Unlatching apparatus for media disk caddy
A disk caddy for storing media disks in a disk caddy is disclosed. The disk caddy includes at least one leverage arm for disengaging the top cover to remove or store media disks within a disk cassette. The leverage arm may comprise a finger well, a gusset, a ring, or a releasable tab. Methods for removing a disk from a disk caddy are also disclosed.
The present invention relates to a container for storing and transporting media disks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMedia disks are subjected to numerous manufacturing processes to store data magnetically or optically. During processing the disks are transported to different stations in a caddy where it is necessary to repeatedly disengage and engage the top cover. The disks are vulnerable to contamination during processing, and must be sealed in a clean environment. Sealing the caddy with both a top and bottom cover prevents airborne particulates from adhering to the disk surfaces.
As disk caddies shrink in size to house smaller disks, it is difficult for an operator to grip the flap of the top cover using a caddy similar to the design of either
To remedy the problems in the prior art, an unlatching apparatus is disclosed for storing media disks that comprises a disk cassette; a bottom cover for sealing the lower portion of the disk cassette; and a top cover that has a leverage arm attached to each distal end thereof.
The invention is also directed to a method for storing a media disk in a caddy comprising a) providing a caddy that includes a disk cassette having an upper edge, a bottom cover, and a top cover; the top cover having parallel flaps extending downward from a primary surface, each flap having an offset region; the disk cassette having a recess on each of two opposing end walls that are covered when the top cover engages to the cassette; b) placing a first gripper under a leverage arm located adjacent to the offset region of the flap, while holding the opposite end of the caddy with a second gripper; c) lifting the top cover away from the cassette by pulling the leverage arm outward and upward with the first gripper; and then removing or inserting at least one disk into the disk cassette.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The media disk caddy of the present invention includes a disk cassette that is similar to the cassette shown in
Media disks are fragile because of their size and composition. Although the unlatching apparatus of the present invention may be applicable to caddies of various sizes, it is preferably designed to hold media disks having a diameter of one inch or smaller. Each disk 15 has a smooth surface that is either metallic or glass. If the disks rotate within the slots of the cassette, debris is generated which is damaging to the disk substrate. In the case of glass substrates, disk rotation can also cause the disks to shatter thereby introducing additional debris to the delicate disk surfaces. The present invention provides a means for unlatching a caddy cover without causing the disks to scatter out of their slots.
Referring to
On the opposite side of the cover profile is an interior surface shown in
To facilitate the removal of top cover from a smaller cassette, a leverage arm is added to one or more of the flaps 22. In a preferred embodiment, each flap 22 has a leverage arm that a gripper contacts to disengage cover 200 from cassette 130. The gripper can be either a mechanical member or a human operator. In a preferred embodiment, the gripper is an operator that manipulates either a tool to grasp the leverage arm or grasps the leverage arm with a portion of his hand. Leverage arm 24, 26 comprises a cantilevered structure on a lower portion of flap 22. Preferably leverage arm 24 is located below offset 43 as shown in
A gripper contacts each leverage arm, as shown in
Without limiting the scope of the invention it is preferred to implement the present invention in a caddy for carrying disks having a 1-inch diameter wherein the disk cassette has approximate length×width×height dimensions of 7.5 inches X 1.2 inches =2 inches. However, the present invention could instead be applicable to caddies that store media disks having a diameter greater than one inch. For example, the present invention also applies to caddies that store 3-inch disks. In addition, the invention may apply to caddies that store wafers of various sizes.
On the periphery of the interior of top cover 200 are channels 55a and 55b that engage to the upper edges of sidewalls 115 of cassette 110. Channels 55A and 55B can be seen more clearly in
The following are the preferred characteristics of gusset 24 of
The various ways in which a gripper interacts with the releasable tab of the present invention will now be discussed. When a gripper needs to remove top cover 200 in
Still another way of removing cover 200 is to use two different types of grippers together. A first gripper such as a vacuum or a robotic handler, detaches the channels of cover 200 from wall edges on cassette 120. Afterwards, a second gripper such as a pneumatic actuator simultaneously pushes each tab 80 inward and maintains each hook 84 in a depressed position where it is able to clear through slot 25. For cover 200 to be disengaged from cassette 120, each tab 80 must be moved upward beyond a catch point. The catch point is the point at which hooks 84 lock into slots 25.
