Patent Application
20170105552
Coin collection displays that have sealed rotatable coin bubbles or capsules within a paperboard display can allow the coin bubble to be rotated relative to the display to align the coins for desired viewing. A drawback of such sealed rotatable coin bubbles is that the coin bubbles do not allow for the removal and replacement of coins without destroying the display or bubbles. In addition, other current coin collection displays that allow for the removal of a coin, do not allow for rotation and preferred alignment of the coin without opening the protective capsule. This is something that some coin collectors prefer not to do.
The present invention can provide a display that can allow both full rotation of stored articles or coins, as well as their removal and replacement. Embodiments of the present invention can provide a rotatable display for containing an article including a coin, which can be easily rotated by a user. The rotatable display can include an article receptacle for holding the article. The article receptacle can have an outer flange. A display panel can rotatably capture the article receptacle. The display panel can include a first display layer and an annular retaining structure mounted to the first display layer rotatably capturing the outer flange of the article receptacle against the first display layer. The annular retaining structure can be deflectable against the outer flange, including annularly defectable. The annular retaining structure can have a smooth slippery surface, and can be configured for deflecting away from the first display layer and to facilitate, or permit easier rotation of the outer flange and the article receptacle relative to the display panel.
In particular embodiments, the annular retaining structure can include a flat annular plastic washer having a thickness that is thin enough to resiliently deflect in an annular manner concentrically around an inner diameter. The display panel can further include a second display layer adhered to the first display layer. The second display layer can have a hole formed therein to form a pocket that accepts the outer flange of the article receptacle. The annular retaining structure can be mounted to the second display layer in a manner to form an annular cantilevered inner lip for annularly deflecting against the outer flange of the article receptacle. The display panel can further include a third display layer adhered over the second display layer and outer perimeter portions of the annular retaining structure. The third display layer can have a hole formed therein to further form the pocket, and can be sized to permit annular deflection of the annular cantilevered inner lip of the annular retaining structure. The display panel can further include a fourth display layer adhered over the third display layer. The fourth display layer can have a hole formed therein for closely fitting around the article receptacle and can substantially cover from view the pocket and annular retaining structure.
The first, second, third and fourth display layers can be formed of paperboard. In some embodiments, the paperboard layers can be about 0.010-0.018 inches thick, the outer flange of the article receptacle can be about 0.03-0.1 inches thick, and the annular retaining structure can be formed of PETG plastic about 0.004-0.009 inches thick. The article receptacle can be formed of a base, and a lid that is removably securable to the base. The base can have a cavity surrounded by the outer flange. The lid can be securable over the cavity. The annular retaining structure can be capturable between the outer flange of the base and the lid. The display panel can be configured for rotatably capturing more than one article receptacle.
The present invention can also provide a rotatable display for an article including an article receptacle for holding the article. The article receptacle can have a base, and a lid that is removably securable to the base. The base can have a cavity surrounded by an outer flange. A display panel can rotatably capture the article receptacle. The display panel can include paperboard layers forming a pocket for receiving the outer flange of the article receptacle, and a flat annular plastic washer rotatably capturing the outer flange against a first paperboard layer. The washer can be deflectable against the outer flange by an annular cantilevered inner lip, including annularly deflectable. The annular cantilevered inner lip of the washer can also be capturable between the outer flange of the base and the lid of the article receptacle. The washer can have a smooth slippery surface and can be configured for deflecting away from the first paperboard layer and to facilitate, or permit easier rotation of the outer flange and the article receptacle relative to the display panel.
The present invention can also provide a method of displaying an article including holding the article within an article receptacle. The article receptacle can have an outer flange. The article receptacle can be rotatably captured with a display panel. The display panel can include a first display layer and an annular retaining structure mounted to the first display layer rotatably capturing the outer flange of the article receptacle against the first display layer. The annular retaining structure can be deflectable against the outer flange, including annularly deflectable. The annular retaining structure can have a smooth slippery surface, and can be configured for deflecting away from the first display layer and to facilitate, or permit easier rotation of the outer flange and the article receptacle relative to the display panel.
