Abstract:
A kit for storing computer discs. The kit includes sheets of die-stamped card stock each of which are folded to form a CD or a DVD holder. The kit also includes a special stackable and expandable disc storage unit. Preferably, the user&#39;s computer prints labels on the holder identifying the contents of the CD or DVD. The software programming the computer utilizes may be provided on a CD or it can be downloaded from a WEB site. The disc storage unit is made up of a number of disc storage shelves of an elongated male tab and an elongated female receptor wherein the tabs and the receptor mate respectively with receptors and tabs on adjacent shelves to form the stackable and expandable storage unit. Preferably, the kit also includes end support pieces for preventing the disc storage shelves from sliding relative to each other while stacked. The compact disc holder is inserted into a stackable disc storage unit for storage and display.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to computer discs, and, in particular, to devices and methods for the storage of computer discs.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       Compact Disc  
         [0002]    A compact disc (CD) is an optical storage medium for digital data. The CD is a nonmagnetic, polished metal disc with a protective plastic coating that can hold up to approximately 783 megabytes (MB) of digital data. For example, a 783 MB CD can store up to approximately 74 minutes of high fidelity recorded sound. The CD is read by an optical scanning mechanism that uses a high-intensity light source, such as a laser, and mirrors.  
         Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)  
         [0003]    A digital versatile disc (DVD), also sometimes referred to as a Digital Video Disc, is a high-capacity optical disc that is similar to a CD, but can store more data. DVDs are usually used for full-length movies and other very large data storage requirements. The amount of data storage capacity of a DVD depends on the number of sides and layers it has. Table 1 summarizes the approximate storage capacity of various DVD formats.  
                                                     TABLE 1                                       Capacity in   Approx.           Format   Gigabytes (GB)   Movie Time                                        Single-sided/single-layer   4.38 GB   2   hours           Single-sided/double-layer   7.95 GB   4   hours           Double-sided/single-layer   8.75 GB   4.5   hours           Double-sided/double-layer   15.9 GB   Over 8   hours                      
 
         ZIP and JAZZ Discs  
         [0004]    Prior to CD/DVD storage discs, it was common to utilize either a ZIP or JAZZ disc for backup data storage. Indeed, some PC users still use either a ZIP or JAZZ disc.  
           [0005]    However, they store less data, are bulky and are much more expensive than either a CD or a DVD disc.  
         Card Stock  
         [0006]    Card stock, also called cover stock, is a stiff paper often used for postcards, catalog covers, and other items that require rigidity. Card stock is usually sold by the weight. For example 500 20″×26″ sheets usually weigh within the range of 65 lb. to 100 lb.  
         The Need for Convenient Storage for Computer Discs  
         [0007]    Personal computers are widely used in the United States and in other countries. Typical personal computers come equipped with built in data storage. Some users use their computers primarily for word processing and some Internet communication and do not need additional storage capacity. However many users need additional storage capacity. Some users create complex Computer Aided Design (CAD) files that require a large amount of storage space. Other users make their own digital recordings using the computer. A recent fast growing use of the computer is to organize and print personal digital photographs.  
           [0008]    A typical computer user will create many files. Most users will save their files to the hard drive that stays attached to the computer. In recent years, the size of the hard drive has increased drastically. Modern high quality personal computers typically will come with at least an 80 GB hard drive. While 80 GB is adequate storage for most applications, a computer user will usually want to back up his files to some other storage medium. The user may want to back up his files because it is possible that his hard drive will crash. Or, it is possible that his computer could be stolen and all his data lost. Or, the user may want to back up his files because he wants to access them at another location. For example, if the user has created a music file, he may want to listen to the music on his home stereo CD player. Or, if the user has created digital photographs, he may want to save them to a DVD and display the photographs on his home television set.  
           [0009]    Regardless of the reason for backing up the data, today&#39;s removable computer discs (CDs and DVDs) provide large storage capability. Transferring data from a computer hard drive to a CD or a DVD is a simple process easily mastered by even the most casual computer user. However, as the computer user creates more CDs or DVDs containing saved files, organizing them can be difficult. The CD or DVD computer disc can easily be misplaced, lost or damaged by the user.  
