초록 ▼

A protective housing assembly, and an associated method, for storing optical storage media, such as a compact disc or digital video disc. The housing assembly includes a housing base member and a housing cover member that are positionable in a confronting arrangement that defines an enclosure. When

A protective housing assembly, and an associated method, for storing optical storage media, such as a compact disc or digital video disc. The housing assembly includes a housing base member and a housing cover member that are positionable in a confronting arrangement that defines an enclosure. When storage media is positioned at the area forming the enclosure, and the housing base and cover members are positioned in the confronting arrangement, an airtight enclosure is formed. Air is evacuated out of the enclosure by an evacuator to form vacuum conditions at the enclosure. Environmental elements that might degrade or damage the storage media are maintained thereby out of contact with the storage media.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A protective housing assembly for releasably storing optical media, when stored therein, the optical media maintained in isolation from ambient environmental conditions, the optical media of first diametrical dimensions, said protective housing assembly comprising: a housing base member

I claim: 1. A protective housing assembly for releasably storing optical media, when stored therein, the optical media maintained in isolation from ambient environmental conditions, the optical media of first diametrical dimensions, said protective housing assembly comprising: a housing base member of dimensions at least corresponding to the first diametrical dimensions of the optical media, said housing base member having a base-member spindle for supportively engaging the optical media in releasable engagement thereat; a housing cover member hingedly connected to said housing base member, such that, when the optical media is engaged at the base-member spindle, and said housing cover is rotated to be positioned upon said base housing member, said housing cover member and said housing base member together define an enclosure that encloses the optical media; and a pump at least engageable in fluid connectivity with the enclosure defined by said housing base member together with said housing cover member when positioned thereon, said pump for pumping air out of the enclosure to a selected level of vacuum, thereby to maintain the optical media in the isolation from the ambient environmental conditions. 2. The protective housing assembly of claim 1 wherein the optical media comprises at least a first optical media disc, and wherein said housing base member comprises a base member inner face surface at which the first optical media disc is positionable in supportive engagement thereat. 3. The protective housing assembly of claim 2 wherein the first optical media disc comprises a centrally-positioned through hole of a selected radial dimension extending therethrough, and wherein the base-member spindle is of radial dimensions substantially corresponding to the selected radial dimension of the through hole, permitting seating of the first optical disc member thereabout supportively in the releasable engagement. 4. The supportive housing assembly of claim 3 wherein the optical media comprises the first optical media disc and at least a second optical media disc, the second optical media disc also comprising a centrally-positioned through hole of the selected radial dimension, the second optical media disc also permitting of seating about the base-member spindle in the supportive engagement. 5. The protective housing assembly of claim 2 wherein the at least the first optical media disc comprises the first optical media disc and at least a second optical media disc, and wherein said housing cover member comprises a cover-member inner face surface at which the second optical media disc is positionable in supportive engagement thereat. 6. The protective housing assembly of claim 5 wherein the second optical media disc comprises a centrally-positioned through-hole of the selected radial dimension extending therethrough, and wherein said housing cover member comprises a cover-member spindle of radial dimensions substantially corresponding to the selected radial dimension of the through hole, permitting seating of the second optical disc member thereabout in the supportive engagement. 7. The protective housing assembly of claim 1 wherein at least a selected one of said housing base member and said housing cover member further comprises a perimetral flange member, said permetral flange member for abutting against an other of said housing base member and said housing cover member when said housing base member and said housing cover member are positioned to define the enclosure. 8. The protective housing assembly of claim 7 wherein the abutting of said perimetral flange member against the other of said housing base member and said housing cover member forms an airtight seal. 9. The protective housing assembly of claim 8 further comprising a gasket formed at the abutting of said perimetral flange and the other of said housing base member and said housing cover member. 10. The protective housing assembly of claim 9 wherein the gasket is integral to at least a selected one of said perimetral flange member and the other of said housing base member and said housing cover member. 11. The protective housing assembly of claim 1 wherein said pump is manually actuable to pump the air out of the enclosure. 12. The protective housing assembly of claim 1 wherein said pump is affixed, in permanent affixation, to a selected one of said housing base member and said housing cover member. 13. The protective housing assembly of claim 1 wherein said pump is separable from said housing base and said housing cover members, respectively. 14. The protective housing assembly of claim 13 further comprising a hose, the hose releasably connecting the pump with the enclosure defined by said housing base member together with said housing cover member. 15. A method for releasably storing optical media in isolation from ambient environmental conditions, the optical media of first diametrical dimensions, said method comprising: supportively engaging the optical media at a housing base member; covering the optical media with a housing cover member such that, when covered, the housing base member and the housing cover member define an enclosure that encloses the optical media; and pumping air out of the enclosure to form a selected level of vacuum, thereby to maintain the optical media in the isolation from the ambient environmental conditions. 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the subsequent operations of removing the cover, thereby returning the optical media out of the isolation from the environmental conditions, and releasing the optical media out of supportive engagement with the housing base member. 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the operation of connecting a pump in fluid connectivity with the enclosure and whrein said operation of pumping comprises operating the pump. 18. The method of claim 17 wherein said operation of pumping comprises manually pumping the air out of the enclosure.