U.S. patent application number 09/872266 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for sleeve for holding digital video discs and graphics.
This patent application is currently assigned to Case Logic, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bergh, James Allen, Drew, Terrence Martin.
Application Number | 20010032793 09/872266 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26784534 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010032793 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bergh, James Allen ; et
al. |
October 25, 2001 |
Sleeve for holding digital video discs and graphics
Abstract
This invention relates to a sleeve for holding one or more
digital video discs with a first dimension in a first pocket and
the accompanying graphics having a second dimension in a second
opposing pocket. The digital video disc is supported in the first
pocket by one or more stop seals which elevate the digital video
disc to a more accessible position for removal.
Inventors: |
Bergh, James Allen;
(Boulder, CO) ; Drew, Terrence Martin; (Superior,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bruce A. Kugler, Esq.
SHERIDAN ROSS P.C.
Suite 1200
1560 Broadway
Denver
CO
80202-5141
US
|
Assignee: |
Case Logic, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
26784534 |
Appl. No.: |
09/872266 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09872266 |
Jun 1, 2001 |
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09311678 |
May 12, 1999 |
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6241086 |
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60091977 |
Jul 7, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/308.1 ;
206/232; 206/312; G9B/33.01; G9B/33.014 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/0444 20130101;
B42F 7/025 20130101; G11B 33/0422 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/308.1 ;
206/232; 206/312 |
International
Class: |
B65D 069/00; B65D
071/00; B65D 085/30 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sleeve adapted for holding a single digital video disc having
a diameter with a first length and an accompanying graphics page
having a second length substantially greater than the first length,
comprising: a flexible front sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge
and two lateral edges, said front sheet further comprising a flap
for extending over at least a portion of the single digital video
disc; a middle sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge and two
lateral edges; a transparent back sheet having a top edge, a bottom
edge and two lateral edges, said front sheet, said middle sheet and
said transparent back sheet interconnected along said top edges,
bottom edges and said lateral edges to form a first pocket adapted
for holding the single digital video disc and a second pocket on an
opposing side adapted for holding the accompanying graphics page;
and a substantially linear disc stopping seal formed by
interconnecting said front sheet and said middle sheet at a
predetermined location at least about 65% from said top edge toward
said bottom edge and extending substantially between said two
lateral edges to hold the digital video disc at a selected elevated
position within said first pocket, wherein the digital video disc
is not in contact with said disc stopping seal during removal of
the digital video disc and allowing the accompanying graphics page
with said second length to fit in said second pocket.
2. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein said middle sheet is comprised of
a non- woven material.
3. The sleeve of claim 1, further comprising a binding strip
interconnected to one of said two lateral edges which is adapted
for securing the sleeve in a binding device.
4. The sleeve of claim 3, wherein said binding strip further
comprises a plurality of apertures.
5. The sleeve of claim 3, wherein said binding strip further
comprises a write-on title strip, said write-on title strip
comprised of a material capable of recording information related to
the digital video disc in at least one of pen, pencil and
marker.
6. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein said flexible front sheet is
comprised of a non-woven material.
7. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein said transparent back sheet is
comprised of polypropylene.
8. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein said flap has a point of
termination with a substantially arcuate shape to resist tearing as
a result of repeated opening and closing.
9. The sleeve of claim 1, further comprising a title strip
positioned above said upper edge, said title strip comprised of a
material capable of recording information related to the digital
video disc in at least one of pen, pencil and marker.
10. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein said front sheet, said back
sheet, and said middle sheets are interconnected along said upper
edges, said lower edges and said two lateral edges to form said
first pocket and said second pocket.
11. A flexible sleeve adapted for holding a single digital video
disc in a first pocket and an accompanying graphics page having a
substantially greater length than said digital video disc in a
second pocket on an opposing side, comprising: a front sheet having
a top edge and a bottom edge having a first length, and two lateral
edges having a second length greater than said first length; a
middle sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge and two lateral edges
with substantially the same dimensions as said front sheet; a
transparent back sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge and two
lateral edges with substantially the same dimensions as said front
sheet, said middle sheet and said transparent back sheet
interconnected along at least said bottom edges and said lateral
edges to form said first pocket adapted for holding the digital
video disc and said second pocket adapted for holding the
accompanying graphics; and a substantially linear shaped disc
stopping seal formed by interconnecting said front sheet and said
middle sheet at least about 67% from said top edge toward said
bottom edge, and extending substantially between said two lateral
edges to prevent the digital video disc from falling into a lower
portion of said first pocket.
