SYSTEMS, PROCESSES, AND ARTICLES FOR ENCAPSULATED SEALING OFCOLLECTIBLE ITEMS AND OTHER HIGH ASSET OBJECTS

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the improved processes of preserving and storing high value items including collectibles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Collectibles or any item, such as items with secondary resale value, may be, for example, securely vaulted where items may be bought and sold over decades, if not centuries, without ever moving the physical object. Such collectible may include, for example, trading cards (e.g., sports cards such baseball cards, basketball cards, football cards, soccer cards, hockey cards, non-sports cards such as entertainment and historical figure cards, gaming cards, comic books, coins, stamps, event tickets, video games, memorabilia such as sports equipment and clothing, toys such as action figures, dolls, plush, photographs, programs, photographs, cereal boxes, handbags, jewelry, art, sneakers, hats, automobiles, or any type of collectible item).

As items are received for storage and/or listing on the marketplace, the items may be permanently encapsulated in a transparent polymer case (e.g., a hard plastic slab). Such a plastic case may be a two-part case, three-part case, four-part case, or more than four-part case that may be permanently welded together (e.g., ultrasonically welded) and/or permanently adhered together via one or more adhesives (e.g., a chemical adhesive, temperature adhesive, UV-cure adhesive, pressure adhesive, or any type of adhesive or combinations of adhesives). The plastic case may not, for example, physically bond to the collectible but, for example, create a cavity in which the collectible may be stored in. In doing so, the permanently sealed encapsulation case may be physically destroyed and the collectible item may be removed from the cavity without damage.

The encapsulated case parts may be fabricated from a hard material (e.g., a hard polycarbonate, polystyrene, and/or acrylic) and may be fabricated through a molding (e.g., injection molding process). A security tag may be placed in the encapsulation case so for identification of the item as well as additional characteristics (e.g., encapsulation entity, condition grading entity and condition grade, authentication entity and authentication grade, etc). Accordingly, the tag, which may or may not be permanently attached to a cavity in the encapsulated case, may identity the collectible and viewable from a consumer from outside the case in addition to the collectible being viewable. The tag may be tamper-proof so that the tag is destroyed and rendered unusable if the encapsulation case is broken in order to remove the collectible.

An encapsulated case may have multiple encapsulation case pieces. Such pieces may be permanently fixed together in a variety of ways such as, for example, ultrasonic welding and/or adhesives. A collectible trading card may have, for example, a two-piece encapsulation case that provides a first cavity for a trading card and a second cavity for an informational tag. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that trading cards may have various sizes, shapes, and thicknesses. A third insert structure may be provided, for example, that reduces the size of a cavity to a smaller size for smaller trading cards so that encapsulation case portions may be utilized for different sized trading cards.

Any number of encapsulation case portions may be utilized. For example, three, four, or more than four encapsulation portions may be utilized. Increasing the number of encapsulation case portions may decrease the size of each encapsulation portion which may, for example, enable improved staking of encapsulation case portions during shipping and reduce the overall cost of the encapsulation cases. For example, an encapsulation case for a toy may have four encapsulation case portions and may utilize two copies of two different encapsulation portions (e.g., two copies of a dual sidewall encapsulation portion and two copies of a top/bottom encapsulation portion).

An encapsulation case may be optically transparent so that images of one or multiple sides may be taken simultaneously or during the same image capture process using the same image capture setup.

An encapsulation case may be broken, a new tag printed that includes the authentication and/or grading information, and the new tag and collectible may be re-encapsulated in a permanent encapsulation case. Alternatively, for example, a supplemental tag, such as a supplemental hologram, may be permanently fixed to the exterior of the encapsulation case.

An encapsulation case may also contain one or multiple insertable interior structures which are subsequently adhered to the internal walls of the encapsulation case. The interior structures may be fabricated from the same material as the encapsulation case. The interior structures may serve to stabilize, demobilize, and retain orientation of the collectible after placement within the encapsulation case. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the importance of having a collectible, for example a NBA official basketball with a Michael Jorden signature, retain its correct orientation within the encapsulation case to prevent devaluation either by smearing a signature by unintended rotation of the ball within the encapsulation case or by simple improper presentation (i.e. the basketball having rotated upside-down.) The interior structures may be permanently affixed to the interior walls of the encapsulation case via one or more adhesives (e.g., a chemical adhesive, temperature adhesive, UV-cure adhesive, pressure adhesive, ultrasonic adhesion, or any type of adhesive or combinations of adhesives).

