Card Sleeves

Abstract

In some examples, the card sleeve system includes an outer sleeve. According to some examples, the outer card sleeve includes an outer front sheet. The outer card sleeve may include an outer back sheet coupled to the outer front sheet along an outer bottom edge, an outer left edge, and an outer right edge of the outer sleeve. In some examples, an outer top edge of the outer card sleeve defines an outer opening configured to receive the inner card sleeve. According to some examples, an outer upper left corner and an outer upper right corner of the outer card sleeve define a right angle. An outer lower left corner and an outer lower right corner of the outer card sleeve may define rounded corners.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to containment systems, and in particular to containment systems for cards, such as gaming cards. [Background technology]

[0002] In the world of collectibles, such as trading or gaming cards, users enjoy protecting their possessions from wear and tear, dust, harmful particles, or other particulates. A common way to protect cards is through the use of sleeves, which are generally thin plastic membranes into which the card is inserted. However, the use of a single sleeve still increases the likelihood of particulates entering through the opening into which the card is inserted. Furthermore, this unprotected edge of the card can still be subject to general wear, as it does not enjoy the same protection as the rest of the card.

[0003] One solution to the presence of unprotected edges is to have a sealable or fold-over type sleeve. However, this can add unnecessary bulk to the sleeve, making actions such as shuffling more cumbersome and tedious. Another solution to this unprotected edge is to use multiple sleeves, an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. This combination of sleeves allows all four edges of the card to be protected while still maintaining the generally narrow profile of a single sleeve system. However, the solution provided by a sleeve system including an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve has its own problems, which are explored more thoroughly in this disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure describes systems and techniques for storing cards, such as playing cards. The system may include separate sub-components that may be used in combination or separately based on the needs of the user.

[0005] In some examples, the card sleeve system includes an outer sleeve. According to some examples, the outer card sleeve includes an outer front sheet. The outer card sleeve may include an outer back sheet coupled to the outer front sheet along an outer bottom edge, an outer left edge, and an outer right edge of the outer sleeve. In some examples, an outer top edge of the outer card sleeve defines an outer opening configured to receive the inner card sleeve. According to some examples, an outer upper left corner and an outer upper right corner of the outer card sleeve define a right angle. An outer lower left corner and an outer lower right corner of the outer card sleeve may define rounded corners.

[0006] In some examples, the outer front sheet comprises a finish selected from the group consisting of optically transparent and translucent. According to some examples, the outer front sheet further comprises a texture selected from the group consisting of glossy, matte, and anti-glare. The outer front sheet may comprise a color.

[0007] In some examples, the outer backsheet comprises a finish selected from the group consisting of optically clear, translucent, at least partially opaque, and fully opaque. According to some examples, the outer backsheet comprises a color.

[0008] The outer front sheet may have a thickness between 0.115 mm and 0.125 mm. In some examples, the outer back sheet has a thickness between 0.135 mm and 0.145 mm. According to some examples, the outer card sleeve defines a height between 91.3 mm and 92.3 mm. The outer card sleeve may define a width between 66.3 mm and 67.3 mm. In some examples, the outer card sleeve defines a height between 88.3 mm and 89.3 mm. According to some examples, the outer card sleeve defines a width between 61.6 mm and 62.6 mm.

[0009] The card sleeve system may further comprise an inner card sleeve configured for insertion into the outer card sleeve. In some examples, the inner card sleeve includes an inner front sheet. According to some examples, the inner card sleeve further comprises an inner back sheet joined to the inner front sheet along an inner top edge, an inner left edge, and an inner right edge of the inner card sleeve. The inner bottom edge of the inner card sleeve may define an inner opening configured to receive a card. In some examples, the inner top left corner and the inner top right corner of the inner card sleeve define a right angle. According to some examples, the inner bottom left corner and the inner bottom right corner of the inner card sleeve define rounded corners. The inner front sheet may not be joined to the inner back sheet along the inner bottom left corner and the inner bottom right corner rounded corners.

