US20030196918A1

US20030196918A1 - Security device for a disk box

Info

Publication number: US20030196918A1
Application number: US10/389,337
Authority: US
Inventors: Kwok Lau
Original assignee: FINEST INDUSTRIAL Co Ltd
Current assignee: FINEST INDUSTRIAL Co Ltd
Priority date: 2001-02-20
Filing date: 2003-03-14
Publication date: 2003-10-23
Also published as: WO2004097830A1; US6554132B2; US20030168361A1; US20020112974A1

Abstract

A container for disks having a spine and a base connected to the spine, the base having a base panel and a front wall at a periphery of the base panel opposed to the spine, the base panel being configured to hold a disk in a fixed position. The container also having a lid connected to the spine, the lid having a lid panel and a front wall at the periphery of the lid panel opposed to the spine. At least one of the base and the lid are hingedly connected to the spine. The container has an open condition and a closed condition and at least one locking mechanism, each locking mechanism comprising a locking orifice and a locking tab, the orifice being in the front wall of the lid or in the front wall of the base and the locking tab being hingedly connected to the other of the front walls, the locking tab and orifice being positioned so that the locking tab is removably engagable in the locking orifice to lock the base to the lid in the closed condition.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/789,284, entitled DISK PROTECTIVE ENCLOSURE, filed on Feb. 20, 2001, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, this application is being filed on the same date as another application of the same inventor, entitled SECURITY DISK CASE, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.[0001]

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to containers for disks and more particularly to security devices for such containers.

Protective containers for CDs and DVDs in common use have a central pedestal for supportively gripping the disc by engaging the central opening without contacting either side of the disk within data-containing regions thereof. Such containers typically have a ledge for contacting portions of an outer perimeter of the disk for stabilizing the disk against tipping on the pedestal. The disk is loaded into the container by lowering it onto the pedestal while gripping opposite perimeter portions, engagement with the pedestal being typically effected by simultaneous finger pressure against the disk proximate the central opening. Removal of the disk is similarly effected by finger pressure against the pedestal and simultaneous lifting at the perimeter portions. See, for example, the present inventor's U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,763, which is incorporated herein by this reference. Cases such as those described are typically marketed with wrappers that normally prevent opening without removal of the wrapper (which is not supposed to happen until purchase transactions are completed).

It has recently been discovered that it is possible for a shoplifter to make a slit along the side of the wrapper, then deform the case in a manner that causes release of the disk from the pedestal, then, by prying the case slightly open, sliding the disk out of the case.

Thus there is a need for a way to prevent theft of disks from such containers in the manner described, and that is easy to use and inexpensive to provide.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a container for disks satisfying the above needs. A container for disks according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a spine and a base connected to the spine. The base has a base panel and a front wall at a periphery of the base panel opposed to the spine. The base panel is configured to hold a disk in a fixed position. The container also has a lid connected to the spine. The lid has a lid panel and a front wall at the periphery of the lid panel opposed to the spine. At least one of the base and the lid are hingedly connected to the spine.

The container has an open condition and a closed condition. The container also has at least one locking mechanism. Each locking mechanism has a locking orifice and a locking tab, the orifice being in the front wall of the lid or in the front wall of the base and the locking tab being hingedly connected to the other of the front walls. The locking tab and orifice are positioned so that the locking tab is removably engagable in the locking orifice to lock the base to the lid in the closed condition.

Optionally, the container has two locking mechanisms. Optionally, the container has a disk retention tab projecting outward from the spine engagable against a disk. Optionally, the container has a disk retention tab extending from the front wall of the lid or the lid panel.

Optionally, the container has holder structures to provide a snap together engagement of the container. The holder structures include a plurality of base snap mounts projecting from the base panel and a plurality of lid snap tabs projecting from at least one of the lid panel and the front wall of the lid. The plurality of lid snap tabs are pinched between the plurality of base snap mounts and the front wall of the base, when the container is in a closed condition.

