EP2132746A1

EP2132746A1 - Apparatus for holding an article

Info

Publication number: EP2132746A1
Application number: EP08736936A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Anthony Henry Joseph Fraser; Peter Antony Farrar; Robert Johnston
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Corp
Current assignee: Atlas AGI Holdings LLC
Priority date: 2007-04-10
Filing date: 2008-04-10
Publication date: 2009-12-16
Also published as: JP2010523421A; WO2008122813A1

Abstract

Apparatus for holding a disk comprising a holding portion in the form of a tray formed from a sheet of resilient material by vacuum or pressure moulding and having overlapping portions for overlapping the upper surface of the disk at the periphery thereof, the periphery of a disk being receivable beneath the overlapping portions to inhibit removal of the disk from the apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the disk, and the disk being disengageable from said overlapping portions by sliding the disk in a direction parallel to the plane of the disk. The holding portion is mounted to a cover member formed from sheet material. The edges of the cover member may be folded around flanges of the holding portion or its cut edges may be colour-matched with adjoining areas.

Description

Apparatus for Holding an Article

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to apparatus for holding an article, for example a CD (compact disk) or DVD (digital versatile disk).

BACKGROUND ART

Many types of apparatus for holding a disk via a central aperture therein are known. Apparatus in which a disk is held by retaining members at its periphery are also known. Such retaining members are designed to retain the disk in an axial direction, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the disk, until the disk is released therefrom and lifted from the apparatus in an axial direction. WO2006/134383 discloses apparatus in which one or more disks are held at their periphery by a holding portion which simulates the function of a pocket, the disks being removable by sliding in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the disk.

The present invention seeks to provide improvements over prior art such as the apparatus described in WO2006/134383.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for holding a disk, the apparatus comprising a holding portion formed from a sheet of resilient material by vacuum and/or pressure moulding and having one or more overlapping portions for overlapping the upper surface of the disk at the periphery thereof, the periphery of a disk being receivable beneath the overlapping portions so as to inhibit removal of the disk from the apparatus in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the disk, and the disk being disengageable from said overlapping portions by sliding the disk in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the disk. Preferably, the holding portion comprises a recess therein for receiving a disk and side portions around the perimeter of the recess, removal of the disk by sliding in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the disk being facilitated by flexing of one or more of said side portions.

The thickness of the sheet material from which the holding member is formed is preferably 0.5mm or less. This represents a substantial reduction in material used compared to an injection moulded apparatus in which the disk holder typically has a thickness of around 1.0mm. Preferably, the thickness of the sheet member is in the range 0.25 to 0.35mm. Use of a sheet member 0.30mm in thickness, for example, represents a 70% reduction in the material used to form the disk holder compared to a conventional injection moulded tray.

Preferably, the overlapping portions retain the disk in the manner of a pocket. Preferably, the disk has to be slid in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the disk by at least 5mm, preferably by at least 10mm and most preferably by at least 20mm before it is free to be lifted out of the apparatus.

The apparatus is preferably provided with a ramp which an edge of the disk slides up as the disk slides out from beneath the overlapping portions.

The or each disk is preferably located within a recess and supported only at its circular periphery by an inclined wall around the edge of the recess.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided apparatus for holding a disk, the apparatus comprising a holding portion and at least two restraining portions between which the periphery of a disk is receivable so as to inhibit removal of the disk from the apparatus in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the disk and in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the disk, the disk being disengageable from said restraining portions by sliding the disk in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the disk, upon flexing of the restraining portions as the diameter of the disk slides between them.

The two overlapping portions are preferably spaced apart by a distance less than the diameter of the disk in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction the disk is slid out of the apparatus and are able to flex apart by virtue of the inherent resilience of the moulding.

The overlapping portions may comprise one or more lips for overlapping the upper surface of the disk. The overlapping portions may also comprise restraining portions between which the disk is restrained. The overlapping portions are preferably provided continuously or intermittently around at least 180 degrees of the periphery of the disk but preferably less than 210 degrees of the periphery of the disk. The overlapping portions preferably cover or engage only peripheral areas of the disk, e.g. up to 5mm from the edge of the disk, and preferably only up to 3mm from the edge of the disk. In some cases, the overlap may be limited to only about 1.0 mm of the upper surface of the disk from the periphery thereof.

