GB2306304A

GB2306304A - Optical disc accommodation device

Info

Publication number: GB2306304A
Application number: GB9521892A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hiromichi Uchida
Original assignee: Toyo Kagaku Co Ltd
Current assignee: Toyo Kagaku Co Ltd
Priority date: 1995-10-25
Filing date: 1995-10-25
Publication date: 1997-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2015-10-25
Also published as: GB2306304B; GB9521892D0

Abstract

An optical disc accommodation device 1 Fig 1 comprises an optical disc accommodation bag section 6 having a sheet formed with an optical disc accommodation recess 3 and a soft sheet 5 bonded to the upper surface of the sheet, a recess step 7 formed rearward of the optical disc accommodation bag section 6 and open to the optical disc accommodation recess 3, and stoppers 8 provided on the opposite sides of the optical disc accommodation recess 3 such as to be in contact with the outer periphery of the optical disc 4 for preventing the detachment of the optical disc 4 through an opening 6a of the optical disc accommodation bag section 6. A cover sheet 10 may be provided to cover the upper part of the disc, and may have a pocket for an information leaflet. In an alternative construction, Fig 9, the disc is retained in the recess by projections 12,13,14.

Description

OPTICAL DISC ACCOMMODATION DEVICE This invention relates to optical disc accommodation devices for accommodating optical discs such as musical compact disc (CD) and computer compact disc (CD-ROM). More particularly, the invention concerns an optical disc accommodation device, which permits a plurality of optical discs to be accommodated in a neat arrangement, is free from the possibility of detachment or fall-off of accommodated discs, and permits accommodation and take-out of desired optical discs quickly and smoothly without contaminating the record portion.

The prior art optical disc accommodation devices of the pertaining type mostly comprise a single transparent or opaque synthetic resin bag body having optical disc accommodation and take-out sections. In such a bag body, a single optical disc is accommodated for its protection and prevention of attachment of the most detested dust to it.

To arrange and store a plurality of optical discs, a plurality of optical disc accommodation devices which each comprise such a bag body, are accommodated in a box. Then, whenever it is desired to use a disc, such a disc is searched and then taken out.

However, although with the prior art optical disc accommodation device it has been possible to a certain extent to prevent the dust attachment, it has been very difficult to accommodate a plurality of optical discs in a neat and stable arrangement and also take out desired discs or accommodate discs readily, quickly and smoothly without possibility of touching the record portion with fingers.

The first purpose of the invention is to provide an optical disc accommodation device, which can overcome the above drawbacks, can prevent attachment of dust, permits a plurality of optical discs to be accommodated in a neat arrangement and without possibility of detachment, permits discs to be accommodated and taken out readily and quickly and permits information or memories, belonging to the accommodated discs to be also accommodated in an arrangement.The second purpose of the invention is to provide an optical disc accommodation device, which avoids contact between its accommodation section and a record portion of an optical disc to prevent damage to or contamination of the disc as much as possible when accommodating and taking out the disc as well as when keeping the disc and nevertheless ensuring accommodation of the disc in a stable state without possibility of detachment, while permitting quick and smooth accommodation and take-out of the disc without possibility of damage caused to the disc by excessive forces applied thereto.

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of the optical disc accommodation device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the optical disc accommodation device according to the invention with optical discs accommodated; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 1: Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged-scale view showing a portion C in Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the optical disc accommodation device according to the invention; Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line D-D in Fig. 6; Fig 8 is a plan view showing a third embodiment of the optical disc accommodation device according to the invention; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the third embodiment of the optical disc accommodation device according to the invention in one state of use.

Referring to the Figures, designated at 1 is an optical disc accommodation device according to the invention. The device is made from synthetic resin sheets.

In order to be able to use a plurality of optical disc accommodation devices by filing them in a binder type, the embodiment has an engagement section formed along one side, i. e. in this embodiment filing holes 2 for inserting binder rings therethrough to couple together a plurality of optical disc accommodation devices.

Designated at 3 is optical disc accommodation recess.

Each optical disc 4 is accommodated in each optical disc accommodation recess 3 such that a half circular portion of its outer periphery is in contact with a half circular wall 3a of the recess 3 formed on one side so that it can be pulled out therefrom.

