GB2191391A - Portable container for magnetic data-carrying discs - Google Patents

Abstract

A magnetic disc (or compact disc) container is constructed as a folding device capable of free-standing for use and of being folded flat to reduce its volume after use. The container comprises a foldable support sheet (1) having a plurality of pockets (3, 31, 32, 33) on one surface thereof, for receiving the discs, and a plurality of interengageable fastening strips 4 for holding the container in its erect or flattened state. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Portable container for magnetic data-carrying discs.

The invention relates to portable containers for magnetic discs, for example so-called floppy discs or compact discs.

The conventional storage container for magnetic discs is formed as a rigid box which may be convenient for use but has many drawbacks which may be generalised as follows: 1. A rigid box occupies a great deal of space and cannot be folded for storage after use.

2. The volume of a rigid box cannot be reduced and thus causes inconvenience when carried. In order to meet the requirement for use in more than one place, a duplicate set of said discs may have to be provided, and thus cost more money.

3. A rigid box is inconvenient for mailing, which will cost more money.

4. The shape of a rigid box cannot be changed even when aesthetically displeasing.

Because the design of a conventional disc box is not ideal for use and has many drawbacks and inconveniences for users, the invention has for its object to provide a more convenient and versatile container.

The invention therefore provides a foldable container for magnetic data-bearing discs comprising a support sheet wherein a plurality of fold lines or hinged regions are provided for spreading out and folding the sheet, a plurality of pockets being provided on one surface thereof between said fold lines to hold magnetic discs, a plurality of releasable fastening tapes provided on front and/or reverse margins of said sheet, and a holding strap provided on the said container, which container is adapted to be folded into a pochette, or spread out or arranged as a boxed enclosure.

Thus the container may be arranged to form a free-standing box in a rectangular or triangular format, vertically or horizontally, and is foldable when not in use or empty.

Various examples of containers according to the invention are now described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container of the prior art.

Figure 2 is a front view of the structure of this invention in an opened-out condition.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the container shown in Figure I.

Figure 4 is a view of the container of Figure 1 in an alternate condition.

Figure 5 is a view of the container of Figure 1 folding for carrying as a pochette; and Figure 6 to 13 show further examples of containers according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a rigid box B according to the prior art. Figures 2 and 3 shows a container of the present invention comprising a support sheet 1 in which are provided a plurality of fold lines or hinged regions 2, 21, 22, 23, to enable the sheet 1 to be folded or spread out. A plurality of pockets 3,31, 32 33 are provided on the sheet, arranged respectively between the right hand margin of the sheet and fold 2, folds 2 and 21, 21 and 22, and 22 and 23. Thus five pockets are arranged in four rows to hold up to twenty discs. Strips 4, 41, 42 of releasable fastening tape, which may be formed from polypropylene tape of the type known as Velcro (R.T.M.) are provided on the side margins of the sheet 1 and a holding strap 5 is also provided.

In use, as shown in Figure 4 and 5, the container sheet 1 may be folded about the fold lines 2, 21, 22 and 23 to form a freestanding boxed enclosure which the pockets 3, 31, 32, 33 face outwardly, the box being retained in position by bringing the tapes into contact with one another. After use the polypropylene tapes 4, 41 may be pulled apart, the folds 2, 21, 22, 23 may be reversely folded to make the pockets 3, 31, 32, 33 face inwardly and then to fasten the polypropylene tapes 4, 42 with each other, whereupon the container 1 resembles a handbag as shown in Figure 5 capable of being carried and suspended. The said discs may be picked out for use, in a manner similar to picking out name cards from an album.In addition, various numbers of said folds and different positions of said polypropylene fastening tapes may lead to different shapes or folding and speading-out of the containers as shown in Figure 6 to 13, with great versatility.

Thus the container of the invention offers a portable magnetic disc pouch which can be very easily and conveniently opened out so as to stand, folded in the manner of a name card album for use, and after use, folded into a pochette for carrying or hanging or placing it in a suitcase, handbag or overcoat pocket.

An secondary advantage of this invention is to make use of the container of this invention to fold it for carrying it or to spread it out for use from time to time. Therefore, those users who use it at home and in office need only purchase one disc container since they can carry it with them very conveniently, and as a result, they can save their money.

Another advantage of this invention is to make use of the container of this invention to fold it and reduce its volume for shipping and mailing.

In short, this invention has the foregoing advantages, convenience and practicability.

