Card Holder and Related Methods

This is a regular utility application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/636,456, filed Apr. 19, 2024, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to holders for collectible items, and more particularly to such holders that offer security and resistance to counterfeiting as well as protecting the contents held therein.

A substantial market exists for collectibles. Establishing the value of such items can involve several factors, including the rarity and condition of the item. In order to establish a value so as to facilitate commercial transfer of collectibles, standards have been developed for grading aspects of particular collectible items. For example, a particular coin can be graded with regards to its strike, luster, date or the like. Paper-based collectibles such as currency and sports cards can also be graded in connection with features such as condition, color, defects, centering and the like. Organizations exist for grading collectibles. For example, Professional Sports Authenticators (PSA) evaluates and grades sports cards, and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) evaluates and grades coins.

In order to store such collectibles and protect them from damage, it is known to encapsulate them within holders that can be closed around the collectible, both protecting and enabling display of the item. Such holders can also include data concerning the collectible, such as grades, descriptions and identity.

Some collectibles command substantial prices in the market. There is thus a risk that counterfeiters will attempt to pass off a counterfeit item. Even if counterfeiting is not a concern, potential damage to the valuable collectible item is a concern. As such, organizations that grade collectibles often will also identify and authenticate such collectibles as well do what they can to protect the authenticated cards from potential damage. The collectible holders can also include indicia of the authenticity and grading of the associated collectible. Further, collectible holders can be sealed so as to prevent the enclosed collectible item from being replaced with a counterfeit. For example, it is known to ultrasonically weld opposing portions of a holder together with the collectible enclosed inside. Such a permanent seal is intended to prevent the holder from being opened, and thus stop the enclosed collectible from being replaced with a counterfeit.

Risks of counterfeiting and damage, however, remain. For example, there is a risk that a counterfeiter may carefully defeat the ultrasonic weld, and thus be able to open the holder, remove the original collectible and replace it with a counterfeit, and then re-weld the holder closed. A sleeve is still needed to protect the collectible item even if the collectible item is secured inside a holder.

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of assemblies for card holders and inserts for use with card holders provided in accordance with aspects of the present devices, systems, and methods and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present devices, systems, and methods may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the features and the steps for constructing and using the embodiments of the present devices, systems, and methods in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and structures may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. As denoted elsewhere herein, like element numbers are intended to indicate like or similar elements or features.

Descriptions of technical features or aspects of an exemplary configuration of the disclosure should typically be considered as available and applicable to other similar features or aspects in another exemplary configuration of the disclosure. Accordingly, technical features described herein according to one exemplary configuration of the disclosure may be applicable to other exemplary configurations of the disclosure, and thus duplicative descriptions may be omitted herein.

is a top plan view of a holder provided in accordance with aspects of the invention, which is generally designated. The holderis formed by combining at least two housing sections, which includes a first or front housingand a second or rear housing, which is more clearly shown in, which is a cross-sectional view of the holderalong the short axis or short length of the holder. The second housingcan also be referred to as the back housing. A receiver spacefor accommodating a collectible item and a label spacefor accommodating a label are provided within the housing of the holder. An outer wallof the first housingdefines the outer wall of the holder. As shown, the outer wallhas wall sections that are interconnected to form a generally rectangular shape with a long length along a long axis of the housing and a short length along a short axis of the housing. The corners where the outer wall sections connect can be radiused.

is a top plan view of the holderofwith partition wallsshown defining the receiver space. The partition wallsare located radially inwardly of the outer wall. Two partition walls can align along the long length direction and two partition walls can align along the short length direction to define the receiver space. The four partition walls preferably do not connect so that gaps are provided between them at the four corners of the receiver space. In some examples, the four corners can be connected. When connected, enlarged, balloon-like, corners rather than 90-degree corners can be incorporated so that when a collectible card is placed in the receiver space, the collectible card does contact the corners. The receiver spaceis also generally rectangular in shape defined by an extended length LE measured along the long axis and a short length LS measured along the short taxis.

