Gas Filled Art Encasement System
An encasement system for a display article comprising a transparent top section, a bottom section, a side section disposed directly adjacent the transparent top section and bottom section, the side section having an extending arm, the extending arm having a top segment and a bottom segment and a channel defined there between, whereby a cavity is defined between the transparent top section, bottom section and side section for receiving the display article and whereby the channel is in communication with the cavity, an inert gas injected into the cavity through the channel. A valve system is provided to allow gas to fill the cavity.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/958,969, filed on Jul. 10, 2007. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELDThis invention relates to an encasement system for various types of display articles and more particularly to an airtight encasement system for use in protecting display articles from detrimental environmental elements.
BACKGROUNDThe statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. It is known that certain articles displayed over time begin to show the effects of harmful environmental elements. More particularly, certain display articles namely, works of art such as paintings, sketches, lithographs, pictures, drawings and certain works of historical significance require special care in their display mechanism. These works of art are, in most instances, meant for public display.
Similarly, works of historical significance are often coveted by the public and provide a basis for historical education and are therefore often displayed in various fashions in public areas for viewing. Similarly, certain family documents, such a family photographs, certificates, graduation documents and other noted articles are often displayed for the benefit of all the family members and guests. Lastly, certain display articles such as collectable items like, famous signatures, famous photographs, baseball cards, special or first edition magazines and comic books etc. are often of such importance or significance that a special display environment is desired.
These works of art, works of history, family documents and collectibles and other display articles are often flat articles made from or prepared on paper products. It is known that exposure to the air and sunlight has a detrimental deteriorating effect on the paper, colors, pigments and other aspects of the articles. U.S. Pat. No. 1,031,727 to Mussbeck discloses a means for preserving works of art such as oil paintings, water color paintings, graphic objects and similar articles. The invention consists in furnishing the article to be protected with an envelope of nitrogen gas and in providing a casing of peculiar construction which is adapted to contain the article and to be charged with gas.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,160 assigned to Applicant discloses a mount for a display object including drawings, paintings, thin sheets or other large thin sheets comprising a pair of opposed rectangular flexible plastic sheets arranged face to face and adapted to receive the display object there between. At least one of the sheets is transparent. The sheets have continuous opposed peripheral inner walls with peripheral recesses formed in the walls defining a peripheral cavity. A sealant fills the cavity throughout 360 degrees for securing and sealing together the sheets around the periphery. The space between the sheets is evacuated with the display object operatively sealed between the sheets. U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,014 to Yesbick discloses an air chambered frame assembly wherein the frame and viewing area are integrally formed of clear plastic or Plexiglas eliminating the need for a separate glass pane. Additionally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,688,030 and 6,990,763 disclose frame systems. These patents are incorporated herein by reference.
Consequently, a need exists for a low cost, easy to manufacture, highly reliable encasement system for a display articles that protects such articles from detrimental effects of the general environment.
SUMMARYTo overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, and an encasement system for a display article is provided. The encasement system has a transparent top section having a pair of connection shoulders disposed on one side and a sealant channel disposed on an opposite side. Further, a bottom section has a pair of connection shoulders disposed on one side. An article carrier having an integral cavity defined therein for receiving the display article and an interior sealant channel disposed on one side. A sealant ring in contact with said transparent top section sealant channel and said interior sealant channel. A first sliding side connecting one of said transparent top section sealant shoulder and one of said bottom section connection shoulders thereby compressing said sealant ring. The system further has a second sliding side connecting the opposite transparent top section sealant shoulder and the opposite bottom section wherein the compression of said first sealant ring retain said transparent top section and bottom section together to create an air tight cavity between said article carrier and said transparent top section and bottom section.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.
As described below, a seal 25 in the form of an O-ring, is placed between the back and top panels 21 and 23. Additionally shown is a pair of valves 26 and a pressurized gas source 27. As shown in
The first valve 26a is a one-way valve which is fluidly coupled to the inert gas source 27 and allows the flow of gas into the system at a predetermined pressure. One-way valve 26b functions to allow the outflow of air from the encasement system at a predetermined pressure.
