Memory Box

Abstract

A container for holding and transporting a plurality of substantially planar objects, such as photographs, along with a CD or DVD and/or a memory card or multiple memory cards. The container is composed of front and back covers movably connected by a spine member, and a clear plastic sleeve may be attached to the outside of the device to allow the insertion of labeling materials. A pocket for storing planar objects is fastened to the inside of one of the covers. The container contains a means for securing a CD or DVD, which may be an engaging element attached to the inside of one of the covers or a pocket. The container also contains a means for securing a memory card. The memory card securing means may be a pocket attached to the inside of one of the covers, a partition installed in the pocket for planar objects, or a clip or set of clips affixed to the inside of one of the covers.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The field of the disclosure is storage devices.

PRIORITY

This application does not claim the benefit of any prior applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

With the advent of digital media and the proliferation of storage devices for digital information, consumers are faced with the task of organizing and storing their digital storage devices. These digital storage devices include items such as such as compact disks (“CD's”), digital versatile disks (“DVD's”), and digital memory cards of varying sizes. The digital storage devices are often used with and complement photographs and other planar objects, such as index cards, baseball cards, or post cards. The planar objects are collectively referred to as “photographs.” The consumer needs an effective way to protect and store these digital storage devices along with their corresponding photographs. The means for storing these items should also provide an effective way to label the items so they may be retrieved for future use and enjoyment.

(2) Description of Related Art

The traditional method of storing disks, such as CD's and DVD's, are clear plastic cases. These cases may, with some difficulty, be labeled by the consumer, but the cases do not include a convenient means for storing photographs. Similarly, memory cards are often stored in small, clear plastic cases. These cases lack a convenient means for labeling, and the memory card cases do not include a means for storing photographs. Photographs are often stored in paper or cardboard envelopes. These envelopes may be labeled by writing on the outside of the envelope, but envelopes are an undesirable storage means because paper or cardboard envelopes provide less than optimal protection for the photographs. The envelopes also lack a convenient means for storing a disk or memory card.

The Memory Box solves many of the problems associated with the prior art. It is a comprehensive storage device that is affordable, easy to label, and easy to inventory. The Memory Box allows a consumer to easily store disks and memory cards along with photographs. The Memory Box can be labeled without difficulty by the consumer or retailer so it may be easily identified and retrieved for future use. The labeling material may be generated by the consumer at home, or labels may be generated at a kiosk at a retail establishment. The labels can be generated using printing devices already owned by the consumer or retailer, or the labels can be hand-written. The Memory Box is inexpensive to manufacture, and it provides optimal storage conditions for digital storage devices like disks and memory cards as well as photographs. The Memory Box may be constructed of substantially recycled materials, and the Memory Box is reusable and recyclable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Memory Box is a device for holding and transporting a plurality of substantially planar objects, such as photographs, along with a CD or DVD and/or a memory card. The Memory Box is composed of a front cover and a back cover movably connected by a spine member. The covers include a means for keeping the Memory Box closed. A pocket is attached to the inside of the front cover or the back cover. The pocket is open on one side, allowing the insertion of photographs. This pocket is referred to as the “photograph pocket.” The open side of the photograph pocket is adjacent to the spine member, so that when the Memory Box is closed, the spine member covers the open side of the photograph pocket and prevents objects stored in the photograph pocket from falling out.

In one embodiment, a clear plastic sleeve is attached to the outside of the Memory Box. The sleeve is open on at least one side to allow insertion of a descriptive paper insert or other labeling material. The labeling material can be generated at the place of purchase or at home, allowing the label to be customized by the consumer or retailer. The labeling material may be configured with descriptive text along the spine member, so the contents of the Memory Box are easily identifiable when the Memory Box is closed and stored on a shelf, placed in a drawer or box, or stored using other means.

The Memory Box contains a means for securing a disk, such as a CD or DVD. In one embodiment, the disk securing means may be an engaging element attached to the inside of one of the covers. In another embodiment, the disk securing means may be a pocket. This pocket is referred to as the “cd pocket.” The cd pocket may be attached to the inside of one of the covers, or it may be attached to the top of the photograph pocket.

The Memory Box also contains a means for securing a memory card. In one embodiment, the memory card securing means is a pocket attached to the inside of one of the covers. This pocket is referred to as the “memory card pocket.” The memory card pocket may have a closeable top that is integrated into the case cover. In another embodiment, the memory card securing means may be a clip or set of clips affixed to the inside of one of the covers. In another embodiment, the means for securing the memory card may be a partition inside the photograph pocket that allows photographs to be stored on one side of the partition and allows one or more memory cards to be stored on the other side of the partition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. Elements in the drawings are not to scale, and like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention showing the outside of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the inside of the invention, in which the memory card securing means is a pocket. The disk securing means is a pocket.

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the inside of the invention. In this embodiment, the memory card securing means is a set of clips affixed to the inside of the cover.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inside of the invention. In this embodiment, the memory card securing means is a partition inside the photograph pocket. The disk securing means is an engaging element affixed to the inside of one of the covers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in this description and in the appended claims, the word “photograph” includes substantially planar objects, such as photographic prints, index cards, baseball cards, and post cards.

As used in this description and in the appended claims, the phrase “digital storage devices” includes compact disks, digital versatile disks, Blu-ray Discs®, and memory cards of varying sizes.