12. The flexible sleeve of claim 11, further comprising a flap
originating and terminating proximate to said top edge of said
front sheet and extending over at least a portion of the digital
video disc.
13. The flexible sleeve of claim 11, said transparent back sheet
further comprises a thumb notch positioned along said top edge.
14. The flexible sleeve of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of
said front sheet is comprised of a non-woven material.
15. The flexible sleeve of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of
said middle sheet is comprised of a non-woven material.
16. The flexible sleeve of claim 11, further comprising a binding
strip interconnected along at least one of said two lateral edges
for removably interconnecting said flexible sleeve in a
notebook.
17. A flexible sleeve for holding a digital video disc on one side
and an accompanying graphics page on an opposing side, said
graphics page having a length substantially longer than a diameter
of the digital video disc, comprising: a first pocket having a
first length and a first width operatively sized to receive the
digital video disc, said first pocket having a top edge, a bottom
edge and two lateral edges and defined by a front sheet
interconnected to a non-woven middle sheet along at least said
bottom edge and said two lateral edges; a disc stopping seal
interconnecting said front sheet and said non-woven middle sheet of
said first pocket at a distance from said top edge of at least
about the diameter of the digital video disc and positioned to
elevate the digital video disc above said bottom edge of said first
pocket; a flap in said first pocket defined by a cut originating
and terminating in said front sheet proximate to said top edge and
operatively sized to hold the digital video disc within said first
pocket; a second pocket positioned on the opposite side of said
first pocket and having a second length at least about 25% greater
than said distance from said top edge to said disc stopping seal,
said second pocket defined by the interconnection of a transparent
back sheet interconnected at least on a bottom edge and two lateral
edges to at least said non-woven middle sheet and operatively sized
to receive the graphics page accompanying the digital video disc;
and a binding strip interconnected to at least one of said two
lateral edges and comprising a plurality of apertures adapted for
removable interconnection to a binding device.
18. The flexible sleeve of claim 17, wherein said disc stopping
seal extends between said two lateral edges of said first
pocket.
19. The flexible sleeve of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of
said front sheet is comprised of a non-woven material.
20. The combination of a recording disc having a first diameter, a
graphics page associated with the recording disc which has a first
length greater than said first diameter, and a sleeve for holding
said recording disc and said graphics page, comprising: a flexible
front sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge and two lateral edges;
a middle sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge and two lateral
edges; a transparent back sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge
and two lateral edges, said front sheet, said middle sheet and said
back sheet interconnected along at least said bottom edges and said
two lateral edges to form a first pocket for holding said recording
disc and a second pocket on an opposing side for holding said
graphics page; a disc stopping seal formed by interconnecting said
front sheet and said middle sheet at a predetermined location
between said top edge and said bottom edge and to support said
recording disc, wherein said first pocket has a total length
substantially less than said second pocket and said recording disc
is elevated within said first pocket to facilitate removal from
said first pocket; and a binding strip interconnected to one of
said two lateral edges which is adapted for interconnection to a
binding device.
21. The combination of claim 20, wherein said disc stopping seal
has a geometric configuration of a substantially straight line
extending between said two lateral edges.
22. The combination of claim 20, wherein said disc stopping seal
has a substantially circular shape positioned approximately midway
between said two lateral edges.
23. The combination of claim 20, wherein said front sheet further
comprises a flap for extending over at least a portion of said
recording disc.
24. The combination of claim 20, wherein said transparent back
sheet further comprises a thumb cut along said top edge to allow
access to said graphics page, wherein said graphics page can be
more easily removed from said second pocket.
25. The combination of claim 20, wherein said middle sheet is
comprised at least partially of a non-woven material.
26. A sleeve adapted for holding a digital video disc on a first
side and an associated graphics page on an opposing side,
comprising: a front sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge, two
lateral edges and a thumb-cut extending downwardly toward said
bottom edge to expose an aperture of the digital video disc; a
transparent back sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge and two
lateral edges; a middle sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge and
two lateral edges and positioned between said front sheet and said
transparent sheet, wherein said front sheet, said transparent back
sheet and said middle sheet are interconnected along at least said
bottom edges and said two lateral edges to form a first pocket
adapted for holding the digital video disc and a second pocket on
an opposing side adapted for holding the associated graphics page;
and a stop seal positioned along at least one of said two lateral
edges and operably interconnecting said front sheet and said middle
sheet to reduce an internal diameter of said first pocket, wherein
when the digital video disc is inserted in said first pocket the
digital video disc is impeded from removal from said first pocket
even when said sleeve is inverted.
