NZ531286A

NZ531286A - Packaging device for disc-shaped items and related materials and method for packaging such discs and material

Info

Publication number: NZ531286A
Application number: NZ531286A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Alexandra Gordon; Charles W Grimes; William L Plumb
Original assignee: Avecmedia Inc
Priority date: 2001-07-27
Filing date: 2002-07-26
Publication date: 2005-12-23
Also published as: EP1419098A4; CN1556768A; EP1419098A1; BR0211501A; JP2004536751A; MXPA04000838A; WO2003011716A1; CA2455617A1

Abstract

An elongated packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as, for example, a recording media disc such as a CD, a CD-ROM or a DVD, together with other materials relating to such disc or otherwise in a stacked relationship. The packaging device includes a first member having a first chamber having a first opening for providing access into this first chamber and a second chamber having a second chamber and a second opening for providing access into the second chamber, wherein the first member is adapted to be removably attached to the second member about the second opening to thereby cover this second opening. A method is further provided for packaging such disc-shaped item and other material within the packaging device.

Description

531286 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 PACKAGING DEVICE FOR DISC-SHAPED ITEMS AND RELATED MATERIALS AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING SUCH DISCS AND MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates, in general, to a device for packaging and displaying a circular or disc-shaped media and other materials and a method for packaging such disc-shaped media and other materials and, in particular, to containers and methods for initially packaging and 10 thereafter repeatedly storing disc-shaped media together with or without other materials.

Still more particularly the present invention relates to a new and improved container for initially packaging and thereafter repeated storing of disc-shaped media and other materials in stacked relationship, having a first chamber and a second chamber stacked on top of one another for respectively receiving and securely retaining the disc media and the other 15 materials.

Still more particularly the present invention further relates to a new and improved method for initially packaging and thereafter repeated storing of media and other materials in stacked relationship, wherein in a preferred embodiment the media is releasably retained within a first container such that the media is permitted to move rotationally while being 20 limited in linear movement both perpendicularly and parallel to the plane of the media, and the other materials are placed inside an open ended second container. 2. Background of the Invention Packaging and storage devices for media are generally known. Disc-shaped media, 25 such as CD's, DVD's or CD-ROM's, encounter special problems in handling, packaging and storage due to their delicate, flat recorded surfaces. Such disc media is generally sold in plastic cases which are sometimes referred to as "jewel boxes." Such cases are generally 1 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 rectangular and have a mounting hub for holding the disc media by its center aperture. Such cases are usually kept after purchase of the disc media and utilized for re-packaging of the disc media between usage. Such jewel boxes are impractical packaging containers for shipping because of their small dimensions and easy breakage, and they thus require 5 substantial additional packaging material or placement in larger shipping containers.

Disc media is routinely sold with other materials (whether directly related to the content of the disc media, i.e., ancillary, or otherwise). At the present time, disc media in such "jewel boxes" is commonly packaged together with ancillary materials in larger rectangular shaped cardboard boxes for shipping, sale and packaging. The "jewel boxes" are 10 necessary to reliably protect the disc media from contact with the ancillary materials in the larger cardboard boxes. Such plastic case/cardboard box combination package arrangements are not only expensive, they also do not lend themselves to easy and secure repeated re-storage of the disc media and ancillary materials. They are often damaged during initial opening and repeated re-storage. They are often unable after initial opening to securely re-15 store the disc media (in the jewel box) and the other materials together in the cardboard packaging in a manner to preclude contact with each other. They frequently become unsightly after initial opening and repeated re-storage. They are, themselves, difficult to handle and store.

Other types of packaging and storage devices are needed to organize, protect, ship, 20 display at retail and store disc media sold and/or shipped in combination with ancillary materials.

A need also exists for devices which can effectively and efficiently organize, protect, ship, display at retail and store disc shaped media with other materials.

An opportunity exists that is not being commercially exploited at the present time to 25 distribute disc-shaped recording media with materials that are either ancillary or wholly 2 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 unrelated to the content of the disc media. This opportunity arises in connection with delivery of purchases to catalog, e-commerce, and other "shop-at-home" customers, as well as for the distribution of free-standing-insert type advertising, samples, business-to-business communications and other forms of direct marketing and retail sales. This opportunity is not 5 being exploited due to the lack of an effective container design and method for efficiently organizing, protecting, shipping, displaying at retail and storing disc-shaped media packaged with other materials. 3 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 Summary of the Invention The primary object of the present invention is to provide a container in which and a method whereby disc-shaped media and ancillary materials can initially be packaged together in stacked relationship and, after removal and use, they can easily be re-stored in stacked 5 relationship in a manner so as to avoid contact therebetween.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging that eliminates the need for a separate case (i.e., the need for a "jewel box") for the disc media.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container and a method of 10 packaging whereby during initial storage, shipping, retail presentation and re-packaging disc media is securely held against movement and protected.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a shipping container in which and a method of packaging whereby disc-shaped media and other materials can be packaged, presented, conveyed, distributed and stored. 15 But another important object of the present invention is to provide an aesthetically unique and compelling device and method for presenting at retail disc-shaped media and other materials which may or may not be related to the content of the media.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging including a first member being in a clam-shell configuration having two 20 complementary compartments joined by an interlocking mechanism such as a common hinge forming, when in the closed position, a first chamber, said compartments being larger than the external diameter of the disc media to thus receive and retain the disc media in the first chamber of the first member of the container against movement in the plane or perpendicular to the plane of the disc media. 4 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 Still another object of the present invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby either an annular ring or protrusions mounted on the inner surface of either of said complementary compartments serve to retain the disc media in the first chamber of the first member of the container against movement in the plane or perpendicular to the 5 plane of the disc media.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby the first member has two complementary components, capable of being joined together by a complementary interlocking structure, and the outside configuration of one of the compartments is adapted for seating engagement with the second member. 10 Another object of the present invention is to provide a "safety" seal whereby the first member is secured to the second member until the end user receives the container and removes the seal to thereby allow the two members to be separated.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby the container has a removable lid that attaches to the second member of 15 the container after the first member has been either initially positioned or subsequently restored.

But another object of the present invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby the first member and lid are removable and the first member alone can be used as a permanent storage and restoring package for the disc media alone. 20 Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby an annulaT ring or protrusions mounted on the internal wall of the compartments of the first member of the container define an annular post slightly smaller in exterior diameter than the diameter of the center hole of the disc media to thus retain the disc media on the post in the first chamber of the first member of the container against movement 25 in the plane or perpendicular to the plane of the disc media.

WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 A ftirther object of the present invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the second member includes a removable seal to protect the other materials stored therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging 5 whereby the internal wall of a first chamber of a first member of the container is cylindrical in shape and of a diameter slightly larger than the external diameter of the disc media to thus retain the disc media in the first chamber of the first member of the container against movement in the plane of the disc media.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging 10 whereby either an annular ring or protrusions mounted on the internal wall of the first chamber of the first member of the container define an opening slightly larger in internal diameter than the external diameter of the disc media into which the disc media can be inserted to thus retain the disc media in the first chamber of the first member of the container against movement in the plane of the disc media.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby either an annular lip or protrusions extend from the internal wall of the first chamber of the first member of the container and define an opening slightly smaller in internal diameter than the external diameter of the disc media on which the disc media can seat to thus retain the disc media in the first chamber of the first member of the container against 20 movement in a first direction perpendicular to the plane of the disc media.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby the container has a removable lid that attaches to the first member of &e container after the disc media has been either initially positioned or subsequently re-stored on the seat and that retains the disc media against movement in a second, opposite direction 25 perpendicular to the plane of the disc media. 6 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby the first member and lid are removable and the first member and lid alone can be combined to create a permanent storage and restoring package for the disc media alone.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging 5 whereby an annular ring or protrusions mounted on the internal wall of the first chamber of the first member of the container define an annular post slightly smaller in exterior diameter than the diameter of the center hole of the disc media to thus retain the disc media on the post in the first chamber of the first member of the container against movement in the plane of the disc media.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the first chamber is within the removable lid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the first chamber is within the removable lid and the disc media support member is a center post fixedly attached to and extending from either the inside center of the lid or the center of the base of the first chamber.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the disc is retained in the plug and protected by a lid that nests within the plug.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the disc is retained in the plug and protected by a lid that covers the plug.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the disc is retained in the plug and protected by a lid that covers both the plug and packaging container.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the disc media is supported within the first member by means of center 7 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 support and retained therein by sealing means such as shrink wrapped plastic, foil seal, or paperboard seal.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the disc media is supported within the first member by means of a 5 protective envelope.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the disc media is supported within the first member by means of a protective element having corresponding interlocking members attached by a flexible hinge.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of 10 packaging whereby the plug is adapted to break open and fold back along a predetermined line so as to create a side opening into the cavity thereby allowing unfettered slidable insertion of the disc-shaped media into the cavity at a level beneath the opening of the plug in its closed position.

But another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging 15 whereby the plug includes projections disposed between the point of introduction of the disc and the opening so as to prevent the disc from being extracted through the opening.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the plug breaks open and includes mating faces at the points where the sidewall is cut so as to ensure locking engagement in a closed position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the plug breaks open so as to allow insertion of the disc, whereby the disc is first loaded onto a center support structure of a lid and the combined lid and disc can be slid into the plug through the side opening.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging 25 whereby the plug breaks open so as to allow insertion of the disc and whereby the disc is first 8 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 loaded onto a center support structure of a lid, wherein the side walls of the lid are dimensioned to engage the floor and the underside of the projections in an abutting relationship to positively hold the lid in the plug.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container in which and a method 5 whereby disc-shaped media and liquid refreshment materials can be packaged together in stacked relationship in a manner so as to avoid contact therebetween.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging that en shies the delivery of disc-shaped media at the point of retail delivery of beverages and other liquid refreshments in a fun, innovative and eye-catching manner.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging that enables disc-shaped media to be securely packaged remotely from the point of retail delivery with beverage or other liquid refreshments.

Each object is to be read disjunctively with the object of at least providing the public with a useful choice.

To accomplish these and other objects, the container of this invention is an elongated packaging device for packaging at least one disc-shaped recording media and other materials, said device comprising: a first member having a first chamber and a first opening for providing access into said first chamber, said first member having an opened and a closed position; a second member having a second chamber and a second opening for providing access into said second chamber, wherein said first member is adapted to be removably attached to said second member about said second opening to thereby cover said second opening; means for supporting and protecting said recording media within said first chamber against lineal movement in either the plane of the recording media or perpendicular to the plane 25 of the recording media, while simultaneously allowing the recording media to rotate about the axis perpendicular to the plane of the recording media within said first chamber.

In one embodiment, the first member consists of a pair of complementary compartments attached to each other at the edges thereof by means of an interlocking mechanism as is commonly known in the art, such as a common hinge, such that the shape of 30 said complementary compartments is in a mating top and bottom or "clam-shell" type configuration. Said compartments, referred to generally as the upper compartment and the lower compartment, are substantially identical in shape and size, and are of a diameter at least INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE g OF HZ 3 0 SEP 2005 RECEIVED WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 slightly greater than the outer diameter of a disc-shaped media. The compartments include means for retaining the first member in a closed position with the upper compartment being situated immediately adjacent to the lower compartment such, that the first chamber formed thereby is relatively insulated. Said means for retaining may be a snap or clasp, or may 5 simply require that one of said compartments be slightly smaller in diameter than the other such that the smaller compartment nests within the larger. Within either the upper compartment or the lower compartment, or both, is disposed means for supporting and protecting said recording media within said first chamber against lineal movement in either the plane of the recording media or perpendicular to the plane of the recording media, while 10 simultaneously allowing the recording media to rotate about the axis perpendicular to the plane of the recording media within said first chamber. The closed first member may then be inserted into and engaged with the second opening to the second chamber such that the first member serves to close, either partially or completely, the second opening to the second chamber. The means for engagement include a variety of conventional attaching means, such 15 as by means of a compression fit. The first member can optionally be secured to the second member by a conventional temporary annular "safety" seal or "tamper proof' seal.

In another embodiment, the container of this invention comprises a first member provided with a first chamber, a first opening and a removable lid for closing such first opening, and a second member provided with a second chamber and a second opening for the 20 storage of other materials in such second chamber. Either the first member or the lid may include an inner structure defining central support for the disc media by means of interaction of such inner structure with the annular opening at the center of the disc media, such that the disc media is allowed to rotate, while limiting the linear movement of the disc media both perpendicular to and parallel to the plane of the media. The inner structure in the preferred 25 form includes projections which cooperate to provide secure support for the disc shaped WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 media. Alternatively, the disc-shaped media may be retained and supported within an envelope that may be attached either to the lid or the first member, or within a protective element having corresponding, interlocking elements that may be attached by means of a flexible hinge, said protective element having a generally clam shell-like shape. Other means 5 of retaining and supporting the disc-shaped media include within the first member a removable shrink-wrapped plastic, foil seal or paperboard seal attached about the opening to the first chamber within the first member, or by means of a plurality of tabs or protrusions disposed about the internal diameter of the first chamber within the first member, said tabs being positioned so as to suspend the disc-shaped media above the bottom surface of the 10 chamber. The lid may be engaged with and secured to the first member by means of a compression fit, although other attachment means, such as snaps, tabs, adhesives, and the like are contemplated. Once stored within the first member, access to the disc-shaped media may be obtained by removing the lid, shrink wrapped plastic, foil seal or paperboard seal, hi an alternative embodiment, access to the first chamber of the first member may be achieved 15 through a side opening create by splitting or breaking the first member along a preset line extending across the floor of the first member between opposed points on the side wall that have been cut The disc alone may be slid into the plug through the side opening or the disc may be mounted on a center support structure of the lid and the combined disc and lid can be slid into the plug through the side opening. If a shrink wrap, foil seal or paperboard seal has 20 been used, either a tab or other similar means for removing the seal is also provided. Alternatively, if complete sealing of the disc in the plug is not required, the seal member can have a notched-out area along its periphery to allow finger access between the sea] and the plug side wall so the seal can be grabbed and removed. The first member with lid affixed is then inserted into and engaged with the second opening to the second chamber such that the 25 combined first member and affixed lid serve to close and seal the second opening to the 11 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 second chamber. The means for engagement include a variety of conventional attaching means, such as a compression fit or, alternatively, snapping the combined first member and lid into the opening, screwing the combined first member and lid into the opening, or using fins on the exterior surface of the first member to frictionally engage with the inner surface of 5 the second member.

In another method of packaging, disc media is inserted into and releasably retained within the first chamber of the first member, and the lid is then removably attached to the first opening of the first chamber by means of a compression fit, snaps or tabs. The other materials are inserted into the second opening of the second member, either before or after 10 the loading of the disc-shaped media, and then the combined first member and lid are inserted into the second opening in the second member such that the combined first member and lid serve to close and seal the second opening to the second chamber in the second member. Alternate methods include inserting the disc-shaped media into the first member and sealing it therein by means of shrink-wrapped plastic, foil seal or paperboard seal. Another such 15 alternative method includes inserting the disc-shaped media into a protective element prior to loading the protective element into the first member. In yet another alternative method, the disc-shaped media may be first inserted into a lid and the lid then attached to the first member, which member is then inserted into the second member. .

