GB2072626A

GB2072626A - Packaging elements

Info

Publication number: GB2072626A
Application number: GB8024783A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-07-30
Filing date: 1980-07-29
Publication date: 1981-10-07
Also published as: GB2072626B; AU6085180A

Abstract

A packaging element 1 for a tape cassette has a pair of flaps (3,4) and locking means (8) so that the element can be closed onto a tape cassette positioned between the flaps (3,4) to retain it. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to packaging element This invention relates to a packaging element and has been devised particularly though not solely for use in packaging tape cassettes or the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging element which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly the invention may broadly be said to consist in a packaging element for tape cassettes or the like comprising a pair of flaps mounted for relative pivotal movement and parts of a lock means on each flap so that a tape cassette or the like may be positioned between said flaps which are then closed onto said tape cassette or the like and said lock means operated to substantially retain said flaps in such position and to substantially retain said tape cassette or the like between said flaps.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a rear and side perspective view of one alternative embodiment of the invention, Figure2 is a rear and front and top perspective view of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a cross section through a preferred form of lock means for use in a packaging element according to the invention, Figure 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodi mentofthe invention in opened out configuration, Figure 5 is an end view of the construction of Figure 4 when closed but empty, Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a still further alternative embodiment of the invention.

In the preferred form of the invention and referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a packaging element 1 is provided which has a back 2 from which extends a pair of flaps 3 and 4.

The flaps 3 and 4 are preferably connected to the back 2 but through said fold lines such as at 5 which thereby form an integral hinge.

The back 2 is preferably formed by a channel member 6 which is closed at the ends and provides an opening at 7 into which may be positioned preferably and for example part of a tape casette, preferably the part of the tape cassette which has the parts of the tape exposed and which in use is contacted by the sound recording and sensing apparatus of the tape recorder or tape playing apparatus.

Lock means are provided which in use holds the flaps in a desired closed position and the lock means preferably comprise one or more and preferably two lock means, there being a part of each lock means on each flap, thus each lock means may comprise an annular socket 8 on for example the flap and a correspondingly positioned pin 9 on the flap 3.

The hole in the socket 8 and the sides of the pin 9 are preferably slightly tapered and the positioning of the pins 8 and 9 is such that in particular the pins 8 extend upwardly through the tape drive apertues in the tape cassette.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 a similar locking mechanism is provided on the flaps 3 and 4 but the back 2 preferably comprises a spine 11 and the flaps 3 and 4 are connected to the spine 11 through fold lines 12 and 13 which form an integral hinge between the spine 11 and the flaps 3 and 4.

It is also desirable that depressed areas 15 and 16 be provided adjacent the back 2 so that the raised part of the tape cassette will fit snugly into the depressed areas in use.

It is desirable that each of the embodiments described or any other arrangement be formed from a plastics material such as polypropylene and preferably a material which can be used for injection moulding so that the packaging element herein described may be formed from a single injection moulding.

In Figure 6 a packaging element 1 is provided from which extends flaps 3 and 4.

An opening 7 is provided but rater than a back the flaps 3 and 4 are integrally hinged at 20, so that the flaps open completely. The flaps 3 and 4 are provided with lock means as above described and the flaps 3 and 4 include rear and part side walls 21 and 22 which include the hinge 20 but are separated along the line 23 so that the packaging element may be open.

Figure 7 shows a similar construction but in this construction the sockets 24 and holes 25 are somewhat enlarged as are walls 21 and 22. The construction of Figure 7 is of sufficiently large dimensions to encompass two cassettes or the like objects and openings or entrances for packaging are provided at 26 and walls 27 may be provided so that slots are provided into which the cassettes or the like or alternatively the construction may be as in Figure 6 that is to say no walls may be provided if desired.

The use of the invention is as follows: In the preferred form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 the construction is engaged with a tape cassette by passing in particular the part of the cassette through which the tape is accessible into the channel 6. The flaps 3 and 4 are then brought together so that the sockets 8 and pins 9 through the tape drive apertures with the pin 9 entering the aperture in the sockets 8, the tapered sides acting to hold the flaps in the closed position described above. Of course the flaps 3 and 4 may be moved apart by pulling the pins 9 from the annular sockets 8 to allow the tape cassette to be removed. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5 a similar procedure is adopted except that the flaps 3 and 4 and back 11 are in effect wrapped around the tape cassette.

The use of the constructions in Figures 6 and 7 is substantially identical exceptthatfor example with reference to Figure 6 the tape cassette may be laid, for example, on the sockets 8 after being generally positioned on the flap 3 or 4.

The construction of Figure 7 is used in substantial ly the same way except that where the dividing walls 27 are provided the tape cassettes must be man oeuvred into the slots there provided.

Thus it can be seen that a packaging element is provided which will enable a tape cassette to be readily packaged in a manner in which the packaging will substantially remain closed in use. At least the preferred form of this construction has advantages over the traditional hinged tape cassette package in that it may be more readily manufactured whilst still providing satisfactory protection for the tape casset te or like element, also the construction is more compact, less fragile and more resilient to heat defects such a warping than traditional tape cassette packages.

Claims

1. A packaging element for tape cassettes or the like comprising a pair of flaps mounted for relative pivotal movement and parts of a lock means on each flap so that a tape cassette or the like may be positioned between said flaps which are then closed onto said tape cassette or the like and said lock means operated to substantially retain said flaps in such position and to substantially retain said tape cassette or the like between said flaps.

2. A packaging element as claimed in claim 2 further including a back, said pair of flaps extending from said back.

3. A packaging element as claimed in claim 2 wherein said flaps are integrally hinged to said back.

4. A packaging element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flaps are integrally hinged one to the other.

5. A packaging element as claimed in either claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said back comprises an elongated channel closed at the ends thereof, said flaps extending from the side walls of said channel.

6. A packaging element as claimed in either claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said back comprises a spine and said flaps extend from said spine.

7. A packaging element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said lock means comprises one or more annular sockets from one said flap and corresponding pin or pins on said other flap, the or each pin being insertable into an aperture in a said annular socket.

8. A packaging element as claimed in claim 7 wherein said pin and said aperture are correspond inglytapered.

9. A packaging element as claimed in either claim 7 or claim 8 where two annular sockets are provided, said annular spiggots being provided in a position such they pass, in use, through the winding apertures in said tape cassette.

10. A packaging element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said packaging element is formed from a plastics material.

11. A packaging element as claimed in claim 10 wherein said plastics material comprises polypropylene.

12. A packaging element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said packaging element is injection moulded as a single component.

13. A packaging element substantially as hereindescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.