WO1997016361A1

WO1997016361A1 - Container for computer discs and other flat objects

Info

Publication number: WO1997016361A1
Application number: PCT/FI1996/000581
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lea Sarasjoki
Original assignee: Luovi Tuotanto
Priority date: 1995-10-30
Filing date: 1996-10-30
Publication date: 1997-05-09
Also published as: FI955176A0; AU7299896A; FI955176A

Abstract

A container for disc-like products, in particular computer discs (T), or similar products, which in its closed position is in the shape of a rectangular prism. The container is made from sheet material such as cardboard or some other corresponding material and consists of a storage section (20) and a lid section (10) connected with a fold-hinge (11). The storage section (20) consists of two opposite side panels (15a, 15b) which are connected to each other like an accordion and a fan with an extensible and contractible partition section opposite the lid section (10). The partition section forms the V-shaped supporting spaces (17) for storing the discs (T) or other similar items. The opening lid (10) consists of perpendicular rectangle-shaped end sections (13a, 13b) connected to each other at right angles, and the side sections (12a, 12b) which are folded at right angles and connected to them. The outer edge of the other end section (13a) is connected to the outer edge of the rectangular side panel (14) of the storage section (20) with the fold-hinge (11) of the lid section (10).

Description

CONTAINER FOR COMPUTER DISCS AND OTHER FLAT OBJECTS

The subject ofthe invention is a container for disc-like products, in particular computer discs and similar objects. The container is in the shape of a rectangular prism when it is closed. It is made of sheet material such as cardboard or some other corresponding material, and it consists of a storage section and a connected lid section with a fold-hinge. The main distinctive feature ofthe invention is that the storage section consists of two opposite side panels which are connected to each other like an accordion and a fan, with an extendible and contractible partition section opposite the lid section. The partition section forms the V-shaped supporting spaces for storing the discs or other similar objects. The opening lid consists of peφendicular rectangle- shaped end sections connected to each other at right angles, and the side sections which are folded at right angles are connected to them. The outer edge ofthe other end section is connected to the outer edge ofthe rectangular side panel ofthe storage section with the fold-hinge of the lid section.

With the aid of this invention, computer discs, for example, which are vulnerable to damage, can be protected by storing them in a compact place and yet the container can be spread open when being used, so that it will be easy to identify the required disc.

Several methods for compact storage of thin flat objects have been patented. Many of these box-like solutions succeed in protecting the objects stored in them. Since thin objects such as computer discs or slides are identified with stickers, it is a difficult and time-consuming chore to find the required objects from the traditional tightly packed box-like models. Occasionally a separate card-index has been offered as a solution.

We have many kinds of folding, extending and opening cases, folders, boxes, etc., which can be used to store letters, invoices, visiting cards, stamps, LP records, photographs and slides, for example. Some of them, such as suspended folders, are fixed to the furniture, and therefore they cannot be taken along easily. Sometimes the objective of protecting the contents has been solved so well with film surfaces, for example, that it is troublesome removing and filing the items. PCT/US87/03485 is an accordion-like invention where each disc is protected in an envelope open at the top. It is more complicated in structure than this invention; it requires a Velcro-tape for closing it, it cannot stand up without support, neither is it suitable as a sales package for discs.

The existing compact sales packages for discs save space, but they are not very suitable for filing purposes. When a box is full, flipping through the discs requires lifting up each disc separately.

The container under this invention expands with the aid of its accordion-like structure when opening, and contracts again into a compact pile when closing. The lid that turns over the top protects the discs from dust and other impurities. The sensitive discs do not scratch each other since each disc has its own pocket. Identifying them is quick: the disc that is being looked for is found easily; also a vacant storage space is found conveniently for a disc to be stored. The preform used for making the container under this invention is made from one integrated sheet cut into the specified form which has the required edge folds pressed into it. If therefore cardboard is chosen as the material for manufacturing the container, the production costs will remain low, and the product can be offered with good reason to manufacturers of computer discs, for example, as a sales package.

The following is a description ofthe parts ofthe invention with reference to the annexed drawings.

Figure 1 shows the closed container obliquely from above.

Figure 2 shows the opened container obliquely from above.

Figure 3 shows the preform ofthe container spread flat.

The disc-like products, particularly computer discs, are in a closed container, tightly and compactly stored as shown in Figure 1. The lid section 10 is folded at the fold- hinge on top ofthe storage section 20.

Figure 2 illustrates the partition section 16 which expands and contracts like an accordion and fan. The discs T are placed into the V-shaped supporting spaces 17. The lid section 10 is placed on top when the side panels 15a and 15b are pressed together: then the partition section 16 contracts.

In Figure 3 all the sections ofthe invention are shown before assembling, that is, folding and gluing, for example. The invention can be manufactured with the aid of just one punch or form tool.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A container for disc-like products, in particular computer discs (T), or similar products, which in its closed position is in the shape of a rectangular prism, which is made from sheet material such as cardboard or some other corresponding material, and which consists ofa storage section (20) and a lid section (10) connected with a fold- hinge (11), the distinctive feature being the mentioned storage section (20) consisting of two opposite side panels (15a, 15b) which are connected to each other like an accordion and a fan, with an extendible and contractible partition section (16) opposite the lid section (10). The partition section forms the V-shaped supporting spaces (17) " for storing the discs (T) or other similar objects and the opening lid (10) consists of perpendicular rectangle-shaped end sections (13a, 13b) connected to each other at right angles, and the side sections (12a, 12b) which are folded at right angles and connected to the end sections (13 a, 13b), and the outer edge ofthe other end section

(13a) is connected to the outer edge ofthe rectangular side panel (14) ofthe storage section (20) with the fold-hinge (11) of the lid section (10).

2. The container according to Patent Claim 1 with the distinctive feature that the opposite parallel sides (12a, 12b) are essentially in the shape ofa right angled triangle.

3. The container according to Patent Claim 1 or 2 with the distinctive feature that the side panels (15a, 15b) ofthe storage section (20) are essentially in the shape ofa trapezoid and extend up to the fold-hinge.

4. The container according to one ofthe Patent Claims 1 - 3 which is meant as a sales, storage and flipping container for computer discs (T) with the distinctive feature that the measurements ofthe container's sides (12a, 12b) ofthe lid section (10), and the side panels (15a, 15b) ofthe storage section (20) correspond to the size of computer discs, and that the accordion-like storage section (20) ofthe container consists of 5 - 30, most suitably approximately 10 V-shaped spaces (17) for computer discs (T), and that the mentioned accordion-like partition (16) is capable of being expanded so that the stickers on the packed computer discs (T) can be flipped through and that the mentioned accordion-like part (16) is capable of being contracted so the lid section

(10) can be closed.