US20080202947A1 - Collectible card with cavity for containing inner item - Google Patents
Collectible card with cavity for containing inner item Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080202947A1 US20080202947A1 US12/034,798 US3479808A US2008202947A1 US 20080202947 A1 US20080202947 A1 US 20080202947A1 US 3479808 A US3479808 A US 3479808A US 2008202947 A1 US2008202947 A1 US 2008202947A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- card
- trading
- collectible
- prize
- tear strip
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
- B42D15/00—Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for
- B42D15/02—Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets
- B42D15/04—Foldable or multi-part cards or sheets
- B42D15/045—Multi-part cards or sheets, i.e. combined with detachably mounted articles
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a collectible card that can be opened to allow access to an inner item and a method for making the same. More particularly, it relates to a trading card of the collectible type having a tear strip that can be used to rip open one side of the card to reveal a second collectible card contained therein.
- Trading cards typically are assessed a monetary value based on the scarcity of the particular card, the fame of the player, team, or other item depicted on the face of the card, and the condition of the card. Many collectors protect the cards in their collection with a variety of plastic cases, frames, and holders.
- Trading cards are typically purchased as a pack, containing more than one card, from a store.
- the pack is typically wrapped in an opaque plastic or paper covering, thus concealing the contents of the pack.
- the collector does not know the identity of, or true value of, the cards contained in the pack. However, once the package is opened, the value can be assessed.
- Pinnacle came up with the concept of placing trading cards within a package, with the package having a picture of a sports figure on it.
- the product was marketed as “dare to tear”, with the idea that the unopened package would have some collectible value to it and collectors would have the option of opening the packaging or not.
- the packaging was a flexible foil-like material.
- this concept was unrelated to the value of the trading cards themselves.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a front view of the first embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 3 is a front rear of the first embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention illustrating use of a tear strip included in the invention.
- the present invention is described with reference to a particular exemplary embodiment in which the trading card contains a second collectible trading card.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a collectible trading card 10 having multiple layers and containing a second collectible trading card 60 .
- the card 10 includes a front card 20 and back card 30 .
- the card 10 further includes a spacer 40 having an inner frame 50 that surrounds the inner card 60 .
- the front card 20 and back card 30 are preferably the same size and shape such that when they are placed together, it is not easily detectible that the card includes more than a single sheet of material.
- the front card 20 , back card 30 , and spacer 40 are attached such that the inner card 60 is contained within the cavity created between the inner surface of the front card 20 , the inner surface of the back card 30 , and the frame 50 of the spacer 40 .
- Either the front card 20 , the back card 30 , or both can be removed, or ripped open, to reveal or allow access to the inner card 60 .
- the card 10 includes a tear strip 70 between the spacer 40 and the back card 30 and may be attached to at least one layer of the card 10 .
- the tear strip can be pulled away from the spacer so as to rip through the back card 30 , and thereby expose the inner card 60 .
- the front card 20 is not ripped and preserved in appearance.
- the tear strip 70 is preferably attached to any component of the card 10 at a base end of the tear strip such that it can not be removed from the card without ripping through a layer of the card.
- the tear strip 70 can be attached to the inner surface of the back card 30 along the length of the tear strip 70 , or portions thereof.
- the tear strip 70 is made of a material that is more durable than the back card 30 .
- the tear strip 70 is preferably a plastic or metallic strip. It should be noted that the tear strip 70 can be made from the same material as back card 30 , but is preferably stronger (i.e., thicker or reinforced) to provide the desired ripping action.
- the inner card 60 is preferably a flat item, or an item folded into a flat configuration.
- the inner card 60 is a second card having dimensions proportional to the card 10 .
- the inner card 60 can be any shape that can fit within the size and shape of the card 10 .
- the spacer 40 is preferably at least as thick as the inner card 60 in the configuration in which it will be inserted into the cavity. Additionally, the inner card 60 can also be cut or shaped appropriately to provide a suitable frame 50 for the inner card 60 .
- a notch 80 can be cut into the spacer 40 near the tear strip 70 to allow a user of the card to grip the tear strip 70 more easily.