Accordingly, for example, an encapsulation case may have multiple holograms and/or tags that note different algorithm versions and the results of the grade. A tag may be alternatively be placed on the exterior of an encapsulation case.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a slab may be, for example, a thermally sealed encapsulation case. Two, or more, pieces of polymer (e.g., PETG) may be heat-sealed together to form one or more cavities. One or more collectibles may be, for example placed in one or more cavities. Additional items, such as printed collectible identification tags and/or RFIDs may be included in one of more cavities. The cavities may be different shapes and/or sizes or may be the same shape or size. For example, an encapsulation case that is sealed (e.g., thermally and/or ultrasonically sealed) may have one or more dimensions greater than or equal to 24 inches wide and/or 24 inches in length or 36 inches wide and/or 36 inches in length or 48 inches wide and/or 48 inches in length. Polymers may include, for example, polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylic, PET-G, and any other material such as a hybrid of materials (e.g., a SAN with part acrylic and part polystyrene). Different layers that are sealed together may be, for example, manufactured of different materials. For example, a material such as a polystyrene that is used as an exterior surface may have a different melt point than a material, such as a polystyrene that is an interior component, such that the external component is more scratch resistant and the inner material can be produced more efficiently at faster times and/or lower temperatures. An encapsulation case may be provided such that a user may have to, for example, break or permanently damage a case in order to remove one or more collectibles from the case.

Scrap from either an ultrasonically welded encapsulation cases or a thermally formed encapsulation case may be grinded down into granules and, if the material is the same color and quality then can be melted down and recycled in either forming polymer sheets for thermoforming or used directly as granule in injection molding final parts. Scrap may be used to manufacture parts that are less important for certain functions (e.g., transparency). Accordingly, for example, fresh, unused polymer may be utilized to form external case parts while recycled polymer may be utilized, at least partially, for internal adapter parts such as, for example, parts for holding collectibles. Injection molding and other processes for making encapsulation cases and any subsequent interior structures can produce waste large amounts of plastic waste in the form of temporary structural molds intended for later breaking off of the final product. These temporary structures intended for scrap exist for the purpose of forming and the cooling of the encapsulation cases and interior structures. Utilizing this scrap material in a recycling process can provide an greater economically efficient and environmentally friendlier process for the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles and advantages of the present invention can be more clearly understood from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same structural elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of flow charts constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a collectible item architecture constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a collectible item architecture constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a collectible item architecture constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a collectible item architecture constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an illustration of flow charts constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a process which demonstrates a possible fabrication method for the encapsulation cases and any required interior structure alongside a process for permanent adhesion of the encapsulation cases, indefinitely sealing the stored collectible inside. A user begins by selecting the type of encapsulation case needed for the project 101. This could involve entering specifications directly into the injection molder's control interface or, if the machine requires physical mold loading, manually installing the correct mold for the encapsulation case type. This step ensures the molder is set to produce the intended case type for housing the interior structures. Once the case type is specified, the user inputs the size dimensions of the encapsulation case 102. Similar to the previous step, this may be done through a digital interface or by manually loading a mold with the appropriate size. Accurate size selection can be critically important, as it may ensure the case can accommodate the interior structures that will be fabricated in the following steps. With the encapsulation case type and size defined, the system automatically identifies the necessary interior structures that need to fit inside 103. This autonomous determination can save time and reduce errors. However, if the user needs specific interior structures that differ from the standard, they can manually load alternative molds into the molder for custom fabrication.

