CD ColorDisc

Abstract

A CD ColorDisc is produced by a compact disc, or a DVD, replication machine. Unlike a compact disc, the CD ColorDisc does not store digital information. The CD ColorDisc has an image carried on one or both of its sides. It is useable as a medium to display the image. The CD ColorDisc may be used as a drink coaster or may by mounted on a hub post to provide a view of the image.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of a provisional patent application having Ser. No. 60/227832 filed on Aug. 25, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Field of Invention: This invention relates generally to a visual display of a design, name, slogan or an art work and, more particularly, to a visual display on a substrate that is produced by a compact disc, or a DVD, replication machine.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] A compact disc (U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,829) is used as a storage medium for digitally encoded information. More particularly, the compact disc has a bottom side that is used to provide access to the stored information and a top side that usually provides a visual identification of subject matter of the stored information.

[0005] The compact disc is a transparent plastic with a metallic layer on the top side. The metallic layer is essential for retrieval of the stored information. Although the compact disc is typically in the general shape of a disc it may have a shape that is other than a disc.

[0006] When the stored subject matter is related to entertainment, such as music, the top side frequently carries a visually attractive image. The visual attraction of the image received at least inferential recognition in U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,659. It was stated therein that when the compact disc is made into a drink coaster it could be attractively styled.

[0007] The top and bottom sides offer many possibilities for visual artistic expression that have heretofore been ignored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of the invention is to provide opportunities to view an image on a surface of a CD ColorDisc

[0009] According to the present invention, a CD ColorDisc has a side which carries an image. The CD ColorDisc may either be used for display of the image or used as a drink coaster.

[0010] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention should be apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0011] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a CD ColorDisc;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the disc of FIG.1

[0013] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a CD ColorDisc of FIG. 1 connected to a magnet;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the CD Colordisc and the magnet of FIG. 3;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a block with a CD ColorDisc thereon;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the block and CD ColorDisc of FIG. 5;

[0017] FIG. 6a is a side elevation of the block of FIG. 5 with a plurality of CD ColorDiscs thereon.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a plug;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a frame;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the frame of FIG. 8;

[0021] FIG. 10 is a section of FIG. 9 taken along the line 10-10;

[0022] FIG. 11 is a plan view of an assembly for displaying a surface of a CD ColorDisc;

[0023] FIG. 12 is the section of FIG. 9 and a part of a section of a panel in the assembly of FIG. 11;

[0024] FIG. 13 is a plan view of an assembly whereon as many as six CD ColorDiscs may be mounted;

[0025] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the assembly of FIG. 13 with six CD ColorDiscs mounted thereon;

[0026] FIG. 15 is a plan view of a pivotally mounted hub post; and

[0027] FIG. 16 is a plan view of a desk stand whereon a hub post is mounted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a first embodiment of the invention, a transparent or translucent disc 10 has a circular mounting hole 12 through its center. The hole 12 is a type that is used for mounting a compact disc upon a hub post of a compact disc player.

[0029] The disc 10 is a substrate produced by either a compact disc or a DVD replication machine. However, unlike a compact disc, the disc 10 may not have a metallic layer and does not store digital information.

[0030] The disc 10 has sides 14, 15 (FIG. 2). An image may be carried on either or both of the sides 14, 15. The side 14 is made to carry an image by depositing ink thereon in a screen printing process which is well known; it is used to print upon a top side of a compact disc. Alternatively, the image is upon a medium, such as paper, which is affixed to the side 14.

[0031] After the side 14 is made to carry the image, a protective coating of a transparent ink is deposited thereon. The protective coating is additionally deposited on the side 15. The purpose of the protective coatings is to protect the sides 14, 15 against scratches. When the image is upon paper or upon another medium, the protective coating may not be deposited thereon. As shown in FIG.3 when the side 14 is made to carry the image, a CD ColorDisc 11 is formed.

[0032] The side 14 has a marking of a margin 16 (FIG. 1) that has no relevance to any embodiment disclosed herein. The side 15 has a marking of a similar margin (not shown).

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, in a second embodiment of the invention, a cylindrical magnet 17 has an end 17E that is connected in any suitable manner to a central portion of the side 15. When an end 17F of the magnet 17 is magnetically connected to a metal surface, the CD ColorDisc 11 is mounted for display of the image on the side 14.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in a third embodiment of the invention, a plastic block 20 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelpiped. The block 20 has a top surface 22 that has its center integrally connected to a cylinder 24, an axis thereof being perpendicular to the surface 22. The side 15 rests upon the surface 22 with the cylinder 24 inserted through the hole 12.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6a, a plurality of CD ColorDiscs 11A, structurally similar to the CD ColorDisc 11, are stacked one atop another with the cylinder 24 extending through their mounting holes. Therefore, when the plurality of CD ColorDiscs 11A are stacked, an image carried on a topmost one of the CD ColorDiscs 11A is viewable whereby the topmost one of the CD ColorDiscs 11A is mounted for display of the image thereon.

[0036] The stacked CD Colordiscs 11A can be rearranged to cause any one of them to be topmost. Hence, the block 20 is useable for providing a showing of a selected one of a plurality of images.

[0037] The CD ColorDisc 11 may be used as a drink coaster. When the block 20, stacked with the CD ColorDiscs 11A, rests upon a table (not shown), the CD ColorDiscs 11A are readily accessible for use as drink coasters.

