Depressurizing Coin and/or Stamp Display Case

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/638,072, entitled “Depressurizing Coin and/or Stamp Display Case,” filed Apr. 24, 2024. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/718,785, entitled “Depressurizing Coin and/or Stamp Display Case,” filed Nov. 11, 2024.

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to display cases for coins, stamps, and other collectable items.

More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to collectable item display cases that include a means for expressing air from the display case to create a relative vacuum inside the display case to protect the collectable items from continued exposure to ambient air.

Generally speaking, in the field of coin collecting and stamp collecting, the more that a given coin or stamp (or other similar collectable item) can be preserved or protected against physical and/or chemical degradation and/or tarnishing, the more valuable it will be. For this reason, such collectors will often try to protect their collectable items, not only from physical damage due to handling and contact with other collectables, but also from chemical interaction with oxygen and other components of the ambient atmosphere.

With respect to coins, prolonged exposure to an unstable environment can cause coins of all types to develop haze, spots, encrustation, verdigris, corrosion and tarnish. All coin types can be affected by surface contaminants and negative environmental reactions. In many cases, coins have been stored or sold in soft plastic flips or mint packaging that contains polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), a chemical now known to slowly leach onto the surfaces of certain coins. If not safely removed, PVC and other residues will eventually result in permanent damage.

Some professional coin grading services will “conserve” a coin by cleaning it and then encapsulating it in a sealed, air-tight case. Such cases are generally not well sealed, however, and may not be capable of keeping ambient out air at all. Other such coin cases may be permanently heat sealed or ultrasonically welded, thereby preventing the collectable item from being easily removed, held, and/or examined closely by a collector.

In addition to protecting valuable collectables, it is also highly desirable to house such collectables in such a manner that they can be easily and conveniently examined in detail. Most numismatists and philatelists prefer to use a magnifying glass for such examination, particularly when examining an item for purchase. It is therefore desirable that a collectable storage and display case be sufficiently transparent to allow examination of a contained collectable without exposing the collectable to the ambient air.

Some attempts have been made to create a coin and/or stamp display case that can be compressed or squeezed to remove some internal air. U.S. Pat. No. 3,139,977 to Burdick is an example. In the '977 patent, a coin is placed in a circular coin-holder. Thereafter, a top lenticular (lentil-shaped) cover, which is made from a transparent synthetic resin, is placed over the coin. The lenticular cover is then pressed down against the coin, which causes most of the air inside the coin-holder to be squeezed out radially between the rim of the coin-holder and the lenticular cover, thereby creating a mild vacuum in the interior space. The invention described by the '977 works only minimally, however, because the same “seal” that allows air to exit the case also lets air in, since the seal is not designed to let air flow only in one direction.

Other types of display cases are believed to have been developed as well, but they are expensive, somewhat cumbersome to handle, do not include an inexpensive way of expressing air from the display case, and generally fail to exclude air or hold a vacuum.

The depressurizing collectable item display case disclosed herein addresses the various challenges related to the above-described technologies.

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a depressurizing display case for numismatists, philatelists, and others to store and display coins, stamps, or other collectable items. Embodiments of the display case include a built-in air-decompressing finger pump that can be pressed multiple times to express air out of the display case and thereby generate a relative low-level vacuum environment inside the display case to protect the contents from exposure to ambient air, thus deterring tarnish and/or aging of the contents.

The display case may be sized to contain a single coin or multiple coins, or a single stamp or multiple stamps, or other collectable items. To facilitate both the display of a collectable item and the ability to retain a relative vacuum inside the display case for a reasonable time, the display case may be made of a material such as a transparent, non-reactive, non-PVC plastic.

A built-in air-decompressing (vacuum) finger pump, which may be molded into the display case, can be made of neoprene non-reactive rubber, silicone, a thermoplastic elastomer (“TPE”), or equivalent material, and may be constructed so as to change the internal volume of the air pumping chamber when pressed. Embodiments may also include an exit-only umbrella check valve that allows air to exit from the display case when the decompressing button is pressed, but not let air back in, thereby creating a relative, non-perfect vacuum inside the display case. A separate air-input umbrella check valve can allow air to enter the display case when the air-input valve is uncovered, thereby releasing the vacuum so the display case can be opened more easily. In embodiments, and to facilitate the creation, maintenance, and release of the non-perfect vacuum inside the display case, embodiments of the invention may include a seal-and-release flap comprising plugs that can be pressed into (or pulled out of) the umbrella check valves, to seal (or unseal) them.

Embodiments of the invention may be used to store and display coins and/or stamps, as well as other small items such as cards, jewelry, or other memorabilia.

Embodiments may also be designed to be inexpensive and thus reasonable to use for coin and/or stamp protection and marketability.

