GB2371536A

GB2371536A - Containeres for flat objects

Info

Publication number: GB2371536A
Application number: GB0022317A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aaron Fuest
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-09-12
Filing date: 2000-09-12
Publication date: 2002-07-31
Also published as: GB0022317D0

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR STORING FLAT OBJECTS SUCH AS CDs

Field of Invention This invention primarily relates to a device for storing compact discs (CDs).

The invention is made from plastic or similar rigid or semi-rigid material. The device is designed to permit ease of manufacture and operation in use.

Whilst the invention is intended for use with CDs, it can also be applied to the manufacture of containers for storing products having similar geometric features to CDs, such as mini-discs.

More particularly, the object of the invention is to provide an alternative to the current dominance of all plastic CD cases, which suffer from a relatively high weight and manufacturing cost.

The market is presently dominated by two types of CD case, known respectively as the'Jewel'case and the'Digi-Pak'case. Both of these have as a key aspect of their CD retention mechanism, a similar type of circular fan clip that sits proud in the centre of the body of the case and onto which the CD locates via its central hole and snaps into position. The clip is serrated to allow the proud part of the clip to'contract' when a downward longitudinal force is applied to it. In this way a CD can be pushed on and off the clip by applying a longitudinal force in the right direction. In the stored position, the top of the clip protrudes through the central hole in the CD. When removing the CD from this type of case, it is necessary to lever it off the clip, typically by using the thumb to press down on top of the clip whilst using an opposing finger to lift an edge of the CD until the CD snaps off the clip. The process of inserting or removing the CD from such a case can sometimes be an awkward one and the CD can bend somewhat during the process.

With the Jewel case, the clip comprises part of a tray that is formed separately from the outer hinged case, which houses the tray in the finished product. The Digi-Pak on the other hand modifies this arrangement by actually forming the clip into the floor of the body of the case, i. e. the tray, resulting in a two piece product, namely the tray with a hinged lid. Both of these constructions suffer from the disadvantage of rendering the floor of the case under the clip unusable for printing information or storing such information in a separate booklet..

The Jewel and Digi-Pak designs use a relatively large amount of plastic in their construction and therefore as mentioned above suffer from a relatively high weight and cost factor. Also, being of rigid plastic construction these types of cases are prone to cracking and breakage, particularly around the area of the hinges that link the body of the case to its lid.

There are other CD case designs, some of which adopt a radically different approach to the materials used and manner of construction. For example the CD container disclosed by PCT WO/37892, shows a capacity type box that includes within it a carrier plate that is attached to the case by a hinge formed into the lid. The carrier plate holds the CD, by virtue of a turned-up lip at its base. This construction technique enables the carrier plate to automatically slide out of the body of the case by a lever action, as the lid is folded open, to reveal the CD held on the carrier plate. However, the manufacture of this design is difficult to automate and may possibly suffer from a higher wear rate than the more conventional designs described above.

The present invention is designed to overcome the problems identified above by teaching the use of a novel form of tray, which suggests focusing attention on gripping arc sections of the outer edge of the CD as opposed to holding the CD in place within the case by means of a central retaining clip as described above.

The advantages claimed for the present invention and the method it teaches of retaining the CD in place are that: it facilities the storage within the tray of a booklet; the storage of such booklets is possible for both single and album CDs without the need for any significant changes to the construction of the tray; the tray affords all

round protection to the CD when stored in the tray ; the one design can be used for both single and album CDs ; the manner of construction makes the tray much lighter, uses less plastic and is therefore cheaper to manufacture than the currently available alternatives; the design is easy to scale up or down as required; the design enables the assembled CD case (that is with the tray fitted into the outer casing) to be over, Imm thinner overall than the current thinnest versions of the Jewel and Digi-Pak cases, resulting in lower shipping costs as the number of units per given volume can be increased; and the CD is easier to extract and replace from the tray than the more conventional methods.

Summary of the Invention The object of the invention is to provide a low cost, easily manufactured, durable storage device for CDs and similar objects, which is easy to use and gives much greater flexibility than hitherto in storing and providing a booklet with the CD as a combined package, whether this is for a single or album CD.

