Disc Presentation Device

Lewis; Kevin Andrew ;   et al.

Patent Application Summary

U.S. patent application number 13/461754 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-07 for disc presentation device. This patent application is currently assigned to Blockbuster L.L.C.. The applicant listed for this patent is Eileen Frances Head, Kevin Andrew Lewis, Travis Michael Smith, Debra Vowell Trahan. Invention is credited to Eileen Frances Head, Kevin Andrew Lewis, Travis Michael Smith, Debra Vowell Trahan.

Application Number20130291492 13/461754
Document ID /
Family ID49511491
Filed Date2013-11-07

United States Patent Application 20130291492
Kind Code A1
Lewis; Kevin Andrew ;   et al. November 7, 2013

DISC PRESENTATION DEVICE

Abstract

Various arrangements of a disc presentation device are presented. Such a disc presentation device may include a backing plate comprising a first surface. The disc presentation device may include a plurality of disc anchors arranged on the first surface of the backing plate. The plurality of disc anchors may be arranged in a circular pattern on the surface of the backing plate. Further, the plurality of disc anchors may be arranged such that when each disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors is anchoring a disc, no disc coupled with an anchor of the plurality of disc anchors overlaps another disc coupled with another anchor of the plurality of disc anchors.


Inventors: Lewis; Kevin Andrew; (Dallas, TX) ; Smith; Travis Michael; (Fort Worth, TX) ; Head; Eileen Frances; (Van Alstyne, TX) ; Trahan; Debra Vowell; (Plano, TX)
Applicant:
Name City State Country Type

Lewis; Kevin Andrew
Smith; Travis Michael
Head; Eileen Frances
Trahan; Debra Vowell

Dallas
Fort Worth
Van Alstyne
Plano

TX
TX
TX
TX

US
US
US
US
Assignee: Blockbuster L.L.C.
McKinney
TX

Family ID: 49511491
Appl. No.: 13/461754
Filed: May 1, 2012

Current U.S. Class: 53/475 ; 206/308.1
Current CPC Class: G11B 33/045 20130101
Class at Publication: 53/475 ; 206/308.1
International Class: B65D 85/57 20060101 B65D085/57; B65B 5/10 20060101 B65B005/10

Claims



1. A disc presentation apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a backing plate comprising a first surface; and a plurality of disc anchors arranged on the first surface of the backing plate, wherein: the plurality of disc anchors are arranged in a circular pattern on the surface of the backing plate; and the plurality of disc anchors are arranged such that when each disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors is anchoring a disc, no disc coupled with an anchor of the plurality of disc anchors overlaps another disc coupled with another anchor of the plurality of disc anchors.

2. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the backing plate is sized such that when any of the plurality of disc anchors is anchoring a disc, the disc does not overlap an edge of the backing plate.

3. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 1, wherein each disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, when anchoring a disc, is configured to impede the disc from rotating.

4. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured to house the backing plate and the plurality of disc anchors.

5. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 1, where each disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors comprises a circular pad of compressible foam.

6. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of disc anchors is three disc anchors.

7. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of disc anchors is five disc anchors.

8. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the backing plate is circular.

9. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the backing plate comprises a bracket configured to support the backing plate and the plurality of disc anchors when hung from an object.

10. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 8, wherein the backing plate comprising a graphical element at the center of the surface of the backing plate that remains visible whether or not one or more discs are coupled with the disc presentation apparatus.

11. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 10, wherein the backing plate is configured to resemble a film reel when none, one, or more than one discs are coupled with the plurality of disc anchors.

12. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 11, wherein when a disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors is coupled with a disc, a graphical element representing a portion of the film reel is hidden.

13. A disc presentation apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a backing means; a plurality of means for anchoring a plurality of discs, wherein: the plurality of means for anchoring the plurality of discs is arranged in a circular pattern on the backing means; and the plurality of means for anchoring the plurality of discs is arranged such that when the plurality of means for anchoring the plurality of discs is anchoring multiple discs, a first disc of the multiple discs does not overlap or touch a second disc of the plurality of discs; and a storage means configured to removably store the backing means and the plurality of means for anchoring the plurality of discs.

14. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 13, wherein the backing means is sized and shaped such that when any of the means for anchoring the plurality of discs is anchoring a disc, the disc does not overlap an edge of the backing means.

15. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 13, wherein each means of the plurality of means for anchoring the plurality of discs, when anchoring a disc, is configured to impede the disc from rotating.

16. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 13, wherein: the backing means is circular; and the storage means is rectangular.

17. The disc presentation apparatus of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of means for anchoring the plurality of discs is circular.

18. A method for presenting a plurality of discs, the method comprising: providing a disc presentation apparatus, comprising: a backing plate; a plurality of disc anchors arranged on a surface of the backing plate, wherein: the plurality of disc anchors are arranged in a circular pattern on the surface of the backing plate; and the plurality of disc anchors are arranged such that when each disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors is anchoring a disc, no disc coupled with an anchor of the plurality of disc anchors overlaps another disc coupled with another anchor of the plurality of disc anchors; and a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured to house the backing plate and the plurality of disc anchors; and coupling a first disc of the plurality of discs to a first disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors; coupling a second disc of the plurality of discs to a second disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors; coupling a third disc of the plurality of discs to a third disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, wherein, while coupled with the first, second, and third disc anchors, the first, second, and third discs: do not overlap each other; do not contact each other; and do not overlap an edge of the backing plate; and inserting the backing plate, the plurality of disc anchors, and the plurality of discs into the sleeve.

19. The method for presenting the plurality of discs of claim 18, the method further comprising: rotating the first disc such that, when coupled with the first disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, text appearing on the first disc is aligned with text appearing on the second disc and the third disc, wherein: the first disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, when anchoring the first disc, is configured to impede the first disc from rotating; rotating the second disc such that, when coupled with the second anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, text appearing on the second disc is aligned with text appearing on the first disc and the third disc, wherein: the second disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, when anchoring the second disc, is configured to impede the second disc from rotating; and rotating the third disc such that, when coupled with the third disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, text appearing on the third disc is aligned with text appearing on the first disc and the second disc, wherein: the third disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, when anchoring the third disc, is configured to impede the third disc from rotating.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the backing plate is configured to resemble a film reel when none, one, or more than one discs are coupled with the plurality of disc anchors.
Description



CROSS REFERENCES

[0001] This application is related to co-pending U.S. Design Application 29/411,752, filed Jan. 25, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] CDs, DVDs, and BLU-RAY discs make great gifts. Typically, when a gift-giver desires to give multiple discs to a gift recipient, the gift-giver may wrap multiple disc cases, each containing a disc. The gift-giver may wrap the multiple disc cases together or individually. Presenting each disc to the gift-giver in separate cases, whether wrapped or not, may be cumbersome (especially for shipping) and/or may lack a stylistic presentation desired by the gift-giver. Further, besides gift giving, many other situations exist where one or more discs may be displayed or otherwise presented.

SUMMARY

[0003] Various arrangements for disc presentation are presented. A disc presentation apparatus may include a backing plate comprising a first surface. The disc presentation device may include a plurality of disc anchors arranged on the first surface of the backing plate. The plurality of disc anchors may be arranged in a circular pattern on the surface of the backing plate. The plurality of disc anchors may be arranged such that when each disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors is anchoring a disc, no disc coupled with an anchor of the plurality of disc anchors overlaps another disc coupled with another anchor of the plurality of disc anchors.

[0004] Various embodiments of such an apparatus may include one or more of the following: The backing plate may be sized such that when any of the plurality of disc anchors is anchoring a disc, the disc does not overlap an edge of the backing plate. Each disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, when anchoring a disc, may be configured to impede the disc from rotating. The apparatus may include a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured to house the backing plate and the plurality of disc anchors. Each disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors may comprise a circular pad of compressible foam. The plurality of disc anchors may be three disc anchors. The plurality of disc anchors may be five disc anchors. The backing plate may be circular. The backing plate may comprise a bracket configured to support the backing plate and the plurality of disc anchors when hung from an object.