- the tear strip 70 can include a grip portion 85 that is partially cut, or notched, from the back card 30 .
- the grip portion 85 can be used, optionally in combination with the notch 80 , to enable start the tearing of the tear strip 70 .
- the back card 30 to which the tear strip 70 is attached can include a perforation 90 which will create a more uniform edge as the tear strip 70 rips through the back card 30 . While the perforation 90 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is along the border of the tear strip 70 , it should be noted that the perforation 90 can be spaced away from the tear strip 70 .
- the back card 30 can include one or more perforations 90 to control and shape of the rip created in the back card 30 as the tear strip 70 is pulled. Additionally, the tear strip 70 can vary in size and placement along the back card 30 to create a particular rip pattern (e.g., a zigzag, hourglass, or perimeter of the frame 50 ).
- the tear strip 70 is not the only way to open the card 10 to reveal the inner card 60 , but that various ways known in the art can be used.
- the card 10 has neither a tear strip 70 nor perforations 90 , and the card back 30 can be laminated or attached to the spacer 40 .
- the collector can rip open the card 10 by simply pulling the card back 30 away from the card 10 .
- the process and adhesive used to attach the card back 30 to the spacer 40 can be controlled to allow the entire card back 30 to neatly (i.e., cleanly) pull away from the spacer 40 , or it can be fixedly attached to the spacer 40 to encourage the user to rip the card back 30 to access the inner card 60 .
- the card back 30 can include the perforations 90 without a tear strip 70 . The perforations can be used to create a clean tear in the card back 30 and thus add to the aesthetic of the card.
- the card 10 can be assembled through a variety of processes known in the art.
- the tear strip 70 can be attached to the back card 30 using an adhesive, or preferably an aqueous coating. Perforations 90 are preferably made on the card back 30 prior to attaching the card back 30 the spacer 40 .
- the spacer 40 can then be laminated onto the back card 30 , or alternatively attached via an adhesive.
- the inner card 60 is then inserted into the frame 50 of the spacer 40 , and the front card 20 is fixed to spacer 40 preferably by an adhesive or lamination.
- the assembled card 10 can be cut (i.e., trimmed) after assembly to achieve the desired shape or size.
- the embodiment of the assembled card 10 illustrated in the front view of FIG. 2 includes a front card 20 depicting a baseball player.
- the front card 20 is preferably made from a regular card stock. As illustrated, from the front view of the assembled card 10 the construction of the card 10 does not evidence that the card 10 differs from a traditional collectible trading card.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the assembled card 10 and the back card 30 .
- the back card 30 optionally includes printing or a design. While the back card 30 can be made from a variety of materials, it is preferably made from a material that is thinner and easier to tear than the front card 20 . Preferably, the construction and assembly of the card 10 when viewed from the rear only indicates that the card 10 differs from a traditional collectible card by the optional grip portion 85 . Furthermore, the perforations 90 are preferably not visible from the rear view of the back card 30 . However, the perforations 90 can be included on the exterior surface of the back card 30 or pass through the entire width of the back card 30 , if useful or required, to produce the desired rip pattern.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a card 10 that has been substantially ripped open in the manner described above.
- the inner card 60 is not fixedly attached to any other piece of the card 10 and can be easily removed from the cavity created by the spacer 40 , back card 30 and front card 20 . Ripping the back card 30 does not impact the appearance of the front card 20 . Rather, as discussed above, the back card 30 is ripped to reveal the heretofore unknown contents of card 10 .
- the unopened card 10 can have particular monetary or collectible value, based on the condition, scarcity, and fame of the image depicted on the card front 20 .
- the inner card 60 can have a separate monetary or collectible value.
- the value of the inner card 60 is unknown until the card 10 is ripped open. The act of ripping open the card 10 greatly impacts the condition of the card 10 and is likely to decrease the collectible value of the card 10 .
- the collector is faced with the choice of preserving the whole value of the card 10 without realizing the value of the inner card 60 , or ripping open the card 10 to determine the value of the inner card 60 , thereby decreasing the value of the card 10 .
