Security case with stress contour for collectible items
First Claim
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1. A security package for a collectible item comprising:
- a substantially planar bottom portion having a retainer for holding the collectible item and having an edge with a lower sealing portion therein;
a substantially planar top portion having an edge with an upper sealing portion formed therein, wherein the upper sealing portion is designed to mate with the lower sealing portion;
a seal formed by welding the upper and lower sealing portion; and
a stress contour formed separately from the seal and integrally with at least one of the bottom and the top portions, the stress contour operative to cause a permanent perceptible distortion in the security package after stress is applied to the seal.
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Abstract
A security package for a collectible item including a substantially planar bottom portion having a retainer for holding the collectible item. An edge with a lower sealing contour is formed in the planar bottom. A substantially planar top portion has an edge with an upper sealing contour formed therein. The upper sealing contour is designed to mate with the lower sealing contour. A seal is formed by welding the upper and lower sealing contours. A stress contour is formed integrally with at least one of bottom or top portions. The stress contour operates to cause a permanent perceptible distortion in the security package after stress is applied to the seal.
46 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A security package for a collectible item comprising:
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a substantially planar bottom portion having a retainer for holding the collectible item and having an edge with a lower sealing portion therein; a substantially planar top portion having an edge with an upper sealing portion formed therein, wherein the upper sealing portion is designed to mate with the lower sealing portion; a seal formed by welding the upper and lower sealing portion; and a stress contour formed separately from the seal and integrally with at least one of the bottom and the top portions, the stress contour operative to cause a permanent perceptible distortion in the security package after stress is applied to the seal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for grading a coin comprising the steps of:
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judging the coin'"'"'s quality; providing a sealable security case sized to hold the coin; providing a stress contour integrally with the sealable security case and separate from sealing surfaces of the security case; placing the coin in the sealable security case at the sealing surfaces; and sealing the security case in a manner that applies sufficiently low force to the stress contour so as to prevent perceptibly altering the stress contour and in a manner that creates sufficient sealing so that the force required to break the seal will necessarily cause a perceptible alteration of the stress contour. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for maintaining authenticity of a certificate of grading for a collectible item comprising:
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a package having a breakable seal for holding the collectible item after it has been graded and certified; a stress contour formed separately from the seal and integrated with the package and coupled to serve as a focus for force applied to break the seal, the stress contour producing a perceptible distortion upon application of a force of preselected magnitude to the seal; means for storing the package, wherein the stress contour continuously indicates the authenticity of the collectible item held in the package.
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Specification