This invention relates to containers for holding machine readable storage media, and more particularly to a storage package intended for removably storing a recorded medium upon which information retrievable by reflected or refracted light is stored, and which features a folder formed from a prescored, unitary blank which is wrapped about and adhesively bonded to a disc tray to define the package.
Media disc storage packages that utilize trays for holding one or more discs in combination with folders formed from paperboard or other suitable substrates are well known in the art. Such packages commonly include a disc tray made of injection-molded plastic positioned within one or more panels, or pages, of a plastic or paperboard substrate. Such packages are also commonly assembled using processes involving multiple steps performed with parts that are shipped to more than one location before the final packages are assembled. In particular, such processes often require that the folders and trays be assembled by one manufacturer, and then shipped to a separate manufacturer so that discs can be placed within the trays. The folders used in these packages are often folded and held together using tuck tabs and slit locks, which achieves closed, but not securely sealed, packages. The trays are often formed from several components, each of which must be custom-molded using a distinct injection molding process.
Although media storage packages do exist in which component assembly, including disc placement, is fully automated, such packages require that a top spine sticker and a security sticker be separately manufactured and then placed on the top spine and left side of the package after assembly and prior to sale.
These and other shortcomings of the prior art are addressed by the present invention, which provides a media storage package having an insert and folder which may be assembled together with a disc during an automated, servo-driven process. Specifically, the disc is positioned within the tray, which is then wrapped within a pre-scored, die-cut blank. The blank has panels and spines upon which graphic information can be pre-printed prior to wrapping the blank around the tray, which eliminates the need for top spine and security labels. The blank also features glue tabs which may be adhesively bonded to selected panels of the blank and side rims of the tray during assembly to form a completed package having spines superimposed over all four side rims of the tray. The inserts utilized in the subject invention may be molded from a single injection molding process, and include several features designed to reduce the weight, and thus the cost, of the assembled package. Importantly, the package described herein, both the paper and plastic portions, may be made from recycled materials, including post-consumer waste, in contrast to prior art packages which in many cases must be made from virgin materials to achieve an acceptable product.
According to one aspect of the invention, a media disc storage includes a folder comprising at least first and second spaced-apart panels defining a space for enclosing a media disc; and a substantially rigid insert disposed between the panels. The insert spans the distance between the panels to provide structural support to the folder, and including an open disc well adapted to hold the media disc in the space between the panels.
According to another aspect of the invention, a media disc storage package, includes a folder comprising at least first and second spaced-apart panels defining a space for enclosing a media disc; spines interconnecting the first and second panels to form a substantially continuous outer surface which includes an open side edge; and a substantially rigid insert disposed between the panels. The insert spans the distance between the panels to provide structural support to the folder, and includes an open disc well adapted to hold the media disc in the space between the panels. The insert has a frame having an outer perimeter circumscribed by the perimeter of the panels; and a tray carried by the frame, the tray defining an open disc well adapted to hold the media disc in the space between the panels.
The tray is moveable, in a plane generally parallel to the first and second panels, between: a first position in which the disc well is disposed inside the space between the panels, and a second position in which the tray extends through the open side edge and the disc well is exposed for placement or retrieval of a disc.
According to another aspect of the invention, an insert for a media disc storage package includes a generally planar floor; at least one upstanding rim extending from the floor so as to define an open disc well adapted to receive and locate a media disc therein; and a spring locking mechanism having: a flexible spring having at least one end connected to the insert; and a latch extending laterally from the spring. The latch is moveable with the spring, in a plane generally parallel to the first floor, between a first position in which at least a portion of the latch overlies the disc well; and a second position in which the latch is clear of the disc well.
The invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:
Referring now specifically to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, an optical media storage package according to one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
While the storage package may utilize a disc insert formed from any suitable materials, the insert 14 is preferably formed from injection molded plastic. One example of a suitable material is polypropylene. The design aspects of the insert 14, for example the fact that it is normally hidden from view, and that it does not require long, 180-degree opening live hinges, allow it to be readily made from recycled pre- or post-consumer recycled plastics (e.g. ground-up plastic waste material or “regrinds”). Furthermore, although the disc “D” shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The fourth panel 42 has an interior surface 43, is interposed between a sixth hinge 60 and a side hinge 62, and extends between the upper and lower spines 22, 24. The spines 22, 24 are defined by respective upper and lower pairs of hinges 64, 66. As is shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The fourth panel 42 and side spine 26 are next folded toward the third panel 40 along the fifth and sixth hinges 58, 60. The cover tab 52 is then disposed between the third panel 40 and the tray 16, and the upper and lower glue tabs 68, 70 are adhesively bonded to the interior of the third panel 40 to form the package 10.
Wrapping the blank 34 around the insert 14 in the manner illustrated in
Although the folder 12 shown in
The well 117 is protected by a disc keeper 730, which is disposed on the outer rim 722 and extends inwardly over the well 17 for maintaining a disc in place within the well 17.
The frame 15 has a floor 734 from which a pair of opposed lateral rims 736, 737, a transverse side rim 738 and outer rim segments 740, 741 extend. An inner rim 742 having a curved shape generally complimentary to that of the outer rim 722 extends from the rim segment 740 to the rim segment 741. The inner rim 742 includes an arcuate segment 744 formed with an end segment 746, which is in turn connected to the first rim segment 740.
The hinge 18, tray 16 and frame 15 are formed as a single, integral and continuous piece both during and after assembly of the insert 14. Specifically, the hinge 18 is integrally formed with a convex curved portion 732 that is disposed adjacent the convexly-curved arcuate segment 744 of the inner rim 742. This configuration gives the area of the frame 15 adjacent the rim segment 740 a hooked shape for restricting the extent to which the tray 16 may pivot away from the tray 115, and also defines a cavity within which the hinge 18 may pivot when the tray 16 is moved away from the inner rim 742.
The insert 14 also includes a spring locking mechanism 752 including a spring 754. One end of the spring 754 is connected to the reinforcing rim 722 at a first end 731, and an opposite end of the spring 754 is connected to the reinforcing rim 722 at the second end 733 adjacent to the convex curved portion 732. A latch 760 is disposed on the spring 754 and extends inwardly toward the center of the well 17. When in an unlocked position such as that shown in
Means may be provided for keeping the tray 16 aligned in-plane with the frame 15 and in a closed position. For example, the illustrated tray 16 includes a side tab 770 which projects from the outer rim 720 near the disc keeper 730. When the tray 16 is closed, the side tab 770 is received between spaced-apart fingers 772 which project from the inner rim 742 of the frame 15. The illustrated tray 16 also includes an end tab 774 which projects from the first end 731 thereof. When the tray 16 is closed, the end tab 774 is received between spaced-apart fingers 776 which project from the inner rim 742 of the frame 15. The end tab 774 also includes a recess 778 that engages a complementary projection 780 of the frame to resist unintentional opening of the tray 16. These features are particularly useful in keeping the tray 16 in a closed position and aligned with the frame 15 during assembly of the insert to the folder 12.
The frame 15 optionally includes one or integrally-molded raised bosses 782 having hooks 784 projecting therefrom. These hooks 784 may be used in attaching the insert 14 to a folder.
For example,
The upper and lower glue tabs 868 and 870 each have an opening 876 formed therein which receives the hook 784 and a portion of the boss 782 of the insert 14. In
As shown in
A disc insert according to another embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 114 in
Two tabs 127, 128 extend from the side edge 126 at angles generally perpendicular to the well 117 and floor 124. The tabs 127, 128 engage the fourth panel 42 when a folder 12 of the invention is wrapped around the insert 114 to provide additional rigidity to an assembled package and prevent the folder 12 from collapsing into the well 117 and damaging a disc. The well 117 is further protected by a disc keeper 130, which is disposed on the outer rim 122 and extends inwardly over the well 117 for maintaining a disc in place within the well 117.