- the embodiment illustrated in the figures is directed to a collectible trading card 10 containing a second inner trading card 60 , it would be realized by one skilled in the art that the invention can utilized for alternative purposes.
- the stick of chewing gum can be stored in the cavity of the card 10 .
- the card 10 can conceal a memorabilia card, game piece, puzzle piece, or prize ticket.
- the present invention may be utilized in any collectible trading card having a way of opening one side of the card and containing a flat inner item and that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
- the trading card can be opened through an edge of the card, by cutting the card in half by having perforations or a tear strip running completely around the trading card or opened through the face of the card.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a collectible card that can be opened to allow access to an inner item and a method for making the same. More particularly, it relates to a trading card of the collectible type having a tear strip that can be used to rip open one side of the card to reveal a second collectible card contained therein.
- Trading cards typically are assessed a monetary value based on the scarcity of the particular card, the fame of the player, team, or other item depicted on the face of the card, and the condition of the card. Many collectors protect the cards in their collection with a variety of plastic cases, frames, and holders.
- Trading cards are typically purchased as a pack, containing more than one card, from a store. The pack is typically wrapped in an opaque plastic or paper covering, thus concealing the contents of the pack. Thus, when purchased, the collector does not know the identity of, or true value of, the cards contained in the pack. However, once the package is opened, the value can be assessed.
- In the prior art, a company called Pinnacle came up with the concept of placing trading cards within a package, with the package having a picture of a sports figure on it. The product was marketed as “dare to tear”, with the idea that the unopened package would have some collectible value to it and collectors would have the option of opening the packaging or not. The packaging was a flexible foil-like material. However, this concept was unrelated to the value of the trading cards themselves.
- What is needed in the art is a way to increase or retain some uncertainty in the value of a trading card once the pack is opened.
- The features described herein and other features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings of illustrative embodiments of the invention in which:
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a front view of the first embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 3 is a front rear of the first embodiment of the invention; and -
FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention illustrating use of a tear strip included in the invention. - Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is described with reference to a particular exemplary embodiment in which the trading card contains a second collectible trading card.
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of acollectible trading card 10 having multiple layers and containing a secondcollectible trading card 60. Thecard 10 includes afront card 20 andback card 30. Thecard 10 further includes aspacer 40 having aninner frame 50 that surrounds theinner card 60. Thefront card 20 andback card 30 are preferably the same size and shape such that when they are placed together, it is not easily detectible that the card includes more than a single sheet of material. In the assembledcard 10, thefront card 20,back card 30, andspacer 40 are attached such that theinner card 60 is contained within the cavity created between the inner surface of thefront card 20, the inner surface of theback card 30, and theframe 50 of thespacer 40. Either thefront card 20, theback card 30, or both can be removed, or ripped open, to reveal or allow access to theinner card 60. - Preferably, the
card 10 includes atear strip 70 between thespacer 40 and theback card 30 and may be attached to at least one layer of thecard 10. In use, the tear strip can be pulled away from the spacer so as to rip through theback card 30, and thereby expose theinner card 60. Thefront card 20 is not ripped and preserved in appearance. Thetear strip 70 is preferably attached to any component of thecard 10 at a base end of the tear strip such that it can not be removed from the card without ripping through a layer of the card. Optionally, thetear strip 70 can be attached to the inner surface of theback card 30 along the length of thetear strip 70, or portions thereof. - Preferably, the
tear strip 70 is made of a material that is more durable than theback card 30. For example, if theback card 30 is made from cardboard, thetear strip 70 is preferably a plastic or metallic strip. It should be noted that thetear strip 70 can be made from the same material asback card 30, but is preferably stronger (i.e., thicker or reinforced) to provide the desired ripping action. - The
