U.S. patent application number 10/334899 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-08 for disc and information article sleeve.
This patent application is currently assigned to Microsoft. Invention is credited to Ballantine, William S., Miller, William R..
Application Number | 20040129585 10/334899 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32680819 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040129585 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ballantine, William S. ; et
al. |
July 8, 2004 |
Disc and information article sleeve
Abstract
A disc and information article sleeve is provided for allowing
safe storage of discs and/or information articles. The sleeve may
include a multiple interface connector to permit the sleeve to
connect with a plurality of different secondary storage devices,
such as a disc wallet. The sleeve may also include a disc access
opening formed on a wall of the sleeve and an information article
access opening along a different edge of the sleeve. The sleeve
also may include a disc retention tab to allow for one-step
insertion or removal of a disc from the sleeve. The sleeve may be
designed to include two disc access openings and multiple sleeves
may be incorporated together onto one page of sleeves.
Inventors: |
Ballantine, William S.;
(Redmond, WA) ; Miller, William R.; (Poulsbo,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF
1001 G STREET N W
SUITE 1100
WASHINGTON
DC
20001
US
|
Assignee: |
Microsoft
Redmond
WA
|
Family ID: |
32680819 |
Appl. No.: |
10/334899 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/308.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/548 20130101;
B65D 85/546 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/308.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/30 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A flat disc storage sleeve comprising: a first storage
compartment defined in part by a front wall; a generally T-shaped
opening formed in the front wall; and a disc retention tab
configured to assist in the retention of a disc located within the
first storage compartment.
2. The flat storage sleeve of claim 1, further comprising: a second
storage compartment defined in part by a back wall; a divider
located between the front and back walls to form the first and
second compartments; and an access opening into the second storage
compartment, wherein the T-shaped opening permits loading of a disc
into the first storage compartment in a first direction and the
access opening permits loading of an article in the second storage
compartment in a second direction different from the first
direction.
3. The flat storage sleeve of claim 2, wherein the second direction
is perpendicular to the first direction.
4. The flat storage sleeve of claim 2, wherein the access opening
into the second storage compartment is a second generally T-shaped
opening formed in the back wall to assist in retention of a disc
loaded within the second storage compartment.
5. The flat storage sleeve of claim 2, further comprising a
connector, wherein the connector includes at least two pairs of
binder spine interface elements to connect with at least two
different secondary storage devices.
6. The flat storage sleeve of claim 5, wherein the at least two
pairs of binder spine interface elements includes a pair of
circular elements and a pair of L-shaped elements.
7. The flat storage sleeve of claim 5, wherein the connector is a
separate element from the front or back walls or the divider and is
affixed to each of the front and back walls and divider.
8. The flat storage sleeve of claim 5, wherein the connector is an
integral extension of the front and back walls.
9. The flat storage sleeve of claim 5, wherein the connector is
perforated to form the at least two pairs of binder spine interface
elements.
10. The flat storage sleeve of claim 5, wherein the at least two
pairs of binder spine interface elements are precut openings.
11. The flat storage sleeve of claim 1, wherein the generally
T-shaped opening is a precut groove.
12. The flat storage sleeve of claim 11, wherein the disc retention
tab is positioned above a center of a position of the generally
T-shaped opening where a cross channel and a stem channel of the
precut groove intersect.
13. The flat storage sleeve of claim 12, wherein the disc retention
tab is integrally formed in the first wall.
14. The flat storage sleeve of claim 1, wherein the disc retention
tab is in a shape of one of: an arc, a dual arc, a trapezoid, and a
rectangle.
15. The flat storage sleeve of claim 1, wherein the disc retention
tab is positioned to partially cover an article being stored in the
first storage compartment.
16. The flat storage sleeve of claim 12, wherein the cross channel
runs a substantial width of the front wall and the stem channel
runs a partial length of the front wall.
17. The flat storage sleeve of claim 12, wherein the disc retention
tab extends 3 to 7mm from a top edge of the cross channel.
18. The flat storage sleeve of claim 1, wherein the front and back
walls and the dividers are substantially rectangular in shape.
