Patent Publication Number: US-6666534-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for making an album page

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/452,336, filed Nov. 30, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,562, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING AN ALBUM PAGE”, by Dale F. McIntyre and Joseph A. Manico. 
     U.S. Ser. No. 10/174,308, filed concurrently herewith, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING AN ALBUM PAGE”, by Dale F. McIntyre and Joseph A. Manico. 
     U.S. Ser. No. 09/450,608, filed Nov. 30, 1999, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING AN ALBUM PAGE”, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,992 on Jan. 16, 2001. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a dual side album leaf and method and apparatus for making the album leaf. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior art photographic albums typically require the consumer to manually insert conventional prints into a classic sleeve, or use adhesive to bond conventional prints to blank album pages. This is a time consuming, difficult operation that provides less than satisfactory results. Consumers often procrastinate and do not place prints in albums when they receive them from the photofinisher, risking loosing time and event references. A further disadvantage in the prior art photographic albums is that the pages are not uniform in texture, the reflections from the plastic sleeves interfere with viewing, and are prone to tearing. When adhesives are used to maintain the prints in the album, alignment becomes critical. Additionally, many adhesives can damage a print and often fail after time, thus, allowing the prints to fall out of the album. In addition, the multiple layers make for very thick album pages, thus limiting the number of images that can be stored in a given album. Also, in addition to purchasing separate binder album pages, adhesive and other items are sometimes required to be purchased. 
     It is known in the art to bind prints in a single album, such as a Qualex Galaxy Print Book, but this is limited to one image per single sided page. 
     It is also known in the art that montage prints can be made by digital and conventional optical techniques. However, these montage prints are limited in that they are only available in single-sided form and not specifically designed for use directly into an album. 
     It has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,692 that a dual sided album leaf can be made by folding of a sheet having images on one side so as to produce a single album leaf having images on both sides. While this invention has provided a method of producing images on both sides of an album leaf made of photographic media, there is still a need to provide a method and apparatus for producing multiple album pages in a continuous manner both on photosensitive media and standard media. 
     The present invention solves many of the problems of the prior art that provides a method of making a unitary dual sided album leaf which is relatively easy to produce, relatively thin in construction, on both photosensitive and standard media, and requires no further mounting by the user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a replaceable printing cartridge for use in a printer having a defined processing path along which a media travels, the replaceable printing cartridge being positioned on the printer for printing on the media and is capable of being removed without disturbing the processing path, comprising; 
     a first print mechanism for printing on the first printing side of the media; and 
     a second print mechanism for printing of the media. 
     The above, and other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying detailed description thereof when considered in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an album leaf made in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a back elevational view of the album leaf of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic elevational view of an apparatus for making the album leaf of FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational view of a replaceable print cartridge for use with the apparatus of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 a  is an elevational schematic view of a modified apparatus made in accordance with the present invention also designed to make the album leaf of FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 5 b  is an elevational schematic view of yet another modified apparatus similar to that of FIG. 5 a  made in accordance with the present invention for making the album leaf of FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 5 c  is an elevational schematic view of still another modified apparatus similar to that of FIG. 5 a  made in accordance with the present invention for making the album leaf of FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic elevational view of yet another modified apparatus made in accordance with the present invention used to make the album leaf of FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic elevational view of another apparatus made in accordance with the present invention for making an album leaf made from a photosensitive media; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the photosensitive media used in the apparatus of FIG. 7; 
     FIGS. 9 a - 9   h  are partial views of the apparatus of FIG. 8 illustrating the folding mechanism used for making of the album leaf, illustrating the sequence of steps in the folding process; 
