Interconnectable Disc Tray with Dual-Side Hub Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current packaging solutions for electronic media discs, such as jewel cases, are prone to damage, bulky, and limited in capacity, as they are often brittle and designed to store only a single disc, with existing multi-disc storage solutions being thick, bulky, and inefficient in shelf space usage.

Innovation Solution

A customizable, interconnectable tray component system that allows for the storage of multiple discs on both sides of a flat, thin, rectangular tray, with hub portions and coupling elements to secure discs, enabling flexible arrangement and assembly of trays to accommodate various disc quantities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If jewel cases are used to store discs, then discs are protected from damage, but the cases are brittle and prone to breaking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of storage deviceVSAvoidbrittleness of plastic components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters from brittle plastic to flexible polymer material, transforming the mechanical properties of the storage device to eliminate brittleness while maintaining protective functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses flexible polymer composite materials that combine durability with flexibility, creating a storage device that is both strong and resistant to breaking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If jewel cases are used to store discs, then discs are protected, but the cases can only store a single disc

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidnumber of discs stored

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The tray is segmented into multiple hub portions that can be independently configured to hold discs, allowing the single tray to store multiple discs while maintaining individual protection for each

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tray component is designed with universal functionality to store multiple discs in various configurations (one disc per hub, multiple discs per hub), replacing the single-function jewel case

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If multiple discs are stored using traditional storage devices, then disc capacity increases, but the packaging becomes thick and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of discs storedVSAvoidthickness of packaging

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes both sides of the tray for disc storage, effectively adding a second dimensional plane for capacity expansion without increasing the thickness or volume of the packaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple discs are arranged in a compact nested configuration on the tray, with hub portions positioned to maximize space utilization while maintaining a thin profile

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Quantity of substance

If traditional multi-disc storage devices are used, then disc capacity increases, but shelf space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of discs storedVSAvoidshelf space occupied

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By utilizing both sides of the tray for disc storage, the invention doubles the storage capacity within the same footprint area, effectively reducing the shelf space required per disc stored

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10127946B2Electronic media disc storage tray component

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 JOHNS BYRNE LLC

AI summary

Product packaging for electronic media discs including a tray component with hub portions arranged on one or more opposing surfaces of the tray for storage of a plurality of discs. Each tray component includes one or more tab portions for quick and easy assembly and disassembly with other trays such that any number of trays may be interconnected together providing customizable product packing.