The holdercan be sized and shaped to hold a variety of sized collectible items, including paper currency, coins, collectible cards, comic books, event tickets, stock certificates, diplomas, and similar valuable articles. The partition wallscan be provided inwardly of the outer wallsas desired to properly store the collectible item located therein in such a manner that limits movement or shifting within the confines of the partition walls to no more than about 15-thousandths (0.015″) of an inch, and more preferably no more than about 10-thousandths of an inch in the LS-LE directions. As further discussed below, by limiting movement of the collectible item located in the receiver space to no more than about 15-thousandths of an inch, and more preferably no more than about 10-thousandths, rubbing or wearing of the collectible item against the surfaces of the housing is unexpectedly reduced by a significant amount that protective mylar sheaths commonly used with collectible cards inside protective holders may be eliminated.

is an end cross-sectional view of the holderoftaken along the short length LS and looking in the direction of the label space. As shown, the second or back housingis received by the first or front housing. Said differently, the outer wallof the front housingdefines a housing space for receiving the second housing. Note that the naming protocol of the various holder components discussed herein can vary without deviating from the scope of the invention. For example, elementcan be called the rear housing while elementcan be called the front housing.

is an enlarged view of the left side of the holderofandis an enlarged view of the right side of the holder. The enlarged views show how the first housingand the second housingengage to form the holder ofand define the receiver spaceand the label space(). As shown, the back or second housinghas a perimeter ledgethat projects into an inner perimeter troughon the first housing, which is located inwardly of the outer wall. An energy directorhaving a triangular configuration is located at the tip of the perimeter edge. The first and second housings,can be ultrasonically welded together through high frequency vibrations, which stimulate the molecular chains in the plastics thereby generating friction heat that melts the energy director to weld the two housing sections together. When additional pressure is applied, the materials can be joined precisely. While the energy directoris shown adjacent to a flat surface in a groove, the joint between the energy director and the groove can embody any number of different options, including tongue and groove joints, mash joints, step joints, and double V-joints, to name a few non-limiting examples.

In an example, a pair of abutting surfaces,are provided on the first and second housings near the energy director to control the depth of stacking of the first and second housings,when the energy directormelts to thereby control the gapbetween the inner surfaces,of the first and second housings,at the receiver space and the label space. The gapcan be sized and shaped to accommodate the thickness of a collectible item to be held in the receiver space.

Also shown inare partition wallsprojecting from the inner surfaceof the second housing section and extending into partition receiver troughon the first housing section. In the assembled position shown, by projecting the partition wallsbelow the upper plane of the inner surface, the collectible item that is held within the receiver spaceis prevented from sliding, moving, or escaping out from between the partition wallsand the partition receiver trough. In other words, the described arrangement constrains the collectible item within the receiver space and does not allow the collectible item to slide outside of the space confined by the partition walls.

Ribs can be provided at the exterior surface of the second housing, such as adjacent the outer perimeter of the second housing. The ribs help to increase the structural stiffness of the second housing without having to utilize thick walls throughout.

is a further enlarged view of. As shown, the partition wallhas a tipwith a blunt tip end and tapered sides,. The two tapered sides produce a tapered tipwith a blunt end to facilitate entry into the partition receiver through. In a preferred example, the second tip sidehas a generally straight or upright side sectionthat is generally orthogonal to the inner surfaceof the second housing. The upright side sectionof the partition wallis configured to face the receiver space() of the holder. As further discussed below, the plurality of upright side sectionsof the plurality of partition wallsallow the short length LS and the extended length LE of the receiver space to be sized within a tight tolerance. This in turn allows the holder to secure a collectible item with a known measurement to within a finite tolerance due to the upright side sectionsof the partition walls. In contrast, if the partition walls that face the receiver space were to taper, then the short length LS and the extended length LE can vary along the height of the partition walls and movement of the collectible item within the receiver space of the tapered partition walls can move varying amounts depending on the collectible card's position within the receiver space.

is a side-cross sectional view of the holder along the long axis,is an enlarged view of the left side of, showing the label space, andis an enlarged view of the right side of. With reference to, the second housingcomprises an interior riband an end ribthat extend from the inner surface of the second housingto define the label space with the inner surfaces of the first and second housings. A U-shaped structureat the top of the second housing is provided with an energy directorthat is configured to melt to join the first to the second housing sections during ultrasonic welding. In an example, the U-shaped structurecan flex so that first housing can push against the inside of the outer wallto self-center the second housing relative to the first housing in the extended length or long axis direction.

is a corner detail of the holderofat the lower left corner of the holder andis a corner detail of the upper right corner of the holder. The lower right and upper right corner details of the holder can have similar configurations. However, the views ofshow the first housingbeing located above the second housing, the reverse of. Flipping the views ofupside-down would orientate the two housings,to the same orientation as shown in.

