Abstract:
A flexible card holder and display which enables a plurality of cards to be attached, transported, displayed, and stored. The card holder comprises a sheet of thin, tear-resistant material into which a plurality of slits have been cut. The slits are arranged so as to receive portions of cards, thereby releasably retaining the cards on the sheet. A variety of slit configurations may be employed. The card holder is lightweight, portable, and foldable into a variety of compact configurations. Stress relieving apertures are provided to prevent the development of tears in the flexible card holder and display. The card holder may be provided with an aperture at one end to enable the card holder to be suspended, thus displaying cards which are releasably attached thereto. The card holder further may be adapted to store in a multiring binder. Removable stiffeners may also be employed to facilitate hanging the device upon removal from the binder.

Description:
[0001]    This utility application is a continuation in part of copending patent application Ser. No. 09/591,979 which is a continuation in part of patent application Ser. No. 09/148,255 filed on Sep. 4, 1998 which is based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/058,076, filed Sep. 5, 1997. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a card transporter and display, and more particularly to a sheet of flexible material which can releasably retain an array of trading card holders.  
           [0003]    Trading cards have been in existence for many years. They have been available for sale directly or as premiums associated with other merchandise. Up until recently, trading card collections and collectors have generally been the province of youngsters, and the occasional adult. That has changed. Today, there are serious trading card collectors of all ages who collect premium trading cards. Because of the costs involved, collectors have become more sophisticated and they are likely to purchase trading card holders so that bare hands do not touch trading cards themselves.  
           [0004]    The problem with these holders is that they take up a lot of space and it is difficult to show off one&#39;s collection. Also, many collectors travel from trade show to trade show as exhibitors. It takes time to set up and break down a display booth. With existing exhibits, there is always the chance that a trading card may be misplaced and never seen by the public, or worse, lost during the frequent packing and unpacking. Also, there are many people who identify with a particular sport or team. Trading cards may be incidental to them, yet important enough to warrant prominent display in a recreation room, or den, for example.  
           [0005]    Embodiments of a card transport and display device that have been disclosed in the family members of this continuing application include the use of slits for supporting the corners or edges of trading card holders. Over time and through rough handling these slits may tend to develop tears.  
           [0006]    Prior disclosed embodiments may be folded for storage. Consequently, over time, the trading card holder may develop permanent creases and perhaps even stress cracks at the location where two fold lines cross.  
           [0007]    Further embodiments previously disclosed are made of opaque materials which provide a pleasant contrasting background to a card display. These embodiments require that the cards be removed in order to view the statistics and other information that is found on the back of most trading cards.  
           [0008]    There is a need for a device which can be used to transport, store, and display trading cards in an attractive and easily discerned manner. It would be desirable if this device were even longer lived than prior disclosed embodiments and if it would allow both the use of an opaque background color and the viewing of the backs of the cards without the need for removal of the cards.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    A flexible card transport and display device which enables a plurality of cards to be attached, transported, displayed, and stored. The card transport and display device comprises a sheet of thin, tear-resistant material into which a plurality of card holder retaining elements in the form of slits have been cut. The slits are arranged so as to receive the corners of card holders, flat transparent enclosures used to protect trading cards, thereby releasably retaining the card holders on the sheet. The card transport and display device is lightweight, portable, and foldable into a variety of compact configurations.  
           [0010]    One embodiment of the card transport and display is provided with an upper support and an aperture at one end to enable the card transport and display be suspended, thus displaying cards which are releasably attached thereto.  
           [0011]    In a second embodiment, the card transport and display does not include the upper support. Thus, when a plurality of cards (i.e., transparent trading card holders with trading cards) are attached to the sheet, a plurality of preferential fold lines are defined. Although the fold lines are orthogonal to the cards, diagonal spacing may be achieved by providing enough space between adjacent cards. Due to the flexible nature of the sheet and the relative widths of the fold lines defined by the cards, the sheet with cards attached may be folded into many configurations.  