     FIGS. 10 a - 10   b  are views similar to FIGS. 9 a - 9   h  illustrating a modified folding apparatus made in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is stand alone folding apparatus for making an album in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a view similar to that illustrated of FIGS. 9 a - 9   h  illustrating yet another modified folding apparatus made in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 13 a - 13   e  are views similar to FIGS. 9 a - 9   h  illustrating yet another modified folding mechanism made in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated the front and back sides of a dual sided integral album leaf  10  made in accordance with the present invention. In particular, the leaf  10  includes a first side  12  and a second side  14 . First side  12  includes a plurality of images  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  and the second side includes a plurality of images  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 . Also provided in the preferred embodiment is a plurality of holes  28  in marginal area  29 , which can be used for mounting of the leaf in an album. The width D of the margin  29  may be of any desired size. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the width D is approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm). 
     As can be seen by FIGS. 1 and 2, the various images are composed so that the images substantially fill the space on each side  12 ,  14 . Also, as illustrated, various combinations and sizes of images may be placed together, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the images  15 ,  16 ,  18 ,  19  are substantially identical in size, whereas image  17  is of a different size and format. Images  15 - 19  have been either automatically composed by a printing device, or printed in accordance with customer instructions. In FIG. 2 the images  21 ,  22 ,  23 , and  24  have the same format and size whereas image  25  is of a different format and size. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus  30  made in accordance with the present invention for printing and forming dual album leaf  10 . In particular, apparatus  30  prints images onto both sides  31 ,  33  of a web  32  as it moves past printing section  40 . The web  32  may be made of any material suitable for printing images thereon. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the web  32  is made of paper, such as inkjet paper or conventional paper used in inkjet-type printers. The web  32  is wound about a reel core  34  rotatably mounted to apparatus  30 . The web  32  moves from reel core  32  along processing path  36  to printing section  40 . Guide rollers  38  are provided for guiding of the web  32  along path  36 . Images are printed on web  32  as it moves printing section  40 . The web  32  may be driven by any appropriate transport mechanism along path  36 , for example by rotation of the reel core  34  or by appropriate pinch rollers  37 ,  39  provided along the printing path  36 . It is to be understood that any desired or appropriate transport mechanism may be used for moving of web  32  as is currently done or may come available in the future. The apparatus  30  includes a computer (central processing unit)  54  for controlling operation of the device as is customarily done. A cutting mechanism  44  is provided after the printing section  40  for cutting the web into individual leafs  10  of predetermined size, which are fed into a retaining section  48  from which the leafs  10  are to be placed. As illustrated, printed leafs  10  placed in retaining section  48  may be of various sizes as dictated by the customer order and/or setup of the apparatus. 
     Printing section  40  includes a first printer mechanism  50  disposed on one side of the web  32  and a second printing mechanism  52  disposed on the opposite opposed side of the first printing mechanism  50 . In the particular embodiment illustrated, the first and second printing mechanism  50 ,  52  may be combined as a single replaceable printing cartridge  53 , as illustrated in FIG.  4 . The cartridge  53  comprising a cassette body  55  in which the printing mechanisms  50 ,  52  are mounted. The cassette body includes a printing path  57  that is in co-alignment with processing path  36  and is designed to receive web  32 . In the embodiment illustrated each printing mechanism  52  has a pair of print head assemblies for printing on web  32  which are disposed such that printing occurs at substantially the same point on both sides of the web  32  as the web  32  passes through cassette body  55 . In the particular embodiment illustrated, the first and second printing mechanisms  50 ,  52  each comprise a plurality of inkjet nozzles  54 ,  56 ,  58  so that the printing mechanisms  50 ,  52  are capable of producing color images. However, it is to be understood that any number of nozzles may be provided and the printing mechanisms  50 ,  52  may print color or any other appropriate visual spectrum desired. 
     In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the first and second printing mechanisms  50 ,  52  are provided in the form of a single replaceable printing cartridge  53 . However, the present invention is not so limited and printing mechanisms  50 ,  52  may be provided as two individual separate cartridges or may be secured directly to the apparatus  30  if so desired. The benefits of providing a single printing cartridge  53  is that the printing heads are precisely positioned with respect to each other so that the images will be printed in a relatively accurate position and with respect to each other on the web  32 . 
