Patent US4002318A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5133451A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5133451A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective coin holder
Assignee: AMOS CERTIFICATION SERVICES A Corp OF OH
•
Filing: 1991-04-18
•
Granted: 1992-07-28
•
Expires: 2011-04-18
Abstract
Abstract An improved container for the storage, display and protection of collectable items such as graded coins, stamps, jewels and other valuables is disclosed. Display of the collectable items is enhanced by an optical element which provides reflective means for viewing the item indirectly. A reflecting prismatic ring is preferred to provide viewing of the periphery of a cavity or the collectable item enclosed therein. In a second embodiment where two or more components may completely enclose the cavity, various tamper-resistant and tamper-evidencing features are further incorporated in the container design to discourage and prevent fraudulent substitutions of collectable items, modification of grade and value certificates enclosed therewith, or counterfeiting of container components.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce D. Boyd
- 👤 Robert J. Geoghegan
- 👤 Barbara A. Metz
- 👤 Karen L. Rosen
- 👤 Richard D. Rosen
- 👤 Alex Bally
- 👤 Ronald J. Sears
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:27
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F3/00; G09F3/02; G09F3/0291; G09F3/0292; A; A47; A47G; A47G1/00; A47G1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A container for one or more collectable items, said container comprising one or more container components defining a cavity wherein at least one collectable item may be placed, and wherein at least one of said one or more container components comprises one or more reflective means for viewing at least a portion of said cavity by reflection, said one or more reflective means for viewing comprising at least one reflecting prism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A container for one or more collectable items, said container comprising one or more container components defining a cavity wherein at least one collectable item may be placed, and wherein at least one of said one or more container components comprises one or more reflective means for viewing at least a portion of said cavity by reflection, said one or more reflective means for viewing comprising at least one reflecting prism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one reflecting prism surrounds at least a portion of said cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one reflecting prism is a prismatic ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one reflecting prism has at least one straight segment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one reflecting prism is comprised of clear, transparent material capable of internally reflecting light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one reflecting prism has 3 or more faces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A container as recited in claim 6 wherein said faces are substantially planar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A container as recited in claim 7 wherein at least one of said faces is convex.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A container as recited in claim 7 wherein at least one of said faces is concave.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A container as recited in claim 1 further comprising a reflective coating on at least one surface of said at least one reflecting prism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said one or more reflective means for viewing comprises one or more mirrored surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A container as recited in claim 11 wherein said one or more mirrored surfaces comprise a reflective silver coating on at least one surface of said reflective means for viewing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container as recited in claim 12 wherein said one or more mirrored surfaces surround at least a portion of said cavity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said one or more reflective means for viewing surrounds said cavity and comprises a means for simultaneously viewing the entire periphery of said cavity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said cavity extends generally centrally through said reflective means for viewing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
A container as recited in claim 1 comprising two or more cavities.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A container as recited in claim 1 wherein said cavity further comprises means for retaining a collectable item therein.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A container as recited in claim 18 wherein said means for retaining comprises one or more tabs extending into said cavity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A container as recited in claim 1 for one or more collectable items, said container comprising: two or more container components; and means for joining said two or more container components.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A container as recited in claim 20 wherein said one or more reflective means for viewing comprises one or more reflecting prisms surrounding at least a portion of said cavity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
A container as recited in claim 20 wherein said one or more reflective means for viewing comprises two reflecting prisms disposed to reflect a view of at least a portion of said cavity to opposite sides of said container.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A container as recited in claim 20 wherein said one or more reflective means for viewing comprise one or more mirrored surfaces surrounding at least a portion of said cavity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
A container as recited in claim 20 wherein said one or more reflective means for viewing comprise one or more reflecting prismatic rings, and wherein said cavity extends generally centrally through said one or more reflecting prismatic rings.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
A container as recited in claim 20 wherein at least a portion of one of said two or more container components comprises an outer cover enclosing at least a portion of one opening to said cavity.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container as recited in claim 24 wherein said one or more reflective means for viewing are inserted inside said outer cover.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
A container as recited in claim 20 further comprising means for preventing undetected access to said cavity.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A container as recited in claim 26 wherein said means for preventing undetected access comprises tamper-evident means for permanently indicating the separation of two or more of said container components.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container as recited in claim 28 wherein said tamper-evident means interconnect at least portions of said two or more container components.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
A container as recited in claim 28 wherein said tamper-evident means comprises thin-film tape.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
A container as recited in claim 29 wherein said tamper-evident means comprises an optically variable coating.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
A container as recited in claim 29 wherein said tamper-evident means are adapted to display identifying indicia.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
A container as recited in claim 27 wherein said means for preventing undetected access comprises one or more selectively weakened regions on one or more of said container components whereby said one or more container components fracture upon separation thereof.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
49 words
A container as recited in claim 27 wherein said means for preventing undetected access further comprises one or more bonds selectively joining regions of opposing surfaces of two or more of said two or more container components, whereby one or more of said container components fracture upon separation thereof.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
69 words
A container as recited in claim 27 wherein said means for preventing undetected access to said cavity comprises a sheet of material; and means for attaching said sheet of material at one or more points to at least two of said two or more container components, whereby at least a portion of said sheet of material is destroyed upon separation of said at least two of said container components.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
A container as recited in claim 34 wherein said means for attaching comprises an adhesive.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
A container as recited in claim 20 further comprising a sheet of material adapted to display indicia.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
A container as recited in claim 36 further comprising means for preventing the non-destructive removal of said sheet of material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
47 words
