1. Field of the Invention
In general, the present invention relates to devices and methods for manually engaging and holding optical data storage discs. More particularly, the present invention primarily relates to devices and methods that are used to remove compact discs from the jewel cases in which they are traditionally sold. The present invention also relates to devices and methods used to insert and extract optical storage discs from media players and recorders.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Optical data storage discs are being used more than ever to store electronic data. Optical data storage discs are also becoming the medium of choice in the commercial sale of electronic data and software. For instance, in the music industry, music is commonly sold to the public on optical data storage discs. In the music industry, such optical data storage discs are commonly referred to as compact discs. In the movie industry, movies are also commonly sold on optical data storage discs. In the movie industry, such movie recordings are typically referred to as digital videodiscs, or DVDs. In the software industry, programs are commonly sold to the public on optical data storage discs. Different manufacturers call such discs different things. However, most commonly the medium of the software is referred to as a compact disc, or CD, since the computer drive used to read such a medium is commonly called a CD drive.
In the music industry, movie industry, console gaming industry and software industry, the optical data storage discs are commonly packaged and sold in plastic cases. The plastic cases are commonly referred to as jewel cases in the industry. Jewel cases are relatively flat square boxes that are notoriously hard to open. Within the case is a hub that receives an aperture in the center of the optical storage disc, thereby retaining the optical storage disc in a set position within the center of the jewel case.
To remove an optical data storage disc from a jewel case, the jewel case must first be opened. A person must then hook a finger under the peripheral edge of the optical data storage disc and pry the disc up to detach the aperture of the disc from the hub in the center of the jewel case. With certain jewel cases, the hub in the center of the jewel box must first be depressed before the optical storage disc can be lifted from its edge. Many jewel boxes also have depressions along the periphery of the optical storage disc that enables a person's finger to between reach under the edge of the optical storage disc so that it can be pried up and out of the jewel box.
Although many optical storage discs store data on both sides of the disc, traditional optical data storage discs store data only on one side of the disc. This functional side of the optical data storage disc is typically placed face down in the jewel case. Accordingly, as a person hooks his/her finger under the edge of the optical data storage disc in order to remove the disc from the jewel case, that person's fingers touch the functional side of the optical data storage disc. Whenever the functional side of the optical data storage disc is touched, there is a chance that this surface can become scratched or dirtied with skin oil or other contaminants. This can eventually corrupt the ability of data to be properly read from the optical data storage disc, thereby destroying the utility of the optical data storage disc.
The same problem occurs when optical data storage discs are removed from paper sleeves, or are placed in a computer drive, CD player or DVD drive. Inevitably, in order for a person to properly grip the optical storage disc, that person's fingers overlap and contact the functional surface of the optical data storage disc that actually stored the digital data.
In the prior art, there have been many devices developed that are intended to help a person engage and manipulate an optical data storage disc without having that person contact the functional surface of that disc. Some prior art devices accomplish this by providing expanders that are inserted into the aperture in the center of the optical data storage disc, wherein the expanders engage the disc along the edge of the central aperture. Such prior art devices are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,630 to Sergi, entitled Compact Disc Handling Device.
One disadvantage of such central aperture expanding devices, is that the hubs in many jewel cases vary greatly in design. Often the hub provides no room for an expander to enter the aperture around the hub. Thus, expanders cannot be used to remove the optical data storage disc from the jewel case.
Other prior art devices extend over the top of an optical data storage disc and contract around the outer peripheral edge of the disc. In this manner, the optical data storage disc can be lifted up at its outer edge. Such prior art devices are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,224 to Pierce, entitled Compact Disc Removal Tool.
A problem with such periphery engaging devices is that when an optical data storage disc is held in a jewel case, CD player or the like, the disc itself is often set in a circular relief. As such, the plastic forming the relief surround the peripheral edge of the optical data storage disc. This obstructs the ability of devices, that shown in the Pierce patent, from being able to be positioned around the optical data storage disc and used.
Recognizing that many jewel cases, CD players, paper sleeves, DVD payers and the like leave no room for either a center aperture expanding device to be used or a peripheral edge contracting device to be used, devices have been developed that contact the surface of the optical data storage disc between the center aperture and the peripheral edge and lift the optical data storage disc using suction. Such prior art devices are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,913 to Vliet, entitled Compact Disc Removal Device.
A disadvantage of suction based devices is that any suction based device would be large and cumbersome. Thus, it is unlikely that such a device would be carried and would be available when you need it.