In a preferred arrangement, the apparatus comprises two pairs of overlapping portions, a first pair which are angularly spaced from each other by 120 degrees or less, and preferably 90 degrees or less, relative to the centre of a disk (when retained in the apparatus), and a second pair which are angularly spaced from each other by more than 120 degrees, and preferably greater than 180 degrees (e.g. between 190 and 210 degrees), relative to the centre of a disk retained in the apparatus.

Preferably, the overlapping portions are arranged such that the first pair only overlap the periphery of the disk during the initial movement of the disk as it is slid out of the apparatus, e.g. during the first 2-5mm of this movement, whereas the second pair overlap the disk during a greater portion of the movement of the disk, e.g. over 20-25mm of its movement (i.e. from its retained position to a position 20-25mm therefrom). In a preferred arrangement, the extent (e.g. along the length of the circumference of the disk) of the overlap between the second pair and the disk initially increases as the disk is slid out and then decreases as the disk is slid further out.

The apparatus may be arranged to hold two or more disks, and preferably the disks at least partially overlap with each other.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus holds two disks. The apparatus may be arranged such that the two disks slide out in the same direction or in substantially opposite directions. Preferably, the arrangement is such that as one disk is slid out of the apparatus its edges travel along ramps so that it is moved away from the other disk to avoid or reduce the risk of scraping against the other disk.

In another embodiment, the apparatus holds two or more disk, the disks being held substantially parallel to each other but with each disk being inclined to the horizontal, e.g. by between 5 and 10 degrees. Preferably, the or each disk is located within a recess and supported only at its periphery by a wall or ledge around the edge of the recess.

When two or more disks are held on the apparatus, the disks may be of different types and/or different sizes. One may, for example, be a CD or DVD with a diameter of approximately 120mm and the other a mini disk with a diameter of about 80mm.

Preferably, the holding portion comprises an externally projecting flange around the perimeter thereof, e.g. extending laterally 2-3mm from the side portion of the holding portion. This flange may be used to bond the holding portion to a cover member, e.g. a cardboard cover. In a preferred arrangement the flange is bonded to the cover member by means of bonding material provided as a coating on the cover member, e.g. around the periphery thereof. When the cover member is bonded to the holding portion, it provides structural rigidity to the apparatus. The holding portion alone may be relatively flexible (due to the thickness of the sheet from which it is formed) but once bonded to a cover member, the holding portion becomes substantially rigid, in particular it remains substantially planar and is less liable to bending or warping. Nevertheless, as mentioned above, edge portions of the holding portion are able to flex by a sufficient degree to facilitate insertion and removal of a disk.

In embodiment, one or more edge portions of the cover member are folded around the flange. One or both sides of the flange may be bonded to the cover member. Preferably, the edge of the flange is enclosed within the folded edge portions of the cover along substantially all externally facing edges of the apparatus.

In an alternative arrangement, the cover member is mounted to the holding portion such that the edges of the cover member are outwardly facing. In this case, a coloured material is preferably applied to said outwardly facing edge(s) to protect them and/or to colour match them with an adjoining area of the cover member or of the holding portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the edges of the flange and the edges of the cover member are aligned with each other and the coloured material is applied so as to cover and/or seal the join line therebetween. The coloured material may be a lacquer or ink.

These arrangements for concealing or covering the edge surface of the cover member can be applied to other forms of holding member (e.g. for holding other types of article) and mounted on a cover member formed from sheet material.

In a preferred arrangement, two holding portions are provided on the cover member such that the cover member can be opened and closed about a hinge part of the cover member and the two holding portions engage each other face to face when the cover member is in the closed position. Preferably, the two holding portions are arranged to inter-engage to prevent sliding therebetween and may be releasably fastened together when pressed face to face.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for holding an article, the apparatus comprising a holding portion substantially in the form of a tray for releasably holding said article and a cover member formed from sheet material, the holding portion having a flange along at least part of the periphery thereof, wherein the holding portion is mounted to the cover member with one or more edge portions of the cover member folded around said flange.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for holding an article, the apparatus comprising a holding portion substantially in the form of a tray for releasably holding said article and a cover member formed from sheet material comprising major faces and edges joining said major faces, the holding portion being mounted to the cover member such that at least one of said edges is outwardly facing, wherein a coloured material is applied to said outwardly facing edge to protect it and/or to colour-match it with an adjoining area of the cover member or of the holding portion.

