GB2192863A - Magnetic tape storage case - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage case for magnetic recording tape cassettes (e.g. video tapes) comprises a generally flat rectangular chamber (10) open along one narrow side and closeable by a lid (11) hinged along a rim (15) of said one side, the case being formed as a single injection moulding with an integral hinge (12) between the lid and the adjacent flat side of the chamber. Two lids may be hinged along opposed rims of said narrow side, meeting along a mid-line thereof (as in Fig. 4, not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Magnetic tape storage case This invention relates to a magnetic tape storage case, for example for receiving a video recorder tape (or 'video').

Particularly for use by video libraries which hire out pre-recorded video tapes, there is a need for a strong but attractive storage case, which is cheap to produce and replace. The case should also allow ready display of the contents for a hirer to make a selection easily from the many videos on offer. For the latter purpose, it has been usual to provide cases which open like a book with an extra transparent 'skin', welded to the case on three sides so as to form a pocket, usually extending around both flat surfaces and the 'spine' of the case. Into this has been put a printed sheet with details of the contents.

Such a construction is, however, expensive, it is difficult to insert the printed sheet and the pocket can become torn. The invention aims to provide an improved construction of storage case.

Accordingly, the invention proposes a storage case for magnetic recording tape cassettes comprising a generally flat rectangualar housing having flat rectangular side surfaces and relatively narrow edge surfaces, the walls forming the side surfaces being thin in relation to their area, wherein the housing forms a chamber which is open along one narrow edge surface and has at least one lid which closes the chamber, the lid being hinged along the respective rim of the adjacent side wall, and the case being formed as a single injection moulding with an integral hinge between the lid and said adjacent side wall at said rim.

In order that the invention shall be clearly understood, an exemplary embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a video storage case according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a rear view; Figure 3 shows a section on line A-A in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a front perspective view of a video storage case according to the invention with the lids open; Figure 5 shows a perspective view with the lids closed; Figure 6 shows a section on line X-X in Figure 4; and Figure 7 shows a section on line Y-Y in Figure 5.

The storage case shown in Figs 1 to 3 is in the form of a rectangular storage chamber 10 with a hinged lid 11. The case is formed in a single plastics moulding operation, and the hinge 12 of the lid 11 is simply a fold line in the plastics. The chamber 10 is strengthened by an external rib 13 extending around three sides of the larger faces of the case and across one edge thereof. The effect is to provide a recessed surface 14 within the outline provided by the rib 13. On the upper edges 15 of the chamber 10 are two cut-outs 16 forming finger recesses.

The lid 11 has a dependent lip 17 around three edges which, when the lid is closed, fits within the upper edges 15 of the chamber 10.

The lip 12 has a small projection 19 which mates with a complementary recess (not shown) within the chamber so as to hold the lid closed. The lip 17 covers the cut-out 16 at one side with the lid closed. At the other side, the lid 11 also has a similar cut-out 18 which is directly adjacent cut-out 16 so as to allow access for a finger in order to be able to grasp the back edge of a video cassette resting in the chamber 10.

In use a cassette is placed, tape-edge first into the chamber so that its back edge lies within the upper edges 15 but visible within the cut-outs 16. The lid 11 can be closed over it and snaps closed.

Cassettes are usually sold with a printed publicity sheet, and for this two possibilities exist. It can be cut to the exact size required to fit within the recessed surface 14 and stuck in place. Alternatively, it can be made of a stiffer card and placed within the chamber 10 ahead of the cassette so that it faces outwards, lining three inside surfaces 20, 21, 22 of the chamber. In this instance, the case is made of a transparent plastic so that the card can be read through the walls. The rib 13 ensures either that the label stuck in the recess 14 does not become scuffed when the case is put flat on a surface, or that the outer surface of a transparent case does not become scuffed making it difficult to read through.

The storage case shown in Figs 4 to7 is in the form of a rectangular storage chamber 30 with two hinged lids 31,32. The case is formed in a single plastics injection moulding operation, and the hinges 33 of the lids 31,32 are simply fold lines in the plastics. Each lid 31,32 has a dependant lip 34,35 around three edges which, when the lids are closed, fit within the upper ends 36 of the chamber 30 and abut in the middle as seen in Fig.7. The lip 34 has a small projection 37 which mates with a complementary recess 38 on lip 35 so as to hold the lips closed. Small snibs and recesses 39 can be provided at the end to assist in locating the lids closed.

Over a short section at the middle of the length of each hinge, there is a cut out 40 which enables finger access. However, this may be omitted if desired to ensure greater protection from dust. In addition, lid 31 has a recessed area 41 which receives a projecting flap 42 on lid 32. This makes it easy to get a nail under the flap to prise open the first half of the lid. The flap 42 also holds the lid 31 closed.

In use a cassette is placed, tape-edge first into the chamber so that its back edge lies just within the lids but visible within the cutouts 40. The lids 31,32 can be closed over it and snapped closed. The printed sheet can again be cut to the exact size required to fit over the outside surface of the housing and stuck in place. Alternatively, it can be made of a stiffer card and placed within the chamber 30 ahead of the cassette so that it faces outwards, lining three inside surfaces 45, 46, 47 of the chamber (see Fig.7). In this instance, the case is made of a transparent plastic so that the card can be read through the walls.

In both embodiments the lid 11, or lids 31, 32 are moulded integrally to the respective side walls at the top edges thereof. Since these walls are thin in relation to their area, in such a moulded product there is a tendancy for them to bow inwards because of the normal injection moulding technique used. The integral lid along the edge is an important way of stiffening the walls to prevent this happening. This is necessary from an aesthetic point of view when the-lid is closed with a cassette inside the case, and also when the lid is open so that the tape can be easily inserted and withdrawn. The stiffening effect is indeed greatest with the lid and the wall at right angles to each other, so the hinging of the through 180O at the top edge of each wall is important.

It is envisaged that storage cases of this kind will be cheap, and also better because closable by a lid, so that they can replace the cardboard slip cases usually-supplied when buying a blank video cassette. The case may also be scaled down to accept audio tape cassettes of C60 size.

The elimination of an outer skin to form a pocket is a big simplification both in manüfac- ture and use as compared with previously known video tape cases.

Claims (8)

1. A storage case for magnetic recording tape cassettes comprising a generally flat rectangualar housing having flat rectangular side surfaces and relatively narrow edge surfaces, the walls forming the side surfaces being thin in relation to their area, wherein the housing forms a chamber which is open along one narrow edge surface and has at least one lid which closes the chamber, the lid being hinged along the respective rim of the adjacent side #wall, and the case being formed as a single injection moulding with an integral hingebetween the lid and said adjacent side wall at said rim.

2. A storage case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side surfaces are not square, and said lid is attached to a longer rim.

3. A storage case as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the lid is held closed by a complementary small projection and recess on the lid and an adjacent part of the housing.

4. A storage case as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein two lids are hinged along opposed rims of said one edge surface and meet along a mid-line of said surface.

5. A storage case as claimed in claim 4 wherein the one lid has a tongue which extends across the full width of the edge surface, and the other lid has a recessed portion which receives the tongue when the lids are closed.

6. A storage case as claimed in either claim 4 or 5 wherein the lids are held closed by a complementary small projection and recess on opposed surfaces of the two lids.

7. A storage case as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein finger access recesses are provided in a lid and/or a side surface.

8. A storage case for magnetic recording tape cassettes substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.