           [0012]    In yet another embodiment of the invention it may be adapted to display cards in a binder, such as a standard three ring binder. In this embodiment it is preferred that the sheet of thin flexible tear resistant material of the card transport and display device be transparent so that both sides of the cards in their individual holders may be observed. In this embodiment a series of apertures are provided along at least one edge of the card transport and display device. The apertures are spaced to align with the rings of the binder to allow securing of the device thereto. In addition a number of notched or slotted apertures may be provided. In the case of a large sheet of cards, these are placed so that when the card transport and display device is folded for storage within the binder they coincide with the location of the binder rings and may be releasably connected to the rings by pressing the ring through the slot or notch until it engages within the aperture. This may be accomplished without opening the binder rings. A gentle pull then releases the card transport and display device for unfolding for display. If desired, the card transport and display device may be removed from the binder for hanging or other display by opening the rings.  
           [0013]    Yet another embodiment of the invention includes double three ring binder holes in the center of a flexible card transport and display device. The double row of three ring binder holes allows the flexible card transport and display device to be laid flat for easy viewing. In addition, the double three ring binder holes allow for a single card transport and display device to be severed in half to make two halves.  
           [0014]    A further embodiment of the invention includes stress relief holes at locations where fold lines cross. These stress relief holes prevent creasing or tearing of the material of the flexible card transport and display device.  
           [0015]    Another embodiment of the invention includes uniquely shaped slits or slit knockouts to hold the corners of cards or cardholders. The slits or slit knockouts may take the form of an arcuate slit with strain relieving ends. The slit knockouts may also take the form of a hot dog shaped arcuate cutout.  
           [0016]    Any embodiment of the card transport and display device can be adapted to hold a variety of numbers of cards. For example, the card transport and display device can be adapted to display 9, 18 or 36 cards on a single sheet.  
           [0017]    A further embodiment of the card transport and display device is opaque in areas surrounding cards that are held on the device but transparent in the areas in which cards are held. This embodiment allows for the viewing of the back side of cards transported and displayed without the need to remove the cards from the transport and display device.  
           [0018]    A principal object and advantage of the present invention is to enable a large number of trading cards to be easily stored.  
           [0019]    Another object and advantage of the invention is to enable a large number of trading cards to be easily transported.  
           [0020]    Another object and advantage of the invention is to enable a large number of trading cards to be easily displayed.  
           [0021]    Yet another object and advantage is the provision of a flexible, tear-resistant backing or sheet onto which trading cards are releasably attached.  
           [0022]    Another object and advantage of the invention is the formation of preferential fold lines that occur when transparent trading cards holders are attached to the flexible sheet.  
           [0023]    Still another object and advantage is to enable selective portions of the sheet and attached trading cards to be easily displayed.  
           [0024]    Yet another object and advantage is to provide increased protection from the elements when the sheet and trading cards are bundled-up for transport and storage.  
           [0025]    These, and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 1.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 1.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention in a partially folded state.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 6A to  6 D depict the second embodiment of FIG. 5 as it is folded into a compact form.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 depicts various types of slotted apertures.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of the invention that is adapted to store in a ring binder (slits not shown for clarity).  
         [0034]    [0034]FIGS. 9 a ,  9   b  and  9   c  depict an exemplary folding sequence for storing an embodiment of the invention in a ring binder (slits not shown for clarity).  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 10 depicts the invention including sleeves and stiffening members as displayed (slits not shown for clarity).  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 11 depicts an alternate embodiment of the invention including stiffening members (slits not shown for clarity).  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 12 depicts an alternate embodiment of the invention including a double row of three ring binder holes (slits not shown for clarity).  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 13 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the invention including a double row of three ring binder holes as well as a plurality of stress relief holes (only exemplary slits shown for clarity).  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 14 depicts arcuate shaped slits as practiced in an alternate embodiment of the invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 15 depicts hotdog shaped arcuate slit knockouts as practiced in an alternate embodiment of the invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 16 depicts an alternate embodiment of the invention including opaque portions and transparent portions. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0042]    Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the card transport and display device is shown and is generally designated with the numeral  1 . The card transport and display device  1  generally comprises a sheet or backing  10  into which a plurality of slits  13  have been cut. The slits are sized and arranged such that portions of a card holder  30  project therethrough, thereby releasably retaining the card holder to the sheet or backing  10 . The sheet or backing  10  is provided with a tab  14  which extends beyond a first end  18 , with the tab having an aperture  15  therethrough to enable the sheet to be suspended. The sheet is also provided with an upper support  20  adjacent the tab  14  which serves to prevent upper edges of the sheet from curling downwardly when the card transport and display device is suspended. The upper support  20  extends generally along the length of the first end  18  such that the entire width of the sheet or backing  10  is uniformly suspended. The upper support  20  also serves to reinforce the card transport and display device when it has been furled or folded into a bundle for transport or storage.  