In particular embodiments, the annular retaining structure can be provided as a flat annular plastic washer having a thickness that is thin enough to resiliently deflect in an annular manner concentrically around an inner diameter. The display panel can be provided with a second display layer adhered to the first display layer. The second display layer can have a hole formed therein to form a pocket that accepts the outer flange of the article receptacle. The annular retaining structure can be mounted to the second display layer in a manner to form an annular cantilevered inner lip for annularly deflecting against the outer flange of the article receptacle. The display panel can be provided with a third display layer adhered over the second display layer and outer perimeter portions of the annular retaining structure. The third display layer can have a hole formed therein to further form the pocket, and can be sized to permit annular deflection of the annual cantilevered inner lip of the annular retaining structure. The display panel can be provided with a fourth display layer adhered over the third display layer. The fourth display layer can have a hole formed therein for closely fitting around the article receptacle and substantially covering from view the pocket and annular retaining structure.
The first, second, third and fourth display layers can be provided as paperboard layers. In some embodiments, the paperboard layers can be provided with a thickness of about 0.010-0.018 inches thick, the outer flange of the article receptacle can be provided with a thickness about 0.03-0.1 inches thick, and the annular retaining structure can be formed of PETG plastic and about 0.004-0.009 inches thick. The article receptacle can be provided with a base, and a lid that is removably securable to the base. The base can have a cavity surrounded by the outer flange. The lid can be securable over the cavity. The annular retaining structure can be capturable between the outer flange of the base and lid. More than one article receptacle can be rotatably captured with the display panel.
The present invention can also provide a method of displaying an article including holding the article in an article receptacle. The article receptacle can have a base, and a lid that is removably securable to the base. The base can have a cavity surrounded by an outer flange. The article receptacle can be rotatably captured with a display panel. The display panel can include paperboard layers forming a pocket for receiving the outer flange of the article receptacle, and a flat annular plastic washer rotatably capturing the outer flange against a first paperboard layer. The washer can be deflectable against the outer flange by an annular cantilevered inner lip, including annularly deflectable. The annular cantilevered inner lip of the washer can also be capturable between the outer flange of the base and the lid of the article receptacle. The washer can have a smooth slippery surface, and can be configured for deflecting away from the first paperboard layer and to facilitate, or permit easier rotation of the outer flange and the article receptacle relative to the display panel.
A description of example embodiments of the invention follows.
Referring to
The receptacle 16 can be formed of a clear polymer or plastic, such as acrylic, or other suitable clear plastic, for allowing viewing of two sides of an article 8, such as a coin. The receptacle 16 can be round or circular, and can be formed of two pieces, a first, back or rear portion or base 20, and a second, top, front, forward or lid portion 18, which can be removably secured or snapped together. This can allow the insertion and removal of articles 8 into and from the cavity, hollow, cup, bowl, recess or space 16a within the receptacle 16. The base 20 can have a flat circular or round back or rear wall 20a, a circular, round or annular side wall 20b extending forwardly from the back wall 20a, and a circular, round or annular outer lip, shoulder or flange 20c concentrically surrounding the side wall 20b. The outer flange 20c can be a continuation along the plane of the back wall 20a, and extend radially outward from the side wall 20b. The lid 18 can have a flat circular or round top, front, forward or lid wall 18a, and a circular, round or annular side wall 18b extending rearwardly from wall 18a for removably engaging, securing or snapping over the side wall 20b of the base 20, for removable securement. The base 20 and the lid 18, along with their respective structures 20a, 20b, 20c and 18a and 18b, can be centered or concentric about a central axis C1.
The display panel 12 can be formed of multiple layers of panels or sheets, such as paperboard. For example, the display panel 12 can have a first, back, rear or outer paperboard display layer 12a with a second or inner paperboard display layer 12b, secured, bonded or adhered to the paperboard layer 12a, such as by a first adhesive layer 13. A third or additional inner paperboard display layer 12c can be secured, bonded or adhered to paperboard layer 12b, such as by a second adhesive layer 13. A fourth, front or outer paperboard display layer 12d can be secured, bonded or adhered to the paperboard layer 12c, such as by a third adhesive layer 13. In some embodiments, the paperboard layers 12a-12d can be bonded together under heat and pressure, or by heat sealing. In other embodiments, cold glue or adhesive can be used, and can include adhesive coated tapes or films. In some embodiments, combinations of heat and cold sealing or adhesive processes can be used.
