U.S. patent application number 09/876601 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-12 for storage device for electronic data storage media cases.
Invention is credited to Hummell, Michael L..
Application Number | 20020185392 09/876601 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25368114 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020185392 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hummell, Michael L. |
December 12, 2002 |
Storage device for electronic data storage media cases
Abstract
A disc storage device includes a transparent top shell having
opposing sides interconnecting a front, a back and a top panel of
the top shell, along with a bottom shell having opposing sides
interconnecting a front, a back, and a bottom panel of the bottom
shell. A plurality of different colored disc cases are disposed
within the top and bottom shells with colored differentiation of
the cases being observable through the transparent top shell. Side
panels orient the cases in a vertical manner within the bottom
shell and the colored cases are arranged within the device for
exhibiting bands of different color through the shell.
Inventors: |
Hummell, Michael L.;
(Newport Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Walter A. Hackler, Ph.D
Attorney or Record
Suite B
2372 S.E. Bristol
Newport Beach
CA
92660-0755
US
|
Family ID: |
25368114 |
Appl. No.: |
09/876601 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/307 ;
206/459.5; G9B/23.017; G9B/33.016 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00296
20130101; G11B 33/0455 20130101; G11B 23/0236 20130101; B65D 21/022
20130101; B65D 2543/00351 20130101; B65D 2543/00194 20130101; B65D
43/162 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/307 ;
206/459.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/57 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A disc storage device comprising: a transparent top shell having
opposing sides interconnecting a front, a back and a top panel of
the top shell; a bottom shell having opposing sides interconnecting
a front, a back and a bottom panel of the bottom shell; a plurality
of different colored disc cases disposed within the top and bottom
shelves, color differentiation of the cases being observable
through said transparent top shell; and side panels disposed in the
sides of the bottom shell for orienting the cases in a vertical
manner within the bottom shell.
2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the colored cases are
arranged within the device for exhibiting bands of different colors
through the top shell, each band comprising one or more cases of
the same color.
3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said bottom shell is
transparent.
4. The device according to claim 3 wherein the colored cases are
arranged within the device for exhibiting bands of different colors
through the top and bottom shell, each band comprising multiple
cases of the same color.
5. The device according to claim 4 wherein the top and bottom shell
are integrally molded with a living hinge therebetween.
6. The device according to claim 5 wherein said living hinge
includes two points of inflection interconnected by a member for
enabling lateral motion between the top and bottom shells to insure
seating between the top and bottom shells.
7. The device according to claim 6 wherein the top shell includes a
molded contour between the shell top front and the top panel and a
molded contour between the shell top back and the top panel, the
molded contours being shaped to conform with a contour of the
cases.
8. The device according to claim 7 wherein the cases have rounded
corners and the molded contours conform to the case rounded
corners.
9. The device according to claim 8 wherein the top panel and the
bottom panel have corresponding raised and recessed portions for
enabling nested stacking of a plurality of devices.
10. The device according to claim 9 wherein said bottom panel
includes the recessed portion and said top panel includes the
raised portion.
11. The device according to claim 10 wherein the side panels of the
bottom shell are perpendicular to the bottom panel recessed
portion.
12. The device according to claim 11 wherein each of said top shell
and said bottom shell include a flange extending along the sides,
fronts and back thereof for releasably securing said top shell and
said bottom shell to one another upon closure of said storage
device, said flanges having conforming surfaces to provide a seal
between said top shell and said bottom shell.
13. The device according to claim 12 wherein each flange includes
two parallel outwardly extending upper and lower surfaces connected
by an orthogonal surface, the orthogonal surfaces being sized and
positioned for providing resistive coupling therebetween upon
closure of said storage device.
14. The device according to claim 13 wherein one of the lower
surfaces includes a cutout for enabling finger contact to separate
the flanges and open the storage device.
15. The device according to claim 14 wherein the top and bottom
shells, hinge, panels and flanges are integrally molded.