     The first and second printing mechanisms  50 ,  52  are connected to computer  54 , which provides the appropriate image data for printing of the images onto the web  32 . The computer  54  may obtain the image order in any desired manner. For example, but not by way of limitation, the image order may be obtained from a kiosk or remote computer through a communication network such as the Internet, whereby the apparatus  30  obtains the order and prints the images in accordance with the customer order. Further, apparatus  30  may be provided with other appropriate input device or scanner for capturing of images and may also include data entry means (not shown) for allowing a consumer or operator to compose the images on the album leaf as desired. The apparatus  30  may be part of a larger device or system, such as Kiosk or photofinishing minilab. Each leaf  10  is made with any desired number of images and placed in any desired position on each side of leaf  10 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated, a metering roller  35  is provided so that the images and/or leafs will be separated from web  32  at the desired location. Marking means for producing a mark on web  32  at the beginning and end of an album leaf and/or image is provided. An appropriate sensor  62  is provided adjacent the cutter mechanism  42  for sensing the mark. For example, the marking means may comprise a hole punching mechanism  60  which may be provided for providing of a mark (hole) for indicating where on the web  32  should be cut by cutting mechanism  44 . Sensor  62 , adjacent cutting mechanism  44 , senses the mark and sends a signal to computer  54 . Computer  54  then controls cutting mechanism  44  for cutting of the web  32  at location identified by the mark. The prints and/or leafs are then fed into the retaining section  48 . It is, of course, understood that the marking mechanism is not be limited to the providing of a hole. For example, but not by way of limitation, a visual or a magnetic readable mark may be provided which is capable of being sensed. Once the mark is sensed by sensor  60  the cutting mechanism  44  is activated at the appropriate time to cut the web at the appropriate location. 
     Referring to FIG. 5 a  there is illustrated a modified apparatus  80   a  made in accordance with the present invention similar to apparatus  30 , like numerals indicating like parts and operation, as discussed with respect to apparatus  30 . In this embodiment, in addition to web  32  there is provided a second web  82  of material helically wound on a second reel core  86 , the core  86  being rotatably mounted to apparatus  30 . A third adhesive web  88  is helically wound about on reel core  90 , the core  90  also being rotatably mounted to apparatus  30 . The adhesive web  88  is designed for adhesively securing webs  32  and  82  so as to form a merged unitary integral web  92 . The adhesive web  88  is such that both sides  89  have an adhesive material applied thereon which is suitable for adhering the webs  32  and  82  together. An appropriate transport mechanism is provided for moving of webs  82  and  88  along processing paths  83  and  85 , respectively. The processing paths  36 ,  83 , and  85  to merge together at merge section  91  to form a single processing path which continues through the apparatus  30 . Appropriate guide rollers  94  are provided for guiding of the webs  32 ,  82  and  88  along their respective paths  36 ,  83  and  85 . A pair of pressure rollers  96  are provided in merge section  91  for applying a force sufficient to cause the adhesive web to secure webs  32  and  84  together in to single unitary integral web  92 . In the embodiment illustrated guide rollers  94  also function as drive rollers for advancing of the webs. Thereafter, the web  92  passes through the printer and apparatus in the same manner as discussed with regard to apparatus  30 . The construction of apparatus  80   a  allows the providing of a single unitary web  92  of a desired weight and thickness to give the desired feel. Additionally, apparatus  30  allows for the ability of using media, which is not capable of being easily printed on both sides thereof. Thus, if the media has one surface which is capable of or more receptive to printing, high quality images can be obtained on both sides of the merged web  92 . 
     It is to be understood that the webs  32  and  82  may adhere together by any suitable adhesive using any desired application technique. For example, but not by way of limitation, in place of adhesive web  88 , an adhesive may be applied to one or both webs  32 ,  82  by spraying the adhesive thereon or by using a roller applicator. Referring to FIG. 5 b  there is illustrated a modified apparatus  80   a  which is similar to apparatus  80  like parts indicating like parts and operation. In this embodiment, an applicator roller  89  is provided for applying an adhesive provided in a reservoir  91  and which is supplied to roller  89  by a pump  93 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5 c  there is illustrated yet another modified apparatus  80   c  which is similar to apparatus  80   a  like parts indicating like parts and operation. In this embodiment adhesive is sprayed on to the back side of web  32  using a spray nozzle  95 . It is to be understood that the webs  32  and  82  may be secured together using any appropriate technique and/or mechanism. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated another modified apparatus  96  made in accordance with the present invention. Apparatus  96  is similar to apparatus  80   a , like numerals indicating like parts and operation as previously discussed. In this particular embodiment, the webs  32  have a photosensitive side  100  and a non-photosensitive side  101 , the non-sensitive side being bound together in the same manner previously discussed with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 5 a . In this embodiment, the webs  32 ,  82  are made of a photosensitive material. In particular, webs  32 ,  82  are photographic paper wherein the side  100  contains a photosensitive emulsion layer. The emulsion layer may be of any type as is currently suitable or may become suitable for use. In this particular embodiment, the apparatus  98  includes a printing section  110  for exposing digital images provided in digital form onto the merged photosensitive web  92 . In the particular embodiment illustrated, printing on the media is accomplished by a pair of laser printers  104 ,  106  for exposing images on both sides of the merged media  102 . Laser printers  104 ,  106  are each connected to computer  54  that provides the appropriate digital data for printing of the image on to web  92 . Briefly, the laser printers  104 ,  106  are each provided with an appropriate laser light source  108  which emits a writing light beam  112 . The beam  112  is directed to a rotating polygon  114  that reflects the light on to web  92 . A modular  109  is provided for modulating the light beam with appropriate digital data received from computer  54 . 