Further preferred and optional features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the subsidiary claims of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention comprising two holding portions mounted on a cover member shown in an open position, each holding portion being arranged to hold a single disk;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of the holding portions shown in Figure i;

Figure 3 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 1 with disks shown mounted in the apparatus;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 but in the closed position;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention comprising two holding portions mounted on a cover member shown in an open position, each holding portion being arranged to hold two disks;

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of part of one of the holding portions shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 5 with disks shown mounted in the apparatus;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 5 but in the closed position;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention comprising two holding portions mounted on a cover member shown in an open position, each holding member being arranged to hold three disks; Figure 10 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 9 with disks shown mounted in the apparatus;

Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views of a fourth embodiment of apparatus according to the invention showing two holding portions similar to those of Fig 9 and 10 being mounted to a modified form of cover member;

Figures 13 and 14 are enlarged perspective views illustrating the folding of edge portions of the cover member around a flange projecting from the periphery of the holding members;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the apparatus once mounted to the cover member in this manner;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of outer edges of a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view through an edge of the apparatus shown in Figure 16; and

Figure 18 is a perspective view similar to Figure 16 showing coloured material applied to an edge of a cover member and Figure 19 shows coloured material applied to the edge of the cover member and to the edge of a holding portion to which the cover member is mounted.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1-4 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. The apparatus comprises two holding portions 1, 11 in the form of plastic trays each being formed from a sheet of resilient plastics material by a vacuum moulding process and having a thickness of about 0.3mm. The holding portions 1, 11 have recesses IA, HA therein shaped to receive and retain a disk 2, 12 therein (see figure 3). The trays are secured to a cover member 7 comprising a front cover portion 7A, a rear cover portion 7B and a spine portion 7C to which the front and rear cover portions are hingedly attached. The cover member 7 is formed from a cardboard sheet (although other sheet material can be used) and is of a thickness such as to provide structural rigidity to the apparatus when bonded to the trays 1 and 11.

Each of the trays 1, 11 has an externally projecting flange IK, HK around the perimeter thereof by means of which the tray is bonded, or otherwise secured, to the cover member 7. A wide variety of bonding techniques are known and can be used to secure the trays 1, 11 to the cover member 7. Preferably, the bond line extends around the periphery of each tray, i.e. substantially the entire lengths of the flanges IK, HK are bonded to the cover member 7 in order to provide structural rigidity to the assembly. In some embodiments, the underside of the trays (e.g. in the region of recesses IA and HA) may also be bonded to the cover member.

Bonding material may be provided on a major face of the cover member 7 as a coating thereon (either just on the areas to be bonded to the tray or across the entire surface thereof). In some cases, bonding may be achieved with the assistance of pressure and/or heat applied to the flanges IK, HK and the cover member, the thickness of the flanges IK, HK (typically 0.3mm or less) permitting the application of pressure and/or heat therethrough.

A plurality of overlapping portions are provided around the periphery of the recess IA, HA in each holding portion for retaining a disk therein. The embodiment shown has a substantially rigid projection 5 and a pair of resiliency movable projections 6A, 6B each of which is angularly spaced by around 90-100 degrees from the projection 5. The manner in which the disks are held in and removed from the trays is broadly similar to that described in the above-mentioned PCT publication WO2006/134383 the contents of which are incorporated herein. Whilst there are some detailed constructional differences, the principal difference is that the trays described in WO2006/134383 are formed by injection moulding and projections provided to overlap the periphery of the disk are able to resiliently flex inwards and outwards by virtue of the provision of slots in the moulding so the parts between the slots are made more flexible. In contrast, the trays used in the present invention are formed by vacuum and/or pressure moulding from a thin sheet of material so the resulting structure, or at least parts thereof, are inherently flexible without the need to form slots therein. Thus, the present invention relies on the flexing of a relatively thin-walled moulding rather than the flexing of individual components formed by slots or cut-outs in an injection moulding.

Whilst the features of a vacuum moulded product are generally less precise than those of an injection moulded product and it is not generally possible to form well-defined undercuts by a vacuum-moulding process, it has, surprisingly, been found that overlapping projections such as those described herein can be formed sufficiently accurately and with sufficient overhang by a vacuum moulding process to provide secure retention of a disk via its circular periphery (as distinct from retaining the disk via its central aperture).

