CARD HOLDER AND RELATED METHODS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a regular utility application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/636,456, filed Apr. 19, 2024, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF ART

The present disclosure relates to holders for collectible items, and more particularly to such holders that offer security and resistance to counterfeiting as well as protecting the contents held therein.

BACKGROUND

A substantial market exists for collectibles. Establishing the value of such items can involve several factors, including the rarity and condition of the item. In order to establish a value so as to facilitate commercial transfer of collectibles, standards have been developed for grading aspects of particular collectible items. For example, a particular coin can be graded with regards to its strike, luster, date or the like. Paper-based collectibles such as currency and sports cards can also be graded in connection with features such as condition, color, defects, centering and the like. Organizations exist for grading collectibles. For example, Professional Sports Authenticators (PSA) evaluates and grades sports cards, and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) evaluates and grades coins.

In order to store such collectibles and protect them from damage, it is known to encapsulate them within holders that can be closed around the collectible, both protecting and enabling display of the item. Such holders can also include data concerning the collectible, such as grades, descriptions and identity.

Some collectibles command substantial prices in the market. There is thus a risk that counterfeiters will attempt to pass off a counterfeit item. Even if counterfeiting is not a concern, potential damage to the valuable collectible item is a concern. As such, organizations that grade collectibles often will also identify and authenticate such collectibles as well do what they can to protect the authenticated cards from potential damage. The collectible holders can also include indicia of the authenticity and grading of the associated collectible. Further, collectible holders can be sealed so as to prevent the enclosed collectible item from being replaced with a counterfeit. For example, it is known to ultrasonically weld opposing portions of a holder together with the collectible enclosed inside. Such a permanent seal is intended to prevent the holder from being opened, and thus stop the enclosed collectible from being replaced with a counterfeit.

Risks of counterfeiting and damage, however, remain. For example, there is a risk that a counterfeiter may carefully defeat the ultrasonic weld, and thus be able to open the holder, remove the original collectible and replace it with a counterfeit, and then re-weld the holder closed. A sleeve is still needed to protect the collectible item even if the collectible item is secured inside a holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present devices, systems, and methods will become appreciated as the same becomes better understood with reference to the specification, claims and appended drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1-24 are different views of a holder in accordance with aspects of the invention. The different figures show different housing sections and different features of the different housing sections.

FIG. 25 is a schematic depiction of a holder in accordance with aspects of the invention.

FIG. 26 shows an insert or gasket and a collectible card that can fit within the cut-out in the gasket.

FIG. 27 shows an insert or gasket and a collectible card that can fit within the cut-out in the gasket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of assemblies for card holders and inserts for use with card holders provided in accordance with aspects of the present devices, systems, and methods and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present devices, systems, and methods may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the features and the steps for constructing and using the embodiments of the present devices, systems, and methods in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and structures may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. As denoted elsewhere herein, like element numbers are intended to indicate like or similar elements or features.

Descriptions of technical features or aspects of an exemplary configuration of the disclosure should typically be considered as available and applicable to other similar features or aspects in another exemplary configuration of the disclosure. Accordingly, technical features described herein according to one exemplary configuration of the disclosure may be applicable to other exemplary configurations of the disclosure, and thus duplicative descriptions may be omitted herein.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a holder provided in accordance with aspects of the invention, which is generally designated 100. The holder 100 is formed by combining at least two housing sections, which includes a first or front housing 102 and a second or rear housing 104, which is more clearly shown in FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view of the holder 100 along the short axis or short length of the holder. The second housing 104 can also be referred to as the back housing. A receiver space 108 for accommodating a collectible item and a label space 110 for accommodating a label are provided within the housing of the holder. An outer wall 112 of the first housing 102 defines the outer wall of the holder 100. As shown, the outer wall 112 has wall sections that are interconnected to form a generally rectangular shape with a long length along a long axis of the housing and a short length along a short axis of the housing. The corners where the outer wall sections connect can be radiused.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the holder 100 of FIG. 1 with partition walls 114 shown defining the receiver space. The partition walls 114 are located radially inwardly of the outer wall 112. Two partition walls can align along the long length direction and two partition walls can align along the short length direction to define the receiver space 108. The four partition walls preferably do not connect so that gaps are provided between them at the four corners of the receiver space. In some examples, the four corners can be connected. When connected, enlarged, balloon-like, corners rather than 90-degree corners can be incorporated so that when a collectible card is placed in the receiver space 108, the collectible card does contact the corners. The receiver space 108 is also generally rectangular in shape defined by an extended length LE measured along the long axis and a short length LS measured along the short taxis.

