WO2003084843A1

WO2003084843A1 - Locking arrangements for media disc container

Info

Publication number: WO2003084843A1
Application number: PCT/US2003/009653
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenny F. Freitag; John A. Gelardi
Original assignee: Westvaco Packaging Group, Inc.
Priority date: 2002-04-03
Filing date: 2003-03-31
Publication date: 2003-10-16
Also published as: AU2003233457A1

Abstract

A media disc case is described that includes a tray having a cavity (12) therein shaped to receive a media disc (14). A rosette (16) extends upward from the cavity, and positioned to engage a hole in the media disc. The media disc is held in the cavity by a locking cap (18) having a flange portion (20) for holding the media disc in the cavity and an engagement member (22) extending downward from the flange (20), the engagement member being shaped to engage a locking aperture (28) in the rosette, and to be readily disengaged from the aperture when the media disc case is opened.

Description

LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEDIA DISC CONTAINER

Related Applications The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No.

60/369,626 entitled "Locking Arrangements for Media Disc Container" and filed April 3, 2002, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of packaging for media discs, and particularly to advantageous aspects of locking arrangements for a media disc container.

Description of the Prior Art Containers for holding a disc-shaped data carrier, such as a compact disc (CD) or digital video disc (DVD), are known. Examples of known containers are described in United States Patent No. 5,788,068, and WO 97/41563 the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

A problem encountered with such known containers is the removal and theft of a CD or DVD from its container within a retail store. A media disc container that actually contains a media disc is referred to in the trade as a "live" container. A live container is typically provided with a security tag that triggers an alarm if the container is taken out of the store without the tag first being removed or rendered inactive by staff in the store. The container may also be provided with a clear plastic wrapper, which has to be removed before the container can be opened. However, it has been found that thieves are able to slit the wrapper along an edge of the container, e.g., the bottom edge, actuating the release mechanism thereof by pressing it through a side wall of the container to release the CD or DVD from the disc holder within the container. They are then able to remove the CD or DVD from the container by compressing the container so that the side walls bow, forming a gap between the two halves thereof. The CD or DVD can then be slid out through the slit in the wrapper. An experienced thief is able to do this while pretending to examine the product and slip the CD or DVD into a coat pocket unobserved. The thief can then leave the empty container on the shelf and leave the store with the CD or DVD without triggering the alarm system. For this reason, many stores only display empty containers and when a customer has made a selection, the staff retrieves the relevant CD or DVD from a secure location and places it in the container for the customer. However, this takes additional time and requires a secure storage place for the CDs and DVDs. It also increases the risk that the wrong CD or DVD may be put into the container, especially if the staff is busy. There is therefore a need to be able to display CD and DVD containers with the proper CD or DVD already held therein while providing a higher barrier to theft of the product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An aspect of the invention provides a media disc case that includes a tray having a cavity therein shaped to receive a media disc. A rosette extends upward from the cavity, and is positioned to engage a hole in the media disc. The media disc is held in the cavity by a locking cap having a flange portion for holding the media disc in the cavity and an engagement member extending downward from the flange, the engagement member being shaped to engage a locking aperture in the rosette, and to be readily disengaged from the aperture when the media disc case is opened.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a media disc case according to a first aspect of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the media disc case shown in Fig. 1 with a locking cap engaged to lock a media disc in the case. Figs. 3A-3F show various views of the locking cap shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a rosette portion of a media disc case, suitable for use with the locking cap shown in Figs. 3A-3F.

Fig. 5 shows a bottom perspective view of the locking cap shown in Figs. 3A-3F engaged in the rosette shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a media disc case according to a further aspect of the invention.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the media disc case shown in Fig. 6, illustrating the removal of the locking cap.

Fig. 8 shows a reverse perspective view of the media disc case shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 shows a closeup view of the locking cap and media disc case shown in Figs. 6- 8.

Fig. 10 shows a closeup view of the locking cap and media disc case shown in Fig. 9, with the locking cap seated in the rosette to hold a media disc in its receiving cavity. Fig. 11 shows a closeup view of the locking cap and media disc case shown in Figs. 9 and 10, illustrating the removal of the locking cap.

Fig. 12 shows a detailed view of the locking cap and media disc case shown in Figs. 9-1 1.

Figs. 13A-13H show various views of the locking cap shown in Figs. 9-12. Fig. 14 shows an enlarged bottom perspective view of the locking cap shown in Figs.

13A-13H.

Figs. 15-17 show various views of the locking cap shown in Fig. 14 with the tear-away strip torn away from the flange portion of the locking cap.

Fig. 18 shows a perspective view of a media disc case according to a further aspect of the invention

Fig. 19 shows a perspective view of a locking cap according to a further aspect of the invention.

Fig. 20 shows a perspective view of the locking cap shown in Fig. 19 with its wing members folded upward. Figs. 21A-21F show various views of the locking cap shown in Figs. 19 and 20, with the wing members folded upward.

Figs. 22A and 22B show perspective views of a locking cap according to a further aspect of the invention.

