Bayer Materialscience, LLC

Bayer Polymers LLC

Ronald A Boissonneault

Ramesh M Pisipati

Anthony L Gelardi

Tatiana L Gelardi

A thin film data storage carrier (e.g., a flexible thin film compact disc) is described. The thin film data storage carrier (e.g.,of FIG.) has a cruciform aperture () therein, which is defined in part by two pairs of opposed arcuate sides (' and&#x2032;) and at least one tab (and). The tabs (and) each have a triangular shape. The thin film data storage carrier may be used as part of a digital data storage assembly () that includes a rigid support () having an aperture () therein. The assembly () further includes, a locking device () positioned at least partially around aperture () of rigid support (). Locking device () includes at least one shelf () extending out over a portion of the first surface () of rigid support (). The shelf (e.g.,) and a portion (e.g.,) of the first surface () of rigid support () residing thereunder together define a tapered slot (e.g.,), having an open end () and a closed end (). Thin film data storage carrier (e.g.,) is reversibly fixed to rigid support () by means of the tab (e.g.,and) of data storage carrier () being reversibly received within the tapered slot (e.g.,and&#x2032;), when the thin film data storage carrier is in abutting relationship with the rigid support ().

Thin film data storage carrier

Rigid support for a thin film data storage medium

A digital data storage assembly ( ), e.g., a flexible thin film compact disc, is described. Digital data storage assembly ( ) includes, (a) a thin film data storage carrier ( ), having substantially opposed first ( ) and second ( ) surfaces, an aperture ( ), and at least one tab ( ) extending partially into aperture ( ). The assembly ( ) also includes, (b) a rigid support ( ) having substantially opposed first ( ) and second ( ) surfaces, and an aperture ( ). The assembly ( ) further includes, (c) a locking device ( ) positioned at least partially around aperture ( ) of rigid support ( ). Locking device ( ) includes at least one shelf ( ) extending out over a portion of the first surface ( ) of rigid support ( ). The shelf (e.g., ) and a portion (e.g., ) of the first surface ( ) of rigid support ( ) residing thereunder together define a tapered slot (e.g., ), having an open end ( ) and a closed end ( ). The second surface ( ) of thin film data storage carrier ( ) abuts at least a portion of the first surface ( ) of rigid support ( ). The aperture ( ) of data storage carrier ( ), and the aperture ( ) of rigid support ( ) are substantially aligned. Thin film data storage carrier ( ) is reversibly fixed to rigid support ( ) by means of the tab (e.g., and ) of data storage carrier ( ) being reversibly received within the tapered slot (e.g., and &prime;). Also described is a thin film data storage carrier support ( ), and a thin film data storage carrier having a cruciform aperture ( ) therein.

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Imperial, PA, United States of America

Ronald A Boissonneault