inner card 60 is preferably a flat item, or an item folded into a flat configuration. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, theinner card 60 is a second card having dimensions proportional to thecard 10. However, theinner card 60 can be any shape that can fit within the size and shape of thecard 10. Thespacer 40 is preferably at least as thick as theinner card 60 in the configuration in which it will be inserted into the cavity. Additionally, theinner card 60 can also be cut or shaped appropriately to provide asuitable frame 50 for theinner card 60. - Optionally, a
notch 80 can be cut into thespacer 40 near thetear strip 70 to allow a user of the card to grip thetear strip 70 more easily. Alternatively, or in addition to thenotch 80, thetear strip 70 can include agrip portion 85 that is partially cut, or notched, from theback card 30. Thegrip portion 85 can be used, optionally in combination with thenotch 80, to enable start the tearing of thetear strip 70. - The
back card 30 to which thetear strip 70 is attached, can include aperforation 90 which will create a more uniform edge as thetear strip 70 rips through theback card 30. While theperforation 90 in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 is along the border of thetear strip 70, it should be noted that theperforation 90 can be spaced away from thetear strip 70. Theback card 30 can include one ormore perforations 90 to control and shape of the rip created in theback card 30 as thetear strip 70 is pulled. Additionally, thetear strip 70 can vary in size and placement along theback card 30 to create a particular rip pattern (e.g., a zigzag, hourglass, or perimeter of the frame 50). - It would be understood by one skilled in the art that the
tear strip 70 is not the only way to open thecard 10 to reveal theinner card 60, but that various ways known in the art can be used. In one alternative, thecard 10 has neither atear strip 70 norperforations 90, and the card back 30 can be laminated or attached to thespacer 40. The collector can rip open thecard 10 by simply pulling the card back 30 away from thecard 10, Optionally, the process and adhesive used to attach the card back 30 to thespacer 40 can be controlled to allow the entire card back 30 to neatly (i.e., cleanly) pull away from thespacer 40, or it can be fixedly attached to thespacer 40 to encourage the user to rip the card back 30 to access theinner card 60. In a further alternative, thecard back 30 can include theperforations 90 without atear strip 70. The perforations can be used to create a clean tear in thecard back 30 and thus add to the aesthetic of the card. - The
card 10 can be assembled through a variety of processes known in the art. For example, thetear strip 70 can be attached to theback card 30 using an adhesive, or preferably an aqueous coating.Perforations 90 are preferably made on the card back 30 prior to attaching the card back 30 thespacer 40. Thespacer 40 can then be laminated onto theback card 30, or alternatively attached via an adhesive. Theinner card 60 is then inserted into theframe 50 of thespacer 40, and thefront card 20 is fixed to spacer 40 preferably by an adhesive or lamination. Optionally, the assembledcard 10 can be cut (i.e., trimmed) after assembly to achieve the desired shape or size. - The embodiment of the assembled
card 10 illustrated in the front view ofFIG. 2 includes afront card 20 depicting a baseball player. Thefront card 20 is preferably made from a regular card stock. As illustrated, from the front view of the assembledcard 10 the construction of thecard 10 does not evidence that thecard 10 differs from a traditional collectible trading card. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the assembledcard 10 and theback card 30. Theback card 30 optionally includes printing or a design. While theback card 30 can be made from a variety of materials, it is preferably made from a material that is thinner and easier to tear than thefront card 20. Preferably, the construction and assembly of thecard 10 when viewed from the rear only indicates that thecard 10 differs from a traditional collectible card by theoptional grip portion 85. Furthermore, theperforations 90 are preferably not visible from the rear view of theback card 30. However, theperforations 90 can be included on the exterior surface of theback card 30 or pass through the entire width of theback card 30, if useful or required, to produce the desired rip pattern. - Once the user pulls the
tear strip 70, preferably by inserting a finger into thenotch 80, gripping thegrip portion 85, and pulling thetear strip 70 substantially perpendicular to thecard 10, theback card 30 rips to expose theinner card 60.FIG. 4 illustrates acard 10 that has been substantially ripped open in the manner described above. Preferably, theinner card 60 is not fixedly attached to any other piece of thecard 10 and can be easily removed from the cavity created by thespacer 40, backcard 30 andfront card 20. Ripping theback card 30 does not impact the appearance of thefront card 20. Rather, as discussed above, theback card 30 is ripped to reveal the heretofore unknown contents ofcard 10. - The