16. A storage device for disc cases, the device comprising: a top
shell having opposing sides interconnecting a front, a back and a
top panel of said top shell; a bottom shell having opposing sides
interconnecting a front, a back and a bottom panel of said bottom
shell; a hinge, interconnecting the top and bottom shells, for
enabling opening and closing of the top and bottom shells, the top
and bottom shells being sized for accommodation the cases in a
closed position with the cases being disposed between the top and
bottom shells in an orientation generally perpendicular to the top
and bottom front and back; and side panels disposed in the sides of
the bottom shell for orienting the cases in a vertical manner
within the bottom shell between said side panels.
17. The device according to claim 16 wherein the top and bottom
sides, hinge and side panels are integrally molded.
18. The device according to claim 17 wherein said hinge includes
two points of inflection interconnected by a member for enabling
lateral motion between the top and bottom shells to insure seating
between the top and bottom shells.
19. The device according to claim 16 wherein the top panel and the
bottom panel have corresponding raised and recessed portions for
enabling nested stacking of a plurality of devices.
20. The device according to claim 19 wherein said bottom panel
includes the recessed portion and said top panel includes the
raised portion.
21. The device according to claim 20 wherein the side panels of the
bottom shell are perpendicular to the bottom panel recessed
portion.
22. The device according to claim 16 wherein said top shell
includes a molded contour between the shell top front and the top
panel and a molded contour between the shell top back and the top
panel, the molded contours being shaped to conform with a contour
of the cases.
23. The device according to claim 22 wherein the molded contours
are arcuate.
24. The device according to claim 16, each of said top shell and
said bottom shell include a flange extending along the sides,
fronts and backs thereof for releasably securing said top shell and
said bottom shell to one another upon closure of said storage
device, said flanges having conforming surfaces to provide a seal
between said top shell and said bottom shell.
25. The device according to claim 24 wherein each flange includes
two parallel outwardly extending upper and lower surfaces connected
by an orthogonal surface, the orthogonal surfaces being sized and
positioned for providing resistive coupling therebetween upon
closure of said storage device.
26. The device according to claim 24 wherein one of the lower
surfaces includes a cutout for enabling finger contact to separate
the flanges and open the storage device.
27. The device according to claim 26 wherein the top and bottom
shells, hinge, panels and flanges are integrally molded.
28. The device according to claim 27 wherein the top panel and the
bottom panel have corresponding raised and recessed portions for
enabling nested stacking of a plurality of devices.
29. The device according to claim 28 wherein said top shell
includes a molded contour between the shell top front and top panel
and a molded contour between the shell tip back and top panel, the
molded contours being shaped to conform with a contour of the
cases.
30. The device according to claim 29 wherein the molded contours
are arcuate.
31. The device according to claim 16 further comprising colored
cases and wherein said top shell is transparent for enabling views
of the colored cases stored in the device.
32. The device according to claim 31 wherein said bottom shell is
transparent for enabling viewing of the colored cases stored in the
device.
33. A storage device for disc cases, the device comprising: a top
shell having opposing sides interconnecting a front, a back and a
top panel of said top shell; a bottom shell having opposing sides
interconnecting a front, a back and a bottom panel of said bottom
shell; a hinge, interconnecting the top and bottom shells, for
enabling opening and closing of the top and bottom shells, the top
and bottom shells being sized for accommodating the cases in a
closed position with the cases being disposed between the top and
bottom shells in an orientation generally perpendicular to the top
and bottom front and back; and raised and recessed portions
correspondingly disposed in the top and bottom panels for enabling
nested stacking of a plurality of devices.
34. The device according to claim 33 wherein said bottom panel
includes the recessed portion and said top panel includes the
raised portion.
35. The device according to claim 34 wherein said hinge includes
two points of inflection interconnected by a member for enabling
lateral motion between the top and bottom shells to insure seating
between the top and bottom shells.
36. The device according to claim 33 wherein each of said top shell
and said bottom shell include a flange extending along the sides,
fronts and backs thereof for releasably securing said to shell and
said bottom shell to one another upon closure of said storage
device, said flanges having conforming surfaces to provide a seal
between said top shell and said bottom shell.
37. The device according to claim 36 wherein each flange includes
two parallel outwardly extending upper and lower surfaces connected
by an orthogonal surface, the orthogonal surfaces being sized and
positioned for providing resistive coupling therebetween upon
closure of said storage device.