19. The flat storage sleeve of claim 2, further comprising: at
least a third storage compartment defined in part by the front
wall; at least a fourth storage compartment defined in part by the
back wall; at least one second generally T-shaped opening formed in
the front wall; at least one second access opening into the at
least fourth storage compartment, wherein the at least one second
generally T-shaped opening permits loading of a second disc into
the third storage compartment in a third direction and the at least
one second access opening permits loading of an article in the
second storage compartment in a fourth direction different from the
third direction, wherein the divider further forms the at least
third and at least fourth compartments.
20. A flat disc storage sleeve comprising: a first storage
compartment defined in part by a front wall; a generally T-shaped
opening formed in the front wall; a second storage compartment
defined in part by a back wall; a divider located between the front
and back walls to form the first and second compartments; and an
access opening into the second storage compartment, wherein the
T-shaped opening permits loading of a disc into the first storage
compartment in a first direction and the access opening permits
loading of an article in the second storage compartment in a second
direction different from the first direction.
21. The flat disc storage sleeve of claim 20, wherein the access
opening into the second storage compartment is a second generally
T-shaped opening formed in the back wall to assist in retention of
a disc loaded within the second storage compartment.
22. The flat disc storage sleeve of claim 20, further comprising a
connector, wherein the connector includes at least two pairs of
binder spine interface elements to connect with at least two
different secondary storage devices.
23. The flat disc storage sleeve of claim 20, wherein the generally
T-shaped opening comprises a cross channel and a stem channel that
is perpendicular to the cross channel.
24. A flat disc storage sleeve comprising: a first storage
compartment defined in part by a front wall; a second storage
compartment defined in part by a back wall; a divider located
between the front and back walls to form the first and second
compartments; an access opening into the second storage
compartment; and a connector, wherein the connector includes at
least two pairs of binder spine interface elements to connect with
at least two different secondary storage devices.
25. The flat disc storage sleeve of claim 24, wherein the access
opening into the second storage compartment is a second generally
T-shaped opening formed in the back wall to assist in retention of
a disc loaded within the second storage compartment.
26. The flat disc storage sleeve of claim 24, wherein the at least
two pairs of binder spine interface elements comprise a pair of
circular elements and a pair of L-shaped elements.
27. The flat disc storage sleeve of claim 24, wherein the generally
T-shaped opening comprises a cross channel and a stem channel that
is perpendicular to the cross channel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to storage units for housing
digital media, such as compact discs. More specifically, the
invention relates to a storage device for simple removal of a disc
and connection to multiple types of secondary storage devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The advancement of the computer industry has impacted both
industry and society immensely. Today, the computer industry is a
multi-billion dollar business machine, with advancements in speed,
technology, size, and cost everyday. One area of advancement is in
storage units and capacity for media and multimedia
information.
[0003] The early years in the computer industry found magnetic
tapes as a means for storing information. Advancements in
technology lead to the 51/4-inch floppy disc, which soon lead to
the 31/2-inch floppies. Eventually, optical technology led to the
compact disc and digital video disc, or digital versatile disc.
Information of various type, whether audio, video, data, or
multimedia can be stored in these various storage devices.
[0004] Today, two of the primary means of information storage are
the compact disc (CD) and the digital video disc (DVD). These two
forms of information storage have become a staple in both the
computer and music/entertainment industries. The reasons are clear.
The data storage capacity of a CD and DVD is much larger than
compared to other technologies. Today, much of the software that is
sold is only available on CD, DVD, or other similar media forms.
Alternative media forms such as the floppy disk, videocassette
recorder tapes and audiocassettes are being phased out by many
manufactures or listed as an additional feature to the standard
model.
