CN104883923A - Case for enclosing personal electronic device and card - Google Patents

Abstract

Cases for enclosing a personal electronic device may also enclose one or more cards, such as credit cards, payment cards, coupons, receipts, identification cards, merchandise credit cards, gift cards, or business cards through the use of a retaining system. Exemplary cases may include a personal device portion and a card portion that may be co-molded into a one-piece device for holding the personal electronic device and the inserted cards.

Description

Bags for personal electronic devices and cards

Cross References to Related Applications

This application is part of U.S. Nonprovisional Application No. 13/238,803, filed September 21, 2011 (now U.S. Patent No. 8,267,251, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/403,718, filed September 21, 2010) Continuation of applications, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

technical field

The present invention relates to a case for housing a personal electronic device and one or more cards, such as credit cards, payment cards, coupons, receipts, identification cards, merchandise credit cards, gift cards or business cards.

Background technique

A case for a cell phone (which is sometimes called a document case) that carries a personal electronic device and several credit cards is similar to a traditional wallet and typically has two sides folded over each other, with one side holding the cards and the other holding the personal electronic device . Known disadvantages of these types of bags include their high cost, bulk (5 mm or more per side of the personal electronic device) and styles that are not to everyone's taste.

Other conventionally known bags for personal electronic devices include molded bags. These bags are typically manufactured from polymers by an injection molding process. Forming bags are typically very snug, manufactured at a lower cost than document bags (because automation is employed during manufacture), and are available in a variety of styles. Formed bags comprising slots for inserting credit cards are known in the prior art, but the design of this bag has at least two drawbacks. First, the case provides no protection between the back of the phone being wrapped and the inserted card. Therefore, the phone may be damaged or scratched when the card is inserted and removed from the bag. Second, the bag provides no compliance or means of retaining an inserted card. Therefore, the plug-in card may accidentally fall out of the bag.

Contents of the invention

Discussed herein is a case for housing a personal electronic device and one or more cards, such as credit cards, payment cards, coupons, receipts, identification cards, merchandise credit cards, gift cards, or business cards, using a retention system. In some embodiments, the bag may comprise multiple pieces, while in other embodiments the bag may be one-piece comprising one or more materials.

An exemplary pack may include a flexible inner layer and an outer rigid layer permanently affixed to the flexible inner layer. The bag may be flexible enough to deform to receive insertion of the personal electronic device and rigid enough to reshape around and securely hold the inserted personal electronic device. The flexible inner layer may eg be made of rubber, silicon, plastic and/or fabric.

The flexible inner layer may include a bottom surface and sides bonded to the bottom surface, the sides extending upwardly from the bottom surface in a manner similar to an open box. The bottom surface and side surfaces of the flexible inner layer may form the top surface of the first matching cavity and the adjacent second matching cavity. The first mating cavity may be configured to receive and hold the inserted personal electronic device such that the bottom surface of the flexible inner layer covers the bottom surface of the inserted personal electronic device and the sides cover the sides of the inserted personal electronic device. at least partly. A second mating cavity, which may be adjacent to the first mating cavity, may be configured to receive and retain one or more insert cards.

In some embodiments, the static coefficient of friction between the insert card and the flexible inner layer is sufficient to hold the insert card in place within the second mating cavity. In other embodiments, the flexible inner layer may include retaining structure extending into the second mating cavity to exert pressure on the insert card and thereby retain the insert card within the second mating cavity.

In one embodiment, the package may include first and second layers. The first layer may include a bottom surface and a side surface coupled to the bottom surface and extending upward from the bottom surface, thereby forming a first fitting cavity and a top surface of an adjacent second fitting cavity. The first mating cavity may be configured to receive and retain the inserted personal electronic device such that the bottom surface of the first layer covers the bottom surface of the inserted personal electronic device and the sides of the first layer cover the inserted personal electronic device. at least part of the side of the The second layer may include a bottom surface and side surfaces bonded to the bottom surface and extending upward from the bottom surface. The bottom surface of the second layer and the first portion of the side of the second layer form a second mating cavity and the second portion of the side of the outer rigid layer may substantially cover the side of the first layer. The second mating cavity may be configured to receive and retain at least one card and the at least one first portion of the side may include an opening through which the card is inserted into the bag.

In one embodiment, the coefficient of static friction between the insert card and the first layer may be sufficient to hold the insert card in place within the second mating cavity. In another embodiment, the first layer may include retaining structure extending into the second mating cavity to exert pressure on the insert card and thereby retain the insert card within the second mating cavity.