unopened card 10 can have particular monetary or collectible value, based on the condition, scarcity, and fame of the image depicted on thecard front 20. Additionally, theinner card 60 can have a separate monetary or collectible value. However, the value of theinner card 60 is unknown until thecard 10 is ripped open. The act of ripping open thecard 10 greatly impacts the condition of thecard 10 and is likely to decrease the collectible value of thecard 10. Thus, the collector is faced with the choice of preserving the whole value of thecard 10 without realizing the value of theinner card 60, or ripping open thecard 10 to determine the value of theinner card 60, thereby decreasing the value of thecard 10. - While the embodiment illustrated in the figures is directed to a
collectible trading card 10 containing a secondinner trading card 60, it would be realized by one skilled in the art that the invention can utilized for alternative purposes. For example, rather than including a stick of chewing gum in a package of collectible cards, the stick of chewing gum can be stored in the cavity of thecard 10. Alternatively, thecard 10 can conceal a memorabilia card, game piece, puzzle piece, or prize ticket. - While the invention has been shown primarily by way of reference to a collectible trading card having a tear strip and containing a second inner collectible trading card, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be utilized in any collectible trading card having a way of opening one side of the card and containing a flat inner item and that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As an example, the trading card can be opened through an edge of the card, by cutting the card in half by having perforations or a tear strip running completely around the trading card or opened through the face of the card.
Claims (16)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/034,798 US20080202947A1 (en) | 2007-02-22 | 2008-02-21 | Collectible card with cavity for containing inner item |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US89118707P | 2007-02-22 | 2007-02-22 | |
US12/034,798 US20080202947A1 (en) | 2007-02-22 | 2008-02-21 | Collectible card with cavity for containing inner item |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20080202947A1 true US20080202947A1 (en) | 2008-08-28 |
Family
ID=39714652
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/034,798 Abandoned US20080202947A1 (en) | 2007-02-22 | 2008-02-21 | Collectible card with cavity for containing inner item |
Country Status (1)
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US (1) | US20080202947A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100176020A1 (en) * | 2009-01-13 | 2010-07-15 | Tek Packaging LLC | Packaging with perforated opening strip |
USD741955S1 (en) * | 2014-06-13 | 2015-10-27 | Morgan Pierre Clark | Trading card toy |
US9758288B2 (en) * | 2014-11-21 | 2017-09-12 | Michael Bornstein | System and method for encapsulating a comic book |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070182155A1 (en) * | 2006-02-06 | 2007-08-09 | Duffy Celina T | Combination greeting card impermanently engaged with a mailer having means for carrying an item of value |
-
2008
- 2008-02-21 US US12/034,798 patent/US20080202947A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070182155A1 (en) * | 2006-02-06 | 2007-08-09 | Duffy Celina T | Combination greeting card impermanently engaged with a mailer having means for carrying an item of value |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100176020A1 (en) * | 2009-01-13 | 2010-07-15 | Tek Packaging LLC | Packaging with perforated opening strip |
USD741955S1 (en) * | 2014-06-13 | 2015-10-27 | Morgan Pierre Clark | Trading card toy |
US9758288B2 (en) * | 2014-11-21 | 2017-09-12 | Michael Bornstein | System and method for encapsulating a comic book |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: THE TOPPS COMPANY, INC., NEW YORK Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NARZISSENFELD, ALAN;REEL/FRAME:020542/0880 Effective date: 20080220 Owner name: THE TOPPS COMPANY, INC.,NEW YORK Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NARZISSENFELD, ALAN;REEL/FRAME:020542/0880 Effective date: 20080220 |
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Owner name: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, NEW YORK Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:THE TOPPS COMPANY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:031327/0628 Effective date: 20131002 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: THE TOPPS COMPANY, INC., NEW YORK Free format text: TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT AT REEL 031327, FRAME 0628;ASSIGNOR:DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT;REEL/FRAME:058570/0399 Effective date: 20211231 |