U.S. patent application number 14/873345 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-06 for multilayered backing plastic card holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ultra Pro International, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Ultra Pro International, LLC. Invention is credited to Ben Jauregui.
Application Number | 20170096270 14/873345 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58447471 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170096270 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jauregui; Ben |
April 6, 2017 |
Multilayered Backing Plastic Card Holder
Abstract
A card holder comprising a translucent plastic sleeve front and
a multilayered card sleeve backing is disclosed. The multilayered
card sleeve backing comprises an inner layer of thermoplastic
containing a black pigment, a middle layer of thermoplastic
containing a white pigment, and an outer layer of thermoplastic
containing a predetermined color pigment. The middle layer of
thermoplastic is disposed between the inner layer of thermoplastic
and the outer layer of thermoplastic. The translucent plastic
sleeve front is heat sealed to the multilayered card sleeve backing
The inner layer of thermoplastic contains eight percent by weight
of black pigment, the middle layer of thermoplastic contains eleven
percent by weight of white pigment, and the outer layer of
thermoplastic contains twelve percent by weight of the
predetermined color pigment.
Inventors: |
Jauregui; Ben; (La Habra,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ultra Pro International, LLC |
Commerce |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ultra Pro International,
LLC
Commerce
CA
|
Family ID: |
58447471 |
Appl. No.: |
14/873345 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 1/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 65/02 20060101
B65D065/02; A63F 1/10 20060101 A63F001/10; B65D 65/16 20060101
B65D065/16 |
Claims
1) A card holder comprising a) a translucent plastic sleeve front;
b) a multilayered extruded card sleeve backing comprising i) an
inner layer of thermoplastic containing a black pigment; ii) a
middle layer of thermoplastic containing a white pigment; iii) an
outer layer of thermoplastic containing a predetermined color
pigment; iv) wherein said middle layer of thermoplastic is disposed
between said inner layer of thermoplastic and said outer layer of
thermoplastic; v) wherein said inner layer of thermoplastic, said
middle layer of thermoplastic, and said outer layer of
thermoplastic are coextruded to form a single melted web of
polymers; c) wherein said translucent plastic sleeve front is heat
sealed to said multilayered card sleeve backing; d) wherein said
translucent sleeve front is disposed adjacent to said inner layer
of thermoplastic of said multilayered card sleeve backing.
2) The card holder of claim 1 a) wherein said inner layer of
thermoplastic contains from six percent by weight to ten percent by
weight of black pigment; b) wherein said middle layer of
thermoplastic contains from nine percent by weight to thirteen
percent by weight of white pigment; c) wherein said outer layer of
thermoplastic contains from nine percent by weight to thirteen
percent by weight of said predetermined color pigment.
3) The card holder of claim 2 a) wherein said inner layer of
thermoplastic contains eight percent by weight of black pigment; b)
wherein said middle layer of thermoplastic contains eleven percent
by weight of white pigment; c) wherein said outer layer of
thermoplastic contains twelve percent by weight of said
predetermined color pigment.
4) The card holder of claim 3 a) wherein said inner layer of
thermoplastic is opaque; b) wherein said outer layer of
thermoplastic is translucent.
5) The card holder of claim 4 further comprising a graphic design
disposed on said outer layer of thermoplastic of said multilayered
card sleeve backing
6) The card holder of claim 5 wherein said card holder is composed
of polypropylene.
7) The card holder of claim 5 wherein said card holder is composed
of polyethylene.
8) The card holder of claim 4 a) wherein said card holder is
substantially rectangular in shape, having two long sides extending
the length of the card holder and two short sides extending the
width of the card holder; b) wherein said translucent plastic
sleeve front is heat sealed to said multilayered card sleeve
backing along one of said short sides and two of said long
sides.
9) The card holder of claim 8 wherein said card holder is composed
of polypropylene.
10) The card holder of claim 8 wherein said card holder is composed
of polyethylene.
11) The card holder of claim 8 further comprising a graphic design
disposed on said outer layer of thermoplastic of said multilayered
card sleeve backing
12) The card holder of claim 4 a) wherein said card holder is
substantially rectangular in shape, having two long sides extending
the length of the card holder and two short sides extending the
width of the card holder; b) wherein said translucent plastic
sleeve front is heat sealed to said multilayered card sleeve
backing along one of said long sides and two of said short
sides.
13) The card holder of claim 12 wherein said card holder is
composed of polypropylene.
14) The card holder of claim 12 wherein said card holder is
composed of polyethylene.
15) The card holder of claim 12 further comprising a graphic design
disposed on said outer layer of thermoplastic of said multilayered
card sleeve backing
16) The card holder of claim 2 a) wherein said card holder is
substantially rectangular in shape, having two long sides extending
the length of the card holder and two short sides extending the
width of the card holder; b) wherein said translucent plastic
sleeve front is heat sealed to said multilayered card sleeve
backing along one of said short sides and two of said long
sides.