     The web  92  after leaving the printing section  110  is passed onto a development section  113  where the exposed images on web  92  are developed. In the embodiment illustrated the images are developed by a pair of developers  116  provided on both sides of the web  92 . Each developer  116  is provided with donor web  118  that is helically wound on supply reel  120 . The donor web  118  extends from supply reel to take-up reel  122  along processing path  124 . Guide rollers  125  guide the donor web  118  along path  124 . The take-up reel  122  is connected to a drive motor (not shown) for unwinding web  118  from reel  120  and taking it up on take-up reel  122 . An application system  128  is provided for applying a processing solution on donor web  118 . The processing solution is such that it will develop the exposed images on web  92 . A pressure applicator mechanism  130  is provided for applying a biasing force on the donor web  118  against the photosensitive web  92  so that the processing solution on donor web  118  will contact the emulsion on the photosensitive web  92  so as to develop the images thereon. A detailed description of the operation of a similar type process is disclosed and described in co-pending patent application (attorney docket No.79782/F-P) entitled “Method and Apparatus for Photofinishing a Photosensitive Media and/or Ordering of Image Products” by Joe Manico et al., filed concurrently with this application. After development the web  92  is dried by dryer  132  and forwarded to cutter  44  and then to receiving tray  145 . 
     Referring to FIG. 7 there is illustrated yet another apparatus  200  made in accordance with the present invention, like numerals indicating like parts and operations as previously discussed. Apparatus  200  is an apparatus for printing on to a photosensitive media, such as photographic paper, and developing the images that are written photographic media, typically referred to as a photographic minilab. The images to be printed may be obtained from any source. In the embodiment illustrated the images are obtained from scanning a photosensitive media having images thereon. The apparatus  200  is also designed to automatically produce an integral album leaf  10 . In particular, apparatus  200  includes a printing section  210  where a developed photosensitive media  212 , which in the embodiment illustrated is photographic film  214 , is passed through a digital scanner  216  for obtaining a digital record of the images on the film  214 . The scanner  216  may be of any desired construction. In the embodiment illustrated scanner  216  uses CCDs (charge couple devices) for digitally capturing of the images. The images obtained by scanner  216  are forwarded to image data manager  218  where the digital images are organized and manipulated as programmed by the operator and/or in accordance with customer instructions. The images are grouped into separate customer orders as is customarily done with minilabs. The digital images are forwarded to a digital printer  220  which writes the images on to a photosensitive media. The digital printer  220  may take any desired form, for example but not limited to, CRT printer, a laser printer, a liquid crystal printer, a LED printer. A marking mechanism  225  is provided for placing positioning marks on the paper  24  for indicating the position on the paper that is to be cut for separating the print from the paper web. In the embodiment illustrated, the photosensitive media comprises specially designed photographic paper  224 . 
     Referring to FIG. 8 there is illustrated in greater detail the construction of photographic paper  224 . In particular photographic paper  224  comprises a front side  226  and a back side  228 . The paper  224  comprises a supporting substrate  229  on which a photosensitive emulsion layer  230  is provided on the front side  226 . The photosensitive emulsion layer  230  is designed to have images written thereon. An adhesive layer  232  is provided on the other side of substrate  229 . A protective release layer  234  is provided that covers the adhesive layer  232 . The photographic paper  224  is capable of being passed through a photographic development process where images exposed on the paper are developed as is customarily done. The release layer  234  protects the adhesive layer  232  during processing of the photoprocessing paper and which when removed after processing of the photosensitive emulsion layer  230 , the adhesive layer  232  is exposed for use. A more detailed description of a suitable paper is described in co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Photographic Member With Readable and Repositioning Adhesive Layer” of R. F. Cournoyer, Robert Paul Bourdelais, and Peter Thomas Aylward, Ser. No. 09/196,545 filed Nov. 2, 1998 which is hereby incorporated by references. 
