Patent Abstract:
Protective modular holders for CDs and DVDs can be assembled into a storage assembly from which each disc and its accompanying literature can be removed without opening an individual holder. Two outer elements and an inner element form a module which receives two components, such as a pair of discs, or a disc and a booklet. Each side of the inner member cooperates with the corresponding outer element to form a disc receiving opening with openings aligned or at 90° or 180° offsets. The units are connected at the corners to adjacent units with the openings in selected alignments to form a storage assembly. The assembly may be expanded by connecting additional holder units. The outer elements and inner members cooperatively form a slot and label rail for receiving a label when the elements are joined together. The inner holder member surfaces may include a disc cleaner.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure is broadly concerned with a universal stacking, self-cleaning disc holder with optional CD/DVD booklet assembly. The disc holder is generally a container for storing optical discs such as compact discs (CD), digital video discs (DVD) or the like. More particularly, it is concerned with a stackable modular storage unit for assembly into a composite media holder assembly for organizing and keeping a mixed variety of CDs, DVDs and accompanying printed materials. 
         [0002]    CD&#39;s are generally used for recorded music or computer software, while DVD&#39;S are generally used for commercial video recordings of performances such as movies, television programs, and home video recordings. Music CD&#39;s and DVD&#39;s are commonly packaged in a “keep case” in association with a booklet or so-called “liner notes” describing the contents of the disc and information regarding the performers. Game CDs or computer programs are generally packaged with a game or instruction manual and registration card. While paper, cardboard and other forms of packaging may be employed, the most favored form of packaging is the so-called “jewel box”, or clear plastic hinged box. Integral plastic tabs hold the booklet in place against the front face of the box, so that the booklet also serves as an artistic cover, and the CD or DVD is snapped onto a resilient hub or “post” that retains it in place within the box. A rear label or index of the contents of the disc may be held in place against the rear face of the box. 
         [0003]    The digital data forming the music, software or audio visual recording is impressed on the underside of the disc in the form of pits, which are read by a laser mechanism in a corresponding player. Because the pits are not well protected against scratching or fouling with dirt and oils from the skin, it is advisable to handle the discs by their edges to avoid touching the data-impressed underside. 
         [0004]    Conventional jewel boxes provide less than ideal disc storage. They can be cumbersome to open and their hinges are subject to failure. Extraction of the disc from the central post may require substantial manual dexterity. If the disc is tightly snapped onto the post, it may be necessary to depress the post somewhat while grasping the edges of the disc to obtain release of the disc from the post. This is generally a three fingered operation, requiring depression of the post with one finger while both sides of the disc are grasped between two other fingers of the same hand to insure that the disc is not tipped and scratched by the post or the edges of the box during removal. Newer jewel boxes have attempted to address this problem by using a shorter post. However, this provides a less secure connection between the disc and the post and makes the disc liable to fall out if the box is inadvertently opened. 
         [0005]    It is desirable to provide storage for the discs adjacent the point of use, such as a CD player, DVD player or computer. Various types of storage units such as racks, shelves, drawers and wallets have been designed for storing collections of discs. Rack units have slots sized to receive a jewel box containing a disc. However, if the unit is not orientationally stable, a tilt of the rack in the wrong direction will allow some of the jewel boxes to slide out. Shelves and drawers are more stable than racks, but tend to be substantially more expensive. Drawers require additional space since they must be opened to permit browsing of the titles of discs stored inside. In addition, because DVD booklets are taller than CDs and in order to avoid wasted space, racks, shelves and drawers are typically sized to receive only one type of disc. Unless a collection is evenly mixed, it may be necessary to purchase more racks, shelves or drawers for one type of disc than is required. 
         [0006]    Wallet or album type holders receive only the disc itself, without the case or accompanying literature. This may be desirable for portability, but such units fail to protect the discs against warping. They also do not provide storage space for the accompanying literature, which may be misplaced if separated from the related disc. These units also require additional space so that they may be fully opened to permit browsing of the titles or to remove a single disc. 
