Abstract:
A photo album insert including a sheet of material; and a transparent cover overlaying the sheet, resulting in a generally rectangular sandwich, the sandwich having an upper edge, a bottom edge and a side edge, the side edge being sealed such that a sealed portion of the side edge extends no more than half an inch from the side edge.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention concerns devices for the storage and display of photographs and the like, and more particularly to photo albums. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Devices for the storage and display of photographs and the like have taken many forms. One form, commonly referred to as a photograph album, comprises a plurality of bound leaves disposed within an outer cover with photographs or similar objects mounted on the two planar surfaces, or display pages, of each leaf. The leaves within the photograph album are commonly made of either a stiff cardboard material or a flexible transparent plastic. In the latter instance, two sheets of transparent plastic are bound together to form a plurality of pockets into which photographs are inserted. 
   A number of means for mounting photographs on the album pages are employed with cardboard-type leaves. One of the most common mounting means involves taping or gluing the photographs to the display pages. Another common mounting means involves a small adhesive-backed device, called a “corner,” having a triangular-shaped pocket to receive a corner edge of a photograph. Typically four “corner” devices are disposed over the corner edges of a photograph and retained on the display page by the adhesive backing on the “corner” device. 
   All of these adhesive mounting means suffer from a similar defect in that the adhesives employed dry out with the passage of time, enabling the photographs to fall out of the album. These mounting means further discourage the replacement of photographs mounted in an album since removal frequently damages or defaces the photograph and/or the display page. 
   Another mounting means employed in conjunction with cardboard-type leaves involves coating the entire album page with an adhesive substance which retains the photographs on the album page. A transparent plastic sheet is attached to the album page to cover the photographs and the album page and prevent adjacent album leaves from adhering together. While this approach does provide a good mount, it fails to provide a convenient “memo” area on which to place information pertinent to the stored photographs. The adhesive used in this approach can also change over time, either increasing the risk of damage to the photo when removed or allowing the photo to fall from the album. 
   The use of transparent plastic album leaves also suffers from a number of disadvantages. For example, the size and orientation of the album pockets are constant. An album designed to store and display a particular size photograph cannot store photographs in a larger format as may be subsequently offered by photograph film developing businesses. Photograph orientation is important since most commercially available photographs have a rectangular shape with the image displayed on the photograph usually having an obvious vertical (i.e., “up-and-down”) orientation. The vertical orientation of the photograph may coincide with the longer longitudinal axis of the photograph or the shorter latitudinal axis, depending upon the orientation of the camera when the photograph was taken. Photographers will occasionally orient a camera sideways to avail themselves of advantageous picture framing situations. The photographer thus develops a collection of photographs having both longitudinal and lateral vertical orientations. Prior art transparent plastic album leaves typically provide only a single longitudinal or latitudinal vertical orientation, thus limiting the photographer&#39;s framing choices. While a few prior art transparent plastic album leaves have been produced with album pockets having both longitudinal and latitudinal vertical orientations, the number of album pockets per leaf with each orientation is constant and transparent plastic album leaves of this type cannot permit both longitudinal and latitudinal vertical orientation within the same area on a single album page. To avoid wasting album space, the photographer is constrained to having the remaining space in his album dictate the framing orientation of his photographic composition. 
   Transparent plastic album leaves also fail to provide a convenient memo area. Pertinent information may be written on the back of the photograph, but only at the risk of damaging the photograph since the writing ink may seep through to the image side of the photograph. Further, use of the back side of the photograph as a memo area reduces the number of photographs that may be conveniently stored in each leaf. 
   Moreover, the standard album leaves that are currently used to display large format photos such as those that are 4-inch by 12-inch in size, have disadvantages as the album leaves, generally referred to as “12-inch by 12-inch” (or “12×12”) leaves, are constructed such that they do not have enough space in the pockets to allow the pictures to be inserted without bending or wrinkling the photograph or its edges. The size of these album leaves are typically constrained as the album leaves have to fit within a standard format photo album. 
   Thus, there exists a need for a more versatile photo album permitting the bi-direction storage and display of photographs on the same portion of a display page without employing an adhesive mounting means which also includes a convenient information memo area. In addition, there also exists a need for album leaves that are capable of bi-directional storing and display of photographs of a large format without need for the user to fold or otherwise damage the photograph during the insertion process. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved device for the storage and display of photographs and the like, i.e., an improved photo album. The improved bidirectional photo album of the present invention permits display of either longitudinal or latitudinal vertically oriented photographs on the same area of an album display page. Further, photographs may be easily inserted and replaced over any period of time without damaging either the album page or the photograph. Moreover, photographs will not slip out of the album regardless of the album orientation. Finally, a memo area is also provided on each display page for the recordation of information pertinent to adjacently stored photographs. An index sheet provides quick reference to the display page on which a particular photograph or like object is stored. 