     Referring back to FIG. 7, the paper  224  passes through a plurality of processing tanks  240 ,  241 ,  242 ,  243 ,  245 ,  246 , each an appropriate processing solutions is well known in the art of photography. Thereafter the paper  224  is passed through a drying section  247  where it is dried. The dried paper  224  is then sent to a finishing section  250  wherein album leafs  10  are automatically made. 
     Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9 a - 9   h  there is illustrated finishing section  250 . The finishing section  250  includes an appropriate transport mechanism for transporting the paper  224  along processing path  252 . In the embodiment illustrated, a plurality of guide rollers  254  and drive roller  256  are used. However, any other type of transport mechanism may be used. A sensor  258  is provided for sensing a mark made by marking mechanism  60 . This information is used to control cutter  260  for cutting of paper  224  at the desired location forming segment  259  which will be formed into album leaf  10 . The segment  259  is provided with a plurality of images which have been composed on a segment  259  so as to define a fold line (not shown) about which the segment  259  will be folded so as to form the leaf  10 . The cutter  260  is such that the protective release layer  234  is not cut. This allows the release layer  234  to be easily removed from the cut segment  259 . The end of the release layer  234  is wound about a take-up core  262  that is rotatably mounted to apparatus  200 . A drive mechanism, not shown, is provided for driving the core  262  at the appropriate speed for taking up the release layer  234  after it has been removed from segment  259 . The finishing section  250  includes a folding mechanism  265  for automatically folding segment  259  about the predefined fold line so as to form album leaf  10 . In the embodiment illustrated the folding mechanism  265  includes a pair of vacuum belt drive assemblies  266 ,  268  for moving segment  259  along the end of path  252 . Each of the assemblies  266 ,  268  include a drive belt  270  which moves about a pair of spaced rollers  272 . A support plenum  274  is provided between rollers  272  in assembly  266 ,  268 . The belt  270  and plenum  274  of each of the assemblies  266 ,  268  are provided with appropriate openings (not shown) for allowing a vacuum to be applied so as to drive segment  259  along the processing path  252 . The rollers  272  in the embodiment illustrated are vacuum rollers that assist in guiding the segment  259  along the processing path  252 . The rollers  272  are connected to a drive mechanism, such as a motor, for moving the belt  270  in either direction about rollers  270 . The assemblies  266 ,  268  are positioned such that the top surface  276  of each of the assemblies are substantially co-linear. Each of the assemblies have a length L and are spaced apart a distance D so as to form an opening  267  therebetween. The distance D of opening  267  is sufficiently large so as to allowed the leaf  10  to pass between the two assemblies  266 ,  268  as is discussed in detail later herein. Vacuum is applied to the assembly  266 ,  268  so that the segment  259  will be moved along path  252  as the belt  270  is moved. The folding mechanism  265  further includes a fold-initiating assembly  280  for locating and initiating the folding of segment  259 . The fold-initiating assembly  280  comprises three rollers  282 , having a release belt  284 , which rotates freely about rollers  282 . Belt  284  is made of a material similar to release paper  234  such that it can engage and disengage the adhesive layer  232 . The rollers  282  are positioned with respect to each other so as to form a generally “V” or “U” shaped engagement section  288  (see FIG. 9 e ) with the point directed toward the opening  267 . 
     FIGS. 9 a - 9   h  illustrates the sequential steps of automatically folding the segment  259  so as to make an album leaf  10 . FIG. 9 a  illustrates the segment  259  after it has been cut. As segment  259  moves past fold-initiating assembly  280 , as illustrated by FIGS. 9 b  &amp;  9   c  as indicated by arrow  279 , the engagement section  288  engages segment  259 . The segment  259  is moved on to the second belt assembly  268  until reaching its stopping point as illustrated by FIG. 9 d . The positioning of segment  259  is such that the fold line of segment  259  at which the fold is to be formed is positioned in co-alignment with opening  267  and directly below the point  281  of the “V” or “U”. The engagement of engagement section  288  of assembly  280  assists in providing continuous contact with the segment  259  until it is positioned for the folding operation. Once the segment  259  is positioned for folding, the fold-initiating assembly  280  is moved toward opening  269  so as to form a fold nipple shaped section  290  (see FIG. 9 d ) in segment  259 . The assembly may be any appropriate mechanism. In the embodiment illustrated a cam  283  is used to move  280  toward and away from the belt assemblies  266 ,  268 . Once the nipple shaped section  290  is formed the fold-initiating assembly  280  is moved away from the segment  258 , (see FIG. 9 e ). Thereafter, the belts  284  of assemblies  266 ,  268  are moved in a direction toward the opening  269  (as indicated by arrows  287 ,  289 ) so as to cause the lateral sides  291 ,  293  of segment  259  to come toward each other causing the adhesive layer  232  on each lateral end to adhere to each other to form the album leaf  10  as shown by FIGS. 9 f  and  9   g . The leaf  10  is then directed to retaining shelf  292  where it is retained until it is picked up, packaged and sent to the customer. If desired a sorter, not shown, may be provided for sorting of leafs according to customer order. The process is repeated for each successive leaf, see FIGS. 9 h  and  9   a.    
