WO2002029815A2

WO2002029815A2 - Storage device for disc-like data carriers and method for manufacture thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2002029815A2
Application number: PCT/EP2001/011398
Authority: WO
Inventors: Theodorus Engelbertus Bruijns
Original assignee: Diskcomm Multimedia B.V.
Priority date: 2000-10-03
Filing date: 2001-10-02
Publication date: 2002-04-11
Also published as: AU2002215917A1; WO2002029815A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage device for disc-like data carriers, comprising: - a first cover element provided with fixing means for fixing one or more data carriers to the cover element; - a second cover element with which the first cover element can be closed; - hinge means arranged between the first and second cover elments; wherein the storage device is injected moulded integrally in a mould from a single flexible plastic.

Description

STORAGE DEVICE FOR DISC-LIKE DATA CARRIERS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURE THEREOF

The present invention relates to a device for storing disc-like data carriers and to a method for manufacturing such a storage device. Disc-like data carriers are understood to mean inter alia flat, round compact discs and minidiscs or flat, rectangular credit card discs and the like.

Storage boxes for storing compact discs are known which each consist of three separate elements. A first element is a cover in which a second element is arranged. The data carrier can be fixed in the second element. A third element functions as cover for the first and second elements and is arranged hingedly on the first element. The elements are manufactured from a relatively hard, inflexible plastic material . Many millions of the known storage devices have been sold over the years . The manufacture of the known devices is however quite complex, which has a cost- increasing effect . The storage boxes can moreover break easily, and particularly at the position of the hinge connections between the covers. Breakage frequently occurs even before the storage boxes have been received by the purchaser, for instance via the post or a courier service. This is unacceptable for mail order companies or, more recently, for companies which supply articles via the internet and which depend on intact delivery of their products.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage device, an assembly of a device with a number of data carriers and a method for manufacturing such a storage device respectively such an assembly, wherein at least one of the above stated drawbacks are obviated. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided for this purpose a storage device for disc-like data carriers, comprising:

- a first cover element provided with fixing means for fixing one or more data carriers to the cover element ;

- a second cover element with which the first cover element can be closed;

- hinge means arranged between the first and second cover elements; wherein the storage device is injection moulded integrally from a single flexible plastic. By injection moulding the storage device in one piece and moreover manufacturing it from comparatively flexible material, preferably polypropylene, the storage device can be manufactured in simple and economically advantageous manner and breakage, and then particularly breakage at the position of the hinges, is virtually precluded.

In a preferred embodiment of the storage device according to the invention the fixing means comprise one or more lips arranged on the inner surface of the first cover element and ordered in a circle, which lips extend in at least partially tapering manner and wherein the outer surface of the first cover element is flat . Because they taper over some distance and thus clamp the relevant data carrier, the fixing lips arranged on the inside of a cover element ensure a simple, convenient and reliable fixing of the data carrier on the storage device. The outer surface of the cover element in which the fixing lips are arranged is moreover flat, which from an aesthetic viewpoint embellishes the appearance of the storage device.

It is recommended that the angle between the tapering part of (the outer peripheral surface of) the fixing lips and a direction perpendicularly of the inner surface of the first cover element amounts to about 1- 10°. Providing the fixing lips, or at least the tapering part thereof, with such a low counter-release ensures a sufficient degree of clamping of the data carrier, while the data carrier can be removed with comparatively little force .

In another preferred embodiment of the invention at least one of the fixing lips comprises one or more locking cams for locking a data carrier fixed on the device. When the data carrier is pushed over such a locking cam, the data carrier will remain lying behind the locking cam, thus ensuring an extra- firm fixing of the data carrier to the storage device. When two or more locking cams are arranged, they can be positioned on the fixing lips such that a first (number of) data carriers are fixed in a first compartment, for instance between the inner surface of the cover element and the first cam, and a second (number of) data carriers are fixed in a second compartment, for instance between the first and second locking cam. If the locking cams are arranged one above the other, a number of compartments one above the other is thereby defined. One or more data carriers can be pushed into each of these compartments.