[0010] In some examples, the inner front sheet is optically clear. According to some examples, the inner back sheet comprises a finish selected from the group consisting of optically clear, at least partially opaque, and completely opaque.

[0011] The inner front sheet and the inner back sheet may have a thickness between 0.045 mm and 0.055 mm. In some examples, the inner card sleeve defines a height between 88.9 mm and 89.9 mm. According to some examples, the inner card sleeve defines a width between 63.7 mm and 64.7 mm. The inner card sleeve may define a height between 86.5 mm and 87.5 mm. According to some examples, the inner card sleeve defines a width between 59.8 mm and 60.8 mm.

[0012] The above-described embodiments include many optional features and aspects, which features and aspects of the embodiments may be combined. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary card sleeve system including an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. [Figure 2A]1A-1C are front views of a playing card being inserted into an inner sleeve, according to some examples. [Figure 2B] 2 is a front view of a playing card inside an inner sleeve inserted into an outer sleeve forming the exemplary card sleeve system of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded front view of the exemplary card sleeve system of FIG. 1, showing the individual components of the outer sleeve, inner sleeve, and playing card. [Figure 4A] 11A-11C are front views of an inner sleeve according to some examples. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a side view of the inner sleeve of FIG. 4A. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4C is a profile view of the inner sleeve of FIGS. 4A and 4B. [Figure 6A] 13A-13C are front views of an outer sleeve according to some examples. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a side view of the outer sleeve of FIG. 6A. [Figure 7] FIG. 6C is a profile view of the outer sleeve of FIGS. 6A and 6B. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view of another exemplary card sleeve system including an outer sleeve. [Figure 9] 9 is a front view of a playing card inserted into an outer sleeve forming the exemplary card sleeve system of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is an exploded front view of the exemplary card sleeve system of FIG. 8, showing the individual components of the outer sleeve and playing card. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Collectible owners often seek solutions to protect their investment. In the case of trading or playing cards, the solutions offered are often limited to a few options. To keep multiple cards protected at once, there is the option of deck boxes, which vary widely in size and range of the number of cards they can store. However, to protect individual cards, the only option is to use some type of sleeve. For further protection, two sleeves (an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve) can be used in tandem, with openings on opposite sides, so that the card is protected along all four edges.

[0015] Traditional card sleeves have long been made in a rectangular shape, i.e., all four corners of the card sleeve have sharp, right, or near-right corners. These sharp angles can dig into the palm of a user's hand during use and shuffling a deck of cards. This can be solved by rounding the corners of the card sleeve. However, rounding all corners of the card sleeve weakens the weld between the front sheet and the back sheet, making it more likely that the entire sleeve will break. In some cases, the sleeve may easily separate from the weld.

[0016] Both solutions to these problems and the subject matter of this disclosure are card sleeves and card sleeve systems that use rounded corners on one side of the sleeve and square or near square corners on the other side of the sleeve. Square corners allow for stronger welds between the back sheet and the front sheet, thus allowing for better overall structural integrity. Rounded corners can help prevent users from experiencing any pain or discomfort from sharp edges digging into the palm of their hands while handling the cards.

[0017] A further shortcoming of the prior art is that, whether all square corners or all rounded corners, one cannot know if all the cards are facing the same way without looking at each individual card face up. This is important in card games where players need to read the effects listed on their cards or deal cards while they are facing a particular way. A card sleeve with square corners on one side and rounded corners on the other side can solve this problem by keeping the bottoms of all the cards with the same style edge. For example, if the bottoms of the cards are always on the edge of the card with the rounded corners, the user can immediately tell which way the cards are facing without having to turn them over to check.

[0018] 1 shows a front view of an exemplary card sleeve system 10a. As shown in FIG. 1, the card sleeve system 10a may include an outer sleeve 102, an inner sleeve 104, and a playing card 106. While the playing card 106 is not necessary to complete the system, the purpose of the card sleeve system 10a is to provide an element of protection (i.e., wear, light exposure, etc.) to some object, and thus the playing card 106 is shown throughout the figures and described throughout this disclosure for the purpose of providing a reference for the operations performed by the outer sleeve 102 and the inner sleeve 104.