As used in this description and in the appended claims, the phrase “photograph pocket” includes a receptacle adapted to hold photographs. In this preferred embodiment, the photograph pocket is a piece of material fastened to the front cover or the back cover. The photograph pocket is open on at least one side, allowing the insertion of photographs. The open side is adjacent to the spine, and the spine functions as a top for the photograph pocket when the memory box is closed.

As used in this description and in the appended claims, the word “disk” includes compact disks, digital versatile disks, and Blu-ray Discs®.

As used in this description and in the appended claims, the phrase “cd pocket” includes a receptacle adapted to hold one or more disks.

As used in this description and in the appended claims, the phrase “engaging element” includes a protrusion adapted to secure a disk for storage and allow the disk to be removed for use.

As used in this description and in the appended claims, the phrase “memory card” includes an electronic flash memory storage device used for storing digital information. One of the aspects of a memory card is that the memory card is smaller than a disk. By way of illustration, the trade names of popular types of memory cards include, but are not limited to, SD Cards®, MiniSD Cards®, CompactFlash Cards®, Memory Sticks®, and xD Cards®.

As used in this description and in the appended claims, the phrase “memory card pocket” includes a receptacle adapted for storing memory cards.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of outside of the invention 1 having one cover 2 movably connected to another cover 3 by a spine member 4. A clear plastic sleeve 5 is attached to the outside of the invention 1. The sleeve 5 is open on at least one end to allow the insertion of labeling materials.

FIG. 2 depicts the inside of the invention 1. A photograph pocket 6 for the storage of photographs is attached to the inside of one of the covers 2, 3. One side 7 of the photograph pocket 6 is open to allow the insertion of photographs. When the invention 1 is closed, the spine member 4 covers the open side 7 of the photograph pocket 6, preventing photographs stored in the photograph pocket 6 from falling out.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the means for securing a disk 8 is a cd pocket 9 attached the outside of the photograph pocket 6. One side 10 of the cd pocket 9 is open, allowing insertion of a disk 8.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 also contains a memory card pocket 11 for storing a memory card 12. In this embodiment, the memory card pocket 11 is integrally molded into the cover 2. The memory card pocket 11 has a closeable top 13 integrated into the outside edge of the cover 2, such that the closeable top 13 may be opened to access a stored memory card 12 when the invention 1 is opened, and the closeable top 13 remains securely closed when the invention 1 is closed. On the cover 3 opposite the memory card pocket 11, the photograph pocket 6 contains an indention 14 in which the memory card pocket 11 rests when the invention 1 is closed. FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the inside of the invention 1, where the means for securing a memory card 12 is a set of clips 15 affixed to the cover 2. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the means for securing a disk 8 is an engaging element 16 attached the inside of one of the case covers 2, 3. The engaging element 16 is adapted to allow a user to mount a disk 8 on the engaging element 16 such that disk 8 is securely retained when the invention 1 is open or closed and the disk 8 may be easily removed from the engaging element 16 when desired. The engaging element 16 may be integrally molded into one of the case covers 2, 3.

The means for securing a memory card 12 may also be a partition 17 inside the photograph pocket 6. Photographs may be stored on one side 18 of the partition 17, and a memory card 12, or multiple memory cards 12, may be stored on the other side 19 of the partition 17. When the invention 1 is closed, the spine member 4 covers the open side 7 of the photograph pocket 6, preventing memory cards 12 and photographs stored in the partitioned photograph pocket 6 from falling out.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention is presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical applications, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims

1. A container for storing photographs and digital storage devices comprising:

a front cover and a back cover that open and close;

a photograph pocket;

a means for holding a memory card; and

a means for securing a disk.

2. The container of claim 1, further comprising the front cover and the back cover being movably connected to a spine.

3. The container of claim 1, further comprising the means for securing a disk being a cd pocket.

4. The container of claim 3, further comprising the cd pocket being attached to the inside of the front cover or the back cover.

5. The container of claim 3, further comprising the cd pocket being attached to the photograph pocket.

6. The container of claim 1, further comprising the means for securing a disk being an engaging element.

7. The container of claim 6, further comprising the engaging element being attached to the inside of the front cover or the back cover.

8. The container of claim 6, further comprising the engaging element being attached to the photograph pocket.

9. The container of claim 1, further comprising the means for holding a memory card being a memory card pocket.

10. The container of claim 9, further comprising the memory card pocket having a top integrated into the front cover or the back cover, such that the top may be opened to access a memory card when the front cover or back cover are opened, and the top remains securely closed when the front cover and back cover are closed.

11. The container of claim 9, further comprising the memory card pocket being attached to the inside of the front cover or the back cover.

12. The container of claim 9, further comprising the memory card pocket being integrally molded into the front cover or the back cover.

13. The container of claim 9, further comprising the memory card pocket being attached to the photograph pocket.

14. The container of claim 1, further comprising the means for holding a memory card being a partition that divides the photograph pocket, such that one side of the photograph pocket is sized to accommodate one or more memory cards and the other side of the photograph pocket is sized to accommodate photographs.

15. The container of claim 1, further comprising the means for holding a memory card being a clip or set of clips adapted to hold a memory card when the memory card is inserted into the clip or set of clips.

16. The container of claim 15, further comprising the clip or set of clips being attached to the inside of the front cover or the back cover.

17. The container of claim 15, further comprising the clip or set of clips being attached to the photograph pocket.

18. The container of claim 1, further comprising a means for labeling.

19. The container of claim 18, further comprising the means for labeling being a clear sleeve attached to the outside of the container, such that the sleeve is open on at least one side to allow insertion of labeling material.