[0005] The backing plate may comprise a graphical element at the center of the surface of the backing plate that remains visible whether or not one or more discs are coupled with the disc presentation apparatus. The backing plate may be configured to resemble a film reel when none, one, or more than one discs are coupled with the plurality of disc anchors. When a disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors is coupled with a disc, a graphical element representing a portion of the film reel may be hidden.

[0006] In some embodiments, a disc presentation apparatus is presented. The apparatus may include a backing means. The apparatus may include a plurality of means for anchoring a plurality of discs. The plurality of means for anchoring the plurality of discs may be arranged in a circular pattern on the backing means. The plurality of means for anchoring the plurality of discs may be arranged such that when the plurality of means for anchoring the plurality of discs is anchoring multiple discs. A first disc of the multiple discs may not overlap or touch a second disc of the plurality of discs. The apparatus may include storage means configured to removably store the backing means and the plurality of means for anchoring the plurality of discs. The backing means may be sized and shaped such that when any of the means for anchoring the plurality of discs is anchoring a disc, the disc does not overlap an edge of the backing means. Each means of the plurality of means for anchoring the plurality of discs, when anchoring a disc, may be configured to impede the disc from rotating. The backing means may be circular. The storage means may be rectangular. Each of the plurality of means for anchoring the plurality of discs may be circular.

[0007] In some embodiments, a method for presenting a plurality of discs may be presented. The method may include providing a disc presentation apparatus, comprising a backing plate and a plurality of disc anchors arranged on a surface of the backing plate. The plurality of disc anchors may be arranged in a circular pattern on the surface of the backing plate. The plurality of disc anchors may be arranged such that when each disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors is anchoring a disc, no disc coupled with an anchor of the plurality of disc anchors overlaps another disc coupled with another anchor of the plurality of disc anchors. The disc presentation apparatus may include a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured to house the backing plate and the plurality of disc anchors. The method may include coupling a first disc of the plurality of discs to a first disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors. The method may include coupling a second disc of the plurality of discs to a second disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors. The method may include coupling a third disc of the plurality of discs to a third disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, wherein, while coupled with the first, second, and third disc anchors, the first, second, and third discs do not overlap each other; do not contact each other; and do not overlap an edge of the backing plate. The method may include inserting the backing plate, the plurality of disc anchors, and the plurality of discs into the sleeve.

[0008] Embodiments of such a method may include one or more of the following: The method may include rotating the first disc such that, when coupled with the first disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, text appearing on the first disc is aligned with text appearing on the second disc and the third disc. The first disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, when anchoring the first disc, may be configured to impede the first disc from rotating. The method may include rotating the second disc such that, when coupled with the second anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, text appearing on the second disc is aligned with text appearing on the first disc and the third disc. The second disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, when anchoring the second disc, may be configured to impede the second disc from rotating. The method may include rotating the third disc such that, when coupled with the third disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, text appearing on the third disc is aligned with text appearing on the first disc and the second disc. The third disc anchor of the plurality of disc anchors, when anchoring the third disc, may be configured to impede the third disc from rotating. The backing plate may be configured to resemble a film reel when none, one, or more than one discs are coupled with the plurality of disc anchors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device viewed from the front.

[0010] FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device viewed from the rear.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device viewed from a side.

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device partially inserted in a sleeve.

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve for a disc presentation device viewed from the front.

[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve for a disc presentation device from a side.

[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device configured to couple with three discs.

[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device configured to have discs coupled with the rear of the disc presentation device viewed from the front.

[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device configured to have discs coupled with the rear of the disc presentation device viewed from the rear.

[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device coupled with four discs.

[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a method for using a disc presentation device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] A disc presentation device configured to present multiple discs, such as CDs, DVDs, and BLU-RAY discs, to a person may be useful for gift giving and/or display, such as within a home or store. Such a disc presentation device may allow a gift-giver, merchant, manufacturer, or some other entity to select and arrange discs for presentation to a person via the disc presentation device. Such a disc presentation device may also be used to sell groups of discs pre-selected by a merchant for sale together. Further, such a disc presentation device may be used for display, whether in a home or store, of multiple discs. Moreover, such a disc presentation device may be used for efficient and effective shipping of multiple discs.

[0021] A disc presentation device may display and/or store multiple discs such that, when the discs are coupled with the disc presentation device, the discs do not contact or overlap other discs. Such separation between the discs may serve multiple purposes. First, the discs may be clearly displayed. Second, the discs may be prevented from rubbing or otherwise contacting each other and potentially causing damage to each other, such as during shipping.

[0022] The disc presentation device may use multiple disc anchors to hold each disc in a particular location. Each disc anchor may be configured to impede rotation of a coupled disc. As such, a disc coupled in a particular rotational position may be held in the same rotational position by the disc anchor. As such, for presentation purposes, text and/or images present on the discs and, possibly, the disc presentation device, can be aligned and can be expected to remain aligned during presentation and/or shipping.

[0023] To emphasize movies, the disc presentation device may be made to resemble a film reel. Such a film reel may be circular. The disc presentation device may be configured such that the disc anchors are arranged in a circular pattern. In the center of the disc presentation device may be a display region suitable for display of a logo, message, or other graphics and/or text. This region may remain unobscured by discs coupled with the disc presentation device. If the disc presentation device resembles a film reel, graphical elements of film may be visible on the disc presentation device. Such graphical elements may be obstructed when discs are coupled with the disc anchors of the disc presentation device. As such, a person may only notice that the disc presentation device resembles a film reel when at least one disc is removed or is not present on disc anchors of the disc presentation device.

[0024] The disc presentation device may also include a bracket. The bracket may allow the disc presentation device to be hung or otherwise displayed, whether in a home, store, or some other location. For example, the disc presentation device may be displayed for sale with a preselected group of discs. Alternatively, as another example, a person may use the disc presentation device to display a selection of discs at the person's home.

[0025] The disc presentation device may include a sleeve. The sleeve may serve to house the other components of the disc presentation device, such as when discs are coupled with the disc presentation device. As such, the sleeve may serve as a housing to allow the disc presentation device to be shipped. Further, the sleeve may serve as gift wrap for when the disc presentation device is given as a gift. The sleeve may resemble a record sleeve.

[0026] FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device 100A viewed from the front. Disc presentation device 100A may include backing plate 110 and multiple disc anchors, such as disc anchor 120-1 and disc anchor 120-2. Disc presentation device may also include one or more graphical elements, such as central graphical element 130 and graphical element 140-1.

[0027] Backing plate 110 may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as cardboard. Backing plate 110 may be circular. Backing plate 110 may approximately be the size of a record and/or may be made to resemble a film reel. One or more graphics printed on backing plate 110 may make backing plate 110 resemble a film reel. Backing plate 110 may be sized such that when discs are coupled with disc anchors coupled with backing plate 110, the discs do not overlap an edge of the backing plate. Means for backing may include backing plates of various materials, such as cardboard, plastic, metal, or some other rigid or semi-rigid material.

[0028] Coupled with the backing plate may be multiple disc anchors 120. Disc anchors 120 may be coupled with backing plate 110 using an adhesive or other attachment means. Disc anchors 120 may be arranged on backing plate 110 in a circular pattern. Disc anchors 120 may be spaced such that, when discs are coupled with each disc anchor, no disc overlaps an edge of backing plate 110, no disc contacts another disc, and no disc overlaps another disc.

[0029] Disc anchors 120 may be circular. Disc anchors 120 may be sized to fit in the center hole of common types of discs, such as DVDs, CDs, and BLU-RAY discs. Each of these types of discs are the same size and, as such, it may be possible to have multiple types of these discs coupled with disc presentation device 100 at the same time without having discs overlap or contact each other or an edge of backing plate 110. Disc anchors 120 may be made of compressible foam. Force may be applied by a person to a disc and a disc anchor, such as disc anchor 120-1, to cause disc anchor 120-1 to enter the center hole of a disc and couple with the disc. Once disc anchor 120-1 has been inserted into the center hole of a disc, the disc may be impeded from rotating, unless forcibly rotated by a person or other external force. As such, unless the disc is manually rotated, the disc may tend to remain in the initial rotational position when inserted onto disc anchor 120-1. Means for anchoring a disc may involve various circular or non-circular components configured to be inserted through a center hole of a disk. Such means may be configured to impede rotation of attached discs. Such means for anchoring discs may be made of foam or some other compressible or flexible material, such as plastic.

[0030] In the center of backing plate 110, central graphical element 130 may be present. Central graphical element 130 may be located at the center of backing plate 110 and/or the center of the circle along which disc anchors 120 are arranged. Central graphical element 130 may be sized and/or shaped to be displayed whether or not discs are coupled with disc anchors 120. As such, if a logo is used as central graphical element 130, the logo will be displayed at all times regardless of the number of discs being held by disc presentation device 100.

[0031] In the proximity of some or all of disc anchors 120 are graphical elements 140. For example, graphical element 140-1 is in the vicinity of disc anchor 120-1. In some embodiments, graphical elements 140 may be at least approximately centered around disc anchors 120. Graphical element 140-1 is approximately a circle centered on disc anchor 120-1. Graphical elements 140 may be sized and shaped such that if a disc is present on a corresponding disc anchor, the graphical element is visually obscured. Referring to disc anchor 120-1, when a disc is not coupled with disc anchor 120-1, graphical element 140-1 is exposed; when a disc (e.g., DVD, CD, BLU-RAY) is coupled with disc anchor 120-1, graphical element 140-1 is hidden. In the illustrated embodiment of disc presentation device 100, each of graphical elements 140 is intended to resemble a portion of a film reel having film (represented by the dotted lines) stored thereon. When discs are present on each disc anchor 120, graphical elements 140 may not be visible. Rather, the circular discs may visually replace graphical elements 140. As one or more discs are removed from disc presentation device 100, the corresponding graphical elements of graphical elements 140 may be exposed. Graphic elements 150, which may represent part of the film reel, may remain visible whether or not one or more discs are coupled with disc presentation device 100A.

[0032] FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device 100B viewed from the rear. Disc presentation device 100A of FIG. 1A and disc presentation device 100B of FIG. 1B may represent the same disc presentation device viewed from opposite sides. The rear of backing plate 110 may contain one or more graphical elements (not illustrated). Coupled with the rear of backing plate 110 may be bracket 150. Bracket 150 may be configured to allow disc presentation device 100B to be hung from another object for display and/or storage. For example, disc presentation device 100B may be hung on a hook in a home or store. Bracket 150 may be configured to lay approximately flat against backing plate 110 when not in use. As such, bracket 150 may not interfere with insertion of disc presentation device 100B into a sleeve or other storage vessel. Various means for storing a disc presentation device may include sleeves made from various rigid or semi-rigid materials, such as cardboard, plastic, or metal.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device 200 viewed from a side. Disc presentation device 200 may represent disc presentation device 100A and 100B of FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively. Backing plate 110 may be thin such as to allow insertion into a sleeve. Disc anchors 120 may protrude from a surface of backing plate 110. Disc anchors 120 may not protrude from backing plate 110 enough to substantially interfere with insertion of backing plate 110 into a sleeve of disc presentation device 200.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device 300 that includes a sleeve. The backing and anchor portion of disc presentation device 100A may be inserted into sleeve 310. As such, sleeve 310 may provide protection and/or storage for disc presentation device 100A. Disc presentation device 100A may be inserted into sleeve 310 while holding no discs, one disc, or multiple discs. Sleeve 310 may be considered part of a disc presentation device. Sleeve 310 may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as cardboard. Sleeve 310 may be rectangular or, more specifically, square. Other shapes are also possible. Sleeve 310 may be sized to resemble a record sleeve. As such, a gift recipient may initially believe he or she is receiving a record as a gift, and upon opening be surprised to find multiple movie and/or audio discs, such as DVDs, CDs, and/or BLU-RAY discs.

[0035] Various graphical elements may be present on sleeve 310. Label graphic 320 may indicate who is giving the disc presentation device and who is receiving the disc presentation device. Center graphical element 330 may indicate a logo or some other form of graphic.

[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment 400 of a sleeve 310 for a disc presentation device viewed from the front. Embodiment 400 may represent the same sleeve as presented in FIG. 3. Sleeve 310 may be square. Sleeve 310 may resemble a record sleeve. FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment 500 of a sleeve for a disc presentation device from a side. FIG. 5 may represent the same sleeve as in FIGS. 3 and/or 4. Such a sleeve may be open on one end to allow a disc presentation device to be inserted and removed.

[0037] While illustrated embodiments of the disc presentation device have shown five disc anchors, it should be understood that other numbers of disc anchors may also be coupled with a backing plate of the disc presentation device. It should be understood that other embodiments of a disc presentation device may be configured to couple with fewer or greater numbers of discs. FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device 600 configured to couple with three discs. Backing plate 610 may be smaller than backing plate 110 of FIG. 1A. In some embodiments, backing plate 610 is the same size as backing plate 110. Besides coupling with fewer discs, the disc presentation device may be similar in function to disc presentation device 100A of FIG. 1A. As such, disc anchors 620 may function similarly to disc anchors 120 and backing plate 610 may function similarly to backing plate 110.

[0038] Graphical elements 640 may be similar to graphical elements 140 of FIG. 1A. As such, each of graphical elements 640 may correspond to a disc anchor of disc anchors 620. As such, since three disc anchors 620 are present, three graphical elements 640 may be present on disc presentation device 600. When a disc is present, a corresponding graphical element may be obscured from view. As such, if a disc is present on disc anchor 620-1, graphical element 640-1 may be at least partially obscured.

[0039] Graphical region 630 may be left blank (as illustrated) or a graphical element may be positioned there. Such a graphical element may be displayed whether or not discs are present on some or all of disc anchors 620. Graphical elements 650, which may make backing plate 610 resemble a film reel, may remain displayed whether or not discs are present on any of disc anchors 620.

[0040] In some embodiments, rather than having discs be coupled with disc anchors on the side of a disc presentation device that represents a film reel, the opposite side of the disc presentation device may be used for storage and/or display of the discs. FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device 700 configured to have discs coupled with the rear of the disc presentation device viewed from the front. The front of backing plate 710 is not coupled with any disc anchors. The front of backing plate 710 resembles a film reel. One or more machine-readable codes may be presented on the front of backing plate 710, such as barcode 720. In some embodiments, both sides of a disc presentation device resemble a film reel.

[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device 800 configured to have discs coupled with the rear of the disc presentation device viewed from the rear. disc presentation device 800 may represent the view from the opposite side of the disc presentation device of disc presentation device 700 of FIG. 7. Some number of disc anchors 820 may be present. In the illustrated embodiment, three disc anchors are presented. Disc anchors 820 may correspond in location (albeit on the opposite side of backing plate 710) to graphical elements 720. As such, each of disc anchors 820 may be positioned at least approximately in the center of graphical elements 720, on the opposite side of backing plate 710. In some embodiments, graphical elements 720 may also be present on the rear of backing plate 710.

[0042] Some number of disc anchors of a disc presentation device may be coupled with discs for presentation and/or storage. FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a disc presentation device 900 coupled with four discs. In the illustrated embodiment, four discs are present on disc presentation device 900 that is configured to couple with five discs. As illustrated, each disc may obscure a graphical element, such as graphical element 940-1.

