Patent Publication Number: US-2006003131-A1

Title: Printed self-adhesive photo sheet

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/585,062, filed Jul. 2, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to an indicia-bearing self-adhesive sheet. More particularly, the present invention relates to an indicia-bearing self-adhesive article display sheet suitable for use with a scrapbook.  
      Preparing scrapbooks is a popular pastime activity. Most generally, a scrapbook is a book, photo album, binder or other holder that allows users to store, organize and preserve materials such as photographs, newspaper clippings and memorabilia. A typical scrapbook includes one or more pages, with scrapbook articles (e.g., photographs) permanently or removably affixed to those pages. Scrapbook articles may be affixed to one or both sides of the scrapbook pages.  
      Scrapbook pages can be article display sheets or photo sheets that include a substrate, a layer of repositionable adhesive on the substrate, and a clear cover sheet. The repositionable adhesive permits users to removably secure articles to a photo sheet. The cover sheet is typically a transparent plastic material. Initially, the cover sheet is generally aligned with the substrate and operatively engaged with the substrate by the repositionable adhesive. A portion of the cover sheet typically extends over a portion of the substrate not coated by repositionable adhesive, which facilitates lifting the cover sheet from the substrate. Where the cover sheet is disengaged from the repositionable adhesive, users can secure articles on the repositionable adhesive. A user can then reposition the cover sheet over the articles removably attached to the repositionable adhesive. In this manner, photo sheets allow for storage, display and preservation of articles in a scrapbook, while still permitting removal of those articles without damage.  
      Photo sheets typically include a number of other common features. For instance, an attachment area having two or more holes can be provided near an edge of the photo sheet, for securing the photo sheet in a scrapbook having binder or post attachment components. The attachment area can be reinforced. In addition, alignment means, such as tape or adhesive, is typically included along an edge of the photo sheet opposite the attachment area. This alignment means helps minimize misalignment of the cover sheet relative to the substrate.  
      Users often put a great deal of effort into the arrangement and display of articles in a scrapbook. This can include adding decorative features. Arrangement and decoration of a scrapbook can be an elaborate process. In addition, users often desire to include notations on pages of a scrapbook. For instance, it is often desirable to include dates and narrative descriptions for certain scrapbook articles.  
      German Patent Application DE 35 08 807 A1 discloses a self-adhesive album sheet having an adhesive area and a separate printed memo area. However, the album sheet only discloses orienting masks.  
      Thus, the present invention provides an alternative indicia-bearing self-adhesive photo sheet.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An indicia-bearing adhesive article display sheet according to the present invention includes a substrate having a first major side and a second major side, indicia, a layer of primer material, a layer of adhesive, and a transparent or translucent cover sheet. The indicia is disposed on the first major side of the substrate. The layer of primer material is disposed over the indicia on at least a first portion of the first major side of the substrate. The layer of adhesive is disposed over the primer material on the first major side of the substrate. The transparent or translucent cover sheet is aligned to cover at least the layer of adhesive on the first major side of the substrate. The cover sheet is repositionable relative to the layer of adhesive.  
      A method of positioning an article relative to indicia on a substrate of a self-adhesive photo sheet is also presented. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a photo sheet.  
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the photo sheet as taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of another photo sheet.  
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of another photo sheet.  
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the photo sheet as taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 . 
    
    
      While the above-identified drawing figures set forth several embodiments of the invention, other embodiments area also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the invention. The figures may not be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers have been used throughout the figures to denote like parts.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a photo sheet  20  (synonymously called a scrapbook article display sheet, a self-adhesive photo page and a “magnetic” page). The photo sheet  20  includes a substrate  22 , indicia  24 A, an adhesive  26 A, a first cover sheet  28 A, alignment means  30 , and a number of holes  32 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , an article  34  is disposed between the adhesive  26  and the first cover sheet  28 A. Article  34  could be, for example, a photograph or a scrapbooking article, such as a lock of hair.  