27. The sleeve of claim 26, further comprising a binding strip
interconnected to one of said two lateral edges which is adapted
for removable interconnection to a binding device.
28. The sleeve of claim 26, wherein said transparent back sheet
further comprises thumb notch positioned along said upper edge to
facilitate grasping of the graphics sheet.
29. The sleeve of claim 26, wherein said stop seal is positioned
above a widest portion of the digital video disc when the digital
video disc is resting on a lowermost portion of said first
pocket.
30. The sleeve of claim 26, wherein said middle sheet is comprised
of a non- woven material.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority of pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 90/311,678, having a filing date of May 12,
1999, which claimed priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 60/091,977, having a filing date of Jul. 7, 1998, both
applications being incorporated herein in their entirety by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to sleeves for holding recording
discs, and more specifically digital video discs and their
accompanying graphics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Compact discs, or "CD"'s as they are commonly called, carry
digital information such as sound and music recordings and more
recently movies and video games with accompanying sound known as
Digital Video Discs (hereinafter collectively "DVDS"). The DVDs
replace popular video cassettes which are typically played on video
cassette recorders (VCRs), and more commonly may be played on
personal computers.
[0004] DVDs are generally sold to consumers in "jewel boxes" which
are rigid plastic containers which carry both the DVD and
accompanying graphics which identify the particular movie, video
game or program contained on the DVD. The jewel boxes are bulky,
difficult to store and are not conveniently opened or closed to
remove the DVD. Furthermore, the graphics sold in association with
the DVDs are oversized and generally resemble the size and shape of
video. cassettes as apposed to the width and length of the DVD.
That is, the graphics are generally much longer than the DVD and
additionally slightly wider. Thus, storing the DVD in a form of
flexible, lightweight storage sleeve and the corresponding graphics
in a sleeve with equal sized pockets is problematic.
[0005] Although lightweight, flexible storage sleeves which are
designed specifically for CD's are known in the art, these devices
are not designed to hold the larger graphics sold in association
with DVDS. Further, if a sleeve is manufactured which is compatible
in length and width for the DVD graphics, the DVD pocket which is
designed for holding the DVD will generally be oversized and not
overly useful.
[0006] Thus, a lightweight, flexible storage sleeve for storing
DVDs is needed which can additionally store the oversized graphics
associated with the DVD in a similarly sized pocket. Further, the
manufacturing of the DVD sleeve must be consistent with generally
recognized sleeve manufacturing processes to maintain the low cost
benefits associated with flexible storage sleeves as opposed to
rigid plastic jewel boxes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
lightweight, flexible sleeve to store DVDs and the accompanying
oversized graphics in pockets with substantially similar widths.
Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention a sleeve is
provided which is comprised of a front layer, an intermediate
middle layer and a back layer. A pocket is provided between the
front layer and middle layer for receiving a DVD while a second
pocket is provided between the middle layer and back layer to
receive the graphics.
[0008] It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a
cost effective, non-woven material which is in contact with the DVD
which prevents scratching, does not accumulate grit or other
particles and which is firm enough not to require a backing sheet
for support. In one aspect of the present invention a non-woven
material known as "Veratec.RTM." is provided to serve this
purpose.
[0009] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a
DVD and accompanying graphics storage sleeve which has a storage
pocket for the DVD and which has a "DVD stop seal" which allows the
DVD to be stored at an elevated height, thus permitting the top
edge of the DVD to be near the access opening of the DVD storage
pocket for easy access. The stop seal prevents the DVD from falling
into the DVD storage pocket and inhibiting removal.
[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stop seal is
provided by utilizing a back sheet with a back sheet aperture in
conjunction with a conventional manufacturing process to minimize
expenses during manufacturing. Alternatively, the sleeve with a
stop seal may be manufactured without utilizing a back sheet
aperture.