[0019] The inner sleeve 104 is shown in dashed lines to indicate that the inner sleeve 104 is shown within the outer sleeve 102. Similarly, the playing cards 106 are shown in dashed lines to indicate that the playing cards 106 are within the inner sleeve 104.

[0020] 2A and 2B show a front view of a playing card 106 being inserted into the inner sleeve 104 (FIG. 2A), and then a front view of the playing card 106 with this assembly being inserted into the outer sleeve 102 (FIG. 2B) to complete the exemplary card sleeve system 10a.

[0021] FIG. 2A shows a playing card 106 inserted into the bottom of the inner sleeve 104, with an opening that will be described in more detail in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, and FIG. 5. According to FIG. 2A, the inner sleeve 104 is configured to receive the playing card 106 through the inner sleeve opening 428 along the inner bottom edge 404, whereby the playing card 106 slides into the inner sleeve pocket 418 until the playing card 106 is substantially surrounded by the inner sleeve 104. Arrows are provided to indicate the direction of movement of the playing card 106 moving relative to the inner sleeve 104 during the movement of entry. The playing card 106 is shown in dashed lines only in the area where the playing card 106 is inserted into the inner sleeve 104 to indicate the transition from the outside of the inner sleeve 104 to the inside of the inner sleeve 104.

[0022] FIG. 2B similarly shows the assembly of the playing card 106 inside the inner sleeve 104, which is inserted into the top of the outer sleeve 102, with the openings described in more detail in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 7. According to FIG. 2B, the outer sleeve 102 is configured to receive the inner sleeve 104 with the playing card 106 through the outer sleeve opening 624 along the outer top edge 602, whereby the inner sleeve 104 with the playing card 106 slides into the outer sleeve pocket 614 until the inner sleeve 104 with the playing card 106 is substantially surrounded by the outer sleeve 102. Arrows are provided to indicate the direction of movement of the playing card 106 and the inner sleeve 104 relative to the outer sleeve 102 during the movement of entry. The playing card 106 is shown in dashed lines throughout, indicating that the playing card 106 is entirely within the inner sleeve 104 in FIG. 2B. The inner sleeve 104 is shown in dashed lines only in the area where the inner sleeve 104 is inserted into the outer sleeve 102 to show the transition from the outside of the outer sleeve 102 to the inside of the outer sleeve 102 .

[0023] 3 shows the separate components of an exemplary card sleeve system 10a in an exploded front view, making the outer sleeve 102, inner sleeve 104, and playing card 106 more clearly visible, as well as the potential differences in size between these separate components.

[0024] 4A illustrates a front view of an exemplary inner sleeve 104. As illustrated, the inner sleeve 104 generally comprises four distinct sides. These sides include an inner top edge 402 and an inner bottom edge 404 that is at least partially parallel to and opposite the inner top edge 402. Also included are an inner left edge 406 and an inner right edge 408 that is at least partially parallel to and opposite the inner left edge 406. Both the inner left edge 406 and the inner right edge 408 are at least partially perpendicular to the inner top edge 402 and the inner bottom edge 404.

[0025] A right angle 414 is shown where the inner top edge 402 meets the inner left edge 406. It should be understood that this angle approximates a right angle 414 and that tolerances are expected in any manufacturing process, allowing for a degree of variation between the inner top edge 402 and the inner left edge 406. Similarly, a right angle 414 is also shown where the inner top edge 402 meets the inner right edge 408, but is not labeled to avoid cluttering the drawing and for ease of reading. It should also be understood that while these two top corners are approximately equal in angle to one another, a perfect mirror image is not expected or required.