Further objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the same as set out below.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention is provided a device for storing flat objects such as CDs, wherein a tray is provided and a fastening mechanism for retaining the CD in place forms part of the walls of the tray by means of fasteners that provide a gripping action acting on arc sections of the outer edge of the CD at two or more points.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention is provided a method for storing flat objects such as CDs, wherein the suggested method is to grip the edge of the CD in the tray at two or more points of contact with arc sections of the outer edge of the CD. It is not normal to use the outer edge of CDs to record information or data and accordingly no modification to the means of recording or using the CD or its dimensions is required.

The preferred embodiment of the device is a square tray made from rigid or semi-rigid plastic or similar material, with a raised wall forming the four sides of the tray, wherein the overall dimensions of the tray are about the same length and width as the current Jewel box design, wherein there is a large hole cut into the floor of the tray, wherein two of the said raised walls each has an opposing boss located medially on the wall, overhanging the tray floor, and the area of the said wall which abuts the bosses is capable of flexing laterally to accommodate the insertion and extraction of the CD, wherein in the stored state the CD is held in place by the said bosses overhanging two or more arc sections of the outer edge of the CD.

Brief Description of the Drawings The drawings are not intended to be true scale drawings.

FIG 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the device shown empty and looking down into the device; FIG 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the device shown empty looking from underneath; FIG 3 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the device shown with the device fitted into a simple form of outer case with a hinged lid and also showing a CD and an accompanying booklet inserted into the device; FIG 4 is the same as Fig 3, but without the CD and booklet inserted into the device; FIG 5 is a plan view of the device on its own viewed from the top; FIG 6 is a plan view of the device on its own viewed from the underneath.

FIG 7 is a plan view of the device from the top with a CD inserted but without a booklet; FIG 7A, is a cross-sectional view of the device without a CD or booklet in place, through the line marked'X-X'in Fig. 7; FIG 7B, is the same cross-sectional view as in Fig 7A but with a CD in place;

FIG 8 is the same as Fig 7 but viewed from the underneath ; FIG 8B is an exaggerated view of a fastener showing an arc shaped recess moulded into the open face of the fastener.

FIG 9A is a perspective sectional view looking down into the device without a CD or booklet; FIG 9B is a perspective sectional view at the underneath of the device without a CD or booklet; FIG 9C is a perspective sectional view looking down into the device with a CD inserted but without a booklet; FIG 9D is the same as Fig 9c but viewed from the underneath.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment of the Invention An example of the preferred embodiment of the device as a container for CDs will now be described in detail. The second aspect of the invention, being a method for retaining objects such as CDs in containers, will become apparent from the detailed description of the device that embodies the invention.

The device is tray I made from rigid or semi-rigid plastic with overall dimensions that are slightly exaggerated to the diameter of the CD 2, wherein the floor 4 of the tray 1 has a large central hole 8 to reduce the weight and amount of irrecoverable plastic consumed in manufacture, and wherein the leading wall 9a and trailing wall 9b of the device each has a single medially located fastener 5 that act together to hold the CD 2 in place. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the relevant edges of the CD 2 sit underneath and up against the under surface of fasteners 5, when in the stored position.

The depth of the tray I is such that a booklet 7 can be laid flat onto the floor 4 of the tray I and the CD 2 inserted on top of the booklet 7 and held in place by snuggly contacting the underneath of the fasteners 5. Of course if it is not desired to include a

booklet 7 with the CD 2 then the depth of the tray 1 can be proportionately reduced. It is suggested that a finger hole 3a is included in the leading wall 9a or trailing wall 9b, but preferably the trailing wall 9b. This is to ease insertion and extraction of the booklet 7. Ideally the hole is a semi-circle recess 3a moulded into the trailing wall 9b as shown for instance in figure 1.

