GB2319764A

GB2319764A - Storage device

Info

Publication number: GB2319764A
Application number: GB9624638A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Smith
Original assignee: CAPITAL TOOLING Ltd
Current assignee: CAPITAL TOOLING Ltd
Priority date: 1996-11-27
Filing date: 1996-11-27
Publication date: 1998-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 2016-11-27
Also published as: GB9624638D0; GB2319764B

Abstract

A storage device comprises an insert (1) arranged to be received within a correspondingly-shaped storage sleeve and having a pair of opposed side walls (1') of which at least one has a portion (4) for gripping the storage sleeve when received therein, and a tray (11) which includes means for removably retaining at least one article therein and which is slidably accommodated or accommodatable in the insert (1) between the pair of opposed side walls (1') thereof. The article may be a compact disc or CD-ROM.

Description

STORAGE DEVICE DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a storage device particularly, but not exclusively, intended for use in storing compact discs, CD-ROMs, or other similar articles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage device which is relatively cheap to manufacture as well as easy and convenient to use and, in one particular embodiment, enables a compact and space-saving arrangement for storage of compact discs, CD-ROMs and similar articles requiring protected storage and careful handling.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage device comprising: an insert arranged to be received within a correspondingly-shaped storage sleeve and having a pair of opposed sidewalls of which at least one has a portion for gripping the storage sleeve when received therein; and a tray which includes means for removably retaining at least one article therein and which is slidably accommodated or accommodatable in the insert between the pair of opposed sidewalls thereof.

Preferably, the portion of the at least one sidewall of the insert for gripping the storage sleeve is arranged to grip an edge region of an open side of the storage sleeve when the insert is received fully within the sleeve. Such gripping portion may comprise a return shape projecting from the or each sidewall of the insert, preferably at an open end thereof, to provide a slot engageable with the edge region of the corresponding open side of the storage sleeve. The width of the or each slot may be slightly narrower than the thickness of the edge region(s) of the corresponding open side of the storage sleeve, to provide a friction fit therebetween.

The insert may be arranged to be received within a storage sleeve of generally rectangular shape and generally closed form except along one side which is open for receipt of the insert.

The insert and the tray may include complementary means arranged to provide mutual interengagement in order to releasably retain the tray in a closed position in which it is fully received within the insert. Such means may additionally or alternatively include interengageable stop means arranged to allow outward movement of the tray relative to the insert up to a limited stop position at which the respective stop means come into mutual interengagement to prevent complete withdrawal of the tray from the insert.

Thus, the tray may be of generally closed rectangular shape having a pair of opposed sidewalls, an adjoining basewall and an opposed frontwall. The tray may further include support means whereby an article(s) intended to be placed within the tray, for storage, may be supported therein clear of any of the aforesaid walls.

Preferably, the insert and tray are manufactured as a unitary structure having formations extending between the corresponding sidewalls thereof in order to hold the tray in a fixed position relative to the insert, the fixed formations being frangible in order to release the tray for sliding movement relative to the insert, when required for normal use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a storage device comprises a tray receiver having a pair of opposed sidewalls and an open end and a tray accommodated within the tray receiver so as to lie between the opposed sidewalls thereof and being held in fixed position by formations which extend between the tray and tray receiver and which are frangible, to release the tray from the tray receiver, whereby the tray can be slid outwardly or inwardly of the tray receiver through the open end thereof.

Preferably, the tray receiver is intended for insertion within the interior of a storage sleeve of corresponding shape and generally closed form except along one side which is open for receipt of the tray receiver. Preferably also, each sidewall of the tray receiver is formed, at the open end of the tray receiver, with a portion arranged to grip a region of an edge of the open side of the storage sleeve when the tray receiver is fully received therein.

The tray may be of generally closed rectangular shape having a pair of opposed sidewalls, an adjoining basewall and an opposed frontwall. The tray may further include support means whereby articles intended to be placed within the tray, for storage, may be supported therein clear of any of the aforesaid walls.

Preferably, the frangible formations between the tray and tray receiver interconnect the interior surfaces of the sidewalls of the tray receiver with adjacent exterior surfaces of the sidewalls of the tray, both the tray receiver and tray, along with the frangible formations, being moulded in one piece as a unitary structure.