   According to the preferred embodiment, the bi-directional photo album of the present invention comprises a plurality of bound leaves and an index sheet disposed within and coupled to an outer cover. A transparent cover is attached to three edges of each display page of each album leaf. Orientation ribs formed by lines of attachment between the transparent cover and the display page provide for the adjacent display of either several latitudinal vertically oriented photographs or a latitudinal vertically oriented photograph and a longitudinal vertically oriented photograph or two longitudinal vertically oriented photographs on the same display page. A writing surface is provided on each display page for recordation thereon of information pertinent to an adjacently stored photograph. 
   According to another preferred embodiment, each display page of the photo album is sealed close to the edges of the display page to provide enough space for the insertion of a large format photograph while minimizing the risk of damage to the photograph. 
   The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment and an alternate embodiment of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a further perspective view in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been opened to show opposing display pages of two adjacent album leaves; 
       FIG. 3  is a detailed view of a display page of an album leaf of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an album leaf of a preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an album leaf of a preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed view of a display page of an album leaf of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view in which an alternate embodiment of the present invention has been opened to show opposing display pages of two adjacent album leaves; 
       FIG. 8  is a detailed view of a display page of an album leaf of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of an album leaf of a preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8 ; and, 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of an album leaf of a preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 8 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a bidirectional album, generally designated  10 , of the present invention. The bidirectional album  10  includes a plurality of leaves  12  and an index sheet  14  disposed within an outer cover  15  and bound together by a binding means  16  which is attached to the outer cover  15 . Each album leaf  12  has two oppositely directed planar surfaces, or display pages, generally designated as  20 , on which photographs  18  and  19  and like objects are stored and displayed. A transparent cover  22  is disposed adjacent and attached to a portion of each display page  20  so as to form a pocket. Photographs  18  and  19  are stored beneath the transparent cover  22 . The index sheet  14  is provided for recordation thereon information pertinent to the location of a particular photograph within the bi-directional album  10 . This index sheet  14  provides a simple and convenient method of accessing a particular photograph stored on a particular display page. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 through 5 , the transparent cover  22  is attached to the display page  20  along various lines of attachment generally designated as  23  through  27 . The transparent cover  22  may be attached to the display page  20  by any convenient means such as, for example, various well-known types of adhesives. Attachment lines  23  and  24  are disposed adjacent lateral album leaf edges  28  and  29 . A third attachment line  25  is disposed adjacent an album leaf edge  30  opposite an album leaf edge  31  engaging the binding means  16 . This arrangement prevents the photographs from slipping out of the bi-directional album  10  when the album  10  is oriented as shown in  FIG. 2 . Two transverse lines of attachment further affix the transparent cover  22  to the display page  20  so as to form two orientation ribs  26  and  27 . 
   The orientation ribs  26  and  27  are in spaced relationship approximately the same distance from one another and the attachment lines  23  and  24  adjacent the lateral album leaf edges  28  and  29 . The orientation ribs  26  and  27  are approximately parallel to the attachment lines  23  and  24  and extend from the attachment line  25  adjacent the album leaf edge  30  towards the album leaf edge  31  engaging the binding means  16 . The length of the orientation ribs  26  and  27  should not exceed, approximately, the difference between the longitudinal and latitudinal measurements of the largest photograph  32  to be stored in the bidirectional album  10 . 
   The length, orientation, and location of the orientation ribs  26  and  27  permit adjacent storage of either latitudinal or longitudinal vertically oriented photographs on the same portion of the display pages  20  of the present invention. Thus, three latitudinal vertically oriented photographs having the same orientation as photograph  19  in  FIG. 1  or two longitudinal vertically oriented photographs having the same orientation as photograph  18  or a combination of a latitudinal and a longitudinal vertically oriented photograph, as shown in  FIG. 1  with photographs  18  and  19 , may be stored on the same display page  20 . Adhesives are not required to retain photographs and the like on the display page  20 . The orientation ribs  26  and  27  secure the transparent cover  22  in sufficient proximity to display page  20  to effectively retain latitudinal vertically oriented photographs of maximum dimensions, such as photograph  33  in  FIG. 1 , between the orientation ribs  26  and  27 . Longitudinal vertically oriented photographs of maximum dimensions, such as photograph  32 , are effectively retained adjacent the orientation ribs  26  and  27 . Photographs having dimensions less than the dimensions of the largest photographs to be stored in the bidirectional album  10  may also be conveniently stored within the album without the use of adhesives. Consequently, photographs and the like may be removed and replaced throughout the useful life of the bi-directional album  10  without risk of damage to either the stored photographs or the display page  20 . 