The holder 100 can be sized and shaped to hold a variety of sized collectible items, including paper currency, coins, collectible cards, comic books, event tickets, stock certificates, diplomas, and similar valuable articles. The partition walls 114 can be provided inwardly of the outer walls 112 as desired to properly store the collectible item located therein in such a manner that limits movement or shifting within the confines of the partition walls to no more than about 15-thousandths (0.015″) of an inch, and more preferably no more than about 10-thousandths of an inch in the LS-LE directions. As further discussed below, by limiting movement of the collectible item located in the receiver space to no more than about 15-thousandths of an inch, and more preferably no more than about 10-thousandths, rubbing or wearing of the collectible item against the surfaces of the housing is unexpectedly reduced by a significant amount that protective mylar sheaths commonly used with collectible cards inside protective holders may be eliminated.

FIG. 3 is an end cross-sectional view of the holder 100 of FIG. 1 taken along the short length LS and looking in the direction of the label space. As shown, the second or back housing 104 is received by the first or front housing 102. Said differently, the outer wall 112 of the front housing 102 defines a housing space for receiving the second housing 104. Note that the naming protocol of the various holder components discussed herein can vary without deviating from the scope of the invention. For example, element 102 can be called the rear housing while element 104 can be called the front housing.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the left side of the holder 100 of FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the right side of the holder 100. The enlarged views show how the first housing 102 and the second housing 104 engage to form the holder of FIG. 1 and define the receiver space 108 and the label space 100 (FIG. 1). As shown, the back or second housing 104 has a perimeter ledge 118 that projects into an inner perimeter trough 120 on the first housing, which is located inwardly of the outer wall 112. An energy director 124 having a triangular configuration is located at the tip of the perimeter edge 118. The first and second housings 102, 104 can be ultrasonically welded together through high frequency vibrations, which stimulate the molecular chains in the plastics thereby generating friction heat that melts the energy director to weld the two housing sections together. When additional pressure is applied, the materials can be joined precisely. While the energy director 124 is shown adjacent to a flat surface in a groove, the joint between the energy director and the groove can embody any number of different options, including tongue and groove joints, mash joints, step joints, and double V-joints, to name a few non-limiting examples.

In an example, a pair of abutting surfaces 126, 128 are provided on the first and second housings near the energy director to control the depth of stacking of the first and second housings 102, 104 when the energy director 124 melts to thereby control the gap 129 between the inner surfaces 130, 132 of the first and second housings 102, 104 at the receiver space and the label space. The gap 129 can be sized and shaped to accommodate the thickness of a collectible item to be held in the receiver space.

Also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are partition walls 114 projecting from the inner surface 132 of the second housing section and extending into partition receiver trough 136 on the first housing section. In the assembled position shown, by projecting the partition walls 114 below the upper plane of the inner surface 130, the collectible item that is held within the receiver space 108 is prevented from sliding, moving, or escaping out from between the partition walls 114 and the partition receiver trough 136. In other words, the described arrangement constrains the collectible item within the receiver space and does not allow the collectible item to slide outside of the space confined by the partition walls.

Ribs can be provided at the exterior surface of the second housing 104, such as adjacent the outer perimeter of the second housing. The ribs help to increase the structural stiffness of the second housing without having to utilize thick walls throughout.

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged view of FIG. 5. As shown, the partition wall 114 has a tip 138 with a blunt tip end and tapered sides 140, 142. The two tapered sides produce a tapered tip 138 with a blunt end to facilitate entry into the partition receiver through 136. In a preferred example, the second tip side 142 has a generally straight or upright side section 144 that is generally orthogonal to the inner surface 132 of the second housing 104. The upright side section 144 of the partition wall 114 is configured to face the receiver space 108 (FIG. 1) of the holder. As further discussed below, the plurality of upright side sections 144 of the plurality of partition walls 114 allow the short length LS and the extended length LE of the receiver space to be sized within a tight tolerance. This in turn allows the holder to secure a collectible item with a known measurement to within a finite tolerance due to the upright side sections 144 of the partition walls. In contrast, if the partition walls that face the receiver space were to taper, then the short length LS and the extended length LE can vary along the height of the partition walls and movement of the collectible item within the receiver space of the tapered partition walls can move varying amounts depending on the collectible card's position within the receiver space.