[0038] When the CD ColorDisc 11 is used as a drink coaster for a glass filled with a beverage, there may be a condensation of liquid upon the glass's outer surface that passes through the hole 12.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, the undesired passage of the liquid is blocked by a disc shaped plug 25 that has an edge 26 that is adapted for connection to an edge of the hole 12, whereby the plug 25 plugs the hole 12.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 8-12, in a fourth embodiment of the invention, a generally circular frame 28 (FIG. 8) is preferably made from either wood or a plastic. The frame 28 has a trapezoidal cross-section (FIG. 9). Additionally, the frame 28 has an inner cylindrical surface 30 (FIG. 10) and an outer surface comprised of circular plane surfaces 31-33. An edge 34 is formed by a junction between the surfaces 31, 30.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the frame 28 is part of an assembly 35 (FIG. 11) that includes a panel 36 in the general shape of a disc. An edge 38 (FIG. 12) of the panel 36 is connected in any suitable manner to the surface 30 proximal to the edge 34.

[0042] The panel 36 has a front surface 42 with a hub post 44 (FIG. 11) mounted at its center. The hub post 44 is used to mount the CD ColorDisc 11 thereon. Hub posts are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0043] The panel 36 has a rear surface 46 (FIG. 12) which may be attached to a wall in any suitable manner. A mounting pad 48 (FIG. 11) connected to the surface 46, for example, may be used for the attachment to the wall. Alternatively, a magnet on the surface 46 may be used for attaching the assembly 35 to a metal surface. Hence, when the CD ColorDisc 11 is mounted on the hub post 44, there is a showing of the image thereon.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 13, in a fifth embodiment of the invention, an assembly 50 includes a rectangular panel 52 that is connected within a frame 54. The panel 52 has hub posts 56-61 mounted thereon. The hub posts 56-61 are similar to the hub post 44. The assembly 50 may be hung on a wall in any suitable manner.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 14, the hub posts 56-61 have CD ColorDiscs 56A-61A, respectively, mounted thereon. Hence, the fifth embodiment is useable to provide a simultaneous showing of images on the CD ColorDiscs 56A-61A.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 15, in a sixth embodiment of the invention, a rubber suction cup 62 has a flat rear surface 64 and a curvilinear front suction surface 66. The surface 64 is connected to a plastic block 68 at a rear surface 70 thereof.

[0047] The block 68 becomes fixedly positioned when the surface 66 is pressed against a wall 72. Alternatively, a magnet may be used instead of the suction cup 62 to fixedly position the block 68.

[0048] A front surface 74 of the block 68 is connected to a pivot 76 that is fixedly connected to one end of a rod 78. A hub post 80 is connected to the rod 78 at its other end. Because of the pivot 76, when the CD ColorDisc 11 is mounted on the hub post 80, it is movable to a multiplicity of desired positions for viewing.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 16, in a seventh embodiment of the invention, a plastic desk stand 81 has the shape of a four sided pyramid. Preferably, the desk stand 81 has a side 82 that is truncated thereby causing a truncated portion 84 of the side 82 to perpendicularly intersect a bottom surface (not shown) of the desk stand 81.

[0050] A top 86 of the desk stand 81 is connected to one end of a rod 88. A hub post 90 is connected to the rod 88 at its other end. Because the side 82 is truncated, there is no contact of the side 82 and the CD ColorDisc 11 when it is mounted on the hub post 90.

[0051] In alternative embodiments, the CD ColorDisc 11 is-used as a promotional product (advertising specialty), souvenir, collectable item, medium for an art reproduction, calendar or a decoration.

[0052] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. In a method of forming a CD ColorDisc, comprising the steps of:

utilizing either a compact disc or a DVD replication machine to produce a plastic substrate that does not store digital information, said substrate having a circular hole through its center of a type that is used for mounting a compact disc on a hub post of a compact disc player; and

providing an image on a side of said substrate, whereby the CD ColorDisc is formed.

2. In the method of claim 1 wherein said substrate is either transparent or translucent.

3. In the method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing includes the step of using a screen printing process.

4. In the method of claim 3 including the additional step of depositing a coating of transparent ink upon sides of the CD ColorDisc.

5. In the method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing includes affixing a medium that carries said image to a side of said substrate.

6. A display of an image, comprising:

a transparent or translucent disc which does not store digital information, said disc being produced by either a compact disc or a DVD replication machine, said disc having a hole through its center of a type that is used for mounting a compact disc to a hub post, a side of said disc carrying an image, thereby forming a CD ColorDisc; and

means for displaying said image.

7. The display of claim 6 wherein said means comprises a magnet connected to a side of said CD ColorDisc.

8. The display of claim 6 wherein said means comprises:

a block in the shape of a rectangular parallelpiped;

a cylinder connected to said block, said cylinder having an axis perpendicular to a top surface of said block, a side of said CD ColorDisc resting upon said top surface with said cylinder extending through the central hole.

9. The display of claim 6 additionally comprising a plug that is adapted for connection to said CD ColorDisc to plug said central hole to prevent a flow of liquid therethrough.

10. The display of claim 6 wherein said means comprises:

a frame that has an image surface and a rear surface; and

a hub post mounted upon said image surface, said hub post being of a type used for mounting a compact disc.

11. The display of claim 10 additionally comprising a mounting pad connected to said rear surface.

12. The display of claim 10 additionally comprising a magnet connected to said rear surface.

13. The display of claim 10 wherein said means comprises:

a suction cup that has a flat rear surface and a curvilinear front suction surface;

a block having a rear surface connected to said flat rear surface of said suction cup;

a pivot connected to a front surface of said block;

a hub post of a type used for mounting a compact disc; and

a rod having one of its ends connected to said pivot and the other of its ends connected to said hub post.

14. The display of claim 6 wherein said means comprises:

a desk stand in the shape of a pyramid;

a hub post of a type used for mounting a compact disc; and

a rod having one of its ends connected to a top of said desk stand and the other of its ends connected to said hub post.

15. The display of claim 14 wherein a side of said desk stand is truncated to cause a truncated portion of said side to perpendicularly intersect a bottom of said desk stand.