[0026] A rounded corner 416 is shown where the inner bottom edge 404 meets the inner right edge 408. Similarly, a rounded corner 416 is shown where the inner bottom edge 404 meets the inner left edge 406, but again, is not labeled to avoid cluttering the drawing and for ease of reading. As with the right angle 414, the rounded corners 416 are approximately equal to one another, but it should be understood that a perfect mirror image is not expected or required.

[0027] Within the boundaries of the inner top edge 402, the inner bottom edge 404, the inner left edge 406, and the inner right edge 408 is an inner sleeve pocket 418. The inner sleeve pocket 418 is configured to receive an object, such as a playing card 106, through the inner bottom edge 404 and retain the object entirely within its confines, as shown by the dashed lines. As shown, the inner sleeve pocket 418 extends to the beginning of the rounded corners 416, indicating that the opening to the inner sleeve pocket 418 includes both rounded corners 416 that are not attached between the two sheets (inner front sheet 420 and inner back sheet 422, see FIG. 4B) that make up the inner sleeve 104.

[0028] The inner sleeve 104 has an inner sleeve height 410 and an inner sleeve width 412 that can vary depending on the needs of the user. Continuing with the analysis of the playing card 106, a standard playing card usually has a height of about 88 millimeters and a width of about 63 millimeters. In such a case, the inner sleeve 104 is sized slightly larger than these dimensions. Exemplary dimensions include an inner sleeve height 410 of about 89.4 millimeters and an inner sleeve width 412 of about 64.2 millimeters. With these dimensions, the wall thickness of the inner sleeve 104 still allows the playing card 106 to enter the inner sleeve 104. To allow for tolerances, the user may want these values ​​to fall within a range. Assuming a tolerance of about 0.5 millimeters, the inner sleeve height 410 may fall between 88.9 millimeters and 89.9 millimeters, and the inner sleeve width 412 may fall between 63.7 millimeters and 64.7 millimeters.

[0029] As an additional example, Japanese gaming cards 106 typically have a height of about 59 millimeters and a width of about 86 millimeters. In such cases, the inner sleeve 104 is again slightly larger than these dimensions to prevent the wall thickness from interfering with the gaming card 106 during insertion. Exemplary dimensions in such cases include an inner sleeve height 410 of about 87 millimeters and an inner sleeve width 412 of about 60.3 millimeters. As previously mentioned, a user may desire the values ​​to fall within a range to allow for the tolerances of the machinery being used to create the card sleeve system 10a. Again, assuming a tolerance of about 0.5 millimeters, the inner sleeve height 410 may fall within a value between 86.5 millimeters and 87.5 millimeters, and the inner sleeve width 412 may fall within a value between 59.8 millimeters and 60.8 millimeters.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B is a side view of the inner sleeve 104 of FIG. 4A, specifically a side view from the right side. As shown, the inner sleeve 104 may include an inner front sheet 420 welded to an inner back sheet 422 along all of the sides (inner top edge 402, inner left edge 406, and inner right edge 408) that do not define an opening to the inner sleeve pocket 418. The area where the inner front sheet 420 and the inner back sheet 422 are welded is shown as an inner sidewall 424. Along the inner bottom edge 404 there is an inner sleeve opening 428 for accessing the inner sleeve pocket 418. Along this inner bottom edge 404 objects such as playing cards 106 may be placed.

[0031] The sheet of inner sleeve 104 has an inner sleeve thickness 426, which is the thickness of the material used to manufacture the sheet that makes up the inner sleeve 104. Since the inner sleeve thickness 426 does not depend on the size of the object placed in the inner sleeve pocket 418, this inner sleeve thickness 426 does not change in the presented examples of standard playing cards 106 and Japanese playing cards 106. The inner sleeve thickness 426 in either scenario may be approximately 0.05 millimeters. Due to variations in material thickness in the manufacturing process, a user may desire this inner sleeve thickness 426 value to fall within a range. Assuming a tolerance of approximately 0.005 millimeters, the inner sleeve thickness 426 may fall between values ​​of 0.045 millimeters to 0.055 millimeters.