It will be appreciated that a vacuum moulded product generally has no holes or apertures therein (unless formed by cut-outs after the moulding process). In contrast, an injection moulded product usually has holes or apertures to provide core-throughs in the moulding process (for the formation of undercuts, etc.)

The use of vacuum and/or pressure moulding techniques provides a number of advantages. First, the tools used are generally less complex and hence less expensive than injection moulding tools. Secondly, the volume of material (i.e. plastic) used for forming a product such as the trays described herein can be significantly reduced. A tray formed from a 0.3mm sheet, for example, uses about 70% less plastic than a corresponding injection moulded product having a wall thickness of 1.0mm.

A potential disadvantage of using a thin-walled tray is that it is inherently less rigid than a thicker walled tray. This disadvantage can, however, be overcome or significantly reduced, by bonding the plastic tray to a more rigid cover member, e.g. formed of cardboard sheet. Also, by forming features (such as walls or angled corners) which extend around the periphery of the tray, the rigidity of the tray can also be increased.

In addition, as in the illustrated embodiments, two trays can be provided on the cover member so they engage face-to-face when the cover member is closed (see Figure 4). The trays are preferably arranged so as to engage each other, e.g. a peripheral wall IL on tray 1 may engage an angled recess HM on tray 11. A press-fit fastening may also be provided between the trays so they are releasably secured to each other when pressed face-to face.

A wide variety of plastics material can be used to form a tray by a vacuum moulding process as described above. Amorphous polyethylene teraphthalate (APET) is one suitable material and has the advantage that it can be made transparent (so graphics provided on the cover member can be seen though the trays). Other, more environmentally-friendly materials can also be used.

In a further embodiment (not shown) the base of the recesses IA, HA could be cut-out and removed (for recycling) to reduce further the material content of the apparatus. In this case, it may be desirable to bond the trays to the cover member around the periphery of the cut-out as well as around the periphery of the tray. As indicated above, the manner in which a disk is retained via its circular periphery is broadly similar to that described in WO2006/134383. The manner in which disks are retained and removed will, however, be described further in relation to the following embodiments in which each tray is designed to hold more than one disk. The manner in which disks are retained in the first embodiment is very similar.

Figures 5-8 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 shows apparatus comprising two holding portions in the form of plastics trays. The disk holding portion of these are essentially similar, each having the following features.

The plastic tray 101 has an elongate recess 101A therein for receiving first and second disks 102, 103 (see Figure 8). The tray 101 is provided with a plurality of overlapping portions under which the periphery of the disks lie whilst the disks are held in the tray. Disk 102 is, for example, retained by an overlapping portion or projection 105 and by a pair of restraining portions or projections 106A, 106B.

The periphery of the disk engages and is supported by an inclined wall or ledge 101F provided around the periphery of the recess 101A.

The projection 105 comprises a substantially rigid portion of the tray 101 which projects over the periphery of the disk 102. For apparatus designed to hold a CD or DVD, the projection 105 typically projects over the periphery of the disk 102 by l-3mm and extends about 10-15mm around the periphery of the disk 102. In other arrangements (now shown), projection 105 may be replaced by a pair of projections angularly spaced from each other (relative to the centre of disk 102) by an angle of 120 degrees or less and preferably 90 degrees or less (as described further in WO2006/134383). The pair of projections 106A, 106B comprise portions of the tray 101 which project over the periphery of the disk 102. The projections 106A, 106B are angularly spaced from each other (relative to the centre of disk 102) by an angle of greater than 120 degrees, and preferably greater than 180 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the projections 106A, 106B may flex outwards by virtue of a bowing outwards of the projection 106A and/or the side portion of the tray 101 in which it is formed. The flexibility of a vacuum or pressure moulded tray having a thickness of 0.5mm or less is found to be sufficient to permit the projections 106A, 106B to flex outwards, e.g. by 0.5-2.0mm.

Each projection 106A, 106B may typically have a length of about 10-15mm (along the periphery of the recess 101A) and project over the periphery of the disk 102 by about l-3mm. The upper portions of projections 106A, 106B may present a substantially straight edge (when viewed from above) towards the disk 102 or may have an angled form. Beneath these upper portions, each projection has a curved face which engages the edge of the disk 102. The projections 106A, 106B are described in more detail below with reference to Figure 6.

