WO2008080896A1

WO2008080896A1 - Device for storing at least one compact disc

Info

Publication number: WO2008080896A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/064440
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Cha
Original assignee: La Francaise Des Plastiques
Priority date: 2006-12-27
Filing date: 2007-12-21
Publication date: 2008-07-10
Also published as: FR2910997A1

Abstract

The device comprises a plastic rectangular tray (2), provided with disc reception and retention means, and a cardboard booklet (3) having a lower cover (31) and an upper cover (30) connected to each other through fold lines, to a spine assembly (32), the said tray (2) being glued to the internal side of the lower cover (31) of the booklet (3); it is characterized in that the tray (2) is provided with, on its edge (24b) opposite to the spine assembly (32), with a retaining lip (6) of the free edge (300) of the upper cover (30) of the booklet (3), the lip being for example mounted on a flexible strip (5) which is an integral with the tray (2).

Description

DEVICE FOR STORING AT LEAST ONE COMPACT DISK

The present invention relates to a storage device for at least one compact disc (optical reading digital information storage medium) such as a CD, DVD or HD-DVD disc in particular. It relates more specifically to a device of this kind which is composed of a plastic tray, rectangular or square, provided with means for receiving and retaining the disk, and a semi-rigid booklet, cardboard or similar material.

The booklet has a lower cover and an upper cover connected to one another, through fold lines, to a back member, and whose shape and dimensions correspond to those of the tray.

The tray is glued on the inside of the lower cover of the booklet, and is therefore integral. When a disc has been placed on the tray, it is possible to fold the top cover on the set tray / disc, so as to protect (just like we close a book).

The booklet has decorative elements and / or informative notes related to the contents of the disc.

A problem encountered with such a device is related to the fact that its cover has a natural tendency to open, which is not convenient for handling or storing.

A conventional way to solve this problem is to insert the assembly in a case, also of cardboard or similar material, of tubular form with flattened section, rectangular. This outer case keeps the cover perfectly closed.

Such a system is not completely satisfactory, insofar as the presence of the case substantially strike the cost of the device. In addition, the manipulations required to remove the disk and put it back in place, by sliding the case relative to the booklet, are relatively tedious.

It is also known, for example from the European patent EP 0 802 539, a system for retaining the free edge of the upper cover by means of a folding hat, which consists of a flange hinged around a line of weakening material tray, and which can be clipped on it in the locking position.

Such a system is relatively complex and impractical because it requires unclipping or clipping operations for the removal or replacement of the disk. In addition, the presence of a weakening line acting as a hinge is not compatible with the use of relatively rigid plastics, resilient and resilient, such as crystal polystyrene including, which is interesting to use in this application, but only with soft and non-elastic materials (such as polypropylene).

The present invention proposes to solve these difficulties by proposing a device of the aforementioned kind having inexpensive means, easy to use, and compatible with a rigid and elastic plastic tray, which make it possible to maintain the upper cover properly applied against the set tray / disc, when the disc is stored, and to release it by a simple maneuver when you want to remove the disc.

As indicated above, the object of the invention is therefore a device for storing at least one compact disc, which is composed of a plastic tray, rectangular or square, provided with receiving means and retaining disk, and a semi-rigid booklet, made of cardboard or the like, comprising a lower cover and an upper cover connected to one another by means of fold lines, to an element of back, and whose shape and dimensions substantially correspond to those of the tray, wherein said plate is glued to the inner face of the lower cover of the booklet. According to the invention, said plate is provided, on its edge opposite to the back element, a retaining lip of the free edge of the upper cover of the booklet, a portion of the bank along this free edge being able to to be positioned below said spout in order to maintain the booklet closed or, on the contrary to be removed to allow the opening of the booklet, this by a manual maneuver which ensures a relative movement of the spout and the free edge of the upper cover in a direction substantially perpendicular to the edge of the plate which is opposite to the back element. According to a possible embodiment of the invention, said retaining nose is disposed at the free end of a flexible tongue, and is integral therewith, this tongue forming an integral part of the plate and extending on the edge of it. which is opposed to the back element.

Advantageously, in the absence of stress, said tongue is naturally in alignment with said edge opposite the back element, its retaining nose then being in its active position retaining the free edge of the upper cover of the booklet , whose release is effected by elastic bending of the tongue to the outside. According to another possible embodiment of the invention, said retaining nose is rigidly secured to the edge of the plate which is opposite to the back element, the release of the free edge of the upper covering being effected by displacement of the latter. in its own plane, with concomitant spacing of the back element from the edge of the plate which is adjacent to this back element.