The container has first and second walls at a periphery of the lid panel oriented at an angle to the spine and first and second side walls at a periphery of the base panel oriented at an angle to the spine. Tamper resistance blades are formed on the first and second wall of the lid and tamper resistance ribs project forwardly from the base panel adjacent to the first and second walls of the base. The tamper resistance blades fit between the tamper resistance ribs and the first and second walls of the base.

In an alternative embodiment, the case has a hinge structure rigidly connected relative to the base panel portion for engaging and pivotably supporting a tray for holding a second disk. The hinge structure projects forwardly from the base portion and the hinge connection of at least one of the base and the lid to the spine is spaced sufficiently to allow the closed condition of the case with the first disk being retained on the base pedestal and the tray engaging the hinge structure while holding the second disk.

Optionally, the hinge structure has at least one post member projecting forwardly from the base panel portion. Each post member has a facing pair of forwardly extending leaf members. Each of the leaf members has a tip extremity that projects toward a corresponding lip extremity of the other leaf member. The leaf members extend laterally for snap engagement with at least one corresponding journal of at least one tray to be pivotally supported by the hinge structure.

Optionally, each of the post members has a bridge bar connecting the leaf members. The leaf members including the tip extremities, of each post member extend laterally in opposite directions relative to at least one side of the bridge bar for snap engagement with a pair of oppositely axially projecting stub journals of at least one tray to be pivotally supported by the hinge structure.

The inventive container prevents tampering and theft.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an open disk container according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the disk container of FIG. 1 approaching a closed condition;

FIG. 3 schematically shows a portion of the container of FIG. 1 as shown by region A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 schematically shows a portion of the container of FIG. 1 as shown by region B in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second container embodying features of the present invention, the container being in its open condition;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a disk retention tab used in the version of the invention shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 schematically shows a portion of the container of FIG. 5 as shown by region C in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 schematically shows a portion of the container of FIG. 5 as shown by region D in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 5 in a partially open condition;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third container embodying features of the present invention, the container being adapted for storing a plurality of disks;

FIG. 11 schematically shows a-portion of the container of FIG. 10 as shown by region E in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the container of FIG. 10 having a plurality of trays;

FIG. 13 is a perspective sectional view of a hinge post suitable for use with containers according the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective detail view of a tray notch for suitable for use with containers according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a fourth container according to the present invention, the container being adapted for storing a plurality of disks; and