[0032] In some examples, the inner front sheet 420 is optically transparent. The inner back sheet 422 may also be optically transparent or at least partially opaque or completely opaque. Both the inner front sheet 420 and the inner back sheet 422 may be manufactured from polypropylene or an equivalent ecologically friendly material such as bio-based polypropylene.

[0033] 5 is a profile view of the inner sleeve of FIGS. 4A and 4B, showing a "puckered" inner sleeve opening 428 to further illustrate how the opening operates. Although the inner sleeve opening 428 is shown and described along the inner bottom edge 404, it should be understood that the opening may also be presented along either the inner left edge 406 or the inner right edge 408, or along the inner top edge 402, for "side-loading" the playing cards 106.

[0034] FIG. 6A shows a front view of an exemplary outer sleeve 102. The outer sleeve 102 shares many similarities with the inner sleeve 104, but differs in size (to allow the inner sleeve 104 to enter the outer sleeve 102) and the location of an opening. Although there are many similarities between the outer sleeve 102 and the inner sleeve 104, features are repeated here for ease of reading. As shown, the outer sleeve 102 generally comprises four distinct sides. These sides include an outer top edge 602 and an outer bottom edge 604 that is at least partially parallel to and opposite the outer top edge 602. Also included are an outer left edge 606 and an outer right edge 608 that is at least partially parallel to and opposite the outer left edge 606. Both the outer left edge 606 and the outer right edge 608 are at least partially perpendicular to the outer top edge 602 and the outer bottom edge 604.

[0035] A right angle 414 is shown where the outer top edge 602 meets the outer left edge 606. It should be understood that this angle approximates a right angle 414 and that tolerances are expected in any manufacturing process, allowing for a degree of variation between the outer top edge 602 and the outer left edge 606. Similarly, a right angle 414 is shown where the outer top edge 602 meets the outer right edge 608, but is not labeled to avoid cluttering the drawing and for ease of reading. It should also be understood that while these two top corners are approximately equal in angle to one another, a perfect mirror image is not expected or required.

[0036] A rounded corner 416 is shown where the outer bottom edge 604 meets the outer right edge 608. Similarly, a rounded corner 416 is shown where the outer bottom edge 604 meets the outer left edge 606, but again, is not labeled to avoid cluttering the drawing and for ease of reading. As with the right angles 414, the rounded corners 416 are approximately equal to one another, although it should be understood that a perfect mirror image is not expected or required.

[0037] Within the boundaries of the outer top edge 602, the outer bottom edge 604, the outer left edge 606, and the outer right edge 608 is an outer sleeve pocket 614. The outer sleeve pocket 614 is configured to receive an object, such as a playing card 106, through the outer top edge 602 and hold the object entirely within its confines, as shown by the dashed lines. As shown, the outer sleeve pocket 614 extends to the outer top edge 602, indicating that the opening into the outer sleeve pocket 614 is on this outer top edge 602, rather than the outer bottom edge 604, as is the case with the inner sleeve 104.

[0038] The outer sleeve 102 has an outer sleeve height 610 and an outer sleeve width 612 that can vary depending on the needs of the user. Using the assumption of a standard playing card 106 and the resulting dimensions of the inner sleeve 104, example dimensions may include an outer sleeve height 610 of approximately 91.8 millimeters and an outer sleeve width 612 of approximately 66.8 millimeters. With these dimensions, the wall thickness of the inner sleeve 104 still allows the inner sleeve 104 to enter the outer sleeve 102. To allow for tolerances, the user may want these values ​​to fall within a range. Again, assuming a tolerance of approximately 0.5 millimeters, the outer sleeve height 610 may fall between 91.3 and 92.3 millimeters, and the outer sleeve width 612 may fall between 66.3 and 67.3 millimeters.

