US20030034259A1 - Antitheft device for cases for digital versatile discs and the like - Google Patents
Antitheft device for cases for digital versatile discs and the like Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030034259A1 US20030034259A1 US10/201,022 US20102202A US2003034259A1 US 20030034259 A1 US20030034259 A1 US 20030034259A1 US 20102202 A US20102202 A US 20102202A US 2003034259 A1 US2003034259 A1 US 2003034259A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- case
- centering means
- hub
- retaining tabs
- distance
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 6
- 230000009849 deactivation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000004905 finger nail Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002985 plastic film Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920006255 plastic film Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000057 synthetic resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009975 flexible effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
- G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
- G11B33/04—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers
- G11B33/0405—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs
- G11B33/0411—Single disc boxes
- G11B33/0422—Single disc boxes for discs without cartridge
- G11B33/0427—Single disc boxes for discs without cartridge comprising centre hole locking means
Definitions
- This invention relates to an anti-theft device for cases for digital versatile discs and the like.
- DVD digital versatile discs
- the cases containing digital versatile discs and the like are usually manufactured by known techniques of injection molding of synthetic resins (e.g. polypropylene and the like) and are formed by a box and a lid or by two semi-boxes, both being square in plan view, having three free sides and being hingedly connected on the respective fourth side which forms a spine.
- synthetic resins e.g. polypropylene and the like
- Said cases also include one or more hubs that are formed by a plurality of retaining tabs and, at times, of disc centering means. When the retaining tabs are pressed, they flex and allow the disc to be freed from its retained position.
- Digital versatile discs and the like are fragile objects and they are, therefore, distributed and marketed within cases, protecting the surfaces thereof and preventing them from being inutilized. Such cases are also usually individually wrapped in a shrink plastic film, to guarantee that they will not be opened until they reach the end user.
- Security means comprising mechanisms provided with visual or acoustic alarms that are activated when sensors located in the neighborhood of the exits from the establishments detect the signals emitted by transmitters, which have previously been fitted in a tamper-proof way to the cases.
- These security means require the use of deactivation means for such transmitters, so that an authorized removal from the establishment will not trigger activation of the alarms.
- security means of this type are completely inoperative if the disc can be discreetly removed from the case containing it, without the need to previously remove the plastic wrapper film and without opening it by the three non-hinged sides.
- This object is attained by modifying the structure of said hub in such a way that, when pressure is exerted on said major outer surfaces of the case, the centering means impinge against the opposite inner surface of the case and prevent the retaining tabs from flexing and releasing the disc from the retained position thereof.
- FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the case provided with the device of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the device of the invention.
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section view on the line III-III of FIG. 2.
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective bottom view of the device of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the device of the invention, when a pressure is applied to the outer surfaces of the case.
- FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the device of the invention, when a pressure is applied to the outer surfaces of the case.
- FIG. 1 With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown therein fragmentarily the inside of a case 1 comprising an anti-theft device according to the invention.
- the case is formed, in this case, by two semi-boxes 2 A and 2 B, both being square in plan view, having three free sides and being hingedly connected on the fourth side which forms a spine 3 , in such a way that, when the case is closed, it has the general form of a book.
- the case also comprises spring closing means 11 .
- the anti-theft device shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 comprises a hub 4 having retaining tabs 5 A and 5 B and disc centering means 6 A and 6 B formed by concentric circular sector segments.
- the upper portions 7 A and 7 B of said centering means 6 A and 6 B are shaped in such a way that the distance H from the inner surface 13 of the case 1 having the hub 4 and the upper surface 14 of said centering means 6 A and 6 B is greater than the distance h between said inner surface 13 of the case and the upper surface 15 of the retaining tabs 5 A and 5 B.
- the difference between said distances H and h ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 mm.
- the difference between said distances H and h is substantially 0.8 mm.