Furthermore, according to a number of possible additional features of the invention, which are applicable both when the retaining nose is fixed and when it is movable relative to the plate: the plate is provided with at least one means elastic adapted to initiate the opening movement of the booklet as soon as the free edge of the upper cover has been released from said spout; this elastic means comprises at least one elastically deformable strip integral with the edge of the plate which is opposite to the back element, said strip being flexural prestressing when the free edge of the upper cover is trapped under the retaining nose, and being capable of relaxing to raise the edge of the upper cover along this free edge when the latter is spaced from the retaining nose, and released therefrom;

said elastic means comprises a pair of elastically deformable strips disposed on each side of said retaining nose (on either side of the nose when considering the direction of said free edge);

- The retaining nose is provided with anti-slip reliefs, such as streaks, facilitating its grip;

the tray is adapted to receive more than one compact disc;

- The plate has a hinged plate adapted to receive a pair of compact discs, one on each of its two faces.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which will now be made, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a device forming the subject of a first possible embodiment of the invention, shown in the closed state. Figure 2 is a top view of the constituent plate of this device.

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, showing the semi-closed device.

Figure 4 is a detail view in perspective and in section of the plate at the retaining nose.

FIG. 5 is a general perspective view of a device which is the subject of a second possible embodiment of the invention, represented in the semi-closed state. Figure 6 shows a detail, in perspective, of the same device in the area of the retaining nose.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are detail views in perspective and in cross-section of the device, the section planes being located respectively at the level of the retaining nose and at the level of an elastic strip intended to facilitate the ejection of the free edge of the upper cover.

Figures 9 to 11 are cross-sectional diagrams showing how to maneuver at the opening of the device which is the subject of the second embodiment.

Figure 12 shows a tray for storing two compact discs, this plate may be a constituent element of the device of the invention, both in its first than in its second embodiment. The device 1 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a plastic tray 2, a booklet 3 which covers it, and a system 4 for holding the booklet in the closed state.

The plate 2, shown in detail in Figure 2, is a flat element made of injected plastic material, relatively rigid and elastic, for example crystal polystyrene, of rectangular shape and thin.

It comprises a recess 210 with a circular contour 21, provided at its center with a rosette (or rosette) 23 of known type. Such members are shaped to allow to receive and retain a compact disc, the central hole engages the rosette 23, the latter having for example latching fingers.

Peripheral recesses in the form of ears 22 facilitate the extraction and gripping of the disc.

The references 24a and 24b designate the two long sides - or longitudinal edges - of the plate; 25a and 25b refer to the two small sides -or transverse edges. According to an essential characteristic of the invention, one (24b) of the long sides is provided with the holding system 4, whose function will be explained later.

This system, which forms an integral part of the plate 2, coming from molding with it, comprises a tongue 5, which runs on a little more than half the length of this side 24b from one (24a) of the short sides to which it is connected.

The tongue 5 has the shape of a bar of small width, whose height corresponds to the thickness of the plate. This tongue, in the rest position (that is to say in the absence of mechanical stress) falls within the normal rectangular contour of the plate 2, not projecting outside this contour. It is separated from the rest of the tray by a gap 50 of small width. At its free end, which is positioned in the central zone, or in the vicinity of the central zone of the side 24b, the tongue

4 has a bill-shaped widening 6 directed towards the inside of the tray.

If it is considered that the plate 2 is horizontal, this spout 6 has a substantially horizontal disposition and is connected by a curved zone to the tongue 5, the large sectional dimension of which is vertical, which gives the assembly a section approximately in diameter. inverted "L" shape. Its upper face has non-slip reliefs such as ridges 60 (see Figure 4).

Seen from above, the inner edge of the spout 6 has approximately a contour C, and it fits into a notch 51 of complementary shape formed in the wall of the tray.

The booklet 3, shown half-open in FIG. 3, is obtained by cutting a semi-rigid sheet, for example made of cardboard, of rectangular shape. It is composed of an upper cover 30, a lower cover 31, and a back element 32. The covers 30 and 31 are of rectangular shape. The cover 31 has the same dimensions as the rectangular contour of the plate 2.

In contrast, the cover 30 is a little smaller, so that its longitudinal free edge 300 and its transverse edges

301a, 301b, fit into rabbets formed on the inner edge of the sides 24b and 25a respectively, 25b, when the booklet is closed, without exceeding in height relative to the frame of the plate 2.

The back element 32 has substantially the same width as the thickness of this plate 2. As shown in Figure 2, the edge 24a of the tray is recessed over substantially its entire length, so as to have a rebate capable of serving as housing to the back element 32, whose length is the same as that of the longitudinal sides of the cover 30. The depth of these different rabbets corresponds to the thickness of the cardboard sheet in which the booklet was cut.

In a well known manner, each of the covers 30, 31 is connected to the back member 32 by a line of weakening material (for example slotted), forming fold line. The plate 2 is glued on the inner face of the lower cover 31 so as to be superimposed with the latter, so that its edge 24a is positioned along the fold line (back side), its other edge 24b being positioned by consequently along the opposite (free) edge of this blanket. The bonding may be performed in particular, in whole or in part, in the areas corresponding to the recesses in the form of ears 22, glue points being deposited against the back (convex) of the latter.

