GB2484170A

GB2484170A - Storage case

Info

Publication number: GB2484170A
Application number: GB1112540.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark R Marriott
Original assignee: Dubois Ltd
Current assignee: Dubois Ltd
Priority date: 2010-07-21
Filing date: 2011-07-21
Publication date: 2012-04-04
Also published as: GB201112540D0

Abstract

A storage container comprising a lid 102 hinged to a base 101 at a first edge and at least one reinforcing rib 150 provided on at least one of the base and lid proximate a second edge that is opposite to the first edge. The storage container is for holding information storage media, e.g. CD, DVD, and may include disc holding means 104 which cooperates with a removable security strap 108 inserted through aperture channels 114A, 11B across the disc holding means 104 to prevent the disc holding being depressed and preventing release of the disc. The reinforcing web 150 may run parallel substantially the majority of the length of the edge or less. The strengthening rib 150 may include a buttress 152 and may include two ribs extending in opposite directions along the second edge.

Description

CONTAINER LOCKING MECHAN1SM

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is related to International Application PCT/US1O/33124 filed April 30, 2010 which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §1 19(e) of provisional appflcation serial number 61/174,587 filed on May 1, 2009, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their respective entireties.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This invention relates to a container and containers for holding and enclosing a product and to security devices for use therewith to prevent or deter theft.

[0003] The invention is particularly concerned with container and containers for products such as compact discs (Cos) or digital versatile discs (DVD5), but may be applicable to other forms of product.

DESCRI PTION

[0004] This invention relates to apparatus and cases for holding and enclosing information storage media and to security devices for use therewith to prevent or deter theft.

[0005] The invention is particularly concerned with apparatus and cases for holding disc shaped data carriers, for example COs and DVDs, but may be applicable, to other forms of information storage media.

[0006] Various types of containers are known for holding CDs or DVDs. Many CDs are housed in so called "jewel boxes" which comprise a plastic tray on which the CD is mounted and the tray is installed within a clear plastic box comprising a base portion and a lid portion hinged thereto.

More recently there have been advances in the technology, particularly for housing DVDs, which are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,068. the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0007] A problem encountered with such known apparatus is the removal and theft of a CD or DVD from the apparatus within a store selling such products. The disc holder is usually provided within a container which is provided with a security tag which triggers an alarm if the container is taken out of the store without the tag first being removed or rendered inactive by staff in the store. The container may also be provided with a clear plastic wrapper which has to be removed before the container can be opened. However, it has been found that thieves are able to slit the wrapper along an edge of the container, e.g. the bottom edge, and release the CD or DVD from the disc holder within the container by actuating the release mechanism thereof by pressing this through a side wall of the container. They are then able to remove the CD or DVD from the container by compressing the container so that the side walls bow forming a gap between the two halves thereof so the CD or DVD can be slid out through the slit made in the wrapper. An experienced thief is able to do this whilst pretending to examine the product and slip the CD or DVD into a coat pocket unobserved. They then leave the empty container on the shelf and leave the store with the CD or DVD in their pocket without triggering the alarm system.

[0008] In U. S. Patent No. 7,404,484 (the 484 patent, which is incorporated by reference herein), a case is disclosed, which, among other functions, may hold information storage media in combination with a releasable security member insertable into the case for inhibiting removal of the storage media from the case. The releasable security member may also hold the case closed.

[0009] The apparatus disclosed in the 484 patent may be adapted to hold disc-shaped data carriers such as compact discs (CD5) or DVDs. The security device can be used with a wide variety of such apparatus including CD or DVD cases as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,068 and the well-known version of a CD case known as a "jewel box." [0010] The present disclosure seeks to improve upon the apparatus of the prior art.

[0011] Preferred and optional features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the subsidiary claims of the specification.

[0012] The invention will now be further described, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

BR1EF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] F1G. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus for holding a DVD, together with a schematic representation of a security device partially inserted therein; [0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with a strengthening rib added; [0015] F1G. 3A is a perspective view the apparatus of FIG. 2; [0016] F1G. 38 is a detail of the apparatus of F1G. 3A; [0017] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the apparatus; and [0018] F1G. 48 is a detailed partial view of the apparatus of F1G. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a known apparatus 100 for holding a disc shaped information storage media such as a DVD. The apparatus comprises a base portion 101 and a lid portion 102 connected by a hinge portion 103. A disc engaging mechanism 104 is provided on the base portion 101 for releasably engaging the central aperture of a OVID or CD. The mechanism preferably comprises at least one cantilevered arm 105 with a button-like member 106 at the radially inner end thereof. The example shown comprises two cantilevered arms 105 each having a button portion 106 at its inner end.