FIG. 7 is a side-cross sectional view of the holder along the long axis, FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the left side of FIG. 7, showing the label space 110, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the right side of FIG. 7. With reference to FIG. 8, the second housing 104 comprises an interior rib 146 and an end rib 148 that extend from the inner surface of the second housing 104 to define the label space with the inner surfaces of the first and second housings. A U-shaped structure 143 at the top of the second housing is provided with an energy director 124 that is configured to melt to join the first to the second housing sections during ultrasonic welding. In an example, the U-shaped structure 143 can flex so that first housing can push against the inside of the outer wall 112 to self-center the second housing relative to the first housing in the extended length or long axis direction.

FIG. 10 is a corner detail of the holder 100 of FIG. 1 at the lower left corner of the holder and FIG. 11 is a corner detail of the upper right corner of the holder. The lower right and upper right corner details of the holder can have similar configurations. However, the views of FIGS. 10 and 11 show the first housing 102 being located above the second housing 104, the reverse of FIG. 1. Flipping the views of FIGS. 10 and 11 upside-down would orientate the two housings 102, 104 to the same orientation as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown, a crush rib 150 is provided on the interior surface of the outer wall 112 of the first housing 102. A plurality of crush ribs can be provided on the interior surface of the outer wall 112, in a spaced apart manner. Preferably, crush ribs 150 are provided in the inner surface of the end walls and the side walls of the outer wall 112. Preferably, spaced apart crush ribs 150 are provided on the inside surface of the side walls of the outer wall 112 only. As further discussed below with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, three spaced apart crush ribs are provided on the inside surface of the side walls of the outer wall with fewer and more crush ribs contemplated. Upon insertion of the second housing 104 within the perimeter defined by the outer wall 112 of the first housing, the crush ribs 150 are configured compress against the perimeter ledge 118 (See FIG. 5) of the second housing to hold the second housing within the first housing. The crush ribs function as holding features to hold the second housing in an interference fit. This arrangement helps during assembly when attempting to insert the second housing section into the first housing section.

As shown and further discussed below, a first latching structure 154 is located on the inside surface of the outer wall 112 of the first housing 102 and is configured to latch or engage the second latching structure 156 located on the exterior surface of the perimeter ledge 118 of the second housing 104. In an example, the first latching structure 154 is a projection, similar to a speed bump, located the inside corner of the outer wall 112. In an example, at least two projections are incorporated at two opposite corners of the outer wall. Preferably, each of the four inside surface of the four corners of the outer wall 112 comprises a projection. Each projection of the first latching structure 154 can have a length that extends from an end wall to the side wall of the outer wall. In an example, each projection has a length that extends between the end wall, the side wall and the radiused corner between the end wall and the side wall. The projection of the first latching structure 154 can have a first length.

The second latching structure 154 can also be a projection similar to the projection of the first latching structure. The projection of the second latching structure can be located at the four corners of the perimeter ledge 118 of the second housing, on the exterior surface of the perimeter ledge. In another example, the second latching structure 154 comprises the same number of projections as the projections of the first latching structure 152. Each projection can have a length that extends between the end wall, the side wall and the radiused corner between the end wall and the side wall. The projection of the second latching structure 154 can have a second length. In an example, the first length and the second length of the two projections at each corner of the first and second housing sections have the same length. In an alternative example, the first length is longer than the second length by 15% to 50%, or 1.15 to 1.5 times longer.

In still other examples, the relative lengths can be reversed. The two projections ride over one another when the second housing is inserted into the interior space defined by the outer wall of the first housing and thereafter engage similar to male and female detents. Because the engagement of the first and second latching structures 154, 156 are bounded by the outer wall, they are not accessible and cannot be separated once engaged. In practice, the first and second housing sections can be ultrasonically welded after the pairs of first and second latching structures engage. In alternative embodiments, one or both of the latching structures can deflect to engage.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are different perspective views of the second housing 104 in accordance with aspects of the invention.