In another embodiment, the container is a first member or wafer for the storage of 20 disc-shaped media in a first chamber and a second member or container for the storage of a beverage in a second chamber, which container is sealed by a cover having an opening at the center thereof for the insertion of a straw. The first chamber is an annular inner chamber for receiving the disc media and includes a cylindrical inner structure defining central support for the disc media by means of the annular opening at the center thereof, such that the disc media 25 is allowed to rotate, while limiting the linear movement of the disc media both perpendicular 12 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 to and parallel to the plane of the media. The inner structure includes an aperture therethrough, which aperture aligns with the opening of the cover when the wafer is in place on the cover. The disc-shaped media is sealed within the annular inner chamber of the wafer by means of a circular protective element which engages the cylindrical inner structure and 5 the perimeter of the wafer, thereby preventing the passage of any substance into the inner chamber of the wafer. In the preferred embodiment, the protective element is heat-sealed to the inner structure and perimeter of the wafer, although other attachment means, such as adhesives, or sealing compression fits, are contemplated. A means for penetration is disposed in the center of the protective element such that the penetration means is aligned with the 10 aperture through the inner structure such that a straw may be inserted through the means for penetration, the aperture in the inner structure and the opening in the cover in order to gain access to the beverage. In the preferred embodiment, the means for penetration comprises an "X" shaped incision known as a "kiss cut." In this method of packaging, disc media is inserted into and releasably retained within 15 the annular inner chamber of the wafer by means of the cylindrical inner structure and sealed therein by means of the protective element. A beverage is poured into the second chamber of the container and sealed therein by means of a cover having a central straw opening. The wafer is then removably attached to the cover such that the opening in the cover and the aperture through the inner structure are aligned. A straw may then be inserted through the 20 protective element and cylindrical inner structure of the wafer, and through the opening in the cover, to allow drinking of the beverage.

In yet another embodiment, the container of this invention is a cylindrical lid adapted to receive and retain a disc-shaped media, which cylindrical lid is then sealingly engaged to a beverage container of the type typically constructed of plastic or paper which is often sold or 25 given away as a promotional item in connection with the purchase of a large fountain 13 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 beverage. The lid includes a cylindrical inner structure defining central support for the disc media by means of the annular opening at the center of the disc, such that the disc media is allowed to rotate, while limiting the linear movement of the disc media both perpendicular to and parallel to the plane of the media. The inner structure includes an opening so as to allow 5 the passage therethrough of a straw. The inner surface of the lid also includes an annular shelf or projection, the diameter of which is larger than that of the disc media. The peak of the inner structure and annular shelf rise above the inner surfece a distance greater than the thickness of the disc. In the preferred embodiment, the peak of the annular shelf is coplanar with the peak of the inner structure. Once the disc media has been inserted within said lid 10 about said inner structure, a sealing member is applied, which sealing member is sealingly attached to the shelf and the inner structure about the peaks of such members, so as to seal the disc media within a dry, air-tight chamber, thereby preventing any beverage from coming in contact with the disc media. The center of the sealing member, which center is situated adjacent to the opening in the inner structure, includes a means to penetrate the sealing 15 member while maintaining the integrity of the air-tight chamber storing the disc media, i.e., the integrity of the seal between the sealing member and the inner structure is not corrupted by insertion of the straw. In the preferred embodiment, this means to penetrate comprises an "X" shaped incision, commonly referred to as a "kiss cut". By forcibly inserting a straw through said opening in said inner structure, the straw will penetrate the kiss cut, thereby 20 allowing access to the beverage in the container, without breaking the seal between the sealing member and the inner structure. The cylindrical lid is attached to the beverage container by means of a compression fit.

In this method of packaging, disc media is inserted into and releasably retained within the lid by means of the cylindrical inner structure, and sealed therein by the attachment of the 25 a sealing member. A beverage is poured into the beverage chamber, and stored therein by 14 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 means of attachment of the cylindrical lid. A straw may then be inserted through the cylindrical inner structure and sealing member to allow drinking of the beverage. Once the beverage is consumed (although complete consumption is not necessary), the lid is taken off the cup, the seal member is removed and the disc is extracted for use. The lid can then be 5 replaced on the cup (if any beverage remains in the cup), or the cup can be refilled and then the lid can be reapplied.

In yet another embodiment, the container of this invention comprises a first member having a center column for its upper portion and a means for receiving and retaining materials other than the disc-shaped item in its lower portion, which first member is slidably 10 inserted through the opening of and into the chamber of an elongated second member. A cover is provided to close the opening of the second member after insertion of the first member, thereby sealing the contents of both the first and second members. The disc-shaped media is releasably retained either by the first member or the cover such that the media is permitted to move rotationally while being limited in linear movement both perpendicularly 15 and parallel to the plane of the media. Materials other than the disc-shaped media may be placed into the chamber of the second member or, alternatively, into the means for receiving and retaining disposed in the lower portion of the first member. The first member is inserted into the second member and into the chamber therein through the opening, and then cover is then releasably attached to the second member. In the preferred embodiment, a means for 20 grasping the first member is disposed either on the sides or at the top of the column so as to allow a user to more easily remove the first member from the chamber in the second member, and thereafter replace same. A central support structure for the disc media is provided on either the cover or at the top of the column of the first member, which center support acts in combination with the annular opening at the center of the disc media, so as to allow the disc 25 media to rotate, while limiting the linear movement of the disc media both perpendicular to WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 and parallel to the plane of the media. The central support structure in the preferred form includes at least one projection which extends from either the inner surface of the cover or the top of the column, which projection provides secure support for the disc shaped media in either the lid or the column. In the preferred embodiment, at least one protrusion is disposed 5 on said projection, which protrusion further serves to retain said disc-shaped media upon the projection, once the disc-shaped media has been snapped in place over said protrusion. Once the disc media has been placed on the support structure, the cover is then engaged with and secured to the second member, thereby closing and sealing the opening.

In this method of packaging, materials other than the disc media are inserted into the 10 chamber of the second member or within the means for receiving and retaining disposed in the lower portion of the first member. The disc media is then inserted into and releasably retained about the central support structure on either the top of the column on the first member or on the inner surface of the cover. The first member is slidably inserted into the chamber of the second member, and the cover is then attached about the opening of the 15 second member such that it serves to close and seal the opening to the chamber in the second member.

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description. 16 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 Brief Description of the Drawings The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as the preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed 5 description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention with the lid and disk media removed, illustrating the use of a one-piece annular collar member with an annular ring and lip; FIG. 2 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of a portion of the novel disc packaging device of FIG. 1 when the lid is on the container, along line AA illustrating the resultant first and second chambers thereof; FIG. 2A is an alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 2, wherein a protective element is inserted between the first and second chambers; FIG. 2B is an alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 2A, showing an alternative method of insertion of the protective element between the first and second chambers; FIG. 2C is a further alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 2A, showing, a further alternative method of insertion of the protective element between the first and 20 second chambers; FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention illustrating the alternative use of abutments and protrusions affixed to the inside wall of the container; FIG. 3A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of a portion of the device shown in 25 FIG. 3, along line B-B, with a disc media and other materials inserted and the lid affixed; 17 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 FIG. 3B is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention illustrating the alternative use of the upstanding rim of the base and the inside wall of the cover in place of the abutments and protrusions of FIG. 3; FIG. 3C is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention illustrating the alternative use of the outer surface of the cover and the inner surface of a supplementary cover in place of the abutments and protrusions of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the novel disc packaging device of Ihe present invention 10 illustrating the alternative use of a center annular post support for the disc media suspended from spokes; FIG. 4A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of the device shown in FIG, 4, along line C-C, with a disc media and other materials inserted and the lid affixed; FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention 15 illustrating fingers that extend from a frame carried by the side wall of the container and that provide center support for the disc media; FIG. 5 A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of the device shown in FIG. 5, alone, line D-D, with a disc media and other materials inserted and the lid affixed; FIG. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of alternate embodiments of the packaging 20 device of the present invention depicting two different methods of mounting the disc media support member to the device outer wall; FIG. 7 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with disc media and other materials inserted, the protective element inserted and the lid closed, in which the first chamber in which the disc media is stored is in 25 the cover, 18 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 FIG. 7A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 7, wherein the disc media is inserted into a protective envelope that is affixed to the inner surface of the cover; FIGS. 8 and 8A are side perspective, partially cut-away, cross-sectional views of 5 alternative embodiments of the present invention, illustrating the use of the "lid" of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 as the base, thereby allowing the portion of the invention defining the second chamber to be of an irregular shape (FIG. 8) or to have deformable construction (FIG 8A); FIG. 9 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the 10 present invention in which the disk media is located in the lid and the lid and the container include second and third chambers, respectively, for storing other material; FIG. 10 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention in which the second chamber in the container for storing other materials includes a second opening separate and distinct from the lid and a removable cover such that access to 15 the second chamber can be attained without removing the lid; FIGS. 11 and 11A are cut-away, cross-sectional side views of another embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 10 in which the method of mounting shown in FIG. 6 A is utilized and wherein the removable cover for the second chamber can be mated with the removable cover for the first chamber to form a mini-packaging device shown in FIG. 11 A; 20 FIG. 12 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A in which the method shown in FIG. 3B for retaining the disc media is utilized and in which the two covers threadably engage the base and, when removed, can be threaded together to create a mini-packaging unit; 19 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 FIG. 12A and 12B are cut-away, cross-sectional side views of alternative embodiments of the device shown in FIG. 12, wherein the two covers slidably engage after removal (FIG. 12A) or threadably engage after removal (FIG. 12B); FIG. 13 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the present 5 invention in which a concave cavity on the exterior side of the cover for the device forms the first chamber for the disc media and a seal encloses the disc media within the concave cavity; FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention with the lid, disk media and protective element removed, illustrating the use of a sealed base; FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the disk media is sealed within the lid, and the base is separately sealed, and the lid and base are detachably joined together by an outer packaging skin that can be severed with a pull string; FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the novel disc packaging 15 device of the present invention in which the disc media is retained in a lid, which lid is engaged and retained within a container by means of an arcuate lip and tab or snap means, and the entire container and lid structure is then inserted into the opening of another container (not shown) containing other materials; FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 16; 20 FIG. 17A is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 16 showing the manner in which the lid of the device is attached to the container; FIG. 18 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 16 along line G-G; FIG. 18A is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 16 along line 25 G-G showing the disc media retained therein.

WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 completely inserted; FIG. 19A is a top elevational view of another embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the disc media is retained in the bottom chamber of a clam-shell first member, which first member is engaged and retained within the 5 container and serves as a cover or seal thereto; FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 19A; FIG. 19C is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 19A; FIG. 19D is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 19A showing an optional seal being inserted; FIG. 19E is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 19D showing the optional seal completely inserted; FIG. 20A is a top elevational view of another embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the disc media is retained in the bottom chamber of a clam-shell first member, which first member is engaged and retained within the 15 container and serves as a cover or seal thereto; FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 20 A; FIG. 20C is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 20A; FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the plug member is stored in a preliminary plug, 20 which is designed to be inserted into and substantially seal the opening of a container; FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of yet another alternate embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the plug container sits above a temporary container seal; 21 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 FIGs. 23A and 23B are cut-away, cross-sectional views of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the disc media is inserted into a plug-type member and secured therein by means of a lid.

FIGs. 24A and 24B are cut-away, cross-sectional views of an alternative embodiment 5 of the present invention in which the disc media is inserted into a plug-type member and secured therein by means of a flexible seal.

FIGs. 25A, 25B and 25C are cut-away, cross-sectional views of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the disc media is inserted into a plug-type member and secured therein by means of a paperboard seal.

FIGs. 26A, 26B and 26C are cut-away, cross-sectional views of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the disc media is inserted first into a protective element, which protective element is then inserted into a plug-type member and secured therein by various means.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in 15 which the plug-type member includes a scored line in the floor thereof, said scored line extending between two cut portions of the side wall of the plug-type member, so as to allow the plug type member to be biased open.

FIGs. 27A and 27B are cross-sectional views of the mating portions of the wall of the embodiment of FIG. 27.

FIG. 28 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the disc media is retained in a cylindrical lid comprising an upper and lower element, which container elements include means for engaging, retaining and sealing therein the disc-shaped media, and allowing passage 2 5 therethrough of a straw, which cylindrical lid may then be attached to a beverage container; 22 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 29; FIG. 31 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 29; and FIG. 31A is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 29 showing the disc media retained therein.