[0005] The actual operating surface of CDs, DVDs and other similar
forms of information storage is susceptible to damage from contact
with oil from a fingerprint, dust particles, and scratches to its
surface to name a few. One type of protective device is the jewel
case design that opens like a book. However, these protective
devices are bulky and rigid. Another type of protective device is
the conventional CD sleeve with an interface that allows the sleeve
to be held in a secondary storage device. For example, CD wallets
can hold a number of CD sleeves together by a holding system, such
as a two-ring binder. Conventional CD sleeves are manufactured to
permit connection with only one type of holding system, as shown in
FIGS. 1A, a rod-based interface 101, and 1B, a two hole
binder-based interface 121. One disadvantage with the conventional
CD sleeve is the fact that one cannot easily detach the sleeve from
one type of secondary holding system and reattach into a completely
different type of secondary holding system.
[0006] Further, conventional CD sleeves, such as shown in FIG. 1B,
can have a pocket/interior compartment on one face 123 for a CD and
a second pocket/interior compartment on an opposite face 125 for
either another CD or some piece of information, i.e., a CD insert.
For example, individuals that purchase a new CD of music can place
the CD in one pocket and the song list in the second pocket on the
back of the sleeve. As shown in FIG. 1B, these conventional sleeves
have both access openings to the pockets along the same peripheral
edge of the CD sleeve. However, when attempting to load discs and
information articles with conventional disc/disk loading equipment,
the disc loading machine has been known to errantly insert the disc
into the pocket designed for the information article 125, or
further still will insert both the CD and the information article
into the same pocket 123 or 125. This requires more time and money
spent in quality control to ensure proper packaging.
[0007] Moreover, conventional CD loading equipment often fails to
properly open a CD sleeve pocket/interior compartment for insertion
of a disc. Conventional equipment will open a sleeve pocket by use
of a suction system that grabs and retracts to widen the opening of
the pocket. Conventional CD sleeves may be found to work properly
with one disc loading manufacturer's equipment, but not with
another. Each disc-loading manufacturer incorporates a different
method for opening a CD sleeve by suction.
[0008] Still further, some CD sleeves have security features to
protect from loss of or damage to a CD. One feature to prevent loss
of a CD has been to make the pocket access opening at the top of
the sleeve. However, with a large enough jolt and/or prolonged
insertion and removal, a CD can possibly fall out of such a sleeve.
As shown in FIG. 1C, another feature has been the use of a large
flap 141 that spans substantially the entire width of the CD sleeve
100 and over the entire access opening 143. This large flap must be
tucked into the interior compartment of the CD sleeve 100. The
large flap is intended to help secure the CD in the sleeve and
protect against the CD sliding back toward the access opening.
However, such a large flap has disadvantages in that it does not
allow for easy insertion by an automated disc loading machine or
one step removal or insertion by an individual. During insertion,
the large flap must to be folded over once a CD has been inserted
into the sleeve.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] To overcome limitations in the prior art described above,
and to overcome other limitations that will be apparent upon
reading and understanding the present specification, the present
invention is directed to a disc and information article sleeve that
standardizes a disc sleeve for multiple applications. The invention
involves a cost-effective disc sleeve solution that will help
alleviate many of the problems associated with disc insertion
machines and protection of discs from damage.
[0010] A first aspect of the invention provides a multiple
interface connector to permit a single CD sleeve to connect with a
plurality of different holding systems/secondary storage devices.
An interface connector, whether affixed to or incorporated within a
disc sleeve, has multiple precut interfaces allowing a user to
detach a CD sleeve from one type of secondary storage device and
attach to a completely different type of secondary storage device.
Alternatively, the connector can include multiple perforated
sections allowing a user to modify the connection to permit
connection with a particular secondary holding system.
[0011] Another aspect of the invention provides a second access
opening to an interior compartment/pocket along or immediately
adjacent to a different edge of a disc sleeve than a disc access
opening. This aspect of the invention can be arranged to
accommodate an information article or even a second optical disc,
CD or DVD.
[0012] In yet another aspect of the invention, a disc access
opening is provided that facilitates automated disc insertion by a
multitude of disc loading manufacturers. This aspect includes a
flexible disc retention tab positioned near the center of the
access opening to allow for easy one-step removal/insertion of a
disc while still protecting the disc from falling out of the disc
sleeve.