   It should be understood that a greater or lesser number of orientation ribs may be included, depending on the number and size of photographs and the like to be stored on the display page  20 , without departing from the spirit of the invention. Similarly, the length of the orientation ribs will vary depending on the maximum size of photographs intended for storage in the bi-directional album  10 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the transparent cover  22  is disposed over only a portion of the display page  20  surface. A writing surface  34  is provided on the uncovered portion of display page  20  adjacent album leaf edge  31  for the recordation of information pertinent to an adjacently stored photograph. This writing surface  34  obviates the need to record pertinent information on the rear surface of the photograph. The writing surface  34  may have imprinted thereon various indicia  35  and  36  to facilitate the recordation of information. 
   The surface area  37  of the display page  20  covered by the transparent cover  22  also has imprinted thereon contrasting indicia  38  for aesthetic purposes. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the contrasting indicia  38  are partially obscured by photographs and the like stored on the display page  20 . 
   Numerous alterations could be introduced without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the writing surface  34  shown adjacent the album leaf edge  31  engaging the binding means could be located adjacent the opposing album leaf edge  30 . Various types of binding means  16  could be employed, for example, engaging the album leaves  12  in a greater or lesser number of locations. A binding means permitting the insertion and removal of album leaves  12  from the album could also be employed. A greater number of orientation ribs could be included and disposed substantially as disclosed above for storage of a greater number of photographs. 
   In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, shown in  FIG. 6 , a display page  40  has two transparent panels  41  and  42  attached in the manner disclosed above. Two adjacent writing surfaces  44  and  46  are provided in the middle of the display page  40 , between the transparent panels  41  and  42 . 
   In a still further embodiment, two transparent panels and two writing surfaces could be provided on each page in an alternating arrangement, having a writing surface disposed adjacent an album leaf edge engaging a binding means and, adjacent thereto, a transparent cover followed thereafter by a second writing surface followed by a second transparent cover. 
     FIG. 7  is a perspective view in which an alternate embodiment of album  10 , generally referred to as a large format album  110 , includes a plurality of large format leaves  112  bound by a binding means  116 . Large format album  110  has been opened to show two opposing display pages  120  of two adjacent large format album leaves  112 .  FIGS. 8-10  will be used along with  FIG. 7  in the following description. 
   As discussed herein, a variety of binding means  116  may be used with album leaves  112 . In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of slots and a plurality of holes, generally designated as  824   a - c  and  826   a - c , respectively, are located on each album leaf. Each slot and hole combination, together generally referred to as a keyhole, allows the album leaves to be used in a variety of binders. The keyhole, along with other embodiments of the hole and slot combination that is functionally equivalent, is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,140, entitled PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM PAGE INSERT, commonly owned by the Assignee of the present invention, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
   Similar to each album leaf  12 , each album leaf  112  has two oppositely directed planar surfaces, or display pages, generally designated as  120 . Display page  120 , also referred to as a “12-inch by 12-inch insert” or “12×12 insert” page, includes a transparent cover  122  attached to surface area  137  through a plurality of sealed edges and/or attachment lines. The 12×12 insert page offers bidirectional picture storage capability for both regular format photographs up to 4-inches by 6-inches (“4×6”) and large (e.g., panoramic) format photographs up to 4-inches by 12-inches (“4×12”). These pages are in a format compatible with industry standard 12×12 pages and are also compatible with a variety of binding means. In addition, in another preferred embodiment, the pages may be adapted to fit pictures of other sizes, such as a 3-inches by 5-inches (“3×5”) picture, which may have large formats of up to 3-inches by 10-inches (“3×10”). 