FIG. 16 schematically shows a portion of the container of FIG. 15 as shown by region F in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion describes in detail several embodiments of the invention and several variations of those embodiments. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. [0032]
The present invention is directed to a disk container that is particularly effective and configurable for protectively storing disks such as CDs and DVDs. With reference to FIG. 1, a [0033] DVD box 10 includes a case 12 that may have a transparent jacket (not shown) bonded thereto in a conventional manner for displaying printed material. Additionally, the case may be shrink wrapped in plastic (not shown) to protect the case and to further prevent tampering with the contents of the case.
The [0034] case 12 has a base 14, a lid 16, and a spine 18. The base 14 has a base panel 20 and first 22 and second walls 24 substantially perpendicular to the spine 18. The base 14 also has a front wall 26 substantially parallel to the spine.
The [0035] lid 16 has a lid panel 28 and first 30 and second walls 32 substantially perpendicular to the spine 18. The lid also has a front wall 34 substantially parallel to the spine. The base walls 22, 24 and 26 and the lid walls 30, 32 and 34 snap together in edgewise adjacency in a closed condition of the case 12.
In the closed condition, the hinge, the base walls and the lid walls form four walls, the base panel forms a rear wall, and the lid panel forms a front wall. In further description of the [0036] case 12, the terms “front” and “forward” with respect to the base refer to a direction toward the lid 16 in the closed condition of the box 10. Conversely, “rear”, “rearward”, and “back” refer to a direction away from the lid 16 in the closed condition of the box.
As described above, the [0037] case 12 is substantially rectangular with the spine 18 defining a plane, the side walls defining planes that are substantially perpendicular to the spine 18, and the front walls defining planes that are substantially parallel to the spine 18. However, the case can be shaped otherwise with the side walls oriented at an angle to the spine 18. Likewise, the spine and/or the walls can have rounded portions. Such additional shapes may still embody features of the present invention.
A [0038] pedestal 36 of the case 12 projects forwardly from the base panel 20 for supportively engaging a disk, such as a compact disk (CD) or digital video disk (DVD) (not shown) having front and rear surfaces, a central opening, and a periphery. The pedestal engages the central opening. A shroud formation 38 of case 12 also projects forwardly on the base panel in generally concentric relation to the pedestal 36 proximate the periphery of a disk being supported on the pedestal 36. The shroud formation 38 has at least one pair of finger depressions 40 for permitting opposite perimeter portions of the disk to be grasped by a user of the box 10. In an embodiment, the shroud formation 38 has a ledge 42 for seating the disk at a height equal to-or lower than the forward edge of the shroud formation.
According to a preferred version of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the [0039] base 14 is formed with tamper resistance ribs 44, 46 projecting forwardly on the base panel in close proximity to the first and second base walls. The first and second lid walls are formed with tamper resistance blades 48, 50. The tamper resistance blades 48, 50 fit between the tamper resistance ribs 44, 46 and the first and second base walls 22, 24 as the case approaches a closed position. As shown in FIG. 2, the tamper resistance ribs and blades prevent tampering with a disk stored within the case by someone attempting to pry the first or second wall of the case apart.
As shown in FIG. 1, the front wall of the lid has a [0040] finger indentation 52. The front wall of the base also has a finger indentation 54. The finger indentations 52, 54 allow a user to pry the lid from the base and move the container from a closed condition to an open condition. In an embodiment, a disk retention tab 56 extends from the lid indentation 52. The disk retention tab 56 holds the disk against the shroud when the case is in a closed position. In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the disk retention tab projects from the lid panel. Optionally, the disk retention tab 56 is formed with a radius 57 corresponding to the radius of the ledge 42 so that the disk retention tab 56 presses on the disk over the area where the disk is sitting on the ledge.
According to a preferred version of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the lid is formed with two [0041] document retention tabs 58, 60. The document retention tabs 58, 60 retain a document against the lid panel 28. The document retention tabs 58 allow documentation to be stored in the case along with a disk.
A [0042] disk retention tab 62 projects outwardly from the spine 18. The disk retention tab 62 presses down against the disk when the case is in the closed condition. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 6, the disk retention tab projecting outward from the spine has a radius 64 corresponding to the radius of the ledge 42 so that the disk retention tab 62 presses on the disk over the area where the disk is sitting on the shroud ledge 42. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 1, the disk retention tab 62 further comprises a flange 66 which projects rearwardly when the container is in the closed condition to hold the disk against the shroud.
