Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
  • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
  • G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
  • G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
  • G11B33/04—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers
  • G11B33/0405—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs
  • G11B33/0433—Multiple disc containers
  • G11B33/0444—Multiple disc containers for discs without cartridge
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C45/0081—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor of objects with parts connected by a thin section, e.g. hinge, tear line

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for packaging information carriers. More in particular, the invention relates to a device for packaging plate- shaped information carriers.
• EP 0 886 863 describes a storage device for plate-shaped information carriers such as CDs, credit cards, Sim-cards or the like, wherein on a substantially flat back, pairs of resilient clamping elements in the form of fingers are arranged.
• An information carrier can be clamped, by a longitudinal edge thereof, between the fingers.
• a cover part is provided, pivotally connected to the back, which can be closed around the fingers and the information carrier received therebetween to enclose it.
• This storage device protects the information carrier well, but is relatively thick. Moreover, it requires relatively much material, which results in relatively long cycle times, high costs and much volume.
• the invention contemplates a storage device for information carriers, in particular plate-shaped information carriers, which can protect an information carrier in a suitable manner.
• the invention further contemplates such a storage device which is relatively thin, in closed condition.
• the invention further contemplates a storage device of the subject kind, which can be manufactured simply and fast, with relatively low material usage.
• the invention furthermore contemplates a storage device according to the introduction, which both in closed and in open form has a pleasant appearance and presents, and renders accessible, the information carrier in particular in the open form in an attractive manner.
• the information carrier is preferably simply removable.
• a particularly thin structure can be obtained, whilst a fitting space suitable for receiving the information carrier can be offered, and the package, in at least closed condition, has sufficient stiffness, to which stiffness, moreover, a packaged information carrier can make a contribution.
• the device according to the invention when used for packaging CDs, can have, for instance, a thickness such that two or even three of such devices fit next to each other in the space conventionally occupied by a Jewel case-type CD package for a single CD, which conventionally has a thickness of about 10 mm.
• a storage device according to the invention has a pleasant appearance, both in closed and in open condition.
• the edge part By making the edge part at least partly hollow, the differences in wall thickness within the device can be limited to a minimum, which offers important advantages in terms of material and of manufacturing technique.
• the edge part can also be partly or wholly filled, for instance by plastic foaming during production, or by filling it up subsequently.
• the edge part is preferably slightly stiffer than the cover part connected therewith, at least with the device open.
• the information carrier can then, with the storage device closed, be locked between the cover parts and, with the device open, lie on one of the cover parts, in particular on the cover part which links up with the edge part or comprises it.
• the information carrier can then be simply taken from the storage device by, for instance, bending the relatively flexible part, in particular remote from the edge part, while the shape of the device, after release, is maintained.
• closing means can be provided which, through slight deformation of one or both cover parts, can be opened and/or closed.
• a relatively stiff edge part moreover offers the advantage that during and directly after manufacture the cover parts can be held flat better and the package is dimensionally stable.
• elevations are provided against which, or between which, the information carrier, with the package closed, is enclosed, such that the outer surfaces of the information carrier, in particular parts which have been recorded, at least parts thereof which are provided with information or are otherwise susceptible to scratches, dents and the like, are held in spaced relation from the cover parts.
• the elevations can be arranged, for instance, as studs or profiles, in particular at such positions that they rest only against parts of those surfaces that have not been recorded, at least have not been provided with information.
• studs or the like can be arranged such that the CD only has an outermost edge of, for instance, 1 to 2 mm, or parts thereof, resting on the studs and/or profiles.
• the CD can additionally, or alternatively, rest on studs or different kinds of profiles which extend under and/or around the central opening in the CD, for instance a somewhat circular elevation.
• the profiles, studs or like elevations preferably have a height of, for instance, a few tenths of millimeters.
• one cover part is provided with the edge part and the other cover part is provided with an element which is connected via the hinge means with the edge part and, with the package closed, at least partly covers the edge part.
