Customizable framing media

Abstract

Methods and print media useful for the generation of customized picture frames for the framing of photographs, drawings, graphics, collages and other visual formats. The embodiments include specialized print media for use in conventional imaging devices and their methods of use. The print media includes an interior portion removably attached to a surrounding portion. The interior portion is adapted to remain with the surrounding portion as an image is transferred to a printable surface of the print media using an imaging device. The interior portion may subsequently be removed from the surrounding portion without cutting.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A print media for use in an imaging device, the print media comprising: 
 a single layer having an interior portion removably attached to a surrounding portion.    
     
     
         2 . The print media of  claim 1 , wherein the single layer has multiple plies.  
     
     
         3 . The print media of  claim 1 , wherein the interior portion is defined by a perimeter extending between the interior portion and the surrounding portion and comprising voids selected from the group consisting of complete voids, partial voids and a combination of complete voids and partial voids.  
     
     
         4 . The print media of  claim 3 , wherein the perimeter contains perforations.  
     
     
         5 . The print media of  claim 3 , wherein the perimeter contains tabs extending between the interior portion and the surrounding portion.  
     
     
         6 . The print media of  claim 5 , wherein the tabs have a depth that is a fraction of a depth of the print media.  
     
     
         7 . The print media of  claim 1 , wherein the interior portion has a geometric shape.  
     
     
         8 . The print media of  claim 7 , wherein the geometric shape is generally rectangular.  
     
     
         9 . A print media for use in an imaging device, the print media comprising: 
 a first layer having a first portion, a second portion surrounding the first portion, and a continuous void extending between the first portion and the second portion at an angle to a surface of the print media; and    a backing layer removably attached to the first layer.    
     
     
         10 . The print media of  claim 9 , wherein extending the continuous void at an angle to the surface of the print media simulates beveled matting.  
     
     
         11 . A print media for use in an imaging device, the print media comprising: 
 a first layer having an interior portion removably attached to a surrounding portion; and    a backing layer removably attached to the first layer;    wherein the interior portion is defined by a perimeter extending between the interior portion and the surrounding portion and comprising non-continuous voids selected from the group consisting of complete voids, partial voids and a combination of complete voids and partial voids.    
     
     
         12 . A method of generating a picture frame, comprising: 
 transferring an image to at least a portion of a print media using an imaging device, wherein the print media comprises a first portion interior to a surrounding second portion, wherein the first portion is removably attached to the surrounding second portion and wherein the image is transferred to at least the surrounding second portion; and    detaching the interior first portion from the surrounding second portion.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the print media is a single layer, single ply print media.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the interior first portion is defined by a perimeter extending between the interior first portion and the surrounding second portion and comprising voids selected from the group consisting of complete voids, partial voids and a combination of complete voids and partial voids.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the perimeter contains perforations.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the perimeter contains tabs extending between the interior first portion and the surrounding second portion.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the tabs have a depth that is a fraction of a depth of the print media.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the voids extend at an angle to a surface of the print media.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the interior first portion has a geometric shape.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the geometric shape is generally rectangular.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the imaging device comprises an inkjet printer.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising transferring the image only to the surrounding second portion of the print media using the imaging device.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the interior first portion is sized to correspond to dimensions of a standard photograph.  
     
     
         24 . A picture frame, comprising: 
 a print media having an image produced thereon and having an interior opening;    wherein the image is produced on a printable surface of the print media using an imaging device; and    wherein the interior opening is produced in the print media after producing the image thereon and without cutting of the print media.    
     
     
         25 . The picture frame of  claim 24 , wherein the imaging device is selected from the group consisting of a printer, a plotter, a copier, a facsimile machine and a multi-function imaging device.  
     
     
         26 . The picture frame of  claim 25 , wherein the imaging device comprises an inkjet printer.  
     
     
         27 . The picture frame of  claim 24 , wherein the interior opening is produced by separating an interior portion of the print media from a surrounding portion of the print media at a perimeter extending between the interior portion and the surrounding portion, and wherein the perimeter comprises voids selected from the group consisting of complete voids, partial voids and a combination of complete voids and partial voids.  
     
     
         28 . The picture frame of  claim 24 , wherein the interior opening is produced by separating a surrounding portion of the print media from an interior portion of the print media, and by separating the surrounding portion of the print media from a backing layer.