GB2351484A

GB2351484A - Package for compact disc

Info

Publication number: GB2351484A
Application number: GB0015505A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Duncan Mcandrew; Guy Wordley Williams
Original assignee: USL Ltd; Disctronics Manufacturing UK Ltd
Current assignee: USL Ltd; Disctronics Manufacturing UK Ltd
Priority date: 1999-06-29
Filing date: 2000-06-23
Publication date: 2001-01-03
Also published as: GB0015505D0; GB9915183D0

Abstract

Packaging for goods having two opposed major surfaces such as a compact disc comprises two stiff members 4, 6 for disposition with said disc therebetween, a stem 14 of a spigot projecting from the centre of one member 4 to extend through the central aperture of the disc and make a firm push fit in a central aperture in the other member 6. The disc is disposed between a foam inner member 18, secured to member 4 by adhesive, and an insert member 20. The spigot may be of a soft plastics material and be secured to member 4 by a self-tapping screw 8.

Description

2351484 A PACKAGE The present invention relates to a package for an

article having two opposed outer major surfaces.

In this specification the term "article" includes two or more components in which the components in combination have two opposed outer major surfaces.

The invention is particularly concerned with a package for an article such as for example a compact disc. In this specification the term "compact disc" includes a vinyl.

The problem arises that compact discs are rather flimsy, and hence are easily damaged if left unprotected. This is particularly the case when the discs are sent through the mail or are included as an enclosure in a magazine.

It is an aim of the invention to alleviate the abovementioned problem, and according to the present invention there is provided a package for an article as hereinbefore defined having two opposed outer major surfaces, said package comprising two stiff support members for location one on each of said two opposed major surfaces to hold the article flat, the article and one of the support members having a central aperture therein, and a stem of a spigot projecting from the centre of the other support member to extend through the central aperture of the article and to make a firm push fit in the central aperture in the said one support member to secure the package.

The package may also include an inner member to cover and protect a surface of the article. In an alternative arrangement the package may include two inner members provided to cover and protect both surfaces of the article. Preferably, these inner members may be made of a suitable foam material.

The or each inner member may be secured to its associated outer member by for example a suitable adhesive.

If only one inner member is secured to its associated outer member, the package may include a further member containing appropriate information and/or a logo or illustration. This further member will be located on the opposite side of the article to the said one inner member.

one embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of a package for a compact disc, Figure 2 is an exploded side elevation of the package of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a side elevation of components of the package of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, a package for a compact disc 2 includes a base member 4 and a lid member 6 made of plywood. The base member 4 and lid member 6 are each circular of 120mm. diameter and are each 4mm thick with a central aperture extending therethrough of 6mm diameter.

A self-tapping screw has a head 8 of 13min diameter and a stem 10 of 4m-m diameter and 8min in length. A spigot of soft plastics material has a circular base 12 of 13min diameter, and a tubular stem 14 of 6min outer diameter having an aperture 16 of 4min diameter extending therethrough.

The screw stem 10 is passed through the aperture in the base member 4 and is tapped into the aperture 16 to secure the spigot to the base member 4 with the spigot base 12 held firmly against the upper and inner surface of the base member 4. The spigot stein 14 is cut off to extend 5min from the inner and upper surface of the base member 4.

A circular inner member 18 of 119 inin diameter having a central aperture therein of 40 min diameter comprises a layer of packing foam of 1.5min thickness. This inner member 18 is secured to the inner or upper surface of the base member 4 by a suitable adhesive with the spigot stem 14 protruding through its central aperture. The purpose of this inner member 18 is to protect the mirrored readable under surface of the compact disc 2.

To assemble the package, the compact disc 2 is slid onto the spigot stem 14 so that the underside of the disc rests on the foam layer of the inner member 18. A circular insert member 20 also having a central aperture therein, is slid onto the spigot stem 14 to rest on the compact disc 2, and finally the lid member 6 is pushed onto the spigot stem 14 to rest against the insert member 20. The spigot stem 14 makes a firm push fit in the central aperture of the lid member 6 to secure the package in order to provide protection for the compact disc 2.

The insert member 20 has a diameter of 119mm, the same as the compact disc 2, and the central aperture of the insert member 20 has a diameter of 18=. An appropriate description of the contents of the compact disc 2 and/or any required logo or illustration are printed on the upper surface of the insert member 20. The compact disc 2 has a central aperture therein of 9.0 min diameter.

In an alternative construction the package may include two foam packed inner members 18, one on either side of the compact disc 2 to protect both surfaces of the compact disc 2. In this construction if it is desired to include the insert member 20 then the upper inner member 18 will of course not be secured to the lid member 6. The insert member 20 would be located between this upper inner member 18 and the lid member 6.

It is to be understood that the package of this invention is not restricted to use with a compact disc, and is for example suitable for packaging a vinyl.

It is to be emphasised that in the package of this invention the base member 4 and lid member 6 can be made of any suitable material such as for example a suitable plastics material.

Claims

1. A package for an article as hereinbefore defined having two opposed outer major surfaces, said package comprising two stiff support members for location on said two opposed major surfaces to hold the article flat, the article and one of the support members having a central aperture therein, and a stem of a spigot projecting from the centre of the other support member to extend through the central aperture of the article and to make a firm push fit in the central aperture in the said one support member to secure the package.

2. A package according to claim 1 including an inner member to cover and protect a surface of the article.

3. A package according to claim 2 in which the inner member is made of a foam material.

4. A package according to any preceding claim including two inner members as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 to protect both surfaces of the article.

5. A package according to any one of claims 2 to 4 in which the or each inner member is secured to its associated outer member.

6., A package according to claim 5 in which the or each inner member is secured to its associated outer member by a suitable adhesive.

7. A package according to any preceding claim in which the spigot has a base portion mounted on the said other support member.

8. A package according to claim 7 in which the spigot is mounted on the said other support member by a screw extending into the spigot stem.

9. A package according to claim 8 in which the screw extends through the said other support member into the spigot stem.

10. A package according to claim 9 in which the screw extends through an aperture in the said other support member.

11. A package according to claim 8, 9 or 10 in. which the screw is a selftapping screw.

12. A package according to any preceding claim in which the spigot is made of a soft plastics material.

13. A package as claimed in any preceding claim in which the article is a compact disc as hereinbefore defined.

14. A package substantially as herein described and shown in the accompanying drawings.