         [0043]    Turning to FIG. 1 card transport and display device  1  comprises a sheet or backing  10  which has a front facing side  11  and a rear facing side (not shown). Although the sheet  10  is preferably made from a commercially produced vinyl laminated polyester under the name Protexit™, manufactured by the John Boyle &amp; Company, Inc., Statesville, N.C.; other tear resistant material may be used. The sheet  10  is provided with a plurality of slits  13 A-D and  17 A-D, for example which serve to releasably retain a card holder  30 . The slits are sized and arranged to admit corners or projections  33  of a card  30 .  
         [0044]    For purposes of clarification in this application, the term “card holder” is construed to mean a generally planar article which may be adapted to releasably contain a generally flat article, wherein the generally flat article is a trading card, a data storage disc, or the like. In that vein, the preferred “card holder” of the invention is a transparent, relatively rigid sleeve sized to receive and retain a trading card.  
         [0045]    The shape of the slits need not be as straight as in  13 A-D, but may be arcuate  17 A-D if desired. The number of slits  13  can vary, according to the shape of the card holder to be releasably retained. For example, a card holder which has the outline of a star with five arms or projections would be provided with five slits, even though each arm need be inserted into each slit to retain the card holder on the sheet. If desired, however, three slits would suffice. In this preferred embodiment, however, the cards holders in an array of rows and columns, with the rows separated by, and which define a plurality of parallel lines  16  about which the sheet  10  with card holders attached thereto, may be folded.  
         [0046]    In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of slits are sized and arranged such that a plurality of projections  50 A,  50 B,  50 C, and  50 D are formed. When this embodiment is used, the projections  50 A,  50 B,  50 C, and  50 D are arranged is such a fashion that they overlay portions of a card holder, thus releasably retaining a card holder to the sheet or backing  10 .  
         [0047]    The sheet or backing  10  may also be provided with a lower support  23  (shown in dashed lines) which is adjacent the second end  19  of sheet  10 . The lower support  23  serves to prevent lower edges of the sheet from curling and adds rigidity to the card transport and display device when it is furled or folded for transport or storage. The structure of the lower support  23  is the same as the structure of the upper support  20  which is depicted in FIG. 3 and described below. Therefore, it will not be depicted and further described.  
         [0048]    Referring to FIG. 2, the juxtaposition between the sheet or backing  10  and card holder  30  may be more easily seen. To retain a card holder  30  as shown in FIG. 1 onto the sheet or backing  10 , the corners or projections  33  of the card holder  30  are inserted into corresponding slits  13 A-D or  17 A-D such that the corners or projections  33  of the front facing side  31  of the card holder  30  are adjacent the rear facing side  12  of the sheet, and the rear facing side  32  of the card holder  30  is adjacent the front facing side  11  of the sheet or backing  10 .  
         [0049]    Referring to FIG. 3, the structure of the upper support  20  may be more easily seen. The sheet or backing  10  is provided with a tab  14  at one end thereof, with the tab having an aperture  15  therethrough to enable the sheet to be suspended. The sheet is also provided with an upper support  20  adjacent the tab  14  which serves to prevent upper edges of the sheet from curling downwardly when the card transport and display device is suspended. The upper support  20  comprises a front facing slat  21  and a rear facing slat  22  which are affixed adjacent the first end  18  of the sheet  10 , on the front facing side  11  and the rear facing side  12 , respectively.  
         [0050]    In FIG. 10 card holding slits and fold lines are not shown for clarity. Referring to FIG. 10, backing sheet  10  may be provided with stiffening members  302 . Sleeves  304  may be provided to receive the stiffening members. A stiffening member  302  may thus be easily inserted into or removed from the sleeve  304 .  
         [0051]    Referring to FIG. 11, stiffening members  302  may also be secured to the backing sheet  10  by fasteners  307  such as thumbtacks, push pins or screws. Although the use of two stiffening members  302  per backing sheet  10  is depicted, it is understood that one of the stiffening members  302  may be omitted if desired. Removal of the stiffening members allows the card transport and display device to be folded or furled as in other embodiments.  
