US4641750A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-ply cassette album and method of making same
Assignee: BLACKBOURN Inc 10150 CROSSTOWN CIRCLE EDEN PRAIRIE MINNESOTA 55344 A CORP OF MINNESOTA
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Filing: 1985-10-15
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Granted: 1987-02-10
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Expires: 2005-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A two-ply, book-style album (10) comprises an inside tray sheet (12) and an outside cover sheet (14). Sheets (12 and 14) are preferably formed of high-density polyethylene, and are thermally heat-sealed together by means of a peripheral seal (34) and spine rules (36). The spine rules (36) include longitudinal grooves (38) formed to a substantial depth into the front surface of the inside tray sheet (12) in order to define living hinges which provide a roundish, less square spine of more pleasing appearance.
Inventors
- 👤 Breck J. Johnson
- 👤 George D. Canfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:24
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/023; G11B23/0233; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S493/00; Y10S493/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A two-ply, book-style album for holding video cassettes and the like, comprising: a one-piece, integral inside sheet of semi-rigid thermoplastic having front and back sides, said inside sheet defining a pair of raised integral interfitting tray portions and an integral spine portion connecting the tray portions; a one-piece, integral outside sheet of semi-rigid thermoplastic having front and back sides, said outside sheet defining a pair of integral cover portions and an integral spine portion connecting the cover portions; a peripheral seal securing said inside and outside sheets together; and a pair of laterally spaced-apart, longitudinal seals securing adjacent spine portions of said inside and outside sheets, each longitudinal seal including a groove formed by contact with a thermally-heated rule to a substantial depth into the front side of the spine portion of the inside sheet so as to define living hinges in the inside sheet and a smooth surface on the backside of the outside sheet to facilitate opening and closing the album.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A two-ply, book-style album for holding video cassettes and the like, comprising: a one-piece, integral inside sheet of semi-rigid thermoplastic having front and back sides, said inside sheet defining a pair of raised integral interfitting tray portions and an integral spine portion connecting the tray portions; a one-piece, integral outside sheet of semi-rigid thermoplastic having front and back sides, said outside sheet defining a pair of integral cover portions and an integral spine portion connecting the cover portions; a peripheral seal securing said inside and outside sheets together; and a pair of laterally spaced-apart, longitudinal seals securing adjacent spine portions of said inside and outside sheets, each longitudinal seal including a groove formed by contact with a thermally-heated rule to a substantial depth into the front side of the spine portion of the inside sheet so as to define living hinges in the inside sheet and a smooth surface on the backside of the outside sheet to facilitate opening and closing the album.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The album of claim 1, wherein said inside sheet is formed of high-density polyethylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The album of claim 1, wherein said outside sheet is formed of high-density polyethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The album of claim 1, further including an overlay sheet partially peripherally secured over said outside sheet to define a trap-in pocket for receiving a label or the like.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The album according to claim 4, wherein said overlay sheet is formed of low-density polyethylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The album of claim 1, further including complementary bumps and recesses formed in corresponding portions of the interfitting trays of said inside sheet to define detents for releasably securing the album in closed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
180 words
A two-ply, book-style album for holding video cassettes and the like, comprising: a one-piece, integral inside sheet having front and back sides, said inside sheet defining a pair of raised integral interfitting tray portions and an integral spine portion connecting the tray portions; a one-piece, integral outside sheet having front and back sides, said outside sheet defining a pair of integral cover portions and an integral spine portion connecting the cover portions; said inside and outside sheets being formed of highdensity polyethylene of about equal thickness; a peripheral seal securing said inside and outside sheets together; and a pair of laterally spaced-apart, longitudinal seals securing adjacent spine portions of said inside and outside sheets, each longitudinal seal including a groove formed by contact with a thermally-heated rule into the front side of the spine portion of the inside sheet to a predetermined depth at least half the thickness of said inside sheet so as to define living hinges in the inside sheet and a smooth surface on the backside of the outside sheet to facilitate opening and closing the album.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
180 words
A two-ply, book-style album for holding video cassettes and the like, comprising: a one-piece, integral inside sheet having front and back sides, said inside sheet defining a pair of raised integral interfitting tray portions and an integral spine portion connecting the tray portions; a one-piece, integral outside sheet having front and back sides, said outside sheet defining a pair of integral cover portions and an integral spine portion connecting the cover portions; said inside and outside sheets being formed of highdensity polyethylene of about equal thickness; a peripheral seal securing said inside and outside sheets together; and a pair of laterally spaced-apart, longitudinal seals securing adjacent spine portions of said inside and outside sheets, each longitudinal seal including a groove formed by contact with a thermally-heated rule into the front side of the spine portion of the inside sheet to a predetermined depth at least half the thickness of said inside sheet so as to define living hinges in the inside sheet and a smooth surface on the backside of the outside sheet to facilitate opening and closing the album.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of manufacturing a two-ply, book-style album for holding video cassettes and the like, comprising the steps of: providing a preformed, one-piece first sheet of semi-rigid thermoplastic defining a pair of spaced-apart integral raised interfitting tray portions connected by an integral spine portion; providing a second sheet of semi-rigid thermoplastic defining a pair of laterally spaced-apart cover portions interconnected by an integral spine portion; positioning the front of the second sheet over the back of the first sheet; contacting the peripheries of the first and second sheets with a thermally-heated die to effect trimming and sealing; and contacting only the front of the spine portion of the first sheet over a pair of longitudinal, laterally spaced-apart relatively narrow areas with thermally-heated rules to a predetermined depth of at least half the thickness of the first sheet without marring the back of the second sheet to seal adjacent spine portions of the sheets and define living hinges that facilitate opening and closing the album.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of manufacturing a two-ply, book-style album for holding video cassettes and the like, comprising the steps of: providing a preformed, one-piece first sheet of semi-rigid thermoplastic defining a pair of spaced-apart integral raised interfitting tray portions connected by an integral spine portion; providing a second sheet of semi-rigid thermoplastic defining a pair of laterally spaced-apart cover portions interconnected by an integral spine portion; positioning the front of the second sheet over the back of the first sheet; contacting the peripheries of the first and second sheets with a thermally-heated die to effect trimming and sealing; and contacting only the front of the spine portion of the first sheet over a pair of longitudinal, laterally spaced-apart relatively narrow areas with thermally-heated rules to a predetermined depth of at least half the thickness of the first sheet without marring the back of the second sheet to seal adjacent spine portions of the sheets and define living hinges that facilitate opening and closing the album.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The album manufactured according to the method of claim 8.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said first sheet is formed of high-density polyethylene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said second sheet is formed of high-density polyethylene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said first and second sheets are both formed of high-density polyethylene.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-02-09 | 1990-08-11 | 1991-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-09 | 1994-08-11 | 1995-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-09 | 1998-08-11 | 1999-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |