Patent Publication Number: US-11376488-B1

Title: Two-card sleeve apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/346,697, filed Jun. 14, 2021, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a two-card sleeve apparatus. In at least one example, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus operable to hold two cards. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Card collectors have great interest in protecting and storing the cards they collect. Whether the cards be sports trading cards, fantasy game related trading cards, or other types of trading cards, the value of the card depends greatly on the condition and quality of the card. Card collectors are constantly searching for new, easier, and more efficient ways to protect and store the cards they invest in. Current card sleeves require collectors to store only one card per sleeve in what are known as penny sleeves. When two cards are placed in a single sleeve the cards will stick together causing damage to the cards. Additionally, magicians have a need for a two-card sleeve apparatus to be used in magic tricks involving the changing of two cards. 
     As presented herein, a two-card sleeve apparatus has been developed to store, protect, and display trading cards more effectively as well as to be used in magic tricks involving two cards. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Provided herein is a two-card sleeve apparatus operable to store or display two or more trading cards. The two-card sleeve apparatus may include two transparent layers separated by an opaque middle layer. 
     An aspect of the present disclosure provides a two-card sleeve comprising: a first transparent layer having an inner surface and an outer surface; a second transparent layer having an inner surface and an outer surface; and an opaque layer having a first inner surface and a second inner surface, the opaque layer attached to the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer to form a first pocket and a second pocket, such that the inner surface of the first transparent layer is adjacent to the first inner surface of the opaque layer, forming the first pocket, and the inner surface of the second transparent layer is adjacent to the second inner surface of the opaque layer, forming the second pocket. The first pocket and the second pocket are operable to each hold a card and the cards are separated by the opaque layer. 
     In some aspects, the opaque layer has a height greater than a height of the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer. In other aspects, the opaque layer has a height equal to a height of the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer. For example, the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer may have a height of 91 mm and a width of 66 mm, and the opaque layer may have a height of 91 mm and a width of 66 mm. The first pocket and the second pocket each have a depth of up to 100 mm and are operable to hold a card of up to 80 pts. 
     In additional aspects, the first transparent layer, the second transparent layer, and the opaque layer may be flexible. In further aspects, at least one of the first transparent layer, the second transparent layer, and the opaque layer is rigid. In yet additional aspects, the opaque layer may be partially transparent, partially colored, or solid colored. 
     The inner surface of the first transparent layer may be attached to first inner surface of the opaque layer along three edges, leaving an opening along a fourth edge. For example, the opening may be at a top edge or a bottom edge of the two-card sleeve apparatus. The inner surface of the second transparent layer is attached to second inner surface of the opaque layer along three edges, leaving an opening along a fourth edge. For example, the opening may be at a top edge or a bottom edge of the two-card sleeve apparatus. 
     Other aspects and iterations of the invention are described more thoroughly below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a two-card sleeve apparatus in one example. 
         FIG. 2  shows a front view of a two-card sleeve apparatus in one example. 
         FIG. 3  shows a back view of a two-card sleeve apparatus in one example. 
         FIG. 4  shows a side view of a two-card sleeve apparatus in one example. 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of a two-card sleeve apparatus in one example. 
         FIG. 6  shows a two-card sleeve apparatus in one example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the examples described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure. 
     Several definitions that apply throughout the above disclosure will now be presented. As used herein, “about” refers to numeric values, including whole numbers, fractions, percentages, etc., whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numerical values, for instance, ±0.5-1%, ±1-5% or ±5-10% of the recited value, that one would consider equivalent to the recited value, for example, having the same function or result. 
     The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, “substantially cylindrical” means that the object resembles a cylinder but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. 
     The terms “comprising,” “including” and “having” are used interchangeably in this disclosure. The terms “comprising,” “including” and “having” mean to include, but not necessarily be limited to the things so described. 