[0039] Following the additional example of a Japanese playing card 106, exemplary dimensions may include an outer sleeve height 610 of approximately 88.8 millimeters and an outer sleeve width 612 of approximately 62.1 millimeters. As previously mentioned, a user may desire the values ​​to fall within a range to allow for the tolerances of the machinery being used to create the card sleeve system 10a. Again, assuming a tolerance of approximately 0.5 millimeters, the outer sleeve height 610 may fall within a value between 88.3 and 89.3 millimeters, and the outer sleeve width 612 may fall within a value between 61.6 and 62.6 millimeters.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B is a side view of the outer sleeve 104 of FIG. 6A, specifically a side view from the right side. As shown, the outer sleeve 102 may include an outer front sheet 616 welded to an outer back sheet 618 along all of the sides (outer bottom edge 604, outer left edge 606, and outer right edge 608) that do not define an opening to the outer sleeve pocket 614. The area where the outer front sheet 616 and outer back sheet 618 are welded together is shown as an outer sidewall 620. Along the outer top edge 602 there is an outer sleeve opening 624 for accessing the outer sleeve pocket 614. Along this outer bottom edge 602 an object such as an inner sleeve 104, a playing card 106, or a combination thereof may be placed.

[0041] The sheet that makes up the outer sleeve 102 has an outer sleeve thickness 622, which is the thickness of the material used to manufacture the sheet of outer sleeve 102. The outer sleeve thickness 622 does not vary in the presented examples of standard playing cards 106 and Japanese playing cards 106, as the outer sleeve thickness 622 is independent of the size of the object placed in the outer sleeve pocket 614 or the inner sleeve 104. Additionally, the outer front sheet 616 and the outer back sheet 618 may have different thicknesses.

[0042] For example, the outer front sheet 616 may have an outer sleeve thickness 622 of approximately 0.12 millimeters. Due to variations in material thickness in the manufacturing process, a user may desire this outer sleeve thickness 622 value to fall within a range. Assuming a tolerance of approximately 0.005 millimeters, similar to the inner sleeve thickness 426, the outer sleeve thickness 622 of the outer front sheet 616 in this example may fall between 0.115 millimeters and 0.125 millimeters.

[0043] The outer backsheet 618 may have an outer sleeve thickness 622 of approximately 0.14 millimeters. Again, assuming a tolerance of approximately 0.005 millimeters, the outer sleeve thickness 622 of the outer backsheet 618 in this example may fall between 0.135 millimeters and 0.145 millimeters.

[0044] It should be understood that these dimensions are merely exemplary and that it is not strictly necessary for the outer sleeve thickness 622 of the outer front sheet 616 to be different from the outer sleeve thickness 622 of the outer back sheet 618 .

[0045] In some examples, the outer front sheet 616 is optically transparent. Additionally or alternatively, the outer front sheet 616 may be translucent. According to some examples, the outer front sheet 616 includes a matte finish. The outer front sheet 616 may also include an anti-glare finish. A matte or anti-glare finish can reduce foil artifacts from the cards, make the cards more visible on camera, and facilitate online play or coverage, such as tournaments.

[0046] The outer backsheet 618 may be optically transparent, translucent, at least partially opaque, or completely opaque. In some examples, the outer backsheet 618 is tinted. Additionally or alternatively, the outer backsheet 618 may feature artwork.

[0047] Both the outer front sheet 616 and the outer back sheet 618 may be manufactured from polypropylene or an equivalent ecologically friendly material such as bio-based polypropylene.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a profile view of the outer sleeve 102 of FIGS. 6A and 6B, showing a "packed" outer sleeve opening 624 to further illustrate how the opening operates. As with the description of the inner sleeve 104 in FIG. 5, the outer sleeve opening 624 is shown and described along the outer top edge 602, but it is important to note that this opening may also be presented along either the outer left edge 606 or the outer right edge 608, or along the outer bottom edge 604, to "side-load" the playing cards 106 or inner sleeve 104. It may be desirable for the outer sleeve opening 624 to be along an edge opposite the edge of the inner sleeve opening 428 to further prevent harmful or other particulates from accessing the playing cards 106, but this is not strictly necessary.