According to another preferred embodiment a standing support edge is arranged on the inner surface of the cover element in order to support a fixed data carrier at a distance relative to the inner surface. This considerably facilitates removal of the data carrier, since the user can hereby more easily grasp the data carrier behind the peripheral edge thereof with one or more fingers. Such a support edge moreover reduces the risk of damage to the data carrier. The support edge preferably extends concentrically around the fixing lips, wherein the distance between the fixing lips and the support edge amounts to at least 1 cm. Both measures ensure that the data carrier is and remains arranged substantially parallel relative to the inner surface of the first cover element, which further facilitates removal and avoids damage to the data carrier.

In a further preferred embodiment a printing is co- injection moulded during manufacture in the mould. This printing can be visible on both the outside and inside, on the spine of the box as well as on the cover surfaces attached thereto, at any random position on the surface of the storage box. Since the outside of the first cover element according to the invention is flat and for instance not interrupted by deformations at the position of the fix means on the inner side of the cover element, the printing can be provided in aesthetically well-balanced manner at random positions on the outer surface of the first cover element or over the whole outer surface. This in-mould printing or in-mould labelling of the storage device provides a number of substantial advantages. For example, the insertion of separate information booklets into the storage devices can be dispensed with since all information can be provided in the cover elements themselves. This reduces the manufacturing costs. Also the dimensions of the storage device may be reduced.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention the storage device comprises locking means for locking the first and second cover element which comprise one or more protrusions arranged on the first and/or second cover element, apertures corresponding with the protrusions in the respective opposite second and/or first cover element, and a flange which is mounted on a cover element and which in the closed situation is a stop for the opposite cover element and also forms a gripping option for manual opening of the storage device. This locking can be readily opened and closed in controlled manner by a user. It has moreover been found from drop tests that the storage box remains closed even when dropped accidentally onto a hard surface.

According to a further preferred embodiment the second cover element comprises a longitudinal edge on which protrusions are provided, wherein information material such as folders with lyrics, photos and the like is slidable between the protrusions and the inner surface of the cover element. The longitudinal edge is herein replaced along one side by a hinge with the first cover element so that the information material can be pushed easily between the protrusions without a longitudinal edge therein being in the way. The above mentioned storage boxes may be manufactured of comparatively flexible material such as polypropylene, as mentioned above. Some types of storage device are known te be made of even more flexible material such as polyethylene. Storage devices made of polyethylene show a reduced probability of damage.

However, these known storage devices have as means for fixing the data carrier a groove which is positioned at the location of the hinges and into which the peripheral edge of the data carrier is slidable. This fixing is complicated and the arranging and removal of the data carrier is found to be awkward.

Therefore, according to another aspect of the invention, the flexible material of the storage device is polyethylene. This material is not only simple to process but is naturally degradable and has less of an impact on the environmen . In an embodiment one or more of the cover elements comprise a recess substantially corresponding with the form of the data carrier for receiving one or more data carriers therein. In a further preferred embodiment one or more cover elements comprise a recess, the recess periphery of which is smaller than the outer periphery of the data carrier to enable clamping- fit arrangement of one or more data carriers in the recess, so that when the cover element is opened the data carriers do not fall out of the recess.

According to a further preferred embodiment the peripheral edges of the recess are broken through at one or more locations with an alcove, into which for instance a finger can be inserted to enable removal of the data carrier. This simplifies removal of the data carrier and prevents damage thereto during removal .

As alternative to the clamping-fit placing of the peripheral edges of the data carriers, or additionally thereto, a cover element comprises a protruding portion corresponding with the central opening in a data carrier for the purpose of clamping the data carrier fixedly on the cover element. The protruding portion is manufactured integrally with the other components of the device and is flexible such that the data carriers can be fixed in clamp-fitting manner with their central opening on the cover elements.

