U.S. patent application number 11/870168 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-31 for double sided sleeve with a single sheet non-woven material for holding compact discs.
This patent application is currently assigned to Case Logic, Inc.. Invention is credited to James Allen Bergh, Terrence Martin Drew, Mark E. Phillips.
Application Number | 20080023354 11/870168 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26789216 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080023354 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bergh; James Allen ; et
al. |
January 31, 2008 |
DOUBLE SIDED SLEEVE WITH A SINGLE SHEET NON-WOVEN MATERIAL FOR
HOLDING COMPACT DISCS
Abstract
A single sheet of non-woven material is provided with sufficient
strength and durability to store two compact discs without the
necessity of laminating or otherwise interconnecting the non-woven
sheet to a backing sheet or other materials for strength. The
single sheet of non-woven material is positioned between the
playing surfaces of the two compact discs to provide a
non-scratching, protective surface and to reduce the costs
associated with manufacturing the sleeves used to store the
CDS.
Inventors: |
Bergh; James Allen;
(Boulder, CO) ; Phillips; Mark E.; (Westminster,
CO) ; Drew; Terrence Martin; (Superior, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHERIDAN ROSS PC
1560 BROADWAY
SUITE 1200
DENVER
CO
80202
US
|
Assignee: |
Case Logic, Inc.,
Longmont
CO
80503-7492
|
Family ID: |
26789216 |
Appl. No.: |
11/870168 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11184088 |
Jul 18, 2005 |
|
|
|
11870168 |
Oct 10, 2007 |
|
|
|
10387658 |
Mar 12, 2003 |
6926140 |
|
|
11184088 |
Jul 18, 2005 |
|
|
|
10011575 |
Dec 3, 2001 |
6698587 |
|
|
10387658 |
Mar 12, 2003 |
|
|
|
09750008 |
Dec 27, 2000 |
6325207 |
|
|
10011575 |
Dec 3, 2001 |
|
|
|
09342339 |
Jun 29, 1999 |
6186320 |
|
|
09750008 |
Dec 27, 2000 |
|
|
|
60094768 |
Jul 31, 1998 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/308.1 ;
G9B/33.012 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/0433 20130101;
B65D 27/08 20130101; G11B 33/0444 20130101; B42F 5/005
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/308.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/57 20060101
B65D085/57 |
Claims
1. A storage sheet adapted for holding a first compact disc on one
side and a second compact disc on an opposing side, comprising: a
flexible front sheet having a non-linear edge; a flexible back
sheet having a non-linear edge; a flexible middle sheet sandwiched
between said flexible front sheet and said flexible back sheet and
having a non-linear edge, said flexible middle sheet comprising a
non-woven, spun-bonded, continuous polypropylene fiber with a
random fiber orientation; and a first sleeve and a second opposing
sleeve formed by interconnecting said non-linear edge of said
flexible front sheet, said non-linear edge of said flexible back
sheet, and said non-linear edge of said non-woven middle sheet.
2. The storage sheet of claim 1, wherein said flexible front sheet
and said flexible back sheet are comprised of a non-woven
material.
3. The storage sheet of claim 1, wherein said flexible front sheet
and said flexible back sheet are comprised of a transparent
material.
4. The storage sheet of claim 1, wherein said flexible front sheet
and said flexible back sheet further comprise a thumb cut that
exposes at least a portion of the first compact disc and the second
compact disc held in the storage sheet.
5. The storage sheet of claim 1, wherein said flexible front sheet
and said flexible back sheet further comprise a flap to cover at
least a portion of the first compact disc and the second compact
disc held in the storage sheet.
6. The storage sheet of claim 1, further comprising a write-on
title strip positioned proximate to said non-linear edge of said
storage sheet that is capable of being marked with at least one of
a pen, a pencil, and a marker.
7. The storage sheet of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
apertures positioned proximate to said non-linear edge that are
adapted for removably interconnecting said storage sheet to a
binding device.
8. The storage sheet of claim 1, further comprising a stop weld
interconnecting said front sheet to said non-woven middle sheet to
reduce an overall length of said at least one first sleeve and to
elevate a stored compact disc positioned in said first sleeve.