• a closure is particular advantageous because it provides for a proper lock, while the device is simple to open and the closing means, with the package closed, extend within the package.
• a device according to the invention is characterized by the features according to claim 12.
• the CD By making at least one cover part relatively flexible, at least the closing face thereof, the CD can be simply gripped by bending away a part of said closing face, while the edge part provides for sufficient stiffness. It is further preferred that at least one of the cover parts, on the side facing inwards when the device is closed, is provided with retention means for engagement of an information carrier on a side edge thereof.
• the retention means can comprise, for instance, one relatively small undercut in at least one wall part, to secure the information carrier against displacement.
• a recessed portion can be provided for receiving a further information carrier, in particular a card-shaped information carrier.
• One or both cover parts can be provided with printing, comprising at least information about the information carrier which has been or is to be received in the storage device, for instance through in-mold labeling.
• the invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a storage device for an information carrier, characterized by the features according to claim 19.
• a method for manufacturing a storage device for an information carrier characterized by the features according to claim 19.
• the mold cavity is brought into the desired shape while the last plastic is being pressed into the mold cavity.
• the mold cavity is brought into the desired shape while the last plastic is being pressed into the mold cavity.
• a movable part in particular a core
• relatively low pressures can suffice for keeping the mold closed and/or moving said at least one movable part.
• the invention further relates to a method for packaging a plate- shaped information carrier, characterized by the features according to claim 22.
• Fig. 1 schematically shows in perspective view a device according to the invention, in partly opened condition
• Fig. 2 shows in sectional side elevation a device according to the invention
• Fig. 3 shows in top plan view a portion of an alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention
• Fig. 4 shows, in sectional side elevation, the device according to Fig. 3, in partly opened condition
• Fig. 5 shows schematically in sectional side elevation a further alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention.
• Fig. 6 shows in perspective sectional side elevation a portion of a device according to Fig. 5;
• Fig. 7 shows in perspective view a fifth embodiment of a device according to the invention
• Fig. 8 shows in sectional side elevation a portion of a device according to Fig. 7, in closed condition
• Fig. 9 shows in sectional side elevation a portion of a device according to the invention, with closing and retention means
• Fig. 10 shows in sectional side elevation a portion of an alternative closure for a device according to the invention
• Fig. 11 shows in perspective view a sixth alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention.
• Fig. 12 shows in rear end view a portion of a device according to Fig. 11; and Fig. 13 shows in perspective view a sixth embodiment of a device according to the invention.
• the devices have all been injection molded in one piece with integrated hinges (living hinges).
• the devices according to the invention can be injection molded in the traditional manner, but for this purpose it is also possible to apply a method according to the non-prepublished Dutch patent applications NL 1019235 and NL 1019320, incorporated herein by reference.
• a device according to the invention can be manufactured, for instance, from PE, PET, POM, PC or the like.
• effectively, low-melt plastic, such as PET can be used, while it can yet be made of translucent design.
• such a device can be manufactured relatively cheap and made strong, having the desired stiffness and/or flexibility.
• Devices according to the invention are suitable for packaging information carriers, in particular plate-shaped information carriers, such as CDs, CD-ROMs, CDi's, CDr and the like (further called "CD"), Sim-cards, credit cards, memory cards and the like.
• the devices are suitable for substantially circular information carriers, such as the CDs mentioned. It will be immediately clear that such devices can also be rendered suitable for, for instance, rectangular information carriers as mentioned, by adaptation of, for instance, retention means, supporting and locking means, and the like.
• Fig. 1 shows in perspective view, partly opened, a package 1 according to the invention, comprising an edge part 2 having pivotally connected thereto a first cover part 4 and a second cover part 6.
• the cover parts 4, 6 are integrally connected with the edge part 2 through a first hinge 8 and a second hinge 10, respectively.