Preferably also, means is/are provided for cooperative mutual interengagement between the tray and tray receiver for releasably retaining the tray in a closed position within the tray receiver and/or for limiting relative sliding movement of the tray outwardly of the tray receiver during normal use.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a storage device comprising a tray and a tray receiver, the tray receiver having a pair of opposed sidewalls and an open end, the tray being accommodated within the tray receiver so as to lie between the opposed sidewalls thereof, the method comprising forming the tray and tray receiver as a unitary structure with formations between the tray and tray receiver, the formations being frangible, whereby the tray may be released from the tray receiver for sliding relative thereto through the open end thereof.

Preferably, the unitary structure of the tray, tray receiver and formations therebetween are moulded from a plastics material.

Preferably also, the tray receiver is manufactured and arranged to be received within a storage sleeve, preferably of generally rectangular shape and having a generally closed form except along one side which is open for receipt of the tray receiver. Each sidewall of the tray receiver may be manufactured, at the open end thereof, with a portion for gripping an edge region of said one side of the storage sleeve when the tray receiver is fully inserted therein.

Exterior surfaces of the sidewalls of the tray receiver may be manufactured with projections for engaging interior surfaces of the storage sleeve for the purpose of creating retention-enhancing engagement between such sidewall surfaces and the corresponding interior surfaces of the storage sleeve.

Preferably, the storage device is manufactured with complementary means on the tray receiver and tray for cooperative mutual interengagement in order to limit relative sliding movement between the tray receiver and tray after the frangible formations have been broken. Such complementary interengageable means may be manufactured and arranged to retain releasably the tray in a fully closed position relative to the tray receiver and/or to provide a limited stop position, at an open position of the tray relative to the tray receiver, for preventing complete withdrawal of the tray from the tray receiver.

The tray receiver may be generally U-shaped having its pair of opposed sidewalls joined by a basewall which lies opposite its open end.

Preferably, the tray is of generally closed, rectangular shape having a pair of opposed sidewalls, an adjoining basewall and an opposed frontwall. The tray may be manufactured to further include support means, whereby articles intended to be placed within the tray, for storage, may be supported therein clear of any of the aforesaid walls.

In the simplest case, the article support means of the tray may be constituted by a base member of planar form which is moulded integrally with the sidewalls, basewall and frontwall in order to render the tray as a simple drawer. However, for the purpose of providing a space-saving storage device for articles such as compact discs or CD-ROMs, it is preferred that the support means is manufactured to comprise a pillar, or pillars, provided within the tray, preferably integrally moulded with its walls, for receiving and retaining compact discs or CD-ROMs in a stacked, preferably interleaved, array.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a storage device comprises a storage sleeve having an open side, an insert received or arranged to be received within the storage sleeve through its open side and having a pair of opposed sidewalls and an open end, a tray which is slidably accommodated, or accommodatable, within the insert so as to lie between the opposed sidewalls thereof, means retaining or arranged to retain the insert within the storage sleeve, and means retaining, or arranged to retain, the tray within the insert such that the tray may be released from the insert and slid outwardly or inwardly relative thereto through the open end of the insert when the insert is retained within the storage sleeve.

Preferably, the insert is a close, friction fit within the storage sleeve and each sidewall of the insert may be formed, at the open end of the insert, with a portion receiving and gripping an edge region of the open side of the storage sleeve. Preferably also, the exterior surfaces of the sidewalls of the insert and/or the interior surfaces of the sidewalls of the sleeve are formed with formations, such as sawtooth projections, which enhance the frictional grip between the insert and the storage sleeve.

The means retaining the tray within the insert may include frangible means, preferably formed integrally and between the tray and insert, retaining the tray initially in a fixed position relative to the insert.

Preferably also, the retaining means includes means for cooperative mutual interengagement between the tray and insert after the frangible means has been broken to release the tray from its initial fixed position relative to the insert.

Preferably, such interengagement means is arranged to releasably retain the tray in a closed position relative to the insert and/or to provide a limited stop position, or open position, of the tray relative to the insert to prevent further or complete withdrawal of the tray from the insert.

Again, the storage sleeve may be of generally rectangular shape of generally closed form, being open only along the said one side. Preferably, the insert is a generally U-shaped member having its pair of opposed sidewalls joined by a basewall which lies opposite the open end of the insert.

aspects thereof, will now be described in greater detail, and by way only of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates in plan view a unitary structure, as manufactured, of an insert or tray receiver, and a tray, of the storage device.

Referring now to the drawing, a storage device comprises an outer, storage sleeve (not shown), an insert or tray receiver, generally indicated at 1, and a tray, generally indicated at 11.