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the photo sheet  20  as taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , the substrate  22  of the photo sheet  20  further includes a first major side  36  and an opposite second major side  38 . The first major side  36  includes indicia  24 A, a layer of primer materials  40 A, an adhesive  26 A, and a first cover sheet  28 A. The second major side  38  of the substrate  22 , similar to the first major side  36 , includes indicia  24 B, a layer of primer materials  40 B, an adhesive  26 B, and a second cover sheet  28 B.  
      The substrate  22  is generally formed as a sheet. Dimensions of the substrate  22  will vary according to the particular application with which the photo sheet  20  will be used. For instance, in one embodiment, the substrate  22  has overall length and width dimensions of 9 inches (in.) (22.86 cm) by 11 in. (27.94 cm). In another embodiment, the substrate  22  has overall length and width dimensions of 11 in. (27.94 cm) by 11 in. (27.94 cm). The substrate  22  can be formed of any ink-receptive web of material, and is typically heavyweight acid-free paper. In further embodiments, the substrate  22  can be coated paper (e.g., paper coated with clay or other ink-receptive coatings), cardboard, synthetic papers such as “Yupo” (a filled polypropylene material, available from Yupo Corporation America, Chesapeake, Va.), polypropylene, and polyester films.  
      The photo sheet  20  has indicia  24 A and  24 B disposed on the first and second major sides  36  and  38  of the substrate  22 . Indicia  24 A and  24 B can include nearly any desired pattern, such as text, an image (e.g., a picture frame image), and a decorative background design. In further embodiments, indicia  24 A and  24 B can entirely cover at least one side of the substrate  22 .  FIG. 1  provides an exemplary embodiment of the photo sheet  20  where indicia  24 A on the first major side  36  of the substrate  22  is arranged as a decorative background design of star shapes. Indicia  24 B on the second major side  38  of the photo sheet  20  is identical to indicia  24 A on the first major side  36 . In further embodiments, indicia  24 A and  24 B on the first and second major sides  36  and  38  can differ as to the type and arrangement of the respective patterns.  
      Indicia  24 A is typically ink deposited on the substrate  22 . Ink can be deposited on the photo sheet  20  by conventional printing techniques. One or more kinds of ink can be used. For instance, indicia  24 A can include four ink colors printed on the substrate  22 . Where multiple ink colors are used, each ink color is typically printed separately in a sequential process, as will be known to those skilled in the art.  
      The layer of primer material  40 A is generally disposed over indicia  24 A on at least a portion of the first major side  36  of the substrate  22 . The layer of adhesive  26 A is disposed over the primer material  40 A on the first major side  36  of the substrate  22 . The primer  40 B and the adhesive  26 B are applied relative to the second major side  38  of the substrate  22  in a similar manner.  
      The adhesives  26 A and  26 B are typically repositionable adhesives, such as is exemplified by the adhesives used on Post-it® brand notes, manufactured by 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn. The repositionable adhesives can be acrylic- or rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesives. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesives  26 A and  26 B are repositionable pressure sensitive acrylic adhesives that are non-damaging to photographs. The adhesives  26 A and  26 B are typically applied continuously over at least a portion of the substrate  22 . In further embodiments, the adhesives  26 A and  26 B can be applied as a pattern coating, for instance, as patterns of stripes and dots.  
      The adhesives  26 A and  26 B are generally applied in the range from about 2 to about 25 grams/meter 2 . For example, an acrylic microsphere repositionable adhesive is typically applied from about 2 to about 10 grams/meter 2 .  
