Patent Application
20120261280
The field of the disclosure is storage devices.
This application does not claim the benefit of any prior applications.
(1) Field of the Invention
With the advent of digital media and the proliferation of storage devices for digital information, consumers are faced with the task of organizing and storing their digital storage devices. These digital storage devices include items such as such as compact disks (“CD's”), digital versatile disks (“DVD's”), and digital memory cards of varying sizes. The digital storage devices are often used with and complement photographs and other planar objects, such as index cards, baseball cards, or post cards. The planar objects are collectively referred to as “photographs.” The consumer needs an effective way to protect and store these digital storage devices along with their corresponding photographs. The means for storing these items should also provide an effective way to label the items so they may be retrieved for future use and enjoyment.
(2) Description of Related Art
The traditional method of storing disks, such as CD's and DVD's, are clear plastic cases. These cases may, with some difficulty, be labeled by the consumer, but the cases do not include a convenient means for storing photographs. Similarly, memory cards are often stored in small, clear plastic cases. These cases lack a convenient means for labeling, and the memory card cases do not include a means for storing photographs. Photographs are often stored in paper or cardboard envelopes. These envelopes may be labeled by writing on the outside of the envelope, but envelopes are an undesirable storage means because paper or cardboard envelopes provide less than optimal protection for the photographs. The envelopes also lack a convenient means for storing a disk or memory card.
The Memory Box solves many of the problems associated with the prior art. It is a comprehensive storage device that is affordable, easy to label, and easy to inventory. The Memory Box allows a consumer to easily store disks and memory cards along with photographs. The Memory Box can be labeled without difficulty by the consumer or retailer so it may be easily identified and retrieved for future use. The labeling material may be generated by the consumer at home, or labels may be generated at a kiosk at a retail establishment. The labels can be generated using printing devices already owned by the consumer or retailer, or the labels can be hand-written. The Memory Box is inexpensive to manufacture, and it provides optimal storage conditions for digital storage devices like disks and memory cards as well as photographs. The Memory Box may be constructed of substantially recycled materials, and the Memory Box is reusable and recyclable.
The Memory Box is a device for holding and transporting a plurality of substantially planar objects, such as photographs, along with a CD or DVD and/or a memory card. The Memory Box is composed of a front cover and a back cover movably connected by a spine member. The covers include a means for keeping the Memory Box closed. A pocket is attached to the inside of the front cover or the back cover. The pocket is open on one side, allowing the insertion of photographs. This pocket is referred to as the “photograph pocket.” The open side of the photograph pocket is adjacent to the spine member, so that when the Memory Box is closed, the spine member covers the open side of the photograph pocket and prevents objects stored in the photograph pocket from falling out.
In one embodiment, a clear plastic sleeve is attached to the outside of the Memory Box. The sleeve is open on at least one side to allow insertion of a descriptive paper insert or other labeling material. The labeling material can be generated at the place of purchase or at home, allowing the label to be customized by the consumer or retailer. The labeling material may be configured with descriptive text along the spine member, so the contents of the Memory Box are easily identifiable when the Memory Box is closed and stored on a shelf, placed in a drawer or box, or stored using other means.
The Memory Box contains a means for securing a disk, such as a CD or DVD. In one embodiment, the disk securing means may be an engaging element attached to the inside of one of the covers. In another embodiment, the disk securing means may be a pocket. This pocket is referred to as the “cd pocket.” The cd pocket may be attached to the inside of one of the covers, or it may be attached to the top of the photograph pocket.
The Memory Box also contains a means for securing a memory card. In one embodiment, the memory card securing means is a pocket attached to the inside of one of the covers. This pocket is referred to as the “memory card pocket.” The memory card pocket may have a closeable top that is integrated into the case cover. In another embodiment, the memory card securing means may be a clip or set of clips affixed to the inside of one of the covers. In another embodiment, the means for securing the memory card may be a partition inside the photograph pocket that allows photographs to be stored on one side of the partition and allows one or more memory cards to be stored on the other side of the partition.
An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. Elements in the drawings are not to scale, and like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the drawings.
As used in this description and in the appended claims, the word “photograph” includes substantially planar objects, such as photographic prints, index cards, baseball cards, and post cards.
As used in this description and in the appended claims, the phrase “digital storage devices” includes compact disks, digital versatile disks, Blu-ray Discs®, and memory cards of varying sizes.
As used in this description and in the appended claims, the phrase “photograph pocket” includes a receptacle adapted to hold photographs. In this preferred embodiment, the photograph pocket is a piece of material fastened to the front cover or the back cover. The photograph pocket is open on at least one side, allowing the insertion of photographs. The open side is adjacent to the spine, and the spine functions as a top for the photograph pocket when the memory box is closed.
As used in this description and in the appended claims, the word “disk” includes compact disks, digital versatile disks, and Blu-ray Discs®.
As used in this description and in the appended claims, the phrase “cd pocket” includes a receptacle adapted to hold one or more disks.
As used in this description and in the appended claims, the phrase “engaging element” includes a protrusion adapted to secure a disk for storage and allow the disk to be removed for use.
As used in this description and in the appended claims, the phrase “memory card” includes an electronic flash memory storage device used for storing digital information. One of the aspects of a memory card is that the memory card is smaller than a disk. By way of illustration, the trade names of popular types of memory cards include, but are not limited to, SD Cards®, MiniSD Cards®, CompactFlash Cards®, Memory Sticks®, and xD Cards®.
As used in this description and in the appended claims, the phrase “memory card pocket” includes a receptacle adapted for storing memory cards.
In the embodiment depicted in
The embodiment depicted in
The means for securing a memory card 12 may also be a partition 17 inside the photograph pocket 6. Photographs may be stored on one side 18 of the partition 17, and a memory card 12, or multiple memory cards 12, may be stored on the other side 19 of the partition 17. When the invention 1 is closed, the spine member 4 covers the open side 7 of the photograph pocket 6, preventing memory cards 12 and photographs stored in the partitioned photograph pocket 6 from falling out.
The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention is presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical applications, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
