Patent Publication Number: US-2018037390-A1

Title: Rigid Protector Sleeve

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to protective sleeves for flat documents, art, memorabilia, or other merchandise, and more specifically it relates to a rigid protective sleeve that is durable and eliminates the ability for the contents to be bent, torn, folded, or the like. 
     Background 
     Plastic sleeves and top loaders have been used for years. Typically, these items are constructed of varying types of thin plastic. Plastic sleeves and top loaders are both closed on three sides with a fourth side open to allow for products to be inserted into them. The user of plastic sleeves and top loaders must then still transport the items protected by these products with a high level of care to avoid damage. 
     The problem with these conventional protective sleeves is that they do not offer protection from bending, creasing, and tearing. Plastic sleeves are thin and the contents can easily be damaged, even accidentally, just from carrying or being bumped. Plastic sleeves lack a rigid structure causing items to curve into the bottom of the sleeve as they are carried creating bending. Top loaders are thicker than plastic sleeves, but still offer little protection. Top loaders can easily be bent with minimal effort causing the contents to be damaged. 
     In this respect, the rigid protector sleeve according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of prior protective sleeves. In doing so the present invention provides substantial protection to the items inserted into the rigid protector sleeve eliminating damage such as bending or tearing. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the previously noted disadvantages inherent in the existing protective sleeves, being the plastic sleeve and top loader, the present invention provides a rigid protector sleeve that can be used to eliminate the ability of the contents to be bent, torn, creased, and the like. 
     The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a new rigid protector sleeve, which will be described in greater detail, that has the advantages of previous protective sleeves and many novel features that result in a new rigid protector sleeve which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior protective sleeves. 
     To attain this, the present invention is generally comprised of two or more rigid boards. Rigid boards are positioned between an inner lining and an outer shell. The rigid boards, inner lining, and outer shell are configured in such a way as to create a pocket with a rigid front, rigid back, and two narrow sides. 
     Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the present invention, in order that the more detailed description may be better understood, and in order that the present contributions may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described and that form the subject matter of the claims. 
     In this respect, before explaining the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of its construction and to the arrangements of the components as set forth in the following description or in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a rigid protector sleeve that overcomes the short comings of prior protective sleeves. 
     A second object is to provide a rigid protector sleeve that is durable. 
     Another object is to provide a rigid protector sleeve that can be configured in a way to create multiple protective pockets. 
     An additional object is to provide a rigid protector sleeve that has the ability to accept a handle or strap. 
     A further object is to provide a rigid protector sleeve that can be attached to or inside of a bag, case, box, or similar product. 
     Another object is to provide a rigid protector sleeve that is convenient to transport. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
     To the accomplishment of the above, the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will appear from the description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front or back view (front and back are the same) of the rigid protector sleeve made in accordance with the principles of the present invention generally showing the rigid protector sleeve to be narrow and rectangular. The shaded area being the rigid board between the lining and outer shell. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross section view of the rigid protector sleeve made in accordance with the principles of the present invention generally showing the two rigid boards configured between the lining and outer shell creating a narrow pocket for documents/merchandise. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross section view of the rigid protector sleeve made in accordance with the principles of the present invention generally showing the more than two rigid boards configured between the lining and outer shell creating multiple narrow pockets for documents/merchandise. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the rigid protector sleeve showing a narrow pocket created by the rigid boards being configured between the inner lining and outer shell. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the rigid protector sleeve demonstrating that while a minimum of two rigid panels are required, multiple rigid panels can be used to create additional pockets. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A rigid protector sleeve, in accordance with the present invention, generally includes two or more rigid boards each covered and attached to one another to form a protective pocket(s). The rigid protector sleeve is generally comprised of rectangular boards made from rigid material. Rigid boards are covered in a secondary material or fabric to provide a means of attaching panels to one another to create a protective pocket. 
     The material is used to create one pocket that is the outer shell of the rigid protector sleeve, and a second pocket that is the inner lining of the rigid protector sleeve. The inner lining pocket is inserted into the outer shell pocket to create a pocket with two layers. These pockets are then sewn to each other on both sides and the bottom. Seams of varying widths apart on the sides and bottom are used to create the width of the finished rigid protector sleeve. Rigid boards are inserted between the front outer shell and front inner lining, as well as between the back outer shell and back outer lining. The front outer shell and back outer shell are then sewn to the front inner lining and back inner lining respectively to close the rigid boards between the pocket layers and create a finished rigid protector sleeve. 
     The result of the above process is a narrow pocket with an outer material shell, an inner material lining, and rigid boards between those layers on two sides. The rigid sides are opposite each other and referred to as the front and back. The sides of the pocket consist of the outer shell and inner lining sewn together without rigid boards between the layers. Narrow sides can be either flexible or stiff depending on the material used to cover the rigid boards. 
     For greater storage additional rigid boards may be added to the first rigid protector sleeve pocket in the same manner creating multiple pockets within the rigid protector sleeve. For example four rigid boards when constructed and attached to one another would result in a rigid protector sleeve that has three separate pockets. 
     The rigid protector sleeve made from rigid boards and additional material can be attached to the inside of a bag, case, box, or similar product, or used alone. In order to enhance the versatility of the bag, case, box, or similar product, the rigid protector sleeve can be either permanently affixed to the inside of the bag, case, box, or similar product, or be made as a removable unit. A removable rigid protector sleeve provides for the use of the bag, case, box, or similar product alone. When the rigid protector sleeve is attached to the inside of the bag, case, box, or similar product it creates a minimum of two compartments within the bag, case, box, or similar product. The sleeve position can be fixed or adjustable. The rigid protector sleeve can be flush with the front or back, or the rigid protector sleeve can be affixed to the sides of the bag, case, box, or similar product at any point between the front and back of the bag, case, box, or similar product. 
     A handle(s) or strap(s) may be provided, which includes flexible or rigid materials attached directly to the rigid protector sleeve for the purposes of carrying the sleeve. Latch means may be provided for holding the rigid protector sleeve edges against one another in a closed position. In order to enhance the convenience of the rigid protector sleeve, the rigid protector sleeve may also include at least one pocket. Pockets must be located on the outside of the rigid protector sleeve and may not be located between rigid panels.