         [0007]    Conventional racks, shelves, drawers and wallet storage units provide space for a predetermined number of jewel boxes or discs. When the storage space is filled, another unit must be acquired or the collection culled to fit the available units. And neither these storage units nor jewel boxes provide direct access to the stored discs without first opening a drawer, wallet or jewel box. It is also desirable to provide labels that can be viewed without opening the storage unit and extracting the disc. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, there is a need for a storage system for discs that protects against warping, is modular and expandable, that is orientationally stable, that can be configured to provide space for storage of accompanying literature of varying sizes adjacent respective discs, that provides for easy, direct extraction of the stored discs and literature without the need for opening an individual storage unit, and that provides for selective configuration to permit optimal access to the discs and literature from any side of each individual storage unit. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The modular optical disc media storage system provides modular protective holders for recorded media components such as CDs and DVDs which can be assembled into a stable composite media storage assembly from which each disc and its accompanying literature can be easily and directly removed from the outside without the need for removing and opening the individual holders. Each modular unit includes first and second outer elements interconnected by an inner holder element to form a two-chambered modular holder unit. Each outer element is configured to receive a corresponding recorded media component, such as a compact disc, a video disc, a booklet or card. The outer elements of each modular unit may receive similar or dissimilar media components, such as a pair of discs, or a disc and a booklet. The outer elements may also include a stop that is adjustable to accommodate shorter booklets. The inner element cooperates with the outer elements to receive and support the first media component on its first side and the second media component on its second side. The first side of the inner member and the first outer holder element cooperatively form a first opening for receiving a media component and the second side of the inner holder member, and the second outer holder element cooperatively form a second opening for receiving a media component. These openings may be aligned, or they may be positioned in selected angular offset relation of about 90° or about 180°. The modular holder units are connected at the corners to adjacent units to form a storage assembly which may be expanded by connecting additional holder units. The units may be connected with their openings aligned, or they may be connected so that the openings are positioned in selected offset relation of about 90° or about 180°. 
         [0010]    One or both of the outer elements and inner holder member cooperatively forms a slot and a label rail for receiving and retaining a label when the elements are joined together. One or both of the inner holder member surfaces may also be equipped with a cleaner surface for cleaning a disc. The modular disc media holder of the present disclosure provides a greatly improved storage system for CDs, DVDs and their accompanying literature that is both flexible and externally accessible. 
         [0011]    Various objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. 
         [0012]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification, include some exemplary embodiments of the numerous embodiments possible, and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an optical disc and printed media holder unit with the disc and printed media entry positioned on the same side of the unit. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an assembly of the optical disc and printed media holder units of  FIG. 1  with the units interconnected in alignment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exploded assembly of the optical disc and printed media holder units of  FIG. 1  positioned for assembly of the units in 90° offset relation. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an assembly of compact disc and CD booklet holder units, each unit having the disc and booklet entry positioned on opposite sides of each unit, with the units positioned for assembly with all of the units interconnected in alignment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a compact disc or digital video disc holder unit for storing two discs with the disc entries positioned on opposed sides of the unit, without printed media retaining structure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a compact disc or digital video disc holder unit for storing two discs with the disc entries positioned on the same side of the unit, without printed media retaining structure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a digital video disc and booklet holder unit with the disc and booklet entry on the same side of the unit, similar to the compact disc holder of  FIG. 1 , but with the middle and bottom sections elongated to support a longer booklet. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a bottom corner of the holder unit shown in  FIG. 7  and showing details of an optional rotatable booklet stop. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an assembly of the digital video disc and booklet holder units of  FIG. 7  with the disc and booklet entry of each unit on the same side and with the units positioned for assembly with all of the entries in alignment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a corner of an outer section of a holder unit and showing details of an enclosure for storage of the stop shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a holder unit and illustrating walls forming a spine label channel and pin and socket members of the unit. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a compact disc or digital video disc holder unit for storing two discs with the disc entries positioned in 90° offset relation, without printed media retaining structure. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a digital video disc and booklet holder unit with the disc and booklet entries positioned in 90° offset relation. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an assembly of compact disc and booklet holder units with the disc and booklet entries positioned in 90° offset relation and the units assembled in alignment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a top plan cross sectional view of a mini CD holder unit for storing two mini CDs with the disc entries positioned in 90° offset relation and having similarities with the disc holder unit shown in  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    As required, detailed embodiments of the modular disc holder are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the unit, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the modular holder unit in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0029]    Referring now to the drawing figures, the reference numeral  1  refers to a modular storage or holder assembly for recorded media components, which is depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 15  in association with various recorded media components  2 , such as a disc  3  ( FIG. 2 ), which may be either a CD or DVD or other format of optical media, a generally square CD booklet  4  (FIGS.  4 , 14 ), a generally rectangular DVD booklet  5  ( FIGS. 9 ,  13 ), and other media components or matter content such as a printed inside insert in the form of a booklet, folded promotional leaflet, or card  6  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ). The assembly  1  is formed by a plurality of keeper or holder units  11 . While each holder unit  11  has a generally square overall configuration, the corners  12  are chopped to form an unequal sided octagon (FIG.  1 ). The units  11  are joined to each other at the corners  12  and held together by unit corner connectors  13  which have a generally triangular configuration when installed and viewed from above ( FIGS. 2 ,  15 ), thus squaring off the holder unit assembly  1 . 
         [0030]    As best shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  12 , and  13 , each holder unit  11  includes a first outer holder element  14 , a second outer holder element  15  and an inner holder element or member  16 .  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  7 ,  9 ,  13  and  14  depict an outer holder element  14  configured to receive a disc  3 , and an outer holder element  15  configured to receive a booklet such as a CD booklet  4 , DVD booklet  5 , folder (not shown) or card  6 .  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  12  depict a pair of outer holder elements  14  configured to receive a disc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that it would also be possible to construct a holder unit  11  using a pair of outer holder elements  15  configured to receive a booklet  4  or  5  or card  6 . 
         [0031]    The inner holder element  16  is configured to correspond to the first and second outer holder elements  14  and  15  as well as to their orientation when they are assembled.  FIG. 1  depicts an inner element  16  configured to receive a disc  3  and printed element  4 , 5 , or  6  from the same side.  FIG. 5  depicts an inner element  16  configured to receive a pair of discs  3  from opposite sides.  FIG. 12  depicts an inner element  16  configured to receive a pair of discs  3  in a 90° offset relation.  FIG. 13  depicts an inner element  16  configured to receive a disc  3  and printed component  4 , 5 , or  6  in 90° offset relation. 
         [0032]    The first and second outer holder elements  14  and  15  and the inner holder element  16  are equipped with a series of holes and pegs, as will be later described, arranged quadrilaterally, in a radially symmetrical pattern. This construction enables the elements  14 ,  15 , and  16  to be rotated with respect to each other to enable storage of discs and printed media in an aligned, 90° or 180° offset relation. The inner element  16  must be configured for a particular combination of discs  3  and printed elements  4 ,  5 , or  6  and for a particular set of orientations or directions in which the disc or element is inserted. In contrast, the outer elements  14  and  15  are configured according to whether they are to be used with a disc  3  or a booklet or other printed element  4 ,  5 , or  6  and can be assembled in any appropriate orientation determined by the particular configuration of inner element  16  used. 
         [0033]    While the first and second outer holder elements  14  and  15  are depicted in the drawing figures as upper or top and lower or bottom units, respectively, if the units  11  were depicted in a horizontal orientation, the elements  14  and  15  would be shown as respective left or right outer elements. It is understood that such terms are to be construed in accordance with the generally vertical or horizontal orientation in which the holder units  11  are stacked to form the assembly  1 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first outer holder element  14  has an access wall  21  and an opposite end wall  22  with a pair of side walls  23  connected therebetween by a series of corners  12 . The access wall  21  is configured to provide easy access to a disc  3  such as a CD or DVD. 
