GB2055702A - Container with writing surface - Google Patents

Abstract

A videotape cassette box 1 includes a pad 2 which allows information about programmes recorded on the tape to be written on the box. The pad includes an erasing arrangement of, e.g. the "magic slate" kind by which the pad can be wiped clean partially or completely when the tape is re-recorded so as to allow the written information to be updated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to containers for magnetic recording media This invention concerns improvements in and relating to containers for magnetic recording media, and has particular but not exclusive application to containers for magnetic tape cassettes such as videotape cassettes.

In the past videotape cassettes have been supplied in a box, and self-adhesive labels are provided for the box to enable the user to make a note of the programmes recorded in the cassette. Each time the tape of the cassette is partially or completely erased and rerecorded, a new label is required to update the information on the cassette box. The provision and use of such self-adhesive labels is inconvenient if the tape is to be re-recorded several times.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a container for a magnetic recording media on which is mounted a pad on which information can be written about programmes recorded on said media, said pad including means to erase the written information selectively or completely.

In one preferred form of the present invention, the pad comprises a pressure sensitive device including sheets of material adapted to adhere to one another in response to an applied pressure, the adhering portions thereof adopting a different tonal characteristic to the remainder thereof, whereby to permit information to be written thereon with a stylus. The erasing means for such sheets preferably comprises a bar so arranged for movement between and relative to the sheets so as to separate them and thereby erase the written information.

In one example of the invention, the container comprises a box which receives a videotape cassette. The pad may be incorporated into the box, or may be provided as a separate unit for installation on an existing box.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood and readily carried into effect an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container for a video cassette, in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 with its erasable note pad partially withdrawn such as to erase information written on the pad, the pad being shown partially broken away so as to reveal its structure.

A box 1, open on one side, comprises a videotape cassette container and typically is of the type used to hold a "Sony" videotape cassette, although it will of course be apparent that other types can be used. The box 1 has on one of its surfaces a pad 2 on which information can be written about programmes recorded on the magnetic tape. The pad 2 is so arranged that it can be slid from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2. Such sliding motion causes the information written on the pad 2 to be erased automatically.

The pad consists of a metal base plate 3 which is overlaid by a sheet of carbon impregnated paper 4. The sheet 4 is overlaid by a sheet of waxy-greaseproof paper like material which is itself covered by a sheet of cellophane 6 or like transparent plastics material.

The metal base plate 3 has turned over end portions 3a which hold the various sheets in position. The cellophane sheet 6 has on it a pre-printed form 7 defining boxes in which can be written the title of a recorded programme, and also the reading of the footage indicator of the videotape player so as to enable the programme to be found easily on the tape.

The pad 2 further includes a bar 8 mounted so as to be fixed relative to the box 1 and so as to extend transversely between the sheet of carbon impregnated paper 4 and the greaseproof like paper sheet 5.

The pad 2 is pressure sensitive in a manner known per se and information can be written onto it by applying pressure with a stylus (not shown), the pressure causing the carbon impregnated sheet 4 to adhere selectively to the waxy sheet 6 where the stylus pressure has been applied, so as to cause a black line to be formed where the sheets adhere to one another. The black line effectively corresponds to an ink line from the stylus, even though the stylus has not itself applied ink to the pad 2.

To partially erase the pad 2 it is slid to the position shown in Fig. 2, and the function of the bar 8 is to separate the sheets 4 and 5 and thereby erase the written information on part of the pad 2. When the pad is slid to move the bar 8 fully across the pad, all of the information will be erased.

The pre-printed form 7 on the pad 2 is so arranged that withdrawal of the pad 2 causes information to be erased in the same order that programmes would be re-recorded on the tape, so that when a tape is partially rerecorded, the pad can be partially erased so as to leave on the pad the information about programes which have not been erased from the tape, thereby avoiding the necessity to erase the pad completely and then re-write some of the old programme information back onto the pad.

As shown in the drawings, the box is manufactured in such a way as to define a recess 9 in which the pad 2 is slidably mounted.

However in an alternative arrangement the pad and its erasing means are formed as a unit to be mounted on an existing cassette box. The unit typically is provided with a self adhesive pad for attachment to the box. Also, whilst the pad 2 shown in the drawings is on a major side of the box 1, the pad could instead be placed on the end surface 10 of the box such that the box 1 can be placed like a book on a shelf, with the programme information being displayed.

Whilst the described example of the invention concerns a video cassette box, it will be appreciated that the invention has application to other magnetic tape cassette containers such as Phillips audio tape cassette boxes, or containers for computer discs, drums or tapes, for example.

Claims (7)

1. A container containing a magnetic recording media, including a pad on which legends can be written about information recorded on said media, said pad including means to erase the written legends selectively or completely.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the pad comprises a pressure sensitive device including sheets of material adapted to adhere to one another in response to an applied pressure, adhering portions of the sheets adopting a different tonal characteristic to the remainder thereof, whereby to permit information to be written thereon with a stylus.

3. A container according to claim 2 wherein the erasing means comprises a bar arranged for movement between and relative to the sheets so as to separate them and erase the written information.

4. A container according to any preceding claim comprising a box which receives a videotape cassette.

5. A container according to any preceding claim including self adhesive means attaching the pad to the container.

6. A container according to any preceding claim wherein said pad includes a pre-printed form so arranged to permit legends to be written on the pad in a sequence corresponding to and representative of a sequence of information recorded on said magnetic recording media, the erasing means being arranged to progressively erase said written sequence of legends from one end thereof and in the same direction as information can be re-recorded on said media.

7. A container for containing a videotape cassette, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.