The other end of the recess 101A is provided with resiliently movable projections 109A, 109B which are similar to projections 106A, 106B for retaining the second disk 103. In place of projection 105, a pair of substantially rigid projections 108A, 108B on opposite sides of the tray overlap the disk 103.

In order to remove disk 102 from the apparatus, it has to be slid sideways in the direction of arrow Dl (see Figure 7) in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the disk 102. Initially, it moves to a position in which the periphery of the disk at its trailing edge slides out from beneath projection 105. In this position it is still firmly retained against axial movement, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the disk 102, by its location beneath the projections 106A, 106B. Indeed, the degree of overlap between the projections 106A, 106B and the periphery of the disk may increase as it is slid out from beneath projection 105.

The diameter of the disk 102 then passes between the projections 106A and 106B. Portions of the projections 106A and 106B are, however, spaced apart by a distance less than the diameter of the disk, typically by l-3mm. Thus, in order for the diameter of the disk 102 to be able to pass between these positions, the projections 106A and 106B must flex outwards whereby the space between of the projections 106A, 106B increases.

As the disk 102 is slid out, its edges slide up ramps HOA, HOB provided at the sides of the recess 101A adjacent the projections 106A, 106B. The leading edge of the disk 102 is thus raised to assist the user in lifting the disk 102 away from the apparatus as shown in Figure 25. In addition, the ramps HOA, HOB ensure that the underside of the disk 102 is moved away from the other disk 103 so the recording surface of disk 102 is not damaged.

The arrangement thus simulates a pocket in that the disk has to be slid in a direction substantially parallel to its plane in order to remove it from the apparatus yet the disk is engaged only at its periphery and is prevented from scraping against the base of the tray or the other disk held therein.

Disk 102 can be re-installed into the tray 101 by sliding it back under projections 106A, 106B and projection 105 by a reverse of the sliding out process described above. However, in some embodiments, the projections 106A, 106B may be arranged such that the disk 102 can, instead, be axially installed in the tray so that if the disk 102 is located over the projections 106A, 106B and then pressed downwards towards the tray 101, the projections 106A, 106B flex outwards until they snap-back over the upper surface of the disk 102. The disk 102 can be located beneath the fixed projection 105 either before the disk is snapped passed the resilient projections 106A, 106B or after this. The apparatus may thus be designed so that the disk 102 can be installed axially as this may be easier in a manufacturing process rather than the disk 102 having to be slid into position. In addition, if a user chooses to, or inadvertently installs the disk 102 axially, this can be done without damaging the resilient projections 106A, 106B (or the disk 102).

Once the disk 102 has been installed it is held in a relaxed state, i.e. without being subject to any flexing forces. However, the projections 106A, 106B assists in retaining the disk in the apparatus until a force sufficient to flex them outwards is applied to slide the disk 102 out.

Once disk 102 has been removed, the other disk 103 can be slid out in an essentially similar manner in direction D2 shown in Figure 7.

Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of the features on one side of the recess 101A. When disk 102 is held in the apparatus, its periphery rests at the upper edge of inclined surface 101F and at the lower edge of an inclined surface 106D extending down from the top of projection 106A.

As indicated above, the spacing between surface 6D and the corresponding surface on the opposite side of recess 101A is slightly less than the diameter of the disk (e.g. by l-2mm) so the disk is prevented from sliding out until a force is applied to it which is sufficiently strong to cause the surface 106D to flex outwards (by virtue of flexing of the side portion of the tray 101) to allow the diameter of the disk to pass between the projections 106A and 106B. As it does so, the periphery of the disk slides over a ramp surface IIOA provided on the upper side of projection 108A.

When the second disk 103 is held in the apparatus, its periphery also rests at the upper edge of inclined peripheral surface 101F and at the lower edge of a surface extending downwards from the overlapping projection 108A. It also lies under projection 109A which is of similar form (and function) to projection 106A.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is similar to the second embodiment shown in Figures 5-8 but is designed to hold three disks in each tray.

Figure 9 shows the apparatus comprising a holding portion in the form of a plastics tray 201 with an elongate recess 201A therein for receiving first, second and third disks 202, 203 and 204 (as shown in Figure 10) in first, second and third areas of the recess 201A, these areas partially overlapping so the disks received therein are also partially overlapping.