     In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the locating and fold-initiating assembly  280  uses an engaging surface for locating and initiating the fold. However, the present invention is not so limited. Referring to FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b  there is illustrated a modified folding assembly  400  similar to assembly  280  like parts indicating like parts and operation. In this embodiment, an air knife  402  is used for initiating the fold. Thus after the segment  259  is positioned for folding, like in FIG. 9 a , the air knife  402  is energized such that a stream of air is expelled from the knife  402  so as to cause the segment  259  to move to the position illustrated in FIG. 10 b . Thereafter the segment  259  is folded in the same manner discussed with respect to the embodiment of FIG.  7 . 
     In FIG. 7, the folding mechanism  265  is shown as being a part of a larger photofinishing apparatus. However, the present invention is not so limited. If desired, the folding mechanism  265  may be a stand-alone apparatus  300  as illustrated by FIG.  12 . Apparatus  300  is similar to apparatus  200 , like numerals indicating like parts and operation. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the photosensitive paper  224  on which images have been printed is provided in a roll  310  wound on a core  302 . The core  302  is rotatably mounted to apparatus  300 . Thus instead of being dedicated to a single printing and processing apparatus, the apparatus  300  may receive photographic paper from a plurality of different devices. The finished leaf is dispensed out opening  310  on to receiving tray  312 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7-16 a photographic paper  224  is provided with an adhesive layer  232  having a release layer  234  covering the adhesive layer  232 . The folding apparatus  275  may be made to accommodate normal photographic paper without any previously applied adhesive layer  232  or release layer  234 . Referring to FIG. 12 there is illustrated a modified folding apparatus  500  made in accordance with the present invention. In particular, apparatus  500  is similar to the folding apparatus  200  of FIG. 7, like numerals indicating like parts and operation. In this embodiment normal photographic paper  510  is provided which does not have any previously applied adhesive to the back side  512 . After segment  259  is cut, an adhesive is applied to the back side  512  of the photographic paper  510 . Adhesive may be applied to the back side  512  in any desired manner. In the embodiment illustrated an adhesive layer is applied by use of an applicator metering roller  516 . Adhesive from a reservoir  520  is supplied by pump  522  and applied in a controlled metered fashion on the back side  512 . The roller  516  is located such that once the segment  259  is positioned on belt assemblies  266 ,  268  the back sides  512  will have been sufficiently covered so that after folding of segment  259 , the formed leaf  10  will be firm integral structure. It is to be understood that any appropriate adhesive may be used and applied by any desired manner, for example, but not by way of limitation, by spraying of the adhesive on back side  512 . 
     It is also to be understood that the web  92  may be developed and/or dried by any conventional manner as is currently done or may arise in the future with photosensitive media. For example, by the passing of the media through a plurality of processing solutions for developing, fixing and rinsing of the image, and thereafter the images are sent to a dryer and then sorted into the individual prints. 
     Referring to FIGS. 13 a - 13   e  there is illustrated in sequential steps the operation of yet another modified folding mechanism  600  made in accordance with the present invention. Folding mechanism  600  is similar to mechanism  265 , like numerals indicating like parts and operation as previously discussed. In this embodiment folding mechanism  600  uses a web  610  designed such that when heated will cause a folded segment of media, such as photographic paper  612  to be permanently adhered. In particular web  610  is provided on a reel and/or core  614 . The core  614  is such that when mounted to mechanism  600  the web  610  may be unwound from core  614 . The web  610  is fed past a first guide roller  618  and then through a pair of guide rollers  618 ,  619  and  620  which are in alignment with opening  282  between the belt assemblies  266 ,  268 . The web  610  may be fed in any desired manner. In the embodiment illustrated at least one of the roller pairs  618 ,  619 ,  620  are used to feed the web  610 . Two additional pairs of guide rollers  622 ,  623  are disposed on the opposite side of the belt assemblies  266 ,  268  for guiding of the folded segment  259 . A cutter  226  is positioned between rollers  618  and  619  for cutting of the web  610  at the appropriate length necessary for leaf  10 . FIG. 13 a  illustrated the segment  259  after it has been positioned on the belt assemblies  266 ,  268 . The web  610  is then fed until it contacts segment  259 . Thereafter the belt assemblies  266 ,  268  are operated along with feeding of the web  610  to form the leaf  10  as illustrated by FIGS. 13 c - 13   e . The pair of rollers  622 ,  623  are preferably pressure rollers used to press the lateral sides of segment  259  together. In the embodiment illustrated the pair of rollers  620  are each provided with a heating element  630  for heating of the web  610  for activating of the adhesive so the lateral sides of the segment will be permanently secured together. It is to be understood that any heating means may be used to activate the adhesives, for example, but not by way of limitation, heated air. 
     The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 10. 
                 album leaf 
               
