Abstract:
A jewelry storage, display or travel case has an upper planar layer of a pliable plastic sheet and clings to a lower plastic sheet for insertion of delicate jewelry there between. The lower plastic sheet is stiffened by a backing layer so that the upper pliable layer can be peeled away without disturbing the support provided to delicate jewelry stored within. The laminate of the 2 plastic sheets and the backing layer is optionally flexible enough to roll for packing, or can be stiffer for forming rigid pages in a binder or packing in a strong stack. The case can have transparent plastic pliable sheets on opposite side of the backing layer, each being capable being peeled away from a lower plastic sheet laminated to opposing sides of the backing layer.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application of the same title that was filed on Oct. 25, 2012, having application Ser. No. 61/718,644, and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The application as filed contains one or more claims having an effective filing date after Mar. 16, 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing, displaying, merchandizing and transporting jewelry during personal travel. 
     Prior methods of jewelry travel rolls and cases allow delicate jewelry to tangle and break. Jewelry has been stored for travel in rolls to provide protection, but such rolls can be hard to pack or fit in hand luggage. Further, it can also be difficult to find jewelry in a roll pack, especially if it has moved or become tangled. 
     It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide an improved means for increased viewability of the contents. 
     It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a greater ease of packing. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide the above benefits while still the preventing the tangling of fine jewelry chains, or the intermeshing of various jewelry items, which if not removed very carefully can result in damage. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide tarnish prevention of jewelry during storage and travel. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In the present invention, the first object is achieved by providing a jewelry holder, comprising at least a first pliable plastic cover sheet, a backing layer having a top and bottom opposing sides, the backing layer being less pliable than the plastic cover sheet, an upper plastic layer attached to the top side of the backing layer and directly opposing the first pliable plastic cover sheet for the detachable clinging engagement therewith, wherein the first pliable plastic cover sheet, backing layer and upper plastic layer are detachably laminated together with the cover layer having two or edges sides capable of folding away from the upper plastic layer for inserting and removing materials to be held there between. 
     Other objects of the invention are achieved by a second aspect of the invention that is characterized by the jewelry holder further comprising a lower plastic layer attached to the bottom side of the backing layer, a second pliable plastic sheet attached to at least one of the backing layer and the lower plastic layer and directly opposing the lower plastic layer for the detachable clinging engagement therewith, and having two or more sides capable of folding away from the lower plastic layer for the insertion and removable of materials to be held there between. 
     Still further objects of the invention are achieved by the jewelry holder having a first pliable plastic cover sheet that is a transparent vinyl sheet and an upper plastic layer is a vinyl sheet. 
     Still further objects of the invention are achieved by the jewelry holder having the upper and lower plastic layers and the backing layer comprise a monolithic substantially planar member. 
     Still further objects of the invention are achieved by the jewelry holder having the backing layer is selected from the group consisting of fabric, cardboard, paper, foam and plastic sheet. 
     Still further objects of the invention are achieved by the jewelry holder the having the first pliable plastic cover sheet is a transparent vinyl sheet and the upper plastic layer is a vinyl sheet. 
     Still further objects of the invention are achieved by the jewelry holder having the first pliable plastic cover sheet, the second pliable plastic sheet and the backing layer being sufficiently flexible to be at least one of rolled or folded on itself without delaminating the first pliable plastic cover sheet, and the upper plastic layer. 
     Still further objects of the invention are achieved by method of using the jewelry holder comprising the steps of peeling away the cover layer form the upper plastic layer, inserting jewelry between the cover layer from the upper plastic layer, replacing the upper plastic layer to surround the jewelry inserted therein by a region of detachable lamination of the first pliable plastic cover sheet to the upper plastic layer. 
     The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional elevation view of a first embodiment of a jewelry case, whereas  FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the first embodiment showing a jewelry item held between pliable cover layer and an upper plastic layer supported by the backing layer.  FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional elevation view of another embodiment of a jewelry case showing the partial peel of a corner of the pliable cover layer. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of  FIG. 1B  showing the position of section line B-B 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, showing an approximate position of section line C-C in  FIG. 1C . 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is an open plan view of another alternative embodiment of the invention whereas  FIGS. 5B and 5C  are closed views of alternative embodiments. 
         FIG. 6A-B  are plan views of an additional alternative embodiment of the invention in which the holder is open in  FIG. 6A  and closed in  FIG. 6B . 