FIG. 32 is a top elevational view of another embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the disc media is retained in a cylindrical lid including means for engaging and retaining therein the disc-shaped media, and allowing passage therethrough of a straw, and sealing means working in conjunction therewith, which cylindrical lid may then be attached to a beverage container; FIG. 33 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 32; FIG. 34 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 32; FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 32; FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 32 showing the disc media retained therein; FIG. 37 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the disc media is retained in a first member or wafer, which is engaged and retained by the cover of a beverage container, wherein said cover is of the type having a central opening for receiving and retaining a straw, wherein said first member or wafer includes a central cylindrical element having an aperture therethrough for allowing the passage of a straw through the cover and the wafer into the interior of the beverage container; FIG. 38 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 37 showing the manner in which the cover of the device is attached to the container; FIG. 39 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 37 along line H-H; 23 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 FIG. 39A is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 37 along line H-H, with a disc retained therein; FIG. 39B is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of FIG. 37 showing the disc media retained therein; FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the disc media is retained in a first member or wafer, which is engaged and retained by the cover of a beverage container, wherein said cover is of the type having a central opening for receiving and retaining a straw, wherein said first member or wafer includes a central cylindrical element having an aperture 10 therethrough for allowing the passage of a straw through the cover and the wafer into the interior of the beverage container; FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 40 showing the wafer attached to the cover; FIG. 42 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the novel disc 15 packaging device of the present invention which includes a first basket-type member that is inserted into the container, which basket-type member includes means for receiving and I retaining other materials; FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 42; FIG. 44 is atop elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 42; FIG. 45 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 42 along line A-A; FIG. 46A is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which a flexible seal is provided, which seal is snapped into the device by means of at least one projection or protrusion 25 provided in the internal rim; 24 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 FIG. 46B is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which a flexible seal is provided, which seal is snapped into the device by means of at least one projection or protrusion provided in the internal cylindrical support element; FIG. 46C is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which a flexible seal is provided, which seal is snapped into the device by means of at least one projection or protrusion provided in both the internal rim and the internal cylindrical support element; FIG. 47 A is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of 10 the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which a seal is provided, which seal is affixed to at least one projection or protrusion provided in the internal rim of Ihe device by means of heat sealing or other adhesive attachment means; FIG. 47B is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which a seal is provided, which 15 seal is affixed to at least one projection or protrusion provided in the internal cylindrical support element of the device by means of heat sealing or other adhesive attachment means; FIG. 47C is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which a seal is provided, which seal is affixed to at least one projection or protrusion provided in both the internal rim and the 20 internal cylindrical support element of the device by means of heat sealing or other adhesive attachment means; FIG. 48 is a cut-away, cross-sectional -view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which two separate complementary elements are affixed to each other by means of a compression fit; WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 FIG. 49 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention including a skirt extending from the base of said device; FIG. 50 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the 5 novel disc packaging device of the present invention including a hinged element adapted to seal and protect the disc-shaped media within Ihe device; • FIG. 51 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which a the packaging device is attached to a container by means of the engagement of a skirt running along the periphery of 10 the device with the raised lip rim of the storage device. An optional safety seal is also shown; FIG. 52 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of FIG. 51 in which the device is attached to a book; FIG. 53 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of yet a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which a the packaging device is 15 attached to a container by means of the engagement of a skirt running along the periphery of the device with the raised lip rim of the storage device and includes an outwardly extending hub; FIG. 54 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a alternative embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 52; FIG. 55 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a alternative embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 53; FIG. 56 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the disc-shaped media is directly applied to the interior surface of a lid or cover by means of a fugitive glue or other temporary 25 adhesive; 26 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 FIG. 57A is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 56, further including a flexible seal applied about the opening to the chamber within the lid or cover by means of an adhesive or heat-sealing; FIG. 57B is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 56, further 5 including a seal snapped within the opening to the chamber within the lid or cover and retained therein by at least one projection or protrusion provided about the internal rim of the cover; FIG. 58A is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 57A in which no glue is used, and the disc-shaped media is allowed to float freely within the 10 chamber; FIG. 58B is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 57B in which no glue is used, and the disc-shaped media is allowed to float freely within the chamber; FIG. 59 is a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention in which a rigid seal having an opening therein, with a plurality of incisions creating a 15 plurality of tabs disposed thereabout, which tabs are designed to retain the disc-shaped media within a chamber having a central support structure for receiving the central aperture in the disc-media, said opening being slightly smaller in diameter than the external diameter of the central support structure such that the frictional contact between the opening in the seal and the central support structure serve to retain the seal in position on the central support 20 structure; FIG. 59A is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 59 showing a possible interaction between the tabs and the central support structure; FIG. 59B is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 59 showing another possible interaction between the tabs and the central support structure; and 27 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 FIG. 59C is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 59 showing yet another possible interaction between the tabs and the central support structure. 28 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 Detailed Description of the Invention With reference now to Ihe figures and in particular with reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a front view of the disc packaging device 10 of the present invention. As illustrated, disc packaging device 10 includes a lower base component or container 12 and an upper 5 cover component or lid 14. Lower base component 12 and upper cover component 14 are utilized to form a generally cylindrical packaging device of dimension slightly larger than the disc shaped recording media to be stored. End plates 16 and 18 cooperate with lower base component 12 and upper cover component 14 to fully enclose the cylindrical packaging space defined thereby.

The lower base component 12 of the embodiment of this invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a side wall 20. The side wall can be constructed from either cardboard (i.e., natural fiber material) or plastic (i.e., man-made synthetic material) or other material suitably rigid for the base component to retain its shape, including metal, e.g., as in a vacuum sealed, canned product.

The base component 12 can be designed to threadably receive the bottom plate 16 which is of conventional design, made of stiff cardboard, plastic, metal or some similarly rigid material and used as a cover-all screw cap on a very wide variety of containers. Alternatively the bottom plate 16 can nest inside the side wall 20 where it is held by friction, stapling, gluing or some other means. The side wall 20 has an upper section 22 and the upper 20 section 22 can be threaded to accommodate the upper cover component 14 although in the embodiment shown in FIGS 1 and 2 the cover is made of plastic and snaps on in a conventional manner.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the upper section 22 is defined by an outer wall 24, an inner wall 26 and a rim 28. The cover component 14 has a side wall 30 defined by an outer wall 32, 25 an inner wall 34 and a rim 36. The diameter of the inner wall 34 of the cover component is 29 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 slightly greater than the diameter of the outer wall 24 of the base component. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is an inner structure 40 which provides circumferential support for a disc shaped media 42 stored within the packaging device 10. The structure 40 comprises an annular collar 44 having an annular ring 46 and an annular lip 5 48. The inner structure 40 nests within the lower base component 12. The annular collar 44 has an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the inner wall 26 of the base component such that the annular collar extends beyond the inner wall 26 and sits on top of the base rim 28. The annular ring 46 has an outer diameter less than the diameter of the inner wall 26, such that the annular ring nests inside the inner wall 26. The annular lip 48 has an inner diameter 10 less than the outer diameter of the disc shaped media 42. Thus, the disc shaped media will rest on the annular lip, inside the annular ring. In this way, movement of the disc shaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media is precluded by the annular abutment 46. Movement of the disc shaped media perpendicular to its plane is prevented in one direction by the annular lip 48. When the cover component 14 is affixed to the base component 12, the 15 cover plate 18 acts to preclude movement of the disc shaped media in the opposite perpendicular direction to the plane of the disc shaped media.

In the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2A, a protective member 50 is attached to the annular lip 48. The protective member can be made of plastic film or any other conventional material to provide a barrier between the disc shaped media and other materials 52 which can 20 be stored in the base component 12 of the packaging device 10. The protective member can be permanently affixed to the annular lip or it can be affixed at the time of assembly and shipment and removed by the consumer after purchase, i.e., at a time when further "rough handling" that would cause interaction between the disc shaped media and the other materials is less likely to occur.

WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 In an alternative embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2B, the protective element is removable and sized to seat on the annular lip 48 between the annular lip 48 and the disc shaped media. The protective element is round like the disc shaped media and has a central opening into which one's finger can be inserted to engage, lift and remove the protective 5 element and subsequently engage, lift and replace the protective element.

In an alternative embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2C, the protective element 50B is flexible and is removably inserted within the lower base component beneath the annular lip 48 and on top of the other materials 52 placed therein. The protective element is sized to correspond to the interior wall 26 and has a central opening into which one's finger can be 10 inserted to engage, lift and remove the protective element and subsequently engage, lift and replace the protective element Alternatively, the protective element can be provided with a lift tab or some other conventional means whereby it can be grabbed and removed.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, the inner structure 40 is modified. The annular collar 44 with annular ring 46 and annular lip 48 is replaced, by 15 discrete abutments 54 and discrete protrusions 56. Collectively, the abutments 54 and protrusions 56 are positioned within the lower base component 12 around the circumference of the inner wall 26 spaced below the rim 28, affixed to the inner wall 26, so as to perform the same function as the annular ring 46 and annular lip 48. Specifically, the abutments 54 preclude movement of the disc shaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media i.e., 20 performing the same function as the annular ring 46. Similarly, the protrusions 56 are positioned about the inner wall 26 and collectively preclude movement of the disc shaped media in a direction perpendicular to plane of the disc shaped media i.e., performing the same function as the annular lip 48.

FIG. 3B shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the disc shaped media is 25 seated on the rim 28 and movement of the disc shaped media perpendicular to its plane is 31 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 prevented in one direction by the rim 28. When the cover 14 is affixed to the base component 12, movement of the disc shaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media is precluded by the inner wall 34 of the cover 14 and inner surface 14a of the cover 14 acts to preclude movement of the disc shaped media in the second, opposite perpendicular direction to the 5 plane of the disc shaped media.

FIG. 3 C shows a farther alternative embodiment wherein the disc shaped media is seated on the outside surface 14b of the cover 14 and movement of the disc shaped media perpendicular to its plane is prevented in one direction by a supplementary cover 144 that snaps onto the cover 14. When the supplementary cover 144 is affixed to the cover 14, 10 movement of the disc shaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media is precluded by the inner wall 144a of the supplementary cover 144 and the inner wall 144b of the supplementary cover 144 acts to preclude movement of the disc shaped media in the second, opposite perpendicular direction to the plane of the disc shaped media. The supplementary cover 144 can include a chamber 144d and a protective element 50b can be inserted to prevent contact 15 between the disc shaped media and whatever materials 52a are placed in the chamber 144d.

In the alternative embodiment seen in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the inner support structure 40 is replaced with an inner support structure 58 that provides center support for the disc shaped media as opposed to the circumferential support provided by inner structure 40. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the alternative inner structure 58 includes an annular 20 ring 60 and spokes 62 extending therefrom. As seen in FIG. 4A, the annular ring 60 has a raised portion 64 on which the disc media 42 sits, The spokes 62 each have a finger portion 66 which extends upwardly and outwardly such that when ihe structure 58 is inserted into the base component 12, the fingers 56 frictionally engage the inner wall 26 and sit on the upper rim 28. The structure 58 can include webbing between the fencers 56 (ala the webbing in a 25 duck's foot) comprised of a thin material to provide protection for the disc shaped media 42 32 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 from the other materials 52. Inside the annular ring 60 would be left open to allow the consumer, after removing, the cover 14, to insert their finger into the annular ring and to thereby remove both the disc shaped media 42 and the structure 58.

FIGS. 5 and 5A show a further alternative inner structure 68 comprising an annular 5 collar 70 from which fingers 72 extend inwardly. At the ends of the fingers 72 are upstanding projections 74. The annular collar 70 nests inside the inner wall 26 and sits on the rim 28 in the same manner as the inner structure 40 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The upstanding projections 74 cooperate to provide a center support structure for the disc shaped media.

As seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the fingers 72 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A do not necessarily need to be suspended from an annular collar. Alternatively, it could be clipped to the side wall 20 as seen in FIG. 6A or they could be screwed into the side wall 20 as shown in FIG. 6B.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a center support structure is provided 15 for the disc shaped media in the upper cover component 14. Specifically, projections 80 extend from the inside wall 82 of the end plate 18. These projections 80 cooperate to provide secure support for the disc shaped media in the cover component 14. A protective element 84 can be provided which is either removably nested within the cover as shown or which can be inserted at the time of manufacture and removed and discarded by the consumer after 20 purchase. The cover 14 can engage the base component 12 in any variety of conventional ways, e.g., snap on, telescope on, screw on, etc. hi a further alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, the disc shaped media is encased within an envelope 84a made of plastic or some other suitable material and which is affixed to the inside wall 82 of the end plate 18. The envelope is either removably or 25 permanently affixed, e.g., by gluing, with double-sided tape, or by other conventional means. 33 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 The envelope can itself constitute a re-useable packaging container for the disc shaped media that either remains affixed to the plate 18 or can be removed from the plate 18, e.g., so that the cover 14 can be discarded. Or the disc shaped media can be packaged within a packaging sleeve (not shown) ail of which can then be inserted into the envelope and then removed from 5 the envelope once the envelope is opened.

FIGS. 8 and 8A show further alternative embodiments of fee present invention. In FIG. 8, the fact that the disc shaped media is stored within the cover component 14 allows for an alternative construction of the container 12. In this alternative embodiment, the cover 14 serves as the "base". The alternative base 90, in which the other materials, in this case, a doll 10 92, are stored, has an end wall structure 94 which fictionally encases the inner wall 96 and seals the chamber in the base 90. Alternatively, wall 94 can be provided with threads so that it will threadably engage corresponding threads on the inside wall 96. The cover 14 and base 90 can be attached in the same manner as heretofore been discussed in connection with other embodiments.

In the embodiment showing in FIG. 8A, the cover 14 once again carries the disc shaped media 42 and thereby allows the base 12 to be of a deformable construction 98. The deformable member 98 has a rigid internal support structure 100 which is designed to frictionally or threadably engage the cover 14.

In the alternate embodiment shown In FIG. 9, the disc shaped media is stored in a first 20 chamber 102 in the lid 14 defined by an annular support 40 similar in construction to the embodiment of FIG. 7, except that the lid includes a second chamber 104 defined by an outer wall 106 for other materials and the base 12 includes a third chamber 108. In the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 10, which is similar in construction to the embodiment of FIG. 4, there is provided an additional opening 110 in the container 22 and a cover 116 for closing 34 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 the opening 110. The cover 116 can be removed to gain access to the chamber 104 without removing the cover 14.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 11 A, an inner structure 40a is provided that is a slightly modified version of the inner structure 40 shown in FIG. 2, in that 5 it includes an amiular wall 45 that extends around the entire circumference of the annular collar 44 and engages the outer surfece of the wall of the base 12, and the cover 14 is configured to engage not the base 12, but rather, the annular wall 45. An additional opening 110 is provided as in the embodiment of FIG. 10, and a cover 116a is provided that is a slightly modified version of the cover 116 of FIG. 10, in that it includes not only an outer 10 annular wall 116b for engaging the outer surface of the wall of the base 12, but also an inner annular wall 116c for engaging the inner surface of the wall of the base 12. The circumferential dimension of the outer surface 116d of the wall 116b of the cover 116a is identical to the circumferential dimension of the outer surface 45d of the wall 45, such that the covers 14 and 116a can be removed and the cover 14 which matingly engaged the wall 45 15 will matingly engage the outer wall 116b of Hie cover 116a, as shown in FIG. 11 A. In this way, as also shown in FIG. 11 A, the covers 14 and 116a can be used together as a mini-packaging device for the disc shaped media 42. In the embodiment shown, the inner wall 116c helps to securely retain the disc shaped media against movement. However, it is understood that the benefits of the invention could be achieved without such inner wall, or 20 utilizing one of the other retaining methods disclosed herein.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the disc shaped media seats on the rim 28 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, but the cover 14x does not snap onto the base 12, but rather, threadably engages it. Furthermore, the bottom 12x of the base 12 is flared outwardly and contains internal threads that are of the same dimension as the internal threads 25 of the cover 14x. The cover 116x includes mating external threads such that the cover 116x WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 can be threaded into the flared bottom 12x of base 12. la this way, the covers 14x and 116x can be removed from the base 12 and threadably engaged to form a mini-packaging unit for the disc shaped media.

In the alternative embodiments of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the need to flare out the 5 bottom of the base 12 is eliminated. In FIG. 12A, the base 12y receives a bottom cover 116y that includes an overlapping portion 117y, the outer surface 118y of which is of equal dimension to the outer surface 118y of which is of equal dimension to the outer wall of the base 12y, such that covers 14y and lly can be slidably engaged to form a mini-storage unit for the disc media. In FIG 12B, the base 12z has an external threaded portion 119z and an 10 internal threaded portion 120z each of which extends beyond the center line "C" of the wall of the base 12z. In this way, when the covers 14z and 1 16z are removed, they can be threadably engaged to form a mini-storage unit for the disc media.

FIG. 13 shows a further alternative embodiment, wherein the cover 244 nestingly seats within the base 12 and the disc shaped media 42 is placed within the concave recess 246 15 of the cover 244. A seal 248 made of plastic or other suitable material is applied to the cover 244 to hold the disc shaped media within the cover 244 until the seal is removed by the user. The disc shaped media can be retained against movement within the cover 244 as a result of contact with the side walls 250, bottom wall 252 and seal 248, or by utilization of any of the other methods taught herein.