[0013] In some embodiments, the disc sleeve can be arranged with
multiple disc sleeves onto a single sheet of disc sleeves. Other
features and advantages of the present invention will become
readily apparent in view of the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] A more complete understanding of the present invention and
the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the
following description in consideration of the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features,
and wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional CD sleeve with a
rail-based interface connection;
[0016] FIG. 1B illustrates a conventional CD sleeve with a two-ring
binder-based interface connection and two pockets along a same
edge;
[0017] FIG. 1C illustrates a conventional CD sleeve with a large
flap extending substantially along an entire edge;
[0018] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a disc sleeve with
a multiple interface connector, a disc access opening immediately
adjacent to a horizontal edge, and an information article access
opening along a vertical edge according to one or more aspects of
the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross section of the disc sleeve in
FIG. 2A;
[0020] FIG. 3A illustrates a connecting member to a sleeve with
multiple perforated sections to permit connection to various
secondary holding systems according to one or more aspects of the
invention;
[0021] FIG. 3B illustrates a connecting member to a sleeve with
multiple interface configurations to permit connection with various
secondary holding systems according to one or more aspects of the
invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the disc sleeve with a
generally T-shaped groove and disc retention tab according to one
or more aspects of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the disc sleeve, shown
with a CD or DVD contained therein in phantom form according to one
or more aspects of the invention;
[0024] FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate alternative configurations of the
disc retention tab according to one or more aspects of the
invention;
[0025] FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of the disc sleeve,
shown with a CD or DVD contained therein in phantom form prior to
removal of the CD or DVD according to one or more aspects of the
invention;
[0026] FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of the disc sleeve,
shown with a CD or DVD contained therein in phantom form during
removal from the disc sleeve according to one or more aspects of
the invention;
[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the disc sleeve,
shown with the information article access opening along a vertical
edge and the disc access opening, shown in phantom from,
immediately adjacent to a horizontal edge of the disc sleeve
according to one or more aspects of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 8B illustrates a perspective view of the disc sleeve,
shown with a disc access opening, shown in phantom form,
immediately adjacent to a horizontal edge of the disc sleeve and a
second disc access opening immediately adjacent to a vertical edge
of the disc sleeve according to one or more aspects of the
invention;
[0029] FIG. 8C illustrates a cross section of FIG. 8B;
[0030] FIG. 8D illustrates a cross section of FIG. 8B;
[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a dual insertion
with a disc being inserted through a disc access opening into an
interior compartment immediately adjacent to a horizontal edge of
the disc sleeve and an information article being inserted through
an information article access opening into an interior compartment
along a vertical edge according to one or more aspects of the
invention;
[0032] FIG. 10A illustrates a sheet of two disc sleeves according
to one or more aspects of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 10B illustrates a sheet of two disc sleeves according
to one or more aspects of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] In the following description of the various embodiments,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part
hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various
embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural
and functional modifications may be made without departing from the
scope of the present invention.
[0035] It should be noted by those skilled in the art that the term
"disk" has come to define an information storage medium utilizing
magnetic technology. Further, the term "disc" has come to define an
information storage medium utilizing optical technology. For the
purposes of disclosing this invention, the term "disc" will be used
to generally comprise the known technologies of magnetic storage,
optical storage, a combination of the two, and any other similar
flat information storage medium.