• the edge part 2 is designed to be open on the side facing down in Fig. 1, as represented in Fig. 2, and comprises a closed longitudinal wall 12 and a bottom wall 14.
• the first cover part 4 comprises a substantially flat first closing face 16 on which, adjacent four corners thereof, elevations 18 are provided, having concave wall parts 20 facing towards the middle of the closing face 16.
• the four wall parts 20 jointly define the circumference of a circle C, represented in interrupted lines in Fig. 1, having the size of a CD.
• the elevations 18 can be foamed and/or be open on the side proximal to the closing face 16. As shown in Fig. 1, the elevations 18 can also be formed by thin walls.
• elevations 22 Adjacent the inscribed circle C, at least the wall parts 20, there are provided slight elevations 22 in the form of, for instance, integrally formed studs or the like, on which a CD (not shown) rests by a peripheral portion which is unrecorded, that is, not provided with information, while the further surface of the CD is held in spaced relation from the closing face 16.
• further elevations 22 can be provided adjacent the middle of the closing face 16, such that the CD can also be supported around its central opening, at unrecorded surface thereof. Given a suitable choice of the material, for instance relatively soft plastic, such elevations can be provided at different positions. As appears from Fig.
• a slotted cavity 24 is provided, in closed condition of the package between the elevations 18 located next to the edge part 2, in which, at least with the package 1 closed, a portion of the longitudinal edge of a CD can be received, as schematically indicated by the circle C.
• the opening 24 can be designed such that the longitudinal edge is received therein so as to be freely movable, such that the cover part 4 with the information carrier can be pivoted.
• the opening 24 can also be made of clamping design, such that upon opening of the package, at least upon pivoting of the first cover part 4 relative to the edge part 2 the information carrier comes clear of the first cover part 4 and ends up standing upright on the edge part 2. This renders the CD still easier to grip.
• an opening 26 is left clear, into which a part of the longitudinal edge of the information carrier reaches, as indicated by the circle C and in which it is easy to grip if the information carrier, upon opening of the package, remains lying on the first cover part 4.
• an opening 28 is provided, which form part of a closure as will be further explained hereinafter.
• a lip 30 has been formed, with which the cover part 4 can be simply gripped to open it.
• the second cover part 6 comprises a second closing face 32 with an upstanding wall 34 extending along the three sides not connected with the hinge 10.
• elevations 36 comparable to the elevations 22 on the first closing face 16.
• the information carrier 36 can be supported, preferably on unrecorded surfaces, to clamp it between the two closing faces and for keeping the further surface of the information carrier spaced from the second closing face 32.
• the second cover part 6 is provided with a lip 31, on the side opposite the side where the lip 30 on the first cover part 4 is provided. By pressing the two lips 30, 31 away from each other, when the package is closed, the package is simply opened.
• a package according to Fig. 1 is shown in sectional side elevation, wherein, however, the elevations 18 have been designed as wall parts.
• the information carrier CD is shown, which pivots along with the second cover part 4.
• the information carrier is somewhat clamped between the wall parts, at least the elevations 18.
• engaging means can be provided for engagement of the CD in the central opening.
• a package 1 according to Figs. 1 and 2 can be manufactured as follows.
• a mold at least one mold cavity is provided, such that the edge part 2 is molded, for instance, in the upright position shown in Fig. 2, with the two cover parts 4, 6 extending in opposite directions, approximately horizontally, like wings.
• a core part can then extend from the open side 40 into the edge part 2.
• a device 1 can be simply injection molded. It is preferred, however, that a core (not shown) be used for forming the cavity 42 in the edge part 2.
• the core is movably arranged and, when plastic is injected, is slightly retracted, such that the volume of the mold cavity is greater than the volume of the product to be formed.
• the core is moved forwards, that is, in the direction of the bottom wall 14, thereby displacing plastic, so that the desired filling of the mold cavity is obtained.