- the upper portions 7 A and 7 B of the centering means 6 A and 6 B are wider such that the distance d from the side surface of each of said upper portions 7 A and 7 B and the nearest side surface of each of the adjacent retaining tabs 5 A, 5 B is smaller than the width D of the slots separating said centering means from said retaining tabs.
- the upper portions 7 A, 7 B of the free ends of the centering means 6 A and 6 B of the hub may be shaped in such a way that each has two flat side regions 12 A and 12 B, each of said flat side regions 12 A and 12 B being parallel to the nearest side surface of the adjacent retaining tab.
- said upper portions 7 A, 7 B impinge laterally against the retaining tabs 5 A, 5 B, the contact surface therebetween is greater and, therewith, the wedging force that keeps said retaining tabs SA, 5 B in the disc retaining position is considerably increased (see FIG. 4).
- each centering means 6 A, 6 B of the hub may be provided on the lower surface thereof with at least one stiffening rib 9 arranged perpendicular to the direction of the wedging force and holding the retaining tabs 5 A, 5 B in the disc retaining position (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
- each retaining tab 5 A, 5 B of the hub may be provided on the lower surface thereof with a perimetric reinforcing rib 10 .
- the case may include one or more hubs disposed on one or both major inner surfaces of the case.
Landscapes
- Packaging For Recording Disks (AREA)
Abstract
The invention discloses an anti-theft device for digital versatile discs and the like and consists of providing the hubs of the case with means guaranteeing that the discs may not be removed by pressure on the major outer surfaces of the case. This object is attained by modifying the structure of said hub in such a way that, when pressure is exerted on said major outer surfaces of the case, the centering means impinge against the opposite inner surface of the case and prevent the retaining tabs from flexing and releasing the disc from the retained position thereof. The invention is applicable to increase security against the theft of digital versatile discs and the like.
Description
- This invention relates to an anti-theft device for cases for digital versatile discs and the like.
-
- The cases containing digital versatile discs and the like are usually manufactured by known techniques of injection molding of synthetic resins (e.g. polypropylene and the like) and are formed by a box and a lid or by two semi-boxes, both being square in plan view, having three free sides and being hingedly connected on the respective fourth side which forms a spine. In this way, when the case is closed, it has the general form of a book and comprises spring closing means.
- For clarity, mention will be made hereinafter only to cases formed by a box and a lid, it being understood that reference is also made to the cases formed by two semiboxes.
- Said cases also include one or more hubs that are formed by a plurality of retaining tabs and, at times, of disc centering means. When the retaining tabs are pressed, they flex and allow the disc to be freed from its retained position.
- A commercial requirement in the sale of disclosure products, such as DVD, is that the public should be able to accede to them directly and immediately, to obtain information on the content and features thereof and thereby determine whether they are of interest to be acquired. This accessibility frequently leads to the exhibited products being stolen, which causes serious financial harm for the traders.
- Digital versatile discs and the like are fragile objects and they are, therefore, distributed and marketed within cases, protecting the surfaces thereof and preventing them from being inutilized. Such cases are also usually individually wrapped in a shrink plastic film, to guarantee that they will not be opened until they reach the end user.
- To prevent removal of the DVD and the like contained in their respective cases, the traders have made great efforts to obtain security means making unauthorized removal from the sales establishments difficult.
- Security means are known comprising mechanisms provided with visual or acoustic alarms that are activated when sensors located in the neighborhood of the exits from the establishments detect the signals emitted by transmitters, which have previously been fitted in a tamper-proof way to the cases. These security means require the use of deactivation means for such transmitters, so that an authorized removal from the establishment will not trigger activation of the alarms.
- Such security means are expensive to acquire and, at the same time, the use thereof represents an additional cost in work time, since, in general, both the attachment of the transmitters to the cases and the deactivation thereof prior to authorized removal thereof must be performed individually.
- Furthermore, security means of this type are completely inoperative if the disc can be discreetly removed from the case containing it, without the need to previously remove the plastic wrapper film and without opening it by the three non-hinged sides.