[0036] With reference to FIG. 2A, an improved sleeve for detachably
storing CD/DVDs and accompanying information articles into a
secondary storage device is shown. For purposes of describing the
present invention, FIG. 2A will represent what will be defined as
the front of the CD sleeve. Terms oriented toward a back, bottom,
or such will be referenced in relation to the front on the CD
sleeve as shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2A shows the front of a disc
sleeve 200 with a multiple interface connector 220 affixed along a
side of the body 210 of the CD sleeve. The disc sleeve 200 can be
substantially rectangular in shape and the disc sleeve body 210 and
walls of the disc sleeve 200 may be substantially rectangular in
shape. Further, shown is a disc access opening 240 providing access
into an interior compartment on the front of the CD sleeve
immediately adjacent to a horizontal edge 245 at the top of the CD
sleeve. An information article access opening 260 (exaggerated in
FIG. 2) providing access into another interior compartment on the
back of the CD sleeve is located along a vertical edge 265 at the
side of the CD sleeve on an opposite side of the disc sleeve body
210 from the interface connector 220. The information article
access opening 260 along a vertical edge 265 at the side of the CD
sleeve is along a different edge than the disc access opening 240,
and in this embodiment is located on an edge 90.degree. displaced
from the disc access opening 240. This prevents mistakenly loading
discs into the information article access opening 260 during
automated processes as opposed to having both access openings for
the front and back interior compartments configured to the top of
the CD sleeve. The multiple interface connector 220 permits
interface to a variety of secondary storage devices. In addition,
the generally T-shaped disc access opening 240 is positioned to
facilitate automated disc insertion into an interior compartment
while still protecting a disc from damage. Further, for purposes of
this invention, the term "at" will be used to generally comprise
"immediately adjacent to" and "along." Therefore, as described
herein, an information article access opening 260 is "along" a
vertical edge 265 could be "immediately adjacent to" a vertical
edge 265.
[0037] In FIG. 2B, a cross section view of FIG. 2A is shown. The
disc sleeve 200 comprises a front wall and back wall, as well as a
divider. The front wall and divider are affixed to form a front
compartment. The back wall and the divider are affixed to form a
back compartment. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the disc
access opening 240 is shown immediately adjacent to the top of the
CD sleeve 200.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, two types of multiple
interface connectors are shown. In FIG. 3A, a multiple interface
connector 310 is shown. Connector 310 can be a separate piece from
the body of the disc sleeve that is affixed to the remainder of the
disc sleeve by adhesive or RF welding or any other suitable
technique. Connector 310 could also be an integral extension of the
disc sleeve itself and not a separate piece affixed to the
remainder of the disc sleeve. As shown in FIG. 3A, connector 310 is
perforated to form an interface to connect with a variety of
secondary storage devices. Elements 312 represent a pair of
perforated sections that could be removed (i.e., punched out) to
form an interface to connect with a two-ring binder-based secondary
storage device of a first size. Similarly, elements 314 represent a
pair of perforated sections that could be removed to form an
interface to connect with two rings of a three-ring binder-based
secondary storage device and thus have a different spacing.
Elements 316 represent a pair of perforated sections that could be
removed to form an interface to connect with an inverted L-shaped
rail-based secondary storage device. Removal of any of elements
312, 314, and 316 can be accomplished by punching or cutting out
the perforated sections. The perforations and the perforated
sections 312, 314, and 316 permit manual removal of the sections
312, 314, and 316 to connect with the desired secondary storage
device. Other similar methods of removal could be employed.
[0039] In FIG. 3B, a multiple interface connector 350 is shown. As
with connector 310 in FIG. 3A, connector 350 can be a separate
piece from the body of the disc sleeve that is affixed to the disc
sleeve by adhesive, welding, etc. Connector 350 could also be an
integral extension of the disc sleeve itself or a separate element
affixed to the remainder of the disc sleeve. In one embodiment of
the invention, connector 350 is precut with through holes to form
an interface to connect with a variety of secondary storage
devices. Elements 352 represent a pair of openings that form an
interface to connect with a two-ring binder-based secondary storage
device. Similarly, elements 354 represent a pair of openings that
form an interface to connect with two rings of a three-ring
binder-based secondary storage device. Elements 326 represent a
pair of openings that form an interface to connect with an inverted
L-shaped rail-based secondary storage device. Still further, any
combination of the multiple interfaces described above could be
employed into a connector. For example, a manufacturer could have
the two- and three-ring style perforated sections already punched
out while leaving the inverted L-shaped style still in a perforated
condition. For purposes of the present invention, the term "binder
spine interface elements" includes perforated sections, precut
openings, and combinations of the perforated sections and precut
openings.
