Memory card case and methods

Abstract

A memory card case for holding memory cards includes an outer casing and a memory holder. The memory holder is connected to the outer casing, and includes a pocket for holding a memory card therein. Methods of making and using the memory card case are also disclosed.

1 . A memory card case for holding a plurality of memory cards therein, the memory card case comprising:
 an outer casing comprising a front casing and a rear casing, the front casing and the rear casing coupled together at an end of the outer casing, the outer casing having an open position and a closed position, wherein when in the closed position the outer case defines an interior space between the front casing and the rear casing; and   a memory holder comprising at least one sheet, the memory holder connected to the outer casing at the end such that the memory holder is within the interior space when the outer casing is in the closed position, the sheet including at least one pocket arranged and configured to support a memory card therein, the sheet comprising a backer layer and a pocket layer in facing arrangement, and joints connecting the backer layer and the pocket layer together to define edges of the pocket, the pocket layer including an opening for insertion of the memory card into the pocket.   
     
     
         2 . The memory card case of  claim 1 , further comprising a flap connected to the rear casing. 
     
     
         3 . The memory card case of  claim 2 , the flap further comprising a fastener configured to releasably connect the front casing with the rear casing. 
     
     
         4 . The memory card case of  claim 1 , further comprising a first sidewall connected to and extending from the front casing. 
     
     
         5 . The memory card case of  claim 4 , further comprising a second sidewall connected to and extending from the rear casing. 
     
     
         6 . The memory card case of  claim 5 , wherein the first sidewall includes a recess and the second sidewall includes an extension region, the recess and the extension region being arranged and configured to frictionally engage when the outer casing is in the closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The memory card case of  claim 6 , wherein the interior space is further defined by the first sidewall and the second sidewall. 
     
     
         8 . The memory card case of  claim 1 , wherein the memory holder includes at least two sheets, the at least two sheets formed of the backer layer and the pocket layer. 
     
     
         9 . The memory card case of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket has a width that is less than a length of the memory card, such that the pocket is sized to prevent the memory card from rotating therein. 
     
     
         10 . The memory card of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket is vertically oriented, such that the opening of the pocket is located at or near to a top side of the pocket. 
     
     
         11 . The memory card of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket is horizontally oriented and wherein the opening of the pocket is located at or near to a side of the pocket closest to the end of the outer casing. 
     
     
         12 . A method of making a case, the method comprising:
 forming an outer casing including a front casing and a rear casing, the front casing and the rear casing being connected at an end of the outer casing;   forming a memory holder including at least one sheet, the sheet including at least one pocket sized to support a memory card therein, the sheet comprising a backer layer and a pocket layer in facing arrangement, and joints connecting the backer layer and the pocket layer together to form edges of the pocket, the pocket layer including an opening; and   connecting the memory holder to the outer casing at the end.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein forming the outer casing further comprises forming a first sidewall extending from the front casing and a second sidewall extending from the rear casing, the first and second sidewalls arranged and configured to releasably engage when the outer casing is in a closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein forming the outer casing further comprises forming a recess in the first sidewall and forming an extension region in the second sidewall. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein forming the outer casing further comprises thermoforming. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein forming a memory holder further comprises:
 cutting a pocket layer at a pocket opening location; and   connecting the pocket layer to the backing layer with a plurality of joints to define edges of the pocket.   
     
     
         17 . A method of storing memory cards, the method comprising:
 obtaining a memory card case, the memory card case including an outer casing and a memory holder, the outer casing having a front casing and a rear casing, the front casing and the rear casing connected at an end, and the memory holder including a sheet, the sheet having at least one pocket configured to hold a memory card;   placing the memory card case into an open position to expose the memory holder;   opening a first pocket of the memory holder;   sliding a memory card into the first pocket;   frictionally engaging the memory card within the first pocket to securely hold the memory card; and   placing the memory card case into a closed position to protectively contain the memory card within an interior space.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the memory card is a type of memory card selected from the group consisting of a CompactFlash memory card, a Secure Digital memory card, a mini Secure Digital memory card, a micro Secure Digital memory card, a smart media card, a Multimedia Card, an xD-Picture Card, and a USB flash drive memory stick. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising sliding a second memory card into the pocket. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sheet includes a second pocket, and wherein the method further comprises:
 opening the second pocket of the memory holder;   sliding a second memory card into the second pocket; and   frictionally engaging the second memory card within the second pocket to securely hold the memory card.