         FIG. 7A  is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of the invention in the open position for inserting and removing jewelry whereas  FIG. 7B  is a plan view of the same embodiment closed for storage or transport of the jewelry stored therein. 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective front view of another alternative embodiment of the invention in a closed position holding jewelry therein. 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  being opened, whereas  FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the jewelry case completely opened. 
         FIG. 11A  is a plan view of the front of the embodiment of the jewelry case in  FIGS. 9 and 10A-10B ;  FIG. 11B  is a back plan view thereof;  FIG. 11C  is a bottom and top elevation view thereof;  FIG. 11D  is a right and left side elevation view thereof and  FIG. 11E  is a top plan view thereof when the case is opened. 
         FIG. 12A-12D  are cross-sectional elevations of alternative embodiments 
         FIG. 13A  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 12D  in closed position, whereas  FIG. 13B  is top plan view thereof with the upper most portion in partially open position 
         FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 12D  and  FIG. 13A  showing the upper most layer thereof holding jewelry, whereas  FIG. 14B  is a perspective view thereof opened to reveal jewelry stored in the second storage layer below the upper most layer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 14 , wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved Jewelry holder, generally denominated  100  herein. 
     In accordance with the present invention,  FIG. 1  illustrates such a jewelry holder  100  having a cover layer  110  of a pliable plastic sheet or film, a backing layer  120  of a planar materials that is less pliable than the cover layer  110 , the backing layer  120  also having an upper plastic layer  130  capable of clinging engagement with the cover layer  110 . 
     The cover layer  110  is preferably clear plastic, and more preferably clear vinyl, and fabricated in a laminated structure with the upper plastic layer  130  connected or bonded to the backing layer  120 , but the cover layer  110  capable of being peeled away from the upper plastic sheet  130 . It is more preferable that both the cover  110  and upper plastic layer  130  are thin vinyl sheets that have an inherent level of adhesive attractive that causes one to deform and match the surface contour of the other to form a sealed region around jewelry  10 . This desirable property can be due to static attraction and the inherent tackiness of soft pliable plastic films. 
     More preferably, the cover  110  is attached to the backing layer  120  on at least a portion of one side to fold open for access to jewelry. In  FIG. 2 , for example, cover  110  is attached to the backing sheet  120  at seam  122 . The backing layer  120 , in addition to the upper plastic layer or sheet  130 , can include additional stiffening layers of fabric, plastic sheet, paper, foam or cardboard sheet and the like. 
     More preferably, as shown in  FIG. 1C , the jewelry holder  100  has a backing layer  120  with upper plastic layer  130  and  130 ′ on opposing sides  120   a  and  120   b , as well as cover layer  110  and  110 ′ each attached to at least part of an edge  121   a, b, c  or  d  so that plastic layers  130  and  130 ′ can be temporarily peeled away to expose jewelry items  10 , to access them for removal or replacement after they are initially inserted between the pliable cover layer  110  and the upper plastic layer  130 . As shown in  FIG. 1B  and  FIG. 2-4 , the cover layer and upper plastic layer will self adhere at margins  114 , forming an air pocket or cavity  119  around the jewelry  10 . Hence, it is most preferable that the backing layer  120  have some flexibility, but less than the pliable cover sheet  130 , to facilitate peeling away the cover sheet, but also conforming with the coversheet  130  to form a sealed pocket or cavity  119  around ease jewelry piece  10 . Having a somewhat pliable backing layer  120  allows for the formation of cavity  119  around larger size jewelry  10 . When the flexibility or pliability in backing sheet  120  is optionally provided by padding, the jewelry  10  is better protected during transport. 
     It should be appreciated that stitching  135  can used to attach the cover layer  110  to any of the edges of either the backing layer  120  and or the upper layer sheet  130 , and form folding seams  122 . 
     In another embodiment of the jewelry holder  100  in  FIG. 3 , straps or fabric loops  115  are attached to the backing layer  120  either directly or via the layer  130  to extend inward from an edge. These straps or loops  115  allow a necklace  10  to be held at the top of the chain to be spread out and untangled before the upper or cover layer  110  is laid down against the upper layer  130 . The fabric loops  115  can be tied together, but preferably deploy mating hook and loop (Velcro™) fasteners. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which a single backing layer  120  has 2 cover sheets  110  is divided into 2 parts  110   a  and  110   b  that open in opposite directions folding away from a common seam  122 . 
       FIG. 5  A-C illustrate embodiments of the jewelry holder  110  in which the straps or fabric loops  115  are attached to the backing layer  120  at folding seam  122 , which is now expands horizontally.  FIG. 5A  is an open view, whereas  FIGS. 5B and 5C  are closed views of alternative embodiments. 