[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, the same
technology which provides the DVD stop seal in the DVD storage
pocket is utilized to provide one or more "frictional nubs" to be
provided in the DVD storage pocket. The "frictional nubs" prevent
the DVD from falling out of the DVD storage pocket when the sleeve
is turned upside down. For example, in one embodiment of the
present invention the DVD storage pocket may utilize a top layer
which is approximately the length of the DVD and which has a "thumb
cut" or notch to allow access to the aperture of the DVD with a
user's fingers or thumb. in this embodiment, there is no flap which
overlays the DVD. Since the storage pocket has a diameter which is
slightly larger than the DVD (as a result of the oversized graphics
pocket), the DVD falls from the pocket when the sleeve is turned
upside down.
[0012] To alleviate this problem, the frictional nubs engage the
side edges of the DVD and prevent the DVD from inadvertently
falling out of the DVD pocket. In one embodiment of the present
invention the frictional nubs are provided by the sealing of the
front sheet and middle sheet at one or more predetermined locations
to create a DVD pocket diameter which is slightly larger than the
diameter of the DVD yet provides sufficient frictional resistance
to prevent the DVD from inadvertently falling out. The frictional
nubs may be provided during an ultrasonic or RF welding process by
providing one or more apertures in the back sheet which allow the
ultrasonic welding to occur at a predetermined location without
welding any other portion of the front, middle or back sheet.
Alternatively, the frictional nubs may be provided without
utilizing back sheet apertures by utilizing a two stage
manufacturing technique which first welds the front sheet and
middle sheet together while creating the frictional nubs. The back
sheet is then welded in a second stage to the front and middle
sheets to complete the DVD sleeve.
[0013] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a
manufacturing process for producing a sleeve design for DVDs and
accompanying graphics which utilizes a "cutout" portion in the back
sheet to provide either the DVD stop seal or frictional nubs on the
front sheet as discussed above. Thus, in one aspect of the present
invention a "cutout" or aperture in the back sheet is utilized in
combination with a sheet bonding process to interconnect the front
sheet and middle sheet at preselected positions to either provide a
DVD stop seal in one sleeve design or one or more frictional nubs
in another embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, a
manufacturing process is provided which does not utilize or require
a back sheet aperture to create either the DVD stop seal on the
functional nubs.
[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, a "write-on"
title strip is provided either along the upper edge or lateral edge
of the DVD sleeve which is made of a material which permits the
recordation of information related to the stored DVD either in pen,
ink, or pencil.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1. is a front elevation view of a DVD storage sleeve
with protective flap and a binding strip adapted for inserting the
storage sleeve into a 3-ring binder and including a circular shaped
DVD stop seal;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the DVD storage sleeve
shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the DVD storage sleeve
of FIG. 1 shown with a DVD partially inserted in the DVD
pocket;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the DVD storage sleeve
shown in FIG. 1 with the graphics sheet partially inserted into the
graphics storage pocket;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the DVD storage sleeve
shown in FIG. 1, and showing an alternative embodiment of the back
sheet "cut-out" aperture;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of the DVD storage sleeve, shown without a back sheet
aperture and with a graphics sheet partially inserted in the
graphics storage pocket;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of an alternative
embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 with a title strip
positioned proximate the upper edge of the DVD graphics pocket and
the elimination of the binding strip;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the sleeve shown in FIG.
7 and further identifying the write-on title strip;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of a DVD storage sleeve with
binding strip for interconnection to a 3-ring notebook and
including a write-on title strip positioned on the binding
strip;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the sleeve shown in
FIG. 7 with a DVD partially inserted in the DVD storage pocket;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a DVD sleeve shown
with a graphics sheet partially inserted in the graphics storage
pocket and showing an alternative circular shaped back sheet
aperture;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the sleeve shown in
FIG. 11 and showing a circular shaped disc stopping seal;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of an alternative DVD
sleeve design which utilizes a thumb cut as opposed to a flap and
showing two frictional nubs positioned proximate to the lateral
edges of the DVD pocket;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view of the sleeve shown in FIG.
13;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of an alternative
embodiment of the present invention showing a foldable sleeve
capable of holding two DVDs and the accompanying graphics;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a rear elevation view of the sleeve design shown
in FIG. 13;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a front elevation view of an alternative sleeve
design with a write-on title strip which is capable of holding
either one or two DVDS;
[0032] FIG. 18 is a rear elevation view of one embodiment of the
sleeve shown in FIG. 17 and adapted for holding a graphics
page;
[0033] FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of an alternative
embodiment of the present invention where the DVD stop seal has the
geometric configuration of a straight line; and
[0034] FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a front elevation
view of a first embodiment of the present invention. More
specifically, the drawing shows a front elevation view of a DVD
storage sleeve 2 capable of holding one DVD disc 4 and the
associated graphics 26.