- There is provided hereinafter a brief explanation of how the disc can be removed from its case without removing the plastic wrapper film:
- a) the major outer surfaces of the case are pressed together, which causes the retaining tabs of the hub to impinge against the opposite inner surface of the case, causing said retaining tabs to flex resiliently and allowing the disc to be freed from the retained position thereof;
- b) the plastic film wrapping the case is cut with any appropriate item (for example, a finger nail), along one of the lines of closure of the case; and
- c) using an appropriate item (for example, finger nails), a leverage is applied to the center of said line of closure of the case, allowing a minimum degree of opening through which the disc, previously released from the hub, may be discreetly removed.
- Once the disc has been removed from its case, the thief can unauthorizedly remove it discreetly from the establishment, camouflaged among his/her personal belongings.
- Unauthorized removal of discs from their respective cases in commercial establishments is possible because of the flexible properties of the materials with which such cases are manufactured.
- Other security means have been proposed to prevent this removal, consisting of providing the case with additional mechanisms for holding the disc to the hub. Document ES 1047055 U discloses a security case for discs incorporating a sealing device that temporarily fixes both parts of the case with a through passing member that is retained in the hub. Nevertheless, cases provided with additional security means are expensive to manufacture, because they require additional handling operations.
- This far, reference has been made to the possibility of theft of the disc in retail establishments. Nevertheless, the disc may be stolen at any time from packaging up to acquisition by an end user, for example, during storage or carriage.
- It is the object of the invention to provide a case for digital versatile discs or the like, integrally made by injection molding of synthetic resins or the like, with means guaranteeing that the disc or discs contained therein may not be removed from the respective hub by accidental or voluntarily applied pressure on the major outer surfaces of the case. This object is attained by modifying the structure of said hub in such a way that, when pressure is exerted on said major outer surfaces of the case, the centering means impinge against the opposite inner surface of the case and prevent the retaining tabs from flexing and releasing the disc from the retained position thereof.
- The invention will be more easily understood with the aid of the accompanying exemplifying drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the case provided with the device of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the device of the invention.
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section view on the line III-III of FIG. 2.
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective bottom view of the device of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the device of the invention, when a pressure is applied to the outer surfaces of the case.
- FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the device of the invention, when a pressure is applied to the outer surfaces of the case.
- With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown therein fragmentarily the inside of a
case 1 comprising an anti-theft device according to the invention. The case is formed, in this case, by twosemi-boxes spine 3, in such a way that, when the case is closed, it has the general form of a book. The case also comprises spring closing means 11. - The anti-theft device shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 comprises a
hub 4 having retainingtabs upper portions inner surface 13 of thecase 1 having thehub 4 and theupper surface 14 of saidcentering means inner surface 13 of the case and theupper surface 15 of theretaining tabs - With this form, when -pressure is exerted on the major outer surfaces of the case, the
upper portions inner surface 13 of the case and prevent the retainingtabs retaining tabs - Preferably the difference between said distances H and h ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 mm.
- More preferably, the difference between said distances H and h is substantially 0.8 mm.
- Additionally, as may be seen in FIG. 2, the
upper portions upper portions adjacent retaining tabs - This widening of the
upper portions upper portions upper portions tabs - Additionally, the
upper portions flat side regions flat side regions upper portions retaining tabs - Additionally, each centering means6A, 6B of the hub may be provided on the lower surface thereof with at least one
stiffening rib 9 arranged perpendicular to the direction of the wedging force and holding theretaining tabs - Additionally, each
retaining tab perimetric reinforcing rib 10. - The general structure of the
case 1 described above does not form part of the claimed invention nor does it have any limiting nature. Thus, the case may include one or more hubs disposed on one or both major inner surfaces of the case. - Those skilled in the art will understand that many variations of the form of the described device are possible, whereby the scope of protection should be understood to be limited only by a broad construction of the literality of the following claims.