FIG. 14 is an end cross-sectional view of the second housing taken along the short axis of the second housing.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the left side of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a side-cross-sectional view of the second housing taken along the long axis of the second housing.

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of one of the exterior corners of the second housing, to more clearly show the projection of the second latching structure 156.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are perspective views of the first housing 102 in accordance with aspects of the invention. The first latching structures 154 at the inside corners of the outer wall 112 are clearly shown, along with the spaced apart crush ribs 150.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are additional views of the first housing 102, showing different views of the first latching structures 154 at the inside corners of the outer wall 112 along with the spaced apart crush ribs 150.

FIG. 22 is an end cross-sectional view of the first housing 102 taken along the short axis.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are partial perspective views of two different inside corners of the outer wall 112, which also clearly show the first latching structure 154 and the crush rib 150.

With reference again to FIG. 2, the receiver space 108 is generally rectangular with dimensions along the extended length LE and short length LS bounded by spaced apart partition walls 114. The lengths LE and LS are sized so that a collectible card placed in the receiver space 108 can only move a maximum of 15-thousandths of an inch and more preferably a maximum of 10-thousandths of an inch. Thus, if the collectible card is centered within the receiver space, the collectible card can only move 5-thousdandth of an inch in any direction for the preferred configuration. If the card is not centered, then the card can move anywhere from about 5-thousandths up to, preferably, 10-thousandths of an inch.

For purposes of the present disclosure, movement in any direction by the collectible card within the receiver space may be called or termed “card shift” and the maximum amount of card shift or maximum movement within the receiver space is called or termed “max shift”.

Surprisingly and unexpectedly, when a range of max shifts were tested for cards placed inside respective holders with lengths LS and LE for which max shifts vary in lengths, and for which the cards were subjected to 1 million vibratory cycles at 60 Hz in the Z axis (orthogonal to the plane defined by the LS and LE lengths) and 100,000 cycles in the LS or LE directions or axis, varying results were discovered. While some of the tested cards even included mylar wraps or sleeves, noticeable rubbing and distortion of the card surfaces were found due to contacts between the cards and the inner surfaces of their holders as they vibrate. This in turn causes pixel distortion or pixel damage at the affected areas of the cards when imaging the cards while they are inside their respective holders. The pixel distortion is noticeably reduced when the max shift is limited to 15-thousandths of an inch and essentially disappeared or is nonexistent when the max shift is reduced to 10-thousandths of an inch.

The holder 100 discussed herein may be made from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic. Using PET, the holder can have a clear or transparent and durable structure. PET can be medical-grade and is an approved material for reusable drinking vessels or bottles. Preferably, the holder is made from Eastman TRITAN copolyester TX1501HF. Copolyester TX1501HF has good toughness, features hydrolytic stability, and is heat and chemical resistant. Thus, when used to make holders in accordance with aspects of the present invention, the holders are resistant to shattering and cracking when accidentally dropped, are water resistant, and resistant to UV degradation.

With reference now to FIG. 25, a schematic depiction of a holder 100 in accordance with aspects of the present invention is shown, which has a receiver space 108 as previously discussed. The receiver space 108 can have partition walls and lengths LS and LE as previously discussed.

FIG. 26 shows an insert or gasket 160 having a perimeter that is sized and shaped to fit within the receiver space 108 of FIG. 25. More preferably, the perimeter of the insert can have a length and a width such that the max shift in the X direction or Y direction (i.e., in the LS or LE direction) of the insert or gasket 160 when positioned within the receiver space 108 is 15-thousanths of an inch or less, and preferably 10-thousandths of an inch of less. In an example, the insert 160 can be 3D printed from any known materials to have a perimeter of relatively precise dimensions to fit within the receiver space and falls within the max shift parameters.

In an example, a cut-out 162 can be provided with the insert 160. For example, the cut-out 162 can be formed during 3D printing. In alternative examples, the insert and the cut-out can both be formed by die-cutting from a stock material, such as by laser die cutting. The particular cut-out 162 can be sized and shaped to accommodate a collectible item 164, which can have a perimeter or outer contour 166 that has a corresponding size and shape to fit within the cut-out 162. The outer contour 166 of the collectible item 164 can be printed on a stock material having said contour, or can be cut by laser die cutting to have said outer contour.

