Sleeve for holding digital video discs and graphics

#This invention relates to sleeves for holding recording discs, and more specifically digital video discs and their accompanying graphics.

#Compact discs, or “CD”'s as they are commonly called, carry digital information such as sound and music recordings and more recently movies and video games with accompanying sound known as Digital Video Discs (hereinafter collectively “DVDs”). The DVDs replace popular video cassettes which are typically played on video cassette recorders (VCRs), and more commonly may be played on personal computers.

#DVDs are generally sold to consumers in “jewel boxes” which are rigid plastic containers which carry both the DVD and accompanying graphics which identify the particular movie, video game or program contained on the DVD. The jewel boxes are bulky, difficult to store and are not conveniently opened or closed to remove the DVD. Furthermore, the graphics sold in association with the DVDs are oversized and generally resemble the size and shape of video cassettes as apposed to the width and length of the DVD. That is, the graphics are generally much longer than the DVD and additionally slightly wider. Thus, storing the DVD in a form of flexible, lightweight storage sleeve and the corresponding graphics in a sleeve with equal sized pockets is problematic.

#FIG. 1, is a front elevation view of a DVD storage sleeve with protective flap and a binding strip adapted for inserting the storage sleeve into a 3-ring binder and including a circular shaped DVD stop seal;

#FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the DVD storage sleeve shown in FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the DVD storage sleeve of FIG. 1 shown with a DVD partially inserted in the DVD pocket;

#Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a first embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, the drawing shows a front elevation view of a DVD storage sleeve 2 capable of holding one DVD disc 4 and the associated graphics 26.

#The DVD sleeve 2 is generally comprised of a front or top sheet 6, a middle sheet 18 and a back sheet 20. A DVD pocket 22 or sleeve capable of holding a DVD is formed between the front sheet 6 and middle sheet 18 while a second graphics pocket 24 or sleeve is formed between the middle sheet 18 and back sheet 20 for holding the graphics 22 associated with the DVD FIG. 2 depicts a rear elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

#In one aspect of the present invention, both the front sheet 6 and middle sheet 18 are comprised of a spun-bonded, non-woven material to prevent scratching of the DVD. In an alternative embodiment, a non-woven material such as Veratece is provided. Alternatively, woven materials or other non-woven materials such as Sontara® can be used with or without any type of reinforced backing sheet made of polypropylene or other similar materials. The back sheet 20 is preferably a transparent polypropylene material which enables the user to clearly see the graphics positioned in the graphics storage pocket. Alternatively, any other type of transparent material may be used as appreciated by one skilled in the art. Various embodiments of the present invention sleeve design which have a configuration for storing two DVD's and not the accompanying graphics would preferably use non-woven materials for the front sheet 6, middle sheet 18 and back sheet 20.