[0036] The DVD sleeve 2 is generally comprised of a front or top
sheet 6, a middle sheet 18 and a back sheet 20. A DVD pocket 22 or
sleeve capable of holding a DVD is formed between the front sheet 6
and middle sheet 18 while a second graphics pocket 24 or sleeve is
formed between the middle sheet 18 and back sheet 20 for holding
the graphics 22 associated with the DVD FIG. 2 depicts a rear
elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0037] In one aspect of the present invention, both the front sheet
6 and middle sheet 18 are comprised of a spun-bonded, non-woven
material to prevent scratching of the DVD. In an alternative
embodiment, a non-woven material such as Veratece is provided.
Alternatively, woven materials or other non-woven materials such as
Sontara.RTM. can be used with or without any type of reinforced
backing sheet made of polypropylene or other similar materials. The
back sheet 20 is preferably a transparent polypropylene material
which enables the user to clearly see the graphics positioned in
the graphics storage pocket. Alternatively, any other type of
transparent material may be used as appreciated by one skilled in
the art. Various embodiments of the present invention sleeve design
which have a configuration for storing two DVD's and not the
accompanying graphics would preferably use non-woven materials for
the front sheet 6, middle sheet 18 and back sheet 20.
[0038] Since the DVD graphics 26 are both slightly wider and
substantially longer than the diameter of the DVD 4 which is stored
in the opposing DVD storage pocket, modifications must be made to
the DVD storage pocket to facilitate access to the DVD 4 and/or
prevent the DVD from falling out of the storage sleeve if the
sleeve is inverted. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-10, a flap
14 is provided in the front sheet to cover the DVD to prevent dust
and other foreign materials from entering the pocket. Further, the
flap prevents the DVD from falling out of the pocket inadvertently
if the sleeve is inverted. In one embodiment, the flap has an
arcuate shape at the point of termination to resist tearing when
the flap is repeatedly opened and closed.
[0039] Since the DVD 4 has a diameter (and hence length) which is
significantly less than the DVD graphics sheet 26, the overall DVD
pocket 22 length must be substantially reduced to prevent the DVD 4
from falling into the pocket an excessive distance. Thus, a DVD
"stop seal" 28 is provided and positioned approximately the
diameter of a DVD down the length of the DVD pocket 22 from the
sleeve upper edge 8 to hold the DVD 4 at an elevation which allows
removal of the DVD 4 when the flap 14 is lifted upward. Preferably
the DVD stop seal 28 is positioned at a location which places a top
edge of the DVD near the hinge position of the flap 14.
[0040] The DVD stop seal 28 is created by interconnecting the
flexible front sheet 6 to the middle sheet 18 at a predetermined
location, yet not interconnecting the middle sheet 18 to the
flexible back sheet 20 and hence reducing the size of the graphics
pocket 24. The interconnection may be accomplished by individually
sewing, heat bonding or otherwise interconnecting the front sheet 6
and middle sheet 18 prior to interconnecting the back layer.
Preferably, the front sheet 6 is first interconnected to the middle
sheet 18 by welding or other similar technique while the DVD stop
seal 28 or frictional nubs 36 are additionally created by
interconnecting the front sheet 6 and middle sheet 18 at
predetermined locations. The back sheet is then interconnected to
the middle sheet 18 by welding or other similar means to complete
the DVD sleeve in the two stage manufacturing process.
[0041] Alternatively, to enable the DVD stop seal 28 to be created
during conventional manufacturing processes where the front sheet
6, middle sheet 18 and back sheet 20 are simultaneously welded
together, a back sheet "cutout" aperture 32 may be provided in the
transparent polypropylene back sheet 20 prior to welding. Thus, as
seen in FIG. 2, a circular cutout portion is provided in the
polypropylene back sheet 20 which allows the front sheet 6 and
middle sheets 18 to be bonded together at a position just below
where the DVD rests in the DVD pocket 22. The DVD stop seal 28 thus
prevents the DVD 4 from sliding downward into the DVD pocket 22 to
a position which is difficult to access from the pocket opening
proximate the flap 14.