A case according to a preferred embodiment of the present has a locking mechanism. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and [0043] 4, at least one and preferably two moveable locking tabs 68 are hingedly mounted to the front base wall 26. Each locking tab contains two or more locking flanges 70. The front wall of the lid contains two or more locking orifices 72. Once the case 12 is in a closed condition, each locking tab 68 is moveable to engage the locking flanges 70 in the locking orifices 72 to hold the case in its closed condition. Alternatively, the locking tabs are hingedly mounted to the front lid wall, and the front base wall 26 contains two locking orifices.
In an second version of the invention, shown in FIGS. [0044] 5 to 9, the locking tabs may contain more than two locking flanges 70 and locking orifices 72 to increase the amount and/or orientation of the force required to remove the locking tabs from the front lid wall 34. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 9, the locking tabs contain at least two base locking flanges 73. The base locking flanges 73 fit in base locking orifices 74 on the front base wall. The presence of the base locking flanges 73 and the base locking orifices 74 allows the locking tabs to be held in a locked position when the lid is open to allow automatic loading of disks into the case 12.
Optionally, the [0045] front base wall 26 contains recessed portions 75 and the front lid wall 34 contains recessed portions 76. The recessed portions of the lid and the base contain the locking orifices 72. The recessed portions 75, 76 allow the locking tabs 68 to be flush with the front walls of the lid and the base when the locking flanges 70 are engaged in the locking orifices 72.
Optionally, a removable, cut resistant material (not shown), such as tape, is placed over the locking [0046] tabs 68 to prevent opening of the locking tabs. Once the locking tabs 68 are engaged in the locking orifices 70, the case cannot be pried open, thereby preventing theft or damage of the contents.
Mating pairs of holder structures provide a snap together engagement of the case. In a preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and [0047] 4, two base snap mounts 78 project forwardly on the base panel 20. Each of the snap mounts 78 has a detent 80. Two lid snap tabs 82 project rearwardly from the front lid wall 34. Each of the snap tabs 82 has a flange 84. As the case 12 is closed, the snap tabs 82 are pinched between the snap mounts 78 and the front base wall 26 and the snap tab flanges 84 are forced into the detents 80. A force is then required to move the snap tabs 82 out of engagement with the snap mounts 78.
Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and [0048] 4, the snap mounts 78 are located adjacent to the recessed base portions 75 and the snap tabs 82 project rearwardly from the recessed lid portions 76. Placing the snap mounts 78 and snap tabs 82 near the recessed portions 75, 76 allows the case to snap closed and properly orient the locking tabs 68 and locking orifices 70. The orientation of the snap tabs 82 and the snap mounts 78 can be reversed so that the snap mounts 78 project rearwardly from the lid panel 28 and the snap tabs 82 project forwardly from the front base wall 26.
In the second version of the invention, shown in FIGS. [0049] 5 to 8, two base snap mounts 84 project forwardly on the base panel 20. Each of the snap mounts 84 has a detent 86. Two lid snap tabs 88 project rearwardly from the front lid wall 34. Each of the snap tabs 88 has a flange 90. As the case 12 is closed, the snap tabs 88 are pinched between the snap mounts 84 and the front base wall 26 and the snap tab flanges 90 are forced into the detents 86. A force is then required to move the snap tabs 82 out of engagement with the snap mounts 84.
Additionally, two second base snap mounts [0050] 92 project forwardly on the base panel 20 adjacent to the recessed portion 74 of the front base wall 26. The second base snap mounts 92 have a flange orifice. Two second snap tabs 94 project rearwardly from the lid panel 28 adjacent to the recessed portion 76 of the front lid wall 34. The second snap tabs 94 contain a flange 96 engagable in the flange orifice of the snap mounts 92. When the case is closed, the flanges 96 fit into the flange orifices, serving to hold the case closed until adequate force is applied to remove the flanges from the flange orifices. The orientation of the snap tabs and the snap mounts may be reversed so that the mounts project rearwardly from the lid and the tabs project forwardly from the front base wall 26. The snap engagement of the lid and the base further helps prevent theft and tampering by making it difficult for someone to open the case without removing a substantial portion of any wrapping and without making noise.