17) The card holder of claim 16 a) wherein said card holder is
substantially rectangular in shape, having two long sides extending
the length of the card holder and two short sides extending the
width of the card holder; b) wherein said translucent plastic
sleeve front is heat sealed to said multilayered card sleeve
backing along one of said long sides and two of said short sides.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention pertains generally to protective card holders
and more particularly to a card holder having a multilayered
extruded plastic backing.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Game cards are well known. Individuals can collect a number
of cards for use in playing a competitive card game. These games
are normally role playing games where individuals can use cards
that represent different characters in the game. These card based
characters can have different attributes based on information
printed on the face of the card.
[0003] Many cards used also have special value to players of the
game. Specific cards are rare or are not as common as other cards,
giving them a higher value to the user. Users protect these cards
by placing them in plastic sleeves. These protective sleeves are
composed of a completely translucent plastic. This presents a
problem. As cards get used, minor imperfections may be seen on the
back of the card even though the card is protected by plastic. This
may permit the competitor to recognize a card before the user plays
it. What is needed is a plastic card holder with a colored backing
to prevent the back of a card from being recognized.
[0004] Colored plastic is known. However, obtaining the specific
color or vibrancy desired by users is complicated, difficult, or
sometimes impossible. To obtain a bright color, more pigment is
required. However, adding pigment to a translucent plastic alone
does not solve the issue as the result is a colored translucent
plastic. User's desire a colored opaque plastic. However, adding
enough pigment to an opaque plastic is insufficient. A large amount
of pigment must be added to a plastic resin to result in a colored
opaque plastic.
[0005] Many plastic card sleeves are formed by heat sealing plastic
layers together. Difficulties are encountered when attempting to
heat seal a layer of colored opaque plastic with a layer of
translucent plastic. The amount of pigment required to form a
colored opaque backing affects the physical properties of the
colored opaque plastic, resulting in uneven or ineffective seals
between the layer of colored opaque plastic and the layer of
translucent plastic. What is needed is a plastic card sleeve with a
colored backing which is opaque to prevent the passage of light and
utilizes a series of colors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The following presents a simplified summary in order to
provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed
innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is
not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the
scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a
simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that
is presented later.
[0007] The invention is directed toward a card holder comprising a
translucent plastic sleeve front and a multilayered card sleeve
backing The multilayered card sleeve backing comprises an inner
layer of thermoplastic containing a black pigment, a middle layer
of thermoplastic containing a white pigment, and an outer layer of
thermoplastic containing a predetermined color pigment. The middle
layer of thermoplastic is disposed between the inner layer of
thermoplastic and the outer layer of thermoplastic. The translucent
plastic sleeve front is heat sealed to the multilayered card sleeve
backing. The translucent sleeve front is disposed adjacent to the
inner layer of thermoplastic of the multilayered card sleeve
backing
[0008] In another embodiment, the inner layer of thermoplastic
contains eight percent by weight of black pigment, the middle layer
of thermoplastic contains eleven percent by weight of white
pigment, and the outer layer of thermoplastic contains twelve
percent by weight of the predetermined color pigment. The inner
layer of thermoplastic is opaque and the outer layer of
thermoplastic is translucent. In addition, the inner layer of
thermoplastic, the middle layer of thermoplastic, and the outer
layer of thermoplastic are coextruded to form a single melted web
of polymers. The card holder may further comprise a graphic design
disposed on the outer layer of thermoplastic of the multilayered
card sleeve backing The card holder may be composed of
polypropylene, polyethylene, or polystyrene.
[0009] In another embodiment, the card holder is substantially
rectangular in shape, having two long sides extending the length of
the card holder and two short sides extending the width of the card
holder. In one embodiment the translucent plastic sleeve front is
heat sealed to the multilayered card sleeve backing along one of
the short sides and two of the long sides. In another embodiment
the translucent plastic sleeve front is heat sealed to the
multilayered card sleeve backing along one of the long sides and
two of the short sides.
[0010] Still other embodiments of the present invention will become
readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following
description wherein there is shown and described the embodiments of
this invention, simply by way of illustration of the best modes
suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the
invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several
details are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects all
without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the
drawing and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature
and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be
described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to
identical or similar components, with reference to the following
figures, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a view of the multiple layers constituting the
card sleeve backing;
[0013] FIG. 2A is a view of the multiple layers constituting the
card sleeve backing;
[0014] FIG. 2B is a close up side view of the card sleeve
backing;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the card sleeve
backing;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the card sleeve backing
and card sleeve front;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a front view of the card holder;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view of the card holder and a card;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a front view of the card holder with a card;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a back view of the card holder;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a back view of the card holder; and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a front view of the card holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] The claimed subject matter is now described with reference
to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It
may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be
practiced with or without any combination of these specific
details, without departing from the spirit and scope of this
invention and the claims.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, the multiple layers composing the card
sleeve backing are displayed. The card sleeve backing is formed by
extruding three layers of polymer together to form a multiple
layered material. The card sleeve backing is formed by extruding an
inner layer 100, a middle layer 110, and an outer layer 120. As
shown in FIG. 2A, the inner layer 100 is adjacent to the middle
layer 110. The middle layer 110 is between the inner layer 100 and
the outer layer 120. As shown in FIG. 2B, the inner layer 100,
middle layer 110, and outer layer 120 are melted together during
the extrusion process to form the card sleeve backing 150.
