Pressure sensitive adhesive photo mount system

Abstract

A photo mount system is formed from a pressure sensitive adhesive laminate, in which a center carrier sheet has a low tack low residue pressure sensitive adhesive on both sides thereof. A face sheet is decorative on one surface thereof and has a release liner on the other, and is further characterized by a removable portion that allows for exposure of a part of the pressure sensitive adhesive. The removable portion and exposure of the pressure sensitive adhesive accommodates the placement of a photograph or other memorabilia thereon. A backing sheet is removably received by the adhesive attached to the opposite side of the carrier sheet, and is removable to expose the adhesive for attachment to an appliance, wall, furniture of the like.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention herein resides in the art of pressure sensitive adhesive laminates and, more particularly, to a system for accommodating the mounting of photographs of various sizes. Specifically, the invention relates to a photo mount system employing a low tack adhesive which allows a frame-like member to receive a photograph on one side thereof and to be adhesively secured to a mounting surface on the opposite side thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

It is a widely known practice to exhibit and display photographs and other memorabilia by mounting or otherwise posting it on appliances, walls, furniture, cork boards, similar surfaces. In most known instances, the photographs and memorabilia are secured by means of magnets, tapes, push pins, and the like. However, the presently employed techniques are of a very rudimentary nature, and typically not aesthetically pleasing. The photograph or memorabilia just appears upon the appliance, wall or furniture, and is absent further definition. Most preferably, photographs and memorabilia are “framed,” with the frame setting the photograph or memorabilia apart from its surroundings or the surface upon which it is mounted.

There is a need in the art for an efficient, effective and inexpensive photo mounting system that allows for the mounting of photographs and memorabilia in a frame-like structure, without damaging the surface to which it is mounted or the photograph or memorabilia itself.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the invention to provide a photo mount system that is removably attached to a mounting surface, and which does not damage that surface.

Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a photo mount system which does not damage the photograph or memorabilia.

Still a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a photo mount system that is reusable and repositionable.

Still another aspect of the invention is the provision of a photo mount system that is inexpensive and yet reliable in use, and which is conducive to implementation with presently available technology.

The foregoing and other aspects of the invention which will become apparent as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by a photograph mounting system, comprising: a face sheet having decorative presentations on the front surface thereof and a first release layer on a back surface thereof; a backing sheet having a second release layer on one surface thereof; a carrier sheet interposed between said face and backing sheets, said carrier sheet having a first adhesive layer receiving said first release layer of said face sheet and said second release layer of said backing sheet; and a removable region of said face sheet and said first release layer for exposing a corresponding region of said first adhesive layer.

Other aspects of the invention that will become apparent herein are attained by a photo mounting system, comprising: a face sheet having a decorative region replicating a sports ball and a personalization region for receiving hand written indicia thereon, both regions on an exposed front surface thereof, and a first release layer on a back surface thereof; a backing sheet having a second release layer on one surface thereof; a carrier sheet having first and second layers of low tack pressure sensitive adhesive thereon in respective receipt and engagement with said first and second release layers; and wherein selective regions of said face sheet, defined by score lines, are removable to thereby expose said first layer of low tack pressure sensitive adhesive.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a complete understanding of the various aspects and techniques of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the front surface of a photo mounting system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the photo mounting system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the photo mounting system of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of a photo mounting system made in accordance with the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly FIGS. 1-3, an appreciation of the structure of the invention can be attained. As shown, a photo mount system made in accordance with the invention is designated generally by the numeral 10. The photo mount system is a complex pressure sensitive adhesive laminate including a face sheet 12 having a release layer 14 on a back surface thereof. The release layer 14 is, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, of silicone or the like. An adhesive layer 16 engages the release layer 14 and is preferably a microsphere low tack pressure sensitive adhesive of the type that is now commonly known in the art and that leaves little or no residue upon removal. The adhesive layer 16 is connected to a paper carrier sheet 18 which has another adhesive layer 20 on the back surface thereof. Again, the adhesive layer 20 is preferably a microsphere low tack low residue pressure sensitive adhesive. Next, an appropriate release layer such as a silicone release layer 22 is fixed upon the backing sheet 24 and in releasable engagement with the adhesive layer 20.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the paper face sheet 12 preferably includes a decorative portion 26 which may include text and/or illustrations. As presented in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the illustration 28 is that of a baseball, although the invention also contemplates various sports balls such as basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, and the like. In the specific embodiment shown, baseball stitchery 30 is included to further replicate a baseball.

In the area 32, text may be included to either generically or specifically identify the subject of the photograph or memorabilia to be attached thereto. In the embodiment shown, the text “All Star” is presented in fanciful form. An area 34 is provided for personalized text, where a user may have a title, names, dates, events, or the like. Preferably, the area 34 is of a texture to receive ink without smudging or blurring. Finally, the photo mount system 10 is characterized by a border 36 that tends to “frame” or provide a finished edge to the system 10.

A removable region 38 of the face sheet 12 and adhered release layer 14 is defined by the numeral 38. The removable region 38 is defined by a plurality of perforated or scored lines of various sizes or areas, any pair of horizontal and vertical lines 40 in FIG. 1 defining a removable region to expose the low tack low residue pressure sensitive adhesive 16 carried by the carrier sheet 18. It will be appreciation by those skilled in the art, that the size of the region 38 that is to be removed is dependent, to a large extent, upon the size and/or weight of the photograph or memorabilia to be adhered thereto. In use, a portion of the removable region 38 is selected by the user by definition through the perforated or score lines 40, and that portion is removed to expose the pressure sensitive adhesive 16 therebeneath. The back of the photograph or memorabilia is then attached to, and preferably centered upon, the removed portion, totally concealing it. Accordingly, the photograph or memorabilia is removably adhered to the face of the photo mount system 10.