Designated at 5 is a sheet of a soft synthetic resin material which is bonded to an edge portion adjacent to each optical disc accommodation recess 3 and extending up to an intermediate portion thereof. The sheet 5 forms an optical disc accommodation bag section 6 in combination with each optical disc accommodation recess 3.

The optical disc accommodation bag section 6 has an opening 6a, the edge of which has a curved portion 6b formed by notching a portion over the center hole of the optical disc to permit a finger to be inserted in the central hole 4a of the optical disc 4 for pulling the disc in one direction when taking out the disc.

Designated at 7 is a recess step which is formed at a position corresponding to an intermediate portion of each optical disc accommodation recess 3 and rearward of the opening 6a of the optical disc accommodation bag section 6. The recess step 7 is deeper than the optical disc accommodation recess 3 and has a finger reception space area 7a for supporting the peripheral edge of the optical disc 5 exposed by the optical disc accommodation bag section 6.

The optical disc accommodation recess 3 becomes gradually shallower as one goes toward the recess step 7.

Designated at 8 are stoppers for preventing the accommodated optical disc 4 from being detached from the optical disc accommodation bag section 6 through the opening 6a thereof. The stoppers 8 are projections projecting into the optical disc accommodation recess 3 from the opposite sides thereof corresponding to the opposite sides of a lower half portion of the optical disc extending from the center thereof toward the recess step 7. Their shape conforms to the shape of the outer periphery of the optical disc 4, and they are in contact with the optical disc outer periphery to perfectly prevent the falling of the disc through the opening 6a of the optical disc accommodation bag section 6.

Designated at 9 is an optical disc hold/pull-out finger reception groove, which is formed such that it extends from a portion corresponding to the center hole 4a of the optical disc 4 in the optical disc accommodation recess 3 to a portion corresponding to the finger reception space area 7a of the recess step 7. The groove 9 has the same depth as the depth of the recess step 7 and also as the depth of a recess step formed in a portion of the optical disc accommodation recess 3 corresponding to the optical disc center hole 4a.

Designated at 10 is a flexible bag having one side secured to the sheet rearward of the recess step 7 such that it can be opened and closed. The bag 10 can removably accommodate a jacket, a liner note. etc. in case when a musical compact disc is accommodated as the disc 4 or accommodate information, memories when a computer compact disc is accommodated. When the bag 10 is opened, its other side is located on the top surface of the optical disc accommodation bag section 6 over the optical disc accommodation recess 3. Thus, the bag 10 has its intrinsic function to prevent dust attachment to the accommodated optical disc 4.

With the optical disc accommodation device having the construction as described above according to the invention, to accommodate an optical disc by holding the edge of the central hole 4a of the disc 4 and the peripheral edge thereof with fingers without touching the record portion of the disc, the disc 4 is inserted into the optical disc accommodation bag section 6 through the opening 6a thereof along the optical disc hold/pull-out finger reception groove 9 until a half circumference portion of the disc is brought into contact with the half circular wall 3a of the optical disc accommodation recess 3.

At the time of the disc insertion, the stoppers 8 constitute an obstacle. However, since the sheet 5 constituting the optical disc accommodation bag section 6 is made from a flexible and soft synthetic resin sheet, the optical disc 4 can be inserted into the optical disc accommodation recess 3 through the opening thereof by slightly raising it and thereby clearing the stoppers 8.

Further, since the optical disc accommodation recess 3 has a gently downward slope toward the half circular wall 3a, the optical disc 4 can be accommodated smoothly without contaminating or causing scars or scratches to the record portion of the disc.

The detachment of the optical disc in the upward direction after accommodation, is prevented by the optical disc accommodation recess 3. In addition. the detachment of the disc through the opening 6a of the optical disc accommodation bag section 6 is perfectly prevented by the stoppers 8 projecting into the optical disc accommodation recess 3 from the opposite sides thereof. Thus, there is no possibility for the disc to fall out of the optical disc accommodation device 1 or be broken or damaged or contaminated.