Although the insert 114 may be utilized with any suitable storage folder or container, the insert 114 is preferably wrapped within the folder 12 in a manner identical to that described above with respect to
Referring now to
The inner and outer rims 142, 122 are interconnected by two breakaway tabs 148. The tabs 148 maintain the tray 116 in a fixed position relative to the frame 115, but are designed to break in response to a force applied to the tray 116 during assembly. Breaking the tabs 148 permits the hinge 118 to pivot and the tray 116 to move away from the frame 115 in a manner like that illustrated in
The hinge 118, tray 116 and frame 115 are formed as a single, integral and continuous piece both during and after assembly of the insert 114. Specifically, the hinge 118 is integrally formed with the S-shaped curve 132 and the arcuate segment 144, which not only gives the area of the frame 115 adjacent the rim segment 140 a hooked shape for restricting the extent to which the tray 116 may actually pivot away from the tray 115, but also defines a cavity 150 within which the hinge 118 may pivot when the tray 116 is moved away from the inner rim 142.
The insert 114 also includes a spring locking mechanism 152 including a spring 154. One end 156 of the spring 154 is connected to the outer rim 120, and an opposite end 158 is connected to the outer rim 120 at the second end 133 adjacent to the S-shaped curve 132. A latch 160 is disposed on the spring 154 and extends inwardly toward the center of the well 117. When in an unlocked position such as that shown in
A disc stored in the insert 114 is further protected by raised bumps 162 which are spaced apart on the disc well 117. The bumps 162 may have any suitable shape and dimensions, be formed in any number, and be positioned at any locations on the well 117; however, each bump 162 preferably has a conical shape or alternatively, any other rounded shape, and measures about 0.762 mm (0.030 in.) by 0.2 mm (0.008 in.). The bumps 162 engage the non-media portion of a disc positioned in the well 117 to eliminate any contact between the components of the insert 114 and the media-containing portions of the disc.
Although the spring locking mechanism 152 shown in
An insert according to another embodiment of the invention is shown generally at reference numeral 214 in
The insert 214 differs from the insert 114 in that the insert 214 does not include a solid, continuous floor, but instead features first and second floor portions 220, 221 disposed between respective reinforcing rims 222, 223 and an outer rim 224. A generally X-shaped seat 226 is defined by first and second intersecting ribs 228, 230, a central support 232 and a C-shaped disc rim 234, which is formed from the reinforcing rims 222, 223 and a segment of the outer rim 224. The ends of the C-shaped disc rim 234 are interconnected by a support rib 235.
The central support 232 is disposed at the intersection of the ribs 228, 230 such that the ends of the first and second ribs 228, 230 radiate outwardly from the central support 232 and are integrally formed with the disc rim 234 to define spaced openings, 236, 237, 238, 239. The X-shaped seat 226 and openings 236, 237, 238, 239 not only reduce the weight of the insert 214 without compromising the structural integrity of the invention, but also result in substantial cost savings in the materials used to form the insert 214.
The insert 214 also includes two breakaway tabs (not shown) and a spring locking mechanism 240, which have the same components and the same general features as the tabs 148 and locking mechanism 152 of the insert 114.
An insert according to another embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 241 in
The insert 241 has a tray 243 which lacks the support rib 236 and the floor portions 220, 222 of the insert 214. The tray 243 instead has a single floor portion 242 that extends to an interior edge 245. A central support 244 is disposed at the intersection of the first and second ribs 228′, 230′, and includes an opening 247 sized to receive a finger of an end user to permit the user to grasp the inner edge of a disc and remove the disc from the tray 241. Furthermore, a first rim segment 250 extends from one end of the outer rim 224 of the tray 241, and a second rim segment 252 extends from the opposite end of the outer rim 224′ to a respective one of two end rims 268. The interior edge 243 interconnects the end rims 268 to form a rectangular opening 272.
The insert 240 includes a spring locking mechanism 274 which is disposed entirely on the exterior of the tray 215′. Specifically, the locking mechanism 274 has a spring member 276 attached to exterior surfaces of the first and second rim segments 250, 251. The spring member 276 is shown in
The locking mechanism 274 may alternatively be configured to automatically unlock when the cover 32 is opened, and then automatically relock in response to the cover 32 being closed.
The insert 240 also includes raised bumps 162 having a structure and function identical to the bumps 162 disposed on the insert 114.