           [0010]    What is needed is a better way to organize computer discs containing saved files.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The present invention provides a kit for storing computer discs. The kit includes sheets of die-stamped card stock each of which are folded to form a CD or a DVD holder. The kit also includes a special stackable and expandable disc storage unit. Preferably, the user&#39;s computer prints labels on the holder identifying the contents of the CD or DVD. The software programming the computer utilizes may be provided on a CD or it can be downloaded from a WEB site. The disc storage unit is made up of a number of disc storage shelves of an elongated male tab and an elongated female receptor wherein the tabs and the receptor mate respectively with receptors and tabs on adjacent shelves to form the stackable and expandable storage unit. Preferably, the kit also includes end support pieces for preventing the disc storage shelves from sliding relative to each other while stacked. The compact disc holder is inserted into a stackable disc storage unit for storage and display. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIGS. 1-5 show the screen of a computer monitor.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIGS. 6-11 show card stock being die-stamped then cut.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 12-13 show a sheet of die-stamped card stock with a preferred cover design.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIGS. 14-17 show the process of manipulating the die-stamped card stock into a computer disc holder.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIGS. 18-19 and FIGS. 22-23 show preferred stackable disc storage shelves.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 20A-20D show a preferred method for stacking the disc storage shelves.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 21A-21B show another preferred method for stacking the disc storage shelves.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 24 shows a preferred end clip.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 25-26 shows the preferred end clip of FIG. 25 attached to the disc storage shelves.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 27-28 show a CD being inserted into a computer disc holder.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 29-31 show a compact disc holder being inserted into the disc storage shelves.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 32 shows a preferred sheet of die-stamped card stock.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 33 shows the usage of adhesive bonding strips.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 34 shows a preferred end piece.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 35 shows the utilization of a preferred end piece.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 36 shows another preferred end piece. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention can be seen by reference to FIGS. 1-31. The present invention allows a user to create his own customized computer disc holder for computer discs, such as a CD or a DVD. The user is then able to insert his computer disc into his custom designed computer disc holder. For example, FIG. 28 shows CD  70  inserted inside computer disc holder  42 . The computer disc holder can then be inserted into a disc storage unit for safe storage, convenient display, and easy retrieval. For example, FIG. 31 shows a front view of a plurality of computer disc holders  42  inserted inside stacked disc storage shelves  50 A- 50 H.  
       Kit Embodiment  
       [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is sold as a kit. The user purchases a kit that contains the following items:  
         [0030]    1) a compact disc containing programming instructions for designing a cover for a computer disc (see discussion below under heading “Preparing the Cover for the CD”),  
         [0031]    2) twenty-five disc storage shelf extrusions (FIG. 18)  
         [0032]    3) Five end pieces (FIGS. 24-26)  
         [0033]    4) thirty 8½ in. by 11 in. sheets of die-stamped card stock  26  having pattern  24  (FIG. 11)  
         [0034]    After purchase of the kit, the user creates his customized covers for his computer discs by following procedures discussed below.  
         [0035]    In another preferred embodiment, the kit contains only the following:  
         [0036]    1) twenty-five disc storage shelves (FIG. 18)  
         [0037]    2) Five end pieces (FIGS. 24-26)  
         [0038]    3) thirty 8½ in. by 11 in. sheets of die-stamped card stock  26  having pattern  24  (FIG. 11)  
         [0039]    In this preferred embodiment the user downloads the programming instructions over a computer network (such as the Internet).  
       Stackable Disc Storage Unit  
       [0040]    [0040]FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of stackable disc storage unit  49  comprising eight stacked stackable disc storage shelves  50 A- 50 H. Preferably, stackable disc storage shelf  50  (FIG. 18) is fabricated from extruded polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In the preferred embodiment, each disc storage shelf has a disc support platform  55 , male extension  52  and female receptor  53 . The storage disc units are stacked by interlocking male extension  52  with female receptor  53 .  
       Stacking by Snapping  
       [0041]    In FIG. 20A, disc storage shelf  50 A is positioned over a disc storage shelf  50 B.  
         [0042]    In FIG. 20B, the left male extension  52  of disc storage shelf  50 A is snapped into the left female receptor  53  of disc storage shelf  50 B. In order to prevent male extension  52  from slipping out of female receptor  53 , the diameter of male extension  52  is greater than the opening between ends  53 B and  53 C of female receptor  53 . Yet ends  53 B and  53 C are flexible enough so that male extension  52  can be snapped into female receptor  53  and pulled out of female receptor  53 .  
         [0043]    In FIG. 20C, the right male extension  53  of disc storage shelf  50 A is being pushed into the top of the right female receptor  53  of disc storage shelf  50 B. Ends  53 B and  53 C are flexing to allow the entry of male extension  53 .  
         [0044]    In FIG. 20D, disc storage shelf  50 A has been snapped into disc storage shelf  50 B.  
         [0045]    The above sequence described in reference to FIGS. 20A-20D can be followed to stack as many or as few disc storage shelves as the user desires.  
       Stacking by Sliding  
       [0046]    It is also possible to stack the disc storage shelves by sliding one on top of the other.  
         [0047]    In FIG. 21A, disc storage shelf  50 A is positioned to the left of disc storage shelf  50 B.  
         [0048]    In FIG. 21B, disc storage shelf  50 A is being slid onto the top of disc storage shelf  50 B.  
         [0049]    This process continues until the desired number of disc storage shelves is stacked. For example, FIG. 22 shows a side view of stacked disc storage shelves  50 A- 50 H and FIG. 23 shows a front view of stacked disc storage shelves  50 A- 50 H.  
       End Support Piece  
       [0050]    [0050]FIG. 24 shows a side view of end piece  60 . End piece  60  has grips  61  for grasping disc support platform  55 . FIG. 25 shows a side view and FIG. 26 shows a front view of end pieces  60  attached to the side of stacked disc storage shelves  50 A- 50 H. Furthermore, FIG. 26 shows grips  61  grasping disc support platform  61 . End pieces  60  function to prevent the disc storage shelves from sliding relative to each other while stacked.  
       Die-Stamped Card Stock  
     Creating Die-Stamped Card Stock  
       [0051]    In FIG. 6, a roll of 8½ inch wide 100 lb. card stock  20  is fed underneath die-stamp  21 .  
         [0052]    In FIG. 7, stamp  21  has been pressed onto the top of card stock  20 , thereby imparting perforations  22  and creases  23  (see FIG. 8) into the card stock.  
         [0053]    In FIG. 8, stamp  21  is raised and card stock  20  has been fed to the right.  
         [0054]    In FIG. 9, stamp  21  has been pressed onto the top of card stock roll  20 , thereby imparting perforations  22  and bend creases  23  into a different section of the card stock. This process continues until the entire roll of card stock roll  20  has been die-stamped.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 10 shows a top view of card stock roll  20  after it has been die-stamped with patterns  24 . Card stock roll  20  is then cut into  11  sections shown by dotted lines  25 . A stack is thereby created of 8½ in.×11 in. die-stamped card stock, each having a pattern  24 .  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 11 shows a larger top view of a single sheet of 8{fraction (1/2)} in.×11 in. die-stamped card stock  26  having pattern  24 . Pattern  24  includes perforations  22  and bend creases  23 .  
       Example Illustrating How a Computer Disc Holder Design is Created  
       [0057]    In one preferred embodiment illustrating the use of the present invention, a user takes a series of photographs with a digital camera. The user then downloads the images from his digital camera to his personal computer and stores them in a folder on his personal computer called “Pictures of Summer Vacation 2003”. After inserting a recordable CD into his CD-ROM drive, the user then transfers the folder “Pictures of Summer Vacation 2003” and its contents to the CD.  
       Preparing the Cover for the CD  
       [0058]    In the preferred embodiment, the user creates a design for the computer disc holder by utilizing a computer programmed to create the design. In the preferred embodiment, the user purchases software that contains the necessary programming instructions. For example, the user may purchase a CD that contains the programming instructions or he may download the programming instructions via a computer network.  
         [0059]    After the user has successfully installed the program for creating a design for the computer disc holder, he can open the program by mouse clicking on the “Create Cover” icon  3  displayed on his computer screen monitor  4  shown in FIG. 1. After clicking on the “Create Cover” icon  3 , the user&#39;s computer is programmed to read the contents of the CD that is stored in the user&#39;s CD drive and then display the contents in a format similar to that depicted in the “Disc Contents Listing” page shown in FIG. 2. The user can edit the font and tab background color by clicking on font button  14  and tab background color button  15 . Clicking on font button  14  allows the user to access font menu  14   b.  Clicking on tab background color button  15  allows the user to access color menu  15   b.  In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the user has selected Arial as the font and has selected a tab background color of blue. After the user is satisfied with the “Disc Contents Listing” page as displayed in FIG. 2, he can click on “Select” button  5 .  
         [0060]    The user then clicks on “Next” button  16  to go to the “Tab Design” page shown in FIG. 3. In the first preferred embodiment, tab display box  6  displays the folder title “Pictures of Summer Vacation 2003”. The user can edit the font and tab background color by clicking on font button  7  and tab background color button  8 . Clicking on font button  7  allows the user to access font menu  7   b.  Clicking on tab background color button  8  allows the user to access color menu  8   b.  In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the user has selected CargoD as the font and has selected a tab background color of red. After the user is satisfied with the appearance of tab display box  6 , he can click on “Select” button  9  to save his settings.  
         [0061]    The user then clicks on “Next” button  10  to go to the “Image Design” page shown in FIG. 4. In the first preferred embodiment, the folder “Pictures of Summer Vacation 2003” contains digital images of the user&#39;s summer vacation. The preferred “Image Design” page shown in FIG. 4 allows the user to select one of the images in the folder “Pictures of Summer Vacation 2003” for the image choice by clicking on the desired image shown on monitor  4 . In the example shown in FIG. 4, the user has clicked on image  11  of “Cousin Cindy at Beach” to select it. To accept the selection the user clicks on “Accept Selection” button  12 .  
       Other Image Option  
       [0062]    In the first preferred embodiment, the user also has the option of selecting an image other than an image stored in the folder “Pictures of Summer Vacation  2003 ”. Specifically, the user can click on “Other Image” button  13  to select images stored elsewhere on the user&#39;s computer. For example, in the first preferred embodiment the software containing the programming instructions can be purchased with pre-designed images that are automatically installed onto the user&#39;s computer when the software is installed. The user can access these images by clicking on “Other Image” button  13 . Also, by clicking on “Other Image” button  13 , the user can access other images available to the user, such as other images stored on the user&#39;s computer or images that may be available via a computer network.  
       Reviewing the Cover  
       [0063]    After the user has clicked on “Accept Selection” button  12 , the user&#39;s computer displays a “Cover Review” page similar to that shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows what the disc holder will look like after it has been printed onto die-stamped card stock  26  having stamped pattern  24  (FIG. 11). If the user is satisfied with the image shown on the “Cover Review” page, he can click “Save Cover Design” button  30 . Or, if the user wishes to change the appearance of the cover, he can click on “Edit Tab Design” button  31 , “Edit Image Design” button  32 , or “Edit Disc Contents Listing” button  33 .  
       Printing the Cover  
       [0064]    After the image has been edited to the satisfaction of the user and the user has clicked “Save Cover Design” button  30 , the user can print the image onto die-stamped card stock  26  by inserting die-stamped card stock  26  into the user&#39;s printer and clicking on “Print” button  34 .  
       Assembling the Cover  
       [0065]    [0065]FIG. 12 shows a large top view of cover design  40  printed onto the top of die-stamped card stock  26  and FIG. 13 shows a smaller top view of cover design  40  printed onto the top of die-stamped card stock  26 .  
         [0066]    In FIG. 14, computer disc holder  42  having cover design  40  has been punched out of die-stamped card stock  26 .  
         [0067]    In FIG. 15, the user has folded lower portion  43  along bend crease  23 . The user has also applied adhesive  45  (shown in dotted line) between upper portion  44  and lower portion  43 . The user has also applied adhesive between tab portions  46  (FIG. 14) to form tab  47 .  
         [0068]    In FIG. 16, the user has bent tab  47  (FIG. 15) downward along second bend crease  23 . FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of computer disc holder  42  with bent tab  47 .  
       Inserting Computer Disc into Computer Disc Holder  
       [0069]    [0069]FIG. 27 shows CD  70  positioned over computer disc holder  42 . CD  70  is inserted into computer disc holder  42  by slipping CD  70  into the pocket created between upper portion  44  and lower portion  43 , as shown in FIG. 28.  
       Inserting Computer Disc Holder into Stack of Disc Storage Shelves  
       [0070]    [0070]FIG. 29 shows computer disc holder  42  containing CD  70  (FIG. 28) being slid into disc storage shelf  50 C. FIG. 31 shows multiple computer disc holders  42  inserted inside eight stacked disc storage shelves  50 A- 50 H. Each computer disc holder rests on its own disc support platform  55 .  
         [0071]    While the above description contains many specifications, the reader should not construe these as limitations on the scope of the invention, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that many other possible variations are within its scope. For example, it is possible to provide die-stamped card stock  26  with adhesive bonding strips. FIG. 32 shows adhesive bonding strips  110  attached to the bottom side of lower portion  43  of die-stamped card stock  26 . FIG. 33 shows bonding adhesive strip covers  111  removed by the user from lower portion  43 . After bonding adhesive strip  111  has been removed, a sticky bonding adhesive  112  is left attached to lower portion  43 . The user can then bond lower portion  43  to upper portion  44  in a manner similar to that described above in reference to FIG. 15. Also, it is possible to fabricate end piece  130  so that it is as shown in FIG. 34. End piece  130  has separated grips  132  so that adjacent stacked disc storage shelves are prevented from moving relative to each other. For example end pieces  130 A and  130 B prevent the relative movement between eight stacked disc storage shelves  140  and sixteen stacked disc storage shelves  150  (FIG. 35). Also, it should be noted that end piece  130  has elongated male tab  162  and an elongated female receptor  164  to also help prevent relative motion between adjacent stacked disc storage shelves. For example, by reference to FIG. 35, the elongated male tab of end piece  130 C has been slid into the elongated female receptor of end piece  130 D. The elongated male tab of end piece  130 D has been slid into the elongated female receptor of end piece  130 A. The elongated male tab of end piece  130 A has been slid into the elongated female receptor of end piece  130 B. Also, although FIG. 34 and FIG. 24 shows grips  132  and  61  having jagged teeth, it should be noted that the grips can be smooth. For example, FIG. 36 shows a perspective view of end piece  172  with grips  174  having a smooth surface. Grips  174  use friction force to grip the disc support platforms. Also, although the above preferred embodiments disclosed in careful detail how a computer controlled printer is utilized to prints labels on the die-stamped card stock identifying the contents of the CD or DVD, it is possible to print information onto the die-stamped card stock without utilizing either a computer or a computer controlled printer. For example, a user could manually write on the die-stamped card stock the contents of the CD or DVD. Or the user could fold the die-stamped card stock into a disc holder in the manner described above and then manually write the contents of the CD or DVD onto the disc holder. Also, it should be noted that the disc storage shelves, the end pieces and the die-stamped card stock can be made available in a variety of colors. With this option a user can color code categories. For example, all music discs are printed on yellow card stock and stored on yellow disc storage shelves. This will give the user instant recognition of the desired disc. Accordingly the reader is requested to determine the scope of the invention by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples which have been given.