       FIG. 6A-C  are plan views of additional alternative embodiments of the invention. In  FIG. 6A  one side of the jewelry holder  100  has 2 cover portions  110  and  110 ′, juxtaposed one above the other, in which each folds away from the backing layer  120  at their respective connecting edge seams  122  and  122 ′. The opposite side of the device,  FIG. 6B , also has a cover layer or sheet  110 ″. 
     In  FIG. 6A , the lower portion associated with cover  110 ′ optionally has a vertical ribbon  131  attached to the upper plastic layer  130  for the placement of rings and earrings adjacent to each other. The cover sheet  110  optionally has corners that are cut diagonally to expose the underlying backing sheet  120  for easier grasping of the diagonal edge of the cover layer  110  for peeling it away from the upper plastic layer  130 . 
       FIG. 7A  is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of the invention in the open position for inserting and removing jewelry whereas  FIG. 7B  is a plan view of the same embodiment closed for storage or transport of the jewelry stored therein. Case or holder  100 , has multiple backing sheets  120 , each connect to the adjacent backing sheet by a folding seam  124 . The device is closed as shown in  FIG. 7B , in which ribbons  117  and  117 ′ on opposite sides are connected, such as by a knot or via loop and hook fasteners. 
       FIG. 8A  is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of the invention in the open position for inserting and removing jewelry whereas  FIG. 8B  is a plan view of the same embodiment closed for storage or transport of the jewelry stored therein. The case  800  has multiple holders  810  connected folding seams  124 . Each holder  810  has a top and bottom envelop or slot  820  for receiving a single planar case  100  such as shown in  FIG. 2 . The case  800  folds to a compact shape ( FIG. 8B ) as does the case  100  in  FIGS. 7A  and &amp;B, being secured by ribbons  117 ′ and  117 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective front view of another alternative embodiment of the invention in a closed position holding jewelry therein. The cover sheet  110  in this embodiment is shown with rounded corners  111 , which are stitched into a flexible covering bezel  116 . The backing layer  120  has rounded corners  111  of a matching shape. 
       FIG. 10A  is a perspective front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  being opened, whereas  FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the jewelry case  100  completely opened. 
       FIG. 11A  is a plan view of the front of the embodiment of the jewelry case in  FIGS. 9 and 10A-10B ;  FIG. 11B  is a back plan view thereof;  FIG. 11C  is a bottom and top elevation view thereof;  FIG. 11D  is a right and left side elevation view thereof and  FIG. 11E  is a top plan view thereof when the case is opened. 
       FIG. 12-14  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the jewelry holder  100  is formed of pages  1200  shown in  FIG. 12A , each page having a cover layer  110  of a pliable plastic sheet or film, a backing layer  120  of a planar materials that is generally less pliable than the cover layer  110 , the backing layer  120  also having an upper plastic layer  130  capable of clinging engagement with the cover layer  110 . Each page  1200  has a fabric backing layer  120 , and optionally as shown in  FIG. 12B-D , fabric edge or bezel  114  that is folded around and stitched to the perimeter of the both the top and bottom of cover layer  110 . In  FIGS. 12B and 13B , the cover layer  110  is illustrated as partially peeled away from the upper plastic layer  130 . The pages  1200  are stitched together at the top so each page  1200  can be folded away from the others to view, store or retrieve jewelry, as shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B . The embodiment of the jewelry case  100  in  FIG. 12C  has 2 pages, while the embodiment 100 in  FIG. 12D  has 3 pages. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention the first pliable plastic cover sheet, the second pliable plastic sheet and the backing layer are sufficiently flexible to be at least one of rolled or folded on itself without delaminating the first pliable plastic cover sheet, and the upper plastic layer. The desired amount of static or adhesive cling between a clear vinyl cover sheet and the second pliable plastic sheet is achieved, without causing delaminating upon the rolling or folding of the jewelry holder when the vinyl has a thickness of about 4 to 10 mils (0.1 mm to 0.25 mm), but more preferably between about 7 mils (0.18 mm). As such a thin clear vinyl cover sheet can be difficult to grasp, it has been discovered that providing the fabric edge or bezel  114  that is folded around and stitched to the perimeter of the both the top and bottom of cover layer  110  with a width of about 1 to 5 mm allows such grasping without otherwise deteriorating the static clinginess and detachable adhesion that is desirable to store the jewelry securely, and thus prevent damage or twisting of fine wires, when the holder is rolled or folded as described in the various embodiments above. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.