[0025] To achieve the vibrant color desired by consumers in the
card sleeve backing 150, a specific configuration is used for the
multiple layers. Each of the three layers comprise one-third of the
thickness of the total card sleeve backing 150. Each of the three
layers is composed of a thermoplastic. The inner layer 100 is
composed of a thermoplastic with a black pigment. The inner layer
100 has a pigment load of eight percent (8%). This percentage is
calculated as eight percent (8%) by weight of black pigment as
mixed with the base resin polymer before heating to form the inner
layer 100 during the extrusion process. The middle layer 110 is
composed of a thermoplastic with white pigment. The middle layer
110 has a pigment load of eleven percent (11%). This percentage is
calculated as eleven percent (11%) by weight of white pigment as
mixed with the base resin polymer before heating to form the middle
layer 110 during the extrusion process. The outer layer 120 is
composed of a thermoplastic with the desired colored pigment. The
outer layer 120 has a pigment load of twelve percent (12%). This
percentage is calculated as twelve percent (12%) by weight of the
desired colored pigment as mixed with the base resin polymer before
heating to form the outer layer 120 during the extrusion process.
In other embodiments a range of percentages may be utilized while
effecting substantially the same results. For instance, the inner
layer 100 may have a pigment load ranging from six percent (6%) to
ten percent (10%). The middle layer 110 may have a pigment load
ranging from nine percent (9%) to thirteen percent (13%). The outer
layer 120 may have a pigment load ranging from nine percent (9%) to
thirteen percent (13%).
[0026] The black inner layer 100 is opaque and prevents the passage
of light through the card sleeve backing 150. The white middle
layer 110 presents a background for the color of the outer layer
120. The colored outer layer 120 is composed of translucent colored
plastic to avoid the problems presented by opaque colored
plastic.
[0027] To make the card sleeve, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG.
4, the card sleeve is formed by utilizing the card sleeve backing
150 and applying a translucent sleeve front 200 to the card sleeve
backing 150. The translucent sleeve front 100 placed adjacent to
the inner layer 100 of the card sleeve backing 150. The translucent
sleeve front 200 is then heat sealed to the card sleeve backing
150. As shown in FIG. 5, the front of the resulting card sleeve 300
is displayed. The card sleeve 300 has heat sealing 310 around three
sides. The card sleeve 300 is substantially rectangular in shape
with two sides 320, 324 disposed along the width of the card sleeve
300 and two sides 322, 326 disposed along the length of the card
sleeve 300. The card sleeve has an opening 330 to permit a user to
insert a card into the card sleeve 300. As illustrated in FIG. 6
and FIG. 7, a user places a desired card 10 through the opening 330
to fully insert the card 10 into the card sleeve 300.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the colored back side 340 of the
card sleeve 300 is displayed. The colored back side 340 is opaque
and fully hides the card 10 placed in the card sleeve 300. In
addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the colored back side 340 of
the card sleeve 300 may further comprise a graphical design 350.
The graphical design 350 may be any size and shape. The graphical
design 350 may be a simple design, a complex design, a cartoon
figure, or a photographic image.
[0029] The card sleeve 300 may be any shape, size, or
configuration. As illustrated in FIG. 10 the opening 330 may be
along the width of the card sleeve 300 with heat sealing 310 around
the remaining perimeter. The card sleeve 300 may be rectangular,
but may also be a square, hexagonal, or any other shape. The card
sleeve 300 may be any thickness. The multiple layers constituting
the card sleeve backing 150 may each be any thickness. In the
preferred embodiment the inner layer 100 is forty (40) microns in
thickness, the middle layer 110 is forty (40) microns in thickness,
and the outer layer 120 is forty (40) microns in thickness. In
another embodiment the entire thickness of the card sleeve backing
is one-hundred (100) microns, with each layer being equal in
thickness. In another embodiment, each layer has a different
thickness. The total thickness of one-hundred (100) microns permits
the card sleeve backing 150 to be more pliable during the sealing
process.
[0030] The polymer utilized to form the card sleeve 300 and all of
its parts may be any thermopolymer. In the preferred embodiment the
card sleeve 300 comprises polypropylene. In other embodiments the
card sleeve 300 may be manufactured from polystyrene, acid-free
polypropylene, ABS, polyethylene, or any combination of
commercially available polymers. All parts of the card sleeve 300
may be made out of the same or different polymers.
[0031] What has been described above includes examples of the
claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe
every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for
purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of
ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further
combinations and permutations of such matter are possible.
Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all
such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the
spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent
that the term "includes" is used in either the detailed description
or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner
similar to the term "comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted
when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
[0032] The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow
diagrams are provided merely as illustrative examples and are not
intended to require or imply that the steps of the various
embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be
appreciated by one of skill in the art the order of steps in the
foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order. Words such as
"thereafter," "then," "next," etc. are not intended to limit the
order of the steps; these words are simply used to guide the reader
through the description of the methods. Further, any reference to
claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles
"a," "an" or "the" is not to be construed as limiting the element
to the singular.
[0033] The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel
features disclosed herein.
* * * * *