Case and case holder

Abstract

A case that makes visible the surface of an object kept therein through one of its sides is provided. The case, which comprises a top ( 1 ), a bottom ( 2 ) and at least one side ( 101, 201, 202 ), is a case for keeping an object therein, and at least one of the sides ( 101, 201, 202 ) has a transparent member which performs at least one of the functions of converging, diverging, or bending the path of, the light reflected from the object inside the case. As the transparent member, a convex lens, a concave lens or a prism can be used. Where a lens is to be used, particularly a non-central part of the lens can be suitably utilized.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . A case for storing therein, on a bottom thereof, a planar-shaped object having a bottom surface, a top surface, and information disposed on the top surface thereof, said case comprising: 
 (a) a top having a first end and a second end,    (b) a bottom arranged facing the top, said bottom having a first end and a second end;    (c) an interior portion positioned between the top and the bottom, for storage of a planar-shaped object; and    (d) at least one transparent side disposed at one said end of the top and bottom of the case, 
 (i) said at least said one transparent side having a transparent member comprised of a part of a prism having a first face adjacent the interior portion of the case and a second face opposite the first face, the prism base being arranged in the direction of the bottom, and  
 (ii) said transparent member having a curved or a curved lens shape.  
   
   
   
       20 . A case for storing therein, on a bottom thereof, a planar-shaped object having a bottom surface, a top surface, and information disposed on the top surface thereof, said case comprising: 
 (a) a top having a first end and a second end,    (b) a bottom arranged facing the top, said bottom having a first end and a second end;    (c) an interior portion positioned between the top and the bottom, for storage of a planar-shaped object; and    (d) at least one transparent side disposed at one said end of the top and bottom of the case,    (i) said at least said one transparent side having a transparent member comprised of a part of a prism having a first face adjacent the interior portion of the case and a second face opposite the first face, the prism base being arranged in the direction of the bottom, and    (ii) said transparent member is curved in a cylindrical manner, such that the transparent member partially or wholly encircles the interior portion of the case in which the planar-shaped object is to be stored.    
   
   
       21 . A case for storing therein, on a bottom thereof, a planar-shaped object having a bottom surface, a top surface, and information disposed on the top surface thereof, said case comprising: 
 (a) a top having a first end and a second end,    (b) a bottom arranged facing the top, said bottom having a first end and a second end;    (c) an interior portion positioned between the top and the bottom, for storage of a planar-shaped object; and    (d) at least one transparent side disposed at one said end of the top and bottom of the case, 
 (i) said at least said one transparent side having a transparent member comprised of a part of a prism having a first face adjacent the interior portion of the case and a second face opposite the first face, the prism base being arranged in the direction of the bottom, and  
 (ii) said transparent member having the additional function of a concave lens facing the object placed in it.  
   
   
   
       22 . A case for storing therein, on a bottom thereof, a planar-shaped object having a bottom surface, a top surface, and information disposed on the top surface thereof, said case comprising: 
 (a) a top having a first end and a second end,    (b) a bottom arranged facing the top, said bottom having a first end and a second end;    (c) an interior portion positioned between the top and the bottom, for storage of a planar-shaped object; and    (d) at least one transparent side disposed at one said end of the top and bottom of the case,    said at least said one transparent side having a transparent member comprised of a part of a prism having a first face adjacent the interior portion of the case and a second face opposite the first face, the prism base being arranged in the direction of the bottom,    wherein said at least one transparent side of the case further comprises a light-guiding member disposed adjacent the second face of the transparent member, said light-guiding member functioning to bend the path of light transmitted through said at least one transparent side.    
   