FIG. 14 shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the base 12 is a separately manufactured container of miscellaneous content, that includes a slightly concave end 25 1, the depth 252 of which exceeds the combined thickness of a disc shaped media 42 and a protective element 50 which are seated within the concave end 251 and held there by cover 14 which snaps onto base 12. In an alternate embodiment, a protective element is not used or 25 the disc shaped media is packaged in an envelope (not shown). 36 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 FIG. 15 shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the disc shaped media is mounted and sealed within cover 14, e.g., as taught herein in connection with other embodiments, and cover 14 is attached to base 12 by paper packaging material skin that binds the cover 14 and base 12 together. Cover 14 is separated from base 12 by pulling string 302 5 which tears the skin 301 and brakes the circumferential attachment between cover 14 and base 12.

It would be understood that in each embodiment, a container device is provided in which disc shaped media can be packaged, distributed, displayed at retail and, if desired, restored with other materials and that, in effecting such usage, discrete chambers are provided 10 for the disc media and for the other materials so as to prevent contact between the disc media and the other materials. la the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 6B, the inner structure, whether it is the annular collar of FIG. 1, or the discretely positioned abutment/protrusion clips of FIG 3, or the upstanding rim in FIG. 3B, or the lid and supplemental lid of FIG. 3C, or the "spider" structure of FIG. 4, or the "trap" structure of 15 FIG. 5, in each case is located in and helps define a first chamber in the lower base component 12. Underneath this first chamber is a second chamber. The first chamber receives and securely holds, despite repeated removal and re-packaging, the disc shaped media. The second chamber receives Ihe other materials and keeps these materials separate from the disc shaped media. The need for a separate "jewel case" for the disc shaped media is thus 20 completely eliminated.

It would be understood that the shape of the container can be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention, e.g., the cylindrical base 12 can be square or rectangular so long as the outer wall of the collar 40 corresponds and the collar includes spacers from the outer wall of the collar to the annular ring and annular lip of the present 25 invention. Similar adjustments could be made to the other embodiments as would be apparent 37 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 to those skilled in the an having reviewed this disclosure. The abutment/protrusions clips of FIG. 3 could be mounted on a non-cylindrical shaped base, as could the spider structure of FIG. 4 or the trap structure of FIG. 5.

It would be understood by those skilled in the art that the function of the annular ring 5 of FIG. 1 or the abutments of FIG. 2 could be performed by an appropriately dimensioned inner wall 26 of the container 12.

It would be further understood that while several methods of attaching the annular collar of FIG. 1, the abutment/protrusion clips of FIG. 2, the spider structure of FIG. 3 and the trap structure of FIG. 4 have been shown, those skilled in the alt after having reviewed this disclosure could devise other means of attachment without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It would be further understood by those skilled in the art that the device and method of this invention can accommodate one or more disc shaped media, e.g., through the insertion of protective elements therebetween.

Illustrated in FIGs. 16-18 is another embodiment of the present invention having a lid 400 adapted to receive the disc-shaped media 42, which lid is farther adapted to be received by and retained within a cylindrical plug container 402 having an opening 404 therein. Toward that end, the outer diameter of lid 400 is slightly less than the diameter of the opening 404.

A center lid support structure 406 is provided in the center of lid 400 for receiving and retaining the disc-shaped media 42. Said lid support structure 406 includes at least one support projection 408 which extends from the inside surface 410 of the lid 400. These projections 408 are adapted to be inserted within the central annular aperture 412 of the discshaped media 42 such that the disc-shaped media 42 is prevented from moving linearly either 38 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 perpendicularly or parallel to the plane of the disc-shaped media 42, while allowing the discshaped media 42 to rotate around the lid support structure 406.

Lid 400 is partially retained within plug container 402 by means of arcuate lip 414 which engages a corresponding indentation 416 in lid 400, such that lid 400 must be inserted 5 into plug container 402 at a bias wherein indentation 416 is positioned under arcuate lip 414 prior to inserting the entire lid 400 within the opening 404 in plug container 402. Said arcuate lip 414 also helps to prevent the accidental removal of lid 400 from plug container 402.

It should be appreciated that lid 400 fits within the opening 404 of plug container 402 10 such that the outer rim 418 of lid 400 comes in contact with the inner surface 420 of the plug container 402. Lid 400 is prevented from being inserted too far into plug container 402 by means of a plurality of stop blocks 422, which engage the outer rim 418 of lid 400. Lid 400 is retained in position within plug container 402 by means of friction between outer rim 418 and inner surface 420, as well as by means of engagement of arcuate lip 414 and indentation 15 416.

Additional and alternative means for retaining lid 400 within plug container 402 can be employed. For example, snapping means may be provided comprising a plurality of protrusions 424 on the lid 400 which are engaged within corresponding concavities 426 in the plug container 402 when the lid 400 is inserted within the opening 404 of the plug container 20 402. Similarly, lid 400 may be attached to plug container 402 by means of threaded screws (not shown). In such an embodiment arcuate lip 414 and indentation 416 would no longer be necessary or practical. Additionally, the center lid support structure could be mounted on plug container 402, e.g., utilizing the means disclosed in FIGs. 4-5A, 8, 8A and 10 A flexible handle 428 is also provided on the lid 400 at the edge opposite that of the 25 indentation 416. The handle 428 is necessary to remove the lid 400 from the plug container 39 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 402, since when the lid 400 is inserted into plug container 402, the surface of the assembled container 430 is substantially flush, such that there are no means for grasping lid 400. The handle 428 is provided at the opposite edge from the indentation 416 in order to bias the lid 400 during removal such that the indentation 416 may be slid out from under arcuate lip 414.

The assembled container 430 may be used as a plug to seal the opening of a cylindrical shipping or packaging container (not shown) containing other materials. The assembled container 430 may be inserted within such cylindrical shipping or packaging container having an inner diameter only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the assembled container 430, such that the assembled container 430 would be in frictional contact 10 with the inner surfece of the cylindrical shipping or packaging container. An annular collar 432 may be provided on the upper portion of the plug container 402 in order to limit the extent of insertion of the assembled container 430 into the cylindrical shipping or packaging container and to protect the rim of the cylindrical shipping or packaging container against damage.

A variety of additional and alternative means exist for retaining the assembled container 430 within the cylindrical shipping or packaging container during transport and storage thereof. For example, a plurality of annular fins 434 are shown which may be provided on the outer surface of the assembled container 430, which fins 434 engage the inner surface of the cylindrical shipping or packaging container. Alternatively, the assembled 20 container 430 may be screwed or snapped into the cylindrical shipping or packaging container or be retained therein by some adhesive means e.g., a plastic sleeve or "safety seal" that is shrink wrapped over the collar 432 of the assembled container 430 and the side of the cylindrical shipping and packaging container, or it may be lightly restrained by the friction between the outer walls of the assembled container 430 as inserted against the inner walls of 25 the cylindrical packaging or shipping container. 40 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 The novel packaging device shown in FIGs. 16-18, when combined with a cylindrical container, is particularly well suited as a storage container for a disc media and related material, such as children's building blocks and a related CD ROM. After use, the building blocks can be easily deposited in the cylindrical container, the CD ROM re-mounted on lid 5 400 which is re-inserted within the plug 402, and the assembled container 430 re-inserted within the cylindrical container to seal the container. In this manner, the packaging device makes an effective and attractive storage container that can be maintained on shelves in children's rooms.

Illustrated in FIGs. 19A-20C is another embodiment of the present invention 10 comprising a plug container 450 including an upper compartment 452 and a lower chamber 454, said chambers being of complementary size and shape such that when said plug container 450 is in a closed position (as illustrated in FIGS. 16B, 16C, 17B and 17C), said chambers 452 and 454 are disposed immediately adjacent to each other so as to form a relatively secure cavity or first chamber 456 within which the disc-shaped media 42 may be 15 safely stored. The preferred method of securing said upper compartment 452 to said lower chamber 454 is by nesting one within the other. To accomplish said purpose, either said upper compartment 452 or said lower chamber 454 is made somewhat smaller than its opposite, such that the smaller of the two chambers 452,454 may nest inside the larger of the two chambers 452, 454. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIGs. 19A-20C, the 20 upper compartment 452 is somewhat smaller than the lower chamber 454, wherein the outer perimeter of the upper compartment 452 has substantially the same diameter as the inner surface of the lower chamber 454 such that the upper compartment 452 fits snugly within the lower chamber 454, allowing friction to keep the two chambers 452,454 together. It should be appreciated, however, that other means for joining the two chambers 452,454 exist, such 41 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 as clasps or snaps, which means would be more appropriate if the two chambers 452, 454 were to have substantially the same diameter.

The chambers 452,454 are attached by means of a flexible hinge 458 disposed at the edges thereof, which hinge 458 allows the plug container 450 to be opened by separating the 5 upper compartment 452 from the lower chamber 454 so as to gain access to the cavity or first chamber 456 and the disc-media 42 stored therein, and closed by nesting the smaller of the two chambers 452, 454 into the larger. Said hinge 458 in the preferred embodiment is just wide and long enough so as to provide adequate support and sufficient space to allow the two compartments 452, 454 to engage and disengage each other, but remain as unobtrusive and 10 unobstructive as possible. Inasmuch as the plug container 450 is, in the preferred embodiment, designed to close and seal a container 12, it is imperative that the hinge 458 not interrupt the circumference of the plug container 450, particularly the lower portion 460 of the plug container 450, which lower portion 460 sits within the opening of container 12.

The plug container 450 may be used as a plug to seal the opening of a cylindrical 15 shipping or packaging container (not shown) containing other materials. The plug container 450 may be inserted within such cylindrical shipping or packaging container having an inner diameter only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the lower portion 460 of the plug container 450, such that the plug container 450 would be in frictional contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical shipping or packaging container. An annular collar 462 may be 20 provided on the upper portion of the plug container 450 in order to limit the extent of insertion of the plug container 450 into the cylindrical shipping or packaging container and to protect the rim of the cylindrical shipping or packaging container against damage.

A variety of additional and alternative means exist for retaining the plug container 450 within the cylindrical shipping or packaging container during transport and storage 25 thereof. For example, a plurality of annular fins 464 are shown which may be provided on 42 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 the outer surface of the lower portion 460 of the plug container 450, which fins 464 engage the inner surface of the cylindrical shipping or packaging container. Alternatively, the plug container 450 may be screwed or snapped into the cylindrical shipping or packaging container or be retained therein by some adhesive means e.g., a plastic sleeve or "safety seal" 5 that is shrink wrapped over the plug container 450 and the side of the cylindrical shipping and packaging container, or it may be lightly restrained by the friction between the outer walls of the plug container 450 as inserted against the inner walls of the cylindrical packaging or shipping container.

A center support structure 466 is provided in the center of either the upper 10 compartment 452 (as shown in FIG. 19B, 19D and 19E) or the lower compartment 454 (as shown in FIG. 20B, 20D and 20E) for receiving and retaining the disc-shaped media 42. Said center support structure 466 includes at least one support projection 468 which extends from the inside surface 470 of either compartment 452,454. These projections 468 are adapted to be inserted within the central annular aperture of the disc-shaped media 42 such that the disc-15 shaped media 42 is prevented from moving linearly either perpendicularly or parallel to the plane of the disc-shaped media 42, while allowing the disc-shaped media 42 to rotate around the center support structure 466. In the preferred embodiment, at least one raised protrusion 472 is disposed on the end of the center support structure 466, which protrusion 472 serves to retain the disc-shaped media 42 in place over the center support structure 466, while allowing 20 the disc-shaped media 42 to freely rotate.

In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the plug container 450 may consist of two separate components, a preliminary plug 480 and the clam-shell member 482. The preliminary plug 480 is designed to be inserted into and substantially seal the opening of the container 484, while providing a plug chamber 486 adapted for receiving the clam-shell 25 member 482. But for the fact that it is the preliminary plug 480 and not the clam-shell 43 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 member 482 that serves to seal the opening of the container 484, the clam-shell member 482 is in all other respects identical to the plug container 450, albeit of a slightly smaller diameter so as to fit within the preliminary plug 480.

In yet another alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 22, the plug container 5 450 may be situated above a temporary container seal 490, which temporary container seal 490 serves to secure the materials stored within the container until such time that access is required thereto, at which time the temporary container seal is removed 490 (either by means of a pull tab 492, or otherwise). The plug container 450 in such embodiment rests on top of said temporary container seal 490, and is prevented from separating therefrom in one 10 embodiment by a container lid 492. When access to the contents of the container is desired, the container lid 492 and plug container 450 are removed, and the temporary container seal 490 is withdrawn. If all of the contents of the container are not consumed, the container lid 494 may be reapplied so as to secure the contents within the container. In an alternate embodiment, the plug container 450 can be held on the container seal 490 by a safety seal 15 (not shown) and, in a still further alternate embodiment, the plug container 450 can be reapplied to the container after the safety seal and temporary container seal 490 have been removed to secure non-consumed contents within the container.

The novel packaging device shown in FIGs. 19A-22, when combined with a cylindrical container, is particularly well suited as a storage container for a disc media and 20 other material. After removing the other material from the cylindrical container, the discshaped media 42 may be permanently stored in (he plug container 450, which makes an attractive and secure storage device for the disc-shaped media. Alternatively, if other materials remain in the cylindrical container, the plug container 450 may be used to reseal said materials within the container. In this manna:, the packaging device makes an effective 25 and attractive storage container. 44 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGs. 23-26C wherein the cylindrical plug container 502 includes a cavity 540 in which the disc-shaped media 42 may be received and retained, either on a center support structure 506 extending from the floor 542 of the cavity 540, as shown in FIGs. 23-25C, or within a protective casing 544 as 5 shown in FIGs. 26A-26C.

Figures 23A - 25C illustrate some of the variety of ways in which the disc-shaped media 42 is securely retained on the center support structure 506. It should be appreciated that in each of these embodiments is shown at least one raised collar portion 546 is situated on the floor 542 of the cavity 540, which collar portion 546 is designed to separate the disc-10 shaped media 42 from the floor 542, thereby preventing contact between the media side of the disc-shaped media and the floor 542, which contact potentially could result in damage to the media side of the disc-shaped media. In the preferred embodiment, the raised collar portion 546 is a continuous annular collar having an external diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the central aperture 512 of the disc-shaped media 42 but less than the inner 15 diameter of the media portion thereof, such that the collar portion 546 comes into contact with the disc-shaped media 42 but does not contact the media portion of the disc-shaped media. In an alternative embodiment, the raised collar portion 546 may consist of one or more discrete projections from the floor 542 of the cavity 540. In a further embodiment, there is no collar portion 546 but instead either a protective annular element 547 is installed 20 on the center support structure 506 before the disc 42, so that the protective element 547 separates the disc 42 from contact with the floor 542, as seen in FIG. 23B, or the contact between the disc 42 and floor 542 is allowed, e.g., if minimal interaction therebetween is contemplated or if the disc can be "hardened" or the floor can be made acceptably smooth or non-abrasive to the media side of the disc-shaped media 42. 45 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 It should also be appreciated that in the embodiments illustrated in FIGs. 23A-25C, the center support structure 506 may include one or more internal projections 550 or the wall 548 of the cavity may include one ore more external projections 552. Said internal and external projections 550, 552 are designed to assist in the retention of the disc-shaped media 5 42 upon the support structure 506, as well as receive and retain a protective element 554 (as shown in FIGs. 25A-25C).