• the mold cavity can also be rendered slightly greater by moving the mold parts apart to some extent or through movable mold parts, which, after introduction of substantially all plastic, for instance 80 to 90% thereof into the mold cavity, are moved towards, at least against each other, such that the desired shape of the product is obtained under simultaneous injection of the rest of the plastic for obtaining the desired filling pressure and after-pressure.
• Such methods are described in NL 1019235 and NL 1019320.
• a second alternative embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention comprising a first cover part 4 and a second cover part 6, mutually connected by a hinge 8.
• the first cover part 4 comprises, at least links up with, an edge part 2 which comprises a cavity 42 within a longitudinal wall 12, under a bottom face 14, shown in Fig. 4, top.
• the first closing face 16 links up with the longitudinal wall 12 on the side remote from the bottom face 14, opposite the rear side of the edge part 2 where the hinge 8 is provided for coupling the second cover part 6 with the edge part 2.
• elevations 18 are provided in the form of relatively thin walls, with inwardly facing, concavely bent wall parts 20.
• a low edge 22 is provided on which the unrecorded longitudinal edge of a CD can rest.
• Openings 26 are provided between the elevations 18 for engagement of the information carrier.
• the wall parts 20 can clamp the information carrier to some extent, preferably with the aid of, for instance, slightly thickened portions 23 by which the information carrier can be clamped.
• the second cover part 6 is provided with an upstanding wall 34, which extends on four sides and is dimensioned and positioned such that, with the package closed, the longitudinal wall 34 encloses the elevations 18 with a proper fit and abuts against the first closing face 16.
• the wall part 34B located on the side of the hinge 8 then falls into the space 34C, preferably with a slightly clamped fit. Closing means as described earlier can be provided for further closure.
• an element 35 is provided, in particular a flat plate part which is parallel to the second closing face 32, which element 35 covers the edge part 2 when the package is closed.
• This element 35 can be made of slightly flexible design, at least more flexible than the edge part 2, so that opening the cover 6 is rendered possible in a simpler manner while slightly bending said element 35.
• a device 1 according to Figs. 3 and 4 can again be formed by injection molding or in the manner described earlier with movable mold parts, in particular cores for forming the cavity 42.
• Fig. 5 an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention is shown, which is somewhat comparable to that as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The same parts again have the same reference numerals.
• the first cover part 4 is again made of somewhat trough-shaped design and provided with upstanding edge parts 19, comparable to those as shown in Fig. 3 with omission of the bent wall parts 20, with a part of the longitudinal wall 12A forming one of the walls of the trough-shaped part 37.
• the opposite part 12B of the longitudinal wall is here made of stepped design, such that the hinge 8 extends approximately centrally along said longitudinal wall part 12B, that is, at half the height of the edge part 2.
• the second cover part 6 comprises the second closing face 32 and along three sides an upstanding wall 34. In this embodiment, the second closing face 32 is substantially completely flat, apart from small elevations 36 arranged thereon.
• the second closing face 32 rests on the upper side of the bottom wall 14 of the edge part 2, while the wall 34 remote from the hinge 8 lies against the wall 19A of the first cover part 4 remote from the hinge 8.
• a number of cavities 21 are arranged, which can cooperate with bulges 23 on the inside of the wall 34, for forming a clamping closure.
• elevations 22 are arranged for supporting the information carrier spaced from the closing face 16, as well as the elevations 36 on the second closing face 32, whilst retention means are provided for retaining an information carrier in the trough-shaped part 37 of the first cover part 4.
• These retention means comprise, for instance, slightly resilient lips 40 arranged along the longitudinal edge of the information carrier and small projections 42 provided on the longitudinal wall 12A on the side proximal to the trough-shaped part 37.
• An information carrier (not shown) can, through a longitudinal edge thereof, be laid to some extent under said projection 42 and be pressed with a peripheral part located remote therefrom against the projections 42, whereby they deform to some extent for obtaining a desired clamping force.
• the information carrier can be simply taken out by pulling it from between the projections 40 and the projections 42, in particular by tilting to some extent.