         [0035]    As best shown in  FIG. 11 , the upper margin of the access wall  21  is stepped inwardly to form a slot  24  for receiving a label  25  ( FIG. 12 ). As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  11  and  12 , the slot  24  stops short of each corner  12 , leaving a portion of the wall  21 , which at one end includes a generally vertical kerf or notch  26  defining a tab  27  for threading and retaining the label  25  ( FIGS. 1 ,  7 ,  12 ). An elongated label rail  31  ( FIG. 11 ) is sized to form the top portion of the label slot  24 . The lower surface of the label rail  31  includes a groove  32  for receiving the upper margin of the label  25  ( FIGS. 2 ,  6 ,  12 ). Each end of the rail  31  is formed into a generally hooked shape having an aperture  33  ( FIGS. 5 ,  11 ) for joining the label rail  31  to the label slot  24  as will be described. 
         [0036]    The lower margin of the access wall  21  includes a detent or slot  34  ( FIG. 5 ) for receiving a disc  3 . The detent  34  stops short of each corner  12 , leaving a portion of the wall  21  adjacent each of the two corners  12 . Each corner  12  includes a groove or slot  35  ( FIG. 1 ) that extends along the inner hypotenuse and opens into the respective wall  21 ,  22 , or  23 . Where the slot  35  opens into the access wall  21 , together with the detent  34 , it defines a tab or foot portion  36  of the access wall  21 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , first and second disc support plates  41  and  42  extend inwardly from the access wall  21  to the interior of the element  14 . The first support plate  41  is generally elongated and extends substantially into the interior of the holder element  14 , while the second support plate  42  is generally shorter. The outer holder element  14  may be constructed with the first support plate  41  on the right and the second support plate  42  on the left when viewed from above as depicted in the drawing figures. It is also foreseen that the position of the plates  41  and  42  may be reversed or that they may be of identical construction. 
         [0038]    A pair of built up edges or disc rails  43  and  44  ( FIG. 12 ) extend inwardly from the feet  36  along the lateral sides of the plates  41  and  42  to cooperatively form a stop for the disc  3 . The rail  44  extends inwardly for a distance beyond the shorter second disc support plate  42 . The disc rails  43  and  44  each include apertures  45 , which are also provided at spaced intervals along the walls  21 - 23  of both the first and second outer holder elements  14  and  15  in a pattern for receiving a pattern of corresponding pegs as will be described. The inwardly facing surface of each of the illustrated disc support plates  41  and  42  includes a cleaning pad  46  ( FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  12 ), sized and shaped to conform to the surface of the respective plate. The pads  46  are constructed of a material such as a napped, microfiber or other fabric having a high coefficient of friction in sliding contact with the surface of a disc  3 , and are adhered to their respective disc support plates for cleaning discs  3  as they are inserted into and removed from a holder unit  11 . 
         [0039]    A generally L-shaped floating rear rail  51  ( FIG. 1 ) is connected to each of the sidewalls  23 , and is oriented so that the longer leg projects laterally inwardly in a plane with the upper margin of the sidewall  23  and toward the interior of the holder element  14 . The rear rails  51  are positioned near the rear corners  12  of the holder element, in generally parallel spaced relation to the end wall  22 . A generally L-shaped front rail support  52  is interconnected between each of the sidewalls  23  and the rear surface of the respective disc rails  43  or  44 , with the shorter leg contacting the edge stop for supporting the longer leg, which in turn is connected to and in a plane with the upper margin of the sidewall  23  (as viewed in  FIGS. 1 and 11 ). The front rails  52  are positioned near the front corners  12  of the holder element  14 , in generally spaced relation to the access wall  21 . In this manner the front and real support rail pairs  51  and  52  provide interior support and stiffening to the assembled holder units  11 . 