Owing to the manufacture of the storage device from one piece of material, the total thickness of the device can remain limited per data carrier to a maximum of 6 mm, which is at least 4 mm less than the thickness of the known storage boxes. This means a considerable saving of space during transport and storage of large quantities of data carriers.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly of a number of disc-like data carriers provided with a central opening and a device comprising a first cover element provided with fixing means for fixing one or more of the data carriers to the cover element, a second cover element which is mounted hingedly on the first cover element and with which the first cover element can be closed, wherein the fixing means comprise one or more lips which are arranged on the inner surface of the first cover element and which are formed to hold the data carriers clampingly in a situation in which one or more data carriers are pushed over the fixing lips.

The device of the assembly preferably has the features of the above mentioned storage device according to the invention.

According to still another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for manufacturing a storage device of the above stated type, the method comprising the steps of applying a printing in an injection mould and injecting plastic into the injection mould such that from the printing present in the mould together with the injected plastic a storage device or assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims is forme .

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for manufacturing a number of storage devices for disc-like data carriers of the above stated type, comprising of:

- guiding an elongate material layer between two moulds ;

- heating the material layer; - moving the moulds towards each other for pressing into the material layer a plurality of storage devices;

- cutting out individual storage devices. The storage devices can be produced very rapidly and efficiently in this manner, with the smallest possible impact on the environment .

Further features, properties and details of the present invention will be elucidated in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Reference is made in the description to the annexed drawings .

Figures la and lb show respectively a perspective top view and bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a detail of the fixing for data carriers according to the invention; and

Figure 3 shows a detail of the locking of the covers of the preferred embodiment of figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 shows schematically the method for manufacturing a number of storage devices according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 shows the removal of a data carrier from a recess arranged in the cover,- and Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a storage box 1 according to the invention. The storage box comprises a first cover 2 and second cover 3 which are connected to each other for mutual pivoting 24. Figure la is a top view wherein the outer surface 2a of the first cover and outer surface 3a of the second cover are shown. A standing edge 10 and 11 is provided along the edges of covers 2 and 3 respectively. Figure lb is a bottom view of storage box 1, wherein the inner surfaces 2b, 3b of respectively first cover 2 and second cover 3 are shown. Also shown is that the inner surface 3b of second cover 3 is provided with a printing 5.

A fixing 6 is provided on the inner surface 2b of first cover 2 for fixing of data carriers such as a compact disc.

The fixing 6 is shown in more detail in figure 2. Fixing 6 consists of an upright resilient tube which is provided with a number of notches 9 so that a ring of four upright lips 8 is created. Upright lips 8 are directed such that they taper from the inner surface 2b. In the shown embodiment this means that lips 8 are placed at a small angle α- defined between the perpendicular n to the inner surface 2b of the cover and the longitudinal surface of a lip 8. Tests have shown that an angle c- of between 1 and 10° is optimal for the best fixing of a data carrier.

In the shown embodiment the outer peripheral surface of lips 8 tapers from the inner surface 2b to their outer ends. It will be apparent that in other embodiments (not shown) only a part of the outer peripheral surface of the lips will extend in tapering manner. The relevant data carrier is then clamped fixedly at the position of this part of lips 8.

The height h of the lips is chosen such that a data carrier can be readily pushed over the lips. It has been found that an optimum manner of fixing a data carrier can be realized with a height h of at least 5 mm. With such a height the top part of fixing lips 8 can also press the information material pushed under the opposite second cover 3 against the inner surface 3b of second cover 3 in the closed situation of the storage box. This is particularly important when transparent covers are used.

When a data carrier is pushed over lips 8 from above with a central opening formed therein, the data carrier will undergo more and more friction and will eventually come to be fixed in clamp-fitting manner due to the form and orientation of the lips, whereby a low counter-release is achieved. The storage box can then be closed and the data carrier can be transported safely. After the storage box has been opened, the data carrier can be slid from lips 8 with relatively little force and thus removed from storage box 1.

In the shown embodiment each lip 8 is provided with a cam 22 over which a data carrier can be pushed. When the data carrier has been pushed beyond cam 22, the data carrier will remain caught behind cam 22. This provides an additional resistance which ensures that the data carrier cannot easily become detached from the fixing lips. It is however noted that the cams 22 are of greater or lesser advantage depending on the embodiment of the lips and the type of data carrier.