Another exemplary case for housing a personal electronic device and one or more cards inserted therein may include an outer rigid layer and a flexible inner layer insert attached to the outer rigid layer. The bag may be flexible enough to deform and thus receive insertion of the personal electronic device and rigid enough to reshape around and hold the inserted personal electronic device securely. The bag may also include a first mating cavity configured to receive and retain an inserted personal electronic device and a second mating cavity configured to receive and retain one or more inserted cards.

In another embodiment, a one-piece case for housing a personal electronic device and one or more cards is disclosed. The one-piece bag includes a personal electronic device portion and a card portion co-molded with the personal electronic device portion, the one-piece bag is flexible enough to deform to receive insertion of a personal electronic device, and rigid enough to surround an inserted The personal electronic device is reshaped and securely holds the inserted personal electronic device. The electronic personal device portion includes a bottom surface and side surfaces joined to and extending upwardly from the bottom surface to form a top surface of a first mating cavity and an adjacent second mating cavity, wherein the first mating cavity is configured to receive and hold The personal electronic device is inserted such that the bottom surface of the personal electronic device portion covers the bottom surface of the inserted personal electronic device and the sides cover at least a portion of the sides of the inserted personal electronic device. The card portion includes a bottom surface and a side surface combined with the bottom surface and extending upward from the bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface of the card portion and a first portion of the side surface form a second mating cavity and the second portion of the side surface of the card portion substantially covers the personal electronic device A side portion of the portion, wherein the second mating cavity is configured to receive and retain at least one card and at least one of the first portions of the sides includes an opening through which a card is inserted into the one-piece bag.

In another embodiment, the second cavity is configured to receive and hold at least one of credit cards, payment cards, identification cards, business cards, coupons, receipts, merchandise credit cards, and gift cards.

In another embodiment, the one-piece bag is fabricated from a material having a sufficient coefficient of static friction to hold the insert card in place within the second mating cavity. In another embodiment, the material of the one-piece component is selected from the group consisting of rubber, silicon, plastic and fabric. In another embodiment, the one-piece component includes a retaining structure that extends into the card portion and exerts pressure on the inserted card.

In another embodiment, the bottom surface of the personal electronic device portion includes a retaining structure extending into the card portion to apply pressure on the inserted card.

In another embodiment, the retaining structure comprises deformable tabs. In another embodiment, the retaining structure comprises a spring. In another embodiment, the retaining structure includes shaped edges. In another embodiment, the shaped edges are beveled. In another embodiment, the retaining structure comprises two or more elastomeric materials.

Description of drawings

The invention is shown by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1A is a top view of an example bag according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a bottom view of an example bag according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1C is a side view of an example bag according to an embodiment of the invention;

1D and 1E are cross-sectional views of example packs according to embodiments of the invention;

2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of example packs according to embodiments of the invention;

Figure 2C is an exploded view of an example package according to an embodiment of the invention;

3A is a perspective view of a retaining portion according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

3B is a cross-sectional view of a holding portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same reference numerals and characters are used to represent similar features, elements, components or parts of the illustrated embodiments. Furthermore, although the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, the description is in relation to the illustrated embodiments. Changes and modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Detailed ways

As personal electronic devices become more and more integrated into people's lives, people take them with them wherever they go. Accordingly, it is desirable to carry personal electronic devices and other accessories that people also often carry with them. For example, if a personal electronic device could be carried with, for example, an identification card, business card and/or credit card, the user would be able to leave other bulky items such as a wallet at home. Thus, a case (or known as a case, clip, briefcase or case) is described herein for use with a personal electronic device such as a cell phone, which is also capable of holding one or more cards such as a credit or identification card ).

The bags described herein can be manufactured by, for example, molding processes and thus can remain relatively small in size and design flexibility compared to the personal electronic device in which they are housed. The bags described herein are manufactured from at least two different materials. The first material may serve as the outer rigid layer of the bag or the body of the bag, and may be fabricated from, for example, rigid or semi-rigid plastic metal, polycarbonate material, and/or para-aramid material. The first material can be used to protect the encased personal electronic device from damage caused by impacts, punctures, shocks, water, and the like. The second material may act as a flexible inner layer and may have retaining or compliant components that are mechanical in nature (e.g., springs, cantilevers, beams, etc.) or compliant in material nature (e.g., elastomers), the second Materials can also be used to protect encased personal electronic devices from damage caused by shock, vibration, water, etc.

The second material can also provide a barrier between the card inserted into the bag and the personal electronic device covered by the bag, and thereby can protect the enclosed personal electronic device from being manipulated by inserting, removing and/or keeping the card in the bag. scratches and other damage. The compliance or flexibility of the second material can also be used to increase the pressure or static friction between itself and the inserted card, thereby preventing inadvertent collapse that may occur when there is not enough friction or other force to keep the inserted card in the bag. The resulting card is lost.