[0020] An upstand 107 is provided on the base portion 101 so as to extend around the periphery of a disc mounted in the apparatus 100.

[0021] The apparatus 100 operates in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,068 and referred to above. This will not be described further here other than to note that to release a disc from the apparatus 100, the button portions 106 and the arms 105 on which they are provided must be depressed. Accordingly, by inserting a security device 108 beneath the arms when the disc is in place, the disc can be locked on the button 106. This is described further in the PCT patent application no. PCT/GBO1/04553 the disclosure of which is also incorporated herein.

[0022] The security device 108 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a first long arm 109 and a second, shorter arm 110 the two arms being connected to a head 111. The two arms 109, 110 and the head 111 each comprises a flat strip of a relatively tough plastic material, e.g. glass reinforced NYLONTM or ABS each being approximately 8-12 mm wide and 1.0 to 1.5 mm thick.

[0023] The long arm 109 passes through a &ot 112 in a side waIl 113 of the base portion 101 and through a slot 114 in the upstand 107 so that it can extend across the base portion 101 and be fitted beneath the arms 105 in order to prevent operation of the disc release mechanism 104.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows the security device 108 partially inserted into the apparatus 100. Once the fld 102 of the case is moved into the closed position, the security device 108 is pushed further into the case so that the head 111 lies within a recess 115 in the edge of the case (this recess being provided to facilitate finger access to the opening edge of the case) and the shorter arm passes through a slot in the edge of the lid portion 102 so as to hold the id 102 in the closed position, as will be described further below.

[0025] The security device 108 can be locked in place in a variety of ways depending upon the evel of security required. In a simple form; requiring only a low level of security, the security device 8 may be inserted into the case to lock the disc release mechanism 104 and to hold the case closed. The case may then be provided with a wrapping (not shown), e.g. a clear plastics sleeve or shrink wrapping, which passes over the recess 115 so that the security device 108 can only be removed folowing breakage or removal of this wrapping.

[0026] In addition, a conventional security tag (not shown) can be mounted on the longer arm 109 (or the shorter arm 110 if it is big enough) so it cannot be removed without withdrawing the security device 108 from the case. Alternatively, the security tag can be mounted on the inner face of the head 111 or positioned such that it is sandwiched between the head 111 and the side waU 113 of the case when the security device 108 is fully inserted within the case so, again, it cannot be removed without withdrawing the security device 108 from the case.

[0027] lt will be appreciated that the security member 108 described above is slidabte through an aperture, e.g. the slot 112, in an edge of the case opposite the hinge portion 103. The security member is thus located in the opening edge of the case opposite the hinge where it is most effective in holding the case closed. A user normaUy opens such a case by prising apart the base 101 and lid 102 portions along the edge opposite the hinge portion 103 as this give maximum leverage and both base and lid portions 101, 102 can be easily engaged by the user's fingers or thumbs. lt is for this reason that the finger recess 115 is provided in this position. The security member 108 being inserted in this edge thus holds the case closed at the point where such opening forces would normally be applied. ft can also be designed to inhibit access to the edges of the base 101 and lid 102 portions where they are normally prised apart. Location of the security member 108 in this edge also enab'es the security member 108 to be made small particularly if it is not designed to extend to the disc engaging mechanism 104, but even if it also provides this function, this is the shortest route to the disc release mechanism 104 (for a rectangular DVD case of the type illustrated). The security member 108 preferably slides through an aperture in the edge of the case in a direction towards the hinge portion 103.

S

[0028] The effectiveness of the apparatus 100 for securing and protecting the contents, such as a DVD, relies to some extent on the strength of the materials from which the apparatus 100 is made. For example, the thickness of base portion 101, lid portion 102, and hinge portion 103 each have an influence on the strength of the apparatus 100. In particular, when the security member 108 holds the apparatus 100 closed along the center, the stiffness of the base portion 101 and lid portion 102 help hold closed the corners of the apparatus 100. ln order to reduce the amount of material, such as plastic, used in the apparatus 100, it may be desirable to use a thinner base portion 101 and lid portion 102. This may reduce the stiffness of the base portion 101, and particularly, the lid portion 102. Base portion 101 gains some stiffness from the material in upstand 107. However, lid portion 102 may lack such features.

