Comic Book Case with Frictional Pressure and Tamper Evidence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing comic book cases allow for free movement or slippage of the book, which can result in damage such as curling or crinkling upon physical shock, and do not provide a secure method to maintain authenticity once the case is opened.
Innovation Solution
A comic book case design featuring a base with a raised platform and a cover with a depressed platform, using ultrasonic bonding to securely hold the book in place and provide a visual indication of tampering, with posts and receptacles that temporarily hold the cover to the base and can be permanently or semi-permanently assembled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the book is allowed to move freely within the case, then the case is easier to open and access, but the book can shift or slip causing damage such as curling or crinkling upon physical shock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the case with a raised base platform and depressed cover platform that create frictional pressure on the book before any shock occurs. This pre-established frictional constraint prevents the book from slipping during unexpected physical shocks, while still allowing legitimate access by designed means.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the case is made secure to prevent slippage, then book protection is improved, but the case becomes more complex and harder to open for access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating localized frictional pressure only at the contact points between the book and the raised/depressed platforms, rather than requiring a completely complex securement system throughout the entire case. This localized approach provides effective protection while maintaining case simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If the case allows easy opening for access, then ease of operation is improved, but the authenticity of the book cannot be maintained after opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the color changes principle by using visual indicators (such as color-coded seals, tags, or visual markers on the ultrasonic bond lines) that change or reveal themselves when the case is opened. These visual cues provide readily observable positive evidence of tampering, indicating that the item contained is no longer authenticated, while still allowing the case to be opened for legitimate access.
4Reliability
If ultrasonic bonding is used to secure the case, then reliability and tamper evidence are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sealing function into multiple discrete ultrasonic bond locations around the perimeter of the case rather than requiring a single continuous seal. This segmentation allows each bond point to be independently created with standard precision, and the collective effect of multiple bonds provides reliable tamper evidence without requiring excessively high precision across the entire sealing interface.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The case effectively prevents book slippage and damage by providing adequate frictional pressure and a secure enclosure, while maintaining the authenticity of the book and allowing for easy disassembly for access.
Implementation Method 1
The base includes a raised base platform and the cover includes a depressed cover platform, which extends towards the base platform to create a space within which the book is securely held. The case can be configured with an appropriate size and shape to encapsulate substantially any flat article.
Implementation Method 2
A comic book case includes a base and a cover configured to compress and secure a comic book in place under frictional pressure such that the book cannot easily shift or slip within the case.
Data Source
AI summary
A comic book case includes a base and a cover configured to compress and secure a comic book in place under frictional pressure such that the book cannot easily shift or slip within the case. Prior art cases that included walls surrounding the top, bottom and side edges of a book typically allowed some free movement or slippage of the book between the walls. This movement or slippage could result in damage such as curling or crinkling of the edges of the book if the case were exposed to a physical shock, such as by being dropped. The base includes a raised base platform and the cover includes a depressed cover platform, which extends towards the base platform to create a space within which the book is securely held.