The outer front and back paperboard layers 12a and 12d can have graphics printed thereon, as well as protective films, coatings or layers, including UV coatings. The back paperboard layer 12a can have a window, aperture, opening or hole 24 concentric with axis X for viewing the rear or back side of the article 8 within receptacle 16. Holes, apertures or openings 28 and 26 can be formed within respective inner paperboard layers 12b and 12c concentric with axis X to form a recess, space, cavity or pocket 30 within panel display 12 for rotatably mounting, receiving or containing receptacle 16. A circular, round or annular retaining structure or member 22, such as a thin flat circular, round or annular resilient, flexible, bendable, elastic, deformable or deflectable plastic washer, bearing or spring, having an outer periphery or diameter 22a and an inner periphery or diameter hole 22b, concentric about a central axis C2, can be bonded, adhered or secured between the two inner paperboard layers 12b and 12c, such as by adhesive layers 13, concentric with axis X. The washer 22 can resiliently rotatably retain the receptacle 16 generally concentrically within the pocket 30, by resiliently engaging, trapping or capturing the outer flange 20c of the base 20 of the receptacle 16. The front paperboard layer 12d can have a window, aperture, opening or hole 14 formed therein concentric with axis X, for allowing the receptacle 16 to extend there through forwardly or outwardly, allowing viewing of the front side of article 8, while at the same time substantially covering the pocket 30 and washer 22 within the display panel 12, from view of the user, for improved appearance.
Referring to
The smooth slippery nature of the annular cantilevered inner lip 22e and the washer 22, as well as the ability of the lip 22e to axially deflect frontwardly concentrically around axis X in the direction of arrow A, can allow the receptacle 16 to rotate more easily than if the receptacle 16 were tightly rotatably held in place with paperboard layers. The washer 22 can provide a smooth slippery bearing surface for rotation of receptacle 16, in both the radial and thrust directions relative to axis X via inner diameter 22b and flat opposed surfaces 22d. The washer 22 can form a barrier to the adhesives used in bonding the paperboard layers 12a-12d, from contacting the outer flange 20c of the base 20, which could interfere with rotational ability. The washer 22 and its inner diameter 22b can be sized to prevent contact of the outer flange 20c of the base 20 and receptacle 16 with paperboard layers 12b-12d, including with holes 28, 26 and 14. The annular cantilevered inner lip 22e of the washer 22 can resiliently deflect forwardly in the direction of arrow A away from back paperboard layer 12a when the receptacle 16 is rotated, which can move the outer flange 20c and base 20 away from the annular ring 25 of the back paperboard layer 12a, and reduce the axial pressure or force that the outer flange 20c and the base 20 exerts on the annular ring 25 of the back paperboard layer 12a, which can reduce the friction force between the outer flange 20c and the back paperboard layer 12a. For example, grasping the receptacle 16 between two fingers and pushing the receptacle 16 frontward in the direction of arrow A while rotating, makes the receptacle 16 easier to rotate due to decreased friction of the outer flange 20c with back paperboard layer 12a. In contrast, pushing the receptacle 16 backward against the back paperboard layer 12a when rotating typically increases friction of the base 20 with the back paperboard layer 12a and makes the receptacle 16 more difficult to rotate. One does not need to push the receptacle 16 frontward while rotating to obtain easier rotation in comparison with a prior art capsule that is tightly held by paperboard layers. The washer 22 can be configured to normally exert lower axial pressure or friction force on the outer flange 20c, while capturing flange 20c, than in such prior art, and rotation of receptacle 16 is easier. In some embodiments, rotation of receptacle 16 can be easier then such prior art without requiring deflection of washer 22. In some embodiments, deflection of the washer 22 can be very small and virtually un-noticeable, while providing desired rotational benefits. In some embodiments, the inner paperboard layer 12b can have the same thickness as outer flange 20c, so that at rest, washer 22 can be in an undeflected state.