A need therefore exists for an improved device and method for removing an optical data storage disc that is small, light weight, can be used on any jewel case, or disc player and can be packed within the confines of a jewel case so it is always available when it is needed. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below.
The present invention is a device and method for manipulating an optical data storage disc, such as a compact disc or a digital videodisc. The device has at least one flat semi-flexible padded surface. The flat padded surface element is inserted under the optical data storage disc, while the optical data storage disc is in a storage casing, protective sleeve or operational tray. The optical data storage disc is then manually gripped using the device. By gripping and lifting the optical data storage disc, using the present invention device, the optical storage disc can be moved without having the functional surfaces of the optical data storage disc being touched by the user's hands. This prevents the user's hands from scratching or otherwise contaminating the optical data storage disc.
The surface of the present invention device that contacts any functional side of the optical data storage disc is preferably padded with a lint-free padding material. In this manner, the device itself does not damage or contaminate the optical data storage disc when it is used to grip the optical data storage disc.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Although the present invention disc manipulation device can be used to grasp and manipulate any optical data storage disc that is being held in most any type of storage case, computer tray or player tray, the present invention is particularly well suited for grasping and removing compact discs from plastic jewel cases. Accordingly, the present invention disc manipulation device will be described in an application where it is being used to remove a traditional compact disc from a traditional jewel case in order to set forth the best mode of use contemplated for the invention.
Referring to
To help a person remove the compact disc 10 from the relief 18, depressions 24 are typically formed in the plastic insert 16 near the edges of the relief 18. This enables a person to engage the peripheral edge of the compact disc 10 with their fingers so that the contact disc 10 can be pulled up out of the relief 18 and off of the hub 20.
The present invention disc manipulation device 30 is shown adjacent the jewel case 12. The disc manipulation device 30 has a thin planar top element 32 and a thin planar bottom element 34 that are joined together along a common hinge joint 36. Both the top element 32 and the bottom element 34 are semi-flexible and are easily bent. The top element 32 and the bottom element 34 can either be parts of a common planar structure that was folded in half or two separate planar elements that are joined together, as will later be explained.
Referring to
Although the top element 32 and the bottom element 34 can be the same size, it is preferred that they are not. Rather, in a preferred embodiment, the bottom element 34 is larger than the top element 32. In this manner, by engaging an over-extending area of the bottom element 34, the bottom element 34 can be easily engaged without engaging the top element 32. In the shown embodiment of
Referring back solely to
Referring now to
Once the disc manipulation device 30 is positioned so that the bottom element 34 is under the compact disc 10 and the top element 32 is over the compact disc 10, a user squeezes the top element 32 and the bottom element 34 together so that the compact disc 10 is held between the top element 32 and the bottom element 34. The disc manipulation device 30 itself is then used to pry and lift the compact disc 10 out of the jewel casing 12.
Referring to
The only surface that touches the operational surface of the compact disc 10 is the interior of the bottom element 34 (
Although, the removal of a compact disc 10 from a jewel case 12 is illustrated, it will be understood that the disc manipulation device 10 can be used to remove a compact disc from a compact disc player, computer drive, paper sleeve or any other such structure that retains compact discs. The disc manipulation device can then be used to return the compact disc by reversing the method procedure described.
Referring to
The blanks can be made from a semi-flexible paper material or plastic sheet material. It is preferred that the entire surface that will contact the functional surface of the compact disc be covered with a padding material 58.
From
As with all of the embodiments of the present invention disc manipulation device, the disc manipulation device 50 of
In the embodiment of
However, many optical data storage discs only store data on one side of the disc. As a result, care only needs to be taken when touching this one functional side of the optical data storage disc. Referring to
To use the disc manipulation device 60, it can be folded in half and used like the embodiment of
The embodiments of the disc manipulation device shown and described can be manufactured for just pennies per unit. As such, it will be understood that at least one disc manipulation device can be provided within the case of every compact disc or other optical data storage disc that is sold. In this way, consumers will have a disc manipulation device available in every jewel case, exactly where and when it is needed.
It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention disc manipulation device that are described and illustrated herein are merely exemplary and a person skilled in the art can make many variations to the embodiment shown without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the disc manipulation device can be made is a variety of lengths, widths and shapes. Images or information can be printed on the disc manipulation device. The printed information can be instructions on how to use the device or sponsored advertising. All such variations, modifications and alternate embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.