The storage sleeve may be constituted by a known form of container for a videotape cassette and is preferably of generally rectangular shape of generally closed form, except along one side which is open.

The insert or tray receiver 1 is constructed and arranged to fit within the storage sleeve as aforesaid, by being received therein through the open side thereof. To this end, the insert 1 has a pair of opposed sidewalls 1' and an open end. It may also have a basewall 1'' adjoining the sidewalls 1' so as to lie opposite the open end, thus forming a generally U-shape. Each sidewall 1' has, on its exterior surface, means for enhancing close frictional engagement between those exterior surfaces of the insert 1 and the adjacent interior surfaces of the storage sleeve, when the insert is received within the storage sleeve, in order to resist any tendency of the insert 1 to be withdrawn from the storage sleeve during normal use of the storage device.

Means for providing this retention-enhancing frictional engagement comprises one or more projections 2 on the exterior surfaces of the sidewalls 1' of the insert 1, the or each projection 2 having the form of a generally saw-toothed shape whose more steeply inclined edge faces towards the open end of the insert 1, as may readily be seen in the Figure.

Each sidewall 1' of the insert 1 is also formed, at the open end of the insert 1, with a formation 3 which includes a portion 4 for receiving and gripping an edge region of the open side of the storage sleeve, when the insert 1 is fully received therein. The formation 3 is a return shape, that is, it has the general form of a short arm projecting normally from the corresponding edge of the sidewall 1' and a limb extending parallel with the sidewall 1' and spaced therefrom. Thus, there is defined the grip portion 4 in the form of a slot between the limb and an adjacent end region of the exterior surface of the corresponding sidewall 1'. The facing interior surface of the limb preferably has a convex shape, as indicated at 3'', so that material of the edge region of the storage sleeve, when inserted in the grip portion 4, will be slightly compressed and, thus, tightly gripped. The short, normally projecting arm of the formation 3 further affords a forward facing surface 3' which provides a stop surface whose function will be described later.

The insert 1 is moulded from a synthetic plastics material as a unitary structure with the tray 11, there being integral frangible formations 12 moulded therewith and extending between interior surfaces of the sidewalls 1' of the insert 1 and exterior surfaces of the sidewalls 11' of the tray 11. Such integral formations 12 are sufficiently robust to hold the tray 11 in a fixed position within the insert 1 until such time as it is required to release the tray 11 from the insert 1 and put the storage device into normal operation. The integral formations 12 may then be broken, for example by exertion of a suitable force between the insert 1 and tray 11, such the tray 11 may then slide relative to the insert 1.

As can be seen in the drawing, the tray 11 is of generally rectangular shape and takes the form of a generally closed rectangular body having the pair of opposed sidewalls 11', an adjoining basewall 11'', and a frontwall 13 with respective lateral extensions projecting laterally from the corresponding sidewalls 11' so as to afford a pair of planar surfaces 13'.

At or adjacent its open end, the insert 1 has a pair of inwardly extending projections 5 each affording a rearward facing surface 5' and an inward facing surface 5''. At some suitable location near the basewall 11'' of the tray 11 each sidewall 11' of the tray 11 has an outwardly facing projection 15, preferably having the same general form as that of the projection 5 of the insert 1, and providing a forward facing surface 15' and an outwardly facing surface 15''. When the tray 11 is slid inwards or outwards relative to the insert 1 the inwardly facing surfaces 5'' of the insert 1 and outward facing surfaces 15'' of the tray 11 make sliding contact with the exterior surfaces of the corresponding sidewalls 11' of the tray 11 and interior surfaces of the corresponding sidewalls 1' of the insert 1, as the case may be.

Thus, the tray 11 is guided smoothly in its relative motion within and with respect to the insert 1.

As the tray 11 is withdrawn, by such sliding motion, from the insert 1, eventually the rearward facing surfaces 5' of the projections 5 on the insert 1 and the forward facing surfaces 15' of the projections 15 on the tray 11 come into mutual cooperative interengagement whereby they form a limited stop preventing further withdrawal of the tray 11 from within the insert 1. At this limited stop position, the tray 11 resides at its open position relative to the insert 1, whereby articles may be inserted into the tray 11 for storage within the storage device, or, conversely, may be removed therefrom.