Claims (7)
1. An antitheft device for cases for digital versatile discs and the like, the case (1) being of the general type formed by a box and a lid or by two semi-boxes (2A, 2B), both being square in plan view, having three free sides and being hingedly connected on the respective fourth side which forms a spine (3), in such a way that, when the case is closed, it has the general form of a book, comprising spring closing means (11), one or more hubs (4), provided with retaining tabs (5A, 5B) and disc centering means (6A, 6B) formed by concentric circular sector segments, wherein the distance (H) from the inner surface (13) of the case (1) having the hub (4) and the upper surface (14) of the centering means (6A, 6B) is greater than the distance (h) between said inner surface (13) of the case and the upper surface (15) of the retaining tabs (5A, 5B).
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the difference between the distance (H) from the inner surface (13) of the case (1) having the hub (4) and the upper surface (14) of said centering means (6A, 6B) and the distance (h) between said inner surface (13) of the case and the upper surface (15) of the retaining tabs (5A, 5B) ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 mm.
3. The device of claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the difference between the distance (H) from the inner surface (13) of the case (1) having the hub (4) and the upper surface (14) of said centering means (6A, 6B) and the distance (h) between said inner surface (13) of the case and the upper surface (15) of the retaining tabs (5A, 5B) is substantially 0.8 mm.
4. The device of any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the upper portions (7A, 7B) of the centering means (6A, 6B) of the hub (4) are widened, such that the distance (d) from the side surface of each of said upper portions (7A, 7B) of the centering means (6A, 6B) and the nearest side surface of each of the adjacent retaining tabs (5A, 5B) is smaller than the width (D) of the slots separating the centering means (6A, 6B) from the retaining tabs (5A, 5B).
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the upper portions (7A, 7B) of the free ends of the centering means (6A, 6B) of the hub (4) are shaped in such a way that each has two flat side regions (12A, 12B), each of said flat side regions (12A, 12B) being parallel to the nearest side surface of the adjacent retaining tab.
6. The device of claim 5 , wherein each centering means (6A, 6B) of the hub (4) is provided on the lower surface thereof with at least one stiffening rib (9) arranged perpendicular to the direction of the wedging force that holds the retaining tabs (5A, 5B) in the disc retaining position.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein each retaining tab (5A, 5B) of the hub (4) is provided on the lower surface thereof with a perimetric reinforcing rib (10).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ES200101904 | 2001-08-16 | ||
ES200101904A ES2207364B1 (en) | 2001-08-16 | 2001-08-16 | ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR DIGITAL AND SIMILAR VERSATILE DISK CASES. |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030034259A1 true US20030034259A1 (en) | 2003-02-20 |
Family
ID=8498721
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/201,022 Abandoned US20030034259A1 (en) | 2001-08-16 | 2002-07-24 | Antitheft device for cases for digital versatile discs and the like |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20030034259A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1291876A1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2207364B1 (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030000856A1 (en) * | 2001-06-27 | 2003-01-02 | Autronic Plastics, Inc. | Storage case |
US20030111367A1 (en) * | 2000-10-25 | 2003-06-19 | Michael Lax | Storage case |
US20040129587A1 (en) * | 2003-02-07 | 2004-07-08 | Lax Michael R. | Lockable container having an integral and internal locking mechanism and methods of use |