The width of the recess 201A between opposite sides thereof is similar to (but just greater than) the diameter of the disks to be held therein.

The tray 201 is provided with a plurality of overlapping portions under which the periphery of the disks lie whilst the disks are held in the tray. Disk 202 is, for example, retained by a projection 205 and by a pair of restraining portions or projections 206A, 206B (similar to disk 102 of the second embodiment). Disk 203 is retained by two pairs of projections 208A, 208B and 209A, 209B (similar to disk 103 of the second embodiment). Similarly, disk 204 is retained by two pairs of projections 210A, 210B and 211A, 211B.

Each of the areas 201B, 201C and 201D have an inclined wall and/or ledge at the periphery thereof so that the disks are supported only at their periphery (so the underside of the disk is held out of contact with the plastic tray 201).

The arrangement thus again simulates a series of pockets in that each disk has to be slid in a direction substantially parallel to its plane in order to remove it from the apparatus in the manner described above. However, the disks are engaged only at their edges and are prevented from scraping against the base of the tray or another disk held therein.

The disks are held at an angle of approximately 1.5-5 degrees to the base of the tray 201. To reduce further the depth of the tray 201, the disks may be held at slightly different angle. In an alternative arrangement the disks 202, 203, 204 may lie parallel to each other, e.g. all at an angle of approximately 5 degrees to the horizontal (although this would increase the depth of the tray 201).

Figures 11 to 15 illustrate the assembly of a fourth embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the cover member 307 is slightly larger than that used in the above embodiments so that flaps 307D, 307E, 307F, 307G are provided at the periphery which project beyond the edges of the flanges 301K, 3UK of the trays, eg by 2-3 mm, when the trays 301, 311 are positioned thereon, as shown on Figure 12. These flaps 307D, 307E, 307F, 307G are then folded around the edges of the flanges 301K, 311K as illustrated in the enlarged views of one corner of the apparatus shown in Figures 13 and 14. Figure 15 shows the whole apparatus once the flaps 307D, 307E, 307F, 307G of the cover member 307 have been folded around the flanges 301K, 311K on the externally facing edges of the trays 301, 311.

The flaps 307D, 307E, 307F, 307G are bonded to the upper and/or lower faces of the flanges 301K, 311K to secure them in place. As shown in Figure 15, the edges of the flanges around the externally facing sides of the trays 301, 311 are thus substantially enclosed by the folded over flaps. The flange around the three external sides of each of the rectangular trays are thus enclosed by folded over flaps (the inwardly facing flanges adjacent the spine portion 307C not being so enclosed).

As the outer surface of the cover member 307 may be printed with graphics, this means that the graphics can extend around the fold line (and onto the inner surfaces of the flanges if required). The folded edge provides the apparatus with a user-friendly edging which also improves the aesthetics of the product. The edge of the sheet material from which the cover member 307 is formed faces inwards rather than outwards (as in earlier embodiments) so is protected from moisture ingress and damage and is no longer visible.

Folding of the cover member 307 about the flanges 301K, 311K and securement of the cover member 307 to the flanges 301K, 311K in this manner, improves the bond between the periphery of the trays 301, 311 and the cover member 307 and thus helps improve the structural rigidity of the assembly.

The apparatus described above provides a way of holding one or more disks, such as a CD or DVD, other than via its central aperture. Instead, the disk are held by features which simulate a pocket yet can be easily mass-produced by vacuum and/or pressure moulding techniques, and which provide a robust container for securely retaining one or more disks. The disk can be removed and installed in a manner in which it only engages the apparatus at its periphery so the recorded surface thereof is not subject to damage. In the preferred embodiments, the disk are securely held so as to be able to pass the industry 'drop test', i.e. the disk remain held even when the apparatus is subject to shock loads.

Whilst the above embodiments all comprise a pair of trays mounted on a cover member, it will be appreciated that a single tray may be used instead (e.g. by omitting one of the trays from the other illustrated embodiments).

As indicated above, these embodiments enable one or more disks to be securely held via their peripheral edge in a vacuum moulded tray. The advantages of lower cost and lower material consumption inherent in vacuum moulded products can thus be gained whilst being able to retain one or more CDs in the product more securely than in known vacuum moulded products.