To take out the optical disc 4, since the outer periphery of the disc exposed from the opening 6a of the optical disc accommodation bag section 6 is floated from the surface of the optical disc accommodation bag section owing to the recess step 7 and thus can be readily supported with finger or fingers, the disc can be reliably held with such finger or fingers and the finger inserted in the center hole 4a of the optical disc 4. Thus, by making use of the soft performance of the sheet 5 of the optical disc accommodation bag section 6 the optical disc 4 can be raised slightly to release its contact with the stoppers 8 to pull it out readily and smoothly along the optical disc hold/pull-out finger reception groove 9. Again at this time, there is no possibility of causing contamination of or scars or scratches to the record portion of the optical disc 4.

Fig. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the optical disc accommodation device according to the invention. The illustrated optical disc accommodation device 1 according to the invention, comprises a synthetic resin sheet 11, on which an optical disc accommodation recess 3 is provided with an inner peripheral wall 3a thereof in contact with over a half circumference of the outer periphery of an accommodated optical disc 4. In the optical disc accommodation recess 3, at three positions thereof, i. e.

at a left and a right position slightly below the vertical center and at a lower end, optical disc retaining pieces 12 to 14 project inward from the inner peripheral wall 3a.

The sheet 11 has its lower portion formed with filing holes 2 for inserting a binder ring therethrough so that a plurality of optical disc accommodation devices 1 can be filed in use in the binder.

The optical disc accommodation recess 3 is inclined slightly such that its depth from the surface of the sheet 11 is reduced as one goes in the direction of taking out the accommodated disc 4 so that the disc 4 can be accommodated and taken out smoothly with a portion thereof on the take-out side raised from the surface of the sheet 11.

Adjacent to the optical disc accommodation recess 3, an elongate groove 9 is formed such that it extends from a position under the center hole 4a of an optical disc 4 accommodated under the sheet 11 to a position corresponding to the end of the optical disc 4 on the take-out side.

With the provision of the groove 9, fingers can be readily applied to the center hole 4a and outer edge of the disc 4 when holding the disc 4 with the fingers. In addition, when taking out the disc 4 the tip of a finger holding the disc can be readily moved without rubbing the sheet 11.

The inner peripheral wall 3a of the optical disc accommodation recess 3 is formed at its opposite end position with respect to the direction of taking out the optical disc 4 with inclined extensions 15 with stopper walls 15a with gradually increasing height from the bottom surface of the optical disc accommodation recess 3. The stopper walls 15a are contacted by take-out side arcuate portions of the optical disc 4 accommodated in the optical disc accommodation recess 3 and provide a stopper function to prevent ready detachment.

Further, when accommodating and taking out an optical disc, opposite side edges of the optical disc are inclined in contact with the inclined extensions 15. Thus, the optical disc can be moved smoothly and handled safely without possibility of causing damage to its record portion.

The optical disc retaining pieces 12 to 14 suitably project to such an extent that they support non-record portions and do not touch the record portion of the accommodated optical disc 4. These retaining pieces 12 to 14 have their optical disc take-out side portions formed with warping guides 12a to 14a warping such that the height thereof from the bottom surface of the optical disc accommodation recess 3 increases as one goes in the takeout direction. The warping or inclination of the guides 12a to 14a conforms to the inclination of the optical disc that is set when accommodating or taking out. Thus, the optical disc 4 can be accommodated and taken out quickly and smoothly without contact of its record portion with the optical disc retaining pieces 12 to 14.

The outer edge of the sheet 11 has a large thickness for the purpose of reinforcement to prevent flexing of the optical disc accommodation device 1. It is possible to provide the sheet 11 with suitable ribs (not shown) for the reinforcement of the optical disc accommodation device 1.

To accommodate the optical disc 4 in the optical disc accommodation device having the above construction according to the invention, the disc 4 is held by applying fingers to the center hole 4a and outer edge face of it, and in this state it is slightly inclined to let its tip be slid over the surface of the optical disc accommodation recess 3 by moving the finger applied to the disc 4 along the groove 9. Since the optical disc accommodation recess 3 is gradually inclined downward in the direction of progress of the disc 4, the disc 4 enters the device smoothly. Eventually, the underside of opposite side portions of the disc 4 is brought into contact with the top surface of the inclined extensions 15. and subsequently the opposite side portions of the disc 4 are guided by the guides 12a and 13a of the optical disc retaining pieces 12 and 13 so that the disc 4 enters the space defined by the optical disc accommodation recess 3 and optical disc retaining pieces 12 and 13. Then. the tip of the disc 4 is guided by the guide 14a of the optical disc retaining piece 14 to enter the space defined by the optical disc accommodation recess 3 and the optical disc retaining piece 14, while at the same time the disc 4 located on the inclined extensions 15 falls into the optical disc accommodation recess 3 to engage with the stopper walls 15a. In this way, the optical disc 4 is reliably accommodated in the optical disc accommodation recess 3.