The back element 32 is attached (when the booklet is closed) against the edge of the edge 24a, but it is not glued; it can deviate from it when you open the booklet.

As can easily be understood from the simple observation of FIG. 3, once a disc (not shown) has been fitted onto the rosette 23, inside the recess 210, it is possible to fold the upper cover 30 on the disk / tray assembly (arrow F) to cover and protect the disc.

For this, it is sufficient to temporarily retract the spout 6 by bending the tongue 5 outwards, in the general plane containing the plate 2, as symbolized by the arrow G in Figure 3.

This maneuver can easily be done with the thumb resting on the striated upper face of the spout 6.

Once the cover 30 has been folded flat in the frame 25a-24b-25b of the tray (closed booklet), release the spout 6 to let the tongue 5 bend in the opposite direction, and resume its straight natural shape, to so that the spout 6 then covers the central area of the edge 300 of the cover 30, thus retaining the positively closed booklet, without risk that it starts unexpectedly. When it is desired to take the disc, the procedure is the same, by previously retracting the spout 6 by bending outwardly of the tongue 5.

Advantageously, one or more spring means are provided at the level of the rabbet of the rim 24b, such as a small elastic sieve (s) for example, which raises (s) slightly and automatically the bank of the cover 30 as soon as the spout 6 is retracted, which facilitates the grip and opening of the booklet.

Such slats equip the rest of the device which is the subject of the second embodiment described below.

It should be noted that the outward bending of the tongue 5 occurs over its entire length, with a continuous curvature, such as a beam which is embedded at one end and is subjected at its other end to a transverse load. Accordingly, the tongue 5 must be relatively thin and have a relatively long length, to obtain a sufficient stroke of the spout 6 to properly cover or release the free edge of the upper cover 30 without risk of rupture, given the relative rigidity of the constituent material of the plate 2.

Preferably, this length is close to half the length of the side 24b, which also offers the advantage that the retaining nose is positioned in the central zone of the edge 300, favorable to the good retention of the cover 30.

It should be noted that the schematic and simplified view of FIG. 3, according to which the tongue retains a rectilinear shape when it is deformed outwards, does not correspond to reality, since the deformation of this tongue presupposes a progressive, regular and continuous variation of its curvature, from one end to the other.

The device which is the subject of the second embodiment which will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 11 differs essentially from the previous embodiment in that its retaining nose, referenced 6 ', is fixed with respect to the plate 2.

The constituent elements of this second embodiment have been assigned the same numbers or reference numbers as the first, since they related to identical or similar elements as to their shape and / or function.

The drawing of FIG. 5 represents a device 1 of the same type as that of FIG. 3, comprising a plastic plate 2, a booklet 3 which covers it, as well as a system 4 for holding the booklet in the closed state. . The plate 2, shown in detail in Figure 2, is a flat element made of injected plastic material, relatively rigid and elastic, for example crystal polystyrene, of rectangular shape and thin.

It comprises a recess 210 with a circular contour 21, provided in its center with a rosette 23 adapted to receive and retain a compact disc. This recess is bordered by four peripheral recesses 22 in the form of ears, facilitating the extraction and gripping of the disc. 211 denotes the peripheral planar area surrounding the recess 210, and offset in height relative thereto. When the booklet is closed, the periphery of its upper cover is applied against this area 211, which is a bearing pad; the thickness of the cover is a little smaller than the height of the transverse flanges 25a, 25b and longitudinal 24b of the plate relative to this zone, so that when the booklet is closed, its upper cover is almost flush with said flanges or slightly embedded between them. The spout 6 'has a shape and a similar location along the edge 24b, the spout 6 described above; however, it forms an integral part of this edge 24b, and is rigidly integral. Its upper face has ridges 60. Its lower face is spaced from the flat zone 211 by a height substantially equal to, or slightly smaller than, the thickness of the cover 3.

Thus, an area of the bank along the free edge 300 is likely to be inserted under the spout 6 'to maintain the booklet 3 closed, as is apparent from the examination of Figure 7. As the spout is fixed this requires a displacement of the upper cover, as will be explained later.

In the range 211, on either side of the spout 6, are cut a pair of flexible and flexible strips 7.

They are positioned near the side 24b, but a little recessed towards the inside of the plate 2 with respect to the spout 6 '. These strips 7 are shaped such that their free edge, which is turned towards the side 24b (outwards, therefore), protrudes above the plane of the range 211 (see Figure 6).