9. The storage sheet of claim 8, wherein said stop weld has a
substantially arcuate shape.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/184,088, filed Jul. 18,2005, which is a
continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/387,658, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,140, filed Mar. 12, 2003, which
is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/011,575,
now U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,587, filed Dec. 3, 2001, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/750,008, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,207, filed Dec. 27, 2000, which
is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/342,339,
now U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,320, having filed Jun. 29, 1999, which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/094,768, filed Jul. 31, 1998, the entire disclosure of each
being incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to flexible storage sleeves used to
hold compact discs, digital video discs and CD ROMs which store
musical, video, graphical or other types of information.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Compact discs, digital video discs and CD ROMs (hereinafter
referred to as "CDS") are used extensively to store information
which can be retrieved and played back by the user. The information
stored can relate to music, video, instructional materials, games
and numerous other variations of data. The information is than
played back on CD players, video disc recorders and players, and
personal computers.
[0004] CDS are typically sold at the retail level in rigid, hard
plastic cases known in the music industry as "jewel boxes".
Although protective of the sensitive playing surfaces found on the
CDS, the jewel boxes are bulky, difficult to open, often crack
because of the rigidity of the plastic, are expensive to
manufacture and are environmentally insensitive. Thus, flexible
"sleeves" have become increasingly used by consumers to replace
jewel boxes, primarily in the aftermarket once consumers have
purchased their CDS from the retail distributor. The flexible
sleeves are commonly made from plastic type materials such as
polypropylene or vinyl and are formed by placing one or more sheets
of the flexible material in an overlying relationship to created
one or more "pockets" to receive the CD. Additional pockets may be
used to hold the graphics which accompany the CDS, or alternatively
may hold another compact disc.
[0005] To protect the playing surface of the compact disc which
retains the sensitive stored information, different types of
materials are commonly used. These include woven fabrics such as
velours and cottons, as well as non-woven fabrics such as
Sontrara.RTM., Stearns.RTM., or other materials. Unfortunately,
these materials must be laminated or in some form bonded to either
a backing material or in some instances another layer of non-woven
material to provide sufficient structural integrity to prevent
tearing after repeated use. Typically, a polypropylene or other
similar type of backing material is used to provided structural
support and to provide a low friction material to facilitate the
insertion and removal of graphics. One such sleeve is identified in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,731 to Youngs.
[0006] The manufacturing of storage sleeves which have dual pockets
for storing two CDS or one CD and accompanying graphics has thus
been limited to materials which preferably have a non-woven
material with a backing sheet for support, or which is laminated to
another non-woven material. In either example, a lamination process
is required in the form of heat bonding, or "welding". This
lamination process is time consuming, expensive and thus
undesirable for the manufacturing of CD storage sleeves.
Accordingly, significant demand exists for a durable, non-woven
material which has a texture capable of protecting the playing
surface of CDS yet is sufficiently durable for holding CDS and/or
graphics without tearing or otherwise failing after repetitive use.
The material must generally be manufactured using well known sleeve
manufacturing techniques to retain the cost benefits associated
with known sleeve production.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is thus one object of the present invention to provide a
carrying sleeve or pocket for holding compact discs which is made
from a single-sheet material which is protective of the playing
surface of the CD, yet durable enough not to tear or otherwise
become altered or destroyed after considerable use.
[0008] Preferably the material can be used as a middle sheet
between a front sheet and a back sheet to create two pockets for
independently holding two CDS.
[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a sleeve for holding CDS which can be manufactured from a non-woven
material without the use of a backing sheet or which otherwise
would require laminating, bonding or other form of interconnection
means between two or more sheets of material. This may include the
bonding of non-woven materials to other non-woven materials or
alternatively the bonding of a non-woven material to a woven
material or to sheet backing materials such as plastic, vinyl or
other materials known in the art.