It will be noted that Figures 1 to 5 show the cover member 7 being very slightly greater in area than the trays 1 and 11 so the edges thereof project just beyond the periphery of the flanges IK, HK (eg by 1.0 mm or less). In this arrangement, the outer edge of the cover member, i.e. the edge surface joining and extending approximately perpendicular to the major faces of the cover member, is visible to the user. In most cases, although one or both of the major faces of the cover member may have graphics printed thereon, the edge surface is uncovered and so presents a bare surface (which is often white) around the exterior of the apparatus. This is undesirably from an aesthetics viewpoint. It also leaves the edge of the cover member vulnerable to damage, e.g. by the ingress of moisture through this bare surface and/or becoming worn or frayed.

To overcome this problem, a coloured material may be applied to the outwardly facing edges of the cover member to protect the edges and/or to colour-match them with an adjoining area of the cover member or of the holding portion. This may be done by applying an ink or lacquer to this edge surface.

Figures 16-19 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention in which a coloured material is applied to outwardly facing edge surfaces of the cover member.

Figure 16 shows a corner of a tray 401 having a flange 401K around the periphery thereof. The tray 401 is mounted on a cover member 407 and the edges of the cover member 407 are aligned with the periphery of the flange 401K. This may be achieved by accurate placement of the tray 401 on the cover member 407 or by trimming the edges of the cover member 407 and/or the flange 401K, e.g. with a guillotine or by die cutting. Figure 17 shows a cross-section of an edge portion of the apparatus showing the edge surface 407K of the cover member 407 aligned with the edge surface 401L of the flange 401K.

As in the arrangement described above, a coloured material (such as ink) is applied to the edge surface 407H of the cover member. By this means, the edge surface 407H can be colour-matched with adjacent areas, e.g. the outer face of the cover member 407, to improve the aesthetics of the apparatus and, in particular, so that the cover member 407 does not present a bare, light coloured edge around the periphery of the apparatus. The coloured material may also assist in sealing the edge of the cover member 407 to inhibit the ingress of moisture and/or to help prevent the edge becoming worn or frayed.

Figure 18 illustrates how coloured material (indicated by shading) may be applied to the edge 407H of the cover member but not to the edges 401L of the flange 401K. The coloured material may be applied before or after the tray 401 has been mounted on the cover member 407.

In an alternative arrangement, the coloured material may be applied to both the edges 407H of the cover member 407 and the edges 401L of the tray 401 as indicated by shading in Figure 19. If the coloured material is applied after the tray 401 has been mounted on the cover member 407, it may also serve to cover and/or seal the join line 400 between the edge surfaces 401L and 407H. This further enhances the integrity of the edge of the apparatus: it may help prevent the cover member 407 peeling away from the tray 401 and helps prevent the edge of the apparatus being damaged or becoming unsightly. The provision of colour around the edge of the apparatus, especially if colour-matched to adjacent areas of the cover member and/or tray, also improves the appearance of the apparatus.

As indicated above, the coloured material may be chosen from a wide variety of materials including, for example, ink, lacquer, varnish, a foil or a rubber sealant material. It may be applied as a thin layer or it may form a small bead around the edge of the apparatus.

The coloured material may also be applied by a wide variety of techniques including, for example, by brush, by pad or roller, spraying or ink-jet printing.

The above arrangements provide methods of ensuring the cover member does not present a raw edge around the periphery of the apparatus. It will be appreciated that these edge finishing techniques may also be applied to the edges of other types of apparatus comprising a holding portion mounted on a cover member formed of a sheet material. It is particularly suited to a product in the form of a 'clamshell', i.e. comprising two trays mounted on a cover member such that the trays lie face to face when in the closed position and particularly when the cover member is formed of a sheet of paper board or card formed from a fibrous material.

The above description relates to trays designed to hold one or more disks. However, other forms of tray for holding other articles (e.g. healthcare products) may be mounted to a cover member in a similar manner, i.e. with peripheral portions of the cover member folded around a flange at the periphery of the tray, as illustrated in Figures 11-15, or with coloured material applied to outwardly facing edges of the cover member, as illustrated in Figures 16-20.