      The primer materials  40 A and  40 B can be any material suitable for facilitating bonding of the adhesives  26 A and  26 B to the substrate  22 . Preferably, the primer material is an acid-free and photograph safe material. The primers  40 A and  40 B allows stronger bonding between the adhesives  26 A and  26 B and the substrate  22  than between the adhesives  26 A and  26 B and other objects, such as the scrapbook article  34  and the first cover sheet  28 A. Stronger bonding between the adhesives  26 A and  26 B and the substrate  22  establishes a bonding preference that helps to avoid undesirable removal of portions of the adhesives  26 A and  26 B from the substrate  22 . Typical primer materials include solvents (including water), polymers and inorganic particles. In one embodiment, the primer materials  40 A and  40 B include a vinyl chloride polymer and zinc oxide primer commercially designated VAGH, available from Union Carbide Corporation, Danbury, Conn.  
      Prior to use, the first cover sheet  28 A is generally aligned to cover at least the layer of adhesive  26 A on the first major side  36  of the substrate  22 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a portion of the cover sheet  28 A is disengaged or “peeled away” from the adhesive  26 A (i.e., leaving a portion of the layer of adhesive  26 A uncovered). In one embodiment, the first cover sheet  28 A extends beyond the layer of adhesive  26 A on the first major side  36  of the substrate  22  by about 0.25 inches (in.) (0.635 cm). This provides a portion of the first cover sheet  28 A not secured to the adhesive  26 A for a user to better grasp the first cover sheet  28 A. The first cover sheet  28 A is repositionable relative to the layer of adhesive  26 A on the first major side  36  of the substrate  22 .  
      In a preferred embodiment, the photo sheet  20  is two-sided, permitting attachment of scrapbook articles relative to both the first and second major sides  36  and  38  of the substrate  22 . The second cover sheet  28 B is positioned relative to the second major side  38  of the substrate  22  and is generally similar to the first cover sheet  28 A. Descriptions of the first cover sheet  28 A apply equally to the second cover sheet  28 B. When manufacturing a two-sided photo sheet, typically one side is fabricated followed by the other side in a continuous manufacturing process.  
      Both the first and second cover sheets  28 A and  28 B are generally transparent or translucent, and are formed of acid-free and photograph safe materials such as cast or oriented polypropylene, polyethylene and polyester. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second cover sheets  28 A and  28 B are formed of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP).  
      The first and second cover sheets  28 A and  28 B generally have a thickness of about 1 mil (0.0254 mm) to about 3.5 mils (0.0889 mm). In a preferred embodiment, the first and second cover sheets  28 A and  28 B each have a thickness of about 2 mils (0.0508 mm). Stiffness of cover sheets varies as the cube of the thickness of the sheet. Sufficient stiffness has a number of desirable qualities, such as minimizing undesired wrinkling of the first and second cover sheets  28 A and  28 B after repeated engagement with the adhesives  26 A and  26 B, respectively.  
      The first and second cover sheets  28 A and  28 B are capable of being positioned over the respective adhesives  26 A and  26 B and any scrapbook articles affixed thereon. Scrapbook articles affixed to the adhesives  26 A and  26 B are generally visible through the first and second cover sheets  28 A and  28 B.  
      Alignment means  30  is attached to the first cover sheet  28 A and positioned along an edge of the substrate  22 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , alignment means  30  is a strip of tape attached to both the first and second cover sheets  28 A and  28 B along an edge of the substrate  22 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that connecting means  30  can take other forms. In a further embodiment, alignment means  30  includes tape and hot melt glue for connecting the first and second cover sheets  28 A and  28 B. In yet another embodiment, alignment means  30  includes providing a folded-over portion of at least one of the cover sheets and hot melt glue for connecting the first and second cover sheets  28 A and  28 B.  
      Because a user typically detaches only one cover sheet (e.g., the first cover sheet  28 A) from the adhesives (e.g., the adhesive  26 A) at a time, the other cover sheet (e.g., the second cover sheet  28 B) remains secured to adhesive (e.g., the adhesive  26 B). Alignment means  30  connects the first and second cover sheets  28 A and  28 B for reducing a risk that a user would entirely detach the first or the second cover sheet  28 A or  28 B from the substrate  22 , which creates a substantial risk of misalignment. Generally speaking, alignment means  30  reduces the risk of misalignment of the first and the second cover sheets  28 A and  28 B by reducing the time and effort required by a user to reposition a cover sheet relative to the respective adhesive  26 A and  26 B on either side of the substrate  22 .  