38. The device according to claim 37 wherein each of the lower
surfaces includes a cutout for enabling finger contact to separate
the flanges and open the storage device.
39. The device according to claim 37 further comprising side panels
disposed in the sides of the bottom shell for orientating the cases
in a vertical orientation within the bottom shell.
40. The device according to claim 39 wherein the side panels are
perpendicular to the bottom panel recessed portion.
41. The device according to claim 40 wherein said top shell
includes a molded contour between the shell top front and top panel
and a molded contour between the shell top back and top panel, the
molded contour being shaped to conform with a contour of the
case.
42. The device according to claim 32 wherein the molded contours
are arcuate.
43. The device according to claim 42 further comprising colored
cases and wherein said top shell in transparent for enabling
viewing of colored cases stored in the device.
44. The device according to claim 43 wherein said bottom shell in
transparent for enabling viewing of the colored cases stored in the
device.
Description
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a storage device
for media units, and more particularly relates to a storage device
and display system for providing convenience and storage of
electronic data storage media such as, for example, optical
recording discs and tapes.
[0002] Optical recording discs, such as compact discs, are
typically sold within a jewel case with an insert that enables a
user to view the contents of the jewel case from either a plan view
of the case or along its spine.
[0003] While having seemingly small dimensions, the jewel cases do
not provide compact storage of discs that is many times desired by
the end user who has a large collection of discs. Therefore, a
number of storage systems have been devised for more compact
storage of the discs. This has resulted in a great number of CD
cases which enable extremely dense storage of the discs.
Unfortunately, such compact storage systems, because of the
necessary limited dimensions, do not afford indicia of its contents
to be placed on a spine, or end of the discs. Thus, the case
contents can only be observed on the plan view of the case.
Accordingly, during dense storage of multiple cases holding CDs,
there is presently no system for identifying contents of the cases
during storage.
[0004] In addition, CDs are sold in a bulk fashion without any
cases but stacked on a spindle. After purchase there is a need for
storage and display of the CDs.
[0005] Current storage devices do not provide a convenient means
for both displaying of the cases either in a retail store, for
enticing purchase by a user, or displaying the cases in a user's
library for the means for enabling classification and sorting of
the discs.
[0006] The present invention provides for a disc storage device
which is suitable for packing and shipment of disc cases, providing
an attractive display for same in retail store, and providing a
user with a functional storage device and disc case assortment
which facilities the user in grouping and/or sorting of discs
according to a desired criteria, such as type of music, composer,
etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A disc storage device in accordance with the present
invention preferably includes a transparent top shell having
opposing sides interconnecting a front, back and a top panel of the
top shell along with a bottom shell having opposing sides
interconnecting a front, a back and a bottom panel of the bottom
shelf.
[0008] A plurality of different colored cases may be disposed
within the top and bottom shell with color differentiation of the
cases being observable through the transparent top shell. This
feature of the present invention provides for an attractive sales
presentation in a retail store, and in addition, provides utility
to the end user as will be hereinafter described in greater
detail.
[0009] CD cases may be stored and side panels disposed in the sides
of the bottom shell are provided for orientating the CD cases in a
vertical manner within the bottom shell. This feature aligns the CD
cases within the top and bottom shell and when same colored CD
cases are grouped with one another, provide for bands of color to
be displayed through the top shell.
[0010] More particularly, the bottom shell may also be transparent
which enables the bands of color to be displayed therethrough.
Preferably the top and bottom shells are integrally molded with a
living hinge therebetween to provide a structure.
[0011] To further enhance the color presentation and provide for
compact storage of CD cases within the device, the top shell
includes a molded contour between the top shelf front and the top
shelf panel and a molded contour between the shell top back and the
top panel with the molded contours being sized to conform with the
contour of the CD cases. In that regard, the CD cases preferably
have rounded corners and the molded contours conform thereto.
[0012] To further facilitate storage of multiple CD cases and
storage devices therefor, the top panel and bottom panel have
correspondingly raised and recessed portions for enabling nested
stacking of a plurality of devices.