Embodiments of the invention may allow a coin or stamp collector to remove a collectable item for closer inspection or to verify authenticity or appreciate the item more intimately, and then place the item back into the display case. Embodiments may then allow the display case to be decompressed and resealed using the air-decompressing finger pump and the seal-and-release flap so as to continue preventing degradation and/or tarnishing of the displayed item.

Embodiments of the invention may comprise a coin-holder that can protect a coin and also clearly display both sides of the coin.

Embodiments of the invention may provide a coin-holder or stamp-holder of the type stated above, which can be quickly and easily set up for receiving and displaying coins and/or stamps of various sizes and which also is capable, when closed, of removing a substantial amount of air in order to significantly reduce degradation and/or tarnishing from exposure to ambient air.

Embodiments of the invention can also allow a coin collector or stamp collector to occasionally pump the air-decompressing finger pump to increase or restore the vacuum inside the display case.

Embodiments of the invention may include an elastic perimeter seal that can both retain a relative vacuum and retard the influx of external ambient air into a collectable item display case.

Embodiments of the invention allow a stored collectable item in a display case to be removed for closer inspection and then easily returned. Once the collectable item is returned to the display case and the display case is closed, then embodiments allow a simple, fully incorporated finger pump to be depressed manually to create an internal low vacuum pressure within the display case, to reduce exposure of ambient air to the collectable item.

The above summary of embodiments of the present invention has been provided to introduce certain concepts that are further described below in the Description of the Embodiments. The summarized embodiments are not necessarily representative of the claimed subject matter, nor do they limit or fully span the scope of features described in more detail below. They simply serve as an introduction to the subject matter of the various inventions.

The following definitions are provided for introductory illustration and educational purposes, to help one of ordinary skill in the art understand, make, and use the invention. The definitions are not intended to be limiting.

Collectable Item: A collectable item, or alternatively, a collectable, is any item or object suitable for placing, storing, and/or displaying within the display area of an embodiment of the invention. Examples of collectable items include coins, stamps, small cards, jewelry, and other memorabilia.

TPE: The acronym “TPE” stands for “thermoplastic elastomer,” which is a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) that consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties.

Umbrella Check Valve: An umbrella check valve is an elastomeric valve that features a circular convex diaphragm shaped like an umbrella, which acts as a sealing disk to seal the valve. When mounted in an appropriate valve seat, the convex circular diaphragm can flatten over the entire valve seat, enabling the diaphragm to absorb pressure irregularities while successfully creating a barrier against any counter pressure. Once sufficient pressure in the head volume is created, the built-up force lifts the convex diaphragm from the seat and the umbrella valve allows forward flow, in a one-way stream. The design of the valve and seat allows for a predetermined flow rate and pressure. Any change in flow direction will trigger the umbrella valve to snap back into the seat, stopping backflow in the opposite direction. The flexible, elastic diaphragm and its pre-loaded convex shape together create a sealing force and barrier against the seat inside the valve. Umbrella check valves may also feature a central stem or axle (also like an umbrella) which can hold the diaphragm firmly in place, completely removing the need for any additional components like springs or central (circumferential) disc positioners.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout, and wherein the leftmost digit of each reference number refers to the drawing number of the figure in which the referenced part first appears.

provides an “exploded”D illustration of the primary components of an embodiment of a depressurizing collectable item display case, as viewed from a high frontal position relative to the components.

As shown in, an embodiment of Depressurizing Display Casemay comprise a Top Enclosure, an Enclosure Seal, and a Base Frame. For purposes of illustration, Enclosure Sealis shown as a separate component in, but in the manufacturing process, Enclosure Sealis preferentially over-molded onto the Base Frame. Once the over-molding process is complete, the Enclosure Sealand the Base Framewill together comprise a single lower enclosure, which is shown as Base Enclosurein.

Preferentially, the Depressurizing Display Casemay be approximately 2¼ inches wide, approximately 3¼ inches tall, and approximately ⅜ inches thick when assembled. The actual size of the Depressurizing Display Casemay vary from these measurements substantially, while maintaining a goal of both storing and viewing a collectable item such as a coin or stamp in a depressurizing display case.

Still referring to, Base Framemay include Item Chamber, within which a coin, stamp, or other displayable collectable item (not shown) may be placed.

Once a collectable item has been suitably placed into Item Chamberof Base Enclosure(shown in), then the Top Enclosuremay be aligned over and pressed onto the Enclosure Sealto create a relatively air-tight single-unit Display Casewith a collectable item inside Item Chamber.

The Top Enclosureand the Base Frameare preferentially made from clear polycarbonate, which is a transparent and durable thermoplastic polymer with exceptional impact resistance and heat resistance. However, other similar materials known to those skilled in the art may be used. For example, acrylic, nylon, polystyrene, and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), are also potentially useful alternative materials.