      The article (or scrapbook article)  34 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , is an exemplary item such as a photograph, newspaper clipping or other item suitable for use with a scrapbook. A variety of items can be removably affixed to the photo sheet  20 . Typically, such items are relatively small and relatively flat. Users can attach numerous scrapbook articles to a single photo sheet in a desired arrangement. In addition, users can add decorative and utilitarian embellishments, such as string, raffia, and labels, which can be affixed to the adhesives  26 A and  26 B on the substrate  22  or secured to the photo sheet  20  using other attachment means (e.g., adhesive tie downs, brads, string and glue). These embellishments are utilized, if at all, according to each user&#39;s particular tastes and preferences. For instance, it is possible for users to attach decorative embellishments to outer portions of the first and second cover sheets  28 A and  28 B to enhance a presentation of scrapbook articles removably affixed to the adhesives  26 A and  26 B.  
      The holes  32  are typically disposed in the substrate  22  and are typically located near an edge of the photo sheet  20 . The holes  32  can be used for securing the photo sheet  20  in a scrapbook (not shown) having binder or post attachment components. The binder or post attachment components extend through the holes  32  to secure the photo sheet  20  in the scrapbook. Any number of holes  32  can be included, and the number, size and placement of the holes  32  will depend on the type of scrapbook the photo sheet  20  is intended to be used with. The holes  32  are optional, and can be excluded where not needed to secure the photo sheet  20  in a scrapbook. In one exemplary embodiment, the photo sheet  20  includes three substantially circular holes  32  for use with binder attachment components of a scrapbook (e.g., a standard three-ring binder). The holes  32  are 0.375 in. (0.9525 cm) in diameter. A hole  32  is centered along a length of the photo sheet  20  and the remaining holes  32  are spaced 4.25 in. (10.795 cm), measured center-to-center, on either side thereof.  
      In operation, a user can detach the first cover sheer  28 A of the photo sheet  20  from the adhesive  26 A on the first major side  36  of the substrate  22 . The user can then removably affix the scrapbook article  34  to the adhesive  26 A. The scrapbook article  34  can generally be placed anywhere in contact with a portion of the adhesive  26 A, as desired. Additional scrapbook articles can also be removably affixed to the adhesive  26 A on the first major side  36  of the substrate  22 .  
      The user is able to place the scrapbook article  34  in a desired position relative to indicia  24 A. After the scrapbook article  34  is removably affixed to the adhesive  26 A, the first cover sheet  28 A is removably affixed to the adhesive  26 A, in operative engagement therewith. The first cover sheet  28 A covers the scrapbook article  34  and generally conforms around any raised features of the scrapbook article  34 . At least one portion of the first cover sheet  28 A is then removably affixed to the adhesive  26 A on the first major side  36  of the substrate  22 . The scrapbook article  34  generally arranged to be viewable through the first cover sheet  28 A, when the first cover sheet  28 A is repositioned over the scrapbook article  34 . Securing the first cover sheet  28 A over the scrapbook article  34  can assist in securing the scrapbook article  34  to the substrate  22 . The first cover sheet  28 A further provides some protection of the scrapbook article  34 , for preserving the scrapbook article  34  during storage. For example, the first cover sheet  28 A can prevent the scrapbook article  34  from touching an adjacent photo sheet where the photo sheet  20  is placed in a scrapbook.  
      The scrapbook article  34  can be removed from the photo sheet  20  by reversing the process identified above. The first cover sheet  28 A is detached or peeled away from the adhesive  26 A and then the scrapbook article  34  is removed from the adhesive  26 A. The first cover sheet  28 A can then be repositioned in alignment with the layer of adhesive  26 A.  