Although all lips 8 in the shown embodiment are provided with a cam 22, it is sufficient for the purpose of locking the data carrier to provide a smaller number of the lips 8 with a cam.

Figures lb and 2 show that the inner surface 2a of first cover 2 is provided at some distance from fixing 6 with a standing edge 11. The top side 12 of standing edge 11 functions as stop for a data carrier. In the fixed position, i.e. when a data carrier rests against the upper surface 12 of support edge 11, this latter ensures that the data carrier is situated at a preset distance from the inner surface 2b of cover 2. This distance corresponds with the height h₂ of support edge 11. As a result of this distance it is simple for a user to place a finger behind the peripheral edge of the data carrier and with one movement to remove the data carrier from the fixing 6. The height h₂ is related to the dimensions of the fingertips of the hand of the user and amounts in practice to at least 2 mm.

The distance a between the outer surface of lips 8 and support edge 11 amounts to at least 1 cm, so that a sufficiently stable fixing of the data carrier relative to cover 2 can be effected. The data carrier will herein extend parallel to the cover surface and the risk of damage to the surface of the data carrier is small .

Figure 1 shows that the second cover has a longitudinal edge 11 on which are provided protrusions 23. Information material in the form of small booklets and folders with lyrics, photos and the like can be pushed between protrusions 23 and the inner surface 3b of cover element 3. In the shown embodiment hinge 24 is arranged between the second cover element 3 (which here has no longitudinal edge) and the longitudinal edge 10 of first cover element 2. The information material can easily be pushed under protrusions 23 owing to the absence of a longitudinal edge at the position of hinge 24.

Figure 3 shows a detail of the locking 7 with which the first and second cover element 2,3 are locked in the closed situation. Cover 2 is provided for this purpose with a recess 13 which is formed such that the part of longitudinal edge 10 at the position of this recess 13 thereby has space to displace in transverse direction ( ) . Longitudinal edge 10 is also provided with two recesses 14 and 15 which correspond with protrusions 16 and 17 provided on the end edge 11 of second cover 3. Also provided in end edge 10 is an opening 18 which corresponds with a protrusion 19 which extends from the end edge 11 of second cover 3. When the two covers 2 and 3 are hinged toward each other, protrusions 16, 17 and 19 will displace the relevant portion of end edge 10 in transverse direction until protrusions 16, 17 and 19 drop into the respective recesses 14, 15 and 18. Once they have dropped into the corresponding recesses, the protrusions form together with the recesses a locking of the two covers 2,3. Due to the chamfered form of protrusions 16, 17 and 19 the covers can be pivoted open again when sufficient force is exerted on a protruding part 20. In addition to the function of being engaged by a finger of a hand of the user, the protruding part 20 also has the function of stop against an upper edge 21 of a recess provided in end edge 11. In the closed situation the protruding part 20 disappears into said recess such that the top side of storage device 1 is substantially flat.

An apparatus 100 (figure 4) for manufacturing storage boxes comprises an upper mould 102 and a lower mould 103, between which a material layer 106, preferably polyethylene terephthalate , is guided. The material 106 is wound onto a left-hand shaft 104 and a right-hand shaft and is fed by rotating these shafts. The material is heated by heating means (not shown) , for instance electric heating elements provided in lower mould 103. Upper mould 102 can be displaced downward (arrow PI) during supply of the material 106. A number of forms 107 are hereby pressed into the supplied material 106. These forms can subsequently be cut 119 out of the material. The thus obtained piece of material forms a storage box 107 for a compact disc, a minidisc and the like. The storage box is therefore manufactured in very simple manner from one piece of material .

Figure 5 shows a further preferred embodiment of storage box 107. A lower flap or cover 108 and an upper flap or cover 109 are formed by clamping the material 106 between moulds 102 and 103. The part of the material 106 between the two covers 108 and 109 is hinge

110, so that the two covers 108 and 109 can pivot relative to each other (P2) . Covers 108 and 109 and hinge 110 together form the storage box 101.