[0042] Although in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 the
back sheet cut-out aperture 32 and corresponding DVD stop seal 28
are circular in shape, as appreciated by one skilled in the art the
geometric shape and size of both the cutout aperture 32 and DVD
stop seal 28 can be any variety of sizes and shape. For example, it
is possible to use straight lines, arcuate lines, triangular or
rectangular shapes or more than one cutout and DVD stop seal 28 as
long as the cutout aperture 32 and corresponding DVD stop seal 28
serve the purpose of interconnecting the front sheet 6 and middle
sheet 18 at a position which prevents the DVD from falling downward
into the DVD pocket 22.
[0043] For example, in FIGS. 5-8, an arcuate shaped cut-out
aperture 32 and/or stop seal 28 is utilized as opposed to the
circular cut-out aperture 32 and stop seal 28 shown in FIGS. 1-4.
As discussed in greater detail below, FIG. 6 depicts a DVD sleeve
which utilizes a DVD stop seal 28, but is manufactured utilizing a
procedure which does not require a back sheet aperture 32.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, front and rear perspective views
of the DVD storage sleeve 2 are shown with a DVD 4 being shown
partially inserted into the DVD pocket 22 in FIG. 3 while FIG. 4
depicts the graphics sheet 26 being partially inserted into the
graphics' storage pocket 24. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the DVD storage
sleeve 2 in one embodiment is designed to be inserted into a 3-ring
binder such as a notebook for storage purposes. This is
accomplished by providing a binding strip 38 positioned proximate
to one of the lateral edges 12 of the DVD and graphics storage
pocket and including one or more binding apertures 30 to allow
insertion into a binding device.
[0045] Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 6, a rear perspective view of
the DVD sleeve 2 is shown without the back sheet aperture 32, yet
still utilizing a DVD stop seal 28 when the front sheet 6 and
middle sheet 18 are interconnected. This is accomplished by
utilizing a two stage manufacturing process which first welds the
front sheet 6 and middle sheet 18 along the bottom edge, lateral
edges and possibly the upper edge. Simultaneously, the DVD stop
seal 28 on the functional nubs 36 are creating by welding the front
sheet 6 and middle sheet 18 at predetermined locations to support
or functionally engage the DVD. The back sheet 20 is then
interconnected by welding or other similar means to the front and
middle sheets along at least the lateral edge and bottom edge to
complete the DVD sleeve manufacturing process.
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 7-11, an alternative embodiment of
the invention shown in FIG. 1 is provided with the binding strip 38
removed on the lateral edge of the DVD sleeve. Thus, in this
embodiment the DVD sleeve cannot be used in conjunction with a
3-ring binder, but rather the DVD sleeve 2 is used in association
with a tray or other similar device which allows a multiplicity of
DVD sleeves 2 to be stored upright until use.
[0047] As further identified in FIGS. 7-11, in an alternative
embodiment of the present invention, a title strip 34 is provided
and positioned proximate to the upper edge 8 of the graphics or DVD
storage pocket. The title strip 34 is comprised of any type of
material which allows the recordation of information related to the
DVD or graphics, such as polypropylene, vinyl, or a non-woven
material with a white finish. Preferably the information can be
written in pen ink, pencil, or magic marker and more preferably can
be erased if necessary. Alternatively as shown in FIG. 9, the title
strip may be provided proximate a lateral edge 12 of the DVD sleeve
2, either in conjunction with a binding strip 38 and aperture 30 or
independently without the aperture 30 associated with a binding
strip 38. FIG. 10 depicts a front perspective view of a DVD sleeve
2 with a DVD 4 partially inserted into the DVD storage pocket 22
and additionally identifying the DVD stop seal 28.
[0048] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a DVD sleeve 2 shown
with a graphics sheet 26 partially inserted into the graphics
pocket 24. hi this figure, a substantially round back sheet
aperture 32 is utilized. FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the
DVD sleeve shown in FIG. 11.
