Abstract:
Multi-layer sheet assemblies and methods for their use are disclosed, utilizing an indicia receivable label for media storage devices and associated inserts. These multi-layer sheet assemblies are provided with overall dimensions that facilitate easy feeding into and through printers, where desired indicia may be disposed onto the provided media storage label and associated insert. Software may be provided which contains templates to assist in the proper placement of indicia on the multi-layer sheet assemblies, including the label and the front and back of the insert. The assemblies provided may be configured for labeling various media storage devices, including CDs. A single multi-layer sheet assembly may include both a CD label and an insert for a CD jewel case, and both the label and insert may be printed all in one pass through a printer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    Commensurate with the expansion of electronic innovations that are currently making their appearance in the consumer marketplace, is the availability of equipment that provides consumers with the ability to record various modalities of data, or media, that are associated with new as well as old technologies. Various methods of media storage, from the venerable video cassette recorders (VCRs) and audio cassette recorders and others, are utilized, ever more frequently, by consumers with various home recording devices to capture digital as well as analog data encoding computer programs, movies, music, video and pictures onto media storage devices.  
           [0002]    One of the most recently introduced recording devices that has found widespread popularity are compact disc recorders and their associated recordable compact discs (CD-Rs). Compact disks (CDs) were first implemented commercially for storing digital audio data (CD-Digital Audio). The CD is made up of a polycarbonate substrate, a thin reflective metallic layer, and a lacquer coating. On one side of the CD is encoded a data track, comprising pits to encode data. This spiral track is about 1.6 to 2.2 microns wide, and the pits are about 0.6 microns wide. CDs commonly used for home recording are known in the common vernacular as CD-Rs, which stands for compact disc-recordable. In addition to these types of CDs, there are a plethora of additional types of CDs now available. These include CD-I, CD-ROM, CD-Text as well as other types of CDs, differing in their recording capabilities and the various formats in which data is stored onto the discs, as known in the art.  
           [0003]    As the practice of recording various data on all manner of media storage devices (CDs, for example) becomes more and more commonplace, there arises an associated need for users to be able to recognize and identify individual media storage devices out of a plurality of media storage devices, as well as the data stored on them. Customarily users are provided with some sort of label or surface on the media storage device upon which indicia may be disposed.  
           [0004]    For example, a “writeable” surface on the “backside” or non-electronically readable surface of the CD, is the common prior art method of identification by which individual CDs are distinguished from one another. This “backside” of the CDs may be provided with a coating upon which a user is able to apply various markings, as with a pen or felt tip marker, for example. Or, as another example, some CD-Rs are provided with blank, ring-shaped labels which can be marked by hand on one side and are secured onto the non-electronically readable surface of the CD by an adhesive. Such a type of label is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,934, wherein is provided an annular CD label with positioning means for placing the CD label “on center” on a CD.  
           [0005]    While prior art methods for labeling various media storage devices typically rely on labels that are amenable to handwritten indicia, there is a current need for new more versatile media storage label assemblies. For example, the widespread use of computers and printers further argues the case for new, multi-layer sheet assemblies that provide media storage labels and inserts that may be used in conjunction with these printers.  
           [0006]    Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide multi-layer sheet assemblies and associated methods of use to provide users of recordable media storage devices with a mode of producing media storage labels and associated inserts in an inclusive, all-in-one procedure.  
           [0007]    It is further noted that layered assemblies and associated methods of the present invention are equally amenable to providing media storage labels and associated inserts for various sorts of media storage devices such as, but not limited to, various CD types, digital video discs (DVD)s, video tapes, and cassettes.  
         INVENTION SUMMARY  
         [0008]    The present invention relates generally to methods and assemblies that are utilized for label printing. More particularly, the present invention relates to novel multilayer sheet assemblies, upon which indicia may be deposited, including machine printable indicia.  
           [0009]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multi-layer sheet assemblies, further detailed below, provide an adhesive CD label with an optional detachable positioning element, a spine label and an associated insert. The insert may receive, for example, a table of contents or other information or indicia that may relate or indicate the contents of the CD to which the associated media storage label will be affixed. In reference to this particular embodiment, the insert portion of the multi-layer assembly is detachable from the rest of the multi-layer sheet assembly and may be placed in the lid portion of the typical CD carrying case, commonly referred to as a “jewel case”. Similarly, the spine label may be detached and placed on the “spine” portion of a jewel case.  