FIG. 1A is a top view of a case 100 for housing a personal electronic device and a card, the case including an outer rigid layer 110 , a flexible inner layer 120 , a retention structure 115 and a first mating cavity 130 . Exemplary personal electronic devices include mobile phones, so-called "smart phones" (such as iPhone ^(TM) or Blackberry ^(TM ), laptop computers, tablet computers, and the like. Exemplary cards include credit cards, payment cards, identification cards (eg, driver's license, loyalty cards, etc.), business cards, coupons, receipts, merchandise credit cards, gift cards, and the like.

Outer rigid layer 110 may be fabricated from, for example, metal, rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, rigid rubber material, polycarbonate material, para-aramid material, and/or some combination thereof and may be of any color or texture.

The flexible inner layer 120 may be made of any suitably flexible material, such as rubber, silicon, or plastic, and may include mechanisms for maintaining the attachment between the bag and the portable electronic device. Exemplary attachment mechanisms include clips, extensions, adhesive materials, and magnetic materials. The flexible inner layer 120 can be any color or color pattern. In some embodiments, flexible inner layer 120 may be fabricated from a material such that the static coefficient of friction between a card inserted into second mating cavity 160 (as shown in FIG. 1C ) and flexible inner layer 120 may be sufficient to The card is held in place within the second mating cavity 160 .

Optionally, the flexible inner layer 120 may include a retaining structure 115 operable to retain a card inserted into the second cavity 160 . In some embodiments, the retaining structure 115 can extend into the second cavity 160 and can be flexible enough to enable a card to be inserted into the second cavity 160, and can be on the inserted card along the bottom surface away from the flexible inner layer 120 and toward the inside of the second cavity 160. Apply pressure in the direction.

The first mating cavity 130 can be shaped and configured to receive and hold an inserted personal electronic device such that the bottom surface of the flexible inner layer 120 covers the bottom surface of the inserted personal electronic device and the sides of the flexible inner layer 120 cover the sides of the inserted personal electronic device. at least part of the sides.

In some embodiments, bag 100 may include one or more openings or cutouts 140 through which a card is inserted into second mating cavity 160, as shown in FIG. 1B, which is a bottom view of bag 100 showing the exterior The bottom outer surface of the rigid layer 110 . The opening 140 is large enough to allow one or more cards to be inserted into the second mating cavity 160 and/or a user to access or remove the inserted cards. When the opening 140 is cut from the bottom surface of the outer hard layer 110 as shown in FIG. interface. In some embodiments, bag 100 may also include an aperture 125 sized and positioned to accommodate and enable access to a structure of an inserted personal electronic device (eg, a camera lens or a light source).

Optionally, outer rigid layer 110 may include one or more cutouts 145 that contribute to the overall flexibility of bag 100 . In one embodiment, bag 100 may have cutouts 145 at the four corners. In some cases, flexible inner layer 120 may fill a portion of cutout 145 . This may enable the outer rigid layer 110 to bend or deform sufficiently to accept an inserted personal electronic device.

FIG. 1C is a side view of the bag 100 depicting the opening 140 into which a card can be inserted into the second mating cavity 160 . As shown in FIG. 1C , the bottom surface of the flexible inner layer 120 serves as the top surface of the second fitting cavity 160 . In some cases, bag 100 may be customized to accommodate a particular type of personal electronic device. In these cases, bag 100 may include an aperture or other structure 135 sized and positioned to accommodate the structure of the inserted personal electronic device.

ID is a cross-sectional view of bag 100 including outer rigid layer 110 in which flexible inner layer 120 is positioned to form the top surface of first cavity 150 and second mating cavity 160 . The bottom surface of the flexible inner layer 120 partially or completely separates the first mating chamber 150 from the second mating chamber 160 and thus can isolate the personal electronic device inserted into the first mating chamber 150 from the card inserted into the second mating chamber 160 open. This isolation can be used to protect an inserted personal electronic device from scratches and other forms of damage that insertion or memory cards within the second mating cavity 160 may cause. Optionally, flexible inner layer 120 may include overhangs by which an inserted personal electronic device is retained within bag 100 .

1E is a cross-sectional view of case 100 including outer rigid layer 110 with personal electronic device 170 inserted into first cavity 150 and card 180 inserted into second mating cavity 160 . Although only one card 180 is inserted into the second mating cavity 160, it should be understood that the second mating cavity 160 can accommodate any number of inserted cards.

