US-20260127985-A1 - INSERT HOLDER SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS FOR COLLECTIBLE ITEMS

Abstract

A method for protecting a collectible item, a combination cardcase and collectible item, and an insert for positioning the collectible item. The method includes capturing image data of the collectible item. The method further includes generating an insert template of the collectible item based on the captured image data.

Inventors

• Geoffrey Wolfe
• Travis Tapay
• Mark Frisbee
• Ben Bailey
• Brian Alvey

Assignees

• COLLECTORS UNIVERSE, INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20251103

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A method of making an insert for use in a cardcase comprising: capturing image data of a collectible item; and generating an insert template of the collectible item based on the captured image data.
2. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein capturing image data comprises capturing a silhouette image of the collectible item.
3. 3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the insert template is configured to be used by a laser cutter to create a custom insert based on the image data within which the collectible item is positionable.
4. 4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the collectible item comprises a die cut card.
5. 5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating an initial silhouette template based on the captured image data of the collectible item.
6. 6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein generating the insert template comprises: generating a bounding box; positioning the initial silhouette template within the bounding box; resizing the bounding box, along with the initial silhouette template therein, to match a size of the collectible item; tracing a path around the initial silhouette template; and increasing a size of the traced path to define an increased traced path to create the insert template.
7. 7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the increasing of the traced path comprises increasing by approximately 0.005 inches.
8. 8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein positioning the initial silhouette template within the bounding box comprises: generating and positioning a reference line on the initial silhouette template corresponding to a periphery line of the collectible item; and rotating the initial silhouette template to align the reference line thereof to a corresponding boundary line of the bounding box.
9. 9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming a custom insert based on the generated insert template, the custom insert has an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter configured to receive and position the collectible item within the inner perimeter.
10. 10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein with the inner perimeter has a contour that corresponds to a size and a shape of the collectible item.
11. 11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the custom insert comprises a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet.
12. 12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein forming the custom insert comprises laser cutting the custom insert by a laser cutter.
13. 13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising: laser cutting, by the laser cutter, rounded inner apexes in the custom insert corresponding to inner apexes of the collectible item; and laser cutting, by the laser cutter, sharp outer apexes in the custom insert corresponding to outer apexes of the collectible item, preventing the custom insert from damaging the collectible item when seated therein.
14. 14 . A system comprising: an imaging device comprising an optical sensor, a platform, and a light positioned underneath the platform, the optical sensor configured to capture image data of a collectible item, the image data including a silhouette image of the collectible item; at least one hardware processor in communication with the imaging device and configured to generate an insert template based on the image data; and an insert production device in communication with the at least one hardware processor and configured to generate an insert based on the insert template, the insert configured to receive and position the collectible item within an item holder.
15. 15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the insert comprises integrated locking features configured to engage with an inner periphery of the item holder to immobilize the insert when the insert is positioned within the item holder.
16. 16 . A combination cardcase and collectible item comprising: a first housing piece attached to a second housing piece, the first housing piece and the second housing piece having a upper wall, a lower wall, and a sidewall that collectively define an interior space; a label section and an item section formed in the interior space by one or more ribs; the collectible item having a body with an outer contour positioned in the item section of the interior space; a label having a body with identifier information about the collectible item located in the label section of the interior space; an insert, having an outer perimeter and an item opening having an inner perimeter located inwardly of the outer perimeter, positioned in the item section of the interior space and the collectible item is located at least in part in the item opening of the insert; and wherein the outer contour of the collectible item has a shape that is other than square or rectangular.
17. 17 . The combination of claim 16 , wherein the outer contour of the collectible item has a complex curve with at least four inflection points.
18. 18 . The combination of claim 17 , wherein the inner perimeter of the insert has a contour that is complementary with the outer contour of the collectible item.
19. 19 . The combination of claim 18 , wherein the insert has four straight edges with each straight edge being generally right angle to two adjacent straight edges.
20. 20 . The combination of claim 19 , wherein the insert has four corners and wherein each of the four corners has a corner tab that extends outwardly of an outer perimeter defined by the four straight edges.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a regular utility application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/716,027, filed Nov. 4, 2024, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF ART The present disclosure is generally directed to safeguarding collectible items, such as baseball cards, game cards, tickets, and coins, with specific discussions on a system for protecting the collectible items within item holders and related methods thereof. BACKGROUND Collectible items such as sport cards, trading cards, game cards, stamps, tickets, and coins, are examples of collectible items collected by hobbyists for both tangible and intangible values. While intangible values may not be as readily measurable, tangible values can be measurable, such as values based on a rarity of a particular trading card and the condition of the card. Third-party services are available for grading collectible cards for authenticity and condition. Typically, when a card is sent to a grade service provider to be graded, the third party service provider inspects the card, ranks the card for condition, typically on a number scale, seals the card in a tamper-evident holder, and assigns a serial number to the card along with information about the card for future reference. Once a card has been graded by a reputable third-party grader, the authenticity and condition of the card are backed by the reputation of the third-party grader, thus removing any subjectivity of self-assessment. Consequently, the value of the card is typically increased thereby. Uniquely shaped collectible items, such as die cut cards with multiple curves on the outer contours of the cards, can be difficult to properly secure within a given card holder. Since a die cut card may not have squared corners or straight edges that match the card holder, the die cut card may undesirably move within the holder. It is known to overlay the die cut card with front and back mylar layers within the card holder. Though the mylar layers help prevent the die cut card from moving, the film or gloss of the mylar layers diminishes the aesthetic appeal of the card holder. Additionally, the die cut card may nevertheless drift from its original position, which further diminishes the aesthetic appeal of the card holder. SUMMARY Broadly speaking, aspects of the invention are directed to systems and methods for protecting uniquely shaped collectible items within custom designed inserts that are positionable within item holders. Each insert includes an item opening that is specifically tailored to receive a given collectible item therein. The insert retains a desired position of the collectible item relative to the item holder. Aspects of the invention include a method for protecting a collectible item. The method includes capturing image data of a collectible item. The method further includes generating an insert template of the collectible item based on the captured image data. In one embodiment, the step of capturing image data comprises capturing a silhouette image of the collectible item. In one embodiment, the insert template is configured to be used by a laser cutter to create a custom insert within which the collectible item is positionable. In one embodiment, the collectible item comprises a die cut card. In one embodiment, the method further comprises generating an initial silhouette template based on the captured image data of the collectible item. In one embodiment, the step of generating the insert template comprises generating a bounding box, positioning the initial silhouette template within the bounding box, and resizing the bounding box, along with the initial silhouette template therein, to match a size of the collectible item. The step of generating the insert template further comprises tracing a path around the initial silhouette template and increasing a size of the traced path by approximately 0.005 inches to create the insert template. In one embodiment, the step of positioning the initial silhouette template within the bounding box comprises generating and positioning a reference line on the initial silhouette template corresponding to a periphery line of the collectible item and rotating the initial silhouette template to align the reference line thereof to a corresponding boundary line of the bounding box. Aspects of the invention further include a method for protecting a collectible item within an item holder. The method comprises capturing image data of a collectible item, generating an insert template of the collectible item based on the captured image data, and forming a custom insert based on the generated insert template. The custom insert is configured to receive and position the collectible item within an item holder. In one embodiment, the custom insert comprises an item opening with a contour that corresponds to a size and a shape of the collectible item. In one embodiment, the custom insert comprises an outer contour th