US20050092627A1 (en) * | 2003-10-31 | 2005-05-05 | Wen-Long Hu | Disk positioning structure for a disk case |
US20060042330A1 (en) * | 1999-11-02 | 2006-03-02 | Autronic Plastics, Inc. | Storage case locking member |
US20060108252A1 (en) * | 2004-10-11 | 2006-05-25 | Lax Michael R | Lockable container with merchandising features |
US20060116899A1 (en) * | 2003-02-10 | 2006-06-01 | R Lax Michael | Apparatus and methods for processing items |
US20070193900A1 (en) * | 2006-01-03 | 2007-08-23 | Kevin Kirtz | Media storage container with cooperating disc retaining hubs |
US20080041743A1 (en) * | 2006-08-18 | 2008-02-21 | Finest Products Limited | Disk Protective Enclosure |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2134828A (en) * | 1937-06-05 | 1938-11-01 | Kaplan Max | Spring lock |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1993001598A1 (en) * | 1991-07-11 | 1993-01-21 | Andrew Andrzej Kaminski | Compact disc (cd) insert-release system |
US5887713A (en) * | 1995-10-26 | 1999-03-30 | Ultrapac, Inc. | Holder for compact discs |
ES1039530Y (en) * | 1998-02-17 | 1999-05-01 | Magnetic Imatge Sa | CASE FOR DIGITAL VIDEO DISCS, COMPACT AND SIMILAR DISCS WITH DEVICE FOR RETENTION AND RELEASE OF THE PERFECTED DISC. |
US6092652A (en) * | 1998-05-14 | 2000-07-25 | Evans; Dale M | Molded container |
FR2785439B1 (en) * | 1998-10-29 | 2001-04-20 | Moulage Plastique De L Ouest | ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR RETAINING A DISC, IN PARTICULAR A COMPACT DISC, ON A MEDIUM |
US6216862B1 (en) * | 2000-04-07 | 2001-04-17 | Morgan Chang | Compact disk storage case |
GB2365850B (en) * | 2000-08-16 | 2002-09-25 | Wah De Electron Co Ltd | Retaining center of a DVD/VCD/CD Box |
ES1047055Y (en) * | 2000-09-11 | 2001-07-16 | Faperin S L | SECURITY CASE FOR DISCS. |
-
2001
- 2001-08-16 ES ES200101904A patent/ES2207364B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2002
- 2002-07-24 US US10/201,022 patent/US20030034259A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-07-26 EP EP02016386A patent/EP1291876A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2134828A (en) * | 1937-06-05 | 1938-11-01 | Kaplan Max | Spring lock |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060042330A1 (en) * | 1999-11-02 | 2006-03-02 | Autronic Plastics, Inc. | Storage case locking member |
US20030111367A1 (en) * | 2000-10-25 | 2003-06-19 | Michael Lax | Storage case |
US20030000856A1 (en) * | 2001-06-27 | 2003-01-02 | Autronic Plastics, Inc. | Storage case |
US20040129587A1 (en) * | 2003-02-07 | 2004-07-08 | Lax Michael R. | Lockable container having an integral and internal locking mechanism and methods of use |
US20060116899A1 (en) * | 2003-02-10 | 2006-06-01 | R Lax Michael | Apparatus and methods for processing items |
US8054194B2 (en) | 2003-02-10 | 2011-11-08 | Autronic Plastics, Inc. | System and method for verifying a security status of a lockable container |
US20050092627A1 (en) * | 2003-10-31 | 2005-05-05 | Wen-Long Hu | Disk positioning structure for a disk case |
US6938760B2 (en) * | 2003-10-31 | 2005-09-06 | Wen-Long Hu | Disk positioning structure for a disk case |
US20060108252A1 (en) * | 2004-10-11 | 2006-05-25 | Lax Michael R | Lockable container with merchandising features |
US20070193900A1 (en) * | 2006-01-03 | 2007-08-23 | Kevin Kirtz | Media storage container with cooperating disc retaining hubs |
US20080041743A1 (en) * | 2006-08-18 | 2008-02-21 | Finest Products Limited | Disk Protective Enclosure |
US7721882B2 (en) * | 2006-08-18 | 2010-05-25 | Finest Products Limited | Disk protective enclosure |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ES2207364B1 (en) | 2005-07-16 |
EP1291876A1 (en) | 2003-03-12 |
ES2207364A1 (en) | 2004-05-16 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: INVERHOUSE S.A., SPAIN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LOPEZ MAS, ANTONIA;REEL/FRAME:013130/0961 Effective date: 20020703 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |