Customized photograph collage and method for making same

Claim 1

A customized photograph collage comprising: a plurality of photographs; a plurality of foam core backing members, each backing member having a selected thickness and having a front, a rear, and a side; a first adhesive layer holding each photograph to the front of a corresponding backing member to form a mounted photograph; a second adhesive layer attaching overlapping and adjoining portions and non-overlapping and externally abutting portions of a plurality of mounted photographs to form a three dimensional collage; a backing mount affixed to the rear of selected backing members to provide a stable, flat, rear surface for hanging; and a washable protectant layer covering the outer surfaces of the collage to protect against dirt, scratches, and ultraviolet rays.

Claim 3

A method for making a customized photograph collage, comprising the steps of: applying a pressure sensitive adhesive to a photograph and a foam core backing member; allowing the pressure sensitive adhesive to dry to a desired consistency; mounting the photograph on the backing member with the pressure sensitive adhesive interposed between the photograph and the backing member to form a mounted photograph; cutting the foam core backing member and the photograph to a desired size and shape; building up the foam core backing member to a desired thickness; grouping a plurality of mounted photographs, having varying backing thicknesses, selectively in overlapping and adjoining relationship and in non-overlapping and externally abutting relationship to create a three dimensional collage; applying an adhesive between overlapping and adjoining portions of the mounted photographs; fastening overlapping and adjoining portions of the mounted photographs together, in said overlapping and adjoining relationship and in said non-overlapping and externally abutting relationship, with the adhesive; stabilizing the mounted collage with backing mounts on a rear side of the collage to provide a flat surface for hanging; determining a balanced point of the collage; attaching a clip to the collage for hanging; and applying a washable protective coating to all external surfaces of the collage to protect against dirt, scratches, and ultraviolet rays.

Claim 4

A method for making a customized photograph collage, comprising the steps of: applying a pressure sensitive adhesive to a photograph and a foam core backing member; allowing the pressure sensitive adhesive to dry to a desired consistency; mounting the photograph on the backing member with the pressure sensitive adhesive interposed between the photograph and the backing member to form a mounted photograph; cutting the foam core backing member and the photograph to a desired size and shape; building up the foam core backing member to a desired thickness; grouping a plurality of mounted photographs, having varying backing thicknesses, selectively in overlapping and adjoining relationship and in non-overlapping and externally abutting relationship to create a three dimensional collage; applying an adhesive between overlapping and adjoining portions of the mounted photographs; fastening overlapping and adjoining portions of the mounted photographs together, in said overlapping and adjoining relationship and in said non-overlapping and externally abutting relationship, with the adhesive; stabilizing the mounted collage with backing mounts on a rear side of the collage to provide a flat surface for hanging; determining a balanced point of the collage; attaching a clip to the collage for hanging; and applying a washable protective coating to all external surfaces of the collage to protect against dirt, scratches, and ultraviolet rays.