As seen in
As best seen in
A cavity 30 is formed between the top and bottom members. In this regard, as shown in
Claims
1. An encasement system for a display article comprising:
- a transparent top section having a pair of connection shoulders disposed on one side and a sealant channel disposed on an opposite side;
- a bottom section having a pair of connection shoulders disposed on one side and a sealant channel disposed on another side;
- an article carrier having an integral cavity defined therein for receiving the display article and a first interior sealant channel disposed on one side of said article carrier and a second sealant channel disposed on a second opposite side of said article carrier;
- a first sealant ring in contact with said transparent top section sealant channel and said first interior sealant channel;
- a second sealant ring in contact with said bottom section sealant channel and said second interior sealant channel;
- a first sliding side connecting one of said transparent top section sealant shoulder and one of said bottom section connection shoulders thereby compressing said first sealant ring;
- a second sliding side connecting the opposite transparent top section sealant shoulder and the opposite bottom section connection shoulder thereby compressing said second sealant ring wherein the compression of said first and second sealant rings retains said transparent top section and bottom section together to create an air tight cavity between said article carrier and said transparent top section and bottom section; and
- a first valve fluidly coupled to the airtight cavity.
2. The encasement system as in claim 1, wherein said first sealant ring is a rubber “O” ring having a compression force.
3. The encasement system as in claim 1, wherein said transparent top section and bottom section are made from an acrylic substrate.
4. The encasement system as in claim 1, wherein said transparent top section and bottom section are made from an ultraviolet protectant acrylic substrate capable of filtering at least 90% of ultraviolet light.
5. The encasement system as is claim 1, wherein said transparent top section connection shoulder and bottom section connection shoulder create a dovetail connector and first side includes a dovetail channel.
6. The encasement system as in claim 1, wherein said transparent top for section sealant channel is disposed around the outer circumference of said top section.
7. The encasement system as in claim 1, wherein said transparent top section connection shoulder and bottom section connection shoulder create a dovetail channel and first side includes a dovetail.
8. An encasement system for a display article comprising:
- a transparent top section having a pair of connection shoulders disposed on one side and a sealant channel disposed on an opposite side;
- a bottom section having a pair of connection shoulders disposed on one side;
- an article carrier having an integral cavity defined therein for receiving the display article and an interior sealant channel disposed on one side;
- a sealant ring in contact with said transparent top section sealant channel and said interior sealant channel;
- a first sliding side connecting one of said transparent top section sealant shoulder and one of said bottom section connection shoulders thereby compressing said sealant ring;
- a second sliding side connecting the opposite transparent top section sealant shoulder and the opposite bottom section wherein the compression of said first sealant ring retain said transparent top section and bottom section together to create an air tight cavity between said article carrier and said transparent top section and bottom section; and
- first and second valves fluidly coupled to the airtight cavity.
9. The encasement system as in claim 8, wherein said transparent top section and bottom section are made from an acrylic substrate.
10. The encasement system as in claim 8, wherein said transparent top section and bottom section are made from an ultraviolet protectant acrylic substrate capable of filtering at least 90% of ultraviolet light.
11. The encasement system as in claim 8, wherein said transparent top section connection shoulder and bottom section connection shoulder create a dovetail connector and first side includes a dovetail channel.
12. An encasement system for a display article comprising:
- a transparent top section having a pair of connection shoulders disposed on one side;
- a bottom section having a pair of connection shoulders disposed on one side and a sealant channel disposed on an opposite side;
- an article carrier having an integral cavity defined therein for receiving the display article and an interior sealant channel disposed on one side;
- a sealant ring in contact with said bottom section sealant channel and said interior sealant channel;
- a first sliding side connecting one of said transparent top section shoulders and one of said bottom section connection shoulders thereby compressing said sealant ring; and
- a second sliding side connecting the opposite transparent top section sealant shoulder and the opposite bottom section wherein the compression of said sealant ring retains said transparent top section and bottom section together to create an air tight cavity between said article carrier and said transparent top section and bottom section.
13. The encasement system as in claim 12, wherein said transparent top section and bottom section are made from an acrylic substrate.
14. The encasement system as in claim 12, wherein said transparent top section and bottom section are made from an ultraviolet protectant acrylic substrate capable of filtering at least 90% of ultraviolet light.
15. The encasement system as in claim 12 wherein said transparent top section connection shoulder and bottom section connection shoulder create a dovetail connector and first side includes a dovetail channel.
16. The encasement system as in claim 12 further comprising first and second valves fluidly coupled to an airtight cavity.
17. The encasement system as in claim 16 further comprising a source of compressed gas coupled to said first valve.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 10, 2008
Publication Date: Jan 15, 2009
Inventor: Georg A. Vihos (Hamtramck, MI)
Application Number: 12/170,664
International Classification: A47F 3/00 (20060101);