• the projections 40 are arranged against a side of the information carrier opposite the small projections 42, viewed relative to a centerline of the information carrier parallel to the hinge 8.
• a portion of a device 1 according to Fig. 5 is shown, in sectional perspective view, in slightly opened condition.
• the stepped longitudinal wall part 12B with the integrated hinge 8 with which a wall part 34A of the second cover part 6 is connected is connected.
• the wall 34 extends on opposite sides of the edge part 2, to increase the dimensional stability and stiffness of the device, in particular in closed condition.
• a further alternative embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention is shown, in which an information carrier, symbolically represented by the chain-dotted fine C, can be clamped in the first cover part 4, against which first cover part 4 the second cover part 6 can be closed.
• the first cover part 4 comprises an edge part 2 which in the position shown in Fig. 7 is open in downward or rearward direction.
• a slotted opening 24 is provided, comparable to that as shown in Fig. 1, while against the closing face 16 next to the opening 24 an inclined surface 44 is provided which slopes in the direction of said opening 24.
• the surface 44 can be, for instance, open, but may also be formed by ribs or the like arranged next to each other.
• retention projections 40 are provided, against which the information carrier can be clamped after it has been set by an edge portion thereof in the slotted opening 24.
• the two ends of the slotted opening 24 can be provided with slightly resilient lips 46, as schematically shown in Fig. 8A, which, upon placement of the information carrier, are pressed slightly downwards, with elastic deformation, so that a still better clamping of the information carrier is obtained.
• it can be pressed further to some extent against said lips 46 to obtain sufficient space for removal.
• the hinge 8 is provided along the frontal-bottom side (in Fig. 7) of the edge part 2, to which the second cover part 6 is connected with second closing face 32.
• a wall 34 is provided, while on the second closing face 32, as on the first closing face 16, again elevations 22, 36 are provided for supporting the information carrier in spaced relation from the closing face 32.
• the elevations 36 are arranged on two concentric circles, for supporting, at least clamping the information carrier on the inner and outer unrecorded longitudinal edge.
• the information carrier C for instance the CD
• the information carrier C can, by the longitudinal edge thereof, be slipped along the first closing face 16 and/or the inclined surface 44, into the opening 24, whilst deforming the lips 46, whereafter the information carrier can be tilted under the retention lips 40 and be released, so that it is locked by the lips 46 and the retention lips 40.
• the second cover part 6 can be pivoted against the first cover part 4 and there be clamped, for instance in the manner described earlier.
• a portion of a device 1 according to the invention is shown, in which a CD is locked between a first and second cover part 4, 6, in particular by retention lips 40, which in this embodiment are provided on both cover parts 4, 6.
• the closure with the aid of a wall part 19 on the second cover part 6, is clamped between a wall 34 and a lip 38 arranged next to it on the second cover part 6.
• This figure also shows clearly that the elevations 22, 36 hold the CD in spaced relation from the insides of the first and second closing faces 16, 32.
• Fig. 10 an alternative embodiment for a closure is shown, in which the first cover part 4 is provided with an elevation 50, for instance bush-shaped, in which a pin 52 of the second cover part 6 can be received, preferably with a slightly clamped fit.
• an elevation 22 is arranged on the first closing face 16 in the form of a circular edge 22 on which the outer longitudinal edge of an information carrier CD can rest.
• the second cover part 6 is provided with elevations 34 described earlier.
• Figs. 11 and 12 a further alternative embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention is shown, in which the first cover part 2 is again provided with a closing face 16 and an edge part 2 which in this embodiment is of hollow design, open to the side facing rearwards in Fig. 11.
• the second cover part 6 Adjacent the corners of the closing part 16, again wall parts 19 have been placed, between which the information carrier CD can be disposed.
• Fig. 11 it is shown in loose condition, but it will be clear that retention means as described earlier can be used for this purpose, as well as elevations described earlier, for supporting the information carrier CD in spaced relation from the closing face 16.
