Patent Publication Number: US-2009238393-A1

Title: Package for array microphones

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a package for microphones, and more particularly to a package for array microphones. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, microphones require packaging for storage and transportation.  FIG. 1A  depicts conventional package for storing microphones, wherein the package  10  has a box-shaped main body  12 , and a plurality of cavities  14  are provided on the main body  12  for storing microphones (not shown). The cavities  14  are arranged in rows and connected by grooves  16  as shown in  FIG. 1B . The grooves  16  facilitate microphone removal from the cavities  14 . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict another conventional package for storing microphones, wherein the package  20  has a strip-shaped main body  22 . A plurality of cavities  24  are longitudinally provided on the main body  22  for storing microphones  23 . The cavities  24  are larger than the microphones  23 , thus forming gaps  28  therebetween. The gaps  28  facilitate removal of microphones from the cavities  24 . 
     Differing from individual microphones which may operate alone, array microphones include more than one microphone to cooperate and receive sound. Generally, array microphones are provided in pairs. However, the proper pairing of numerous array microphones are often mixed up, when the array microphones are stored in the described packages  10  or  20 . It is therefore understood that the described packages  10  and  20  are less suitable for storage of array microphones than that of individual microphones. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a package suitable for storing array microphones as well as individual microphones. The package in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a main body, a plurality of hollows, and a cover. The hollows are spaced apart and arranged in rows and columns on the main body. Each hollow has a plurality of cavities provided therein to store the microphones. The cover covers the main body and the microphones in the hollows. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the hollows extend lengthwise and the cavities are arranged longitudinally in the hollows. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, the package further includes a piece of foam disposed between the main body and the cover. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the package further includes a double-sided paster disposed between the main body and the piece of foam. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, a package includes a first main body, a plurality of first hollows, a second main body, a plurality of second hollows, and a cover. The first hollows are spaced apart and arranged in rows and columns on the first main body, wherein each first hollow has a plurality of first cavities provided therein to store the microphones. The second main body is laid over the first main body. The second hollows are spaced apart and arranged in rows and columns on the second main body, wherein each second hollow has a plurality of second cavities provided therein to store the microphones. The cover covers the second main body and the microphones in the second hollows. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, the first and second hollows extend lengthwise and the first and second cavities are arranged longitudinally in the first and second hollows, respectively. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the package further includes a piece of foam disposed between the second main body and the cover. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, the package further includes a double-sided paster disposed between the second main body and the piece of foam 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the package further includes a piece of foam disposed between the first main body and the second main body. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, the package further includes a double-sided paster disposed between the first main body and the piece of foam. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a package for storing microphones includes a strip-shaped main body, a plurality of first cavities, and a plurality of second cavities. The first cavities are longitudinally arranged on the main body for storing the microphones and spaced apart by a first distance. The second cavities are longitudinally arranged on the main body for storing the microphones, aligned with the first cavities, and also spaced apart by the first distance, wherein one of the second cavities is adjacent to one of the first cavities, and the first cavity and the adjacent second cavity are spaced apart by a second distance exceeding the first distance. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, a package for storing microphones includes a strip-shaped main body and a plurality of first cavities. The first cavities are laterally arranged on the main body for storing the microphones, wherein the first cavities are substantially identical in size and shape. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the package further includes a plurality of second cavities laterally arranged on the main body, adjacent and parallel to the first cavities, wherein the second cavities are substantially identical in size and shape. 
     A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a top view of a conventional package for storing microphones; 
         FIG. 1B  depicts IB-IB section of the conventional package of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view of another conventional package for storing microphones; 
         FIG. 2B  depicts IIB-IIB section of the conventional package of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective exploded diagram of a package in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective exploded diagram of a package in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective exploded diagram of a package in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective exploded diagram of a package in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a package in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a package in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a package  30  of a first embodiment of the invention is suitable for storing microphones  33  with pin terminals. The package  30  includes a box-shaped main body  34 , a cover  31  covering the main body  34 , and a piece of foam  32  disposed between the main body  34  and the cover  31 . The main body  34  is rectangular and has a plurality of hollows  342  spaced apart and arranged in rows and columns thereon, wherein each hollow  342  has a plurality of cavities  344  provided therein for storing microphones. Furthermore, each hollow  342  extends lengthwise with the cavities  344  arranged longitudinally therein. 
     The package  30  is suitable for storing array microphones as well as individual microphones. During storage of array microphones, different pairs of array microphones are located in different hollows  342  which are spaced apart on the main body  34  of the package  30 . Thus, it is easy to recognize the pairing of the array microphones. 
     As described, a piece of foam  32  is disposed between the main body  34  and the cover  31 . When the microphones  33  are located in the package  30 , the foam  32  allows the pin terminals of the microphones  33  to penetrate inward. Due to the arrangement, the foam  32  is capable of protecting the pin terminals of the microphones  33  from external impact and vibrations during storage and transportation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a package  40  of a second embodiment of the invention is suitable for storing microphones with pin terminals. The package  40  includes a first main body  44 ′, a second main body  44  laid over the first main body  44 ′, a cover  41  covering the second main body  44 , and a piece of foam  42 ′ disposed between the first main body  44 ′ and the second main body  44 , and another piece of foam  42  disposed between the second main body  44  and the cover  41 . 
     The first main body  44 ′ is box-shaped and has a plurality of hollows  442 ′ spaced apart and arranged in rows and columns thereon, wherein each hollow  442 ′ has a plurality of cavities  444 ′ provided therein for storing microphones. Furthermore, each hollow  442 ′ extends lengthwise with the cavities  444 ′ arranged longitudinally therein. 
     Similarly, the second main body  44  is box-shaped and has a plurality of hollows  442  spaced apart and arranged in rows and columns thereon, wherein each hollow  442  has a plurality of cavities  444  provided therein for storing microphones. Furthermore, each hollow  442  extends lengthwise with the cavities  444  arranged longitudinally therein. 
     The package  40  is suitable for storing array microphones as well as individual microphones. During storage of array microphones, different groups of array microphones are located in different hollows  442 ′ and  442  which are spaced apart on the first main body  44 ′ and the second main body  44  of the package  40 , respectively. Thus, it is easy to recognize the pairing of the array microphones. 
     As described, the foam  42 ′ and  42  are disposed between the first main body  44 ′, the second main body  44 , and the cover  41 . When the microphones are located in the package  40 , the foams  42 ′ and  42  allow the pin terminals of the microphones to penetrate inward. Due to the arrangement, the foams  42 ′ and  42  are capable of protecting the pin terminals of the microphones from external impact and vibrations during storage and transportation. 
     From the second embodiment, it is understood that a package of the invention may include more than two box-shaped main bodies to store microphones. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a package  50  of a third embodiment of the invention is suitable for storing microphones  53  with lead-wire, FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board), solderless, or surface mount terminals. The package  50  includes a box-shaped main body  54 , a cover  51  covering the main body  54 , a piece of foam  52  disposed between the main body  54  and the cover  51 , and a double-sided paster  55  disposed between the main body  54  and the foam  52 . The main body  54  is rectangular and has a plurality of hollows  542  spaced apart and arranged in rows and columns thereon, wherein each hollow  542  has a plurality of cavities  544  provided therein for storing microphones. Furthermore, each hollow  542  extends lengthwise with the cavities  544  arranged longitudinally therein. 
     The package  50  is suitable for storing array microphones as well as individual microphones. During storage of array microphones, different pairs of array microphones are located in different hollows  542  which are spaced apart on the main body  54  of the package  50 . Thus, it is easy to recognize the grouping of the array microphones. 
     The double-sided paster  55  is attached to the foam  52  with one side thereof. When the microphones  53  are stored in the package  50 , the double-sided paster  55  contacts the terminals of the microphones  53  with the other side. Thus, the foam  52  is capable of protecting the microphones  53  from external impact and vibrations during storage and transportation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a package  60  of a fourth embodiment of the invention is suitable for storing microphones  63  which are provided in triplets. The package  60  includes a box-shaped main body  64 , a cover  61  covering the main body  64 , and a piece of foam  62  disposed between the main body  64  and the cover  61 . The main body  64  is rectangular and has a plurality of hollows  642  spaced apart and arranged in rows and columns thereon, wherein each hollow  642  has three cavities  644  provided therein for storing microphones. Furthermore, each hollow  642  extends lengthwise with the cavities  644  arranged longitudinally therein. 
     During storage of array microphones, different groups of array microphones are located in different hollows  642  which are spaced apart on the main body  64  of the package  60 . Thus, it is easy to recognize the grouping of the array microphones. 
     As described, a piece of foam  62  is disposed between the main body  64  and the cover  61 . When the microphones  63  are located in the package  60 , the foam  62  allows the pin terminals of the microphones  63  to penetrate inward. Due to the arrangement, the foam  62  is capable of protecting the pin terminals of the microphones  63  from external impact and vibrations during storage and transportation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a package  70  of a fifth embodiment of the invention has a strip-shaped main body  72 . A plurality of cavities is provided longitudinally on the main body  72  for storing the microphones  73 . Specifically, a pair of first cavities  74  are longitudinally arranged on the main body  72  and spaced apart by a first distance d 1 . A pair of second cavities  75  are longitudinally arranged on the main body  72 , aligned with the first cavities  74 , and also spaced apart by the first distance d 1 , wherein one of the second cavities  75  is adjacent to one of the first cavities  74 , and the first cavity  74  and the adjacent second cavity  75  are spaced apart by a second distance d 2  exceeding the first distance d 1  (d 2 ≧d 1 ). 
     The package  70  is suitable for storing array microphones as well as individual microphones. During storage, each pair of array microphones are spaced apart from the adjacent pair by a second distance d 2  exceeding the first distance d 1  between the microphones of the same pair. Thus, it is easy to recognize the pairing of the array microphones. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a package  80  of a sixth embodiment of the invention has a strip-shaped main body  82 . A plurality of cavities, substantially identical in size and shape, is provided in pairs on the main body  82  for storing the microphones  83 . Specifically, a pair of first cavities  84  is laterally arranged on the main body  82 . A pair of second cavities  85  is laterally arranged on the main body  82 , adjacent and parallel to the first cavities  84 . 
     During storage, different pairs of array microphones are located in different pairs of cavities. Thus, it is easy to recognize the pairing of the array microphones. 
     While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.