When the booklet is closed, with the edge of its upper cover trapped under the spout 6 ', the slats 7 are kept bent down and retracted in openings formed in the range 211, this with some prestressing to bending (see Figure 8). Referring to Figures 9 to 11, we will now explain how to proceed to open the booklet of such a device for the purpose of extracting a compact disc D contained therein, retained on the rosette 23. Figure 9 represents the closed device; the edge of the cover 30 which is located on the side opposite the back 32 is inserted under the spout 6 '.

The operator applies a thumb to the spout 6 ', and the thumb of the other hand on the top of the cover 30 so as to slide it in its own plane away from the edge. During this translation movement, which is symbolized by the arrow H in the figure

10, the back 32 is slightly deformed by pivoting around its hinge lines; the angle (initially right) between the back 32 and the lower cover 31 (glued under the plate 2) increases, while the angle (initially right also) between the back 32 and the upper cover 30 decreases by a corresponding value .

The stroke of this movement is sufficient for the edge 300 to disengage the spout 6 ', so that it is then possible to open the booklet by turning the cover 32 upwards, as symbolized by the arrow I on the figure 10.

An initiation of this opening, which facilitates the handling of the cover 32, is obtained thanks to the presence of the elastic lamellae (not shown in these figures 9 to 11), which eject and push up the edge of the cover as soon as possible. that its edge 300 has escaped the retention spout 6 '.

The disk D is then accessible, and can be extracted by pulling upwards (arrows J).

To close the device, the procedure is reversed.

The device of the invention can be applied equally well to a tray adapted to contain more than one disk, in particular to a plate adapted to receive a pair of disks, as described for example in document WO 2006/045757. .

A tray of this kind is illustrated in Figure 12. The reference 8 designates a discoid plate 8 hinged to an edge 24a of the plate 2 by a hinge connection 9, of a type known per se. The plate 8 is provided on each of its faces with a rosette 23 (only one of which is visible in the figure), which allows it to simultaneously retain a pair of disks.

In the embodiment shown, this plate is provided, as in the previous embodiment, a fixed retention spout 6 'and a pair of ejector slats 7 located adjacent the edge 24b. It could be provided, of course, a movable retention spout 6 similar to that of the first embodiment.

Claims

1. Device for storing at least one compact disc, which is composed of a plate (2) made of plastic, of rectangular or square shape, provided with means for receiving and retaining the disc, and a semi booklet -rigid (3), made of cardboard or similar material, comprising a lower cover and an upper cover connected to each other, via fold lines, to a back element, and whose shape and shape; the dimensions correspond substantially to those of the plate, in which said plate (2) is glued to the inner face of the lower cover (31) of the booklet (3), characterized in that said plate (2) is provided, on its edge (24b) opposite to the back member (32), a spout (6; 6 ') for retaining the free edge (300) of the upper cover (30) of the booklet (3), a portion of the bank along this free edge (300) being capable of being positioned below said spout (6; 6 ') in order to keep the booklet (3) closed or, contrary to being removed to allow the opening of the booklet (3), this by a manual operation which ensures a relative movement of the spout (6; 6 ') and the free edge (300) of the upper cover (30) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the edge (24b) of the plate (2) which is opposite to the back member (32).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said retaining nose (6) is disposed at the free end of a flexible tongue (5), and is integral therewith, this tongue forming an integral part of the plate (2). ), and extending over the edge (24b) thereof opposite the back member (32).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that in the absence of stress, said tongue (5) is naturally in alignment with said edge (24b) opposite the back element (32), its retaining nose (6) then being in its active position of retaining the free edge (300) of the upper cover of the booklet, the release is effected by elastic bending of the tongue (5) outwardly.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said retaining nose (6 ') is rigidly secured to the edge (24b) of the plate (2) which is opposite to the back element (32), the release of the free edge (300) of the upper cover (31) operating by displacement of the latter in its own plane, with concomitant spacing of the back member (32) relative to the edge (24a) of the plate (2) which is attached to this back element (32).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the plate (2) is provided with at least one elastic means capable of initiating the opening movement of the booklet (3) as soon as the edge free (300) of the upper cover (31) has been released from said retaining nose (6 ').

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said elastic means comprises at least one elastically deformable strip (7) integral with the edge (24b) of the plate (2) which is opposite to the back element (32). said slat being flexural prestressing when the free edge (300) of the upper cover (31) is trapped under the retaining nose (6; 6 '), and being able to relax to raise the edge of the upper cover ( 31) along this free edge (300) when the latter is spaced apart from the retaining nose (6; 6 '), and released therefrom.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said elastic means comprises a pair of elastically deformable strips (7) disposed on each side of said retaining nose (6; 6 ').

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said retaining nose (6) is provided with anti-slip reliefs, such as ridges (60), facilitating its grip.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said plate (2) is adapted to receive more than one compact disc.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that said plate (2) comprises a hinged plate (8) adapted to receive a pair of compact discs, one on each of its faces.