         [0052]    The stiffening members may further be adapted near each end  310 ,  312  to receive the ends  314 ,  316  of a cord or flexible strap  320 , which can then be placed over a hanger  322  to support the card transport and display device for showing. Fasteners  307  may also secure the elongate flexible member to the stiffening member  302 . Additionally, a first card transport and display device with upper and lower stiffening members may be hung, then a second and additional card transport and display devices may be suspended below and from the first by connecting a second cord  324  and a third cord  326  from each end of the lower stiffening member  303  of the first unit to each end of the upper stiffening member  305  of the second unit. Alternately, the lower stiffening member  303  of the second card transport and display device may be directly connected to the lower stiffening member of a first card transport and display device by fasteners  307 .  
         [0053]    Fasteners  307  may also be used to hang the card transport and display device  1  from a structure such as a wall or display frame.  
         [0054]    In addition to slits  13  for retaining card holders  30 , still referring to FIG. 10, slits may be conFIG.d to receive and releasably retain signage  345 , For example, a display of cards of a sports team might include a sign  345  identifying the name of the team. Slits  13  may be conFIG.d to position a sign  345  horizontally, vertically or in some other orientation. The sign  345  may coincide with one row or column, cross several rows or columns, or cross both rows and columns. By proper spacing of retaining slits  13  and sizing of a sign  345 some slits  13  may serve to retain a sign  345  interchangeably with retaining card holders.  
         [0055]    Referring to FIG. 12, another embodiment of the card transport and display device  1  is depicted. Note that slits  13  and card holders  30  are not depicted for clarity. Center mount card transport and display device  400  is constructed as the other embodiments from a flexible tear resistant sheet material  402 . Flexible tear resistant sheet material  402  is perforated by a plurality of binder holes  404 . Binder holes  404  are arranged into generally parallel double rows  406 . Binder holes  404  are adapted to receive binder rings  408 . Center mount card transport and display device  400  may optionally include a center perforation  410  adapted to allow center mount card transport and display device  400  to be separated into two halves  412 . Center mount card transport and display device  400  may be adapted to transport and display any number of rows and columns of cards. For example, embodiments may include those adapted to support 9, 18 or 36 cards.  
         [0056]    Referring to FIG. 13, another embodiment of the center mount card transport and display device  1  is depicted. Note that only a single set of slits is shown for clarity. This is appropriate for holding a single card holder  30  though other groupings to hold other shaped items may also be employed. Center mount card transport and display device  400  maybe folded along fold lines  414 . Fold lines  414  pass between rows and/or columns of displayed cards. Fold lines  414  intersect at intersection  416 . A plurality of stress relief holes  418  may be perforated at least some of intersections  416 .  
         [0057]    Referring to FIG. 14, an alternate embodiment of slits  30  is depicted. Arcuate slits with strain relief  420  generally include upper left slit  422 , upper right slit  424 , lower right slit  426 , and lower left slit  428 . Each arcuate slit with strain relief  420  generally includes a greater arc  430  and two lesser arcs  432 . Arcuate slits with strain relief  420  are generally positioned so that the concave side  434  is directed toward the interior of a rectangular card holder  30 . Other groupings may be employed to hold objects of a differing shape.  
         [0058]    Referring to FIG. 15, another embodiment of slits  30  is depicted. Arcuate slit knockouts  436  generally include upper left slit  438 , upper right slit  440 , lower right slit  442  and lower left slit  444 . Arcuate slit knockouts  436  are generally positioned so that concave side  446  faces the interior of a card. Arcuate slit knockout  436  each include greater arc  448 , two lesser arcs  450  and concave arc  452 . The interior  454  of arcuate slit knockouts  436  is entirely cut out from flexible tear resistant sheet  402 . Other configurations may be employed to hold objects of a differing shape.  