[0013] To assure uncontaminated confinement of the cases within the
shell, each of the top shell and the bottom shell includes a flange
extending along the sides, fronts and back thereof for releasably
securing the top shell and the bottom shell upon closure of the
storage device. The flanges include conforming surfaces to provide
a seal between the top shell and the bottom shell.
[0014] More particularly, each flange includes two parallel
outwardly extending upper and lower surfaces connected by an
orthogonal surface. The orthogonal surfaces are sized and
positioned for providing resistive coupling therebetween upon
closure of the storage device.
[0015] More specifically, each of the lower surfaces of the flange
may include a cut-out for enabling finger contact to separate the
flanges and open the storage device. Preferably, the entire
structure of the top and bottom shell, hinge, panels and flanges
are integrally molded.
[0016] The present invention further includes, separately from the
CD cases, a storage device which includes a top shell having
opposing sides interconnecting a front, a back and a top panel of
the top shell along with a bottom shell having opposing sides
interconnecting a front, back and bottom panel of the bottom shelf.
A hinge is provides and interconnects the top and bottom shelf for
enabling opening and closing the top and bottom shelves and the top
and bottom shelves are sized for accommodating CD cases in the
closed position with the CD cases being disposed between the top
and bottom in an orientation generally perpendicular to the top and
bottom, front and back.
[0017] Preferably, the hinge includes two inflection points to
facilitate alignment of the top and bottom shells. The side panels
are disposed in the sides of the bottom shelf for orientating the
CD cases in a vertical manner within the bottom shell between the
side panels. Further features of the storage device are hereinabove
described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The advantages and features of the present invention will be
better understood by the following description when considered in
conjunction with the occupying drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disc storage device in
accordance with the present invention generally showing transparent
top and bottom shell in a closed position for containing a
plurality of CD case therein in an orientation generally
perpendicular to the front and back of the storage device, the CD
cases being grouped in different color bands for both presenting
and attractive retail display and for organizing the contents of
the CD cases into desired categories;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1
but in an open position with the top and bottom shelves separated
for the insertion of a compact disc case as illustrated;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG.
1 taken along the line 33;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4, 4
FIG. 1, also showing in greater detail raised end recessed portions
in the shell top and shell bottom for enabling the nested stacking
of storage devices in a stable manner;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention using a single flange cutout and flap for
facilitating opening and closing of the device;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 5 taken along the line 6-6 and showing a hinge having two
points of inflection; and
[0025] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view taken along the line 7 in FIG. 6
more clearly showing the hinge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a storage device 10
in accordance with the present invention which preferably includes
a transparent top shell 12 having opposing sides 16, 18
interconnecting a front 20, a back 22, and a top panel 24.
[0027] A bottom shell 30 is also provided having opposing sides 32,
34 interconnecting a front 38, a back 40 and bottom 42 of the shell
30.
[0028] While preferably, the top and bottom shells 12, 30 are
transparent, only the top shell 12 need be transparent in order to
visualize through the top shell 12, a plurality of CD cases 46
grouped into a band 48 displaying consistent color.
[0029] This display, or exhibition, of bands 48, 54 of CD cases 46,
52 not only provides a visual attraction for sale of the device,
but also enables the end user to classify and identify CDs of a
selected group.
[0030] For example, blue may be utilized by the user for storing
jazz CDs, while yellow may be utilized by the user for storing
classical CDs and so forth. Thus, easy recognition of the contents
of the CD cases 46, 52 is enabled through the combination of the
transparency of the top shell 12.
[0031] Preferably, the bottom shell 30 is also transparent and
while the top and bottom shells 12, 30 may be separate, it is
preferable that they are molded integrally with a living hinge 58,
as shown in FIG. 2, therebetween.
[0032] To insure alignment of the cases 46, 52 within the case 10
between the top and bottom shells 12, 30, side panels 62, 64,
preferably molded into sides 32, 34 of the shell bottom 30, orient
the CD cases in a vertical manner within the bottom shell 30 as
illustrated in FIG. 2 by the orientation of the case 52, the case
52 being supported within the bottom 30 between the front 38 and
back 40.