FIG. 27 shows an insert or gasket 160 having a perimeter that is sized and shaped to fit within the receiver space 108 of FIG. 25, similar to that of FIG. 26. The present insert 160 has a cut-out 168 that is generally rectangular in shape for receiving or accommodating a typical collectible card having a rectangular shaped perimeter. For example, the cut-out 168 can be formed during 3D printing. In alternative examples, the insert and the cut-out can both be formed by die-cutting from a stock material, such as by laser die cutting. The particular cut-out 168 can be sized and shaped to accommodate a collectible item 170, which can have a perimeter or outer contour 172 that has a corresponding size and shape to fit within the cut-out 168. The outer contour 172 of the collectible item 170 of FIG. 27 is typical of the majority of collectible cards.

The cut-out or opening of the gasket can have a shape that is round, square, rectangular, oval, or other polynomial shapes. In other examples, the cut-out or opening of the gasket can have an irregular shape. The outer contour of the collectible card can have a corresponding shape as the cut-out. In some examples, both the outer contour of the collectible card and the cut-out or opening of the gasket can be formed by laser die cutting to have the same corresponding shape.

Methods of making and of using the holders and inserts and components thereof are within the scope of the present invention.

Although limited embodiments of the holders and inserts and their components have been specifically described and illustrated herein, many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the holders and inserts and their components constructed according to principles of the disclosed devices, systems, and methods may be embodied other than as specifically described herein. The disclosure is also defined in the following claims.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following are numbered example embodiments of methods, systems, and devices involving a collectible holder, such as a collectible card holder. The following examples, or any other examples disclosed herein, may be combined in whole or in part unless indicated otherwise. Elements of the examples disclosed herein, if applicable, are not limiting.

Example 1. A holder for a collectable item comprising: a first housing section having a base wall and an outer wall extending from the base wall and defining a holder perimeter; a second housing section comprising a base wall situated within the holder perimeter; a plurality of partition walls extending between the base wall of the second housing section and the base wall of the first housing section to define a receiver space, the partition walls located inwardly of the outer wall; wherein a first pair of partition walls has an extended length LE measured therebetween and a second pair of partition walls has a short length LS measured therebetween; and wherein when a collectible item is placed within the receiver space, a max shift of how far the collectible item moves within the receiver space is 15-thousandths of an inch or less along the short length LS, the extended length LE, or both the short length LS and the extended length LE.

Example 2. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, further comprising a first projection on at least each of two inner corners of the outer wall of the first housing section.

Example 3. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, further comprising a second projection on at least each of two outer corners of a perimeter edge of the second housing section.

Example 4. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the at least each of two inner corners of the first housing section and the at least each of two outer corners of the second housing section engage by latching the first projections to the second projections.

Example 5. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the first housing section is made from a TPE material.

Example 6. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the second housing section is made from a TPE material.

Example 7. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the first housing section is made from a copolyester material.

Example 8. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the copolyester material is an Eastman TRITAN copolyester TX1501HF material.

Example 9. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the second housing section comprises a perimeter ledge located adjacent an inner surface of the outer wall.

Example 10. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, further comprising a plurality of spaced apart ribs located between the perimeter ledge and the inner surface of the outer wall.

Example 11. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein each rib of the plurality of spaced apart ribs comprises a first thickness prior to locating the second housing section within the holder perimeter and a second thickness after placement of the second housing section within the holder perimeter, and wherein second thickness is less than the first thickness.

Example 12. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the projection on each of the at least each of two inner corners of the first housing section is 25% to 50% of a half cylinder.

Example 13. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the projection of at least each of two outer corners of the second housing section is 25% to 50% of a half cylinder.

Example 14. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the base wall of the first housing section is a continuous wall without a through hole formed through the continuous wall.

Example 15. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the base wall of the second housing section is a continuous wall without a through hole formed through the continuous wall.

Example 16. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, further comprising a label space defined by the base wall of the second housing section, the base wall of the first housing section, and the outer wall.