         [0059]    Referring to FIG. 16, another embodiment of the center mount card transport and display device  400  is depicted. This embodiment is generally similar in structure to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 13. In addition, this embodiment includes transparent portions  456  and opaque portions  458 . Transparent portion  456  includes any portion sufficiently transparent to allow the reading of printed material pressed closely against the material therethrough. Opaque portions  458  include those portions that are completely opaque or translucent to a degree that printed matter pressed up closely to the material may not be read through it. Opaque potion are specifically contemplated to include translucent materials and darkly tinted materials. For example, opaque portion  458  may be created by screen printing a paint over the card transport and display device  1  while leaving transparent portions  456  unpainted. Any other method known to those skilled in the art for producing a sheet with transparent portions  456  and opaque portions  458  may be utilized as well. It is specifically contemplated that any embodiment disclosed in this application may include transparent portion  456  and opaque portions  458 .  
         [0060]    Referring to FIG. 4, the card transport and display device  1  is in a partially folded state. Here, the sheet or backing  10  has been partially folded or furled about lines  16  in a circular fashion. Preferably, the folding or furling operation starts at he second end  19  of the sheet  10  wherein the front facing side of the sheet  11  is folded against itself. As shown in the FIG., the front sides  31  of cards  30  are thus protected. Note that as the first end of the sheet or backing is folded into position, only the corners or projections  33  of cards  30  are visible from the rear facing side  12  of the sheet. Although the sheet in this embodiment is furled, it is understood that other methods of folding the sheet may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0061]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 4 , operation will now be discussed. In use, the card transport and display device  1  is unfolded or unfurled to expose a front facing side  11 . A card holder or card holders  30  are then attached to the sheet  10  by inserting the corners or projections  33  of the card holders into slits  13 A-D,  17 A-D. If the card holder or card holders are to be displayed, the card transport and display device may be suspended by utilizing the aperture  15 , in tab  14  which extends from a first end  18  of the sheet  10 . If the card holder or card holders are to be stored or protected, the sheet is preferably furled along lines  16  starting at a second end  19  of the sheet. As the tab  14  is furled about the body of sheet  10 , the resulting bundle may be secured with a closure  40 .  
         [0062]    Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6A through  6 D, the card transport and display device is shown and is generally designated with the numeral  100 . The card transport and display device  100  generally comprises a sheet or backing  110  into which a plurality of slits  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  have been cut. The slits are sized and arranged such that portions of a card holder  130  project therethrough, thereby releasably retaining the card to the sheet or backing  110 . Preferably, slits  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126  are arranged to enable an array of cards in card holders to be displayed in a plurality of rows ( 162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ) and columns ( 171 ,  173 ,  175 ,  177 ) with the rows and columns separated by, and which define, parallel fold lines  140 ,  150 .  
         [0063]    Although a four-by-four matrix is shown, it is understood that additional rows and columns may be provided to enable a larger array of cards in card holders to be displayed; for example, an entire athletic team.  
         [0064]    Referring to FIG. 5, card transport and display device  100  comprises a sheet or backing  110  which has a front facing side  111  and a rear facing side  112  (not shown). As mentioned above, sheet  110  is preferably made from a vinyl laminated polyester known commercially as name Protexit™. However, other tear-resistant material may be used. As with the first embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 4 , sheet  110  is provided with a plurality of slits  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 , which serve to releasably retain a card  130 . The slits are sized and arranged to admit corners or projections of a card  130 , as described and shown above in FIGS. 1 and 4.  
         [0065]    As with the first embodiment shown and described above, the shape of the slits need not be straight as depicted in  120 - 126 , but may be arcuate if desired. Additionally, the number of slits can vary, according to the shape of the card holder to be releasably retained. Note that the slits  120 - 126  are preferably arranged such that they create a plurality of parallel lines  142 ,  144 ,  146 , and  151 ,  153 ,  155  about which the sheet  110  with cards attached thereto, may be folded.  
         [0066]    With regard to the arrangement of the slits, it is envisioned that such arrangement may take other forms. So, for example, spacing between the groups of slits may be increased to enable the cards of the card transport and display device to define a plurality of additional, diagonal fold lines. Additionally, the groups of slits may be arranged along curved portions such as circles and waves instead of the preferred linear arrangement. And, although the preferred embodiment depicts rectangularly-shaped card holders in a vertical orientation, it is envisioned that the card holders may be oriented horizontally, if desired.  