[0033] The device 10 when full of CD cases 46, 52 present the
banded appearance as shown in FIG. 1 which is enabled by the
vertical orientation of the disc 46, 48 by the side panels 62,
64.
[0034] A case 52 suitable for using in combination with the top and
bottom shells 12, 13, may include rounded corners 68, 70 as shown
in FIG. 2. The case 52 is described in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 09/793,066 filed Feb. 26, 2001, and is to be incorporated
herewith in its entirety by the specific reference thereto for
describing a suitable CD case for use with the device 10.
[0035] In order to provide a snug fit of the cases 46, 52 within
the top and bottom shells 12, 32, and further enhance color
differentiation therethrough, the top and bottom shells 12, 32 are
molded to conform to the CD rounded edges 68, 72 as shown in FIG.
4. That is, the top shell 12 includes a molded contour 76 between
the top panel 24 and front 20 and a molded contour 78 between the
top panel 24 and the back 22.
[0036] Another feature pertaining to the dense storage of cases 46,
52 enabled by the present invention, is best illustrated in FIG. 4
which shows the top shell as having a raised portion 84 in the top
panel 24 and the bottom shell having a recessed portion 86 disposed
in the shell bottom 42. This enables stacking of the device 10
between identical devices 90, 92 in a nested manner. This nested
arrangement enables secure stacking of a plurality of the devices
10, 90, 92 as shown in FIG. 4, the nesting preventing sliding of
the devices 10. 90, 92 with respect to one another.
[0037] To insure stability and secure closure of the top and bottom
shells 12, 30 each of the top shell 12 and bottom shell 12 include
a sealing flange as best shown in FIGS. 2-4. The flange 96 extends
along the sides 32, 34 and front 38 and back 40 of the shell bottom
and the flange 98 extends along the side 16, 18, front 20 and back
22 of the top shell 12.
[0038] Upon closure of the device 10 as shown in FIG. 1, these
flanges 96, 98 releasably secure the top shell 12 and the bottom
shell to one another. The flanges 96, 98 have conforming surface
102, 104 to provide a seal between the top shell 12 and the bottom
shell 30.
[0039] The bottom shell 96 includes two parallel outwardly
extending upper and lower surfaces 108, 110 connected by an
orthogonal surface 112.
[0040] Similarly, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the flange 98
includes two parallel outwardly extending upper and lower surfaces
116, 118 with an orthogonal surface 120 therebetween.
[0041] The orthogonal surfaces 112, 120 are sized and positioned
for providing resistive coupling therebetween upon closure of the
device 10.
[0042] To facilitate opening of the device 10 by separation of the
top shell 12 from the bottom shell 30, the lower surface 110 may
include cutouts 122, 124 and the upper surface 118 may include
cutouts 126, 128 for enabling finger (not shown) contact to
separate the flanges 96, 98 by twisting. To facilitate this action
indentations 130, 132, 134, 136, in the surface 112 and indentation
138, 140, 142, 144 in the surface 114 provide finger clearance
while applying twisting action.
[0043] With reference to FIGS. 5-7 another embodiment 160 of the
present invention is shown with common reference characters
indicating identical or substantially the same structure of
embodiment 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4.
[0044] The storage device 160 includes a cutout 164 in the lower
surface 110 and a flap 166 in the upper surface 118 for enabling
finger (not shown) contact to separate the flanges 96, 98.
[0045] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the storage device 160
includes a living hinge 170 which includes two points of inflection
172, 174. This configuration facilitate the opening and closing of
the top and bottom shells 12, 30 and enables a better fit between
the surfaces 110, 112 and alignment of the top and bottom shells
12, 30.
[0046] The points of inflection 172, 174 are spaced apart from one
another by a member 178. This enables displaced movement of the top
shell 12 with respect to the bottom shell 30 as shown in FIG. 7.
That is lateral movement of the top shell 12 with respect to the
bottom shell is enabled which, in turn, insures proper seating of
the top and bottom shells 12, 30 with each other even in areas
adjacent the hinged 170.
[0047] Although there has been hereinabove described a storage
device in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of
illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to
advantage, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited
thereto. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations, or
equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the
art, should be considered to be within the scope of the invention
as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *