Special receptacle or package – For holding a machine readable recording medium – For holding an optical disc
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-10
2001-02-06
Fidei, David T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For holding a machine readable recording medium
For holding an optical disc
C206S493000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182825
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to holders for data storage media, and more particularly to holders for planar data storage media.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are currently many different types of planar data storage media available, for example Compact Discs (CDs), CDROMs, floppy discs, diskettes, records, etc. To enable these planar data storage media to be safely stored, or to be packaged for transportation, holders have been developed for retaining the storage media.
Taking CDs or CDROMs as an example, a typical holder for a CD or a CDROM typically consists of two parts, both of which are rectangular in shape. The first part is adapted to receive a plastic insert in which a recess is provided to define a circular disc receiving portion. In the center of the recess, a circle of small resilient plastic fingers, for example eight fingers, are provided. A compact disc can then be located in the recess such that the fingers protrude through a circular hole provided in the center of the compact disc, the fingers then applying a gripping force to hold the compact disc in place.
There are many different configurations for the fingers provided in the center of the disc receiving recess. However, generally, they are arranged such that, in order to remove the compact disc, a user applies manual pressure to the top of the fingers to cause them to deform inwardly, thereby allowing the compact disc to be removed.
The second part of the holder preferably has two depending side arms which are arranged so as to locate along one edge of the first part of the holder to provide a hinge-type connection, whereby the second part can be rotated relative to the first part to define open and closed configurations of the holder. Hence, when a compact disc has been stored in the circular recess of the first part, the second part can be rotated so as to close on the first part, thereby completely enclosing the compact disc between the rectangular first and second parts of the holder. In addition, the second part can be configured such that it is able to hold a booklet, the booklet and compact disc being fully enclosed within the holder when the holder is in the closed configuration.
The above type of compact disc holder is a mass produced item, used widely in large volumes. However, this form of CD holder has a number of drawbacks. Firstly, it is made from a number of separate parts which then have to be assembled together, thus increasing the cost of manufacture. Secondly, there are a number of positions of structural weakness in the design. For example, the arms that depend from the second part so as to hingedly connect the second part to the first part can be damaged, or even broken. Similarly, the small plastic fingers in the center of the disc receiving recess are also liable to damage or breakage, this reducing the gripping force used to retain the compact disc in position. Another problem is that this type of holder is relatively bulky, compared with the actual dimensions of the compact disc being held within the holder. This is particular disadvantageous when the CDs or CDROMs are to be transported, or, as is becoming more common, when the CDs are to be provided with a book or magazine, and hence need to be mounted on the book or magazine.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a holder for a planar data storage media which alleviates the above-mentioned problems with the prior art holder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Viewed from a first aspect, the present invention provides a holder for a planar data storage medium comprising: a first opening through which the planar data storage medium is insertable into a storage area of the holder in an insertion direction within the plane of the planar data storage medium; a retaining mechanism resiliently biased to resist removal of the planar data storage medium from the storage area in a direction opposite to the insertion direction; and the holder being configured to enable a pressure to be applied to the planar data storage medium to overcome the bias of the retaining mechanism, thereby allowing the planar data storage medium to be removed via the first opening in the holder.
In accordance with the present invention, a first opening in the holder is provided, such that the planar data storage medium is insertable into the holder in an insertion direction within the plane of the planar data storage medium. A retaining mechanism is then provided which is resiliently biased to resist removal of the planar data storage medium from the holder in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. The holder is then configured to enable a pressure to be applied to the planar data storage medium to overcome the bias of the retaining mechanism, thereby allowing the planar data storage medium to be removed via the first opening in the holder. Hence, the holder has a simpler construction than the above-described prior art holders, and is more user-friendly.
In preferred embodiments, the holder is configured to provide a second opening for enabling a manual pressure to be applied to the planar data storage medium to overcome the bias of the retaining mechanism, thereby allowing the planar data storage medium to be removed via the first opening in the holder. This second opening is preferably of a size which enables a user's finger to be inserted into the holder so as to contact a surface of the data storage medium. The user can then apply a force to the data storage medium so as to urge the data storage medium towards the first opening, this force being sufficient to overcome the bias of the retaining mechanism and thereby allow the planar storage medium to be removed via the first opening in a direction opposite to the insertion direction.
In preferred embodiments, the first opening comprises a slot, the slot preferably being dimensioned so as to have dimensions similar to, but somewhat larger than, the cross-sectional dimensions of the planar data storage medium. However, the first opening need not be a fully enclosed slot. For example, a generally slot-like opening can be provided, but with one of the surfaces defining the slot having a gap provided therein.
Preferably, the holder further comprises a guide to guide the planar data storage medium along the insertion direction as it is inserted through the first opening. In preferred embodiments, the interior of the holder is shaped so as to maintain the narrow width provided by the slot-like first opening, and the guide comprises one or more interior surfaces of the holder.
A planar data storage medium such as a compact disc typically has an information bearing region on one side of the planar data storage medium. Hence, in preferred embodiments, the guide comprises one or more shoulders arranged to act on an edge region of the planar data storage medium so as to maintain a gap between an information bearing region of the planar data storage medium and an interior surface of the holder. By maintaining a gap between the information bearing region of the planar data storage medium and a corresponding interior surface of the holder, the likelihood of damaging the information bearing region of the planar data storage medium as it is inserted and removed from the holder is significantly reduced.
In preferred embodiments, the retaining mechanism comprises one or more protrusions resiliently biased to a blocking configuration in which the one or more protrusions project inwardly within the holder to restrict the passage of the planar data storage medium between the first opening and the storage area, the protrusions being arranged to change from the blocking configuration to a non-blocking configuration to allow the planar data storage medium to move between the first opening and the storage area.
Preferably, the protrusions are arranged to change from the blocking configuration to the non-blocking configuration under insertion or removal pressure when contacted by the planar data storage medium to allow the planar data storage medium to move between the first opening and the
Digisox Limited
Fidei David T.
Renner , Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP
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