         [0067]    Referring to FIGS. 6A through 6D, the operation will now be discussed. These FIG.s indicate one of many configurations into which the card transport and display device may be folded. Note that card holders and slits are not depicted. In this particular sequence, the rear facing side  112  is in a position where card holders are protected by sheet  110 . To form this particular bundle, card transport and display device  100  is folded about line  144  so that the card transport and display device is halved FIG. 6A. In FIG. 6B, the card transport and display device is folded about line  153  so that the card transport and display device is again halved. In FIG. 6C, the card transport and display device is folded about line  146  so that the card transport and display device is halved again. Lastly, in FIG. 6D, the card transport and display device is folded about line  155  so that the card transport and display device is in a compact form for transportation and/or storage. As with the first embodiment, the transport/storage package may be provided with a closure (not shown) and/or a protective container (also not shown).  
         [0068]    Although the aforementioned FIG.s depict a configuration which is folded symmetrically to produce a card transport and storage package, it is understood that other folding configurations may be used. For example, the folds may be asymmetrical so that selected portions of the front facing surface of the card transport and display device display may be displayed. Or, the card transport and display device may be folded accordion-style; furled along a column or row; or folded using a combination of furls and folds.  
         [0069]    In yet another embodiment of the invention it may be adapted to display cards in a binder, such as a standard three ring binder. In this embodiment it is preferred that the sheet of thin flexible tear resistant material of the card transport and display device be transparent so that both sides of the cards in their individual cardholders may be observed though opaque material may be used.  
         [0070]    Referring to FIGS. 7,8 and  9  a series of apertures  210  are provided on the periphery of the card transport and display device along at least one edge. The apertures  210  are spaced to align with the rings  252  of the binder to allow securing of the device thereto. In addition, a number of notched or slotted apertures  245  may be provided to facilitate folding.  
         [0071]    Notched or slotted apertures, collectively  245 , may take a number of forms. They may comprise an aperture with a slit  202  communication to the near edge  200  of the card transport and display device. They may comprise an aperture and V shaped notch  204 , a combination of a slit and a notch  206  or a U shaped cutout  208 . Referring to FIG. 8, these are placed so that when the card transport and display device is folded for storage within the binder  252  they coincide with the location of the binder rings  252  and may be releasably engaged to the rings  252  by pressing the ring  252  through the slot or notch until it engages within the aperture  245 . A gentle pull then releases the card transport and display device for unfolding and display. If desired, the card transport and display device may be removed from the binder for hanging or other display by opening the rings  252 . This embodiment may also include removable stiffening members  302  or sleeves  304  and removable stiffening members  302  for hanging as revealed in other embodiments  
         [0072]    Referring to FIG. 8, an embodiment of the card transport and display device with apertures  210  is depicted with the apertures  210  engaged into a ring binder assembly  250  including rings  252 . Card holders and slits are not shown for clarity. Apertures  210  are arranged in a row along at least one edge. The depicted device has two panels  211 ,  212  separated by fold line  214 . When storage is desired panel  212  is folded to lie on top of panel  211 . Of course, additional panels may be included and be folded accordion style without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0073]    Referring to FIG. 9, another embodiment of the card transport and display device is depicted engaged into ring binder assembly  250 , including rings  252 . Again, card holders and slits are not shown for clarity. In this embodiment the card transport and display device is divided into central panels  232 ,  234 , and  236  divided by fold lines  233  and  235 . In addition upper panels  238 ,  240 ,  242  are separated from central panels  232 , 234 ,  236  by fold line  237  and lower panels  244 , 246 , 248  are separated from central panels  232 , 234 , 236  by fold line  239 . Apertures  210  pierce central panel  232 . Upper and lower panels  238  and  244  are perforated by slotted apertures  245 . While slotted apertures shown in FIG. 9 comprise a V shaped notch communicating with a round aperture, it is understood that any type of slotted aperture may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0074]    When storage is desired, FIG. 9 c , upper panels  238 , 240 ,  242  are folded about fold line  237  to lie upon central panels  232 , 234 , 236  as are lower panels  244 , 246 ,  248 . This brings slotted apertures  245  into engagement with rings  252 . Then, FIG. 9 b , central panel  234  is folded about fold line  233  to lie atop central panel  232 , at the same time central panel  236  is folded accordion style about fold line  235  to lie atop central panel  234 . FIG. 9 c  depicts the unit folded. Many other panel arrangements and folding schemes may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0075]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof; and it is, therefore, desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.