[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, an alternative embodiment
of the present invention is shown which does not utilize a flap 14
positioned on the front sheet 6 to hold the DVD in place. In this
embodiment, the front sheet 6 utilizes a "u" shaped thumb cut 42
which extends downwardly to permit the user of the sleeve 2 to
access the aperture 44 of the DVD for removal. In this embodiment,
the sleeve 2 does not require a DVD stop seal 28 since the DVD
pocket 22 is substantially the same length as the diameter of the
DVD. However, without the flap embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it would
be possible for the DVD 4 to inadvertently fall from the DVD pocket
if the sleeve 2 is inverted. This is due to the fact the DVD pocket
22 is slightly larger than the DVD since the graphics pocket 24
required for the accompanying graphics 26 on the reverse side must
be wider to hold the slightly larger graphics.
[0050] To alleviate the problem of the DVD inadvertently falling
from the DVD pocket 22, frictional "nubs" 36 are provided as shown
in FIG. 13 to effectively reduce the diameter of the DVD pocket 22
and to engage the DVD 2 in such a manner as to prevent the DVD 2
from inadvertently falling out of the DVD 22 pocket when the DVD
sleeve 2 is inverted.
[0051] To provide the frictional nubs 36, in one embodiment back
sheet "cutouts" or apertures 32 are provided in the back sheet 20
at the location immediately opposite the position on the flexible
front sheet 6 and middle sheet 18 where the frictional nubs 36 are
desired. The front, middle, and back sheets may then be
ultrasonically welded along the top edge, bottom edge and lateral
edges simultaneously during a bonding process while the middle
sheet 18 and front sheet 6 are additionally bonded at the location
of the frictional nubs 36. Similar to the DVD stop seals 28
previously discussed, any number of geometric configurations and/or
number of frictional nubs 36 may be utilized to achieve the
function of effectively reducing the internal diameter of the DVD
pocket 22 to such a degree that the DVD 2 will not fall from the
DVD pocket 22 when the DVD sleeve 2 is turned upside down.
[0052] Alternatively, and as previously discussed, it is possible
to create the frictional nubs 36 without utilizing a back sheet
aperture 32 by utilizing a different two stage manufacturing
process which first welds the front sheet 6 and middle sheet 18
while making the necessary welds for the frictional nubs 36. The
back sheet 20 is then interconnected to the first sheet 6 and
middle sheet 18 by welding or interconnection method which is
commonly known in the art.
[0053] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in one embodiment of the
present invention two frictional nubs 36 are provided at a position
adjacent the lateral edges 12 of the DVD pocket 2 proximate to a
location which is adjacent the widest portion of the DVD 2 when it
rests in the DVD pocket. As the DVD 2 is inserted into the DVD
pocket 22, the DVD 4 engages the frictional nubs 36 and is
substantially prevented from falling from the DVD pocket 22 even
when the DVD sleeve 2 is inverted. For removal during normal use a
user merely applies a slight finger pulling force while holding
onto the DVD aperture 44 or edge.
[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 15-16, a front and back view of an
alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown with dual
capacity DVD storage sleeves and dual capacity graphics storage
pockets 24 for storing the accompanying graphics. As shown in the
front elevation view of FIG. 13, a DVD storage pocket 22 with flap
14 is shown on the left side of a foldable sleeve, while a graphics
storage pocket 24 is shown on the right side. As shown on the rear
elevation view of FIG. 13, a mirror image of the front view is
shown with a second DVD storage pocket positioned immediately
behind the first DVD storage pocket 22 and a second graphics
storage pocket 24 positioned immediately behind the first graphics
storage pocket 24. In an alternative embodiment of the present
design in FIGS. 13-14, the flap design shown may be replaced with a
"u" shaped thumb cut as shown in the sleeve in FIGS. 11-12.
[0055] As seen in both the front and rear elevation views of FIGS.
15-16, both of the DVD storage pockets have a common DVD stop seal
28 to prevent the DVDs from falling into the pocket and thus
becoming substantially inaccessible to the user. This design
implementing dual DVDs storage pockets positioned immediately
opposite one another also allows the dual capacity sleeve to be
manufactured without requiring a "cutout" aperture 32 on the back
sheet to provide a DVD stop seal 28 as previously discussed in
various embodiments above.
[0056] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13-14, both the front sheet
6 and back sheet 20 of the graphics storage pocket 24 are comprised
of a transparent material such as polypropylene to permit viewing
of both graphics sheets. Preferably the front sheet 6 and back
sheets 20 utilized for the DVD storage pockets 22 and the middle
sheets 18 are comprised of a non-woven material to prevent any
scratching of the DVDs 4. Of course any combination of materials
known in the art could be used to accomplish the same purpose of
providing a flexible sleeve for the storage of DVDs and the
graphics.