In lower flap 108 is arranged a disc-shaped recess

111, the minimum depth of which is equal to the thickness of the data carrier (s) (not shown) which can be stored in the recess. The peripheral edge 112 of recess 111 is formed such that the data carrier can be stored close- fittingly therein.

The peripheral edge 112 of the recess can correspond with or be slightly larger than the peripheral edge of the data carrier for storing. In this case it is advantageous to provide protrusion 113 on the bottom of recess 111, which protrusion corresponds in shape with the (usually circular) opening provided in a compact disc and the like. Protrusion 113 is manufactured from the same flexible material from which the whole storage box

107 is manufactured and has a circular upright portion which fans slightly outward from the bottom of the recess 111. It is hereby possible to clamp or snap the compact disc fixedly on the protrusion so that in normal use it remains enclosed in recess 111.

In the embodiment shown in figure 5 the lower cover

108 has an edge 114 and flange 115 and the upper cover

109 has an edge 116 and flange 117. Because the covers are manufactured from flexible material, the edge 116 and flange 117 of cover 109 can be pressed clampingly over the edge 114 of lower cover 108, thereby closing the box 107 in simple manner.

The peripheral edge 112 of the recess can also be slightly less large than the peripheral edge of the data carrier for storing, this situation being shown for instance in storage box 107' of figure 6. Since flap 108 is manufactured from flexible material the data carriers can be clamped fixedly against the edge 112 of recess 111.

It is likewise conceivable to employ a combination of protrusion 113 and the peripheral edge of figure 105 to clamp the data carriers on the cover.

In order to facilitate removal of the data carrier an alcove 118 is provided along the peripheral edge of recess 111. Alcove 118 provides space for a finger to take hold of the data carrier on its peripheral edge and to remove it from box 107 counter to the clamping force of protrusion 113 and/or peripheral edge 112 of recess 111.

Figure 6 also shows another preferred embodiment for fixedly clamping the upper cover 109 onto lower cover 108. Provided for this purpose along edge 14 of lower cover 108 are two resilient lips 120 which can engage in corresponding apertures or recesses in edge 116 of upper cover 109.

Figure 7 shows a preferred embodiment of a storage box 107", wherein the hinge 110 between the two covers 108 and 109 takes a wider form, i.e. the width b of the spine of box 107" is made larger. Although this increases the total thickness of box 107", it does however provide the option of arranging information against the spine of the box, such as for instance information relating to the content of the data carrier (s) to be stored in the box.

Figure 8 shows how two data carriers in the form of a credit card are arranged side by side in a box 107 ' ' ' . Dashed lines indicate the starting position of the cover. Also shown is that by bending the cover 108 an edge R of data carrier G is left clear, so that data carrier G is easily removed from the recess arranged in the cover.

In another embodiment (not shown) the shape of the box is adapted to the shape of the data carrier. In the case of a data carrier in the form of a credit card, the box can be reduced in size to a rectangular shape corresponding with the data carrier, so that a single data carrier can be stored in the box, or a number of data carriers one on top of another.

Figure 9 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention wherein more than two covers are provided, so that storage box 107^lv is suitable for two or more data carriers. A first cover 108 is then provided with a recess, the bottom 122 of which is shown in the figure. Also shown is the underside 123 of a protruding portion on which a first CD can be clamped. Flap 109 has a protruding portion 113 on which a second CD can be fixed. Hinge means 110 are provided between flap 108 and flap 109 and hinge means 24 are provided between flap 9 and a third flap 125. The width of hinge means 124 is greater than that of hinge means 110 and is adapted to the height of flap 109. The box 107^1V can be closed by pivoting flap 108 in the direction of arrow P4 and pivoting flap 125 in the direction of arrow P3.

The present invention is not limited to the above described preferred embodiment thereof; the rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims

1. Storage device for disc-like data carriers, comprising :

- a second cover element with which the first cover element can be closed;

- hinge means arranged between the first and second cover elements; wherein the storage device is injection moulded integrally from a single flexible plastic.