With reference to FIG. 2, it can be appreciated that exposure of the adhesive layer 20 is then easily achieved by removing the backing sheet 24 by separating it at the score or perforated line 42. This removal of a backing liner is of somewhat standard fashion. The exposed adhesive layer 20 is then attached to the desired surface such as an appliance, wall, piece of furniture, tack board or the like.

With the adhesive layers 16, 20 being of a low tack and low residue nature, the system 10 can be removably and replaceable positioned upon a mounting surface without damage to the surface or without leaving undesirable residue. Similarly, the memorabilia or photograph that is so mounted may be removed and replaced without damage thereto. At any time, before or after mounting, the area 34 may be used to personalize or characterize the mounted photograph or memorabilia. Clearly, the selection of the decorative portion and features of the photo mount system would also typically be appropriate for the photograph or memorabilia—be it baseball, tennis, hunting, academics or the like.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a variation on the theme of the invention can be seen and appreciated. Here, the photo mount system 50 is of the same general cross section as the system 10, depicted in FIG. 3. However, according to this embodiment, the system 50 comprises a substantially rectangular pressure sensitive adhesive laminate, in which the paper face sheet 52 is characterized by a plurality of perforations or score lines 54 dividing it into a number of removable blocks to expose the pressure sensitive adhesive therebeneath. The removal and exposure of the adhesive on the carrier sheet allows for the attachment of the photograph or memorabilia, while the remainder of the face sheet 52 serves to provide a picture frame border about the photo or memorabilia. It will be readily appreciated that by mounting a photo of rectangular configuration upon the rectangular photo mount system laminate 50, a picture frame effect can be achieved for the mounted item. Except for configuration, the system 50 is substantially the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. It will be appreciated that the face sheet 52 of the system 50 may have a wood grain, decorative features, or the like to replicate an actual picture frame.

In the general context of the invention, the adhesive for the layers 16, 20 may be the same, as will be the properties of the release layers 14, 22. However, it is most preferred that the portions of the face sheet 12 be easier to remove than the backing sheet 24. This may be achieved by using a more aggressive adhesive for the layer 20 than for the layer 16 and/or by providing a patterned silicone application for the release layer 14.

It is also contemplated that the print of text, such as the area 32, may be patterned or flood primed to change the appearance of the text image by modifying the ink receptivity of sheet 12. Other features contemplated by the invention include the use of textured, dimensional, metallic, cold foil, conductive, florescent, scented, glitter, and photoemissive materials to simulate unique surfaces on the sheet 12, including the use of consumer-generated art or images.

Thus it can be seen that the various aspects of the invention have been attained by the structure presented hereinabove. While in accordance with the patent statutes, only the best mode and preferred embodiments of the invention have been presented and described in detail, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention reference should be made to the following claims.

Claims

1. A photograph mounting system, comprising:

a face sheet having decorative presentations on the front surface thereof and a first release layer on a back surface thereof;

a backing sheet having a second release layer on one surface thereof;

a carrier sheet interposed between said face and backing sheets, said carrier sheet having a first adhesive layer receiving said first release layer of said face sheet and said second release layer of said backing sheet; and

a removable region of said face sheet and said first release layer for exposing a corresponding region of said first adhesive layer.

2. The photograph mounting system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second adhesive layers are low tack adhesives.

3. The photograph mounting system according to claim 2, wherein said removable region is of a selectable size.

4. The photograph mounting system according to claim 3, wherein said removable region is defined by a plurality of intersecting score lines.

5. The photograph mounting system according to claim 4, wherein said removable region is of selectable rectangular configuration.

6. The photograph mounting system according to claim 5, wherein said backing sheet is characterized by at least one score line for removal of said backing sheet and associated second release layer from said second adhesive layer.

7. The photograph mounting system according to claim 6, wherein said face sheet is of rectangular configuration, adapted to receive a rectangular photograph thereon and with borders of said face sheet thereby replicating a picture frame.

8. The photograph mounting system according to claim 6, wherein said face sheet further has regions of personalization thereon, configured to receive handwritten indicia.

9. The photograph mounting system according to claim 8, wherein said face sheet is sized to receive a photograph within the borders thereof and without obscuring said regions of decoration and personalization.

10. The photograph mounting system according to claim 9, wherein said region of decoration replicates a sports ball.

11. A photo mounting system, comprising:

a face sheet having a decorative region replicating a sports ball and a personalization region for receiving hand written indicia thereon, both regions on an exposed front surface thereof, and a first release layer on a back surface thereof;

a backing sheet having a second release layer on one surface thereof;

a carrier sheet having first and second layers of low tack pressure sensitive adhesive thereon in respective receipt and engagement with said first and second release layers; and

wherein selective regions of said face sheet, defined by score lines, are removable to thereby expose said first layer of low tack pressure sensitive adhesive.

12. The photograph mounting system according to claim 11, wherein said selective regions are rectangular in shape and defined by interconnecting score lines.