2A is a cross-sectional view of a case 200 for housing personal electronic devices and cards, the case 200 including an outer rigid layer 110 , a flexible inner layer insert 125 , a first mating cavity 150 and a second mating cavity 160 . The outer rigid layer 110 of the bag 200 is similar in shape and configuration to the outer rigid layer 110 of the bag 100, except that the outer rigid layer 110 of the bag 200 may include one or more features for holding an inserted personal electronic device, such as an overhang. Layer 100 is similar. The flexible inner layer insert 125 is inserted into the outer rigid layer 110 to form the bottom of the first mating cavity 150 and the top and sides of the second mating cavity 160 .

2B is a cross-sectional view of case 200 with personal electronic device 170 inserted into first mating cavity 150 and card 180 inserted into second mating cavity 160 .

2C is an exploded view of the package 200 assembly with the card 180 inserted into the outer rigid layer 110 and the flexible inner layer insert 125 inserted into the outer rigid layer 110 . The personal electronic device 180 is then inserted into the assembly of the card 180 , outer rigid layer 110 and flexible inner layer insert 125 .

Additionally and/or alternatively, in embodiments of the present invention, the one-piece bag may be made from a single co-form material such as rubber, silicon, or plastic. In this embodiment, the inner or personal electronic device portion and the outer or card portion are formed from a single material and provide the necessary flexibility and rigidity to hold the personal electronic device as well as hold the inserted card. One such embodiment is manufactured by Speculative Products, LLC and sold as the SmartFlex ^(TM) brand bag.

Further, in some embodiments, the bag may include a retention structure 115 as depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B . The retention structure 115 may include a deformable tab 115a extending from the personal electronic device portion into the second mating cavity 160 of the card portion. In the present invention, the deformable tab 115a exerts pressure on the card 180 by friction and thereby holds any card 180 that can be inserted into the second mating cavity 160 . The deformable flap 115a may be made of the same material as the one-piece bag 100 or may be made of a separate material that has a high enough coefficient of friction to retain the card 180 within the mating cavity 160 . Additionally or alternatively, tab 115a may be constructed of two or more materials having different elastomeric properties and/or different coefficients of friction and stiffness. Tab 115a may also be shaped to exert maximum friction on any inserted card 180 . In one embodiment, tab 115a includes a shaped edge 116 . Possible edge shapes include beveled edges, chamfers, fingers, multiple ridges or edges, bumps, or other textures, all of which are intended to increase the friction force applied to the card 180 by the tab 115a. Additionally and/or alternatively, tab 115a may incorporate a spring mechanism or other retention structure to apply pressure to insert card 180 .

Thus, a case for housing a personal electronic device and a card has been described herein.

Claims (10)

1. A case for a personal electronic device and one or more cards, comprising a personal electronic device section and a card section, wherein: The personal electronic device portion includes a bottom surface and side surfaces joined to the bottom surface and extending upwardly from the bottom surface to form a first mating cavity and a top surface of an adjacent second mating cavity, wherein the first mating cavity configures to receive and hold an inserted personal electronic device such that the bottom surface of the personal electronic device portion covers a bottom surface of the inserted personal electronic device and the sides cover at least a portion of sides of the inserted personal electronic device; The card portion includes a bottom surface and a side surface that is coupled to the bottom surface and extends upward from the bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface of the card portion and the first part of the side surface of the card portion form a second matching cavity and the The second portion of the side of the card portion substantially covers the side portion of the personal electronic device portion, wherein the second mating cavity is configured to receive and hold at least one card and the first portion of the side portion at least one comprising an opening through which the card is inserted into the bag and a retaining structure for exerting pressure on the one or more cards to retain the one or more cards in the card part. 2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the second cavity is configured to receive and hold at least one of credit cards, payment cards, identification cards, business cards, coupons, receipts, merchandise credit cards, and gift cards. 3. The bag of claim 1, wherein said retaining structure is fabricated from a material having a coefficient of friction sufficient to retain an inserted card in place within said second mating cavity. 4. The bag of claim 3, wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of rubber, silicon, plastic and fabric. 5. The bag of claim 1, wherein the retaining structure extends into the second mating cavity. 6. The bag of claim 1 , wherein said bottom surface of said personal electronic device portion includes said retaining structure extending into said second mating cavity for receiving said one or more sheets Pressure is applied to the cards and retains the one or more cards in the second mating cavity. 7. The bag of claim 6, wherein the retaining structure comprises a deformable flap. 8. The bag of claim 6, wherein the retaining structure includes a shaped edge. 9. The bag of claim 8, wherein the shaped edge is beveled. 10. The bag of claim 6, wherein the retaining structure comprises two or more elastomeric materials.