Fig. 23 shows a detailed view of the locking cap shown in Figs. 22 A and 22B seated in a media disc case.

Fig. 24 shows a perspective view of a media disc case according to a further aspect of the invention.

Fig. 25 shows a perspective view of the media disc case shown in Fig. 24, with the locking cap and flaps engaged to lock a media disc into the case. Figs. 26A-26F show various views of the locking cap and flaps shown in Figs. 24 and

25, in their unengaged configuration.

Figs. 27A-27F show various views of the locking cap and flaps shown in Figs. 24 and 25, in their engaged configuration. Fig. 28 shows a perspective view of a media disc case according to a further aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a media case 10 according to a first aspect of the invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the case includes a cavity 12 shaped to receive a media disc such as a CD, DVD, or the like. At the center of the cavity 12 is a rosette 16 that is shaped to fit within a central hole in the media disc 14. In Fig. 1, there is further shown, a locking cap 18 positioned over the rosette. As described below, the locking cap 18 includes an engagement member that is seated in the rosette 16 to lock the media disc 14 into the case 10. The locking cap 18 can only be removed if the case 10 is opened. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the media case 10 shown in Fig. 1, in which the cap 18 has been seated in the rosette 16. As further described below, after the cap 18 has been seated in the rosette 16, it is rotated an incremental amount to lock the cap 18 in the rosette 16. Figs. 3A-3F show various views of the locking cap 18 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As shown in Figs. 3A-3F, the cap 18 includes a flange section 20, and a cylindrically shaped engagement member 22 projecting from the flange 20. The engagement member 22 includes an L-shaped cutout region 24 that is used to engage the rosette 16. At the joint between the legs of the cutout region 24 is a small semicircular protuberance 26 that, as described below, is used to lock the cap 18 when it has been twisted an incremental amount.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of the rosette portion 16 of the media case 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the rosette 16 includes a complex aperture having a circular hub section 28, and eight "fingers" 30 extending radially outward from the hub 28. At the center of the rosette is a circular button 32. As shown in Fig. 4, there is defined by the fingers 30 a wedge section 34 at the base of the button 32 that functions as a strut. The fingers 30 also define a number of other deflectable wedge sections 36. The button 32 and wedges 36 are used to releasably engage a media disc.

It will be seen that the cylindrical engagement member 22 of the locking cap 18 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is shaped to fit through the hub portion 28 of the rosette aperture. The L-shaped cutout portion 24 of the engagement member 22 is shaped and positioned such that once the engagement member 22 has been inserted into the rosette 18, the cap may be locked by twisting the flange 20 such that the base of the L-shaped cutout portion 24 becomes seated underneath the strut 34, with the semicircular protuberance 26 engaging one side of the strut 34. Fig. 5 shows a perspective view, from below, of the cylindrical member 22 seated in the rosette 16.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a media disc case 50 according to a further aspect of the invention. As shown in Fig. 6, a locking cap 52 is used to lock a media disc 54 into the case 50. Again, the cap 54 is designed so that it may not be removed without opening the case 50. The cap 54 includes a tear-away strip 56 that is disengaged from the cap 54 by a pull tab 58. Once the tear-away strip 56 has been disengaged from the cap 54, it can be used to pull the cap free. Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the case 50 shown in Fig. 6 with the tear-away strip disengaged from the cap 52 to remove the cap 52 from the case 50. Fig. 8 shows a reverse angle view of the case 50 and cap 52 shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 shows a closeup view of the cap 52 and case 50. As shown in Fig. 9, the cap 52 includes a stirrup-shaped engagement member 60 that snaps into a receiving aperture in a rosette 62. Fig. 10 shows a closeup view of the cap 52 and case 50 after the cap 52 has been fully seated in the rosette 62. Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the cap 52 and case 50 after the tear-away strip 56 has been disengaged from the cap 52 to pull the cap 52 free of the case 50. Fig. 12 shows a detailed perspective view of the cap 52 and case 50. Figs. 13A-13H show a various views of the locking cap 52. Fig. 14 shows an enlarged perspective view of the cap 52, and Figs. 15-17 show various views of the cap after the tear-away strip 56 has been disengaged from the cap 52. Fig. 18 shows a perspective view of a media disc case 100 according to a further aspect of the invention. Again, a locking cap 102 is used to lock a media disc 104 into the case 100. Figs. 19 and 20 show perspective views of the cap 102. In Fig. 19, the cap is in a flat configuration. In Fig. 20, wing portions 104 at both sides of the cap 102 have been folded upward. The wings 104 may be used to assist a user in removing the cap 102 from the case 100. Figs. 21A-21F show various views of the cap 102 with the wings 104 folded upward. As shown in Figs. 21 A-21F, the cap 102 includes a plurality of posts 106 that are shaped and positioned to snap into receiving apertures in a rosette.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the wing members 104 illustrated in Figs. 20 and 21A-2F may be combined with the cylindrical engagement member 22 shown in Figs. 3A-3F. Figs. 22A and 22B show perspective views of a locking cap 150 incorporating these elements. Fig. 23 shows a detailed view of the locking cap 150 shown in Figs. 22A and 22B, assembled into a media disc case 152.

