Apparatus and method for mounting objects for viewing

Abstract

A bottom surface of an aperture within a display apparatus is prepared to adhesively bond to an object for viewing by simply removing from the bottom surface a layer of material which is removably adhered to the bottom surface. The object to be viewed is placed into contacting relationship with the bottom surface to adhesively mount the object onto the bottom surface.

1 . An apparatus for displaying an object for viewing, comprising: 
 a base that defines therein an aperture for receiving the object, including a first surface adjacent said aperture and a second surface that defines a bottom of said aperture, said second surface offset from said first surface to define a depth of said aperture, said second surface including an adhesive surface portion; and    a layer of material removably adhered to said adhesive surface portion, said layer of material limited to a geometric area that is, at most, approximately equal to a geometric area of said second surface, said layer of material removable from said adhesive surface portion to expose said adhesive surface portion for adhesive mounting of the object onto said second surface.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said geometric area of said layer of material is approximately equal to said geometric area of said second surface.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said layer of material has a geometric shape that is substantially similar to a geometric shape of said second surface.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said layer of material is transparent.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said geometric area of said layer of material is approximately equal to a geometric area of said adhesive surface portion.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said geometric area of said layer of material is approximately equal to said geometric area of said second surface.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said layer of material is transparent.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said layer of material is transparent.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive surface portion has an adhesive strength that permits the object to be removed from said second surface without damaging the object.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said base includes a plurality of said apertures and a plurality of said layers of material respectively corresponding to said apertures.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein one of said second surfaces has a geometric shape which differs from a geometric shape of another of said second surfaces.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said base is a mat and said object includes one of a pictorial image and a textual image.  
   
   
       13 . A kit for producing an apparatus which displays objects for viewing, comprising: 
 a first mat that defines therein an aperture for receiving the object, including a first surface adjacent said aperture and a second surface that defines a bottom of said aperture, said second surface offset from said first surface to define a depth of said aperture, said second surface including an adhesive surface portion;    a layer of material removably adhered to said adhesive surface portion, said layer of material limited to a geometric area that is, at most, approximately equal to a geometric area of said second surface, said layer of material removable from said adhesive surface portion to expose said adhesive surface portion for adhesive mounting of the object onto said second surface;    said first mat defining therein a plurality of said apertures;    a plurality of said layers of material removably adhered to respectively corresponding ones of said adhesive surface portions; and    a second mat for mounting on said first mat after said objects have been adhesively mounted onto the respectively corresponding second surfaces, said second mat having a plurality of transparent portions which, when said second mat is mounted on said first mat, respectively overlie said objects to permit said objects to be viewed through said second mat.    
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein said second mat includes an adhesive material for permitting said second mat to adhere to said first mat and to said objects, said adhesive material having an adhesive strength that permits said second mat to be removed from adherence to said first mat and said objects without damaging said objects.  
   
   
       15 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein said layers of material have respective geometric shapes which are substantially similar to geometric shapes of the respectively corresponding ones of said second surfaces.  
   
   
       16 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein said adhesive surface portions have adhesive strength that permits said objects to be removed from said second surfaces without damaging said objects.  
   
   
       17 . A method of mounting an object onto a display apparatus, comprising: 
 preparing a bottom surface of an aperture within the display apparatus to adhesively bond to the object regardless of whether any adhesive material has been previously provided on the object, said preparing step consisting of removing from said bottom surface a layer of material which is removably adhered to said bottom surface and which is limited to a geometric area that is, at most, approximately equal to a geometric area of said bottom surface; and    placing the object into contacting relationship with said bottom surface to adhesively mount the object onto said bottom surface.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said removing step includes peeling said layer of material from said bottom surface.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , including, after said removing step, using said layer of material to determine a spatial relationship between said object and said bottom surface.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said using step includes viewing said object through said layer of material.