As seen in
Referring to
In one embodiment, the paperboard layers 12a-12d can be about 0.015 inches thick, and the outer flange 20c of base 20 can be about 0.05 inches thick, to provide an initial preload bias from washer 22 against outer flange 20c. The outer flange 20c can have a radial width of about 0.045 inches but can vary, for example between 0.030-0.060 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the layers of paperboard 12a-12d can vary for example from about 0.010-012 inches to about 0.016-0.018 inches, or even up to 0.03 inches. If desired, at least some of the paperboard layers can be impregnated with adhesive, such as on inner or internal joined surfaces of the display panel 12. In addition, the outer flange 20c can have a thickness from about 0.03-0.04 inches to about 0.06-0.08 inches or about 0.09 to 0.1 inches. The washer 22 can be formed of polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and can have a thickness of about 0.004-0.005 inches to about 0.007-0.009 inches. In some embodiments, the washer 22 can be formed of other suitable materials such as suitable plastics, metals, composites, etc. The receptacle 16 can be formed of acrylic, but can be formed of other suitable plastics or materials including polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG). The receptacle 16 can be a variety of sizes for holding various sizes of articles and such as coins or medallions. For example, the outer periphery dimensions of a receptacle 16 for holding a silver dollar can be about 1¾ inches. The outer 22a and inner 22b diameters of the washer 22 can vary in size depending upon the article 8 being held in the associated receptacle 16. For example, a silver dollar has a diameter of about 1½ inches, and a dime has a diameter of about 0.7 inches. For a washer 22 associated with a receptacle 16 for a silver dollar, embodiments of the washer 22 can have an inner diameter 22b around 1⅝ inches and an outer diameter 22a around 2½ inches. A washer 22 associated with a receptacle 16 for a dime would be of a smaller appropriate size. Although the radial width W1 of the annular paperboard ring 25 of paperboard layer 12a and the radial width W2 of the annular cantilevered inner lip 22e of the washer 22 can be about ⅛ inch, in other embodiments, widths W1 and W2 can vary, for example between about 1/16 to ¼ inch. Large widths W1 of ring 25 can create more friction and make rotation more difficult. Widths W2 of annular cantilevered inner lip 22e of washer 22 that are too small, might not deflect easily and can also make rotation more difficult. In some embodiments, some or all of the paperboard layers 12a-12d can be replaced with layers or sheets of other materials, such as with plastics, composites, wood products, metals, foils, etc.
During manufacturing, the base 20 of the receptacle 16 can be assembled with the display panel 12, and sealed under heat and pressure, or by other suitable methods, and the lids 18 can be assembled after sealing. The articles 8, such as coins can be installed later, for example by the manufacturer, or customer. The removable lid 18 allows the receptacles 16 to be opened for inspecting, removing and/or replacing the articles 8 contained therein. The four layers 12a-12d of paperboard can provide rigidity to the display panel 12 which not only is desirable for appearances, but can allow the washer 22 to operate in a predictable manner. The inner paperboard layers 12b and 12c can be adhesive impregnated in advance, or adhesive can be applied at assembly.
Referring to
Referring to
While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.
It is understood that various features described or shown can be omitted or combined together. Although particular dimensions have been given, it is understood that dimensions can vary, depending upon the situation at hand. In addition, although directional terms have been used, such as front, back, etc., it is understood that this does not limit the orientation of the rotatable display 10 or its elements. It is also understood that the receptacles 16 do not have to be round, but can have other suitable shapes for containing desired articles. Archival quality materials can be used for the components of the present invention, but comparable materials can be used in some embodiments if archival quality is not a requirement for containment of articles 8.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/327,848, filed Jul. 10, 2014. The entire teachings of the above application are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14327848 | Jul 2014 | US |
| Child | 15367844 | US |
