GB2276609A

GB2276609A - Storage container for a compact disc

Info

Publication number: GB2276609A
Application number: GB9306450A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aaron Fuest
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-03-29
Filing date: 1993-03-29
Publication date: 1994-10-05
Also published as: GB9306450D0

Abstract

A storage container for a compact disc comprises a base (10) having a swivel tray (11) shaped to accommodate a disc, and a cover (22). The tray (11) is movable between a closed position sandwiched between the base (10) and the cover (22) wherein a disc accommodated therein is protected, and an open position where at least a part of a disc is exposed for ready removal from the container. To facilitate stacking of a series of such containers a raised member (12) is provided on the outside of each container for engagement with a complementary recess (23) in another container. <IMAGE>

Description

STORAGE CONTAINERS FOR INDIVIDUAL COMPACT DISCS This invention relates to storage containers for individual compact discs.

It is, of course, important to protect compact discs from dust, scratching or other damage, and the discs are usually stored flat in generally square containers formed of rigid and usually clear plastics material each provided with a hinged lid which co-operates with a base to hold the disc firmly in position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved container for a compact disc, and the improvement is achieved in a flat container which comprises a base, a tray swivelably mounted at one edge region of the base and being shaped to receive the compact disc, and a cover, the tray being movable between a closed position sandwiched between the base and the cover wherein the contained disc is protected, and an open position where at least a part of the disc is exposed for ready removal from the container.

Preferably, the base and the tray are of the same, generally square shape, and the tray is mounted on a post at one corner of the base; a further post may be provided at the opposite corner of the base and shallow recesses may further be provided so that posts enter recesses to facilitate stacking of a series of containers.

In a modified version, an integral stack of two or more containers is provided by utilising the base of one container as the cover of the container below.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1A is a plan showing the base part of a compact disc container according to the invention, and Fig 1B is a plan view showing the tray part of the container; Fig 2A is a plan view showing the compact disc container in the closed position, but with the top cover omitted for clarity, and Fig 2B is a plan view corresponding to Fig 2A but showing the container in the open position; Figs 3A, 3B and 3C are perspective views showing the compact disc container in the closed position, the partlyopen position and the fully-open position; Fig 4 is a perspective view showing a stack of compact disc containers as illustrated in Figs 1 to 3, with one container in the open position; Figs 5A and SB are perspective views showing integral stacks of two and three compact disc containers; Figs 6A and 6B are plan views showing a compact disc container similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 but incorporating a spring, and again with the cover omitted for clarity, and Fig 6C is a plan view of the base and tray of the container illustrated in Figs 6A and 6B but before assembly of the parts; and Fig. 7 shows a cardboard blank to be folded into a part of a compact disc container.

Referring to the drawings, the compact disc container comprises a base 10 and a swivel tray 11 which are best shown in Figs 1A and 1B. The base is of generally square form, of semi-rigid plastics material, and integral posts 12 and 13 are formed at opposite corners of the base which also carries a stop 14 and has a rectangular window opening 15 as will hereinafter be described. The tray 11 is formed of similar material and is of an approximately similar shape in plan view to the base 10. The tray has a through opening 16 at one corner and a central recess 17 formed with a stepped spigot 18 to receive a compact disc in a generally known manner. The tray also has a cut-out portion 19 to provide access to the compact disc, and a tongue 20 which acts as a clip to hold the "book" which describes the contents of the disc to be contained.

Figs 2A and 2B show the tray assembled on-to the base. The post 12 on the base enters the opening 16 in the tray so that the tray can be swivelled outwardly from the position shown in Fig 2A to that shown in Fig 2B. In the open position, it will be appreciated that the disc 21, shown in broken lines in only Fig 2B, is swung clear of the container cover 22 indicated in broken lines and is readily accessible for removal by the user. It will also be appreciated that, after use, the disc can be easily replaced and the tray swung back to the closed position where the disc is sandwiched between the base and the cover and protected from, for example, dust and scratching. In that closed position, the book held by tongue 20 can be viewed through the window 15.