The machine may calculate the exact dimensions for each interior structure to ensure a proper fit within the encapsulation case 104. Alternatively, if custom dimensions are preferred, the user may manually install molds with the desired dimensions. This flexibility allows for both automated precision and user-defined customization. The system then initiates fabrication, producing both the encapsulation case and the interior structures according to the input specifications 105. This step is typically automated, with the processor coordinating all machine actions to shape each part. By the end of this step, all parts required for assembly are ready. Following fabrication, the user assembles the individual parts 106. This involves arranging the interior structures within the encapsulation case in line with the specifications.

Proper alignment and assembly are essential to ensure a secure fit and maintain the integrity of the finished product. Once the encapsulation case and interior structures are assembled, the user prepares the unit for ultrasonic welding, selecting from available options, which include handheld ultrasonic welders, bench-top ultrasonic welders, automated ultrasonic welding systems, multi-head ultrasonic welders, or ultrasonic spot welders 107. For this step, the unit is positioned in the selected welding machine, with each component aligned according to the machine's specifications. If necessary, the user configures specific welding parameters, such as frequency, amplitude, and pressure, in line with the plastic materials and weld requirements. With the assembled unit placed in the ultrasonic welding machine, the device uses high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to create a strong bond between the encapsulation case and interior structures 108. The machine's horn or sonotrode makes direct contact with the joint area, applying ultrasonic energy and pressure that generate heat through friction, causing the plastic to melt and fuse. This produces a secure, seamless connection without adhesives or additional fasteners. For specialized applications, a customized ultrasonic welder may be used to optimize welding parameters and ensure an accurate fit. Once the ultrasonic welding process is complete, the encapsulation case is fully integrated with the internal structures, resulting in a finished, permanently sealed collectible encapsulation.

FIG. 2 shows one possible variant for a sealable encapsulation case. The possible iteration shown has a 2-piece pre-seal configuration comprised of top casing 201 and a bottom casing 202. The casings may be transparent or non-transparent. The material used for the top casing 201 and bottom casing 202 may be fabricated from a hard material (e.g., a hard polycarbonate, polystyrene, and/or acrylic) and may be fabricated through a molding (e.g., injection molding process).

A security tag 203 may be placed in the encapsulation case so that identifies the item as well as additional characteristics (e.g., encapsulation entity, condition grading entity and condition grade, authentication entity and authentication grade, etc). Accordingly, the tag 203, which may or may not be permanently attached to a cavity in the encapsulated case, may identity the collectible and viewable from a consumer from outside the case in addition to the collectible being viewable. The tag 203 may be tamper-proof so that the tag 203 is destroyed and rendered unusable if the encapsulation case is broken in order to remove the collectible.

FIG. 3 shows a possible iteration of a three or more structure thermally formed encapsulated case which may be provided, for example, to have an interior structure 302 that functions to secure one or more items. The perimeter of the three (or more) layers may share some of the same dimensions. For example, an observed exterior layer 305 and a reverse exterior layer 306 may have the same length and width. An inner layer 307, for example, may have the same length and width in some areas but, for example, not in other areas. As such, for example an inner structure may form a stabilizing holder that allows a collegiate sports ball to rest in place.

All three layers can be thermally sealed within a proximity of a perimeter so all three layers are melted together in the same area. This insert is not limited to a rest for balls, but includes a vast array of interior structures, such as a mannequin insert which holds an item in place. For example, a jersey (e.g., a basketball jersey, a glove, a pair of pants, a screen worn costume). Accordingly, for example, an inner layer of material may be the shape of a worn item in the shape or pose desired to be displayed. For example, in a jersey, the shape may be the shape of a human torso. The arms neck and waist, however, may extend through the jersey to the perimeter of the exterior layers such that when all three layers are heat-sealed together, a single structure is provided with the appearance of a jersey on a plastic layered mannequin inside. All or some layers may be transparent (e.g., clear such as water clear) or non-transparent. For example, all three layers may be transparent such that the jersey (or other clothing item) appears to float in the slab.