               
                   
                 12. 
                 first side 
               
               
                   
                 14. 
                 second side 
               
               
                   
                 15. 
                 image 
               
               
                   
                 16. 
                 image 
               
               
                   
                 17. 
                 image 
               
               
                   
                 18. 
                 image 
               
               
                   
                 19. 
                 image 
               
               
                   
                 21. 
                 image 
               
               
                   
                 22. 
                 image 
               
               
                   
                 23. 
                 image 
               
               
                   
                 24. 
                 image 
               
               
                   
                 25. 
                 image 
               
               
                   
                 28. 
                 holes 
               
               
                   
                 29. 
                 marginal area 
               
               
                   
                 30. 
                 apparatus 
               
               
                   
                 31. 
                 side 
               
               
                   
                 32. 
                 web 
               
               
                   
                 33. 
                 side 
               
               
                   
                 34. 
                 reel core 
               
               
                   
                 35. 
                 metering roller 
               
               
                   
                 36. 
                 processing path 
               
               
                   
                 37. 
                 pinch rollers 
               
               
                   
                 38. 
                 guide rollers 
               
               
                   
                 39. 
                 pinch rollers 
               
               
                   
                 40. 
                 printing section 
               
               
                   
                 44. 
                 cutting mechanism 
               
               
                   
                 48. 
                 retaining section 
               
               
                   
                 50. 
                 printing mechanism 
               
               
                   
                 52. 
                 printing mechanism 
               
               
                   
                 53. 
                 cartridge 
               
               
                   
                 54. 
                 computer 
               
               
                   
                 55. 
                 cassette body 
               
               
                   
                 56. 
                 inkjet nozzle 
               
               
                   
                 57. 
                 printing path 
               
               
                   
                 58. 
                 inkjet nozzle 
               
               
                   
                 60. 
                 marking mechanism 
               
               
                   
                 62. 
                 sensor 
               
               
                   
                 80. 
                 modified apparatus 
               
               
                   
                 80a. 
                 apparatus 
               
               
                   
                 82. 
                 web 
               
               
                   
                 84. 
                 web 
               
               
                   
                 88. 
                 web 
               
               
                   
                 89. 
                 sides 
               
               
                   
                 91. 
                 section 
               
               
                   
                 92. 
                 web 
               
               
                   
                 94. 
                 guide rollers 
               
               
                   
                 98. 
                 apparatus 
               
               
                   
                 100. 
                 photosensitive side 
               
               
                   
                 101. 
                 non-photosensitive side 
               
               
                   
                 102. 
                 merged media 
               
               
                   
                 104. 
                 laser printer 
               
               
                   
                 106. 
                 laser printer 
               
               
                   
                 109. 
                 modular 
               
               
                   
                 110. 
                 printing section 
               
               
                   