         [0040]    An approximately T-shaped storage support  53  is connected to each of the sidewalls  23 , for holding and storing a pair of corner connectors  13  when they are not in use. A removable film cover  54  ( FIG. 1 ) covers the connectors  13 , holding them in place and preventing them from falling out in case the unit  11  is inverted. The cover  54  is generally rectangular in shape, of transparent or translucent synthetic resin construction and is sized to extend across and between the outer surfaces of the front and rear rails  51  and  52 . 
         [0041]    As best shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the first outer holder element  14  may be constructed to have storage supports  53  positioned on one sidewall  23  and the end wall  22  where the first and second holder elements  14  and  15  are to be assembled with the access walls  21  in 90° offset relation. In such construction, the end wall  22  includes a pair of end wall rails  55 , similar to the rear rails  51  but extending forwardly from the end wall  22 . One of the rear rails  51  is omitted, and the remaining rail is joined to the respective end wall rail  55 . A generally L-shaped film cover  56  is provided, having equal legs sized to extend across the outer surface of the rear and end wall rails  51  and  55 . 
         [0042]    As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the content-facing margin of one of the sidewalls  23  may also be stepped inwardly to form a label slot  61  for receiving a label  25 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the sidewalls  23  of both the first and second outer holder elements  14  and  15  may be stepped in this manner to form a slot  61 . When a unit  11  with such slots  61  is assembled, the adjacent slots  61  merge to form a single, much wider slot  61  that is suitable for receiving a user-inscribed label. 
         [0043]    Each end wall  22 , as well as the sidewalls  23 , includes apertured, peg-receiving structures  45  ( FIG. 1 ) as on the disc rails  43  and  44 . These apertures are positioned adjacent each of the corners  12  as well as generally midway along the respective walls  22  and  23 . 
         [0044]    The second outer holder element  15  is configured to support a booklet, such as a CD booklet  4  ( FIG. 4 ), DVD booklet  5  ( FIG. 9 ) or other printed content member such as a card  6  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ). As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the element  15  has the same footprint as the first outer holder element  14 , including an access wall  21  and end wall  22 , a pair of side walls  23 , and chopped corners  12  with slots  35 . The content-facing side of the access wall  21  includes an elongated detent  63  that forms an entry slot for a printed content member. The detent  63  stops short of each corner  12 , leaving a portion of the wall  21  adjacent each of the two corners  12 , which, together with the slot  35  defines a foot  36 . First (depicted on the left in  FIG. 1 ) and second (depicted on the right in  FIG. 1 ) retainer rails  64  and  65  for a booklet  4  or  5 , card  6  or the like, extend inwardly in a plane with the detent  63  for supporting a booklet or other printed content member. The lateral margin of the shorter first booklet retainer rail  64  is built up to form a first lip or edge  66  that functions as a stop, and the lateral margin of the longer second retainer rail  65  is also built up to form a corresponding second lip or edge stop  67  in parallel spaced relation to the first edge stop  66 . The inward end of the longer rail  65  may also be built up to form an end stop  68 , for retaining a booklet or card,  4 ,  5 , or  6  in place so that it does not slide into the unit  11  beyond the access wall  21  and the reach of a user. 
         [0045]    The end wall  22  of the second outer holder element  15  may also be constructed to include an apertured stop-receiving structure  71  similar to the peg receiving hole structures  45 , but of more substantial construction for receiving and supporting a rotatable stop  72  ( FIGS. 7 ,  8 ). The stop  72  includes a pivot pin or pintle  73  connected to a laterally extending wing  74 , that can be shifted or rotated as shown in  FIG. 8  between a first, inwardly extended position to a second retracted position adjacent the end wall  22 . The wing structure  74  is sized for contact with the top margin of a generally rectangular shaped DVD booklet  5  when the booklet is inserted into the holder unit  11  through the access wall  21 . In this manner, the rotatable stop  72  serves to prevent insertion of a DVD booklet  5  too far into the unit  11 , so that it cannot be grasped and removed by a user. When an especially long booklet  5  is to be inserted into the unit  11 , the wing structure  74  may be rotated back, out of the content-receiving area of the holder element  15  and into the second retracted position in spaced relation to the end wall  22 . 