A user shaking the slab vigorously would not see the jersey move as the jersey would be fixed on the inner mannequin layer. Such a heat-sealed slab may have layers that are flexible and/or non-flexible and may form an encapsulated case that is flexible or non-flexible. A thermally sealed encapsulated case may be formed by vacuum formed pieces. Accordingly, sheets of plastic (e.g., 12 thousandths of an inch thick or more, 0.2 millimeters (thick or more) 0.4 millimeters thick or more, 0.6 millimeters thick or more, 0.8 millimeters thick or more, 1 millimeter thick or more, and/or 1.2 millimeter thick or more) may be utilized. Different layers may have different thicknesses. Such layers may be thermoformed by, for example, applying heat to a layer of plastic to make it permeable and then vacuum pulling the sheet into a mold to thermoform a shape. One of the layers (e.g., an exterior layer) may be flat, one of the layers (e.g., the other exterior layer may have the cavities) and the middle layer may have a mannequin.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that two of the cavity layers may be utilized in a symmetrical cavity design on a layer for both exterior layers in order to, for example, increase the size of the cavity such that the thickness of the cavity may be modified by using one or both exterior layers as cavity layers. The possible iteration shown in FIG. 3 has a 3-piece pre-seal configuration comprised of a transparent top casing 301, a transparent or non-transparent interior structure 302, and a transparent bottom casing 303. The material used for the top casing 301, interior structure 302, and bottom casing 303 may be fabricated from a hard material (e.g., a hard polycarbonate, polystyrene, and/or acrylic) and may be fabricated through a molding (e.g., injection molding process).

A security tag 304 may be placed in the encapsulation case so that identifies the item as well as additional characteristics (e.g., encapsulation entity, condition grading entity and condition grade, authentication entity and authentication grade, etc). Accordingly, the tag 304, which may or may not be permanently attached to a cavity in the encapsulated case, may identity the collectible and viewable from a consumer from outside the case in addition to the collectible being viewable. The tag 304 may be tamper-proof so that the tag 304 is destroyed and rendered unusable if the encapsulation case is broken in order to remove the collectible.

A slab having three or more (e.g., four) pieces may be formed from multiple pieces that are non-flexible and, for example, manufactured through an injection molding process. An injection molded part can be, for example, a complex three-dimensional shape yet be a single part and, as a result, have a higher strength with no visible attachment lines as the parts are a singularly formed part. One or parts may be transparent (e.g., water clear) and/or non-transparent. An injection molded encapsulation case part 401 may be ultrasonically sealed to another injection molded case part 404 to form a sealed part with a cavity or cavities for permanently storing one or more collectibles.

An ultrasonically sealed case may need to be permanently broken and/or visually damaged to remove a part so that a part cannot be removed with case still being re-usable for another collectible. In doing so, the security of an ultrasonically sealed case may be relied upon by a user and its contents (e.g., an identification tag, RFID, and/or collectible) may be assumed by the user as having never been taken out of an ultrasonically case as doing so would destroy the case. Additional parts may be fabricated and ultrasonically welded to the internal surface of one or more parts that form the exterior case so that those parts can be utilized to hold and stabilize the orientation of collectibles. For example, two interior structure parts, 402 and 403 (which may be the same part or different parts) may be attached to the top 406 and bottom 407 of an interior case to hold a basketball of a certain size (e.g., a size 7 basketball) and two different interior structure parts 408 and 409 (which may be the same part of different parts) may be attached to the top 406 and bottom 407 of the same case to hold a different sized basketball (e.g., a size 6 basketball).

Attachment features may be present on the interior of the case to more easily ultrasonically weld collectible adapter pieces to the interior of a case. The exterior part of the case around those attachment features may remain smooth with no features. As the attachment pieces are welded interior to the case, no welds are made to the exterior of the case. Accordingly, no user can access the weld between the adapter (e.g., that holds the collectible) and the formed case from outside the formed case. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that attachment features may be placed on the exterior surface of a case as well as additional adaptor units to be placed on the exterior of a case. For example, an external adaptor may include an adapter that holds a light fixture so that light may be shined into a case and a power source may be replaced from the outside of the case (or the light replaced if broken from the outside of the case). Additionally, an external feature may be an extension such that, for example, an extension may be welded to attachment features on the outside of the case to, for example, stand the case on top of the extension to give the case height for display purchases.