[0049] FIG. 8 shows a front view of another exemplary card sleeve system 10b. As shown in FIG. 8, the card sleeve system 10b may include an outer sleeve 102 and a playing card 106. The playing card 106 is not necessary to complete the system, but as previously described in FIG. 1 with respect to the exemplary card sleeve system 10a, the purpose of the card sleeve system 10b is to provide an element of protection (i.e., wear, light exposure, etc.) to some object, and therefore the playing card 106 is shown throughout the figures and described throughout this disclosure to provide a reference for the operations performed by the outer sleeve 102. The playing card 106 is shown in dashed lines to indicate that the playing card 106 is within the outer sleeve 102.

[0050] FIG. 9 is a front view of a playing card 106 being inserted into the outer sleeve 102 to complete the exemplary card sleeve system 10b. As shown, the playing card 106 is inserted into the top of the outer sleeve 102, where the opening is as described in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 7. According to FIG. 9, the outer sleeve 102 is configured to receive the playing card 106 through the outer sleeve opening 624 along the outer top edge 602, whereby the playing card 106 slides into the outer sleeve pocket 614 until the playing card 106 is substantially surrounded by the outer sleeve 102. Arrows are provided to indicate the direction of movement of the playing card 106 relative to the outer sleeve 102 during the entry movement. The playing card 106 is shown in dashed lines only in the area where the playing card 106 is inserted into the outer sleeve 102 to indicate the transition from the outside of the outer sleeve 102 to the inside of the outer sleeve 102.

[0051] Figure 10 shows the separate components of an exemplary card sleeve system 10b in an exploded front view, making the outer sleeve 102 and playing card 106 more clearly visible, as well as the potential differences in size between these separate components.

[0052] (interpretation) The various features and processes described above may be used independently of one another or may be combined in various ways. All possible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, some methods, events, states, or process blocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods, steps, and processes described herein are also not limited to any particular order, and the blocks, steps, or states associated therewith may be performed in other orders as appropriate. For example, the tasks or events described may be performed in orders other than those specifically disclosed. Multiple steps may be combined in a single block or state. Example tasks or events may be performed in serial, parallel, or in some other manner. Tasks or events may be added to or removed from the disclosed example embodiments. The example systems and components described herein may be configured differently than as described. For example, elements may be added to, removed from, or rearranged compared to the disclosed example embodiments.

[0053] Conditional language used herein, such as "can," "could," "could be," "might," "for example," and the like, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include certain features, elements, and / or steps, but that other embodiments do not include them, unless otherwise specified or understood within the context in which it is used. Thus, such conditional language is generally not intended to imply that the features, elements, and / or steps are somehow required by one or more embodiments, or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for determining whether or not those features, elements, and / or steps should be included or performed in any particular embodiment, with or without author input or prompting. Terms such as "comprises," "includes," "having," and the like, are synonymous and are used in an inclusive, non-limiting manner and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, etc. Additionally, the term "or" is used in its inclusive sense (and not in an exclusive sense), e.g., when used to connect a list of elements, the term "or" means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctions such as the phrase "at least one of X, Y, and Z," unless specifically stated otherwise, are understood differently with the context in which they are generally used to convey that an item, term, etc., can be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctives are not generally intended to imply that a particular embodiment requires that at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z, respectively, be present.

[0054] The term "and / or" means that "and" applies to some embodiments and "or" applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and / or C can be substituted for A, B, and C in one sentence and A, B, or C in another sentence. A, B, and / or C means that some embodiments can include A and B, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include B and C, some embodiments can include only A, some embodiments can include only B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodiments include A, B, and C. The term "and / or" is used to avoid unnecessary redundancy.