At suitable locations adjacent their respective basewalls 1", 11'', both the insert 1 and tray 11 are provided with complementary formations 6, 16 which constitute releasable retaining means for releasably retaining the tray 11 in its closed position relative to the insert 1, this position being reached when the tray 11 is pushed fully into the insert 1 as far as it will go. At this closed position, the rearward facing surfaces 13' of the frontwall 13 of the tray 11 abut, or nearly abut, the forward facing surfaces 3' afforded by the formations 3 at the open end of the insert 1.

The complementary formations 6, 16 forming the releasable retaining means comprise, on the one hand, a pair of projections 6 on the interior surfaces of the respective sidewalls 1' of the insert 1, each such projection 6 affording a generally concave recess 6'.

On the other hand, the exterior surfaces of the respective sidewalls 11' of the tray 11 afford a pair of projections 16 each having a generally convex shape 16'. As the tray 11 moves towards its closed position relative to the insert 1, the convex projections 16 of the tray 11 snap resiliently into the concavities of the projections 6 of the insert 1. The tray 11 is, thus, retained in its closed position relative to the insert 1.

Correspondingly, when it is desired to open the tray 11, traction effort applied thereto, for example by pulling on its frontwall 13 whilst holding the insert 1 stationary, permits the formations 6, 16 to resiliently disengage so that guided sliding movement between the tray 11 and insert 1 may occur as described above.

It will be appreciated that the insert 1 affords a generally open, U-shaped shell around the tray 11, but, if desired, the insert 1 may further include an upper and/or a lower planar member to constitute top and bottom major surfaces of the insert, thus rendering it a substantially closed rectangular shape open only at one end opposite the basewall 1''. If either or both of such optional upper and lower members is/are provided, it/they may, of course, be integrally moulded with the insert 1 as manufactured.

The tray 11, although described and illustrated as a closed, rectangular outline shape, will, of course, provide means for supporting therein one or more articles which are desired to be stored within the storage device. In the simplest case, a lower planar member may be integrally moulded with the walls of the tray 11 in order to form a bottom major surface on which articles to be stored may simply be rested.

However, it is preferred that a bottom of the tray 11 should be constituted by a member which not only closes the rectangular "window" 14 afforded by the sidewalls 11', basewall 11'' and frontwall 13 of the tray 11, but also provides a very specifically formed mounting means adapted for the mounting within the tray 11 of one or more compact discs, or CD-ROMs, which, as is well known, require protected storage and, therefore, careful handling if their informationbearing surfaces are not to be damaged.

It will readily be understood that because the storage sleeve (not shown) with which the unitary structure shown in the drawing is intended to be used, is preferably a rectangular sleeve constructed for reception of a standard videotape cassette, the insert 1 and tray 11 are of similar, rectangular shape and size. Compact discs and CD-ROMs are, of course, circular in outline shape. The interior width of the tray 11 is generally adequate to receive a compact disc or CD-ROM of standard dimensions, whilst the interior length of the tray 11 is greater than the width but insufficiently great to receive, in full side-by-side position, two compact discs or CD-ROMs.

However, and as disclosed in our co-pending British Patent Application No. 9610649.7, the support means provided for supporting articles within the tray 11 may comprise a pair of pillars (not shown) arranged at a centre-to-centre spacing which is only marginally greater than a maximum radial dimension of any single compact disc or CD-ROM, and arranged to mount, in vertically spaced fashion on each pillar, a plurality of compact discs or CD-ROMs. The compact discs or CD ROMs on each pillar therefore lie in relatively interleaved positions with those on the other pillar, as described in the aforesaid co-pending patent application. The arrangement is such that, within the tray 11, there may be two interleaved stacks of compact discs or CD-ROMs, thus giving an extremely space saving storage arrangement for such articles.

Naturally, if desired, other types of articles may be stored within the tray 11, any such support means for these articles being specifically adapted to the intended article to be stored.

It will be understood that the unitary moulded structure, as manufactured, of the insert or tray receiver 1, and tray 11 held in fixed position within the insert or tray receiver 1 by the frangible formations 12, is intended to be inserted as a unit within the storage sleeve (not shown) and to be retained therein by the means described above provided on the insert 1. Thereafter, in order to bring the storage device into use, it is merely necessary to exert sufficient force, either by pushing or pulling sharply on the tray 11, for example at its frontwall 13, to break the formations 12 and, thus, release the tray 11 for sliding movement inwardly or outwardly of the insert 1 in the manner described hereinabove.

Since the sidewalls 1' of the insert 1 are retained by the surrounding storage sleeve (not shown) against outward deformation, and, hence against widening of the gap between the opposed surfaces 5" of the projections 5, the tray 11 is positively prevented from withdrawal from the insert 1 beyond the aforementioned limited stop afforded by interengagement of the respective surfaces 5', 15'.

