GB2272887A - Disc case - Google Patents

Abstract

A case for an information storage disc comprises sleeve 2 having an open edge 4 through which the disc may be inserted and withdrawn. A flap 6 is hinged at 7 to the sleeve, part-way between edge 4 and the opposed edge, the flap having a fold line 10 separating the flap into first and second parts 12 and 14. The flap is configured so that first part 12 may lie against one side of the sleeve, and the other part against the opposite side of the sleeve, with the region of the fold line 10 closing the open edge 4 of the sleeve. <IMAGE>

Description

DISC CASE This invention relates to a case for information discs. In this specification, the term "information disc" is defined as any disc on which information is or may be stored, and includes compact audio disc, from which audio information is retrieved by reading with a laser beam; CD ROM (read only memory) from which digital data is retrieved by reading with a laser beam for use by computers; audio disc, from which audio information is retrieved by reading with a stylus; video laser disc, from which video information is retrieved by reading with a laser beam; and magnetic discs common in the field of computers, from which information is retrieved by a magnetic head.

The main intended use of the invention is for storing compact audio discs and it is against that background that the invention will be explained.

Compact audio discs are usually sold in cases which have two members hinged together so as to open like a book. The disc has a central aperture by which it is impaled on a boss carried by one of the members which makes it difficult to remove the disc.

Against this background, in accordance with the invention, there is provided a case for an information storage disc (as hereinbefore defined), comprising a generally square or rectangular sleeve open along one edge for receiving the disc, and a flap having first and second hingedly connected parts, the first part being hingedly connected to the sleeve at a position intermediate from said open edge and the opposite edge thereof so that the first part of the flap may be closed against one side of the sleeve and the second part of the flap may be closed against the other side of the flap so closing over said open edge.

Suitably manufactured, when closed, with the second part of the flap folded against the sleeve so as to close the open edge thereof, the case is adequately dust proof but is easily opened. The disc is simply slipped into or from the sleeve disposing of the difficulty of removing the disc from the boss.

The arrangement enables the sleeve to be grasped adjacent the edge opposite the open edge while allowing the flap to be hinged well clear of the open edge.

Since the sleeve is grasped all the while, it is impossible for the sleeve to capsize unaided and empty out the disc.

Conveniently, the single sheet may comprise a case wherein the single sheet comprises four square or rectangular areas of sheet material arranged in an Lshape and third and fourth areas defining with the second area the other limb of the L-shape, said first and second areas being folded on the other and joined to form the sleeve, the third area joining the second and having a fold thereacross to define the hinged connection to the sleeve.

In a preferred embodiment the sheet material is card which is inexpensive, easy to form by folding with existing machines and is easily printed.

In order to further facilitate removal of the disc, the sleeve preferably has an aperture extending through one or both sides from a generally central position to a position in or adjacent the open edge through which, in use, the disc is inserted and removed.

One Embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a disc case embodying the invention; and Figure 2 shows a single sheet of card from which the case of Figure 1 may be folded; The case shown in the drawings is made from sheet material in the form of card. Thin card having a thickness in the range of 250 microns to 450 microns is preferred, a thickness of about 350 microns being most preferable. The case shown in Figure 1 has a generally square sleeve 2 having an open edge 4 through which a compact audio disc (not shown) may be inserted and withdrawn. To accommodate the disc, the sleeve is approximately 12.5 cm square.

A flap 6 is hinged to the sleeve 2 by a fold 7 in the card which is intermediate the open edge 4 and the opposite edge 8. The flap 6 has a double fold 10, indicated by chain-dot lines, parallel to the fold at 7 so dividing the flap into a first part 12 and a second part 14. To close the case (not shown), the first part 12 of the flap 6 is folded against one side 16 of the sleeve 2. The other part 14 of the flap is then folded over the open edge 4, so closing it, and against the other side 18 of the sleeve. The two folds indicated by the lines at 10 should be spaced sufficiently to accommodate the sleeve when this contains a disc.