[0055] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Thus, nothing in the above description should be construed as implying that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or essential. In fact, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made in the form of the methods and systems described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention disclosed herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10a - Card Sleeve System 10b - Card Sleeve System 102 - Outer sleeve 104 - Inner sleeve 106 - Gaming Cards 402 - inner upper edge 404 - Inner bottom edge 406 - Inside left edge 408 - Right inner edge 410 - Inner sleeve height 412 - Inner sleeve width 414 - Right angle 416 - Rounded Corners 418 - Inner sleeve pocket 420 - Inner front seat 422 - Inner back seat 424 - Inner sidewall 426 - Inner sleeve thickness 428 - Inner sleeve opening 602 - Upper outer edge 604 - Outer bottom edge 606 - Outer left edge 608 - Outer right edge 610 - Outer sleeve height 612 - Outer sleeve width 614 - Exterior sleeve pocket 616 - Outer front sheet 618 - Outer back sheet 620 - Outer sidewall 622 - Outer sleeve thickness 624 - Outer sleeve opening

Claims

1. 1. A card sleeve system comprising an outer card sleeve, The outer card sleeve is An outer front sheet; an outer back sheet coupled to the outer front sheet along an outer bottom edge, an outer left edge, and an outer right edge of the outer card sleeve; Equipped with an outer top edge of the outer card sleeve defining an outer opening configured to receive the inner card sleeve; an outer upper left corner and an outer upper right corner of the outer card sleeve define a right angle; A card sleeve system, wherein an outer lower left corner and an outer lower right corner of the outer card sleeve define rounded corners.

2. 10. The card sleeve system of claim 1, wherein said outer front sheet comprises a finish selected from the group consisting of optically transparent and translucent.

3. 3. The card sleeve system of claim 2, wherein the outer front sheet further comprises a texture selected from the group consisting of glossy, matte, and anti-glare.

4. The card sleeve system of claim 3 , wherein the outer front sheet comprises a color.

5. 10. The card sleeve system of claim 1, wherein the outer backsheet comprises a finish selected from the group consisting of optically transparent, translucent, at least partially opaque, and completely opaque.

6. The card sleeve system of claim 5 , wherein the outer backsheet comprises a color.

7. the outer front sheet has a thickness of 0.115 mm to 0.125 mm; The card sleeve system of claim 1 , wherein the outer back sheet has a thickness of between 0.135 mm and 0.145 mm.

8. the outer card sleeve defines a height of between 91.3 mm and 92.3 mm; The card sleeve system of claim 1 , wherein the outer card sleeve defines a width of between 66.3 mm and 67.3 mm.

9. the outer card sleeve defines a height of 88.3 mm to 89.3 mm; The card sleeve system of claim 1 , wherein the outer card sleeve defines a width of between 61.6 mm and 62.6 mm.

10. 2. The card sleeve system of claim 1, an inner card sleeve configured for insertion into said outer card sleeve; and wherein the inner card sleeve further comprises: An inner front sheet; an inner back sheet joined to the inner front sheet along an inner top edge, an inner left edge, and an inner right edge of the inner card sleeve; Equipped with an inner bottom edge of the inner card sleeve defining an inner opening configured to receive a card; an inner upper left corner and an inner upper right corner of the inner card sleeve define a right angle; an inner lower left corner and an inner lower right corner of the inner card sleeve define rounded corners; A card sleeve system, wherein the inner front sheet is not joined to the inner back sheet along the rounded corners of the inner lower left corner and the inner lower right corner.

11. 11. The card sleeve system of claim 10, wherein said inner front sheet is optically transparent.

12. 11. The card sleeve system of claim 10, wherein the inner backsheet comprises a finish selected from the group consisting of optically clear, at least partially opaque, and completely opaque.

13. The card sleeve system of claim 10, wherein the inner front sheet and the inner back sheet have a thickness of between 0.045 mm and 0.055 mm.

14. the inner card sleeve defines a height of 88.9 mm to 89.9 mm; The card sleeve system of claim 10, wherein the inner card sleeve defines a width of between 63.7 mm and 64.7 mm.

15. the inner card sleeve defines a height of 86.5 mm to 87.5 mm; The card sleeve system of claim 10, wherein the inner card sleeve defines a width of 59.8 mm to 60.8 mm.

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