Returning to the embodiments wherein the disc-shaped media 42 is received and retained by a center support structure 506, FIGs. 23A-23B illustrate the use of a lid 500 to keep the disc-shaped media 42 in place on the structure 506. In the embodiment of FIG. 23A, 10 the lid 500 is adapted to be inserted within the opening 504 to the plug container 502 to thereby close and seal the cavity 540. In order to keep the disc-shaped media 42 on the center support structure 506, particularly when said structure 506 does not include inner projections 550, the lid 500 should contact the upper surface of the center support structure 506. This is also true in the embodiment of FIG. 23B, in which the lid 500 is adapted to be 15 attached over both the plug container 502. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 23B, the lid 500 is adapted to go over both the plug container 502 and the packaging container 556 to thereby close and seal both containers 502, 556. In both the embodiments of FIG. 23 A and 23B, the lid 500 is preferably attached and secured to the plug container 502 and/or packaging container 556 by means of a compression fit, although a variety of other attachment means 20 are contemplated, including snaps, tabs and adhesives.

In the embodiment shown in FIGs. 24A-24B, the disc-shaped media is held onto the center support structure 506, as well as protected within a substantially air- or water-tight environment in the cavity 540, by means of a seal 558. In the preferred embodiment, the seal 558 comprises a shrink-wrapped plastic, although other sealing methods may be equally as 25 effective, including heat sealing plastic, foil seal or use of an adhesive. In the embodiment of 46 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 FIG. 24A, the seal 558 is attached about the upper surfece of the annular collar 532, and may also be attached to the upper portion of the center support structure 506. The sealed plug container 502 of such embodiment may then be inserted into the opening of Ihe packaging container 556. Alternatively, the seal 558 may be attached to both the plug container 502 and 5 the packaging container 556 once the plug container 502 has been inserted into the packaging container 556, in the manner shown in FIG. 24B, albeit, in such embodiment the seal 558 is attached to both the upper surface of the annular collar 532 as well as to the upper surfece of the rim of the packaging container 556.

In both the embodiments of FIGs. 24A and 24B, a seal tab 560 is also provided, 10 which tab 560 is designed to allow a user to remove the seal 558 from the plug container 502 in order to gain access to the cavity 540 (as well as the packaging container 556, after removal of plug container 502, as seen in FIG. 24B).

Another means for retaining the disc-shaped media 42 on the center support structure 506 is illustrated in FIGs. 25A through 25C, in which a protective element 554 is also 15 inserted within the opening 504 of the plug container 502. In the preferred embodiment, the protective element 554 is annular in shape and is composed of paperboard or plasticized paper, although other shapes dimensioned to engage projections 550 and/or projections 552, and other materials such as plastic would be equally as effective. In the embodiment of FIG. 25A, the protective element 554 is annular in shape and is snapped under the inner 20 projections 550 on the center support structure 506, while in FIG. 25B, the protective element 554 is annular in shape and is snapped undo: the outer projections 552 on the wall 548 of the cavity 540. FIG. 25C illustrates the protective element 554 being annular in shape and snapped under both inner and outer projections 550, 552. It should be appreciated that in the embodiment of FIGs. 25A - 25C, the center support structure 506 must be at least as tall as, 25 the thickness of the disc-shaped media 42, protective element 554 and raised collar portion 47 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 546 combined. In such embodiments, a pull tab 562 may also be included as part of the protective element 554 in order to facilitate the removal of the protective element from the projections 550, 552.

An alternative to the use of the center support structure 506 is illustrated in FIGs. 26A-26C, in which the disc-shaped media 42 is stored within a protective casing 544. Said casing may consist of a protective envelope in which the disc-shaped media 42 may be slid into and out of, or, alternatively, may consist of a clam shell-like device having a pair of complementary mating members attached by interlocking snap means or by means of a flexible hinge or a combination of the two. In the embodiment of FIG. 26A, the protective 10 casing 544 is retained within the cavity 540 by means of a lid 500. In such embodiment, the protective casing 544 may be loosely stored within the cavity 540, or, alternatively, removably attached to either the lid 500 or the floor 542.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 26B, the protective casing 544 may be retained within the cavity 540 by means of a seal 558, which seal 558 may be attached by means of shrink-15 wrapping, heat sealing, adhesives or similar attaching means. Finally, as shown in FIG. 26C, the protective casing 544 may be retained within the cavity 540 by means of at least one outer projection 552. In such embodiment, the protective casing 544 may be snapped in place under said projection 552. Protrusions 580 are optionally provided that extend from floor 542 and are sized so that casing 544 fits snugly between projections 552 and protrusions 580 20 in a manner as to preclude "rattling" movement of casing 544 within cavity 540.

In all of the embodiments of FIGs. 23A-26C, in a manner shown in FIG. 27, opposed points 586 of wall 590 and the floor 542 along a line 588 therebetween of the plug container 502 may also be scored or otherwise cut so as to allow the plug container 502, or a portion thereof, to_be split or hingedly broken open, i.e., where the floor acts as a living hinge along 25 the aforementioned line 588, thereby granting access to the cavity 540 and the disc-shaped 48 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 media 42 stored therein. Such a break-open plug container 502 allows the disc-shaped media 42, whether alone, in a protective envelope or clam shell-like container to be inserted into and removed from the cavity 540 by opening and closing the plug container 502 along the break. Upon closing, the opposing faces 596, 598 and 596', 598' return to abutting relationship. In 5 alternative embodiments shown in FIGs. 27A and 27B, the opposing faces 596, 598 can be configured with mating male, female designs to further ensure the faces do not shift relative to each other when the plug container 502 is in the closed position. It should be understood that a variety of mating designs exist that could be used for the opposing faces without departing from the scope of this invention. Alternatively, the disc-shaped media 42 and/or 10 the lid 500 may be attached to the center support structure 506 when the plug container 502 is split open, and therein retained when the plug container is closed. In the further embodiment seen in FIG. 28, the center support structure 506 can be mounted on the lid 500, which lid 500 can be slid under outer projections 500 on wall 502 of the plug container 502 when the plug is hinged open along line 588.

Illustrated in FIGs. 29-31A is another embodiment of the present invention in which the disc-shaped media 42 is received and retained within a cylindrical lid 600, which lid 600 comprises an upper element 602 and a lower element 604, shown separated in FIG. 30, and which, once assembled (as shown in FIG. 29) can thereafter be affixed as a cover to a plastic beverage container (not shown) of the kind which is often sold or given away as a 20 promotional item in connection with the purchase of a large fountain beverage. Provided at the center of the upper element 602 is an upper cylindrical projection 606, which includes an upper opening 610. The upper cylindrical projection 606 serves the dual puipose of: (1) receiving and retaining the disc-shaped media such that the disc-shaped media 42 is prevented from moving linearly either perpendicularly or parallel to the plane of the disc-25 shaped media 42, while allowing the disc-shaped media 42 to rotate around the upper 49 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 cylindrical projection 606; and (2) creating a passage (upper opening 610) through the cylindrical lid 600 through which a straw (not shown) may he inserted. Toward that end, the inner diameter of upper cylindrical projection 606 must be sufficiently large so as to allow the passage of the straw therethrough, while the outer diameter of Ihe upper cylindrical 5 projection 606 must be slightly less than the diameter of the annular aperture in the discshaped media 42 such that the upper cylindrical projection 606 will be in fractional contact with the amiular aperture in the disc-shaped media 42.

The disc-shaped media 42 is further supported within the upper element 602 by means of an annular upper shoulder 612 encircling the upper cylindrical projection 606, which 10 shoulder 612 separates the disc-shaped media 42 from the inner surface 614 of the upper element 602. The height of upper shoulder 612 should be such that it limits contact between the disc-shaped media 42 and the inner surfece 614 of upper element 602.

Lower element 604 includes a lower opening 616 through which the upper cylindrical projection 606 is inserted. The inner diameter of lower opening 616 is slightly less than Ihe 15 outer diameter of upper cylindrical projection 606 such that, when upper element 602 is mated with lower element 604, a seal is formed between lower opening 616 and upper cylindrical projection 606, which seal prevents the seepage of liquid into the annular chamber 618 formed between upper and lower elements 602 and 604 from the inner periphery of annular chamber 618.

Also included within lower element 604 is a lower shoulder 620 encircling the lower opening 616, which lower shoulder 620 separates the disc-shaped media 42 from the inner surface 622 of the lower element 604. The height of lower shoulder 620 should be such that it limits contact between the disc-shaped media 42 and the inner surfece 622 of lower element 604. 50 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 Upper element 602 and lower element 604 both contain outer edges, 624 and 626, respectively, which are tapered so as to allow upper element 602 and lower element 604 to be stacked. The diameter of the inner surfece of the upper outer edge 624 is only slightly larger than the diameter of the outer surfece of the lower outer edge 626 such that when upper 5 element 602 is stacked on top of lower element 604, a seal is formed between the upper and lower outer edges 624 and 626, which seal prevents substances from penetrating the chamber 618 from Ihe outer periphary of annular chamber 618.

The cylindrical lid 600 is further adapted to serve as a cover to the beverage container by means of a compression fit about the opening to said beverage container. It should be 10 appreciated that there are variety of other means available for attaching or affixing the cylindrical lid 600 to the beverage container, such as be means of snaps or tabs or by screwing the cylindrical lid 600 onto the beverage container.

Illustrated in FIGs. 32-36 is another embodiment of the present invention in which the disc-shaped media 42 is received and retained within a cylindrical lid 650, which can be 15 affixed as a cover to a plastic beverage container (not shown) of the kind which is often sold or given away as a promotional item in connection with the purchase of a large fountain beverage. Provided at the center of the cylindrical lid 650 is a cylindrical projection 652 having a substantially planar end 654. Disposed within said planar end 654 is a lid opening 656 having a diameter less than that of the cylindrical projection 652. The cylindrical 20 projection 652 serves the dual purpose of: (1) receiving and retaining the disc-shaped media such that the disc-shaped media 42 is prevented from moving linearly either perpendicularly or parallel to the plane of the disc-shaped media 42, while allowing the disc-shaped media 42 to rotate around the cylindrical projection 652; and (2) creating a passage through the cylindrical lid 650 through which a straw (not shown) may be inserted. Toward that end, the 25 inner diameter of cylindrical projection 652 must be sufficiently large so as to allow the 51 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 passage of the straw therethrough, while the outer diameter of the cylindrical projection 652 must be slightly less than the diameter of the annular aperture in the disc-shaped media 42 such that the cylindrical projection 652 will be in frictional contact with the annular aperture in the disc-shaped media 42.

While the disc-shaped media 42 may be held in place on the cylindrical projection 652 and by means of contact with other elements of the packaging device, in the preferred embodiment, at least one raised protrusion 657 is disposed on the end of the cylindrical projection 652 around the periphery of the planar end 654, which projection serves to retain the disc-shaped media 42 in place on the cylindrical projection 652, while allowing the disc-10 shaped media 42 to freely rotate. In practice, the disc-shaped media 42 is snapped into place over said at least one protrusion 657, which, together with the entire cylindrical projection 652, is composed of an elastic material such as plastic so as to allow the protrusion 657 and cylindrical projection 652 to deform slightly so as to allow placement of the disc-shaped media 42, then return to their original shape.

The disc-shaped media 42 may be further supported within the cylindrical lid 650 by means of an optional annular shoulder 658 encircling the cylindrical projection 652, which shoulder 658 separates the disc-shaped media 42 from the inner surface 660 of the cylindrical lid 650. The height of upper shoulder 658 should be such that it limits contact between the disc-shaped media 42 and the inner surface 660 of cylindrical lid 650. Normally the side of 20 the disc abutting surface 660 does not contain media such that shoulder 658 is unnecessary. Shoulder 658 is of particular importance, however, in instances where the side of the discshaped media 42 feeing the inner surface 660 is the "media side" of the disc, e.g., with two-sided discs.

Cylindrical lid 650 also includes an annular shelf 662 running remotely from the 25 cylindrical projection 652, in the vicinity of the periphery of the inner surface 660 of the 52 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 cylindrical lid 650. The shelf 662 includes a shelf top or peak 664 which, in the preferred embodiment, is co-planar with planar end 654 of the cylindrical projection 652. It should be appreciated, however, that the height of the planar end 654 and the shelf top 664 need not be co-planar, provided that they are greater than the thickness of the disc-shaped media 42. The 5 annular shelf 662 is designed in part to provide protection to the edges of the disc-shaped media 42, and therefore has a diameter that is at least slightly larger than the diameter of the disc-shaped media 42. In addition, the annular shelf 662 serves to act as a buffer against any transmission to the disc-shaped media 42 of force applied to the outer edge of the cup lid 650, including force applied to the skirt 666.

The cup lid 650 is adapted to be attached to the beverage container by means of a compression fit whereby the upper edge of the cup lid (not shown) is inserted into the gap 668 created between the annular shelf 662 and the skirt 666 of the cup lid 650. In the preferred embodiment, the cup lid 650 is composed of a plastic material that is somewhat deformable so as to allow the skirt 666 to bend slightly when the lid 650 is placed on the cup, 15 but be elastic enough such that the force applied by the skirt 666 in its attempt to return to its static position is enough to keep the cup lid 650 attached to the container. Inasmuch as the annular shelf 662 is designed to deform slightly while the cup lid 650 is attached to the beverage container, it should be appreciated that there should be a sufficient gap between the edge of the disc-shaped media 42 and Ihe annular shelf 662 such that the deformation in the 20 amiular shelf 662, if any, will not cause contact with the edge of the disc-shaped media 42.

After insertion of the disc-shaped media 42 within the cup lid 650, a sealing member 670 is attached so as to prevent the beverage stored within the container from coming into contact with the disc-shaped media 42 when the cup lid is applied to the container. The sealing member 670 is essentially a waterproof element that is attached to the shelf top 664 25 and the planar end 654 of the cylindrical projection 652. In the preferred embodiment, the 53 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 means of attachment of the sealing member 670 to the shelf top 664 and the planar end 654 is by means of a heat seal, although other sealing means are available, including adhesives, compression seal fits {e.g., plasticized paperboard snapping under mating trap ring) and the like. It should be appreciated, however, that whatever sealing means is used, the seals 5 between the sealing member 670 and the shelf top 664 and the planar end 654 must be watertight so as to prevent any leakage or spillage of the beverage within the cavity 672 formed therebetween.

In addition to serving as a means for preventing contact between the beverage and the disc-shaped media 42, the sealing means 670 also serves, in conjunction with the protrusion 10 657, to prevent the disc-shaped media 42 from moving in a direction away from the inner surface 660 of the cup lid 650, and from dropping into the beverage container once the cup lid is attached thereto.