Moreover, since the tray 11 may slide relatively freely within the insert 1, up to the limit afforded by the limited stop, the retaining means, whether constituted by the saw-tooth like projections 2, or otherwise, and the grip portions 4 of the insert 1 ensure that the insert 1 will be positively retained within the storage sleeve.

The synthetic plastics material used for manufacture of the unitary entity of the insert or tray receiver 1 and tray 11 is preferably acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), although other materials, and not necessarily synthetic plastics materials, may be used if desired.

It is, of course, conceivable that the assembly of the insert or tray receiver 1 and tray 11 may, in some circumstances, be adapted for use without the storage sleeve, and thus constitute a storage device according to the present invention in its own right.

Whilst the present invention has been described hereinabove in great detail related to the currently preferred embodiment of storage device, its scope is not to be limited thereby, but is to extend to all such variants as fall within the scope of the broadest statement contained herein of the present invention and/or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A storage device comprising: an insert arranged to be received within a correspondingly-shaped storage sleeve and having a pair of opposed sidewalls of which at least one has a portion for gripping the storage sleeve when received therein; and a tray which includes means for removably retaining at least one article therein and which is slidably accommodated or accommodatable in the insert between the pair of opposed sidewalls thereof.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the at least one sidewall of the insert for gripping the storage sleeve is arranged to grip an edge region of an open side of the storage sleeve when the insert is received fully within the sleeve.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said gripping portion comprises a return shape projecting from the or each sidewall of the insert to provide a slot engageable with the edge region of the corresponding open side of the storage sleeve.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the return shape projecting from the or each sidewall of the insert, is at an open end of the insert,

5. A device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the width of the or each slot is slightly narrower than the thickness of the edge region(s) of the corresponding open side of the storage sleeve, to provide a friction fit therebetween in use.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert is arranged to be received within a storage sleeve of generally rectangular shape and generally closed form, except along one side which is open for receipt of the insert.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert and the tray include complementary means arranged to provide mutual interengagement in order to releasably retain the tray in a closed position in which it is fully received within the insert.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said means additionally or alternatively includes interengageable stop means arranged to allow outward movement of the tray relative to the insert up to a limited stop position at which the respective stop means come into mutual interengagement to prevent complete withdrawal of the tray from the insert.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the tray is of generally closed rectangular shape having a pair of opposed sidewalls, an adjoining basewall and an opposed frontwall.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the tray further includes support means whereby an article(s) intended to be placed within the tray, for storage, may be supported therein clear of any of the aforesaid walls.

11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert and tray are manufactured as a unitary structure having formations extending between the corresponding sidewalls thereof in order to hold the tray in a fixed position relative to the insert, the formations being frangible in order to release the tray for sliding movement relative to the insert, when required for normal use.

12. A storage device comprising a tray receiver having a pair of opposed sidewalls and an open end and a tray accommodated within the tray receiver so as to lie between the opposed sidewalls thereof and being held in fixed position with respect of the tray receiver by formations which extend between the tray and tray receiver and which are frangible, to release the tray from the tray receiver, whereby the tray can be slid outwardly or inwardly of the tray receiver through the open end thereof.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the tray receiver is arranged to be inserted within the interior of a storage sleeve of corresponding shape and generally closed form except along one side which is open for receipt of the tray receiver.

14. A device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein each sidewall of the tray receiver is formed, at the open end of the tray receiver, with a portion arranged to grip a region of an edge of the open side of the storage sleeve, when the tray receiver is fully received therein.

15. A device according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the tray is of generally closed rectangular shape having a pair of opposed sidewalls, an adjoining basewall and an opposed frontwall.

16. A device according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the tray further includes support means whereby articles intended to be placed within the tray, for storage, may be supported therein clear of any of the aforesaid walls.

17. A device according to any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the frangible formations between the tray and tray receiver interconnect the interior surfaces of the sidewalls of the tray receiver with adjacent exterior surfaces of the sidewalls of the tray, both the tray receiver and tray, along with the frangible formations, being moulded in one piece as a unitary structure.

18. A device according to any of claims 12 to 17 including means for cooperative mutual interengagement between the tray and tray receiver for releasably retaining the tray in a closed position within the tray receiver and/or for limiting relative sliding movement of the tray outwardly of the tray receiver during normal use.