Once the optical disc 4 is accommodated in the optical disc accommodation device 1, its detachment in its take-out direction is prevented by the stopper walls 15a, and also its detachment in the upward direction perpendicular to the sheet 11 is reliably prevented with its edge supported by the optical disc retaining pieces 12 to 14. There is thus no possibility for the optical disc 4 to be moved in the optical disc accommodation recess 3 or detached from this recess to be broken.

To take out the optical disc 4, the disc 4 in a state that it is floated by the groove 9 is held by applying fingers to the outer edge of its take-out side and its center hole 4a. then its take-out side edge is raised until the height of its opposite side edges exceeds the height of the inclined extensions 15, and then the disc 4 is moved in its take-out direction. As a result, the outer periphery of the optical disc 4 is separated from the stopper walls 1spa, while also the opposite side edges of the optical disc 4 ride on the inclined extensions 15. Thus, the optical disc 4 can be taken out readily and smoothly in an inclined state and without possibility of rubbing of its record portion.

In the above second embodiment, the optical disc accommodation device 1 can be formed as a one-piece molding by using a molding die.

Fig. 8 shows a third embodiment of the optical disc accommodation device according to the invention. In this optical disc accommodation device, a flexible bag 10 has one side secured to the optical disc accommodation device 1 in either of the above second embodiment by folding and clamping the lower end of the sheet 11 such that it can be turned for opening. The bag 10 serves to accommodate such material 16 as a liner. a liner note, etc. in a musical compact disc. a specification in a computer compact disc, etc. It is made from a transparent synthetic resin sheet to permit the material 16 to be visually recognized from the surface side. This bag 10 covers the accommodated optical disc 4 to prevent dust from being attached thereto.

The bag 10 may not only be clamped at the lower end of the sheet 11, but also it may be secured to the left or right end of the sheet 11 of the like such that it can be turned for opening.

Fig. 9 shows a state of use of the third embodiment of the optical disc accommodation device according to the invention. As shown, a plurality of optical disc accommodation devices 1 are filed in binder 18, which can be opened and closed, by using a fastener 17. By utilizing such binder 18. it is possible not only to permit ready replacement of optical discs but also to permit a plurality of optical discs to be carried efficiently without causing damage thereto or accommodated in a car.

As has been described in detail in the foregoing, with the optical disc accommodation device according to the invention, unlike the prior art device comprising a single bag body, there is no possibility of detachment of optical disc or causing scars and scratches to the record portion of the disc. In addition, it is possible to accommodate and take out optical discs conveniently. Amongst many useful effects that are obtainable, it is the most important effect that optical discs can be accommodated in a stable state and in a neat arrangement.

Further, the optical disc accommodation device according to the invention may be formed as a one-piece molding by using a die, and this means that the optical disc retaining pieces may be formed as integral parts with the synthetic resin. There is thus no need of a step of bonding a soft synthetic resin sheet to provide a bag part, and this greatly contributes to the reduction of the cost of manufacture of the optical disc accommodation device.

Further, where the ends of the optical disc retaining pieces on the optical disc take-out side with the warping inclined extensions such that the distance thereof from the bottom surface of the optical disc accommodation recess increases gradually as one goes in the optical disc takeout direction, in the operation of its accommodation or take-out the optical disc is guided by the inclined extensions of the optical disc retaining pieces to be in an inclined state permitting ready insertion or take out of it. Thus, when accommodating or taking out an optical disc, there is no possibility of contact of the record portion of the optical disc with the optical disc retaining pieces, and it is possible to accommodate or take out the optical disc more smoothly and quickly.