In order to allow passage of a straw through the cylindrical projection 652 of the cup lid 650 so as to gain access to the beverage stored in the container, a means for penetrating 15 the sealing member 670 is disposed within the center of said sealing member. The means for penetrating the sealing member 670 must be situated directly beneath the lid opening 656 so as to allow for the passage of a straw therethrough. In the preferred embodiment, said means for penetrating is an "X"-shaped incision 674, which is commonly referred to as a "kiss cut." The triangular shaped "petals" formed by the "X"-shaped incision 674 are adapted to deform 20 so as to allow a straw to penetrate through the sealing member 670. Alternate means for penetration include circular-shaped incisions or even an opening wide enough to allow the passage of a straw therethrough.

Whatever the means for penetrating used, however, it should be appreciated that, in order to maintain the integrity of the seal between the sealing means 670 and the planar end 25 654 of the cylindrical projection 652, the incision 674 (or the opening) must not be larger in 54 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 diameter than the lid opening 656. If the incision 674 were to be made larger than the diameter of the lid opening 656, or, even more problematic, larger than the diameter of the cylindrical projection 652, the integrity of the cavity 672 may be compromised when a straw penetrates incision 674.

In the preferred embodiment, disposed at the edge of the sealing means 670 is a pull- tab 676 which allows a user to remove the sealing means 670 from the cup lid 650 in order to gain access to the disc-shaped media 42 stored within the cavity 672. By pulling on the pull-tab 676, the seal between the sealing means 670 and the shelf top 664 and planer end 654 is broken, and the disc-shaped media 42 may be extracted. Once the disc-shaped media 42 has 10 been extracted, the cup lid 650 may be reattached to the beverage container. It should be appreciated that while the pull-tab 676 is the preferred means for gaining access to the cavity 672, it is not necessarily required, as the "tabs" created when a straw penetrates the incision 674 may also be used in the same manner as the pull-tab 676.

Illustrated in FIGs. 37-39B is another embodiment of the present invention 15 comprising a first member or wafer 700 adapted to receive the disc-shaped media 42, and thereafter to be affixed to the cover of a beverage container (not shown) of the kind having a central opening for the insertion of a straw, which container may be purchased at venues such as movie theaters or fast food restaurants. Provided at the center of the wafer 700 is a cylindrical projection 702 which serves the dual purpose of: (1) receiving and retaining the 20 disc-shaped media such that the disc-shaped media 42 is prevented from moving linearly parallel to the plane of the disc-shaped media 42, while allowing the disc-shaped media 42 to rotate around the cylindrical projection 702; and (2) creating a passage through the wafer 700 corresponding to the central straw-receiving opening of Ihe cover through which a straw (not shown) may be inserted. Toward that end, the inner diameter of cylindrical projection 702 25 must be sufficiently large so as to allow the passage of the straw therethrough, while the outer 55 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 diameter of the cylindrical projection 702 must be slightly less than the diameter of the annular aperture in the disc-shaped media 42 such that the cylindrical projection 702 may be in fiictional contact with the annular aperture in the disc-shaped media 42. The cylindrical projection 702 must also include an opening 703 therein to allow the straw to pass 5 therethrough.

The disc-shaped media 42 is further supported within the wafer 700 against lineal movement perpendicular to the plane of the disc media by means of an annular shoulder element 704 encircling the cylindrical projection 702 which separates the disc-shaped media 42 from the inner surface 706 of the wafer 700. The height of annular shoulder element 704 10 should be such that it limits contact between the disc-shaped media 42 and the inner surface 706 of wafer 700.

A separate annular protective element 708 is provided to protect the bottom surface of the disc-shaped media 42 from contact with the cover to the beverage container or with the liquid contained therein. Said protective element 708 is adapted to affix to the wafer 700 15 such that it seals off an interior area or first chamber 710 of the wafer 700 wherein the discshaped media is retained. The protective element 708 also includes a centrally-located, circular aperture 712 through which the cylindrical projection may be inserted. In the preferred embodiment, the diameter of the aperture 712 is exactly the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical projection 702 such that when the protective element is mounted 20 onto the wafer 700, with the cylindrical projection being inserted through the aperture, a perfect seal is created, preventing any substance from entering the interior area 710 and potentially damaging the disc-shaped media 42. In fact, the protective element 708 may be provided with a sealing substance such as rubber or plastic about the aperture 712 so as to strengthen the seal. 56 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 la an alternate embodiment, a second annular sealing shoulder 716 may be provided on the cylindrical projection 702, which second annular sealing shoulder provides an additional surface upon which the protective element 708 may rest. By increasing the total surfece area of contact between Ihe cylindrical projection 702 and the protective element 708, 5 the effectiveness of the seal between the two is increased, thus reducing the likelihood that any substance will penetrate into the interior 710 of the wafer 700.

It should be appreciated that there are a variety of means available for attaching or affixing the protective element 708 to the wafer 700. In the preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 39B, the wafer 700 includes a indented collar 714 around its perimeter having a 10 diameter larger than the outer diameter of the disc-shaped media 42 but slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the protective element 708. The protective element 708 then is pushed into the wafer 700 until it flexes under the indented collar 714, and is held in place by the engagement of the edge 715 of the protective element 708 with the collar 714. Alternatively, the protective element 708 may be equal to or larger in diameter to collar 714 and may be 15 sealed to it by means of an adhesive.

The entire assembled container 718, which includes the wafer 700, disc-shaped media 42 and protective element 708 may then be attached to the cover of the beverage container by inserting the cylindrical projection 702 into the central straw opening of the cover and resting the assembled container 718 on the cover. Additional attachment means may be provided, 20 such as a skirt or collar which would attach to the cover by compression means (not shown).

Illustrated in FIGs. 40-41 is another embodiment of the present invention comprising a first member or wafer 750 adapted to receive the disc-shaped media 42 having a central aperture 752, and thereafter to be affixed to the cover 754 of a beverage container of the kind having a central opening 756 for the insertion of a straw, which container may be purchased 25 at venues such as movie theaters or fast food restaurants. Provided at the center of the wafer 57 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 750 is a cylindrical projection 758 which serves the dual purpose of: (1) receiving and retaining the disc-shaped media such that the disc-shaped media 42 is prevented from moving linearly parallel to the plane of the disc-shaped media 77, while allowing the disc-shaped media 42 to rotate around the cylindrical projection 758; and (2) creating a passage through 5 the wafer 750 corresponding to the central straw-receiving opening 756 of the cover 754 through which a straw (not shown) may be inserted. Toward that end, the cylindrical projection 758 includes a passageway 760 therethrough having an inner diameter sufficiently large so as to allow the passage of the straw. Hie outer diameter of the cylindrical projection 758, however, must be slightly less than the diameter of the amiular aperture 752 in the disc-10 shaped media 42 such that the cylindrical projection 758 may be in frictional contact with the annular aperture 752 in the disc-shaped media 77.

The disc-shaped media 42 is further supported within the wafer 750 against lineal movement perpendicular to the plane of the disc media by means of an annular shoulder element 762 encircling the cylindrical projection 758 which separates Ihe disc-shaped media 15 42 from the inner surface 764 of the bottom wall 765 of the wafer 750. The height of annular shoulder element 762 should be such that it limits contact between the disc-shaped media 42 and the inner surface 764 of wafer 750.

The bottom wall 765 is provided to protect the bottom surfece of the disc-shaped media 42 from contact with the cover 754 to the beverage container or with the liquid 20 contained therein. A separate protective element 766 is adapted to affix to the wafer 750 such that it seals off an interior area or first chamber 768 of the wafer 750 wherein the discshaped media is retained. The protective element 766 also includes a centrally-located, penetration means 770 through which the cylindrical projection may be inserted. In the preferred embodiment, the diameter of the penetration means 770 is substantially the same as 25 the diameter of the passageway 760 through the cylindrical projection 758 such that when the 58 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 protective element 766 is mounted onto the wafer 750, with the cylindrical projection 758 being attached to the protective element 766, a perfect seal is created about the penetration means 770 and passageway 760 that is not disturbed by insertion of the straw, thus preventing any substance from entering the interior area 768 and potentially damaging the disc-shaped 5 media 77.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the penetration means 770 consists of an "X"-shaped incision commonly referred to as a "kiss cut." When pressure is applied to such a penetration means 770, such as, for example, by means of insertion of a straw, the incision will break and the "petals" of the incision will part, thereby providing 10 room for the straw to pass. Of course, other penetration means 770 would be equally effective, including circular incision, holes or pull tabs, just to name a few.

Around the external perimeter of the wafer 750 is disposed a raised rim 772 which serves to further define the chamber 768. The diameter of the raised rim 772 must be at least as great as the diameter of the disc-shaped media 77, such that the disc-shaped media 42 may 15 fit within the chamber 768 without contacting the raised rim 772. In addition to defining the chamber 768, the raised rim 772 has a height great enough such that the disc-shaped medi 77, when inserted into the chamber 768, lies beneath the top of the rim 772 such that rim 772 also serves to protect the disc-shaped media 42 from forces being applied to the edges of the wafer 750. Furthermore, the protective element 766 is attached to the raised rim 772 as well as the 20 cylindrical projection 758 so as to keep chamber 768 relatively secure and air-tight.

Although there are a variety of methods by which the protective element 766 may be attached to the cylindrical projection 758 and raised rim 772, in the preferred embodiment, the means for attachment consists of heat sealing the protective element 766 to the projection 758 and rim 772. One of the primary benefits of using heat sealing to attach these members 25 is that the seal created thereby is secure and water-tight, thereby ensuring that no beverage 59 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 will seep into the chamber 758. Of course, other means for attachment exist, such as the use of adhesives and compression sealing snap fits and the like, are contemplated.

While in the preferred embodiment, the heights of the cylindrical projection 758 and raised rim 772 are relatively equal such that they present coplanar surfaces upon which to 5 attach the protective element 766, such members need not be of identical heights. The only limitation as to fee different heights of these elements is that both fee cylindrical projection 758 and the raised rim 772 must be higher than fee thickness of fee disc-shaped media 77, and the difference in the heights of these elements must not be so great as to render it impossible to seal the protective element 766 with both elements.

The entire assembled wafer 774, which includes the disc-shaped media 42 sealed within the chamber 768 created by attaching the protective element 766 to the wafer 750, may then be attached to the cover 754 of the beverage container. Attachment is made about the opening 756 in the cover 754 such feat the passageway 760 through the cylindrical projection 758 aligns wife fee opening 756 to thereby permit passage of a straw through fee 15 cylindrical projection 758 and opening 756 into the beverage container. It should be appreciated that, since the assembled wafer 774 sits upon the cover 754, the wafer 774 may be larger or smaller in diameter than the cover 754. Therefore a beverage container of practically any size may be used in connection with fee wafer 774 of the present invention.

It should be appreciated that while the assembled wafer 774 may sit securely on the 20 cover 754 without any means of attachment, a variety of attachment means exist. For example, a skirt or collar may be used to attach the assembled wafer 774 to fee cover 754 by compression means. Alternatively (or in conjunction therewith) fee cylindrical projection 758 may extend below the level of the bottom wall 765 of the wafer, which cylindrical projection 758 may be slidably inserted into the central straw opening 756 of the cover, 25 thereby allowing the assembled wafer 774 to rest on the cover 754. 60 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 Illustrated in FIGs. 42-45 is another embodiment of the present invention comprising a basket-type member 800 including a columnar upper portion 802 and a lower portion 804, said lower portion 804 being adapted to receive and retain materials other than a disc-shaped media 42. The basket-type member 800 is adapted to be slidably inserted within an elongated 5 container 806 and thereafter secured within said container 806 by means of a cover 808. It should be appreciated that, since the basket-type container 800 is meant to be inserted within the elongated container 806, the outer diameter of the lower portion 804 of the basket-type member 800 must necessarily be less than the diameter of the opening 810 into the chamber 812 defined by container 800. In the preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of the lower 10 portion 804 of the basket-type member 800 is only slightly less than the diameter of the opening 810 and chamber 812 such that the basket-type member 800 is in frictional contact wife the inner walls of Ihe container 806, thereby preventing the basket-type member 800 from shifting within the chamber 812, from causing rattling and from potentially damaging any items stored therein.

It should be appreciated that the height of basket-type member 800 must be less than the height of the container 806 such that the cover 808 may fit flush against the iim 813 of the container 806. Of course, since chamber 812 may be used to store materials other than the disc-shaped media 42, in actual use, the basket-type member 800 may sit in container 806-with the cover 808 removed, on top of said other materials stored in the chamber first, i.e., 20 underneath the basket member 800, in a maimer not shown but readily apparent to those skilled in the art, thereby raising the height of the basket-type member 800 above the rim 813 of the container 806. In such event, if it is desired for any reason, e.g., transport, to close container 806 with cover 808, enough of said other materials will need to be removed so as to lower the basket-type member 800 below the level of the rim 813, so that the cover 808 may 25 be secured to the container 806. Furthermore, since the lower portion 804 of the basket-type 61 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 container 800 may also be used to store other materials, it should be appreciated that said other materials stored in said lower portionmay not rise above the level of the rim 813 when the basket-type container 800 is inserted within the container 806 if it is desired to close container 806 with cover 808.

A center support structure 814 is provided for receiving and retaining the disc-shaped media 42. Said support structure 814 includes at least one support projection 816 adapted to be inserted within the central annular aperture of the disc-shaped media 42 such that the discshaped media 42 is prevented from moving linearly either perpendicularly or parallel to the plane of the disc-shaped media 42, while allowing the disc-shaped media 42 to rotate around 10 the support structure 814. The support structure 814 may be located either as shown in the preferred embodiment, at the top of the columnar upper portion 802, or on the inner surface of the cover 808.

In the preferred embodiment, the support projection 816 includes at least one protrusion 818, which fiirllier acts to retain and support the disc-shaped 82 upon the support 15 structure 814. Said protrusion 818 extends the effective diameter of the support structure 814 slightly larger than that of the aperture in the disc-shaped media 42 such that the disc-shaped media 42 must be snapped into place over the protrusion 818 onto the support projection 816. Once in place, the protrusion 818 serves to prevent the disc-shaped media from falling off the support projection 816. In order to remove it, the disc-shaped media 42 must thereafter be 20 snapped back over the protrusion 818. Given the function of said projection 816 and protrusion 818, in the preferred embodiment, such structures are composed of an elastic material such as plastic that is capable of deforming to thus avoid damage to the disc-shaped media aperture.

A means for grasping 820 may be provided on the basket-shaped member 800 in 25 order to facilitate the removal of the basket-shaped member 800 from the container 806. Said 62 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 means for grasping may consist of a finger-shaped opening within the columnar upper portion 802, as shown in FIG. 42, or alternatively, may consist of a handle or strap.