Fig. 24 shows a perspective view of a media disc case 200 according to a further aspect of the invention. As shown in Fig. 24, the locking cap 202 includes a pair of flaps 204 and 206 that extend across a media disc 208. Each flap 204 and 206 includes an ear member 210 and 212, respectively, that fits into a receiving aperture 214 at the perimeter of the disc cavity. Fig. 25 shows a perspective view of the media case 200 with the locking cap 202 and flaps 204 and 206 locked into position to secure the disc 208 in the case 200. Figs. 26A-26F show various views of the locking cap 202 and locking flaps 204 and 206 in their "folded" configuration. Figs. 27A-27F show various views of the locking cap 202 and locking flaps 204 and 206 in their "flat" configuration.

Fig. 28 shows a perspective view of a media disc case 250 according to a further aspect of the invention. As shown in Fig. 28, the case 250 includes a locking strap 252, which is used to secure a media disc 254 in the case 250. The strap 252 spans the media disc 254 and extends beyond the disc 254 in both directions.

While the foregoing description includes details which will enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be recognized that the description is illustrative in nature and that many modifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of these teachings. It is accordingly intended that the invention herein be defined solely by the claims appended hereto and that the claims be interpreted as broadly as permitted by the prior art.

Claims

We claim:

1. A media disc case, comprising: a tray having a cavity therein shaped to receive a media disc; a rosette extending upward from the cavity, the rosette being positioned to be accessible through a hole in a media disc seated in the cavity, the rosette including therein a locking aperture; and a locking cap for locking a media disc in the cavity, the locking cap including a flange portion and an engagement member extending from the flange portion, the locking cap being shaped such that when a media disc is seated in the cavity, the media disc may be locked into position by inserting the engagement member into the locking aperture in the rosette, the flange portion of the locking cap preventing the media disc from being removed from the cavity.

2. The media disc case of claim 1, wherein the rosette has an outer circumferential surface that is shaped to fit closely within a hole in the media disc when the media disc is seated in the cavity.

3. The media disc case of claim 2, wherein the engagement member comprises a cylindrical tube that extends into the locking aperture of the rosette.

4. The media disc case of claim 3, wherein the cylindrical tube includes a notch formed therein, the engagement member engaging the rosette by inserting the engagement member into the locking aperture of the rosette and twisting it so that the notch engages a portion of the rosette.

5. The media disc case of claim 1 , wherein the flange includes a pair of wing members that fold upward to facilitate removal of the cap.

6. The media disc case of claim 1, wherein the engagement member comprises at least one post that extends into a corresponding locking aperture in the rosette.

7. The media disc case of claim 6, wherein the post and locking aperture are shaped such that the post is inserted into the locking aperture, the post snaps into the locking aperture.

8. The media case of claim 7, wherein the flange includes a pair of wing members that fold upward to facilitate removal of the cap.

9. The media disc case of claim 1 , wherein the flange includes a tear-away strip at its perimeter that is torn away from the flange by a gripping tab, the tear-away strip facilitating the removal of the locking cap.

10. The media disc case of claim 1, further including a pair of flaps extending from the flange over a media disc held in the cavity, each flap including an ear member that seats in a receiving aperture at the perimeter of the cavity.

1 1. The media disc case of claim 1, wherein the flange comprises a strap that extends across a media disc held in the tray.

12. A method for securing a media disc case, comprising: forming a cavity in a tray, the cavity shaped to receive a media disc; forming a rosette in the cavity, the rosette positioned to be accessible through a hole in a media disc when the media disc is seated in the cavity; and using a locking cap to lock a media disc seated in the cavity, the locking cap having a flange portion for holding the media disc in the cavity and an engagement member extending from the flange into the rosette, the engagement member being shaped to engage a locking aperture in the rosette.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the rosette has an outer circumferential surface that is shaped to fit closely within the hole in the media disc when the media disc is seated in the cavity.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the engagement member comprises a cylindrical tube that extends into the locking aperture of the rosette.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the cylindrical tube includes a notch formed therein, the engagement member engaging the rosette by inserting the engagement member into the locking aperture of the rosette and twisting it so that the notch engages a portion of the rosette.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the flange includes a pair of wing members that fold upward to facilitate removal of the cap.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the engagement member comprises at least one post that extends through the hole in the media disc into a corresponding locking aperture in the rosette.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the post and locking aperture are shaped such that when the post is inserted into the locking aperture, the post snaps into the locking aperture.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the flange includes a pair of wing members that fold upward to facilitate removal of the cap.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the flange includes a tear-away strip at its perimeter that is torn away from the flange by a gripping tab, the tear-away strip facilitating the removal of the locking cap.

21. The method of claim 12, further including a pair of flaps extending from the flange over a media disc held in the cavity, each flap including an ear member that seats in a receiving aperture at the perimeter of the cavity.

22. The media disc case of claim 12, wherein the flange comprises a strap that extends across a media disc held in the tray.