19. A method of manufacturing a storage device comprising a tray and a tray receiver, the tray receiver having a pair of opposed sidewalls and an open end, the tray being accommodated within the tray receiver so as to lie between the opposed sidewalls thereof, the method comprising forming the tray and tray receiver as a unitary structure with formations between the tray and tray receiver, the formations being frangible, whereby the tray may be released from the tray receiver for sliding relative thereto through the open end thereof.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the unitary structure of the tray, tray receiver and formations therebetween are moulded from a plastics material.

21. A method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the tray receiver is manufactured and arranged to be received within a storage sleeve, preferably of generally rectangular shape and having a generally closed form except along one side which is open for receipt of the tray receiver.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein each sidewall of the tray receiver is manufactured, at the open end thereof, with a portion for gripping an edge region of one side of the storage sleeve when the tray receiver is fully inserted therein.

23. A method according to any of claims 21 or 22, wherein exterior surfaces of the sidewalls of the tray receiver are manufactured with projections for engaging interior surfaces of the storage sleeve for the purpose of creating retention-enhancing engagement between such sidewall surfaces and the corresponding interior surfaces of the storage sleeve.

24. A method according to any of claims 19 to 23, wherein the storage device is manufactured with complementary means on the tray receiver and tray for cooperative mutual interengagement in order to limit relative sliding movement between the tray receiver and tray after the frangible formations have been broken.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein said complementary interengageable means are manufactured and arranged to retain releasably the tray in a fully closed position relative to the tray receiver and/or to provide a limited stop position, at an open position of the tray relative to the tray receiver, for preventing complete withdrawal of the tray from the tray receiver.

26. A method according to any of claims 19 to 25, wherein the tray receiver is generally U-shaped, having its pair of opposed sidewalls joined by a basewall which lies opposite its open end.

27. A method according to any of claims 19 to 26, wherein the tray is of generally closed, rectangular shape having a pair of opposed sidewalls, an adjoining basewall and an opposed frontwall.

28. A method according to any of claims 19 to 27, wherein the tray is manufactured to further include support means, whereby articles intended to be placed within the tray, for storage, may be supported therein clear of any of the aforesaid walls.

29. A method according to any of claims 19 to 28, wherein said support means is manufactured to comprise a pillar or pillars within the tray, preferably moulded integrally with its walls, for receiving and retaining compact discs or CD-ROMs in a stacked, preferably interleaved, array.

30. A storage device comprising a storage sleeve having an open side, an insert received or arranged to be received within the storage sleeve through its open side and having a pair of opposed sidewalls and an open end, a tray which is slidably accommodated, or accommodatable, within the insert so as to lie between the opposed sidewalls thereof, means retaining or arranged to retain the insert within the storage sleeve, and means retaining, or arranged to retain, the tray within the insert such that the tray may be released from the insert and slid outwardly or inwardly relative thereto through the open end of the insert when the insert is retained within the storage sleeve.

31. A device according to claim 30, wherein the insert is a close, friction fit within the storage sleeve

32. A device according to claim 30 or 31, wherein each sidewall of the insert is formed, at the open end thereof, with a portion receiving and gripping an edge region of the open side of the storage sleeve.

33. A device according to claim 30, 31, or 32, wherein the exterior surfaces of the sidewalls of the insert and/or the interior surfaces of the sidewalls of the sleeve are formed with formations, such as sawtooth projections, which enhance the frictional grip between the insert and the sleeve.

34. A device according to any of claims 30 to 33, wherein said means retaining the tray within the insert includes frangible means, preferably formed integrally with and between the tray and insert, retaining the tray initially in a fixed position relative to the insert.

35. A device according to claim 34, wherein said retaining means includes means for cooperative mutual interengagement between the tray and insert after the frangible means has been broken to release the tray from its initial fixed position relative to the insert.

36. A device according to claim 35, wherein said interengagement means is arranged to releasably retain the tray in a closed position relative to the insert and/or to provide a limited stop position, or open position, of the tray relative to the insert, to prevent further or complete withdrawal of the tray from the insert.

37. A device according to any of claims 30 to 36, wherein the storage sleeve may be of generally rectangular shape of generally closed form, being open along the said one side.

38. A device according to any of claims 30 to 37, wherein the insert is a generally U-shaped member having its pair of opposed sidewalls joined by a basewall which lies opposite the open end of the insert.

39. A storage device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

40. A method of manufacturing a storage device, substantially as hereinbefore described.