[0029] F1G. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention which comprises a number of features, particularly, but not exclusively aimed at improving the strength of an article holding apparatus such as (but not limited to) the apparatus 100 shown in Figure 1 so that a lower grade or reduced thickness material could be employed to construct an article holding apparatus and/or aimed at improving the secure retention of an article held by an article holding apparatus such as (but not limited to) apparatus 100. The numbering referred to in Figure 1 has been adopted in the other figures for ease of identifying like features. Additional reference numerals have, where possible, been used to denote the additional features that are the subject of the present invention.

For ease of understanding, description and illustration, in Figure 2 one case or apparatus for housing a disc-shaped article (such as a CD or DVD but not limited thereto) is shown, in which a number of novel improvements are depicted. lt will be understood from reading the foregoing that each of these features may advantageously be employed individually, or in any combination with some or all of the other advantageous features shown and described, Furthermore, it will be recognised that the exemplary format of each illustrated advantageous feature is not limiting. Some variations of each feature that it is envisaged would be used in other embodiments of the invention are described below. These are non-limiting examples of the ways in which the features of the invention may be variously employed and combined.

The apparatus for holding a disc illustrated in Figure 2, while similar in many respects to the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, contains certain aspects that are different as will be described here.

It should also be understood that whereas certain features of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 2 are provided for interaction with a security device) for example the disc engaging mechanism 104, the structure those features may in other embodiments be different to that depicted. For example, the disc engaging mechanism 104 disclosed here is merely exemplary and other suitable disc engaging mechanisms 104 may in other embodiments of the invention be deployed for use in conjunction with a security device, (such as, but not necessarily limited to the security device 108 depicted in Figures 1 and 2), that is capable of interfering with the normal operation of the disc engaging mechanism to prevent its actuation for releasing a disc.

Furthermore, the upstand 107 illustrated is a preferred feature which may take various forms, the upstand 107 may in other embodiments be interrupted and may not be continuously formed circumferentially, but may) for example be formed in interrupted segments.

Turning now to a first of the optional additional advantageous features provided by the present invention, in the base portion 101, a slot 114A through upstand 107 is provided which in this) illustrated example projects inwardly of the edge 113 in other words, extends inward slightly in the form of a short tunnel.

Secondly, a terminal slot 114B may be provided on the hinge 103 side of the apparatus, for receiving the end of long arm 109, The additional terminal slot 114B may optionally be formed as an inward projection in the form of a short tunnel as illustrated, or may be formed as a simple slot within the upstand 107 for receiving a leading end of a security device 108.

A further aspect of the present invention provides, in the lid portion 102) one or more reinforcing ribs ISO preferably, extending from the lid slot 112A (through which short arm 110 passes to hold the apparatus closed or other structure through which security member 108 may pass), and outward toward corners of the apparatus. When security member 108 is disposed within the apparatus, the or each reinforcing rib 150 may serve to extend the clamping strength of the security member 108 outward from the center of the apparatus and toward the adjacent corners 165.

Optionally, and as depicted, the reinforcing rib 150 may be attached to lid portion side wall 113A by one or more buttresses 152 (more clearly seen in FIG. 48).

Reinforcing rib ISO may extend outward to adjacent corner 165, extending for example as far or nearly as far as an optional literature clip 160, or even further if no literature clip is provided.

Reinforcing rib 150 may also extend a lesser distance. There may be one, two, or more reinforcing ribs extending outward to each of adjacent corners 165 or sides of the apparatus.

[0030] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of the apparatus of F1G. 2, including rib 150, slot tunnel 114A, slot tunnel 1148, while FIG. 38 shows a close-up detail of rib 150, lid portion side wall 113A, and literature clip 160. In this example, rib 150 extends outward almost reaching the literature clip. F1Gs. 4/k and 48 show corresponding perspective and detail views of another embodiment of the apparatus including a rib 1SOA that extends a shorter distance outward.

[0031] The rib 150, 150/k may add strength to the lid. The strengthening effect of rib 150, 150/k may be adjusted by modifying the length L, thickness T, and height H of the rib. The thickness T and height H may vary along the length L. There may be two or more ribs, for example, one rib extending outward toward each of adjacent corners 165. Two or more ribs, of equal or different sizes, may extend approximately parallel toward one or each of adjacent corners 165. Any combination of ribs may be used, for example a single rib extending to one corner, a first rib extending to one corner and a second rib extending to the other corner, two ribs extending to one corner and two other ribs extending to the other corner, two ribs extending to one corner and three ribs extending to the other corner, etc. Ribs extending toward opposite corners may be connected or partly connected to one another at or near slot 112. Each rib may have different dimensions or all the ribs may have the same dimensions.