1. A portable container for magnetic databearing discs wherein the magnetic disc container comprises into a support sheet wherein a plurality of fold lines or hinged regions are

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Portable container for magnetic data-carrying discs. The invention relates to portable containers for magnetic discs, for example so-called floppy discs or compact discs. The conventional storage container for magnetic discs is formed as a rigid box which may be convenient for use but has many drawbacks which may be generalised as follows:

1. A rigid box occupies a great deal of space and cannot be folded for storage after use.

2. A portable container for megnetic databearing discs constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described with reference to a). Figures 2 to 5, b). any one of Figures 6-13 of the drawings.

2. The volume of a rigid box cannot be reduced and thus causes inconvenience when carried. In order to meet the requirement for use in more than one place, a duplicate set of said discs may have to be provided, and thus cost more money.

3. A rigid box is inconvenient for mailing, which will cost more money.

4. The shape of a rigid box cannot be changed even when aesthetically displeasing.

Because the design of a conventional disc box is not ideal for use and has many drawbacks and inconveniences for users, the invention has for its object to provide a more convenient and versatile container.

The invention therefore provides a foldable container for magnetic data-bearing discs comprising a support sheet wherein a plurality of fold lines or hinged regions are provided for spreading out and folding the sheet, a plurality of pockets being provided on one surface thereof between said fold lines to hold magnetic discs, a plurality of releasable fastening tapes provided on front and/or reverse margins of said sheet, and a holding strap provided on the said container, which container is adapted to be folded into a pochette, or spread out or arranged as a boxed enclosure.

Thus the container may be arranged to form a free-standing box in a rectangular or triangular format, vertically or horizontally, and is foldable when not in use or empty.

Various examples of containers according to the invention are now described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container of the prior art.

Figure 2 is a front view of the structure of this invention in an opened-out condition.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the container shown in Figure I.

Figure 4 is a view of the container of Figure 1 in an alternate condition.

Figure 5 is a view of the container of Figure 1 folding for carrying as a pochette; and Figure 6 to 13 show further examples of containers according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a rigid box B according to the prior art. Figures 2 and 3 shows a container of the present invention comprising a support sheet 1 in which are provided a plurality of fold lines or hinged regions 2, 21, 22, 23, to enable the sheet 1 to be folded or spread out. A plurality of pockets 3,31, 32 33 are provided on the sheet, arranged respectively between the right hand margin of the sheet and fold 2, folds 2 and 21, 21 and 22, and 22 and 23. Thus five pockets are arranged in four rows to hold up to twenty discs. Strips 4, 41, 42 of releasable fastening tape, which may be formed from polypropylene tape of the type known as Velcro (R.T.M.) are provided on the side margins of the sheet 1 and a holding strap 5 is also provided.

In use, as shown in Figure 4 and 5, the container sheet 1 may be folded about the fold lines 2, 21, 22 and 23 to form a freestanding boxed enclosure which the pockets 3, 31, 32, 33 face outwardly, the box being retained in position by bringing the tapes into contact with one another. After use the polypropylene tapes 4, 41 may be pulled apart, the folds 2, 21, 22, 23 may be reversely folded to make the pockets 3, 31, 32, 33 face inwardly and then to fasten the polypropylene tapes 4, 42 with each other, whereupon the container 1 resembles a handbag as shown in Figure 5 capable of being carried and suspended. The said discs may be picked out for use, in a manner similar to picking out name cards from an album.In addition, various numbers of said folds and different positions of said polypropylene fastening tapes may lead to different shapes or folding and speading-out of the containers as shown in Figure 6 to 13, with great versatility.

Thus the container of the invention offers a portable magnetic disc pouch which can be very easily and conveniently opened out so as to stand, folded in the manner of a name card album for use, and after use, folded into a pochette for carrying or hanging or placing it in a suitcase, handbag or overcoat pocket.

An secondary advantage of this invention is to make use of the container of this invention to fold it for carrying it or to spread it out for use from time to time. Therefore, those users who use it at home and in office need only purchase one disc container since they can carry it with them very conveniently, and as a result, they can save their money.

Another advantage of this invention is to make use of the container of this invention to fold it and reduce its volume for shipping and mailing.

In short, this invention has the foregoing advantages, convenience and practicability.

1. A portable container for magnetic databearing discs wherein the magnetic disc container comprises into a support sheet wherein a plurality of fold lines or hinged regions are provided for spreading out and folding the sheet, a plurality of pockets being provided on one surface thereof between said fold lines to hold megnetic discs, a plurality of releasable fastening tapes provided on front and/or reverse margins of said sheet, and a holding strap provided on the said container, which container is adapted to be folded into a pochette, or spread out or arranged as a boxed enclosure.