As shown, a crush ribis provided on the interior surface of the outer wallof the first housing. A plurality of crush ribs can be provided on the interior surface of the outer wall, in a spaced apart manner. Preferably, crush ribsare provided in the inner surface of the end walls and the side walls of the outer wall. Preferably, spaced apart crush ribsare provided on the inside surface of the side walls of the outer wallonly. As further discussed below with reference to, three spaced apart crush ribs are provided on the inside surface of the side walls of the outer wall with fewer and more crush ribs contemplated. Upon insertion of the second housingwithin the perimeter defined by the outer wallof the first housing, the crush ribsare configured compress against the perimeter ledge(See) of the second housing to hold the second housing within the first housing. The crush ribs function as holding features to hold the second housing in an interference fit. This arrangement helps during assembly when attempting to insert the second housing section into the first housing section.

As shown and further discussed below, a first latching structureis located on the inside surface of the outer wallof the first housingand is configured to latch or engage the second latching structurelocated on the exterior surface of the perimeter ledgeof the second housing. In an example, the first latching structureis a projection, similar to a speed bump, located the inside corner of the outer wall. In an example, at least two projections are incorporated at two opposite corners of the outer wall. Preferably, each of the four inside surface of the four corners of the outer wallcomprises a projection. Each projection of the first latching structurecan have a length that extends from an end wall to the side wall of the outer wall. In an example, each projection has a length that extends between the end wall, the side wall and the radiused corner between the end wall and the side wall. The projection of the first latching structurecan have a first length.

The second latching structurecan also be a projection similar to the projection of the first latching structure. The projection of the second latching structure can be located at the four corners of the perimeter ledgeof the second housing, on the exterior surface of the perimeter ledge. In another example, the second latching structurecomprises the same number of projections as the projections of the first latching structure. Each projection can have a length that extends between the end wall, the side wall and the radiused corner between the end wall and the side wall. The projection of the second latching structurecan have a second length. In an example, the first length and the second length of the two projections at each corner of the first and second housing sections have the same length. In an alternative example, the first length is longer than the second length by 15% to 50%, or 1.15 to 1.5 times longer.

In still other examples, the relative lengths can be reversed. The two projections ride over one another when the second housing is inserted into the interior space defined by the outer wall of the first housing and thereafter engage similar to male and female detents. Because the engagement of the first and second latching structures,are bounded by the outer wall, they are not accessible and cannot be separated once engaged. In practice, the first and second housing sections can be ultrasonically welded after the pairs of first and second latching structures engage. In alternative embodiments, one or both of the latching structures can deflect to engage.

are different perspective views of the second housingin accordance with aspects of the invention.

is an end cross-sectional view of the second housing taken along the short axis of the second housing.

is an enlarged view of the left side of.

is a side-cross-sectional view of the second housing taken along the long axis of the second housing.

is a partial perspective view of one of the exterior corners of the second housing, to more clearly show the projection of the second latching structure.

are perspective views of the first housingin accordance with aspects of the invention. The first latching structuresat the inside corners of the outer wallare clearly shown, along with the spaced apart crush ribs.

are additional views of the first housing, showing different views of the first latching structuresat the inside corners of the outer wallalong with the spaced apart crush ribs.

is an end cross-sectional view of the first housingtaken along the short axis.

are partial perspective views of two different inside corners of the outer wall, which also clearly show the first latching structureand the crush rib.

With reference again to, the receiver spaceis generally rectangular with dimensions along the extended length LE and short length LS bounded by spaced apart partition walls. The lengths LE and LS are sized so that a collectible card placed in the receiver spacecan only move a maximum of 15-thousandths of an inch and more preferably a maximum of 10-thousandths of an inch. Thus, if the collectible card is centered within the receiver space, the collectible card can only move 5-thousdandth of an inch in any direction for the preferred configuration. If the card is not centered, then the card can move anywhere from about 5-thousandths up to, preferably, 10-thousandths of an inch.

For purposes of the present disclosure, movement in any direction by the collectible card within the receiver space may be called or termed “card shift” and the maximum amount of card shift or maximum movement within the receiver space is called or termed “max shift”.

Surprisingly and unexpectedly, when a range of max shifts were tested for cards placed inside respective holders with lengths LS and LE for which max shifts vary in lengths, and for which the cards were subjected to 1 million vibratory cycles at 60 Hz in the Z axis (orthogonal to the plane defined by the LS and LE lengths) and 100,000 cycles in the LS or LE directions or axis, varying results were discovered. While some of the tested cards even included mylar wraps or sleeves, noticeable rubbing and distortion of the card surfaces were found due to contacts between the cards and the inner surfaces of their holders as they vibrate. This in turn causes pixel distortion or pixel damage at the affected areas of the cards when imaging the cards while they are inside their respective holders. The pixel distortion is noticeably reduced when the max shift is limited to 15-thousandths of an inch and essentially disappeared or is nonexistent when the max shift is reduced to 10-thousandths of an inch.