[0010] Thus, in one aspect of the present invention a non-woven
material known by the trade name of "Veratec".RTM. is used as the
non-woven sleeve material. This single sheet material is capable of
being used as an independent, stand alone sheet of non-woven
material which does not require any lamination or bonding to other
sheets of material for durability and support. Further, the
material is pliable and flexible enough to permit conventional
manufacturing techniques to be used to form various designs of CD
sleeves. Thus, numerous designs may be used for a variety of
different CD storage requirements. These include sleeves designed
for holding single CDS, multiple CDS and album type pages with a
multiplicity of CD sleeves positioned on a page and adapted for
interconnection to a 3-ring notebook or other similar device. In a
preferred embodiment of the aforementioned design a single sheet of
non-woven material is "sandwiched" between two stored CDS, thus
providing a protective non-woven material for contact with the
sensitive playing surfaces of each of the two CDS.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and back views respectfully of a
sleeve for holding a CD (digital video disc) with a flap and single
non-woven sheet positioned between the two pockets created for
holding the CD;
[0012] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are depictions of the invention shown in
FIG. 1, i.e. front view, back view and detailed view, respectfully,
with relief holes provided at the top of the flap to resist
tearing;
[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B are depictions of the invention shown in
FIG. 1 with arcuate cuts near the top of the flap to inhibit
tearing;
[0014] FIG. 4 identifies a double sided sleeve capable of holding
two CDS with a non-woven single sheet positioned between the two
CDS, and a title strip near the upper edge for holding graphics
notes;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a sleeve design capable of holding two CDS on the
front side and two CDS on the back side and adapted to fit into a
binding device;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a sleeve design capable of holding 4 CDS on the
front side and 4 CDS on the back surface and adapted to be bound in
a notebook or other type of binding device;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an alternative design of a sleeve design capable
of holding two CDS on both the front and back sides of the sleeve
and using a non-woven single sheet of material between each pair of
opposing CDS;
[0018] FIG. 8 is an alternative design of the invention shown in
FIG. 6 (no holes for an album) and utilizing a non-woven material
between each of the opposing compact disc playing surfaces;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a depiction of an 8 pocket sheet capable of
holding 8 CDS per side or a total of 16 CDS per sheet;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a of a sleeve capable of holding one CD on the
front side and another CD on the back side and adapted for being
interconnected to a wallet type binding device;
[0021] FIG. 11 is an alternative design of a sleeve capable of
holding 2 CDS on the front side and 2 CDS on the back side and
adapted for being interconnected to a wallet or other type of
binding device; and
[0022] FIG. 12 is an alternative sleeve design capable of holding 4
CDS on the front side and 4 CDS on the back side and adapted for
being interconnected to a wallet or other type of binding
device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] FIGS. 1-12 generally depict numerous variations of storage
sleeves 2 used to store one or more compact discs or digital video
discs 4 with or without an associated graphics page, and including
a single sheet non-woven material. The drawings identify the
various components associated therein, including a first pocket 10,
second pocket 12, front sheet 14, back sheet 16, non-woven middle
sheet 18, top edge 20, bottom edge 22, side or lateral edge 24,
flap 26, binding aperture 28, sleeve spine 30, stop weld 32, stop
weld window 34, title strip or write-on title strip 36, thumb cut
38, flap aperture 40 and arcuate flap ends 42. Additionally, the
associated compact disc edge 6 and compact disc aperture 8 are
shown as positioned within the respective storage sleeves 2 for
clarity. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the storage
sleeves 2 of one embodiment of the invention may be secured in a
notebook for operably securing a plurality of said storage
sleeves
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-12 represent numerous
embodiments and designs of storage sleeves used to hold CDS. Each
of the various designs, however, utilize the novel feature of a
single, non-laminated sheet of non-woven material used in
conjunction with a CD storage sleeve. In a preferred embodiment,
the single sheet of non-woven material is positioned between a
flexible front sheet and a flexible back sheet to create two
opposing pockets, each pocket being capable of holding a CD. For
reference purposes, a two-sided sleeve as referred herein means a
sleeve having 2 pockets for holding 2 separate CDS, the 2 pockets
having a common non-woven middle sheet which is in contact with the
playing surface of the CD. Thus, in a typical sleeve design there
is a first sheet, a second sheet and a third sheet which are
laminated or bonded on at least three peripheral edges to create
two pockets for receiving CDS.