[0040] Software manufacturing companies may have various forms of
disc sleeves that would have to be manufactured to permit
connection with the various styles of secondary disc sleeve storage
devices. By standardizing a disc sleeve to permit multiple
interface types to connect to it, the overall cost in disc sleeve
procurement and inventory will be decreased. A software
manufacturer will only need to maintain one type of disc sleeve to
accommodate various holding systems. Further, a standard design
would allow for better quality control and easier conversion from
CD based software technology to DVD based software technology. This
also reduces the inventory level at the retailer level for CD
sleeves sold by retailers as the retailer would only need to stock
one product instead of three, for example.
[0041] With reference to FIG. 4, one or more aspects of the
invention are shown in the disc access opening 420 of the disc
sleeve 400. Although not shown in this figure, the multiple
interface connector 310 or 350 or some combination thereof would
preferably be affixed to or incorporated therein. The disc access
opening 420 is a precut access opening in the front 410 of the CD
sleeve 400, positioned in the form of a generally T-shaped groove,
with a disc retention tab 425. The disc access opening 420 is
positioned to allow for easy insertion of a disc by a disc-loading
machine into an interior compartment 440. The position of the
groove and the disc retention tab 425 allow for suction systems of
disc loading machines to more easily insert discs into an interior
compartment 440 of a sleeve 400. The disc retention tab 425 allows
for easy insertion of a disc by a variety of manufactures'
disc-loading equipment.
[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates the disc sleeve in which a disc, CD/DVD
or other similar optical storage medium, 530 rests inside of an
interior compartment/pocket 510 of the disc sleeve 500. Portions of
the disc 530 are shown by reference element 530a in phantom form to
represent the portions of the disc resting underneath the front
wall 560. The disc 530 can be removed and reinserted into the front
interior compartment 510 through the disc access opening 550 at the
top of the disc sleeve 500. The disc retention tab 570 is
positioned to allow for easy one-step removal or insertion of a
disc 530 while maintaining security in the fact that the disc 530
will not accidentally or inadvertently fall out of the front
interior compartment 510 of the disc sleeve 500. The disc retention
tab 570 is flexible to allow for easy insertion and removal of a
disc 530, while rigid enough to withstand the weight of the disc
530 pushing against a horizontal edge 590 at the top of the disc
sleeve 500 when the disc sleeve 500 is typically being moved or
transported.
[0043] FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate alternative configurations of the
disc retention tab 570 as part of the disc access opening 550 as
shown in FIG. 5. FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate alternative disc retention
tabs 570a-570d in the form of a single arc tab 570a, a dual arc tab
570b, a trapezoidal tab 570c, and a rectangular tab 570d. Other
shapes for the tab 570 could also be used, depending on the
aesthetic appearance a user or manufacturer may intend.
[0044] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the one-step removal process. In
the prior art as shown in FIG. 1C, a user would be forced to first,
pull out the large flap that has been stuck into the front interior
compartment/pocket of the disc sleeve, and second, fold back the
large flap to allow for removal/insertion of a disc from the front
pocket. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the position of the disc
retention tab allows for a one step removal/insertion. FIG. 7A
illustrates a perspective view of a disc sleeve 700 prior to
removal of a CD/DVD 710. The disc access opening 730 and the disc
retention tab 750 hold the disc 710 in place, preventing the disc
710 from falling out of the front interior compartment 770 of the
disc sleeve 700. The disc retention tab 750 extends downward into
the top of the generally T-shaped groove preferably extending in
the range of 3 to 7 mm in height. Further, the disc retention tab
750 has a preferable width in the range of 18 to 40 mm. The disc
access opening 730 is positioned on the front of the disc sleeve
700 so that the disc access opening 730 generally has the shape of
a "T" with a centered concave recess at its top edge. The generally
T-shaped disc access opening 730 includes a cross channel 772,
generally running in a direction from the top to the bottom of the
disc sleeve with a preferably width in the range of 118 to 122 mm,
and a stem channel 774, running in a direction perpendicular to the
direction of the cross channel 772, with a preferable height in the
range of 63 to 69 mm. The generally T-shaped opening has a
preferable height of approximately 5 mm near the ends of the cross
channel 772, and a maximum preferable width of approximately 19 mm
near the top end of the stem channel 774. The bottom of the concave
recess is preferably positioned approximately 13 mm from the top of
the disc sleeve 700. However, it is recognized that other
dimensions and ranges would also function appropriately and the
invention is not hereby limited to such dimensions and ranges.