The holderdiscussed herein may be made from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic. Using PET, the holder can have a clear or transparent and durable structure. PET can be medical-grade and is an approved material for reusable drinking vessels or bottles. Preferably, the holder is made from Eastman TRITAN copolyester TX1501HF. Copolyester TX1501HF has good toughness, features hydrolytic stability, and is heat and chemical resistant. Thus, when used to make holders in accordance with aspects of the present invention, the holders are resistant to shattering and cracking when accidentally dropped, are water resistant, and resistant to UV degradation.

With reference now to, a schematic depiction of a holderin accordance with aspects of the present invention is shown, which has a receiver spaceas previously discussed. The receiver spacecan have partition walls and lengths LS and LE as previously discussed.

shows an insert or gaskethaving a perimeter that is sized and shaped to fit within the receiver spaceof. More preferably, the perimeter of the insert can have a length and a width such that the max shift in the X direction or Y direction (i.e., in the LS or LE direction) of the insert or gasketwhen positioned within the receiver spaceis 15-thousanths of an inch or less, and preferably 10-thousandths of an inch of less. In an example, the insertcan be 3D printed from any known materials to have a perimeter of relatively precise dimensions to fit within the receiver space and falls within the max shift parameters.

In an example, a cut-outcan be provided with the insert. For example, the cut-outcan be formed during 3D printing. In alternative examples, the insert and the cut-out can both be formed by die-cutting from a stock material, such as by laser die cutting. The particular cut-outcan be sized and shaped to accommodate a collectible item, which can have a perimeter or outer contourthat has a corresponding size and shape to fit within the cut-out. The outer contourof the collectible itemcan be printed on a stock material having said contour, or can be cut by laser die cutting to have said outer contour.

shows an insert or gaskethaving a perimeter that is sized and shaped to fit within the receiver spaceof, similar to that of. The present inserthas a cut-outthat is generally rectangular in shape for receiving or accommodating a typical collectible card having a rectangular shaped perimeter. For example, the cut-outcan be formed during 3D printing. In alternative examples, the insert and the cut-out can both be formed by die-cutting from a stock material, such as by laser die cutting. The particular cut-outcan be sized and shaped to accommodate a collectible item, which can have a perimeter or outer contourthat has a corresponding size and shape to fit within the cut-out. The outer contourof the collectible itemofis typical of the majority of collectible cards.

The cut-out or opening of the gasket can have a shape that is round, square, rectangular, oval, or other polynomial shapes. In other examples, the cut-out or opening of the gasket can have an irregular shape. The outer contour of the collectible card can have a corresponding shape as the cut-out. In some examples, both the outer contour of the collectible card and the cut-out or opening of the gasket can be formed by laser die cutting to have the same corresponding shape.

Methods of making and of using the holders and inserts and components thereof are within the scope of the present invention.

Although limited embodiments of the holders and inserts and their components have been specifically described and illustrated herein, many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the holders and inserts and their components constructed according to principles of the disclosed devices, systems, and methods may be embodied other than as specifically described herein. The disclosure is also defined in the following claims.

The following are numbered example embodiments of methods, systems, and devices involving a collectible holder, such as a collectible card holder. The following examples, or any other examples disclosed herein, may be combined in whole or in part unless indicated otherwise. Elements of the examples disclosed herein, if applicable, are not limiting.

Example 1. A holder for a collectable item comprising: a first housing section having a base wall and an outer wall extending from the base wall and defining a holder perimeter; a second housing section comprising a base wall situated within the holder perimeter; a plurality of partition walls extending between the base wall of the second housing section and the base wall of the first housing section to define a receiver space, the partition walls located inwardly of the outer wall; wherein a first pair of partition walls has an extended length LE measured therebetween and a second pair of partition walls has a short length LS measured therebetween; and wherein when a collectible item is placed within the receiver space, a max shift of how far the collectible item moves within the receiver space is 15-thousandths of an inch or less along the short length LS, the extended length LE, or both the short length LS and the extended length LE.

Example 2. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, further comprising a first projection on at least each of two inner corners of the outer wall of the first housing section.

Example 3. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, further comprising a second projection on at least each of two outer corners of a perimeter edge of the second housing section.

Example 4. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the at least each of two inner corners of the first housing section and the at least each of two outer corners of the second housing section engage by latching the first projections to the second projections.

Example 5. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the first housing section is made from a TPE material.

Example 6. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the second housing section is made from a TPE material.