• the second cover part 6 is connected via a hinge 8 with the edge part 2, on the longitudinal wall part 12A, next to which the CD is disposed in use. In Fig. 11, this is the longitudinal wall part facing upwards.
• the second cover part 6 again comprises a wall 34 along three sides thereof, and again lips 38 are provided for clamping a wall part 19 of the first cover part 4, when the package is closed.
• a recessed portion 54 is provided in which a further information carrier can be received, for instance a rectangular information carrier, such as a credit card, Sim-card, chip card or the like.
• Fig. 12 shows, from the side facing rearwards in Fig. 11, a portion of the edge part 2, linking up with the closing face 16.
• cross partitions 13 are provided for stiffening the edge part 2.
• Such partitions 13 can naturally be arranged in a variety of ways, for instance as crossing ribs or profiles of a different kind, so that a greater stiffness is obtained.
• At least one of the cover parts 4, 6, in particular that cover part in which the information carrier rests upon opening of the device can be made of relatively flexible design, at least the closing face thereof.
• that closing face can be made of more flexible design than the edge part, so that after opening of the device said closing face can be deformed to some extent, for instance by bending away a corner thereof remote from the hinge.
• a relatively great flexibility can be obtained.
• the information carrier can be released without risk of damage.
• relatively flexible plastic such as PE or PET.
• a device according to the invention can be simply made of particularly thin design, for instance having a thickness approximately equal to the thickness of the closing faces, increased by the thickness of an information carrier to be stored therein and possibly the small elevations mentioned for keeping the information carrier spaced from the closing faces.
• a part of the two closing faces can naturally be lowered on the side proximal to the information carrier during use, such that the information carrier is supported only on a longitudinal edge and the lowered portion of the two closing faces lies adjacent the recorded surfaces of the information carrier.
• a device according to the invention is designed to have a thickness D which is smaller than about 3.5 mm, in particular about 3.2 mm, so that three such devices fit within the thickness of a conventional Jewel case.
• a device 1 according to the invention is preferably provided with a printing on one or both cover parts, which printing can be provided in a particularly advantageous manner through in-mold labeling or like technique.
• the printing is related directly to the information carrier to be stored in the device, for instance through associated product information and the like.
• a device 1, in particular that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 can be filled in a particularly simple manner by opening the device to some extent, for instance as shown in Fig. 2, and then allowing the information carrier to fall, in vertical position, between the cover parts 4, 6, whereafter the device can be simply closed, thereby locking said information carrier.
• Elevations on the closing faces for supporting the information carrier in spaced relation from said closing faces can be designed in any suitable manner, for instance as studs, ridges, ribs, profiles of a different kind, and the like, while, as mentioned, parts of the closing faces may be lowered to some extent.
• a provision can be included for engagement in the central opening of a CD.
• Other closures can be used, while, moreover, for instance, integrated sealing means can be provided for closing and sealing the device after it has been filled.
• lips 38 can be designed in such a manner that they can reach through the opposite cover part and can be secured thereto through heat treatment.
• the cavity 42 in an edge part 2 can also be filled up, for instance by foaming of the plastic during injection molding or by providing a filler therein. It is preferred, however, to keep the edge part hollow, enabling simpler manufacture.
• wall parts are preferably kept substantially equally thick, thereby achieving advantages in terms of production technique.

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• Packaging For Recording Disks (AREA)
• Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=26643419

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Families Citing this family (9)

Family Cites Families (11)

• 2002
  • 2002-12-04 CN CN02827891.7A patent/CN1618103A/zh active Pending
  • 2002-12-04 AU AU2002354378A patent/AU2002354378A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2002-12-04 EP EP02786222A patent/EP1456847A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2002-12-04 WO PCT/NL2002/000786 patent/WO2003049115A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2002-12-04 US US10/497,765 patent/US20050040057A1/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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