                 112. 
                 writing light beam 
               
               
                   
                 113. 
                 development section 
               
               
                   
                 114. 
                 rotating polygon 
               
               
                   
                 116. 
                 developers 
               
               
                   
                 118. 
                 web 
               
               
                   
                 120. 
                 supply reel 
               
               
                   
                 122. 
                 take-up reel 
               
               
                   
                 124. 
                 path 
               
               
                   
                 128. 
                 application system 
               
               
                   
                 130. 
                 pressure applicator mechanism 
               
               
                   
                 132. 
                 dryer 
               
               
                   
                 145. 
                 receiving tray 
               
               
                   
                 200. 
                 apparatus 
               
               
                   
                 210. 
                 printing section 
               
               
                   
                 212. 
                 media 
               
               
                   
                 214. 
                 film 
               
               
                   
                 216. 
                 digital scanner 
               
               
                   
                 218. 
                 image data manager 
               
               
                   
                 220. 
                 printer 
               
               
                   
                 224. 
                 photographic paper 
               
               
                   
                 225. 
                 marking mechanism 
               
               
                   
                 226. 
                 front side 
               
               
                   
                 228. 
                 back side 
               
               
                   
                 229. 
                 substrate 
               
               
                   
                 230. 
                 photosensitive emulsion layer 
               
               
                   
                 232. 
                 adhesive layer 
               
               
                   
                 234. 
                 release layer 
               
               
                   
                 240. 
                 processing tanks 
               
               
                   
                 241. 
                 processing tanks 
               
               
                   
                 242. 
                 processing tanks 
               
               
                   
                 243. 
                 processing tanks 
               
               
                   
                 244. 
                 processing tanks 
               
               
                   
                 245. 
                 processing tanks 
               
               
                   
                 246. 
                 processing tanks 
               
               
                   
                 247. 
                 drying section 
               
               
                   
                 250. 
                 finishing section 
               
               
                   
                 252. 
                 processing path 
               
               
                   
                 254. 
                 guide rollers 
               
               
                   
                 256. 
                 drive roller 
               
               
                   
                 258. 
                 sensor 
               
               
                   
                 259. 
                 segment 
               
               
                   
                 260. 
                 cutter 
               
               
                   
                 262. 
                 take-up core 
               
               
                   
                 265. 
                 folding mechanism 
               
               
                   
                 266. 
                 drive assembly 
               
               
                   
                 267. 
                 opening 
               
               
                   
                 268. 
                 assembly 
               
               
                   
                 269. 
                 opening 
               
               
                   
                 270. 
                 drive belt 
               
               
                   
                 272. 
                 rollers 
               
               
                   
                 274. 
                 support plenum 
               
               
                   
                 276. 
                 top surface 
               
               
                   
                 279. 
                 arrow 
               
               
                   
                 280. 
                 assembly 
               
               
                   
                 281. 
                 point 
               
               
                   
                 282. 
                 rollers 
               
               
                   
                 283. 
                 cam 
               
               
                   
                 287. 
                 arrows 
               
               
                   
                 288. 
                 engagement section 
               
               
                   
                 289. 
                 arrows 
               
               
                   
                 290. 
                 section 
               
               
                   
                 291. 
                 sides 
               
               
                   
                 292. 
                 shelf 
               
               
                   
                 293. 
                 sides 
               
               
                   
                 300. 
                 apparatus 
               
               
                   
                 310. 
                 roll 
               
               
                   
                 312. 
                 receiving tray 
               
               
                   
                 400. 
                 assembly 
               
               
                   
                 402. 
                 air knife 
               
               
                   
                 500. 
                 apparatus 
               
               
                   
                 510. 
                 paper 
               
               
                   
                 512. 
                 back side 
               
               
                   
                 516. 
                 metering roller 
               
               
                   
                 522. 
                 pump 
               
               
                   
                 600. 
                 folding mechanism 
               
               
                   
                 610. 
                 web 
               
               
                   
                 614. 
                 core 
               
               
                   
                 618. 
                 guide rollers 
               
               
                   
                 619. 
                 guide rollers 
               
               
                   
                 620. 
                 guide rollers 
               
               
                   
                 622. 
                 guide rollers 
               
               
                   
                 623. 
                 guide rollers 
               
               
                   
                 624. 
                 guide rollers 
               
               
                   
                 630. 
                 heating element