Abstract: A storage device has a casing with physical and mechanical features that enable an automated dispenser to reliably move the storage device through a loading and dispensing process therewithin. The casing's physical and mechanical features reduce the chance of a user loading the storage device in an automated dispenser incorrectly. The casing may also improve the stacking of storage devices in a dispenser. The features herein additionally assist a free fall while loading to the automated dispenser. The storage devices may be, for example, USB solid state drives (also referred to as flash drives, thumb drives, or the like), Secure Digital (SD) cards, CompactFlash (CF) cards and the like.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 28, 2011
Date of Patent:
August 2, 2016
Inventors:
Gordon P. Fletcher, Lisbeth M. Fletcher