19) is part of a lid section (14) made of cardboard material. Package accordin to Claim 6, wherein the flexible element (50, 51, 53) is an integral part of the lid section (14) Package according to Claim 7, wherein the cardboard flexible element is obtained by folding a portion of the lid section (14). Package according to any of previous claims when dependent to claim 3, wherein the flexible element rests on the prints of format size greater than the one immobilized when the prints are disposed in the compartment and the cover portion closed. Package according to Claim 1, in which the compartment is formed by a plastic body (12), provided with a substantially plane supporting surface (33), and the cover portion (19) forms part of a cardboard lid section (14) having two flats (16, 18), each hinged on one of the sides of a back (20), one of the flats being attached to the base of the plastic body and the other serving as a cover portion (19), the package also comprising a closure device (40, 42) disposed at the free end of the flat forming said cover portion (19) and cooperating with the plastic body (12) so as to hold said cover portion (19) in the closed position selectively and as desired. Package according to Claim 10, in which the plastic body comprises a second compartment (30) designed to receive a developed and processed film cassette (31) corresponding to the prints disposed in the first compartment. Package according to Claim 10 or 11, comprising several flexible means (50, 51) whose edges (52) are disposed in planes parallel to each other. Package according to any one of Claims 9 to 11, comprising several flexible members (50, 51; 53) whose edges (52; 54) are disposed in planes perpendicular to each other.

Inventors: DELMOTTE PHILIPPE, DELMOTTE, PHILIPPE
Applicants: EASTMAN KODAK CO, EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B65D25
IPC codes: G03D15, B42F7