In an third version of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the [0051] case 12 is adapted to hold multiple disks. According to the additional embodiment of the present invention, the base portion 14 is formed with a pair of hinge structures 98 projecting forwardly therefrom. In an embodiment, the hinge structure 98 has a spaced pair of hinge posts 100 being equally spaced slightly away from the spine 18, each hinge post having a facing parallel-spaced pair of forwardly extending leaf members 102 for pivotally locating a tray 104 within the case 12. The hinge posts 100 are oriented with the leaf members 102 thereof in alignment parallel to the spine 18, the leaf members having inwardly projecting tip extremities 106. The leaf members 102 of each hinge post 100, including the tip extremities 106, extend laterally for snap engagement with a journal 110 formed on the tray 104. The tip extremity 106 of only one leaf member 102 of each hinge post 100 is required to project toward the other leaf member in order to provide the above-described snap engagement.
As further shown in FIG. 11, the [0052] tray 104 has a pair of inwardly extending notches 112 that are spaced apart for receiving respective ones of the hinge posts 100, the journals 110 extending within the notches 114 from opposite sides thereof. The tray 104 is formed having a tray panel portion 114, a pedestal 116, and a disk holding area 118 having finger depressions 120. Further, the exemplary configuration of the tray 104 has a forwardly and rearwardly projecting rim 122 that defines a perimeter of the tray. The rim also functions to reinforce the tray 104. The disk holding area 118 and/or the rim 122 serves to prevent contact with the lid 16 of the case 12.
It will be understood that the [0053] tray 104 can be configured for assembly in an inverted orientation wherein a disk mounted thereon faces toward the base 14 in the closed condition of the container 12. Also, the container 10 can be initially provided without the tray 104, which can be added whenever it is desired to accommodate more than one disk. It will be further understood that the tray 104 can be configured to hold a pair of disks on opposite sides of the tray. Typically, the case 12 of the present invention is configured for conventional disks having an outside diameter of 120 mm, an inside diameter of 15 mm, and a thickness of between 1.2 mm and 1.3 mm. A suitable material for both the case 12 and the tray 104 of the disk container 10 is polypropylene plastic. Additionally, the tray may be made of polystyrene. Both the case 12 and the tray 104 may be made by molding.
With further reference to FIG. 12, the [0054] case 12 is preferably configured for receiving a plurality of the trays 104, three of the trays 104 being pivotally supported by the hinge posts 100. Advantageously, opening and closing of the case 12 does not produce sliding contact between the trays 104 and the case 12. Thus, the disks are not subjected to vibrations and jarring that might otherwise occur during opening of the case 12 due to such sliding contact; consequently, the present invention provides enhanced protection against disks being inadvertently dropped when the case is opened. It will be appreciated that rearward movement of the trays 104 toward the base panel 20 can be blocked by appropriately forming the hinge posts 100 to extend behind the journals 110 of the rearmost one of the trays 104 for contacting the journals at a predetermined location relative to the base 14. Of course, the case 12 can be furnished initially with fewer than a full complement of the trays 104.
FIG. 13 is a closeup view of a [0055] hinge post 100, suitable for use with containers according to the present invention. FIG. 14 is a closeup view of a tray 104, having a journal structure suitable for use with containers according to the present invention. The hinge post 100 has a facing parallel-spaced pair of forwardly extending leaf members 102. The leaf members 102 have inwardly projecting tip extremities 106 that are connected by a reinforcing bridge bar 124. The leaf members 102, including the tip extremities 106, extend laterally on opposite sides of the bridge bar 124 for snap engagement with an inwardly facing pair of stub journals 126 that-are formed on a pivot axis 128 of the tray 104.
As further shown in FIG. 14, the tray has a pair of inwardly extending [0056] notches 112 that are spaced apart for receiving respective ones of the hinge posts 100, the stub journals 126 extending within the notches 112 from opposite sides thereof. Further, each pair of stub journals 126 is spaced apart by a distance somewhat greater than a lateral thickness of the bridge bars 124, so that the tip extremities 106 can flex to receive the stub journals 126. It will be understood that each of the notches 112 need have only one of a single pair of oppositely projecting stub journals 126, in which case the bridge bars 124 would normally be offset from the centers of the hinge posts 100 away from the stub journals 126.
With further reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, an alternative configuration of the tray, designated [0057] 104′, is sized to fit between the two hinge posts 100. Journals, designated 110′, extend from edges of the tray 104′ in a direction parallel to the spine for snap engagement in the two hinge posts 100.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not necessarily be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. [0058]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container for disks comprising:

a) a spine;

b) a base connected to the spine and comprising a base panel and a front wall at a periphery of the base panel opposed to the spine, the base panel being configured to hold a disk in a fixed position;

c) a lid also connected to the spine and comprising a lid panel and a front wall at the periphery of the lid panel opposed to the spine;

wherein at least one of the base and the lid is hingedly connected to the spine, and

wherein the container has (i)an open condition and (ii)a closed condition; and

d) at least one locking mechanism, each locking mechanism comprising a locking orifice and a locking tab, the orifice being in the front wall of the lid or in the front wall of the base and the locking tab being hingedly connected to the other of the front walls, the locking tab and orifice being positioned so that the locking tab is removably engagable in the locking orifice to lock the base to the lid in the closed condition.

2. A container according to claim 1, comprising at least two locking mechanisms.

3. A container according to claim 1 further comprising:

a shroud and a base pedestal projecting forwardly from the base panel for engaging and supporting a disk; and

a disk retention tab projecting outward from the spine, the disk retention tab being engagable against a disk in the closed condition to hold the disk against the shroud.

4. A container according to claim 3

wherein the shroud further comprises a ledge for retaining a disk inside a forward edge of the shroud; and the disk retention tab further comprises a radius such that the disk retention tab exerts pressure against the disk over the portion of the disk supported by the ledge.

5. A container according to claim 4, further comprising a disk retention tab extending from the front wall of the lid, the disk retention tab being engaged against the disk in the closed condition to hold the disk against the shroud.

6. A container according to claim 4, further comprising a disk retention tab extending from the lid panel, the disk retention tab being engaged against the disk in the closed condition to hold the disk against the shroud.

8. A container according to claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of base snap mounts projecting from the base panel; and

a plurality of lid snap tabs projecting from at least one of the lid panel and the front wall of the lid;

wherein the plurality of lid snap tabs are pinched between the plurality of base snap mounts and the front wall of the base, when the container is in its closed condition.

9. A container according to claim 8, further comprising:

a flange on at least one of the plurality of lid snap tabs; and

a detent on each of the corresponding base snap mounts;

wherein the flange is removably engagable with the detent to hold the lid and the base in a closed condition.

10. A container according to claim 8, further comprising:

a flange on at least one of the plurality of lid snap tabs; and

a flange orifice on each of the corresponding base snap mounts;

wherein the flange is removably engagable with the flange orifice to hold the lid and the base in a closed condition.

11. A container according to claim 1 further comprising a disk held on the base panel when the container is in the closed condition.

12. A container according to claim 1 further comprising:

first and second walls at a periphery of the lid panel oriented at an angle to the spine;

first and second side walls at a periphery of the base panel oriented at an angle to the spine;

tamper resistance blades on the first and second wall of the lid; and

tamper resistance ribs projecting forwardly from the base panel adjacent to the first and second walls of the base; and

wherein the tamper resistance blades fit between the tamper resistance ribs and the first and second walls of the base.

13. A container according to claim 1 further comprising:

a shroud and a base pedestal projecting forwardly from the base panel for engaging and supporting a first disk; and

a hinge structure rigidly connected relative to the base panel portion for engaging and pivotably supporting a tray for holding a second disk, the hinge structure projecting forwardly from the base portion and the hinged connection of at least one of the base and the lid to the spine being spaced sufficiently to allow the closed condition of the case with the first disk being retained on the base pedestal and the tray engaging the hinge structure while holding the second disk.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the hinge structure comprises a post member projecting forwardly from the base panel portion, the post member comprising:

a facing pair of forwardly extending leaf members;

each of the leaf members having a tip extremity that projects toward a corresponding tip extremity of the other leaf member;

wherein the leaf members extend laterally for snap engagement with a journal of at least one tray to be pivotally supported by the hinge structure.

15. The container of claim 14, further comprising at least one of the trays having the journal.

16. The container of claim 14, wherein the post member further comprises a bridge bar connecting the leaf members.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein the leaf members, including the tip extremities, extend laterally on both sides of the bridge bar for snap engagement with respective axially projecting stub journals of the at least one tray.

18. The container of claim 14, wherein the post member is one of a spaced pair of post members, the leaf members of each post member being aligned with the leaf members of the other post member for snap engagement with at least one journal of the at least one tray.

19. The container of clam 18, wherein each of the post members further comprises a bridge bar connecting the leaf members.

20. The container of claim 19, wherein the leaf members, including the tip extremities, of each of the post members extend laterally in opposite directions relative to at least one side of corresponding ones of the bridge bars for snap engagement with a pair of oppositely axially projecting stub journals of at least one tray to be pivotally supported by the hinge structure.

21. The container of claim 13, wherein the hinge structure comprises a spaced pair of post members projecting forwardly from the base panel portion, each post member comprising:

a facing pair of forwardly extending leaf members;

each of the leaf members having a tip extremity that projects toward a corresponding tip extremity of the other leaf member for snap engagement with at least one journal of the at least one tray.