The other edges 20 and 22 of the sleeve 2 are closed by folds in the card, as will be explained with reference to Figure 2.

The profile of the card from which the case is folded is shown in Figure 2. As will be seen the sheet has four generally square areas: a first area 30, a second area 32, a third area 34 and a fourth area 36 arranged in an L-shape. The areas are separated by creases along double chain-dot lines 38, 40, and 42.

In order to form the sleeve 2, the area 30 is folded on the area 32 along the line 38, so forming the closed edge 22. A tab 44 is folded on the area 32 along lines 46 and glued to the area 30 so forming the closed edge 20 of the sleeve. Referring still to Figure 2, an extra crease is shown along chain dot line 78 dividing the area 34 into two parts 80 and 82. After the tab 44 has been glued to the area 30 to create the sleeve 2, the part area 82 is glued to the area 30 creating the configuration shown in Figure 1. The position of the crease along line 78 is chosen so as to fall clear of a slot 76. The arrangement facilitates opening the case since the sleeve may be grasped adjacent the edge 8 and tilted relative to the flap 6 which can be folded back well clear of the open edge 4 of the sleeve.Since the user is grasping the sleeve while opening the case, it would be impossible for the sleeve to capsize and tip the disc out, without the user turning it upside down or letting it go.

The card sheet has a further generally square area 48 which in assembling the case is folded on line 50 onto the area 36 and glued thereto thus providing the part 14 of the flap 6 with greater stiffness and durability. The arrangement also allows printing to appear on both the inside and the outside of the part 14 as a result of printing only one side of the card.

Referring again to Figure 1, removal of a disc is further facilitated by finger slots 74 and 76 in the outer side 18 and inner side 16 respectively of the sleeve. The slot 74 extends from a position generally central to the sleeve towards, but not through, the open edge. The slot 76 is open at the edge. Either or both slots could be open or closed at the edge in other arrangements. Each compact audio disc has a central aperture. The slots 74 and 76 enable a user to insert a finger into the slot so as to withdraw the disc. If the finger is inserted from behind, i.e. through the slot 76 the open end of the slot at the open edge 4 enables the disc to be withdrawn completely with the finger in the central aperture of the disc. The slot in the outer side of the sleeve is useful in locating the central aperture so as to place the finger therein through the slot 76. It further enables the finger to project through the slot to a greater degree. The slots 74 and 76 may be any convenient shape enabling a finger to be inserted in the central aperture of the disc and then to draw the disc at least partly through the open side 4 of the sleeve 2.

If the disc is placed in the sleeve with the information-bearing side to the left as viewed in Figure 1, it may be removed, by virtue of the open ended slot 76, and dropped into a CD player without touching it anywhere else except in it central aperture with one finger, it may be replaced the same way.

Claims (8)

1. A case for an information storage disc (as hereinbefore defined), comprising a generally square or rectangular sleeve open along one edge for receiving the disc, and a flap having first and second hingedly connected parts, the first part being hingedly connected to the sleeve at a position intermediate from said open edge and the opposite edge thereof so that the first part of the flap may be closed against one side of the sleeve and the second part of the flap may be closed against the other side of the flap so closing over said open edge.

2. A case as claimed in Claim 1, manufactured from folded sheet material.

3. A case as claimed in claim 2, folded from a single sheet of sheet material.

4. A case as claimed in claim 3, wherein the single sheet comprises four square or rectangular areas of sheet material arranged in an L-shape having first and second areas defining one limb of the L-shape and third and fourth areas defining with the second area the other limb of the L-shape, said first and second areas being folded one on the other and joined to form the sleeve, the third area joining the second and having a fold thereacross to define the hinged connection to the sleeve.

5. A case as claimed in any of claims 3 or 4, wherein the sheet material is card.

6. A case as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the sheet material is printed.

7. A case as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve has an aperture extending through one or both sides from a generally central position to a position in or adjacent the open edge through which, in use, the disc is inserted and removed.

8. A case for an information storage disc substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.