IMPROVED MASS MEMORY
The present invention relate to an improved mass memory. More specifically the invention concerns a mass memory, having a shape chosen in function of the specific needings, comprised of a support and of a mass memory support element, fixed to or removably coupled with said support.
As it is well known, different kind of optical supports to memorise data exist. Particularly, only readable discs (CD-ROM), readable discs (CD-R) or writable discs (CD-RW), which are very commonly used in the music, video and photo industry as well as in the software field.
A particular kind of video CD is presently comprised of DVD, wherein the optically active surface comprises a double optically active layer. Recently, cards containing memorised information have been proposed on the market, having various shape, even if mainly of rectangular shape, provided with means allowing their reading in standard CD or DVD reading units already available on the market.
They mainly are only readable cards, the positioning systems of which can be comprised of beads and steps allowing a proper positioning within the reading unit.
Cards already available on the market are single piece cards obtained employing different manufacturing techniques, such as injection moulding, or punching, employing as base material polycarbonate, material comprising the base to realise CD.
However, different problems have been encountered in the production and realisation of said shaped cards, problems mainly connected with the need and impossibility of reducing the thickness of the card in correspondence of the zone which must not be read, and with the realisation of readable cards.
In view of the above, the Applicant has realised and prepared an innovative solution for the production of mass memory able to solve all the above mentioned drawbacks.
Main object of the present invention is that of providing a mass memory of any kind, i.e. readable, writable or readable/writable, that can be realised by very simple techniques, employing materials very convenient under an economical point of view.
A further object of the present invention is that of realising a decomposable mass memory, in such a way to be able to separately produce the support, i.e. the shaped outer portion to be introduced within the reading unit, and the central part, or disc, eventually variously shaped. Still another object of the present invention is that of realising a mass memory the disc portion of which can be a standard readable, writable or readable - writable mini - disc.
Another object of the present invention is that of proposing a mass memory the support of which can be comprised of plastic material having "poorer" features than that of the disc portion, since it must only respect the structural resistance needing, without memorising information. Another object of the present invention is that of realising a mass memory the support part of which is realised by a material allowing to realise inscriptions or positioning means by embossing. It is therefore specific object of the present invention a mass memory comprising a support, provided with means for positioning in a reading unit, and with a shaped opening, and a mass memory support element, shaped in such a way to be coupled within said shaped opening of the support and centrally provided with a hole for coupling with said reading unit, on said support being provided means for coupling said mass memory support element.
Preferably, according to the invention, said memory support element can be of the readable, writable or readable/writable kind.
Furthermore, according to the invention, said mass memory support element has a substantially circular shape.
Particularly, according to the invention, said mass memory support element can be provided with a central or offset hole.
Always according to the invention, said support can be comprised of plastic material, preferably PVC, while said mass memory support element is preferably realised by polycarbonate.
In a preferred embodiment of the mass memory according to the invention, said means for fixing said mass memory support element to said support are comprised of a projection peripherally realised on the upper part of the edge of said shaped opening, said support being comprised of plastic material having elastic properties, in such a way to be able to be flex, to enlarge the shaped opening, allowing the insertion of the
mass memory support element within the same and its blocking by said peripheral projection.
According to the invention, said projection can be continuous or comprised of separated lengths, in the latter case being it possible that it is comprised of the end of the means to position the support within the reading unit.
Furthermore, according to the invention, on the edge of the memory support coupling means with the inner edge of said shaped opening can be provided, preferably friction means. In another embodiment of the mass memory according to the invention, said means for fixing said mass memory support element to said support can be comprised of glue provided between the two mating surfaces of the shaped opening and of the mass memory support element.
Still in an embodiment of the mass memory according to the invention, said means for fixing said mass memory support element to said support can be comprised of mating threads respectively realised on said shaped opening and on the lateral edge of said mass memory support element.
In a further embodiment of the mass memory according to the invention, said means for fixing said mass memory support element to said support can be comprised of a bayonet coupling between the peripheral edge of said shaped opening and the peripheral edge of the mass memory support element.
Always according to the invention, said means for positioning the support in a reading unit can be comprised of shaped or not projections, beads and like.
The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: figures 1a and 1b are plan views of the two elements comprising a mass memory according to a first embodiment of the invention; figure 2 shows a detail of the mass memory of figure 1 ; figures 3a and 3b are plan views of the two elements comprising a mass memory according to a second embodiment of the invention; figure 4 is an exploded view of the mass memory of figure 4;
figures 5a and 5b are plan views of the two elements comprising a mass memory according to a third embodiment of the invention; figures 6a and 6b are lateral views of the elements of figures 5a and 5b; figures 7a and 7b are plan views of the two elements comprising a mass memory according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; figures 8a and 8b are lateral views of the elements of figures 7a and 7b; and figure 9 is an exploded view of the mass memory of figure 7.
In all the enclosed figures, a solution of the mass memory according to the present invention is shown, providing a substantially rectangular support 1 , having rounded corners and round central opening 2, wherein a mass memory support element 3 couples, said element 3 having a round shape, and it can be a standard mini-disc.
Obviously, as already said, support 1 , opening 2 and element 3 can take any wished shape allowing their reading within standard CD reading units. Furthermore, always in all the enclosed figures, means for positioning the support 1 within the reading unit are shown as two triangular projections 4, even if they could be in different number and of different shape, not being them a limitation of the scope of the present invention. Substantially, all the different embodiments shown differ each other for the means for coupling the opening 2 and the mass memory support element 3.
In the different figures, the same parts will be indicated by the same reference numbers. Referring first to figures 1a, 1b and 2, a solution is shown wherein the support 1 is comprised of flexible material providing a "retaining" ring 5 sized in such a way to keep within the opening 2 of the support 1 , or in any case adhering to the same, the preferably optical (CD, DVD, etc.) mass memory support element 3. Insertion and removal of said element 3 of the support 1 will be made exploiting the elastic properties of the same support 1 , and consequently of the retaining ring 5, in such a way to make a flexion of the
support 1 to induce an elastic deformation of the ring 5, with the consequent enlarging of its perimeter. In this way, it will be possible to fixedly insert the element 3 within the ring 5; release of the support 1 will cause the elastic return of the same, taking again a flat shape, and thus the locking in position of the element 3.
Said solution is particularly advantageous, since it allows to use the mini-discs already available on the market without modifying the same.
As already said, it is also possible to provided coupling means, preferably friction means, between the shaped opening 2 and the element 3.
Coming now to refer to figures 3a, 3b and 4, a second embodiment of the mass memory according to the invention is shown wherein the coupling between the support 1 and the mass memory support element 3 occurs by gluing. In this case too it is possible to use the mini-discs already available on the market, but the coupling between the support 1 and the element 3 is fixed, thus the same support cannot be used for different elements 3.
In the solution shown in figures 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b, the coupling between the mass memory support element 3 and the support 1 is obtained by threads, respectively realised on the inner edge of the opening 2 and the lateral edge of the mass memory support element 3.
Finally, in the solution shown in to figures from 7 to 9, coupling is obtained by bayonet joint between seats 8 and projections 9 respectively realised on the inner edge of the opening 2 and the lateral edge of the mass memory support element 3.
The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.