[0025] The first sheet is commonly referred to as a back sheet and
may be comprised of a transparent material such as plastic, vinyl
or polypropylene. Alternatively, non-woven materials may be used.
The third sheet, which is commonly referred to as the front sheet,
may also be comprised of the same materials as used for the back
sheet. The second sheet, commonly referred to as the middle sheet,
is comprised of a single layer of non-woven material which is not
laminated, bonded, glued or otherwise interconnected throughout its
surface with any other sheet material or backing sheet. However,
glues and other means known in the art may be utilized to
interconnect the individual fibers of the non-woven material. Thus,
in one embodiment the present invention the middle sheet is a
single sheet of non-woven material having the trade name of
Veratec.RTM., and is referred to hereinafter as a single sheet
non-woven material.
[0026] The single sheet non-woven material has numerous advantages
over the prior art non-woven materials which are bonded or
laminated to other backing materials. One major advantage is
reduced manufacturing costs since one entire sheet of material is
eliminated during manufacturing. This eliminated sheet is typically
a backing sheet of polypropylene, vinyl or other plastic type of
material. Alternatively the backing sheet may be a woven or another
non-woven material which is provided for strength.
[0027] Non-woven materials previously used in sleeve designs did
not have sufficient strength to prevent tearing or ripping during
periods of extended use. This is essentially due to the
manufacturing process utilized for these types of non-woven
materials, where the fibers of the non-woven materials (typically a
polypropylene fibrous material) are laid down with spinnerets onto
a moving belt. The non-woven fibers are all generally oriented in
the same linear orientation on the belt to form a web, at which
time the fibers proceed through a roller wherein the mass is
compressed into a sheet and the fibers tack bonded or welded
together via small weldments through the fibrous mass. The
resultant non-woven fabric has sufficient strength in one linear
direction across the fibers, but is quite weak in other directions,
which allows tearing during use of the sleeve.
[0028] To alleviate the tearing problem associated with the
manufacturing process of typical non-woven materials, it is
necessary to laminate the sheet of non-woven materials to other
materials or to other sheets of non-woven materials to provide
strength and durability. Unfortunately, this additional
manufacturing step requires a laminating or bonding process, and
additional materials which is expensive and thus increases the unit
price per sleeve. Further, even when non-woven materials are bonded
to other non-woven materials and not vinyl or other durable backing
materials, the resultant non-woven laminated materials are not
overly durable since these laminated, non-woven materials still
have a tendency to tear.
[0029] The new single sheet non-woven material utilized in the
present invention is manufactured in a distinct manner to produce a
unique non-woven material which does not require any laminating,
bonding or welding to create a durable material which is resistant
to tearing yet still provides a protective surface for the CD
playing surface. The single sheet non-woven material is
manufactured with the spinnerets laying down a continuous
polypropylene fiber (or other similar material) onto the moving
belt as described above for the manufacturing of typical non-woven
materials. However, the spinnerets move back and forth over the
moving belt, thus permitting the fibers to be oriented diagonally
to the direction of the belt, creating biaxially oriented fibers.
The non-woven mat of material is then run through compression
rollers where the non-woven material is tack bonded together. The
resultant non-woven material has a much greater resistance to tear
in the linear direction because of the random orientation of
fibers, thus alleviating the need to bond the non-woven material to
other backing sheet materials or other non-woven fibers. The
savings in expense is substantial based on the elimination of an
entire sheet of material and the laminating process associated
therewith.
[0030] The foregoing description of the present invention has been
presented for purpose of illustration and description. Furthermore,
the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form
disclosed herein. Consequently, variation and modifications
commensurate with the above teachings, and the skill or knowledge
of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention.
The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to
explain best modes known for practicing the invention and to enable
others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or
other embodiments and with various modifications required by the
particular application or use of the present invention. It is
intended that the appended claims be construed to include
alternative embodiments to he extent permitted by the prior
art.
* * * * *