A container as recited in claim 37 wherein said sheet of material is comprised of paper and said means for preventing non-destructive removal of said sheet of material comprises further selectively attaching said sheet of material to one or more of said two or more container components.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
A container as recited in claim 37 wherein said sheet of material comprises paper.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
A container as recited in claim 37 further comprising means for preventing alteration of indicia on said of material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
A container as recited in claim 40 wherein said means for preventing alteration of indicia comprises security patterns dyed in said sheet of material.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
A container as recited in claim 41 wherein means for preventing alteration of indicia comprises printing with bleeding inks.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
A container as recited in claim 27 wherein said means for joining comprises one or more ultrasonic bonds.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
41 words
A container as recited in claim 27 wherein said means for joining comprises one or more pins located transversely across joints between at least two of said two or more container components, said one or more pins adapted to resist cutting.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
A container as recited in claim 44 wherein said pins have a non-circular cross-section.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
A container as recited in claim 27 wherein said means for joining comprise complex interrelating joints.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
A container as recited in claim 20 wherein said two or more container components are adapted to display indicia thereon.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
25 words
A container as recited in claim 20 wherein at least one of said two or more container components further comprises means to prevent counterfeiting thereof.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
A container as recited in claim 20 wherein said means to prevent counterfeiting comprises one or more areas of design on one or more surfaces.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container as recited in claim 20 wherein at least one of said two or more container elements comprises a display stand.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
58 words
A container as recited in claim 1, said container adapted to display, house and protect a collectable item, said container comprising: two or more container components; means for joining said container components such that a cavity is defined between said container components for housing a collectable item; and tamper-evident means for permanently indicating separation of said container components.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
74 words
A container as recited in claim 1 for one or more collectable items, said container having: two or more container components, said container comprising at least: an outer cover; and an inner element comprising said cavity adapted to retain at least one collectable item therein, said one or more reflective means for viewing, and said inner element insertable into said outer cover; and means for removably securing said inner element in said outer cover.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
A container as recited in claim 53 further comprising means for preventing undetected removal of all or part of said inner element from said outer cover.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
A container as recited in claim 53 wherein said means for preventing undetected removal comprises tamper-evident means for permanently indicating separation of said container components.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
A container as recited in claim 53 wherein said outer cover is tapered to facilitate removal of said inner element.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
39 words
A container as recited in claim 53 wherein said inner element includes one or more apertures adapted to permit unobstructed viewing of a coin retained in said inner element when said inner element is removed from said outer cover.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
34 words
A container as recited in claim 56 wherein a viewing area is defined around at least a portion of at least one of said one or more apertures by said reflective means for viewing.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
31 words
A container as recited in claim 57 wherein an annular area of design is defined around at least one of said one or more apertures by said reflective means for viewing.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
64 words
A container as recited in claim 53 wherein said means for removably securing said inner element in said outer cover comprises one or more ultrasonic bonds; means for providing frictional ,engagement between said inner element and said outer cover; and one or more recesses in said outer cover and one or more nubs in said inner element insertable into corresponding ones of said recesses.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
28 words
A container as recited in claim 53 wherein said inner element is comprised of two or more inner element components, and means for joining said inner element components.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
50 words
A container as recited in claim 61 wherein said means for joining said inner element components comprise one or more ultrasonic bonds; complex interrelating joints; and one or more pins located transversely across joints between said components, wherein said pins have a non-circular cross-section and are adapted to resist cutting.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container as recited in claim 61 wherein said inner element further comprises means for preventing non-destructive separation of said inner element components.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
82 words
A container as recited in claim 63 wherein means for preventing non-destructive separation of said components comprises one or more selectively weakened areas on at least one of said inner element components, adapted to fracture at least one of said inner element components upon separation thereof; and one or more seals between said two or more of said inner element components, said one or more seals located and adapted to fracture at least one of said inner element components upon separation thereof.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
17 words
A container as recited in claim 61 further comprising means for preventing undetected access to said cavity.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
29 words
A container as recited in claim 65 wherein said means for preventing undetected access to said cavity comprises tamper-evident means for permanently indicating separation of said inner element components.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
44 words
A container as recited in claim 61 wherein said inner element further comprises a sheet of material retained between said inner element components; and means for permanently indicating the separation of one or more of said inner element components from said sheet of material.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
78 words
A container as recited in claim 66 wherein said means for permanently indicating the separation of one or more of said inner element components from said sheet of material comprises one or more points of adhesive attaching said sheet of material to one or more of said inner element components, whereby at least a portion of said sheet of material is destroyed upon said separation of said sheet of material from said one or more inner element components.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
73 words
A container as recited in claim 61 wherein said inner element further comprises a sheet of material retained between said inner element components, wherein said sheet of material has one or more apertures through which said inner element components may communicate; and means for permanently indicating the separation of two or more of said inner element components, said means for permanently indicating separation located at said apertures through which said components may communicate.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
77 words
A container as recited in claim 1 for one or more collectable items wherein: at least one of said two or more container components defines at least one viewing face; said cavity has a peripheral area in angular relationship to said at least one viewing face; and said reflective means for viewing is positioned for viewing at least a portion of said peripheral area of said cavity from said at least one viewing face of said container.
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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) | 1995-07-28 | 1996-01-27 | 1996-07-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-28 | 2000-01-27 | 2000-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-28 | 2004-01-27 | 2004-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |