Photo mat with alignment grid and method of using the same

Abstract

A photo mat includes a base, a grid, and at least one adhesive strip. The base includes a front surface, a rear surface, and an opening disposed within a perimeter of the base. The grid and the at least one adhesive strip are disposed on the rear surface of the base, and the grid includes a first plurality of parallel lines and a second plurality of parallel lines that are generally perpendicular to each other.

1 . A photo mat comprising: 
 a base having a front surface, a rear surface, and an opening disposed within a perimeter of the base;    a grid disposed on the rear surface having a first plurality of parallel lines, and a second plurality of parallel lines, wherein the first plurality of parallel lines are generally perpendicular to the second plurality of parallel lines; and    at least one adhesive area disposed on the rear surface.    
     
     
         2 . The photo mat of  claim 1 , wherein the base has one of a generally rectangular and a square shape.  
     
     
         3 . The photo mat of  claim 1 , wherein the opening has one of a generally rectangular and a square shape.  
     
     
         4 . The photo mat of  claim 1 , wherein the opening and the base have the same general shape.  
     
     
         5 . The photo mat of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of parallel lines are equally spaced from each other.  
     
     
         6 . The photo mat of  claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of parallel lines are equally spaced from each other.  
     
     
         7 . The photo mat of  claim 1 , wherein the grid includes a first grid disposed adjacent a first edge of the opening and a second grid disposed adjacent a second edge of the opening, the first and second edges being generally parallel to each other.  
     
     
         8 . The photo mat of  claim 1 , wherein a first adhesive area is disposed adjacent a first edge of the opening and a second adhesive area is disposed adjacent a second edge of the opening, the first and second edges being generally parallel to each other.  
     
     
         9 . The photo mat of  claim 1 , wherein the grid includes a first grid disposed adjacent a first edge of the opening and a second grid disposed adjacent a second edge of the opening, the first and second edges being generally parallel to each other, and a first adhesive area disposed adjacent a third edge of the opening and a second adhesive area disposed adjacent a fourth edge of the opening, the third and fourth edges being generally parallel to each other.  
     
     
         10 . The photo mat of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adhesive area is constructed from a multi-use adhesive strip.  
     
     
         11 . A display device, comprising: 
 a photo mat including a base having a front surface, a rear surface, and an opening disposed within a perimeter of the base, a grid disposed on the rear surface having a first plurality of parallel lines and a second plurality of parallel lines, wherein the first plurality of parallel lines are generally perpendicular to the second plurality of parallel lines, and at least one adhesive area disposed on the rear surface; and    a frame adapted to receive the photo mat.    
     
     
         12 . The display device of  claim 11 , wherein the opening has one of a generally rectangular and a square shape.  
     
     
         13 . The display device of  claim 1   1 , wherein the opening and the base have the same general shape.  
     
     
         14 . The display device of  claim 11 , wherein the first plurality of parallel lines are equally spaced from each other.  
     
     
         15 . The display device of  claim 11 , wherein the second plurality of parallel lines are equally spaced from each other.  
     
     
         16 . The display device of  claim 11 , wherein the grid includes a first grid disposed adjacent a first edge of the opening and a second grid disposed adjacent a second edge of the opening, the first and second edges being generally parallel to each other, and a first adhesive area disposed adjacent a third edge of the opening and a second adhesive area disposed adjacent a fourth edge of the opening, the third and fourth edges being generally parallel to each other.  
     
     
         17 . A photo album, comprising: 
 a body including a mechanism to receive a plurality of album pages; and    at least one of the plurality of album pages including a base having a front surface, a rear surface, and an opening disposed within a perimeter of the base, a grid disposed on the rear surface having a first plurality of parallel lines and a second plurality of parallel lines, wherein the first plurality of parallel lines are generally perpendicular to the second plurality of parallel lines, and at least one adhesive area disposed on the rear surface.    
     
     
         18 . The photo album of  claim 17 , wherein the opening has one of a generally rectangular and square shape.  
     
     
         19 . The photo album of  claim 17 , wherein the first plurality of parallel lines are equally spaced from each other.  
     
     
         20 . The photo album of  claim 17 , wherein the second plurality of parallel lines are equally spaced from each other.  
     
     
         21 . The photo album of  claim 17 , wherein the grid includes a first grid disposed adjacent a first edge of the opening and a second grid disposed adjacent a second edge of the opening, the first and second edges being generally parallel to each other, and a first adhesive are disposed adjacent a third edge of the opening and a second adhesive area disposed adjacent a fourth edge of the opening, the third and fourth edges being generally parallel to each other.  
     
     
         22 . A method of displaying an image on a photo mat, comprising: 
 providing at least one grid on a rear surface of the photo album, the grid having a first plurality of parallel lines and a second plurality of parallel lines, wherein the first plurality of parallel lines are generally perpendicular to the second plurality of parallel lines;    aligning the image to the at least one grid, wherein the at least one grid is aligned to an opening in the photo mat; and    adhering a front surface of the image to at least one adhesive area located on the rear surface of the photo mat.    
     
     
         23 . The method of positioning an image of  claim 22 , further including removing a backing from the adhesive area.  
     
     
         24 . The method of positioning an image of  claim 22 , further including aligning the image to a second grid portion located on the rear surface of the photo mat.  
     
     
         25 . The method of positioning an image of  claim 22 , further including adhering the front surface of the image to a second adhesive area located on the rear surface of the photo mat.  
     
     
         26 . The method of positioning an image of  claim 22 , further including placing the photo mat into a photo frame.  
     
     
         27 . The method of positioning an image of  claim 22 , further including placing the photo mat into a photo album as part of a page.