2. Storage device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means comprise one or more lips arranged on the inner surface of the first cover element and ordered in a circle, which lips extend in at least partially tapering manner and wherein the outer surface of the first cover element is flat.

3. Storage device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the flexible plastic is polypropylene.

4. Storage device as claimed in claims 2 or 3 , wherein the angle between the tapering part of the fixing lips and a direction perpendicularly of the inner surface of the first cover element amounts to about 1-10°.

5. Storage device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing means comprise one or more lips arranged on the inner surface of the first cover element, and at least one of the fixing lips comprises one or more locking cams for locking one or more data carriers fixed on the device.

6. Storage device as claimed in claim 5, comprising two or more locking cams arranged one above the other, whereby a number of compartments is defined, in each of which one or more data carriers can be arranged.

7. Storage device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a standing support edge is arranged on the inner surface in order to support a fixed data carrier at a distance relative to the inner surface.

8. Storage device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support edge extends concentrically around the fixing lips.

9. Storage device as claimed in claim 7 or 8 , wherein the distance a between the fixing lips and the support edge amounts to at least 1 cm.

10. Storage device as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the height h₂ of the support edge amounts to at least 2 mm.

11. Storage device as claimed in any of the claims 2-10, wherein the height h of the fixing lips amounts to at least 5 mm.

12. Storage device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a printing is co-injection moulded during manufacture in the mould.

13. Storage device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, which comprises locking means for locking the first and second cover element, wherein the locking means comprise:

- one or more protrusions arranged on the first and/or second cover element;

- apertures corresponding with the protrusions in the respective opposite second and/or first cover element ;

- a flange which is mounted on a cover element and which in the closed situation is a stop for the opposite cover element and also forms a gripping option for manual opening of the storage device.

14. Storage device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the second cover element comprises a longitudinal edge on which protrusions are provided, wherein information material is slidable between the protrusions and the inner surface of the cover element .

15. Storage device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the longitudinal edge is replaced along one side by a hinge with the first cover element.

16. Storage device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible plastic comprises polyethylene .

17. Storage device as claimed in claim 16, wherein one or more of the cover elements comprises a recess substantially corresponding with the form of the data carrier for receiving one or more data carriers therein .

18. Storage device as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein one or more cover elements comprise a recess, the recess periphery of which is smaller than the outer periphery of the data carrier for clamping-fit arrangement of one or more data carriers in the recess .

19. Storage device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the peripheral edges of the recess are broken through at one or more locations with an alcove in order to enable removal of the data carrier.

20. Storage device as claimed in any of the claims 16-19, wherein a cover element comprises a protruding portion corresponding with the central opening in a data carrier for the purpose of clamping the data carrier fixedly on the cover element.

21. Storage device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the protruding portion is positioned substantially centrally in the recess.

22. Storage device as claimed in any of the claims 16-21, wherein one or more of the cover elements are provided with clamping means for clamping the cover elements to each other.

23. Storage device as claimed in any of the claims 16-22, wherein the total thickness of the device amounts per data carrier to a maximum of 6 mm.

24. Assembly of a number of disc-like data carriers provided with a central opening and a device comprising a first cover element provided with fixing means for fixing one or more of the data carriers to the cover element, a second cover element which is mounted hingedly on the first cover element and with which the first cover element can be closed, wherein the fixing means comprise one or more lips which are arranged on the inner surface of the first cover element and which are formed to hold the data carriers cla pingly in a situation in which one or more data carriers are pushed over the fixing lips.

25. Assembly as claimed in claim 24, wherein the device is a storage device as claimed in any of the claims 1-15.

26. Method for manufacturing a storage device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising of applying a printing in an injection mould and injecting plastic into the injection mould such that from the printing present in the mould together with the injected plastic a storage device or assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims is formed.

27. Method for manufacturing a number of storage devices for disc-like data carriers as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising of:

- guiding an elongate material layer between two moulds ;

- heating the material layer;

- moving the moulds towards each other for pressing into the material layer a plurality of storage devices;

- cutting out individual storage devices.