   In the preferred embodiment of the large format display page  120 , each album leaf  112  is virtually seamlessly sealed along a plurality of edges and sealed attachment lines designated by  820   a ,  820   b ,  820   c ,  820   d  and  820   e . In a preferred embodiment, the seal is formed no more than a half an inch from the edges of the album leaf using a heat seal or other suitable sealing means such as glue or other fasteners. In a more preferred embodiment, the seal is formed no more than one third of an inch from the edges of the album leaf. In an even more preferred embodiment, the seal is formed no more than one quarter of an inch from the edges of the album leaf. In the most preferred embodiment, the seal is formed no more than one eighth of an inch from the edges of the album leaf. 
   The space between attachment line  820   a  and sealed edges  820   b  and  820   c  is split into pockets designated by  802   a ,  802   b ,  804   a  and  804   b , while the space between attachment line  820   a  and sealed edges  820   c  and  820   d  is split into pockets designated by  802   c ,  802   d ,  804   c  and  804   d . Pockets  802   a - d  may be used to hold photographs, while pockets  804   a - d  are used to hold strips of paper or other materials with a writable surface, generally designated as  134 . In another embodiment, the portion of transparent cover  122  covering pockets  804   a - d  may include a writable surface, which may be opaque. 
   Pockets  802   a  and  802   b  are accessible by an opening  822   a  between transparent cover  122  and surface area  137 , while pockets  802   c  and  802   d  are accessible by an opening  822   b  between transparent cover  122  and surface area  137 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , both openings  822   a  and  822   b  run the length of pockets  802   a  and  802   b . In another embodiment, openings  822   a  and  822   b  may be partially sealed at the edges of the opening, thereby helping to retain the photographs inserted into pockets  802   a - d . In one preferred embodiment, the longest edge of the pocket and edge of the display sheet should be within the range of 11 inches to 13 inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the longest edge of the pocket and edge of the display sheet should be within the range of 11.5 to 12.5 inches. In the most preferred embodiment, the longest edge of the pocket is approximately 12 inches, with the additional length of the edge of the display sheet being of a size necessary for the placement of the keyholes for mounting the display sheets in binders. 
   In the past, the edges of an album leaf have not been seamless (i.e., they have been heat sealed, with the seals on the display surface of the album leaf), with the result being that the pockets created in these album leaves were small. By reconfiguring the album leaves to place the seal on the edges of each album leaf, the space provided for the display of photographs is significantly increased. Previously, without the extra space, pictures would have to be wrinkled to fit into the pockets. In the preferred embodiment, the seals are placed on the edges of album leaf  112  (i.e., sealed edges  820   b  and  820   d )—i.e., creating a seamless attachment of transparent cover  122  to album leaf  112 . By not placing the seal within the boundaries of the display area of album leaf  112 , enough space in the pockets is created for a 12-inch wide panoramic picture to be held. Thus, album leaves  112  provides the maximum amount of space for storing photos in the pockets. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , a plurality of orientation ribs, generally designated as  810 , are located on display page  120 . In one embodiment, orientation ribs  810  are created by a series of attachments formed by heat seals to seal transparent cover  122  to surface area  137 . The seals in this embodiment may be formed such that both sides of display page  120  is formed at the same time—i.e., two transparent are placed in a position to sandwich the display page and the heat seals are created on both sides simultaneously. 
   Two adjacent latitudinal vertically oriented 4×6 (landscape) photographs having the same orientation as photographs  704  may be placed in each row of display sheet  120 , with the photographs separated by vertical orientation rib  810   b  (or  812   b ) and held up with horizontal orientation rib  810   a ,  810   c  and  810   d  (or  812   a ,  812   c , or  812   d ). Thus, a photograph in an orientation as photograph  704  may be placed in each pockets  802   a - d . Alternatively, one 4×12 latitudinal vertically (landscape) oriented photograph having the same orientation as photograph  702  may be placed in each row of display sheet  120 , supported by vertical orientation rib  810   b  (or  812   b ). Thus, as shown in  FIG. 7 , photograph  702  may be placed in the space provided by pockets  802   a  and  802   b . In addition, photograph  702  may be placed in the space provided by pockets  802   c  and  802   d.    
   Moreover, two 4×12 longitudinal vertically oriented (portrait) photographs having the same orientation as vertically oriented photograph  708  may be placed in display sheet  120 , in pocket  802   c  and  802   d , in which case pockets  802   a  and  802   b  would be obstructed. Further still, 4×6 longitudinal vertically oriented (portrait) photographs having the same orientation as vertically oriented photograph  706  may be placed in each pockets  802   a - d.    
   From the foregoing, it is believed that the invention may be readily understood by those skilled in the art without further description. As discussed above, numerous changes may be made in the details disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention, as set forth in the claims below.