The height (i. e. thickness) of each fastener 5 can vary, but ideally this will be between 0. 5mm to 3. 0mm, and the degree of overhang and the length of the fastener 5 can also be varied without adversely affecting the proper functioning of the device. Fastener 5 lengths of between 0. 5cm to 2.5cms have worked well with overhangs (i. e. width of fastener 5) of between 0. 5mm and 3mm. Ideally, the dimensions and construction of the two fasteners should mirror each other but this is not essential for the device to work properly. So for instance, one fastener could be shorter and wider than its opposing one.

The distance between the vertical opposing flat ends of the two fasteners 5 should be smaller than the diameter of the CD 2 to be stored. This difference does not have to be very large for the invention to work properly and ideally should be in the order of 0. 5mm to 2.5mm. I have found that a difference of 1.30mm works well. It is a key aspect of the invention in this embodiment that the part of the leading and trailing walls 9a, 9b, that are adjacent to the fastener 5, (or out of which the fasteners 5 are formed) should be capable of flexing laterally in the horizontal plane sufficiently for the said distance between the fasteners 5 to open up to a distance that allows insertion of the CD 2 into the device. This flexing is facilitated by the presence of the aperture 3b in each of the trailing and leading walls 9a, 9b, as shown in figures 5,6, 7 and 8.

The aperture 3b in effect creates a discrete thin wall that both supports and forms part of the fastener 5. The thickness that this wall should be will depend upon the characteristics of the type of plastic used, but typically could be between 0. 75mm and 1.75mm. This arrangement allows the thin wall and fastener 5 to flex laterally thereby opening-up the distance between the opposing fasteners 5. The process of inserting the CD 2 into the device therefore involves offering-up one edge of the CD (ideally gripping the CD using the thumb and opposing forefinger) to either the trailing wall 9b or leading wall 9a at a point just below the fastener 5 on that wall 9a, or 9b, and

then applying a gentle sideways force to laterally flex the leading or trailing wall 9a, 9b, at that point and then dropping the other end of the CD 2 down under the opposing fastener 5 with the thumb. The inherent elasticity of this arrangement and the materials used will mean that the fasteners 5 will close in an inwardly moving jaw like movement trapping the respective outer edges of the CD 2 underneath them. The greater the difference between the diameter of the CD 2 and the shortest distance between the two ends of the fasteners 5, the greater the sideways force that will be required to insert and extract the CD 2. However, making the difference too small, whilst making the insertion and extraction process easier, will likely lead to an inability of the device to properly hold the CD 2 securely in place and minor shocks to the device may cause the CD 2 to be ejected unwontedly.

Extracting the CD 2 from the device is simply the reverse of the insertion process.

Using the thumb gently resting on top of the CD 2, the CD 2 is slid sideways until the gap between the fasteners'respective opposite ends is sufficiently large to lift out the CD. This extraction process will be considerably eased by the finger hole 3a, which will allow the index finger to grip the underneath of the CD 2 and thereby ease the lifting and extraction process in respect of the preferred embodiment of the device.

In forming the fastener 5 into the leading and trailing walls 9b, 9b, in the present invention, it is important to note that there is a definite relationship between the type of plastic used and in particular its inherent elasticity; the length of the aperture 3b in the leading wall 9a and trailing wall 9b and the thickness of the plastic on the leading edge of the aperture 3b. These parameters will need to be adjusted to yield an optimum combination for a given width of fastener 5. In this optimum arrangement the length and width of the fastener may be made of elegant and aesthetically pleasing dimensions yet produce a secure retaining mechanism for the CD which allows easy insertion and extraction of the CD. The thickness of the fastener 5 should be such as to make it robust and capable of withstanding normal usage over several thousand insertions and extraction cycles.

In the stored state, a relatively small arc on the outer edge of opposite sides of the CD 2 will be located underneath the fasteners 5. This comprises the principal means for

holding the CD 2 securely in place in the preferred embodiment of the device. Also in this state, the CD 2 will be protected from damage by the side walls 6 and the leading and trailing walls 9a, 9b.

The device is preferably used in combination with a conventional outer case as shown in figures 3 and 4, which show the fully assembled case 11, incorporating the tray 1.

