WO2005081252A1

WO2005081252A1 - An optical disc container

Info

Publication number: WO2005081252A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/000129
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Bowen
Original assignee: David Bowen
Priority date: 2004-01-20
Filing date: 2005-01-19
Publication date: 2005-09-01
Also published as: ZA200605775B

Abstract

This invention relates to an optical disc container. The container comprising an upper panel, a lower panel and a hinge connecting the panels along one edge, the lower panel having concentrically spaced formations provided thereon that define the periphery of a circular disc storage area, the formations including one release button with a lip that is configured to bend towards and away from the disc storage area, and one retaining lip that is diametrically opposed to the release button.

Description

AN OPTICAL DISC CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an optical disc container, and more specifically, to a container for holding and storing optical discs.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Optical disc containers are used to protect optical discs, such a CD, CD-R, CD- RW and DVD from exposure to heat, dust, and physical damage such as scratching. Many forms of optical disc storage containers are known. The most common configuration of optical disc containers has a central hub attached to the container that comprises a number of concentrically spaced arms configured to bend inwardly when stressed from above. These arms protrude through the central aperture of the optical disc to secure the optical disc in place. The optical disc may be removed by pressing on the hub from above and pulling the periphery of the optical disc upwards. This removal action, however, may cause the optical disc to bend or deform substantially and result in the disc being damaged.

Optical disc containers in which the optical disc is secured to the container at its periphery are known. One existing configuration relies on a number of peripheral catches that must be stressed in order to release the disc. A second known configuration provides a pair of diametrically opposed release buttons, and a third known configuration provides a single release button and a plurality of catches that enable the disc to be removed by sliding it horizontally once the button is depressed.

However, the above configurations all have their disadvantages. The first configuration relies on catches that must be stressed in order to insert and release an optical disc. If these catches are not of the right flexibility and tolerance, the disc will either be difficult to insert or will fall out easily. In addition, the optical disc must be stressed in order to insert and remove it, which may result in the disc bending or the catches damaging the periphery of the disc.

The second configuration is awkward to use, as two fingers must be used to depress the release buttons, making it difficult to release a disc with one hand.

In the third configuration, removal of the disc may also be awkward, as the disc must first be slid horizontally before it can be removed vertically.

In this specification any reference to the spatial relationship of objects or components will be understood to refer to the optical disc container in its upright configuration as shown in Figure 1 , where "below", "above", "upright" etc. are understood to have their ordinary meanings.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of this invention to provide an optical disc container that will at least partially alleviate some of the abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided an optical disc container comprising an upper panel, a lower panel and a hinge connecting the panels along one edge, the lower panel having concentrically spaced formations provided thereon that define the periphery of a circular disc storage area, the formations including one release button with a lip that is configured to move towards and away from the disc storage area, and one retaining lip that is diametrically opposed to the release button.

Further features of the invention provide for the formations to comprise at least two protrusions that are spaced around the perimeter of the disc storage area, the gap between the protrusions forming openings that enable a supported optical disc to be gripped along its outer edge by fingers; and the protrusions including ridges that define portions of an annular supporting surface and are configured to support the periphery of an optical disc.

Still further features of the invention provide for upright retaining walls to be defined on the protrusions, the retaining walls forming portions of the perimeter of the circular disc storage area and being configured to substantially abut the outer edges of an optical disc in order to prevent a supported optical disc from moving horizontally with respect to the lower panel.

There is also provided for the retaining lip to consist of a horizontal extension that protrudes from the retaining wall towards the centre of the disc storage area, the retaining lip being configured to extend over a portion of a supported optical disc.

Further features of the invention provide for the release button to comprise a base member that is integrally moulded with and attached to the lower panel at one side thereof; for the material of the lower panel and base member to be a flexible plastics material; and for the lip of the release button to be configured to extend over a portion of a supported optical disc when the button is released and to move away from the portion of the optical disc when the release button is depressed. Still further features of the invention provide for the lip of the release button to have a bevelled upper surface to enable the release button to move away from the disc storage area when pressed from above.

Yet further features of the invention provide for the hinge to comprise a hinge panel that has a flange provided thereon that extends perpendicular to the surface of the hinge panel, the flange being configured to extend over and substantially abut a portion of a supported optical disc when the upper panel and lower panel are folded together.

Further features of the invention provide for a flange to be provided on the front edge of the upper panel, the flange being configured to extend over and substantially abut a portion of a supported optical disc when the upper panel and lower panel are folded together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an optical disc container in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the release button of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a plan view of the optical disc container of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An optical disc container (1) is shown in Figure 1. The container (1) has an upper panel (2) and a lower panel (3) that are joined by a hinge (4). The upper panel (2) and lower panel (3) can be folded together into a rectangular container so that the hinge (4) forms the spine of the container. The panels (2,3) are held together by lugs (5) on the lower panel (3) that engage with complementary formations (not shown) on the upper panel (2). A groove (6) is provided on the lower panel (as shown) and upper panel (not shown) that abut to form a slot that enables the two panels (2,3) to be pried apart by the insertion of a persons' fingers (not shown) into the slot.

Formations (8, 9, 10, 11) are provided on the lower panel (3) and are in the form of protrusions that extend from the lower panel (3). The formations (8, 9, 10, 11) are concentrically spaced and together define the periphery of a circular disc storage area (7). The gaps between the protrusions (8, 9, 10, 11) form two sets of opposite openings (12, 21) that enable a disc (not shown) supported in the disc storage area (7) to be gripped along its outer edge by fingers.

The formations (8, 9, 10, 11) include ridges (13) that define portions of an annular supporting surface that supports the outer edge of an optical disc (not shown). Along the outer edge of the ridges (13) the formations include upright retaining walls (14) that are located along portions of the perimeter of the disc storage area (7). The retaining walls (14) are configured to substantially abut the outer edges of a supported optical disc (not shown) in order to prevent a supported optical disc from moving horizontally with respect to the lower panel (3).