      Operation of the photo sheet  20  for affixing and removing scrapbook articles to and from the second major side  38  of the substrate  22  is substantially the same as that described above with respect to the first major side  36  of the substrate  22 .  
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of a photo sheet  42 . The photo sheet  42  includes similar features as the photo sheet  20  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and further includes a printed memo indicia area  44 . The printed memo indicia area  44  provides space free from adhesive for a user to write data on the photo sheet  42 . In further embodiments, printed memo indicia area  44  may include a separate substrate affixed to the adhesive  26 A. The separate substrate can have an outer side free from adhesive, which creates a space on the photo page  20  that is functionally free from adhesive.  
      The printed memo indicia area  44  accepts markings from instruments such as pens, pencils, markers, crayons and stamps. In one embodiment, the printed memo indicia area  44  includes a plurality of 1.25 in. (3.175 cm) wide lines arranged in a columnar fashion and spaced 0.375 in. (0.9525 cm) apart. The printed memo indicia area  44  can be disposed on the substrate  22  to one side of the layer of adhesive  26 A. In further embodiments, the printed memo indicia area  44  is disposed between two regions of adhesive on a major side of the substrate  22 .  
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of a photo sheet  50 .  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the photo sheet  50  as taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 . The photo sheet  50  includes features similar to the photo sheets  20  and  42  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , and further includes a reinforcement  52  and indicia  54 A disposed on the cover sheet  28 A.  
      As seen in  FIG. 4 , the reinforcement  52  is disposed near the holes  32  on the substrate  22 . In one embodiment, the reinforcement  52  is a tape strip disposed along an edge of the substrate  22  with holes corresponding to the holes  32  disposed in the tape strip. Where the photo sheet  50  is secured in a scrapbook with post or binder attachment components, significant wear and damage to the substrate  22  (e.g., tearing) is possible at or near the holes  32 . The reinforcement  52  provides some protection to the substrate and reduces a risk that the photo sheet  50  will disengage from a scrapbook due to damage, such as tearing.  
      In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , indicia  54 A is disposed on the cover sheet  28 A. In one embodiment, indicia  54 A is disposed on an underside of the cover sheet  28 A, generally between the cover sheet  28 A and the substrate  22 . In further embodiments, indicia  54 A can be disposed on an outer side of the cover sheet  28 A, such that the cover sheet  28 A is generally disposed between the indicia  54 A and the adhesive  26 A. Indicia  54 A can be of nearly any type and arrangement. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , indicia  54 A is text. In various embodiments, indicia  54 A can be opaque or translucent ink.  
      Indicia  54 A on the cover sheet  28 A can be arranged for cooperative visual arrangement with indicia on the substrate  22 . For example, complex cooperative visual arrangements are possible, such as photo sheets with different designs printed on the substrate  22  and the cover sheet  28 A where the different designs produce a coordinated design effect when the cover sheet  28 A is operatively engaged with the adhesive  26 A on the substrate  22 . Additionally, the indicia on the cover sheet and substrate can be made to cooperate, mimic, or incorporate indicia and on the cover of the photo album (or scrapbook) holding the self-adhesive photo sheet.  
      It is also possible to arrange any of the embodiments of the self-adhesive photo sheet described above in a scrapbook. The scrapbook includes a plurality of scrapbook pages. In one embodiment, all the scrapbook pages include the same type of indicia. In another embodiment, different indicia is included on different scrapbook pages.  
      It is possible to include different types of pages bound or held together in a single scrapbook. The scrapbook can include any combination of printed self-adhesive photo sheets, pocket pages (i.e., a substrate and at least one pocket, such as a photograph-sized pocket, attached thereto for holding scrapbook articles), and “plain” scrapbook pages (i.e., a substrate not necessarily including any pockets or adhesives for securing scrapbook articles to the “plain” scrapbook page). Each of the pages in the scrapbook can include indicia disposed thereon.  
      Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, arrangement of indicia can vary according to a desired pattern.