           [0010]    Additionally, the present invention provides a multi-layer sheet assembly that may be fed into printers whereby an adhesive media storage label and optional detachable positioning elements and spine labels, as well as an associated insert, may be printed with desired indicia. The present invention disclosed and the associated methods of use are particularly well suited for utilization in printers that are commonplace in both the home and office. Deposition of desired indicia on both the adhesive media storage label and the associated insert, as well as spine labels, may be achieved all in one pass through the printer. If desired, users may deposit indicia on both sides of the insert by utilizing two passes in the printer. The multi-layer sheet assemblies are preferentially of constant thickness, for ease in printing, avoiding printer jams and uneven stacks of forms.  
           [0011]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary multi-layer assembly illustrating the principles of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a printer containing exemplary multi-layer sheet assemblies, depicting indicia disposed on the media storage label (here for a CD) and associated insert (shown here as a jewel case insert) after passing through the printer.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is an exemplary depiction of the utilization of a media storage label and detachable positioning element as well as an associated insert, which are provided by the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, end view taken along the plane  4 - 4  of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional, end view taken along the plane  5 - 5  of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]    The multi-layer sheet assembly of the present invention is designed for use in conjunction with printing procedures that are typically utilized to dispose indicia on various forms of sheets. The exemplary multi-layer sheet assembly described herein is designed to provide, all in one sheet, a media storage label, spine label, a detachable positioning element and an insert. Such multi-layer sheet assemblies are provided so that they may be used to identify the multitude of media storage devices currently available such as, but not limited to, CDs, DVDs, minidiscs, video cassettes and audio cassettes, as well as others as known to those skilled in the art. In addition, the multilayer sheet assembly of the present invention also provides users with labels that are easily centered onto various media storage devices.  
         [0018]    Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the multi-layer sheet assembly of the present invention, generally indicated by reference  9 , in its blank, pre-printed form. Multi-layer sheet assembly  9  is provided with a pre-cut insert  8  formed by perforations  16  that demarcate the overall size of insert  8 . Provided perforations  16  allow users to easily separate insert  8  form the rest of multi-layer sheet assembly  9  by hand, for example.  
         [0019]    In addition, multi-layer sheet assembly  9  is also provided with media storage label  10 , spine label  11  and detachable positioning element  12 . Similar to insert  8 , media storage label  10 , spine label  11  and detachable positioning element  12  are pre-cut into multi-layer sheet assembly  9 . In this exemplary embodiment, media storage label  10 , spine label  11  and detachable positioning element  12  are configured for use with CDs and their associated jewel cases. Still referring to FIG. 1, media storage label  10  is provided with label opening  14  that is formed by removing this portion of face stock layer  18  by cut  19 , so as to be in register with and not cover the opening found in the middle of CDs. Separability of detachable positioning element  12  from media storage label  10  is achieved by pre-cut perforations  15  as detailed below. Both media storage label  10  and detachable positioning element  12  may be separable from multi-layer sheet assembly  9  by the die cuts  17  and  24  through the upper or face stock layer  18  of multi-layer sheet assembly  9 . Optionally, perforations  25  in the liner layer  30  allow the liner layer  30  underneath detachable positioning element  12  to be separable from multi-layer sheet assembly  9  and remain in place on detachable positioning element  12 , as diagramed in FIG. 4, described below.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 illustrates the printing of both the media storage labels  10  and inserts  8  on multi-layer sheet assemblies  9 . A plurality of exemplary multi-layer sheet assemblies  9  are stacked into the feed tray of a printer  40 . In the upper portion of printer  40 , multi-layer sheet assemblies  9  emerge from printer  40  with desired indicia printed upon them. If desired, users may turn multi-layer sheet assemblies  9  over after a first pass and pass them through printer  40  again to deposit indicia on the reverse side of insert  8 . In such an arrangement, a plurality of multi-layer sheet assemblies  9  may be supplied having identical indicia from one multi-layer sheet assembly  9  to the next. With indicia thus printed on media storage label  10 , spine label  11  and insert  8 , a user may label many copies of media storage devices and may also provide a plurality of identical inserts  8  and spine labels  11  for storage or carrying cases, such as jewel cases, for example. If desired, indicia disposed on media storage label  10  and insert  8  may vary, as specified by a user utilizing the appropriate computer software, from one multi-layer sheet assembly  9  to the next. In this way, a user may provide a unique media storage label  10  and insert  8  for media storage devices containing differing data and the associated storage cases, thus easily facilitating their identification at a later time.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a depiction of an exemplary method of use of the elements provided by the present invention. CD label and jewel case inserts exemplify media storage label  10  and insert  8 , respectively. Illustrated in FIG. 3 is a method of utilizing media storage label  10  and insert  8  provided by multi-layer sheet assembly  9 . In FIG. 3, insert  8 , with indicia now disposed on one or both sides, has been separated from the rest of multi-layer sheet assembly  9  by tearing along provided perforations  16  cut or pressed into multi-layer sheet assembly  9 . Once free of multi-layer sheet assembly  9 , insert  8  may be placed in a convenient location. For example, as depicted in FIG. 3, insert  8 , now having imprinted upon it indicia, may be configured to fit into the lid portion  34  of a CD jewel case. Additionally, insert  8  may be placed in the back portion of a jewel case.  