     Provided herein is a two-card sleeve apparatus to store and/or display at least two cards in one apparatus. The two-card sleeve apparatus includes an opaque layer with two inner surfaces. A first transparent layer is attached on three edges to the opaque layer&#39;s first inner surface creating a first inner pocket. A second transparent layer is attached on three edges to the opaque layer&#39;s second inner surface creating a second inner pocket. In some embodiments, the two-card sleeve is operable to hold two trading cards. Using this design, a card collector may safely store two trading cards in one apparatus without the trading cards sticking together. Additionally, utilizing this design, a magician may be able to perform card tricks by displaying two different cards in the same apparatus. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the two-card sleeve apparatus  100  may include a first transparent layer  104 , a middle opaque layer  102 , and a second transparent layer  106 . The transparent layers  104  and  106  each have an inner surface and an outer surface, where the inner surface of each of the transparent layers  104  and  106  faces towards the opaque layer  102  disposed between the first transparent layer  104  and the second transparent layer  106 . The opaque layer  102  has a first inner surface and a second inner surface. In an example, the first inner surface of the opaque layer  102  may face the inner surface of the first transparent layer  104  and the second inner surface may face the inner surface of the second transparent layer  106 . In some embodiments, the edges of the inner surfaces of the transparent layers  104  and  106  may be attached to the corresponding inner surfaces of the opaque layer  102  on three sides, forming two pockets. Each pocket may be operable to receive a card. In some embodiments, the first and second pockets of the two-card sleeve are each operable to each hold a trading card and the trading cards are separated by the opaque layer. For example, a card may be inserted in each pocket of the two-card sleeve apparatus on either side of the opaque layer. 
     In an embodiment, the inner surfaces of the transparent layers  104  and  106  may be attached to three sides, bottom, left, and right, of the inner surfaces of the opaque layer  102 , forming two pockets  112  and  114  open on the top edge of the two-card sleeve apparatus for a card to be inserted in the two-card sleeve apparatus on either side of the opaque layer. In another embodiment the inner surfaces of the transparent layers  104  and  106  may be attached to three sides, top, left, and right, of the inner surfaces of the opaque layer  102 , forming two pockets open on the bottom edge of the two-card sleeve apparatus for a card to be inserted in the two-card sleeve apparatus on either side of the opaque layer. In another example, the inner surfaces of the transparent layers  104  and  106  may be attached to three sides, top, bottom, and left, of the inner surfaces of the opaque layer  102 , forming pockets open on the right edge of the two-card sleeve apparatus for a card to be inserted in the two-card sleeve apparatus on either side of the opaque layer. In another embodiment, the inner surfaces of the transparent layers  104  and  106  may be attached to three sides, top, bottom, and right, of the inner surfaces of the opaque layer  102 , forming pockets open on the left edge of the two-card sleeve apparatus for a card to be inserted in the two-card sleeve apparatus on either side of the opaque layer. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the inner surface of the first transparent layer  104  is attached on three edges to the first inner surface of the opaque layer  102 , leaving an opening at the top of the two-card sleeve apparatus. The inner surface of the first transparent layer  104  is attached such that the first inner surface of the opaque layer is adjacent to the inner surface of the first transparent layer, forming the first pocket  112 . The first pocket  112  may be operable to receive a trading card. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the second transparent layer  106  is attached on three edges to the second inner surface of the opaque layer  102 , leaving an opening at the top of the two-card sleeve apparatus. The inner surface of the second transparent layer  106  is attached such that the second inner surface of the opaque layer is adjacent to the inner surface of the second transparent layer, forming the second pocket  114 . The second pocket  114  may be operable to receive a trading card. 
     The edges of the transparent layers  104  and  106  may be attached to the edges of the opaque layer  102  by many methods including but not limited too heat press, glue, other adhesives, or any other method related to or not related to attaching two plastics together. 
     The opaque layer may be made of a plastic material that prevents sticking and easily allows the cards to be slid in and out of either the first or second pocket. The opaque layer may be made of any opaque plastic including but not limited to rigid or flexible solid colored plastics, rigid or flexible partially colored plastics, or rigid or flexible partially transparent plastics. 
     The transparent layers may be made of a transparent plastic material. Non-limiting examples of transparent plastics materials used for the transparent layers may include vinyl, polypropylene material, other polyolefin materials, or other transparent plastics. 
     In an example, the first transparent layer, second transparent layer, and opaque layer are all flexible. In another example at least one of the first transparent layer, second transparent layer, and opaque layer is rigid. In at least one example, the opaque layer is rigid. 
     In some embodiments, the opaque layer may be partially transparent, partially colored, or solid colored. For example, the opaque layer may be a solid dark color such that the card stored in the opposing pocket is not visible when viewing from one side. 
     In various embodiments, the card may be a trading card. The card may be any trading card of standard size. For example, the card may have a width of about 50 mm, about 55 mm, about 60 mm, about 65 mm, about 70 mm, about 75 mm, about 80 mm, about 85 mm, about 90 mm, about 95 mm, or about 100 mm. In additional examples, the card may have a height of about 50 mm, about 55 mm, about 60 mm, about 65 mm, about 70 mm, about 75 mm, about 80 mm, about 85 mm, about 90 mm, about 95 mm, about 100 mm, about 105 mm, about 110 mm, about 115 mm, about 120 mm, or about 125 mm. In further examples, the card may have a thickness of up to about 50 points, about 55 points, about 60 points, about 65 points, about 70 points, about 75 points, about 80 points, about 85 points, about 90 points, about 95 points, about 100 points, about 105 points, about 110 points, about 115 points, about 120 points, about 125 points, about 130 points, about 135 points, about 140 points, about 145 points, about 150 points or about 155 points. 