Any number of adapters to achieve any number of structures and functions may be provided on any surface of one or more parts of a case. An adapter may be welded across more than one parts so that parts are welded together and then an adapter part is welded across both of the newly welded pieces. The possible iteration shown in FIG. 4 has a 6-piece pre-seal configuration comprised of a transparent top casing 401, 4 transparent or non-transparent interior structures 402, 403, 408, and 409, and a transparent bottom casing 404. The material used for the top casing 401, interior structures 402, 403, 408, and 409, and bottom casing 404 may be fabricated from a hard material (e.g., a hard polycarbonate, polystyrene, and/or acrylic) and may be fabricated through a molding (e.g., injection molding process).

A security tag 405 may be placed in the encapsulation case so that identifies the item as well as additional characteristics (e.g., encapsulation entity, condition grading entity and condition grade, authentication entity and authentication grade, etc). Accordingly, the tag 405, which may or may not be permanently attached to a cavity in the encapsulated case, may identity the collectible and viewable from a consumer from outside the case in addition to the collectible being viewable. The tag 405 may be tamper-proof so that the tag 304 is destroyed and rendered unusable if the encapsulation case is broken in order to remove the collectible.

The possible iteration shown in FIG. 5 may utilize a 2-piece pre-sealed configuration comprised of a transparent or non-transparent top casing 501 and a transparent or non-transparent bottom casing 502. The material used for top casing 501 and bottom casing 502 may be fabricated from a hard material (e.g., a hard polycarbonate, polystyrene, and/or acrylic) and may be fabricated through a molding (e.g., an injection molding process). A security tag 503 may be placed within the encapsulation case to assist in the identification of the item as well as additional characteristics (e.g., encapsulation entity, condition grading entity and condition grade, authentication entity and authentication grade, etc.). Accordingly, tag 503, which may or may not be permanently attached to a cavity in the encapsulated case, may identity the collectible and viewable from a consumer from outside the case in addition to the collectible being viewable. Tag 503 may be tamper-proof so that tag 503 is destroyed and rendered unusable if the encapsulation case is broken in order to remove the collectible.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method and process in which scrap material is initially generated from two primary manufacturing processes: ultrasonic welding or thermal forming. These processes are used to create encapsulation cases, and scrap pieces—offcuts, excess material, or defectively formed cases—are a byproduct 601. The next step involves grinding down this scrap material into fine granules 602. By converting the scrap into granules, it becomes manageable for recycling and repurposing, facilitating reuse in other manufacturing steps. Once ground, the granules are assessed for uniformity in color and quality 603. This step ensures that only granules meeting consistent standards will proceed further, as material differences in color or quality can impact the visual and structural properties of the final product. If the material fails this assessment and does not match the required color or quality standards, it is deemed unsuitable for recycling and discarded as unusable scrap 604. If the material passes the assessment, the material is then melted down and prepared for recycling 605.

The melting process prepares the granules for two potential pathways depending on the desired form of the recycled plastic. The recycled material can be used in one of two forms: either molded into polymer sheets or used directly as granules in injection molding. If the recycled material is formed into polymer sheets, it can be used in thermoforming processes 607. Thermoformed recycled plastic parts are generally used for components where transparency is not a primary requirement, as recycled plastic may have slight imperfections that impact clarity. These thermoformed parts are especially suitable for internal components or adapters that do not need a clear finish, such as holders or structural elements for collectibles 608. Alternatively, the granules can bypass the sheet-forming process and be used directly in injection molding 609. This application is suitable when recycled plastic needs to fill molds directly to form parts, making the process more efficient and minimizing additional reshaping steps. Injection-molded parts using recycled granules are ideal for applications where transparency or specific structural properties are required 610. However, the final decision on usage depends on whether the part's functional demands can accommodate the recycled material's qualities.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to only the embodiments described, and that features described in one embodiment may be used in a different embodiment. The present invention more generally involves encapsulated cases for collectibles that are sealed. 1Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the systems, processes and articles of the present invention may be implemented in other ways than those described herein. All such modifications are within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow.