Collectible Sleever Tool With Rounded BOPP Edges for Card Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for inserting collectibles into protective containers often result in damage to the items due to edges and corners scraping against the sleeves, reducing their value and desirability.

Innovation Solution

A collectible sleever tool with a semi-rigid core covered by a soft, smooth, archival-quality biaxially oriented polypropylene layer, allowing collectibles to be safely inserted by sandwiching them between two tools and guiding them into a protective sleeve, with the tools' leading edges making contact first to protect the corners and edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If collectibles are manually inserted into protective sleeves, then the insertion process is simple and quick, but the corners and edges of collectibles are at risk of damage from contact with sleeve edges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion process simplicityVSAvoiddamage risk to corners and edges

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sleever tool as an intermediary device between the collectible and the protective sleeve. This tool has a smooth, rounded leading edge that contacts the sleeve first, preventing direct contact between the collectible's corners/edges and the sleeve's potentially damaging edges. The tool acts as a mediator that transfers the insertion function while protecting the vulnerable parts of the collectible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sleever tool is designed with a smooth, rounded leading edge that serves as a protective cushion before the collectible makes contact with the sleeve. This rounded edge absorbs and distributes the contact forces, preventing concentrated stress on the collectible's corners and edges. The tool prepares the insertion path in advance to eliminate harmful contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the leading edge of the sleever tool is rounded, then contact with the protective sleeve is smoother and safer, but the tool's structural precision may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescraping and scratching damageVSAvoidedge sharpness and definition

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sleever tool applies different geometric qualities to different parts of its structure. The leading edge is specifically designed with a rounded profile to provide smooth contact with the protective sleeve, while the rest of the tool maintains precise dimensions and flat surfaces to ensure proper positioning and alignment during insertion. This localized application of rounding only where contact occurs resolves the contradiction between smooth contact and overall precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260080806A1Collectible sleever tool

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 GWIAZDOWSKI DAN

AI summary

One embodiment of a collectible sleever tool. The tool is comprised of a semi-rigid core 3 of a paper material with each surface covered with a material layer 2 of soft, smooth, clear, archival-quality biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), that when configured together comprises a collectible sleever tool 1. It can be used to help place a collectible card 4 into a collectible item protective sleeve 5. The tool provides for advantageous handling, movement, protection, and storage of collectibles. Other embodiments are described as shown.