Claims

1. Apparatus for holding a disk, the apparatus comprising a holding portion formed from a sheet of resilient material by vacuum and/or pressure moulding and having one or more overlapping portions for overlapping the upper surface of the disk at the periphery thereof, the periphery of a disk being receivable beneath the overlapping portions so as to inhibit removal of the disk from the apparatus in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the disk, and the disk being disengageable from said overlapping portions by sliding the disk in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the disk.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the overlapping portions retain the disk in the manner of a pocket.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the arrangement is such that the disk has to be slid in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the disk by at least 5mm, preferably by at least 10mm, and most preferably by at least 20mm, before it is free to be lifted out of the apparatus.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the holding portion comprises a recess for receiving a disk and side portions around the perimeter of the recess, removal of the disk by sliding in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the disk being facilitated by flexing of one or more of said side portions.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the thickness of the sheet material from which the holding member is formed is 0.5mm or less.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the thickness of the sheet material from which the holding member is formed is in the range 0.2 to 0.4 mm, and preferably in the range 0.25 to 0.35 mm.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim having a ramp which an edge of the disk slides up as the disk slides out from beneath the overlapping portions.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim having two restraining portions between which the periphery of a disk is receivable so as to inhibit removal of the disk from the apparatus in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the disk and in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the disk, the disk being disengageable from said restraining portions by sliding the disk in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the disk upon flexing of the restraining portions as the edge of the disk slides between them.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which said two restraining portions are spaced apart by a distance smaller than the diameter of the disk in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction the disk is slid out of the apparatus and are able to flex apart by virtue of the inherent resilience of the moulding.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim arranged to hold two or more disks, the disks at least partially overlapping with each other.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the or each disk is located within a recess and supported only at its periphery by a wall or ledge around the edge of the recess.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the holding portion comprises an externally projecting flange around the perimeter thereof.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said flange is bonded to a cover member.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which said flange is bonded to the cover member by means of bonding material provided as a coating on at least part of a major face of the cover member.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or 14 in which the cover member is formed of sheet material, the edges of said flange and the edges of the sheet material being bonded to each other.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which at least one edge of the cover member is outwardly facing wherein a coloured material is applied to said outwardly facing edge to protect it and/or to colour match it with an adjoining area of the cover member or of the holding portion.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or 16 in which the edges of said flange and the edges of said sheet material are aligned with each other and bonded together by material which covers and/or seals the join line therebetween.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or 14 in which one or more edge portions of the cover member are folded around said flange.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 in which one or both sides of the flange is/are bonded to the cover member.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 or 19 in which the edge of the flange is enclosed within the folded edge portions of the cover member along substantially all externally facing edges of the apparatus.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 or 20 in which the cover member provides structural rigidity to the apparatus.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 21 in which two holding portions are provided on the cover member such that the cover member can be opened and closed about a hinge part and the two holding portions engage each other face to face when the cover member is in the closed position.

23. Apparatus for holding an article, the apparatus comprising a holding portion substantially in the form of a tray for releasably holding said article and a cover member formed from sheet material, the holding portion having a flange along at least part of the periphery thereof, wherein the holding portion is mounted to the cover member with one or more edge portions of the cover member folded around said flange.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which one or both sides of the flange is/are bonded to the cover member.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 or 24 in which the edge of the flange is enclosed within the folded edge portions of the cover along substantially all externally facing edges of the apparatus.

26. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 23-25 in which two holding portions are provided on the cover member such that the cover member can be opened and closed about a hinge part and the two holding portions engage each other face to face when the cover member is in the closed position.

27. Apparatus for holding an article, the apparatus comprising a holding portion substantially in the form of a tray for releasably holding said article and a cover member formed from sheet material comprising major faces and edges joining said major faces, the holding portion being mounted to the cover member such that at least one of said edges is outwardly facing, wherein a coloured material is applied to said outwardly facing edge to protect it and/or to colour-match it with an adjoining area of the cover member or of the holding portion.

28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 in which the edges of said flange and the edges of said sheet material are aligned with each other and bonded together by the coloured material which covers and/or seals the join line therebetween.

29. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 or 27 in which the coloured material is selected from the following: ink, lacquer, varnish, foil and rubber sealant.

30. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 27 to 29 in which two holding portions are provided on the cover member such that the cover member can be opened and closed about a hinge part and the two holding portions engage each other face to face when the cover member is in the closed position.

31. Apparatus for holding an article substantially as hereinbefore described with reference or as shown in one or more of the accompanying drawings.