     Non-limiting examples of trading cards may include sports trading cards, such as Topps, Upper Deck, and Fleer baseball, basketball, football cards or any other sports card, board game cards, trading cards such as Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh, and any other card dimensioned to fit within the pockets of the two-card sleeve apparatus. The cards may be inserted into either the first or second pocket. 
     In other examples, the first transparent layer  104  may have a height of up to about 50 mm, about 55 mm, about 60 mm, about 65 mm, about 70 mm, about 75 mm, about 80 mm, about 85 mm, about 90 mm, about 95 mm, about 100 mm, about 105 mm, about 110 mm, about 115 mm, about 120 mm, or about 125 mm, and a width of up to about 50 mm, about 55 mm, about 60 mm, about 65 mm, about 70 mm, about 75 mm, about 80 mm, about 85 mm, about 90 mm, about 95 mm, or about 100 mm. 
     In other examples, the opaque layer  102  may have a height of up to about 50 mm, about 55 mm, about 60 mm, about 65 mm, about 70 mm, about 75 mm, about 80 mm, about 85 mm, about 90 mm, about 95 mm, about 100 mm, about 105 mm, about 110 mm, about 115 mm, about 120 mm, or about 125 mm, and a width of up to about 50 mm, about 55 mm, about 60 mm, about 65 mm, about 70 mm, about 75 mm, about 80 mm, about 85 mm, about 90 mm, about 95 mm, or about 100 mm. 
     In other examples, the second transparent layer  106  may have a height of up to about 50 mm, about 55 mm, about 60 mm, about 65 mm, about 70 mm, about 75 mm, about 80 mm, about 85 mm, about 90 mm, about 95 mm, about 100 mm, about 105 mm, about 110 mm, about 115 mm, about 120 mm, or about 125 mm, and a width of up to about 50 mm, about 55 mm, about 60 mm, about 65 mm, about 70 mm, about 75 mm, about 80 mm, about 85 mm, about 90 mm, about 95 mm, or about 100 mm. 
     In at least one example, the first transparent layer and/or the second transparent layer may have a height of 91 mm and a width of 66 mm. In another example, the opaque middle layer may have a height of 91 mm and a width of 66 mm. 
     As seen in  FIG. 5 , the connection of the inner surface of the first transparent layer  104  to the first inner surface of the opaque layer  102  forms a first pocket  112  where a trading card can be inserted. The connection of the inner surface of the second transparent layer  106  to the second inner surface of the opaque layer  102  creates a second pocket  114  where a second trading card can be inserted. Therefore, the dimensions of the first and second pockets may be similar to the dimensions of the first and second transparent layers. For example, the first pocket may have a depth of up to 100 mm. The second pocket may have a depth of up to 100 mm. The pockets may hold trading cards having a thickness of up to 155 points. 
     In some embodiments, the opaque layer  102  may have a height greater than the heights of the first and second transparent layers  104  and  106  as seen in  FIG. 4 . In another embodiment, the opaque layer  102  may have a height equal to the heights of the first and second transparent layers  104  and  106 , as seen in  FIG. 6 . In another embodiment, the opaque layer may have a height less than the heights of the first and second transparent layers  104  and  106 . 
     In other examples, the opaque layer  102  may be above the transparent layers  104  and  106  at the top edge  108  as seen in  FIG. 4 . In another example, the opaque layer  102  may be even with the transparent layers  104  and  106  at the top edge  108  as seen in  FIG. 6 . In another example, the opaque layer  102  may be below the tops of the transparent layers  104  and  106  at the top edge  108 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 4 , the top edge  108  of the two-card sleeve apparatus  100  may be rectangular or square. The bottom edge  110  of the card sleeve apparatus  100  may be tapered to provide a space between an inserted trading card and the bottom of the first or second transparent layer.  FIG. 1  provides an example where the top and bottom of the two-card sleeve apparatus are both square. In other examples, the top edge of the two-card sleeve apparatus may be tapered. 
     The disclosures shown and described above are only examples. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the attached claims. It will therefore be appreciated that the examples described above may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.