Abstract: A wafer-retaining unit has a plurality of vertically superimposed single-wafer retaining sections, each having a wafer-retaining frame abutting against only a lower end edge portion of the outer periphery of a semiconductor wafer, a wafer-securing frame disposed vertically movably relative to the wafer-retaining frame to abut against only an upper end edge portion of the outer periphery of the semiconductor wafer, and wafer lift members that lift the semiconductor wafer to a position where it is upwardly separate from the wafer-retaining frame and keeps the semiconductor wafer in this position. Consequently, a plurality of semiconductor wafers can be accommodated efficiently and safely without increasing the space between each pair of mutually adjacent semiconductor wafers. At the same time, the semiconductor wafers can be loaded and unloaded satisfactorily.

Abstract: A media storage apparatus includes a frame, a shaft, and a plurality of retainers for retaining a plurality of portable planar storage media. The plurality of retainers is supported by the shaft and rotatable about the shaft from a selectable position to a selected position. The apparatus further includes a retainer selection mechanism, coupled to the frame, that traverses the frame to cause selected ones of the plurality of retainers traversed by the retainer selection mechanism to rotate in sequence from the selectable position to the selected position.

Abstract: A hand-held disc storage, deployment and retrieval device includes a housing defining an interior cavity adapted to store a media disc therein. A manually-actuated slider is disposed within the interior cavity and movable along guide tracks formed in the housing between a disc deployment position and a disc retrieval position. A manually-actuated lever mechanism is operably connected to the slider for deploying and retrieving the disc from the housing. Disc tracks and a ramp are formed in the housing for guiding the disc into and out of the interior cavity. Multiple housings may be interlocked in stacking relationship to one another. The disc may also be locked within the housing, or a case provided for locking multiple housings and discs to one another within the case.

Abstract: A rack for contiguously storing and displaying a stack of symmetrical objects having parallel and planar opposite faces such as compact discs jewelcases. The rack comprises a toggling mechanism at the bottom of each storage location that raises the object above the adjacent others in response to a light pushing movement in order to facilitate pulling the object our of the rack.

Abstract: A storage tray and method for storing and accessing at least one item are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments are adapted to support an item in at least two positions, a stored position and an ejected position. In the stored position, an item may be aligned with adjacent items to allow a user to view a perimeter edge of each item. A latch support secures the item in the stored position, and permits the unlatching of the item to permit it to rotate under force of gravity to a stable ejected position. In the ejected position, a portion of the desired item protrudes from the alignment, allowing a user to easily grasp and remove the desired item without disturbing adjacent items.

Abstract: The CD box holder comprises a substantially flat base plate. A shelf is formed at the bottom to vertically support the CD box. At the top a push panel in combination with a locking panel are rotatably mounted. To utilize the Invention, the bottom edge of the CD box is inserted on the shelf and the top is pushed into the holder until it is held securely in place by the locking panel. To remove the CD box, the locking panel is rotated up and the push panel pushes the CD box out from the holder.

Abstract: A disc storage container comprising a base (10) and a lid (11). A disc selector (15) has a probe (27) that moves with and when the lid opens to urge against a selected disc lift (23) and so that it partially lifts one of the discs up from a stack of discs stored in the container. This enables easily selection of a chosen disc and manual removal from the container of the chosen disc.