         [0046]    A corner storage box  81  is provided for holding the stop  72  when it is not in use ( FIGS. 7 ,  9 ,  10 ,  13 ). The box  81  is generally triangular overall in shape, for nesting against one of the chopped corners  12 . It has a closed top  82  ( FIG. 10 ) facing the interior of the unit  11  and an open bottom for receiving the stop  72 . The interior surface of the top is equipped with an aperture  83  for receiving the stop pintle  73 . The bottom of the box  81  is open and a film cover  84  ( FIGS. 7 ,  13 ) is provided for holding the stop  72  in place within the box  81 . 
         [0047]    The inner holder element or frame member  16  is sandwiched between and interconnects the first and second outer elements  14  and  15 . It shares the same perimeter footprint as the elements  14  and  15 . The inner element  16  has a generally open framework including first and second surfaces or sides  85  and  86 . It has an access divider rail  91 , an end divider rail  92 , a pair of side divider rails  93 , and chopped corner divider rails  94 . The inner element  16  is of generally lighter construction than the outer elements  14  and  15  because the rails  91 - 94  are generally thinner and need not form upstanding walls as do the corresponding elements of the inner and outer elements  14  and  15 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  12 , and  13  where the unit  11  is configured to receive recorded media in a 90° or 180° offset arrangement, the inner element  16  may be configured to substitute a second access divider rail  91  for either the end divider rail  92  or one of the side divider rails  93 . 
         [0048]    As exemplified in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the inner element  16  includes a first support element set or elements  95  on its first side  85  and may include a second support element set or elements  96  on its second side  86 , each of which is configured particularly to cooperate with the first outer holder element  14  to receive and support a respective first and second recorded media component  2 . 
         [0049]    The first support elements  95  include first and second disc support plates  101  and  102  extending inwardly from the access rail  91  toward the end rail  92 . The first support plate  101  is generally configured to conform to the elongated shape of the first disc support plate  41  of the first outer holder element  14 , and the second support plate  102  is generally configured to conform to the more rectangular shape of the second disc support plate  42  of the first element  14 . If necessary, the inner element  16  may be flipped over to reverse the positions of plates  101  and  102  to conform with the respective plates  41  and  42  of the first element  14 . It is also foreseen that the support plates  101  and  102  could be similarly shaped. 
         [0050]    Cleaning pads  103 , similar to pads  46 , are adhered to one or both side surface  85  and  86  and are sized and shaped to conform to the surfaces of the plates  101  and  102 . The disc support plates  101  and  102  each include a respective outward extension or guard tab  104  and  105  with a finger notch  106  therebetween. The outer perimeter of the tabs  104  and  105  define a circle of approximately the same radius as the disc  3 . 
         [0051]    The second support elements  96  may be configured as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 12  to include structure identical to the first elements  95  to cooperate with the second outer holder element  15  to receive and support a second disc  3 . In that event, the disc plates  101  and  102  would be reversed and the cleaning pads  103  oriented to face the second side  86 . The second elements  96  may also be configured as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  9 , and  14  to include structure configured to cooperate with the booklet retainer rails  64  and  65  to receive and support a booklet  4  or  5 , card  6  or the like. In that case, the elements  96  include a generally planar retainer rail plate  111  which forms a top plate for the booklet retainer rail  65 . The reverse surface of the shorter second disc plate  102  forms a top plate for the shorter second booklet retainer rail  65 . Where, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a disc and generally shorter CD booklet  4  are to be accessed from the same side of the unit  11 , the reverse surface of both disc plates  101  and  102  form top plates for the booklet retainer rails  64  and  65 , obviating the need for the retainer rail plate  111 . But where, as shown in  FIG. 9 , a disc  3  and generally longer DVD booklet  5  are to be accessed from the same side of the unit, the retainer rail plate  111  may be included. In a holder unit  11  in which the disc  3  and booklet  4  or  5  are inserted on the same side, as in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the rail plate  111  may be formed as an integral part of or as an extension of the disc support plate  101 . 