   
       23 . A case for storing therein, on a bottom thereof, a planar-shaped object having a bottom surface, a top surface, and information disposed on the top surface thereof, said case comprising: 
 (a) a top having a first end and a second end,    (b) a bottom arranged facing the top, said bottom having a first end and a second end;    (c) an interior portion positioned between the top and the bottom, for storage of a planar-shaped object; and    (d) at least one transparent side disposed at one said end of the top and bottom of the case,    said at least said one transparent side having a transparent member comprised of a part of a prism having a first face adjacent the interior portion of the case and a second face opposite the first face, the prism base being arranged in the direction of the bottom, and    (e) a magnifying member disposed adjacent the second face of the transparent member, said magnifying member comprised of a central portion of a convex lens.    
   
   
       24 . The case according to  claim 21 , wherein said transparent member has a straight, curved or a curved lens shape.  
   
   
       25 . The case according to  claim 21 , wherein said transparent member is curved in a cylindrical manner, such that the transparent member partially or wholly encircles the interior portion of the case in which the planar-shaped object is to be stored.  
   
   
       26 . The case according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one transparent side of the case further comprises a light-guiding member disposed adjacent the second face of the transparent member, said light-guiding member functioning to bend the path of light transmitted through said at least one transparent side.  
   
   
       27 . The case according to  claim 21 , further comprising a magnifying member disposed adjacent the second face of the transparent member, said magnifying member comprised of a central portion of a convex lens.  
   
   
       28 . A case for storing therein, on a bottom thereof, a planar-shaped object having a bottom surface, a top surface, and information disposed on the top surface thereof, said case comprising: 
 (a) a top having a first end and a second end,    (b) a bottom arranged facing the top, said bottom having a first end and a second end;    (c) an interior portion positioned between the top and the bottom, for storage of a planar-shaped object; and    (d) at least one transparent side disposed at one said end of the top and bottom of the case,    wherein said at least said one transparent side is comprised of a transparent member having a first face adjacent the interior portion of the case and a second face opposite the first face, said transparent member having:    (i) a bottom portion comprised of a portion of a concave lens, and    (ii) a top portion integral with said bottom portion, the top portion comprised of a portion of a convex lens.    
   
   
       29 . The case according to  claim 28 , wherein said transparent member has a straight, curved or a curved lens shape.  
   
   
       30 . The case according to  claim 28 , wherein said transparent member is curved in a cylindrical manner, such that the transparent member partially or wholly encircles the interior portion of the case in which the planar-shaped object is to be stored.  
   
   
       31 . The case according to  claim 28 , wherein said at least one transparent side of the case further comprises a light-guiding member disposed adjacent the second face of the transparent member, said light-guiding member functioning to bend the path of light transmitted through said at least one transparent side.  
   
   
       32 . The case according to  claim 28 , further comprising a magnifying member disposed adjacent the second face of the transparent member, said magnifying member comprised of a central portion of a convex lens.  
   
   
       33 . A case for storing therein, on a bottom thereof, a planar-shaped object having a bottom surface, a top surface, and information disposed on the top surface thereof, said case comprising: 
 (a) a top having a first end and a second end,    (b) a bottom arranged facing the top, said bottom having a first end and a second end;    (c) an interior portion positioned between the top and the bottom, for storage of a planar-shaped object;    (d) at least one transparent side disposed at one said end of the top and bottom of the case, 
 (i) said at least said one transparent side having a first transparent member comprised of a part of a convex lens having a first face adjacent the interior portion of the case and a second face opposite the first face, said first transparent member capable of causing a bundle of light rays to converge, refractivity of the first transparent member gradually increasing in the direction of from the bottom to the top, or  
 (ii) said at least one transparent side having a second transparent member comprised of a part of a concave lens having a first face adjacent the interior portion of the case and a second face opposite the first face, said second transparent member capable of causing a bundle of light rays to diverge, refractivity of the second transparent member gradually increasing in the direction of from the top to the bottom,  
   whereby a virtual image of at least a portion of information on a top of the planar-shaped object when stored within the case can be seen rising out of an actual plane of the planar-shaped object when viewed from said at least one transparent side through either said first transparent member or said second transparent member, and    (e) a magnifying member disposed adjacent the second face of the transparent member, said magnifying member comprised of a central portion of a convex lens.