The surfaces of the Top Enclosurethat touch Enclosure Sealshould be as smooth as possible (for example, an A-1 surface finish) in order to produce a tight seal with Enclosure Sealand therefore the longest-lasting vacuum within Display Case. The same goal of surface smoothness applies to portions of Base Framethat touch and form a seal with the Seal-and-Release Flap, the Air Input Valve, and Air Exit Valve.

To achieve a smooth finish, a mold (or molding tool) for manufacturing Top Enclosureand Base Frameshould be correspondingly smooth. Such molds may be made from various metals. Hardened steel, buffed with various grades of diamond buffing material appears to produce the smoothest surfaces, but other metals and buffing materials may be used with varying results.

The Enclosure Sealmay be made of any suitably compressible material, including neoprene non-reactive rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or silicone, and over-molded to the Base Enclosure Frame. Instead of TPE, Enclosure Sealcould also be formed from other similar materials known to those skilled in the art.

To more effectively secure and/or bond the Enclosure Sealto the Base Frame, a plurality of over-mold anchoring slots and holes, such as Anchoring Slotsand Anchoring Holesshown in, may be formed in the walls of Base Frame. During the process of over-molding Enclosure Sealto the Base Frame, the Anchoring Slotsand Anchoring Holesmay be filled with the over-molding material of Enclosure Seal, which when cured, can facilitate a stronger and more stable bond between the Enclosure Sealand the Base Frame, both during a “demolding” phase that occurs at the end of the over-molding process, and also during normal handling as a person opens and closes the Display Case. In other words, the Anchoring Slotsand Anchoring Holeshelp the Enclosure Sealto stay bonded and connected to Base Frame.

Anchoring Slotsand Anchoring Holesmay be formed in Base Frameduring a molding process, such as the one described above in the context of using hardened steel molds. Alternatively, Anchoring Slotsand Anchoring Holesmay be cut or milled into Base Frame.

Still referring to, Base Framemay preferentially include an Air Input Valve, an Air Exit Valve, Air Transfer Hole(s), a Vacuum Finger Pump, and a Valve Plug Flap.

Similar to Enclosure Seal, Vacuum Finger Pumpis also shown as a separate component, but in the manufacturing process, it is preferentially over-molded into the Finger Pump Frame, which surrounds Finger Pump Openingof Base Frame. The process of over-molding the Vacuum Finger Pumponto Finger Pump Frameis similar to the process of over-molding Enclosure Sealonto Base Frame.

Similar to the process of more effectively securing and/or bonding the Enclosure Sealto the Base Frameusing a plurality of over-mold anchoring slots and holes, the Vacuum Finger Pumpmay be more effectively secured and/or bonded to the Finger Pump Frameusing a using a plurality of over-mold anchoring slots and holes, such as Anchoring Slots.

Still referring to, Display Casemay also include a Seal-and-Release Flapto facilitate the expressing of air away from the Item Chamberduring the creation of a relatively low-level vacuum environment to protect the contents of Item Chamberfrom exposure to ambient air, thus deterring tarnish and/or aging of a collectable item.

The function of Air Input Valve, Air Exit Valve, Air Transfer Hole(s), and Seal-and-Release Flapwill be explained in further detail below.

provides aD illustration of the Top Enclosureof an embodiment of a depressurizing collectable item display case, as viewed from a high frontal position.

Top Enclosurewas introduced in. Here in, the primary features of Top Enclosureare shown. First, it is important to notice that Top Enclosureis generally divided into two sections: an Item Viewing Areaand an Information Viewing Area.

Item Viewing Areaallows a collectable item stored in Display Caseto be viewed and examined. Item Viewing Areais shown as a circular area that may hold and/or support, as well as allow viewing of a collectable item (not shown) placed in the Item Chambershown in. Item Viewing Areamay be other shapes as well. For example, to more appropriately display stamps or other non-circular items, Item Viewing Areamay be shaped like a rectangle.

Information Viewing Areais a section of Top Enclosurethat allows a paper or card (or other material) of suitable size to be placed there to provide a printed explanation of the collectable item being displayed in the Item Viewing Area. Information Viewing Areamay be preferentially shaped like a rectangle.

Both the Item Viewing Areaand the Information Viewing Areaare preferentially enclosed on the top surface by a flat, clear polycarbonate cover that is molded as a single unit along with all other features of the Top Enclosure. In other words, Top Enclosureis preferentially a unitary piece of clear molded polycarbonate with a continuous top surface that includes both the Item Viewing Areaand the Information Viewing Area.

Top Enclosuremay be framed by Top Side Wallsthat surround the perimeter. Top Side Wallsmay be shaped and sized to match and receive the Over-molded Enclosure Sealshown in.

At the apex of the Top Side Wallsmay be a Top Stacking Ridge(which is preferentially also part of the unitary piece of clear molded polycarbonate that forms the Top Enclosure). Top Stacking Ridgemay run along the top-side outer perimeter of Top Enclosureto facilitate stable stacking and organizing of multiple Display Cases.