[0057] Referring now to the front elevation view shown in FIG. 17,
an alternative embodiment of the present invention is provided
which allows the storage of two DVDs 4, yet does not provide
storage for the accompanying graphics. Further, a write-on title
strip 34 is provided along an upper edge of the DVD pocket 22 and
flap. Alternatively, the back sheet 20 may be transparent to
facilitate the storage of graphics associated with the DVD.
[0058] In another aspect of the present invention a process is
provided for manufacturing the DVD sleeves shown in FIGS. 1-12 that
utilize either a DVD stop seal 28 or frictional nubs 36. This
process is initiated by providing the front sheet 6, middle sheet
18 and back sheets 20 on continuous rolls of the respective
materials. The individual sheets of material with a predetermined
width are then rolled out and the respective "cutouts" made to each
sheet. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the top
layer has a flap cut, while the back layer has a cutout made for
the graphics thumb cut(at top of sheet) and a circular DVD pocket
cutout which corresponds to the location of the DVD stop seal 28.
There are no cutouts necessary on the middle layer.
[0059] After the cutouts are made to the respective front and back
sheets, the individual layers of material are all fed back together
and aligned, at which time all of the weld seals of the three
layers are made simultaneously. These welds include the seals
required on the peripheral edges to form the pockets as well as the
DVD stop seals 28 or frictional nubs 36 as the case may be. Once
all of the welds have been made the continuous roll of sealed
material is cut as appropriate to create the individual DVD sleeve
2. Although the process generally described utilizes ultrasonic
welding to form the necessary seals, as appreciated by one skilled
in the art RF (radio frequency) welding or other forms of
interconnection can be implemented to create seals between various
layers of now-woven or transparent type materials such as
polypropylene.
[0060] Alternatively, in a method to provide the DVD stop seals 28
on frictional nubs 36 without utilizing a back sheet aperture 32, a
two stage manufacturing process is utilized which first
interconnects the front sheet 6 to the middle sheet 18 while
additionally creating the DVD stop seal 28 or frictional nubs 36.
The back sheet 20 is then interconnected to the middle sheet 18 and
front sheet 6 to complete the DVD sleeve 2.
[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 19-20, an alternative embodiment of
the present invention is provided herein which depicts one of the
DVD stop seal 28 embodiments previously discussed. For example, the
DVD stop seal 28 may have any variety of geometric shapes capable
of suspending the DVD 4 in an upper portion of the DVD pocket 22.
For example, the DVD stop seal can be a straight line, arcuate
line, triangular or rectangular shape. In FIG. 19, a front
elevation view is provided of one embodiment where the DVD stop
seal 28 is a straight line with a flap 14. Alternatively, the flap
14 could be removed and replaced with a "u" shaped thumb cut or
other embodiment which allows the DVD 4 to be grasped for removal.
FIG. 20 is a rear elevation view of the sleeve shown in FIG. 19,
and which further identifies a plurality of binding apertures 30
positioned along a lateral edge 12 of the sleeve 2 to permit the
sleeve 2 to be stored in a binding device such as a notebook or DVD
wallet.
[0062] To assist the reader in the understanding of the present
invention, the following list of components and associated
numbering found in the drawings are provided hereinbelow:
1 Number Component 2 Sleeve 4 Digital Video Disc 6 Front sheet 8
Upper edge 10 Bottom edge 12 Lateral edge 14 Flap 16 Digital video
disc front surfaces is middle sheet 18 Middle sheet 20 Back sheet
22 DVD pocket 24 Graphics pocket 26 Graphics 28 DVD Stop Seal 30
Binding Aperture 32 Back sheet aperture 34 Title strip 36
Frictional Nub 38 Binding strip 40 Thumb notch 42 Thumb cut 44 DVD
aperture
[0063] The foregoing description of the present invention has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. The
description is not intended to limit the invention to the form
disclosed herein. Consequently, the invention and modifications
commensurate with the above teachings and skill and knowledge of
the relevant art are within the scope of the present invention. The
preferred embodiment described above is also intended to explain
the best mode known of practicing the invention and to enable
others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various
embodiments and with the various modifications required by their
particular applications for use of the invention. It is intended
that the claims be construed to include all alternative embodiments
as permitted by the prior art.
* * * * *