         [0052]    The rails  91 - 94 , disc plates  101  and  102 , and retainer rail plate  111  of the inner element  16  are equipped with a plurality of spaced pegs  112  arranged in a corresponding pattern for reception within the pattern of holes  45  previously described in the first and second outer elements  14  and  15 . 
         [0053]    The corner connectors  13  ( FIG. 1 ) have a generally triangular prismatic overall configuration and are similar to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,188,032 B1, which is incorporated herein by reference. Each connector includes a first or lateral tongue  113  having a generally T-shaped cross section. The lateral tongue  113  extends toward the unit  11  for mating engagement with the corner slots  35  of the outer elements  14  and  15 . Each connector  13  also includes a second or transverse tongue  114  that projects from the connector  13  along an axis generally transverse to the lateral tongue  113 . The second tongue  114  is configured with a raised bead along its outer edge. The upper surface of each connector  13  includes a keyhole slot or groove  115 , also generally transverse to the lateral tongue  113  and opposite the second tongue  114 . The groove  115  is configured for reception of the second tongue  114  projecting from an immediately adjacent connector  13 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 15  depicts a modified embodiment of a modular holder unit  211 . This unit  211  is configured for storing two discs like the unit depicted in  FIG. 12 , except that it is adapted for storing miniature compact discs or mini CDs, sometimes referred to as “minidiscs”, that is discs having a diameter of about 3⅛″ or 80 mm. The holder  211  is depicted having the disc entries positioned in 90° offset relation, without booklets. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the unit  211  may also be configured to hold a disc and a booklet, a pair of booklets in aligned position or in 180° offset relation as previously described. The unit  211  is similar in construction to the modular holder unit  11  previously described, having a first outer holder element  214 , a second outer holder element  215  and an inner holder element  216 . The unit  211  is shown assembled, with corner connectors  213  installed at each corner as well as in storage on the inner sidewalls of the first outer holder element  214  and covered with an L-shaped film cover  256 . The second outer holder element is similar to the first outer holder element  214  and is configured for supporting a disc (not shown) but is depicted to include a booklet support rail  265  for holding in place a booklet (not shown) or other printed material. 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a single modular unit  11  is constructed by interconnecting the first and second outer elements  14  and  15  by engagement of the pegs  112  of the inner element  16  within the apertures  45  of the outer elements  14  and  15 . The respective corner slots  35  are thereby aligned to cooperatively form four double corner slots  35  slots, each sized for reception of a corner connector first or lateral tongue  113 . The pegs  112  and apertures  45 , corner slots  35  and lateral tongues  113  thus cooperate to connect the outer elements  14  and  15  to form a modular holder unit  11  and to hold the unit together. In such a single unit  11 , when the transverse second tongues  114  of the four corner connectors  13  are in dependent relation, they may serve as support feet for the unit. When thus assembled into a modular unit  11 , the access wall  21  of the first outer element  14  and an access rail  91  of the inner element  16  cooperatively form a first opening  121  into a content receiving chamber for receiving a recorded media component  2 . Similarly, the access wall  21  of the second outer element  15  and an access rail  91  of the inner element  16  cooperatively form a second opening  122  for receiving a second recorded media component  2  into a second content receiving chamber. 