Figure 4 shows the case 11 empty and figure 3 shows the case 11 with the CD 2 in place. It should be noted that the arc sections of the non-recorded edge of the CD 2 will only fit snugly just underneath the lower horizontal surface of the fasteners 5 if the distance between the floor 4 and the lower horizontal surface of the fastener 5 is determined correctly. This distance should be only marginally greater than the combined thickness of the booklet and the CD to be stored. This is more clearly shown up in figures 7,7A and 7B. The last of these is a cross-sectional view which shows how the fastener 5 overhangs the said non-recorded edges of the CD 2 to hold the CD 2 in place during storage. Figure 8 shows these aspects but viewing the device from underneath and with the CD 2 in place. The presence of the CD 2 in this drawing means that the respective edges of the CD 2 are visible but not the fasteners 5 which would be directly above the said edges. These same aspects can also be seen in 3-dimensional sectional view in figures 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D. Figure 9C shows the advantage of having the finger hole 3a to aid the insertion and in particular extraction of the CD. Also figures 9A-D, 7,7A, 7B and 8 show the device in a configuration that does not allow for inclusion of a booklet in the device. If a booklet were desired to be included, this would require a greater height between the underneath of the fasteners 5 and the floor 4 of the device. The increase in height should match the thickness of the booklet and is easily achieved by increasing the height of the side walls 6 and the leading and trailing walls 9a, 9b.

Variations to the preferred embodiment of the retention mechanism are possible. For instance, an arc shaped groove could be created into the open face of each fastener 5 as shown in figure 8A. The radius of the groove should be the same as that of the CD and in the stored position the CD 2 would be held in place by arc sections of its outer edges locating within the opposing grooves in the opposing open faces of the fasteners 5. In this arrangement, it is likely that some support of the CD 2 from underneath

would be required. This could be achieved by the CD 2 resting on a booklet 7 or if the device is to be used without a booklet 7, by moulding one or more bosses onto the floor 4 of the device.

The device, incorporating the fasteners 5 and the other features described above, can be readily made using injection moulding and a two part tool. This process is capable of producing all aspects of the invention to the required tolerances, including the apertures 3b, central hole 8, leading and trailing walls 9a, 9b, side walls 6 and the fasteners 5 in one moulding operation.

The device can be incorporated into any form of regular outer case, by gluing or otherwise attaching it to the case. This arrangement will result in an outwardly conventional looking CD case 11, with a lid 12 and base 13.

Claims

CLAIMS I claim: 1. A device for packaging or storing flat objects such as CDs and mini-discs (together referred to as"CDs"), the device comprising a tray without a lid, having a length and width sufficient to accommodate the diameter of the CD to be stored, having a depth of between 2mm and 2.5cms ; and two or more points on the upright walls of the tray which engage arc sections of the outer edge of the CD to retain the CD in place within the device.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the overall shape of the tray could be square, as with conventional CD cases, or round with a diameter that is exaggerated to the diameter of the CD to be stored, or other shape.
3. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the points that engage the outer edge of the CD are fasteners that flex or retract laterally when the CD is being inserted or extracted from the device, and are attached to or moulded out of the upright walls and which partially close over the top of arc sections of the outer edge of the CD when the CD is in the stored position in the device.
4. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the points that engage the outer edge of the CD are fasteners that flex or retract laterally when the CD is being inserted or extracted from the device, and are attached to or moulded out of the upright walls and which have a groove on their inwardly facing faces into which arc sections of the outer edge of the CD can slot in the stored position.
5. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the floor of the tray has a large hole.
6. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the walls of the tray are not continuous.
7. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein there is provided at least two fasteners that engage arc sections of the outer edge of the CD.
8. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein one or more of the fasteners is fixed in that it does not move laterally.
9. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the tray is mounted or affixed to an outer case having a base, lid and a hinge mechanism or living hinge in between the lid and base.
10. A method of storing CDs wherein the CD is held in its container by two or fasteners acting on two or more arc sections of the outer edge of the CD.