Disposed about the lower portion 804 of the basket-type member 800 are a plurality of receptacles 822 (in the embodiment shown in FIGs. 42-45 they are shafts) adapted to 5 receive and retain items such as pencils, pens, markers, crayons and the like. Said receptacles 822 axe situated about the lower portion 804, which, in the preferred embodiment, has a parabolic cross section, but which may be of any size or shape, such that the dimensions of the receptacles 822 vary depending upon their distance from the central vertical axis of the lower portion 804. The smaller receptacles 822 might be more appropriate to store smaller 10 objects such as crayons or erasers, while the larger receptacles 822 would be ideally suited for larger objects such as pencils and rulers.

The lower portion 804 may also include a vertical annular retaining wall 824 at the base thereof, which retaining wall 824 serves to retain other materials stored within the basket-type member 800 and to prevent said materials from spilling out into the chamber 812 15 of the container 806. The height of the retaining wall 824 is only limited by the height of the basket-type member 800. In fact, if the height of the retaining wall 824 were made as high as the support projection 816 at Ihe top of the columnar upper portion 802, the retaining wall 824 could also serve to protect the disc-shaped media 42. In such example, the retaining wall 824 may also include an outwardly extending lip 826, which lip 826 is adapted to engage the 20 rim 813 of the container 806 so as to prevent the basket-type member 800 from being inserted too far into the chamber 812. It should be appreciated, however, that such lip 826 must not extend beyond the rim 813 of the container 806 so as to ensure flush contact between the cover 808 and the lip 826 and container 806 when the cover 808 is attached. 63 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 Hie retaining wall 824 can be designed so as to perform the added function of stiffening the base of container 812 if the item is, for example, to be shipped in the mail. In such alternative embodiment, the cover 808 can also lake the form of a shipping plug.

In a still further iteration, the side wall 828 of the container 806 can be removable and 5 discardable, such that cover 808 and then side wall 828 are removed and the user is left with the basket 804. By way of example, a carousel of tools (or game pieces, dolls, seasons, etc.), accessible with or without removing the disc 82 from the column 802.

As discussed, the height of the basket-type member 800 is limited by the height of the container 806. However, the height of the basket-type member 800 may also be very short. 10 In fact, the only limitation as to such height is that the basket-type member 800 must be sufficiently tall so as to accept and protect the media side of the disc-shaped media 42 on the column 802 from items placed in the basket 800. Thus, a shallow basket-type member 800 including a lip 826 may be used to receive and retain the disc-shaped media 42 on the column 802 justaposed above small items in the basket itself, thereby freeing up most of the chamber 15 812 for the storage of other materials beneath the basket 800.

The novel packaging device shown in FIGs. 42-45, when combined with a cylindrical container, is particularly well suited as a storage container for a disc media and related material, such as children's arts and crafts implements and a related CD ROM. After use, the building arts and crafts implements can be easily deposited in the basket-type member 800, 20 the CD ROM re-mounted on the support structure 814, the basket-type member 800 inserted into the container 806 and the cover 808 attached to the container 806 to seal the chamber 812. In this manner, Ihe packaging device makes an effective and attractive storage container that can be maintained on shelves in children's rooms. Similar use with other items in the kitchen, the office, the family room, the workroom, etc. is envisioned. 64 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 Illustrated in FIGs. 46A-50 are additional embodiments of the present invention comprising a first member or member 850 adapted to receive the disc-shaped media 42, and thereafter to be affixed to the cover of a container (not shown), which container may be of any size, but preferably having a circular or round top or cover. Provided at the center of the 5 member 850 is a cylindrical projection 852 which serves the purpose of maintaining the disc shaped media 42 in a stable state within the cavity 854 formed by the member 850, by receiving and retaining the disc-shaped media 42 such that the disc-shaped media 42 is prevented from moving linearly parallel to the plane of the disc-shaped media 42, while allowing the disc-shaped media 42 to rotate around the cylindrical projection 852. Toward 10 that end, the outer diameter of the cylindrical projection 852 must be slightly less than the diameter of the annular aperture in the disc-shaped media 42 such that the disc-shaped media 42 may be in frictional contact with the annular aperture in the disc-shaped media 42.

The disc-shaped media 42 may also be further supported within the member 850 against lineal movement perpendicular to the plane of the disc media by means of an annular 15 shoulder element 855 encircling the cylindrical projection 852 which separates the discshaped media 42 from the inner surface 856 of the member 850. The height of annular shoulder element 855 should be such that it limits contact between the disc-shaped media 42 and the inner surface 856 of member 850. However, inasmuch as the surfece of the discshaped media 42 that would come into contact with the upper inner surface 856 often is not 20 the media surface, said annular shoulder element 855 is not an essential element of the present invention.

A separate annular protective element 858 may be provided to protect the bottom surfece of the disc-shaped media 42 from contact with foreign objects. Said protective element 858 is adapted to affix to the member 850 such that it seals off an interior area or 25 chamber 860 of the member 850 wherein the disc-shaped media is retained. In the 65 WO 03/011716 PCT/DS02/23757 embodiment illustrated in FIGs. 46A-46C, the protective element 858 is composed of a rigid or semi-rigid material having some flexibility thereto, such as paperboard or plastic. The protective element 858 in such embodiment is intended to snap into the member 850 so as to seal off the chamber 860 thereby protecting the disc-shaped media 42 stored therein. The 5 protective element 858 also serves to prevent the disc-shaped media 42 from sliding out of the chamber 860. In order to gain access to the disc-shaped media 42, the protective element 858 may be then flexed slightly and snapped out of the member 850.

FIGs. 46A-46C illustrate three alternate means for affixing the protective element 858. In FIG. 46A, the protective element 858 is intended to be received and retained by at 10 least one wall protrusion 862 extending from the interior wall 864 of the member 850. Said wall protrusion 862 may comprise a plurality of discrete projections extending from the interior wall 864, or alternatively, a limited number of longer shelf-type projections. Alternatively, the protective element 858 could include a centrally-located, circular aperture 866 through which the cylindrical projection 852 may be inserted, as shown in FIG. 46B. In 15 such embodiment, the protective element 858 is intended to be received and retained by at least one center support protrusion 868 extending from the top of the cylindrical projection 852. The center support protrusions 868 may comprise a plurality of discrete projections extending from the cylindrical projection 852, or alternatively, a limited number of longer shelf-type projections. A combination of both attachment means is shown in FIG. 46C, 20 which embodiment includes both the center support protrusions 868 as well as the wall protrusions 862.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGs. 46A-46C (as well as the embodiments of FIGs. 47A-47C and FIG. 49), the size of the protective element 858 is substantially the same as the opening to the chamber 860 such that when the protective element is mounted onto the 25 member 850, whether the cylindrical projection 852 is inserted through the aperture 866 or 66 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 not, a seal is created, preventing any substance from entering the chamber 860 and potentially damaging the disc-shaped media 42.

It should be appreciated that there are a variety of means available for attaching or affixing the protective element 858 to the member 850. In the embodiment illustrated in 5 FIGs. 47A-47C, the protective element 858 is composed of a foil or plastic material that may be heat sealed to the member 850 in order to seal the disc-shaped media 42 within the chamber 860. As with the embodiment shown in FIGs. 46A-46C, this seal may either be heat sealed to the member 850 along the protective element's periphery 870, its center 872, or both. In each of these alternatives, however, it should be appreciated that the size of the 10 protective element 858 should be at least as large in size as the opening to the chamber 860 in the member 850. If the foil protective element 858 in such embodiment is made larger than the opening, the excess material may be used to grasp the protective element 858 in order to break the seal between the protective element 858 and the member 850. Alternatively, a pull tab 874 of the type normally found in heat sealed containers (such as yogurt containers and 15 the like) may be used to remove the protective element 858.

It should be understood that, for reasons such as cost, and in certain applications where closing chamber 860 is not necessary, element 858 can be reduced in size, e.g., so that it is slightly larger than the aperture of the disc-shaped media 42 and thus will "hold" the disc on projection 402 irrespective of whether the smaller element 858 is snapped under the 20 protrusion 868 or adhered to the protrusion 878. Alternatively, the interior wall 864 may include an indentation or slot adapted to receive the sealing member 858 so as to secure said member within the chamber 860. In the preferred embodiment, the thickness of said slot is slightly larger than the thickness of the sealing member 858 so as to prevent the sealing member from "rattling" around therein. In such embodiment, the sealing member should 67 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 include a tab or alternatively a notched indentation or "finger pull" so as to facilitate removal of the sealing member 85 8.

As shown in FIG. 47A, the foil protective element 858 may be heat sealed or otherwise adhered (such as by means of an adhesive) to a substantially planar annular shelf 5 876 that runs around the internal periphery of the member 850, which shelf extends from the interior wall 864 of the member 850. Alternatively, Ihe protective element 858 may be heat sealed or adhered to a central platform 878 situated at the end of the circular projection 852, which platform 878 provides a substantially planar surface upon which the protective element 858 may sit. Such embodiment is shown in FIG. 47B. A combination of both attachment 10 means is illustrated in FIG. 47C.

FIGs. 48 and 50 illustrate the use of two complementary members to create the secure chamber 860 rattier than using the protective element 858. FIG. 48 demonstrates the use of an upper member 880 and a complementary lower member 882 that nest within each other to create the chamber 860 for storage of the disc-shaped media 42. The upper and lower 15 members 880, 882 remain attached to each other by means of frictional contact between the . lower internal wall 884 which extends from the interior surface of the lower member 882 and the corresponding upper internal wall 886 which extends from the interior surface of the upper member 880. In the preferred embodiment, the lower internal wall 884 is inserted into the upper internal wall 886 such that the exterior surface 888 of the lower internal wall 884 of 20 the lower member 882 is in frictional contact with the interior surface 890 of the upper internal wall 886 of the upper member 880. Such frictional contact serves to preclude foreign objects from penetrating into the chamber 860 from the center of the member 850.

The upper and lower members 880, 882 also include interacting external walls 892, 894 which also come in frictional contact with each other when the lower member 882 is 25 attached to the upper member 880. This serves to preclude foreign objects from penetrating 68 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 the chamber 860 from the edges of the member 850. Moreover, such frictional contact between the lower internal wall 884 and the upper internal wall 886, in addition to the frictional contact between the upper external wall 892 and the lower external wall 894, serves to create a substantially airtight chamber 860 within which the disc-shaped media may be 5 stored.

Alternatively, the complementary elements may be attached by means of a hinge 896 as shown in FIG- 50. In such embodiment, either the upper member 880 or the lower member 882 may be formed with the cylindrical projection 852 for receiving and retaining the disc-shaped media. The opposing members 880, 882 are attached to each other by the 10 hinge 896, which hinge allows the two members to open and close as a clam-shell type container. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 50, the lower member 882 is sized so as to fit within the upper member 880, and be retained in the closed position by means of engagement with at least one projection 898.

Regardless of the embodiment of the member 850, whether it is a clamshell as shown 15 in FIG. 50, or two interlocking members as shown in FIG. 48, or whether it has a rigid protective element 858 that is snapped into place as shown in FIGs. 46A-46C, or has a heat or adhesive sealed protective element 858 as shown in FIGs. 47A-47C, a variety of means for attaching the member 850 to another object, such as a container, exist. For example, the member 850 may be attached directly to the other object by means of an adhesive, snaps, 20 straps, hook and loop fasteners or other similar attachment means. Alternatively, the member 850 may be attached by means of heat sealed plastic or blister packaging.

The size of the member 850 and the container to which it is attached is irrelevant. If the member 850 is larger than the container, the container may be attached directly to the bottom of the member 850. If the member 850 is smaller than the container, a skirt 899 may 25 be included on the external surface of the member 850 as illustrated in FIG. 49, which skirt 69 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 899 serves to extend the effective size of the member 850. Said skirt 899 may also be utilized to snap under a conventional projecting lip or rim on the container, such that the member 850 may be removably attached to the container solely by means of the interaction between the skirt 899 and the container lip.

Illustrated in FIGs. 51 and 52 is an additional embodiment of the present invention comprising a first member or member 900 adapted to receive the disc-shaped media 42, and thereafter to be affixed to the cover or removable lid 902 of a container 904, which container 904 may be of any size, but preferably having a circular or round top or cover. Provided at the center of the member 900 is a cylindrical projection 906 which serves the purpose of 10 maintaining the disc shaped media 42 in a stable state within the cavily 904 formed by the member 900, by receiving and retaining the disc-shaped media 42 such that the disc-shaped media 42 is prevented from moving linearly parallel to the plane of the disc-shaped media 42, while allowing the disc-shaped media 42 to rotate around the cylindrical projection 906. Toward that end, the outer diameter of the cylindrical projection 906 must be slightly less 15 than the diameter of the annular aperture in the disc-shaped media 42 such that the discshaped media 42 may be in frictional contact with the annular aperture in the disc-shaped media 42.

The disc-shaped media 42 may also be further supported within the member 900 against lineal movement perpendicular to the plane of the disc media by means of an annular 20 shoulder element 910 encircling the cylindrical projection 906 which separates the discshaped media 42 from the inner surface 912 of the member 900. The height of annular shoulder element 910 should be such that it limits contact between the disc-shaped media 42 and the inner surface 912 of member 900. However, inasmuch as the surface of the discshaped media 42 that would come into contact with the inner surface 912 often is not the 70 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 media surface, said annular shoulder element 910 is not an essential element of the present invention.

In addition to the shoulder element 910, the cylindrical projection 906 may also be provided with at least one projection 914, which projection 914 serves to retain the disc-5 shaped media 42 on the cylindrical projection 906, preferably in contact with the shoulder element 910 if such element is present. The projection 914 serves to increase the effective diameter of the shoulder element 910 to slightly larger than the inner diameter of the discshaped media 42 such that the disc-shaped media 42 must be snapped over the projection 914.

The disc-shaped media 42 is retained within the cavity 908 of the first member 900 by means of the interaction between the inner surface 912 and shoulder element 910 (if any) on one side, and the projection 914 and cover 902 of the container 904 on the other side.

It should be appreciated that the cavity 908 must be at least as high as the thickness of the disc-shaped media 42 so as to all for insertion of the disc-shaped media 42 therein.

Toward that end, the upstanding side walls 916 which define the perimeter of the cavity 908 must have a thickness greater than the thickness of the disc-shaped media 42, combined with the thickness of the projection 914 and the shoulder element 910, if either or both is present. In the preferred embodiment, the thickness of the upstanding side walls 916 should be kept as thin as possible so as to keep the profile of the member 900 as slim as possible.

The size and shape of the member 900 and the container 904 to which it is attached is irrelevant, provided only that the member 900 must have a diameter or external dimension no greater than the diameter or external dimension of the container 904. In the preferred embodiment, the effective diameter or external dimension of the member 900 is extended by a lateral spacing means or skirt 918. In the preferred embodiment, said skirt 918 is utilized to snap under a conventional projecting lip or rim 920 on the container 904, such that the 71 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 member 900 may be removably attached to the container solely by means of the interaction between the skirt 918 and the container lip 920. Skirt 918 is sized to correspond to the geometry of the container 904. In an alternative embodiment, an optional safety seal 922 may also be provided, said safety seal 922 serving to attach the first member 900 to the 5 container 904. In yet a further embodiment, skirt 918 may be adapted to slide under lip 920, e.g., when the container 904 is non-cylindrical in shape.