         [0022]    In order to utilize media storage label  10  provided by multi-layer sheet assembly  9 , users separate media storage label  10  from multi-layer sheet assembly  9  by grasping detachable positioning element  12 . Detachable positioning element  12  is made easily accessible by a number of methods. Exemplary methods include constructing multi-layer sheet assembly  9  so that the area between face stock layer  18  and liner layer  30  may be void of any adhesive  20 , as detailed below. As one skilled in the art would appreciate, another exemplary method of providing accessibility of detachable positioning element  12  is to “deaden” adhesive  20  that may be disposed underneath detachable positioning element  12 . The “deadening” may be provided, for example, by disposing a varnish between liner layer  30  and adhesive  20  disposed underneath detachable positioning element  12 . Grasping and removing the detachable positioning element  12  portion of face stock layer  18  also removes media storage label  10  from multi-layer sheet assembly  9 .  
         [0023]    The CD to be labeled is placed in the jewel case  32  and, by utilizing detachable positioning element  12 , media storage label  10  is centered onto the non-electronically readable surface of the CD and adheres to the CD by adhesive  20 . Detachable positioning element  12  is used to center attached media storage label  10  onto a CD, for example, by adjusting the position of detachable positioning element  12 , by hand for example, so that the edges of detachable positioning element  12  contact and line up exactly with edges  26  and  36  of the CD bearing portion of the jewel case. When thus aligned, detachable positioning element  12  places the media storage label  10  in exact register with CD  28  in the jewel case. The user then applies pressure by hand, for example, to the now centered media storage label  10  which adheres to the non-electronically readable portion of CD  28 . This adhesion is provided by adhesive  20  located on the non-indicia receiving side of media storage label  10 , which contacts the non-electronically readable side of the CD. Adhesive  20  can be, for example, a rubber based hot melt adhesive, acrylic emulsions or any pressure sensitive adhesive, as known in the art. Preferably, a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive is employed.  
         [0024]    As shown in FIG. 4, which is an exemplary cross-sectional view of multi-layer sheet assembly  9  through plane  4 - 4  of FIG. 1, a multi-layer assembly can be comprised of layers of differing materials, arranged in various configurations. In the example of FIG. 4, the first, or top layer, comprises a face stock layer  18 . This layer may be comprised of paper, such as , but not limited to, xerographic grade paper known to those skilled in the art as “ 24  lb paper”. Face stock layer  18  may have a thickness of about 4 mils or 0.004 inch. The bottom layer, or liner layer  30 , can also be comprised of paper, such as 80 lb offset paper. The thickness of liner layer  30  may be about 5 mils. Between face stock layer  18  and liner layer  30  is an adhesive layer  20 , which can be a pressure sensitive adhesive. The adhesive layer  20  disposed between face stock layer  18  and liner layer  30  may be about 1 mil thick. The total thickness of multi-layer assembly is preferably about 5 to 10 mils thick, in order to be able to be fed reliably into various, currently available printers.  
         [0025]    As an example, as seen in FIG. 4, adhesive layer  20  is not disposed evenly throughout the area lying between face stock layer  18  and liner layer  30 . Area  22  is an area directly beneath detachable positioning element  12  and is devoid of adhesive  20 . This affords users an easily accessible portion of face stock layer  18 , as provided by cut  17 , to form detachable positioning element  12 . This facilitates separation of media storage label  10  and detachable positioning element  12  from multi-layer sheet assembly  9 . Media storage label  10  is provided with releasability from liner layer  30  by a coating of a release layer (not shown), such as silicone, between adhesive layer  20  and liner layer  30  in the portion of multi-layer sheet assembly  9  defined by media storage label  10 . Thus, media storage label  10  is provided with adhesive  20  on its bottom portion that will be utilized to affix media storage label  10  to a media storage device, here exemplified by a CD.  