On one of the formations (10) a retaining lip (15) is provided that extends from the retaining wall (14) towards the centre of the disc storage area (7). The retaining lip (15) is configured to fit snugly over a portion of a supported optical disc (not shown) in order to prevent the optical disc from falling out when the container is inverted.

On a second formation (8) a release button (16) is provided that is diametrically opposed to the retaining lip (15). The release button (16) comprises a base member (17) that is attached to the lower panel (3) at one side thereof (18). The release button (16) is integrally moulded to the lower panel (3) and both the release button (16) and the lower panel (3) are made of a flexible plastics material. The release button (16) has a lip (19) that is configured to clip over a supported optical disc (not shown) in order to hold the optical disc in place in the disc storage area (7). The release button (16) has a flat upper surface (20) that is configured to receive finger pressure. The release button (16) bends downwards under downwards force and disengages the lip (19) from the supported optical disc (not shown). The lip (19) of the release button (16) has a bevelled upper edge that enables the release button (16) to bend to one side when the lip (19) is pressed from above by inserting an optical disc.

The hinge (4) comprises a hinge panel that has a flange (22) that is located centrally on the hinge panel (4) and extends perpendicular to the surface of the hinge panel (4). The flange (22) extends over a portion of the surface of a supported optical disc (not shown) when the upper panel (2) and the lower panel (3) are folded together. By abutting the edge of the supported disc, the flange (22) serves to anchor the supported disc to the rear formation (9).

The invention therefore discloses an optical disc container (1) that supports an optical disc along its periphery and that includes only one release button and one diametrically opposed retaining lip. The disc container (1) therefore enables optical discs to be removed with one hand, by depressing the release button (16) with one finger and inserting a second finger into the central aperture of the optical disc not shown). The optical disc is released at its edge held by the release button (16) and swung upwards. The disc can then be removed when it has been swung sufficiently far to enable it to be withdrawn from the retaining lip (15).

Inserting of a disc is also a simple operation. The disc is positioned on the storage area (7) with its periphery engaged under the retaining lip (15). The disc is then pressed towards the lower panel (3) and the lip (19) of the release button

(16) will automatically engage the disc. Engagement of the disc can be facilitated by pressing the release button (16) with a finger to enable the periphery of the disc to engage behind the lip (19).

An optical disc (not shown) may also be easily inserted and removed by a left- handed or right-handed person using both hands. Due to two sets of openings (12, 21) being provided, a right-handed person may use the thumb of his left hand to hold the container (1) and depress the release button (16), and the thumb and index finger of his right hand to grip the supported optical disc at the openings (12). Alternatively, a left-handed person may swing the container (1) around so as to hold the container and depress the release button (16) with his right hand, and grip the supported optical disc at the openings (21) with his left hand.

It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the present invention may be contemplated without deviating from the scope thereof. The formations (8, 9, 10,

11 ) may be joined together to form a continuous ring without an opening (12) for access to the disc at its edges. Alternatively, slight recesses instead of separate formations may be included to enable access to the disc periphery. A central hub may be included to extend through the central aperture of the optical disc in order to support the disc further. The disc storage area (7) may be in the form of arecess in the lower panel, where the formations (8, 9, 10, 11) consist of the edges of the recess, and do thus not protrude higher than the flat surface of the lower panel. A flange may also be provided on the front edge of the upper panel

(2) to extend over and abut a portion of a supported optical disc when the upper panel and the lower panel are folded together.

Claims

1. An optical disc container comprising an upper panel, a lower panel and a hinge connecting the panels along one edge, the lower panel having concentrically spaced formations provided thereon that define the periphery of a circular disc storage area, the formations including one release button with a lip that is configured to move towards and away from the disc storage area, and one retaining lip that is diametrically opposed to the release button.

2. An optical disc container as claimed in claim 1 in which the formations comprise at least two protrusions that are spaced around the perimeter of the disc storage area and where the gap between the protrusions forming openings that enable a supported optical disc to be gripped along its outer edge by fingers.

3. An optical disc container as claimed in claim 2 in which the protrusions including ridges that define portions of an annular supporting surface and are configured to support the periphery of an optical disc.

4. An optical disc container as claimed in claims 2 or 3 in which there are upright retaining walls defined on the protrusions, the retaining walls forming portions of the perimeter of the circular disc storage area and being configured to substantially abut the outer edges of an optical disc in order to prevent a supported optical disc from moving horizontally with respect to the lower panel.

5. An optical disc container as claimed in claim 4 in which the retaining lip consists of a horizontal extension that protrudes from the retaining wall towards the centre of the disc storage area, the retaining lip being configured to extend over a portion of a supported optical disc.

6. An optical disc container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the release button comprises a base member that is integrally moulded with and attached to the lower panel at one side thereof and for the material of the lower panel and base member to be a flexible plastics material.

7. An optical disc container as claimed in claim 6 in which the lip of the release button is configured to extend over a portion of a supported optical disc when the button is released and to move away from the portion of the optical disc when the release button is depressed.

8. An optical disc container as claimed in claim 7 in which the lip of the release button has a bevelled upper surface to enable the release button to move away from the disc storage area when pressed from above.

9. An optical disc container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the hinge comprises a hinge panel that has a flange provided thereon that extends perpendicular to the surface of the hinge panel, the flange being configured to extend over and substantially abut a portion of a supported optical disc when the upper panel and lower panel are folded together.

10. An optical disc container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which there is a flange provided on the front edge of the upper panel, the flange being configured to extend over and substantially abut a portion of a supported optical disc when the upper panel and lower panel are folded together.