22. The container of claim 21, further comprising at least one of the trays having the at least one journal.

23. The container of claim 21, wherein each of the post members further comprises a bridge bar connecting the leaf members.

24. The container of claim 23, wherein the leaf members, including the tip extremities, of each of the post members, extend laterally in opposite directions relative to at least one side of corresponding ones of the bridge bars for snap engagement with a pair of oppositely axially projecting stub journals of at least one tray to be pivotally supported by the hinge structure.

25. The container of claim 23, wherein the leaf members, including the tip extremities, of each of the post members, extend laterally on both sides of the corresponding bridge bars for snap engagement with respective pairs of axially projecting stub journals of the at least one tray.

26. A container for disks having a central opening comprising:

a) a spine;

b) a base connected to the spine, the base comprising a base panel, first and second side walls at a periphery of the base panel oriented at an angle to the spine, a front wall at a periphery of the base panel opposed to the spine, a base disk retainer structure projecting forwardly from the base panel portion for retaining a first disk by engagement with the central opening thereof; and

c) a lid connected to the spine, the lid comprising a lid panel, first and second walls at a periphery of the lid panel oriented at an angle to the spine; and a front wall at the periphery of the lid panel opposed to the spine;

wherein at least one of the base and the lid are hingedly connected to the spine, and

wherein the container has (i)an open condition and (ii)a closed condition;

d) a locking mechanism comprising a locking orifice and a locking tab, the orifice being in the front wall of the lid or in the front wall of the base and the locking tab being hingedly connected to the other of the front walls, the locking tab and orifice being positioned so that the locking tab is removably engagable in the locking orifice to lock the base to the lid in the closed condition; and

e) a tamper resistance mechanism comprising lid tamper resistance blades on the first and second walls of the lid and tamper resistance ribs projecting outward from the base panel adjacent to the first and second walls of the base, the tamper resistance blades and the tamper resistance ribs being positioned so that the lid tamper resistance blades fit between the tamper resistance ribs and the first and second walls of the base when the container is in the closed condition; and

f) a hinge structure fixably connected relative to the base portion for engaging and pivotably supporting a tray for holding a second disk being another of the disks, the hinge structure being adapted to allow the closed condition of the case with the first disk being retained on the base pedestal and the tray engaging the hinge structure while holding the second disk.

27. The container of claim 26, wherein the hinge structure comprises a spaced pair of post members projecting forwardly from the base panel portion, each post member comprising:

a facing pair of forwardly extending leaf members;

each of the leaf members having a tip extremity that projects toward a corresponding lip extremity of the other leaf member; and

a bridge bar connecting the leaf members, wherein the leaf members, including the tip extremities, of each of the post members, extend laterally in opposite directions relative to at least one side of corresponding ones of the bridge bars for snap engagement with a pair of oppositely axially projecting stub journals of at least one tray to be pivotally supported by the hinge structure.

28. The container of claim 27, further comprising at least one of the trays having the axially projecting stub journals.

29. A container according to claim 26 further comprising:

a first disk retention tab projecting outward from the spine; and

a second disk retention tab projecting outward from the front wall of the lid;

wherein both the first and second disk retention tabs are engaged against the disk in the closed position to hold the disk against the shroud.

30. A container for disks comprising:

a) a spine;

b) a base connected to the spine, the base comprising a base panel and a front wall at a periphery of the base panel opposed to the spine, the base panel being configured to hold a disk in a fixed position;

c) a lid connected to the spine, the lid comprising a lid panel and a front wall at the periphery of the lid panel opposed to the spine;

wherein the container has (i)an open condition and (ii)a closed condition; and

d) a locking mechanism comprising a plurality of locking orifices in both the front wall of the lid and the front wall of the base, and a locking tab being hingedly connected to the front wall of the base, the locking tab and plurality of locking orifices being positioned so that the locking tab is removably engagable in the plurality of locking orifices in the front wall of the lid to lock the base to the lid in the closed condition, and the locking tab is removably engagable in the plurality of locking orifices in the front wall of the base in the open position to allow for automated disk loading.