         [0056]    In use, a user selects first and second outer elements  14  and  15  that will enable storage of a disc and printed matter ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  7 ,  9 ,  13 ,  14 ), a pair of discs ( FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  12 ,  15 ) or a pair of printed elements  4 ,  5 , or  6  (not shown) as desired. The user next selects an inner element  16  for connection of the outer and inner elements  14  and  15  with first and second openings  121  and  122  in alignment ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  6 ,  7 ,  9 ), in 90° offset alignment ( FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ) or in 180° offset alignment ( FIGS. 4 ,  5 ). The user orients the preselected outer element  14  with the preselected inner element  16  to achieve the desired orientation, aligns the apertures  45  with the pegs  112 , and snaps the elements  14  and  16  together. The elements  14  and  16  may be held together by friction, glue or other means such as by sonic welding. 
         [0057]    The user next removes the film cover  54  from each pair of corner connector storage supports of an outer element  14  or  15  and removes four corner connectors  13  from the supports  53 . The user aligns the lateral tongues  113  of a corner connector  13  with each of the four corner grooves  35  of the first outer element  14 , orients the preselected second outer element  15  to achieve the desired offset, aligns the corner grooves  35  of the second outer element  15  with the lateral tongues  113  and the apertures  45  with the pegs  112 , and snaps the second outer element  15  and the inner element  16  together. Because the corner unit connectors  13  are reversible, the longitudinal tongue  114  may be positioned to project toward the second outer element  15  or backward from the first outer element  14  for connection with a second modular unit  11 . 
         [0058]    A second modular unit  11  may be coupled with the first unit  11  by aligning the units in a preselected orientation and snapping the longitudinal tongues  114  into the corresponding keyhole grooves  115  of the adjacent unit  11 . It is foreseen that an assembly kit (not shown) may include a pair of closed covers (not shown) having the same overall footprint as the outer holder elements  14  and  15  for installation in covering relation over the exposed skeletal ends of the assembly  1 . 
         [0059]    Advantageously, with a limited number of parts, a user can assemble a wide variety of modules  11  in a variety of orientations. For example, the units  11  may be connected so that a unit for storing a DVD with a recorded movie is directly connected to a unit containing a CD with the recorded sound track from that movie. Each unit  11  may be configured to accommodate two different size booklets, as, for example, a CD booklet  4  and a longer DVD booklet  5 . 
         [0060]    Because each unit  11  is of generally skeletal, open-ended construction, they are economical in their use of materials and cost-effective to construct. The units  11  may be stacked vertically or laterally. Each unit  11  may be selectively configured so that the openings  121  and  122  are aligned or offset 90° or 180°, and the units  11  themselves may be configured in aligned ( FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  9 ,  14 ) or 90° ( FIG. 3 ) or 180° (not shown) offset relation when they are interconnected. They may also be connected in any combination of the foregoing alignments to form an assembly  1  having convenient access to a user. Thus, the first opening  121  may be optimally placed with respect to the second opening  122  in the unit  11  as well as the openings  121  and  122  in adjacent units to make it easier to grasp and remove the discs  3  and printed materials  4 - 6  contained therein. Each modular unit  11  as well as the entire container assembly  1  may be repeatedly broken down and reconfigured by the user to reflect changes in personal preference, in the makeup of the stored collection, or of the location in which the unit is stored. For example, the collection may be stored with all of the CDs  3  and associated booklets  4  at one end, and all of the DVDs  3  and associated booklets  5  at the other end. Or, the entire collection can be organized alphabetically, without regard to type of disc  3 . Each disc  3  may be stored with its associated liner notes  4 - 6 , or the discs may be grouped and the notes grouped. The unit openings  121  and  122  may be aligned in adjacent relation, or they may be offset 90° or 180° to facilitate removal. And the modular assembly  1  may be stored in a line, such as on a shelf, or it may be stored vertically, such as against a wall or in a corner. End pieces (not shown) may be provided to enclose the ends or top and bottom of the assembly  1 . 
         [0061]    It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6