FIG. 52 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which instead of a container 904, the first member is attached to a book 924 using the safety seal 922.

Illustrated in FIGs. 53 is yet another embodiment of the present invention in which 10 the projection 914 extends outward rather than inward. In FIG. 54 is illustrated the attachment of the first member to a book 924 without the need for a safety seal 922, in which the first member comprises a sleeve. FIG. 55 shows the attachment of a protective element.

Illustrated in FIGs. 56-59C are additional embodiments of the present invention comprising a first member 950 adapted to receive the disc-shaped media 42, and thereafter to 15 be affixed to the cover of a container (not shown), which container may be of any size, but preferably having a circular or round top or cover. The first member 950 defines a cavity 952 within which the disc-shaped media 42 is retained. Said cavity 952 is bounded on the top by the interior surface 954 and on the sides by side walls 956. It should be appreciated that the cavity 952, and therefore the first member 950, must be larger in diameter and thickness than 20 the disc-shaped media 42 such that the disc-shaped media 42 may fit therein without flexing and without excessive contact between the disc-shaped media 42 and the side walls 956.

The disc-shaped media 42 includes an upper surface 43, which typically includes graphics, artwork, text or a combination thereof. The media surface 45 of the disc-shaped media 42 contains no such artwork or text, and contact between said media surface 45 and 72 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 other objects, particularly fine or sharp objects, should be avoided so as to avoid damage to said media surface 45.

In the embodiments of FIGs. 56-57B, the disc-shaped media 42 is removably attached directly to the interior surface 954 by means of a fugitive glue or other removable adhesive 5 958 applied to the upper surface 43. Said fugitive glue 958 allows the upper surface 43 to be removably adhered to the interior surface 954 of fee first member 950 without damaging fee disc-shaped media 42. In the preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the first member 950 is composed of a transparent or translucent material, such as plastic, which material allows the disc-shaped media 42 to be at least partially viewed within the chamber 952 when 10 glued to the interior surface 954. In order to prevent any obstruction of the upper surface 43, ideally the fugitive glue 958 should be transparent, or, alternatively, have the same index of refraction as the transparent portion of the first member 950.

A separate annular protective element 960 may be provided to protect the media surface 45 of the disc-shaped media 42 from contact with foreign objects. Said protective 15 element 960 is adapted to affix to the member 950 such that it seals off the interior chamber 952 of the member 950 wherein the disc-shaped media 42 is retained. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGs. 57A and 58A, the protective element 960 is composed of a foil or plastic material that may be heat sealed to the member 950 in order to seal fee disc-shaped media 42 within the chamber 960. This seal 960 may either be heat sealed to fee member 950 along 20 the member's outer periphery 962, which periphery 962 defines the opening 964 into the chamber 952. In such embodiment, it should be appreciated that the size of the protective element 960 should be at least as large in size as the opening 964 to the chamber 952. If the foil protective element 960 in such embodiment is made larger than the opening, the excess material may be used to grasp the protective element 960 in order to break the seal between 25 the protective element 960 and the member 950. Alternatively, a pull tab 966 of the type 73 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 normally found in heat sealed containers (such as yogurt containers and the like) may be used to remove the protective element 960.

In an alternate embodiment as illustrated in FIGs. 57B and 58B, the protective element 960 is composed of a rigid or semi-rigid material having some flexibility thereto, 5 such as paperboard or plastic. The protective element 960 in such embodiment is intended to snap into the member 950 so as to seal off the chamber 960, thereby protecting the discshaped media 42 stored therein. In order to gain access to the disc-shaped media 42, the protective element 960 may be then flexed slightly and snapped out of the member 950.

A variety of means for affixing the protective element 960 within the member 950 10 exist in such embodiment, including the use of at least one wall protrusion 968 extending from the side wall 956 of the member 950. Said wall protrusion 968 may comprise a plurality of discrete projections extending from the side wall 956, or alternatively, a limited number of longer shelf-type projections. Alternatively, a track or slot may be included running about the side wall 956, said slot being adapted to receive the protective element 960. 15 In the embodiment illustrated in FIGs. 57B and 58B, the size of the protective element 960 is substantially the same as the opening to the chamber 960 such that when the protective element is mounted onto the member 950, a seal is created, preventing any substance from entering the chamber 960 and potentially damaging the disc-shaped media 42.

In an alternate embodiment, as illustrated in FIGs. 58A and 58B, the disc-shaped 20 media 42 is not attached to the interior surface 954 by means of a fugitive glue 958 or other means. Instead, the disc-shaped media 42 is allowed to "float" freely within the chamber 952. In such embodiment, the protective element 960 also serves to prevent Ihe disc-shaped media 42 from sliding out of the chamber 952. Inasmuch as in this embodiment the media surfece 45 will come into contact with the protective element 960, the surface of such 74 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 protective element 960 should be made as smooth and free of sharp projections as possible, so as to avoid damaging the media surface 45.

Illustrated in FIGs. 59-59C is yet another embodiment of the present invention in which a cylindrical projection 970 is provided at the center of the member 950 and extending 5 from the interior surface 954, which projection 970 serves the purpose of maintaining the disc shaped media 42 in a stable state within Ihe cavity 952 formed by the member 950, by receiving and retaining the disc-shaped media 42 such that the disc-shaped media 42 is prevented from moving linearly parallel to the plane of the disc-shaped media 42, while allowing the disc-shaped media 42 to rotate around the cylindrical projection 970. Toward 10 that end, the outer diameter of the cylindrical projection 970 must be slightly less than the diameter of the annular aperture in the disc-shaped media 42 such that the disc-shaped media 42 may be in frictional contact with the annular aperture in the disc-shaped media 42.

The disc-shaped media 42 is prevented from sliding off the cylindrical projection 970 by means of the application of the protective element 960. In such embodiment, the 15 protective element 960 includes a central opening 972 therein, said central opening corresponding to the cylindrical projection 970. The diameter of the central opening 972 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical projection 970 such that the protective element 960 may be secured on the cylindrical projection 970 by means of friction contact therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of short incisions 974 are made about 20 the opening 972, said incisions 974 creating a plurality of flexible tabs 976 disposed about the opening. Said tabs 976 serve to further increase the frictional force which secures the protective element 960 on the cylindrical projection 970 by flexing and gripping the cylindrical projection 970, as illustrated in FIGs. 59B and 59C. In FIG. 59B, the flexion of the tabs 976 is relatively small, the tabs 976 taking the cross-sectional form of a cone, 75 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 whereas in FIG. 59C, the flexion of the tabs 976 is greater, with the tabs 976 bent flush against the cylindrical projection 970.

In this embodiment, ihe protective element 960 may be removed by use of a tab 966 (not shown), or, preferably, by use of a finger hold 978, said finger hold 978 being a gap or 5 slot in the protective element 960 of a size large enough to allow a user to slip a finger thereunder in order to remove the protective element 960.

The disc-shaped media 42 may also be further supported within the member 950 against lineal movement perpendicular to the plane of the disc media by means of an annular shoulder element 980 encircling the cylindrical projection 970 which separates the disc-10 shaped media 42 from the interior surface 954 of the member 950. The height of annular shoulder element 972 should be such that it limits contact between the disc-shaped media 42 and the interior surface 954 of member 950.

Regardless of the embodiment of <he member 950, a variety of means for attaching the member 950 to another object, such as a container, exist. For example, the member 950 15 may be attached directly to the other object by means of an adhesive, snaps, straps, hook and loop fasteners or other similar attachment means. Alternatively, the member 950 may be attached by means of heat sealed plastic or blister packaging.

In yet another alternate embodiment, the disc-shaped media 42 may be directly applied to ihe top of the container using a fugitive glue 958, and then retained thereon by 20 means of the application of a dome top member 950, or, alternatively, by means of heat sealing or shrink-wrapping.

Having thus described the invention with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the 25 appended claims. 76

Claims

WO 03/011716 PCT/USO2/23757 What is claimed is:

1. An elongated packaging device for packaging at least one disc-shaped recording media and other materials, said device comprising: a first member having a first chamber and a first opening for providing access into 5 said first chamber, said first member having an opened and a closed position; a second member having a second chamber and a second opening for providing access into said second chamber, wherein said first member is adapted to be removably attached to said second member about said second opening to thereby cover said second opening; 10 means for supporting and protecting said recording media within said first chamber against lineal movement in either the plane of the recording media or perpendicular to the plane of the recording media, while simultaneously allowing the recording media to rotate about the axis perpendicular to the plane of the recording media within said first chamber. 15

2. The elongated packaging device of claim 1, wherein said first member comprises a pair of complementary compartments adapted to fit adjacent to each other when said first member is in a closed position such that said first chamber is secure.

3. The elongated packaging device of claim 2, wherein said complementary 20 compartments are joined together by interlocking means.

4. The elongated packaging device of claim 2 or 3, wherein said means for supporting and protecting said recording media is mounted on one of said complementary compartments, and wherein both said means for supporting and protecting said recording media and said 77 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N2 3 0 SEP 2005 RECEIVED WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 recording media extend into said first chamber when said first member is in the closed position.

5. The elongated packaging device of claim 4, wherein said complementary 5 compartments further include an interior surface and an exterior surface and said recording media includes an annular center aperture, and wherein said means for supporting and protecting comprises at least one upstanding surface projection mounted on and extending from said interior surface of one of said complementary compartments adapted to be inserted into and engaged within said annular center aperture. 10

6. The elongated packaging device of claim 5, wherein said at least one upstanding surface projection includes at least one protrusion, said protrusion being adapted to retain said disc-shaped media on said upstanding surface projection, while allowing said disc-shaped media to freely rotate about said upstanding surface projection. 15

7. The elongated packaging device of claim 5, wherein said means for supporting and protecting comprises three upstanding surface projections, and wherein said surface projections are semi rigid such that they flex to allow insertion and engagement of said recording media. 20

8. The elongated packaging device of claim 7, wherein said three upstanding surface projection includes at least one protrusion, said protrusion being adapted to retain said discshaped media on said upstanding surface projection, while allowing said disc-shaped media to freely rotate about said upstanding surface projection. 25 78 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757

9. The elongated packaging device of any preceding claim, wherein said first member and said second member are cylindrical in shape, and wherein the diameter of said first member is slightly less than the diameter of said second opening, and wherein said first member is adapted to be removably inserted into and retained within said second opening. 5

10. The elongated packaging device of claim 9, wherein said first member further includes an external first flange defining the perimeter thereof and said second member contains a second rim defining said second opening and having an inside wall, wherein said first member and said lid are removably retained by means of a compression fit between said 10 inside wall of said second rim and said first flange.

11. The elongated packaging device of claim 10, wherein said first member further includes an outwardly extending collar about the perimeter of said external first flange, wherein said first member and said lid are prevented from being completely inserted into said 15 second opening by means of engagement between said collar and second rim.

12. The elongated packaging device of claim 10, wherein said first flange further includes a plurality of fins adapted to engage said inside wall of said second rim. 20

13. The elongated packaging device of claim 10, wherein said first flange further includes an external thread and said second inside wall of said rim includes a corresponding internal thread, and wherein said internal thread is adapted to engage said external thread.

14. The elongated packaging device of claim 2, wherein said complementary 25 compartments are attached by means of a flexible hinge. 79 INTELLECTUAL^PERTY OFFIl* 30 SEP 2005 RECEIV ED WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757

15. The elongated packaging device of claim 14, wherein said complementary compartments are joined together by interlocking means. 5

16. The elongated packaging device of claim 15, wherein said means for supporting and protecting said recording media is mounted on of said complementary compartments, and wherein both said means for supporting and protecting said recording media and said recording media extend into said first chamber when said first member is in the closed position. 10

17. The elongated packaging device of claim 16, wherein said complementary compartments further include an interior surface and an exterior surface and said recording media includes an annular center aperture, and wherein said means for supporting and protecting comprises at least one upstanding surface projection mounted on and extending 15 from said interior surface of one of said complementary compartments adapted to be inserted into and engaged within said annular center aperture.

18. The elongated packaging device of claim 17, wherein said at least one upstanding surface projection includes at least one protrusion, said protrusion being adapted to retain said 20 disc-shaped media on said upstanding surface projection, while allowing said disc-shaped media to freely rotate about said upstanding surface projection.

19. The elongated packaging device of claim 14, further including a lid for releasably closing said second opening. 25 80 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757

20. The elongated packaging device of claim 14, further including a circular safety seal of at least the same diameter as said disc-shaped media, said safety seal adapted to cover and protect the media side of said disc-shaped media. 5

21. The elongated packaging device of claim 14, further including a removable seal adapted to be repeatedly attached to and removed from said second opening so as to temporarily seal said second opening.

22. The elongated packaging device of claim 21, further including a lid for releasably 10 closing said second opening.

23. The elongated packaging device of claim 21, further including a circular safety seal of at least the same diameter as said disc-shaped media, said safety seal adapted to cover and protect the media side of said disc-shaped media. 15

24. A method for packaging a disc-shaped media and materials other than said disc-shaped media within a closed packaging device, said method comprising the steps of: providing a first member having a first chamber and a first opening for providing access into said first chamber, said first member having an opened and a closed position; 20 providing a second member having a second chamber and a second opening for providing access into said second chamber, wherein said first member is adapted to be removably attached to said second member about said second opening to thereby cover said second opening; providing means for supporting and protecting said recording media within said first 25 chamber against lineal movement in either the plane of the recording media or perpendicular 81 WO 03/011716 PCT/US02/23757 to the plane of the recording media, while simultaneously allowing the recording media to rotate about the axis perpendicular to the plane of the recording media within said first chamber; removably attaching said disc-shaped media to said means for supporting and protecting within said first chamber; inserting said materials other than said disc-shaped media within said second chamber; removably attaching said first member to said second member.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said first member comprises a pair of complementary compartments adapted to fit adjacent to each other when said first member is in a closed position such that said first chamber is secure, said complementary compartments being joined together by interlocking means, further including the step of closing and securing said complementary compartments after said disc-shaped media has been attached.

26. The elongated packaging device of claim 25, wherein said complementary compartments further include an interior surface and an exterior surface and said recording media includes an annular center aperture, and wherein said means for supporting and protecting comprises at least one upstanding surface projection mounted on and extending from said interior surface of one of said complementary compartments adapted to be inserted into and engaged within said annular center aperture, wherein said step of attaching said discshaped media comprises the step of removably sliding said disc-shaped media onto said upstanding surface projection. 82 wo 03/011716 pct/us02/23757

27. The method claim 24, further including the step of removably attaching a lid about said second opening after the step of removably attaching said first member to said second member. 5

28. The method of claim 24, further including the step of applying a circular safety seal to cover and protect the media side of said disc-shaped media after the step of inserting said disc-shaped media.

29. The elongated packaging device of claim 1 substantially as herein described. 0

30. The method of claim 24 substantially as herein described.

31. An elongated packaging device substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment shown in FIGs. 1 to 18A of the accompanying drawings. 83 intellectua^mperty office 3 0 SEP 2005 RECEIVED