Figs 3A, 3B and 3C further illustrate the opening procedure for removal of a disc.

Fig 4 shows a stack of compact disc containers as above described, and it will be appreciated that the upwardly extending posts 12 and 13 on each base pass through the swivel tray and the cover 22 to enter recesses 23 (see Fig 3A) and so provide a stable stack.

Fig 5A and 5B show integral stacks of compact disc containers which are similar to the container described above, but wherein the base 100 of each container acts as a cover (23) for the container below. The stack is provided with one top cover 123 which may be formed with posts and/or recesses 24 and 25 whereby more than one single stack can form a composite stack.

Figs. 6A and 6B show a compact disc container which is very similiar to that illustrated above, but formed with a spring 26. When the swivel tray 11 is moved from the closed position of Fig. 6A towards the open position of Fig. 6B, the spring is flexed against its natural resilience and acts to swing the tray automatically to its fully open position, after an initial shift over centre, and a similiar action results when swinging the tray back to its closed position. As is more clearly shown in Fig.

6C, the spring 26 is formed integrally with the base 10 and the tray 11, in a single injection moulding operation, but in an alternative version of this embodiment a resilient metal spring may be secured at its ends to the base and the tray.

In a further alternative, the base and tray may be enclosed in a cardboard cover, shown as an unfolded blank 27 in Fig.

7, which would replace the cover 23 described above. It is further envisaged that the central or base part 28 of the cardboard cover could be utilised as a base (10).

The compact disc containers described above have proved highly satisfactory in tests and it will be appreciated that the side loading as opposed to the usual top loading is convenient and operable by one hand, in addition to the obvious attraction of the containers being stackable.

Furthermore, the "book" exits the container with the compact disc and, of course, an illustrated label can be provided over the top cover and possibly also part of the base. In addition, the moulding operation is simple and straight-forward avoiding the necessity for complex multipart injection moulds.

The containers according to the invention are primarily iintended for the storage of compact discs carrying music, "speaking books", ROM data, etc., but can also be used for other generally flat articles such as floppy and hard discs, tapes, pre-recorded vinyl discs, etc.

It is also envisaged that the principle of a swivel tray as described above, can also be employed in the handling of discs in a compact disc player.

Claims

1. A storage container for a disc shaped object comprising: a base; a tray swivelably mounted at one edge region of the base and being shaped to accommodate a disc; and a cover, whereby the tray is movable between a closed position sandwiched between the base and the cover wherein a disc accommodated therein is protected, and an open position where at least a part of a disc is exposed for ready removal from the container.

2. A container as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the tray is swivelably mounted on a post at said one edge region.

3. A container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein a raised member is provided on the outside of the container for engagement with a complementary recess in another said container to facilitate stacking of a series of said containers.

4. A container as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the base and tray are formed as a unitary structure.

5. A container as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the base and tray are connected by an elongate resilient member whereby the member provides an over-centre biasing action urging the tray to closed or open positions.

6. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein biasing means is secured to the base and tray to urge the tray to closed or open positions.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the cover is in the form of an envelope surrounding the base and tray.

8. A container as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the base comprises a part of said envelope.

9. A container as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the base is provided with a stop formation to limit the rotation of the tray at the closed position.

10. A container as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the tray is provided with a cut out portion to facilitate access to a disc stored therein.

11. A container as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the tray is provided with a tongue which acts a clip to hold printed sheet material.

12. A container as claimed in any preceding Claim, having a plurality of trays.

13. A compact disc player in combination with the container of Claim 1, or Claim 2, or any one of Claims 4 to 6, as appendant thereto.

14. A storage container for a disc shaped object substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4, or Figure 5A, or Figure 5B or Figures 6A to 6C, or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

15. The features as herein disclosed, or their equivalents, in any novel, patentable selection.