[0045] FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of the disc sleeve
700 during removal of the disc 710 from the front interior
compartment 770 through the disc access opening 730. In one
embodiment of the invention, the disc retention tab 750 is
positioned so that the tab 750 need not be pulled out from the
front interior compartment 770 to fold back the tab 750. A user can
remove the disc 710 from the disc sleeve 700 in one step by folding
the disc retention tab 750 over the back side of the disc sleeve
700. Because the CD sleeve 700 can be composed of highly flexible
material, the one step of folding the disc retention tab 750 over
the back side of the disc sleeve 700 is much easier. Other
positions for the disc retention tab 750 could allow for other
methods of insertion or removal from the disc sleeve 700.
[0046] The back of the disc sleeve 400 is shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.
FIG. 8A illustrates an information article access opening 840 at a
vertical edge at the side of the disc sleeve 400 and the disc
access opening 420 immediately adjacent to a horizontal edge on the
front of the disc sleeve 400. A divider 880 may separate the two
sides, wall 410 and wall 890, of the disc sleeve 400. Preferably,
the disc sleeve 400 comprises the two separate walls, 410 and 890,
and the divider 880. The information article access opening 840
permits a machine or user to load an information article, such as a
song pamphlet for a CD, into a back interior compartment 850 of the
disc sleeve 400. License agreements for software, chapter index
information for movies, and user specified information are just
some others types of information that can be inserted into a back
interior compartment 850 through the information article access
opening 840. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, a second generally
T-shaped disc access opening 820, similar to the disc access
opening 420, and a second disc retention tab 825, similar to the
disc retention tab 425, could be positioned on wall 890 in lieu of
the information article access opening 840. Therefore, software
that requires two discs to load or movies that require two discs to
hold the multimedia data can both be securely held in one disc
sleeve. In this example, a disc loading machine can insert a
software disc 1 into the first disc access opening and a software
disc 2 into a second disc access opening without a potential
problem that the wrong disc is loaded into the wrong disc access
opening. Because the disc access openings are positioned along
different edges and on opposite faces of a disc sleeve, a
disc-loading machine can easily insert discs and/or information
articles simultaneously.
[0047] In FIGS. 8C and 8D, cross section views of FIG. 8B are
shown. The disc sleeve 400 comprises a front wall and back wall, as
well as a divider. The front wall and divider are affixed to form a
front compartment. The back wall and the divider are affixed to
form a back compartment. As illustrated in FIG. 8C, the cross
channel of the disc access opening 420 is shown immediately
adjacent to the top of the CD sleeve 400, while the stem channel of
the second disc access opening 820 is shown near the middle of the
disc sleeve 400. In FIG. 8D, the stem channel of the disc access
opening 420 is shown, while the stem channel of the second disc
access opening 820 is shown.
[0048] FIG. 9 illustrates dual insertion of a disc and an
information article by a disc-loading machine. For a disc sleeve
900, an information article 910 is inserted into an interior
compartment, on the rear of the disc sleeve 900, through an
information article access opening 920 on a side of the disc sleeve
900. This insertion is done laterally as indicated by arrow 915.
Simultaneously, a disc 930 is inserted into another interior
compartment through a disc access opening 940 immediately adjacent
to a different edge and on the front of the disc sleeve 900. This
insertion is done vertically as indicated by arrow 935. Because the
two access openings, 920 and 940, are positioned in this fashion,
and insertion is performed in two different directions, and
preferably along or immediately adjacent to two different axes, a
disc loading machine can easily insert a disc 930 and information
article 910 into a disc sleeve 900 without the problems associated
with a machine loading a disc and an information article into the
same access opening. This helps to reduce the costs associated with
quality control.