Example 17. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the label space is separated from the receiver space by an interior rib, located inwardly of the outer wall.

Example 18. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the base wall of the second housing section has an exterior surface, and wherein the exterior surface at the label space and the exterior surface at the receiver space are generally co-planar.

Example 19. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein a U-shaped structure extends above the exterior surface at the label space.

Example 20. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the exterior surface at the receiver space is co-planar of an upper surface of the U-shaped structure.

Example 21. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the label space is at least partially surrounded by an interior rib, and end rib, and a perimeter ledge surrounding the base wall of the second housing section.

Example 22. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the end rib has a length extending along the short length LS.

Example 23. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein at least part of the perimeter ledge is spaced from and generally parallel to the end rib.

Example 24. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the base wall of the first housing section comprises a first pair of partition receiver troughs recessed from an interior surface of the base wall.

Example 25. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the first pair of partition walls projects into the first pair of partition receiver troughs.

Example 26. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the base wall of the first housing section comprises a second pair of partition receiver troughs recessed from an interior surface of the base wall.

Example 27. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the second pair of partition walls projects into the second pair of partition receiver troughs.

Example 28. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the perimeter ledge is formed around the base wall of the second housing section.

Example 29. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the perimeter ledge has an exterior surface and an opposed interior surface, and wherein a plurality of spaced apart crush ribs are located on the exterior of the perimeter ledge.

Example 30. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein each of the plurality of spaced apart crush ribs project outwardly from the exterior surface of the perimeter ledge.

Example 31. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the perimeter ledge comprises a pair of side ledge portions and a pair of end ledge portions, and wherein at least one crush rib is located on an exterior of each of the pair end ledge portions and each of the pairs of side ledge portions.

Example 32. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein each crush rib has a length and a width, which is smaller in dimension than the length, and wherein the length is orientated perpendicularly to the base wall.

Example 33. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein each crush rib has a thickness that extends outwardly from the exterior surface of the perimeter ledge, and wherein the thickness of each crush rib is larger than a gap between the interior surface of the outer wall and the exterior surface of the perimeter ledge.

Example 34. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein each crush rib has a thickness that extends outwardly from the exterior surface of the perimeter ledge, and wherein the plurality of spaced apart crush ribs provide interference between the outer wall of the first housing section and the perimeter ledge of the second housing section to removably secure the first housing section and the second housing section together.

Example 35. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the first housing section comprises a first projection at each of at least two corners of an interior surface of the outer wall, a second projection at each of at least two corners of an exterior surface of the perimeter edge of the second housing section, and a plurality of crush ribs located at a gap between the perimeter ledge and the outer wall.

Example 36. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein when the first housing section is coupled to the second housing section, the first and second projections contact in a first configuration and the first and second housing sections are separable from one another, and latch in a second configuration in which the first and second housing sections are not, non-destructively, separable from one another.

Example 37. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the first projections and the second projections press against one another in moving from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Example 38. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein each of the plurality of partition walls has a tip, a first side section, and an opposed second side section.

Example 39. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the first side section and the second side section are non-parallel.

Example 40. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the first side section is oriented towards the receiver space, and wherein the first side section is oriented more vertically than the second side section.

Example 41. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the plurality of partition walls are unitarily formed with the base wall of the second housing section.

Example 42. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the plurality of partition walls are unitarily formed with the base wall of the first housing section.

Example 43. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein each of the plurality of partition walls is located in a partition receiver trough.

Example 44. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein a perimeter ledge on the second housing section is located in an inner perimeter trough on the first housing section.

Example 45. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the inner perimeter trough is located outwardly of the partition receiver trough.

Example 46. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the base wall of the first housing section has an interior surface at the receiver space that defines a plane, and wherein the inner perimeter trough and the partition receiver trough are recessed below the plane.

Example 47. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the perimeter edge has a tip, and wherein an energy director is located at the tip and in contact with a bottom of the inner perimeter trough.

Example 48. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein each of the first projections has a length, and wherein each of the second projections has a length.

Example 49. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein each of the first projections has a length, and wherein each of the second projections has a length, and wherein the two lengths are about the same or equal.

Example 50. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the length of the first projections are longer than the length of the second projections.

