Memory media carrier and method of manufacture

Abstract

A carrier for storing a plurality of memory devices therein and a method of manufacture for the carrier are provided. The carrier includes a jacket having a plurality of interconnected panels. A hinge member is applied to a hinge edge of containers and at least a portion of one of the panels of the jacket to mount a stack of containers within the jacket.

1 . A carrier for storing a plurality of individual memory devices, said carrier comprising: 
 a jacket having a plurality of panels, including a front panel, a back panel, a spine panel and a panel portion, said front and back panels being connected to the spine panel and the panel portion being positioned adjacent a first side edge of the spine panel;    a plurality of containers each having a hinge edge;    a hinge member secured to each of the containers adjacent the hinge edge of the containers hingedly joining the containers in a stack, said stack of hingedly attached trays being attached to the panel portion wherein one surface of the panel portion overlying and being secured to an exposed surface of the hinge member at least partially mounting the stack to the jacket with the hinge edges being generally parallel to said first side edge.    
   
   
       2 . A carrier as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the panel portion being part of said back panel.  
   
   
       3 . A carrier as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the back panel, spine panel, panel portion and front panel being integral with one another.  
   
   
       4 . A carrier as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the jacket is formed of paperboard.  
   
   
       5 . A carrier as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the back panel drawing a plurality of layers and the panel portion being a portion of one of said layers.  
   
   
       6 . A carrier as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of layers including on outer layer and at least one inner layer, said panel portion being a portion of the inner layer.  
   
   
       7 . The carrier of  claim 6  wherein the hinge member including a strip of material with adhesive applied on opposite faces of the strip prior to attachment to the containers.  
   
   
       8 . The carrier of  claim 7  including a reinforcing member secured to a face of the strip.  
   
   
       9 . The carrier of  claim 6  wherein the hinge member having a side margin portion secured to the panel portion and being positioned between the outer layer and an inner layer.  
   
   
       10 . The carrier of  claim 9  wherein at least one said carrier overlying and selectively engageable with an inner surface of said back panel and being movable relative thereto about a portion of the hinge member.  
   
   
       11 . The carrier as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the containers including trays having recesses for receipt of memory devices therein.  
   
   
       12 . The carrier as set forth in  claim 9  including a memory device removably mounted in a respective recess, said media device including at least one of a DVD or CD.  
   
   
       13 . A method of making a carrier for storing a plurality of memory devices, said method comprising: 
 forming a jacket with a plurality of panels including a front panel, back panel, spine panel and panel portion, said panel portion being positioned adjacent a first side edge of the spine panel;    forming a stack of plurality of containers, each container having a hinge edge;    aligning the hinge edges in a said stack;    applying a hinge member to the hinge edges of the containers in a stack to hingedly connect the containers in the stack together to form a hinged assembly; and    securing the hinge member to the panel portion with the panel portion overlying and being secured to an exposed surface of the hinge member.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the stacks are positioned in end edge to end edge relationship prior to application of the hinge member.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the hinge member is formed from a strip of material which is applied to the hinge edges and then cut between abutting stacks of containers.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the strip of material is a double sided adhesive strip.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the panel portion is part of the back panel and having a free edge positioned adjacent and generally parallel to a side edge of the spine panel.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  forming the back panel from at least first and second layers with said panel portion being part of said first layer.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said panel portion being movable relative to the second layer at least prior to attachment of the hinge member to the panel portion.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein a side edge margin portion of the hinge member being attached to the panel portion on a surface portion thereof between the first and second layers.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the panels are integral with one another.