[0049] The invention may be embodied in a number of combinations
from those described above. For example, the disc access opening
may be immediately adjacent to a vertical edge while the
information article access opening is at a horizontal edge at the
top of the disc sleeve. Further, the disc access opening may be
immediately adjacent to a first horizontal edge, such as the edge
at the top of the disc sleeve, while the information article access
opening may be at a second horizontal edge located at the bottom of
the disc sleeve. 1501 In addition, the invention may embody
multiple sleeves incorporated onto one page of sleeves. FIGS. 10A
and 10B illustrate examples where disc sleeves 1010 and 1020 reside
on a same disc sleeve page 1000. In FIG. 10A, a disc sleeve page
1000 is shown with two disc sleeves, 1010 and 1080, incorporated
therein. Disc sleeves 1010 and 1080 each have a disc access opening
1020a and 1020b, disc retention tab 1025a and 1025b, and front
interior compartment 1040a and 1040b. Disc sleeve 1010 has a disc
access opening 1020a immediately adjacent to the top of the disc
sleeve page 1000, while disc sleeve 1020b has a disc access opening
1025b immediately adjacent to the bottom of the disc sleeve page
1010. Further, a connector 1050 is shown comprising perforated
sections that can be removed to allow interface to a three-ring
binder style and inverted L-shaped style secondary storage device.
The connector 1050 is shown by example and is not limited to the
interface connections shown therein. Although not shown in this
example, disc sleeve page 1000 could include a plurality of
information article access openings or more disc access openings on
the back of the disc sleeves 1010 and 1080.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 110B, a disc sleeve page 1000 is shown
with two disc sleeves, 1010 and 1080, incorporated therein. Disc
sleeves 1010 and 1080 each have a disc access opening 1020a and
1020b, disc retention tab 1025a and 1025b, and front interior
compartment 1040a and 1040b. Disc sleeve 1010 has a disc access
opening 1020a immediately adjacent to the top of the disc sleeve
page 1000, while disc sleeve 1020b has a disc access opening 1025b
immediately adjacent to a side of the disc sleeve page 1010
displaced from the top of the disc sleeve page 1000 by
approximately 90.degree.. Further, a connector 1050 is shown
comprising perforated sections that can be removed to allow
interface to a three-ring binder style and inverted L-shaped style
secondary storage device. The connector 1050 is shown by example
and is not limited to the interface connections shown therein.
Although not shown in this example, disc sleeve page 1000 could
include a plurality of information article access openings or more
disc access openings on the back of the disc sleeves 1010 and 1080.
Multiple combinations can be arranged to allow for more than two
access openings. Further, the access opening locations along
certain planes can be modified to position one disc access opening
immediately adjacent to a horizontal edge and another disc access
opening immediately adjacent to a vertical edge. Combinations and
number of access openings are not limited by way of these
examples.
[0051] The walls, divider, and connector can comprise a plurality
of materials. Preferably, the front and back walls and the divider
of the disc sleeve comprise polypropylene. Further, the connector
preferably comprises a micron satin spine strip, which is
ultrasonically welded to the disc sleeve. Again, the disc sleeve
can comprise many different types of materials.
[0052] Although not shown in the accompanying drawings, each edge
of the disc sleeve may be welded together or affixed by adhesive or
similar technique. A technique to affix the walls and divider of
the disc sleeve together could include a combination of welding and
adhesive. Generally, the front wall and divider and the back wall
and diver form the front and back interior compartments
respectively. Preferably, the edges of the front wall and divider
are affixed around the entire peripheral edges. To accommodate an
information article access opening, the edges of the back wall and
the divider are affixed around the entire peripheral edge, except a
portion along one side of the disc sleeve. In the case of a second
disc access opening, the edges of the back wall and divider are
affixed around the entire peripheral edges. Further, the walls of
the disc sleeve or the divider and a wall could be formed from one
piece of material that is folded to create an edge for one side of
the disc sleeve. The invention is not sol limited to three separate
independent pieces to comprise the front and back walls and the
divider.
[0053] While the invention has been described with respect to
specific examples including presently preferred modes of the
invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are
numerous variations and permutations of the above described
invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be
construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.
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