The examples described herein of the various leverage arms are solely representative of the present invention. It is understood that various modifications and substitutions may be made to the foregoing examples and methods of operation of the unlatching apparatus without departing from either the spirit or scope of the invention. In some instances certain features of the invention will be employed without other features depending on the particular situation encountered by the ordinary person skilled in the art. It is therefore the intent that the scope of the invention is to be defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for storing a disk comprising: (a) a disk cassette having opposing side walls with slots that store one or more disks in a spaced apart configuration, and opposing end walls connected to the side walls; (b) a bottom cover for sealing the lower portion of the disk cassette;
- (c) a top cover for sealing the upper portion of the disk cassette; wherein a leverage arm is attached to at least one distal end of the top cover.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the leverage arm is located next to or below an offset area on at least one flap of the top cover.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the leverage arm is selected from the group consisting of finger wells, gussets, rings, releasable tabs, and a combination thereof.
4. An apparatus for storing a disk comprising:
- a) a disk cassette comprising a wall structure having an open upper portion, two sidewalls, and two end walls, each end wall having a recess with a lip thereon;
- b) a bottom cover for closing an open lower portion of the disk cassette; and
- c) a top cover for covering the upper portion and each recess, the top cover having opposing flaps, each flap including an offset area, at least one flap having a first leverage arm adjacent to the offset area to facilitate removal of the cover.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first leverage arm is located adjacent to or below the offset area on at least one flap of the top cover.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first leverage arm is selected from the group consisting of a finger well, a gusset, a ring, or a releasable tab.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the releasable tab comprises a vertical portion extending from the flap, and having a hook thereon.
8. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a second leverage arm adjacent to or below the offset area of a second flap.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the leverage arms are selected from the group consisting of finger wells, gussets, rings, releasable tabs, and a combination thereof.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the leverage arms face downward relative to the bottom cover.
11. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising an opening on the disk cassette for receiving the first leverage arm.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the opening is located on the lip of the end wall.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the opening projects from the end wall below the lip of the recess.
14. A method for storing a disk in a caddy, the method comprising:
- a) providing a caddy that includes a disk cassette having an upper edge, a bottom cover, and a top cover; the top cover having a primary surface and parallel flaps extending downward from the primary surface, each flap having an offset region; the disk cassette having a recess on each of two opposing end walls that are covered when the top cover is engaged to the upper edge of the cassette;
- b) placing a first gripper under a leverage arm located adjacent to the offset region of the flap, while holding the opposite end of the caddy with a second gripper;
- c) lifting the top cover by pulling the leverage arm outward and upward with the first gripper; and then removing or inserting at least one disk into the disk cassette.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the gripper comprises either a mechanical member or a portion of a human hand.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the leverage arm is selected from the group consisting of a finger well, a gusset, a ring, or a releasable tab.
17. The method of claim 14, further comprising attaching the top cover to the caddy by causing the channel of the top cover to engage with the upper edge of the disk cassette.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the top cover is secured to the caddy by engaging a pair of protrusions on a flap to a rib located below at least one recess of the disk cassette.
19. The method of claim 14, further comprising a second leverage arm at a second distal end of the top cover.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the second gripper is placed under the second leverage arm and the flaps are simultaneously pulled outward and upward to remove the top cover from the disk cassette.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the second gripper comprises either a mechanical member or a portion of a human hand.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein the leverage arms are selected from the group consisting of finger wells, gussets, rings, releasable tabs, or a combination thereof.
23. A method for storing a disk in a caddy, the method comprising:
- a) providing a caddy that includes a disk cassette having an upper edge, a bottom cover, and a top cover; the top cover having a primary surface and parallel flaps extending downward from the primary surface, each flap having an offset region; the disk cassette having a recess on each of two opposing end walls, each recess being covered when the top cover engages to the upper edge of the disk cassette;
- b) placing a first gripper on a vertical portion of a leverage arm located adjacent to the flap, while holding the opposite end of the caddy with a second gripper;
- c) removing the top cover by pushing the vertical portion of the leverage arm inward and then upward; and
- d) removing or inserting at least one disk into the disk cassette.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first gripper comprises either a mechanical member or a portion of a human hand.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the leverage arm is a releasable tab that comprises a vertical portion extending from the flap, and having a hook thereon.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein the top cover is secured to the disk cassette by engaging the hook of the tab to a lip located below at least one recess of the disk cassette.
27. The method of claim 23, wherein the top cover is secured to the disk cassette by engaging the hook of the tab to an opening that projects from the end wall.
28. The method of claim 23, wherein a second gripper is placed under a second leverage arm and the tabs are simultaneously pushed inward and upward to remove the top cover.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the second gripper comprises either a mechanical member or a portion of a human hand.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 19, 2004
Publication Date: May 25, 2006
Inventors: David Christensen (Fallbrook, CA), Robert White (Tracy, CA)
Application Number: 10/993,343
International Classification: B65D 85/30 (20060101); B65D 85/00 (20060101);