GB2260491A

GB2260491A - Collection album for pictures

Info

Publication number: GB2260491A
Application number: GB9210241A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mario Acerboni
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-10-16
Filing date: 1992-05-13
Publication date: 1993-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 2012-05-13
Also published as: GB9210241D0; ITMI910901V0; GB2260491B; IE68514B1; ITMI910901U1; IE921542A1

Abstract

A collection album for pictures, in particular photographs, comprising bound sheets 1 each consisting of several variously cut, superposed and joined-together layers of paper or cardboard; the layers comprise a central support 3 for supporting the picture 4 or a passe-partout picture holder 16, on at least one of the faces 5 of said support there being joined further layers 6, 12 defining perimetral frames of said central support which are able to retain said picture or picture holder in position, at the edge of each of said sheets in proximity to the binding there being effected in at least one of its component layers a vertical cut 14 which defines a hinging axis about which that portion of the sheet to which the picture is fixed can be bent relative to that portion 2 of the sheet comprising the binding, which hence suffers reduced wear. The cut 14 can be discontinuous and in one or more layers of the sheet structure. <IMAGE>

Description

COLLECTION ALBUM FOR PICTURES, IN PARTICULAR PHOTOGRAPHS A known drawback of collection albums for photographs or other pictures is that the album is heavy when full.

In this respect, each sheet of the album carries photographs on both its faces, so that when the sheets are turned the binding is subjected to considerable force and with the passage of time can undergo damage.

Up to the present time, attempts to solve this problem have involved the use of additional structures for reinforcing the binding, such as pins or hooks, which however compromise the appearance of the album.

An object of the present invention is to solve the aforesaid problem without detracting from the appearance of the album, and by using a structure which is simplified to a maximum extent by avoiding the application of additional elements or devices. A further object is to facilitate the turning of the album sheets.

These objects are attained according to the present invention by a collection album for pictures, in particular photographs, comprising a plurality of bound sheets each consisting of several variously cut, superposed and joined-together layers of a suitable material, such as paper or cardboard, characterised in that said layers comprise a central support for supporting the picture or a passe-partout picture holder, on at least one of the faces of said support there being joined further layers defining perimetral frames of said central support which are able to retain said picture or picture holder in position, at the edge of each of said sheets in proximity to the binding there being effected in at least one of its component layers a vertical cut which defines a hinging axis about which that portion of the sheet to which the picture is fixed can be bent relative to that portion of the sheet comprising the binding.

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the description given hereinafter with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a photograph album according to the invention; Figure 2 is a view of a sheet of the album of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the sheet taken on the line III-III of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a perspective view analogous to that of Figure 1 but in a different position of use.

With reference to said figures, a photograph album according to the invention comprises a series of sheets 1 held together by a binding 2.

Each of said sheets 1 consists of a plurality of superposed layers of cardboard of various thicknesses and shapes, joined together for example by gluing.

In the example shown in the figures they comprise a central support layer 3 for supporting a picture 4 on its upper face 5 and a picture 4' on its lower face 5'. Appropriately, the picture 4 is fixed to a passe-partout picture holder 16, and the picture 4' to a picture holder 16'.

On each of said faces 5 and 5' of the central support 3 there is fixed a second layer 6 of cardboard, for example glued to the layer 3 along an upper edge 7 and a lower edge 8 and along the vertical edge 9 in the binding region. The opposite edge 10 of the support 3 is not glued to the layer 6, and hence defines a passage 11 for inserting or withdrawing the picture holder, as can be seen in Figure 4.

The layer 6 is apertured to assume the form of a perimetral frame, the dimensions of which correspond to those of the picture holder.

On the layer 6 there is glued a further superposed layer 12, which is also in the form of a perimetral frame superposed on that of the layer 6 but with a slightly smaller aperture, so that a step 13 is defined between them to act as a guide for inserting and withdrawing the picture holder 16, as a limit stop for its insertion and as a retention means for fixing the inserted picture holder.

This sheet configuration is repeated symmetrically on the other face 5' of the central layer, which hence also carries a pair of layers 6 and 12 identical to those described for the face 5.

A vertical cut 14 is made along the edge 9 of each sheet 1 in the binding region 2, and which in the present example is made through the two layers 6, so that sheet continuity in the region of the cut 14 is provided only by the two layers 12, which are glued together. The vertical cut 14 hence defines a hinging or articulation axis about which the portion 15 of the sheet to which the picture is fixed can be bent freely along 14 relative to that sheet portion lying between the binding and the cutting axis, as shown in Figure 1.

This has the advantage of discharging the album weight, concentrated on the portions 15 of the sheets which carry at least two pictures, one per face, along the hinge 14, so lightening the binding region 2, which hence suffers much less wear.

A considerable advantage of the invention is that this articulation system is achieved without the provision of special devices such as hooks, pins or adhesives in the binding region, by the simple expedient of removing material from the sheet during the manufacture of the album, without changing the appearance thereof.

In this respect, the final sheet appears totally continuous, hence maintaining an elegant and attractive appearance.

Numerous modifications can be made to the structure as heretofore described by way of example. For example, the vertical cut can be made discontinuously, and in one or more layers chosen from the component layers of the sheet structure. The number and shape of these layers can be varied at will.

Claims

1. A collection album for pictures, in particular photographs, comprising a plurality of bound sheets each consisting of several variously cut, superposed and joinedtogether layers of a suitable material, such as paper or cardboard, characterised in that said layers comprise a central support for supporting the picture or a passe-partout picture holder, on at least one of the faces of said support there being joined further layers defining perimetral frames of said central support which are able to retain said picture or picture holder in position, at the edge of each of said sheets in proximity to the binding there being effected in at least one of its component layers a vertical cut which defines a hinging axis about which that portion of the sheet to which the picture is fixed can be bent relative to that portion of the sheet comprising the binding.

2. An album as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that between said central support of the sheet and said layers superposed on it, a passageway is defined along that vertical side opposite the bound side to enable said picture or picture holder to be inserted or uithdrawn.

3. An album as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that on each of said faces of the central support there is fixed a second apertured layer, on which there is fixed a third apertured layer, sated superposed layers defining a perimetral frame on the sheet, in which there are defined a guide and a limit stop for inserting and retaining in position said picture or picture holder.

4. An album as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said vertical cut is made in that pair of said layers directly superposed on the central support, so that sheet continuity in the cut region is provided by only that pair of layers superposed on those in which the cut has been made.

5. An album substantially as heretofore described and as illustrated on the accompanying drawings.