[0043] Disc anchors 920 may function similarly to disc anchors 120. Disc 950-1, labeled "Movie 1," is coupled with backing plate 910 of disc presentation device 900 via disc anchor 920-5. "Movie 1" may represent text present on disc 950-1. Unless rotational force is applied to disc 950-1, disc anchor 920-5 may impede rotation of disc 950-1. As such, the text (and/or graphics) of disc 950-1 can be aligned for viewing by a person. For instance, text (and/or graphics) present on multiple discs may be manually aligned with each other and/or with text (and/or graphics) present on backing plate 910 and expected to remain in the aligned position during display and/or shipping. Center graphical element 930 may represent text and/or a graphic of an entity associated with disc presentation device 900, such as the merchant, manufacturer, or other involved party.

[0044] As discs are removed from disc presentation device 900, graphical elements may be revealed that causes backing plate 910 to resemble a film reel. These graphical elements may be similar to the size and shape of discs 950. As such, whether some, all, or none of discs 950 are present, backing plate 910 may resemble a film reel. As such, movies in a first format (e.g., DVD, BLU-RAY) may be used to resemble a film reel associated with another format type (such as 35 mm film on a reel), thus providing a person with an entertaining apparatus for presenting, displaying, gift-giving, and/or shipping multiple discs.

[0045] As can be seen in FIG. 9, each disc of discs 950 does not overlap or contact another disc of discs 950 while coupled with disc presentation device 900. Further, while coupled with disc presentation device 900, no disc of discs 950 overlaps the edge of backing plate 910. As such, backing plate 910 may provide support to discs 950 during shipping and/or presentation and may help protect discs 950.

[0046] The disc presentation devices presented in FIGS. 1-9 may be used to perform various methods. FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a method 1000 for using a disc presentation device. The disk presentation device of FIG. 10 may be any of the disc presentation devices presented in relation to FIGS. 1-9 or some other disc presentation device.

[0047] At step 1010, a disc presentation device, such as one previously described herein, which may include a sleeve may be provided. At step 1020, a disc may be coupled with a disc anchor of the disc presentation device. This may occur for one or more than one disc. For example, if the disc presentation device is configured to be coupled with five discs, step 1020 may be repeated up to five times (and more, if discs are removed from the disc presentation device).

[0048] At step 1030, one or more of the discs may be rotated by a person (or some other entity) to position text and/or graphics of the discs as desired for display. For example, it may be desirable for text and/or graphics of the discs to be aligned with each other, such as illustrated in FIG. 9, for presentation purposes. Further, graphics and/or text of the discs may be aligned with graphics and/or text of the disc presentation device, such as center graphical element 930 of FIG. 9. Since disc anchors may impede the rotation of coupled discs, for presentation, display, and/or shipping purposes, it may be expected that the discs will remain as rotated at step 1030.

[0049] Following step 1030, the disc presentation device may be inserted into a sleeve for gift-giving, storage, and/or shipping purposes at step 1040. The sleeve may be configured to house the disc presentation device whether or not discs are coupled with the disc presentation device. Additionally or alternatively (such as, after disc presentation device has been removed from the sleeve), the disc presentation device may be used to display or otherwise present discs at step 1050. A bracket of the disc presentation device may be used to hang or otherwise display the disc presentation device.

[0050] It should be noted that the methods, systems, and devices discussed above are intended merely to be examples. It must be stressed that various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, it should be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the methods may be performed in an order different from that described, and that various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. Also, it should be emphasized that technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention.

[0051] Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known processes, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments. This description provides example embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the preceding description of the embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing embodiments of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0052] Also, it is noted that the embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flow diagram or block diagram. Although each may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process may have additional steps not included in the figure.

[0053] Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the above elements may merely be a component of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention. Also, a number of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are considered. Accordingly, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

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