Example 51. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the length of the second projections are longer than the length of the first projections.

Example 52. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein when the collectible item is placed within the receiver space, the max shift of how far the collectible card moves within the receiver space is 10-thousandths of an inch or less along the short length LS, along the extended length LE, and along both the short length LS and the extended length LE.

Example 53. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the collectible item is located in the receiver space without a gasket.

Example 54. A method of assembling a holder for a collectable item comprising: coupling a first housing section to a second housing section, wherein: the first housing section having a base wall and an outer wall extending from the base wall and defining a holder perimeter; the second housing section comprising a base wall situated within the holder perimeter; and a plurality of partition walls extending between the base wall of the second housing section and the base wall of the first housing section to define a receiver space, the partition walls located inwardly of the outer wall; a first pair of the plurality of partition walls has an extended length LE measured therebetween and a second pair of the plurality of partition walls has a short length LS measured therebetween; position a collectible item in the receiver space so the collectible item has a max shift of how far the collectible item moves within the receiver space of 15-thousandths of an inch or less along the short length LS, along the extended length LE, or along both the short length LS and the extended length LE.

Example 55. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein a gasket is located in the receiver space, the gasket having an outer perimeter and an opening with an inner perimeter, and wherein the collectible item is located in the opening of the gasket.

Example 56. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the opening of the gasket has a rectangular shape, a square shape, a round shape, or an oval shape.

Example 57. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the opening of the gasket has an irregular shape that is not round and not polynomial.

Example 58. A gasket having an outer perimeter and a cut-out or opening, wherein the gasket is formed by 3D printing or laser die cutting and wherein the cut-out or opening has a contour that is sized and shaped to receive a collectible card having a perimeter with a corresponding contour.

Example 59. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the cut-out is formed by laser die cutting.

Example 60. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the cut-out is formed during 3D printing.

Example 61. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein a collectible item has an outer contour, and wherein the outer contour is formed by laser die cutting.

Example 62. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the collectible item is a collectible card.

Example 63. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the gasket is located in the receiver space and the gasket has a max shift of 10-thousandts of an inch.

Example 64. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the gasket, the collectible item, or both the gasket and the collectible item have a max shift of 10-thousandts of an inch or less.

Example 65. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the gasket has a max shift of 10-thousandts of an inch or less and the collectible item is movably fixed to the gasket.

Example 66. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the max shift of a collectible card or a gasket is measured based on a reference point of the collectible card or the gasket relative to a reference point of the holder.

Example 67. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the reference point on the collectible card is an edge of the collectible card.

Example 68. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the reference point on the holder is a side edge of one of the plurality of partition walls located closest to the reference point on the collectible card.

Example 69. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein a step of minimizing wear of a collectible item against surfaces inside a receiver space of a holder by limiting the max shift of the collectible item within the receiver space to 15 thousandths of an inch or less, and preferably to 10 thousandths of an inch or less.

Example 70. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the max shift of the collectible item, when the collectible item is located in an opening or cut-out of a gasket, is the same as the max shift of the gasket.

Example 71. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein a step setting the max shift distance comprises utilizing partition walls inside the holder to block travels of the collectible item in the X direction, the Y direction, or the X and Y directions to 15 thousandths of an inch or less, and preferably to 10 thousandths of an inch or less, and wherein the X and Y directions are oriented relative to a plane defined by a receiver space having the collectible item located therein.

Example 72. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein when crush ribs are utilized with the holder, the crush ribs can be located on the first housing section, the second housing section, or both the first housing section and the second housing section.

Example 73. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, when the crush ribs are located on the first housing section, the crush ribs are located on an interior surface of the outer wall.

Example 74. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, when the crush ribs are located on the second housing section, the crush ribs are located on an exterior surface of the perimeter edge.

Example 75. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein a latching system comprises four first projections located at the four corners of the first housing section and four second projections located at the four corners of the second housing section.

Example 76. The assembly, system, device, apparatus, and method of any of the above Examples alone or in combination, wherein the first projections and the second projections ride over one another when the second housing section is inserted into the holder perimeter of the first housing section to lock the first and housing sections together, and wherein unlocking to separate the first housing section and the second housing section after they lock is not possible without destroying the holder.