Further, where a plurality of optical disc accommodation devices according to the invention are used in a form such that they are filed in a binder, not only it is possible to arrange and accommodate optical discs neatly, more efficiently and without taking unnecessary place, but also it is possible to take out desired optical discs among many thereof readily. quickly, and with satisfactory retrieval property.

Further, where the flexible bag is secured to one side of the sheet such as to cover the top surface of the optical disc accommodation recess and be turned for opening, materials accompanying optical discs that are accommodated, such as a liner. a liner note, etc. belonging to a musical compact disc and information, memo, etc.

belonging to a computer compact disc, can be arranged and accommodated simultaneously along with the associated optical discs, as well as covering the accommodated optical disc to prevent dust from being attached thereto.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. An optical disc accommodation device comprising an optical disc accommodation bag section including a first sheet having an optical disc accommodation recess, an optical disc being capable of being pulled out therefrom in one direction, and a second sheet of a soft synthetic resin material secured to an edge portion of the first sheet adjacent to the optical disc accommodation recess extending from one side to an intermediate portion of the optical disc accommodation recess, thus forming an opening, through which the optical disc can be pulled out in the other direction by holding the edge of a center hole of the disc and the outer periphery thereof, a recess step formed rearward of the opening of the optical disc accommodation bag section and open to a central portion of the optical disc accommodation recess, the recess step being deeper than the optical disc accommodation recess to provide a gap between the bottom surface of the edge of the optical disc exposed by the opening and the top of the optical disc accommodation recess, the recess step having a finger reception space area for supporting the edge of the exposed optical disc with a finger or fingers, and stopper means consisting of projections conforming in shape to the shape of the optical disc outer periphery, the stopper means projecting into the optical disc accommodation recess from the opposite sides thereof corresponding to a half portion of the accommodated optical disc extending from the center thereof toward the recess step, the stopper means being capable of being in contact with the outer periphery of the optical disc to prevent detachment thereof through the opening of the optical disc accommodation bag section.

2. An optical disc accommodation device comprising a sheet and an optical disc accommodation recess provided thereon for accommodating an optical disc, the optical disc accommodation recess having the outer edge thereof formed with stopper means to be in contact with a take-out side half circular portion of the outer periphery of the optical disc accommodated in it to prevent detachment of the optical disc from it, the optical disc accommodation recess having the outer edge thereof provided with optical disc support means projecting toward its center for clamping the optical disc in cooperation with its bottom surface.

3. The optical disc accommodation device according to claim 1. wherein the first sheet is formed with a filing section for binding together a plurality of optical disc accommodation devices.

4. The optical disc accommodation device according to claim 2, wherein the sheet is formed with a filing section for binding together a plurality of optical disc accommodation devices.

5. The optical disc accommodation device according to claim 1, wherein the optical disc accommodation recess becomes gently shallower as one goes toward the recess step located rearward of the optical disc accommodation bag section.

6. The optical disc accommodation device according to claim 1. which further comprises a flexible bag for accommodating such material as a jacket, a liner note of a musical compact disc or information, memo of a computer compact disc, the flexible bag being secured to one side of the first sheet such as to cover the top surface of the optical disc accommodation recess and be able to be turned over for opening.

7. The optical disc accommodation device according to claim 2, which further comprises a flexible bag for accommodating such material as a jacket, a liner note of a musical compact disc or information, memo of a computer compact disc, the flexible bag being secured to one side of the sheet such as to cover the top surface of the optical disc accommodation recess and be able to be turned over for opening.

8. An optical disc accommodation device having an optical disc accommodation recess for receiving an optical disc; wherein the device is provided with a recess step, the recess step being deeper than the optical disc accommodation recess.

9. An optical disc accommodation device comprising an optical disc accommodation recess formed in a sheet; wherein the optical disc accommodation recess is provided with stop means disposed so as to be in contact with an optical disc accommodated in the recess to prevent removal of the disc; and wherein the optical disc accommodation recess has retaining means projecting towards the centre of the recess for clamping the optical disc.

10. An optical disc accommodation device comprising: an optical disc accommodation bag section for partially receiving an optical disc; and a member movable between a first position in which the optical disc can be inserted into or removed from the accomodation bag section and a second position in which the member covers the part of the optical disc projecting from the bag section.