         [0026]    As illustrated in FIG. 4, detachable positioning element  12  is rendered separable from multi-layer sheet assembly  9  by cuts in face stock layer  18 . Exemplary cuts are provided to form media storage label  10  and detachable positioning element  12  and include perimeter cuts  24  and  17 , as well as annular cut  19  as seen in FIG. 1. Perimeter cuts may be deep enough to extend through face stock layer  18  and adhesive layer  20 , as seen in the cross-section of FIG. 4. Separability of detachable positioning element  12  from media storage label  10  is provided by perforations  15  at the juncture of these elements. Once media-storage label  10  is centered and adheres to a CD by utilizing detachable positioning element  12 , detachable positioning element  12  can be separated from the affixed media storage label  10 .  
         [0027]    It is further contemplated that the area underneath detachable positioning element  12  may have adhesive  20  disposed underneath, as mentioned previously. Perforations  25 , or other cuts, may be provided in liner layer  30 . In this exemplary embodiment, when media storage label  10  and detachable positioning element  12  are separated from multi-layer sheet assembly  9 , media storage label  10  will have adhesive  20  underneath it exposed whereas detachable positioning element  12  will have its underlying, associated portion of liner layer  30  still attached, providing a non-sticky, detachable portion with which to handle and position media storage label  10 .  
         [0028]    Another cross-sectional view of exemplary multi-layer sheet assembly  9  depicted in FIG. 1 is provided by FIG. 5. In FIG. 5 the cross-section is of the plane along line  5 - 5  of FIG. 1. This cross-section shows a portion of multi-layer sheet assembly  9  comprising insert  8 . As shown in this figure, the adhesive layer  20  is disposed between face stock layer  18  and liner layer  30 , with no area void of adhesive  20 . It is also noted that in this exemplary embodiment, no release coating is provided.  
         [0029]    It is noted that in other contemplated embodiments, a release coating may be disposed between face stock layer  18  and liner layer  30  comprising insert  8 . Thus constructed, multi-layer sheet assembly  9  may provide insert  8  with adhesivness that may be employed to place and adhere insert  8  to the outside of a CD jewel case, for example.  
         [0030]    Returning to FIG. 5, exemplary multi-layer sheet assembly  9  provides a double layer thickness insert  8 . It should also be noted that the liner in this area is printable and may have indicia disposed upon it, if so desired. Insert  8  can be completely separable from the other portions of multi-layer assembly  8  by perforations  16 . Perforations  16 , as well as other perforations and cuts, may by die cut into or through all layers comprising multi-layer sheet assembly  9 . By providing perforations  16  in multi-layer sheet assembly  9  of the present invention, insert  8  is rendered easily separable from the totality of multi-layer sheet assembly  9 . Insert  8  may have peripheral die cuts extending completely through upper face stock layer  18  and perforations through liner layer  30  to facilitate separation from multi-layer sheet assembly  9 .  
         [0031]    Overall dimensions of multi-layer sheet assembly  9  provide ease with which to feed such assemblies into printers such as, but not limited to, dot matrix, ink jet, laser, die sublimation and other printers, as known to those skilled in the art. Multi-layer sheet assembly  9  may be standard 8.5×11 inch or A4 size sheets, or may be of similar size to legal size paper, by way of examples but not of limitation.  
         [0032]    In closing it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the invention. Other modifications may be employed which are within the scope of the invention; thus, by way of example but not of limitation, alternative multi-layer configurations may be assembled to form multi-layer sheet assemblies  9  other than those configurations generally shown herein. Alternative thicknesses and materials of various layers comprising disclosed multi-layer sheet assembly  9  are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Similarly, various alternative cuts into multi-layer sheet assemblies  9  can provide labels for cassettes, VHS tapes and other media storage devices. It is further noted that insert  8  is preferably about 4.75 inches square to fit inside a CD jewel case, and that the CD label has a diameter of about 4.5 inches; however for other storage devices, other shapes and dimensions may be employed. It is also noted that in case the insert  8  is to be adhered to a container, a releasable coating could be applied to the underlying area of the liner to permit removal of adhesive coated face stock in the area of the insert. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described in the present specification.