[0032] By way of example, the ength L of each rib may range from about 1 mm to about 6 or about 7 cm on a OVO case with iterature clips 160, or from about 1 mm to about 9 cm on a DVD case without iterature clips 160. For other size cases, the length of each rib 150, 1SOA may range from about 1% to about 100% of the distance V" between the lid slot 112A and the adjacent corner 165 or edge of the OVID case. In other words the length of each rib may range from about 1% to about 50% of the length of the case between corners 165. The thickness T of the rib may, for example, range from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm. The height H of the rib may, for example, range from about 1 mm to about 15 mm, or from about 1% to about 100% of the distance, in the closed configuration, between the inside surfaces of base portion 101 and id portion 102. The thickness T and height H of the rib may vary across its length L. [0033] There may be provided a tapered or sloped termination at the ends of the rib. The rib may extend to and be joined to the corner 165 or side (e.g. generally longer) wall, or top or bottom (e.g. generally shorter) wall. The rib 150, 150A may be attached to the lid portion side wall 113A by one or more web 154.

[0034] Buttresses 152 may be used to connect rib 150, 150A and lid portion side wall 113A. The number and size of such buttresses may vary from the example shown in HG. 4B. Such buttresses may be located at one or more locations anywhere aong the length of the rib 150, 1SOA. if two or more ribs extend toward one corner, those ribs may be connected by one or more buttresses between the ribs. The buttresses 152 are entirely optional.

[0035] The exampes above describe one or more ribs located on the id portion 102. However, one or more ribs may be located on the base portion 1011 or one or more ribs may be located on both of the lid 102 and base portions 101. The dimensions of the ribs may be adjusted to accommodate the presence (or absence) of features such as a literature clip 160, an upstand 107, or other features on either the lid portion 102 or the base portion 101.

[0036] lt will be appreciated from the above that this invention can be provided in various different forms. Many of the individual features and combinations of features referred to above are believed to be novel. The invention is thus not limited to the specific combinations of features or the embodiments described but extends to cover each of the principles described or combinations thereof [0037] Whilst the invention has been described in relation to a disc holder of the type shown in the drawings, it will be appreciated that such disc holders can take a variety of forms and many aspects of the invention can be used with other types of disc holder.

[0038] Furthermore, as indicated in the introduction? aspects of the invention are also applicable to an apparatus or case for holding other types of information storage media, or products other than information storage media that may or may not be disc-shaped.

Claims

Cairns 1. Apparatus for use in holding information storage media, the apparatus comprising: a base portion; a lid portion; whereby the base portion and lid portion are hingedly attached together along a first edge of the apparatus, and moveable relative to each other between open and closed positions, and a reinforcing rib located on at least one of the base portion and the lid portion and proximate to a second edge of the apparatus that is opposite from the first edge of the apparatus.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a releasable security member comprising a first projection and a second projection both extending from a head portion in a first direction, the base portion being adapted to receive the first projection and the lid portion being adapted to receive the second projection so that, when the first and second projections are respectively received by the base and lid portions, the base and lid portions are thereby held in the closed position with the head portion located adjacent an external surface of the apparatus.
3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 comprising a holding member on the base portion for releasably holding information storage media; the releasable security member being insertable into the base portion so as to interact with the holding member to inhibit the holding member from releasing the information storage media.
4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which the head portion of the security member fits within a recess in the exterior of the apparatus when the first and second projections are received by the base and lid portions.
5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the reinforcing rib extends substantially paraflel to the second edge of the apparatus.
6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the reinforcing rib comprises a length between 1 mm and 9 cm.
7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the reinforcing rib comprises a length between 1% and 50% of the length of the second edge.
8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing rib comprises a thickness between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.
9. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing rib comprises a height between 1 mm and 15 mm.
10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing rib comprises a height between 1% and 100% of the distance in the closed position between the lid portion and base portion.
11. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing rib and at least one of the base and lid are made from the same material.
12. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, comprising two reinforcing ribs, each rib extending in opposite directions along the second edge.
13. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a buttress between the reinforcing rib and the second edge.
14. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second reinforcing rib proximate to and substantiafly paraUel to the reinforcing rib.
15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, further comprising a buttress between the reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing rib.
16. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein an article holding mechanism, is provided on the base for releasably holding an article and wherein one or more slot-forming inward projections 114A, 114B is provided for receiving and guiding a security device, said one or more slot-forming projections being positioned relative to the article holding mechanism such that a security device receivable through said one or more slot-forming inward projections can interfere with the operation of the article holding mechanism to prevent article release.
17. Apparatus substantially as described herein and/or as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

18, A package comprising an apparatus according to any of the preceding claims and one or more articles held therein.