Although the inserts 114, 214, 241 are designed to hold a maximum of two discs “D”, the inserts 114, 214, 241 may alternatively be designed to hold additional discs (for example up to ten discs) by increasing the depth “d” of the opposed lateral rims 136, 137, transverse side rim 138 and outer rim segments 140, 141 by approximately 1.4 mm (0.055 in.) for each additional disc added; however, additions to the depth “d” may vary depending upon the type of disc the final insert is intended to store.
The inserts 114, 214, 241 may also be molded so that the trays are pivoted outwardly away from the frames approximately 1.6 mm (¼ in.), with first and second bars mounted in parallel relation to one another on the tray and frame, respectively, so that the first and second bars interfere with each other when the tray is pivoted back into the frame to effectively “lock” the tray in position.
Referring now to
The insert 314 also has a disc well defined by a C-shaped rim 348. The rim 348 extends from a first end 349, which is connected to the second base member 342, to a second end 350, which is connected to the first base member 340. As is shown in
The insert 314 includes raised bumps 354 which are spaced apart on the disc well 317. The bumps 354 have a structure and function identical to the bumps 162 of the insert 114.
The tray 316 also includes an outer wall formed by lower and upper rims 358, 360, a lateral side rim 362, and first and second rim segments 364, 366. As is best shown in
The insert 314 includes a spring locking mechanism 374 similar in structure and function to the locking mechanism 274; however, the spring member 376 on the insert 314 is attached to first and second rim segments 364, 366 which are in turn connected to the lower and upper rims 358, 360. The mechanism also includes a latch 378 having a shape that differs from the latch 278 and includes thumb notch 380. The spring locking mechanism 374 is moved between unlocked and locked positions relative to the interior edge 370 in the same manner as the spring locking mechanism 274 described above with reference to
Although the insert 314 is designed to hold a maximum of two discs “D”, the insert 314 may alternatively be designed to hold additional discs (for example ten discs) by increasing the depth “d” of the outer wall by approximately 1.4 mm (0.055 in.) for each additional disc added; however, additions to the depth “d” may vary depending upon the type of disc the final insert is intended to store.
An insert according to another embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 390 in
Referring now to
The C-shaped rim 348′ of the insert 414 has also been modified so that the first and second ends 349′, 350′ overlie the respective first and second base segments 340′, 342′ and are connected to the first floor portion 322′. In addition, the shape of the latch 378′ has been modified, the thumb notch 380′ enlarged, and the interior edge 370′ curved inwardly toward the central support 344′ to give an end user more room to manipulate the locking mechanism 374′ and remove a disc “D” like that shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The upper and lower trays 432, 434 are assembled by superimposing the upper tray 432 onto the lower tray 434 in a manner like that shown in
While the insert 430 may be utilized with any suitable conventional media folder formed from paperboard or another suitable substrate, the insert 430 is preferably utilized with the folder 12. Assembly of the folder 12 around the insert 430 occurs in a manner similar to that which is described above with respect to Figures through 5. The insert 430 is first assembled and loaded with a disc, and is then positioned with the upper tray 432 and disc rim 444 disposed against the fourth panel 42 of the blank 34 so that the two sets of coupled slide rails and guide members extend parallel to the upper and lower pairs of hinges 64, 66. The blank 34 is then wrapped around the insert 430 in a manner identical to that shown in
Referring now to
With the exception of sharing the common feature of having components that are capable of sliding movement relative to each other, the tray 472 and frame 474 of the insert 470 differ in structure from the upper and lower trays 432, 434 of the insert 414. As is shown in
The frame 474 has a rear wall 492 from which spaced guide members 493 extend. Each guide member 493 extends parallel and adjacent to a respective one of the guide rails 486 of the tray 472. Inwardly-extending shelf portions 494 are formed at the forward ends of the respective guide members 496. As is best shown in
The insert 470 includes four breakaway tabs 496. While the tabs may have any suitable width, each tab 496 is preferably about 6.4 mm (¼ in.) wide. As is best shown in
Although the guide members 493 are configured to include the shelf portions 494 and guide channels 495, each of the guide members 493 may alternatively be configured to include an interconnected flange portion and return flange used in the guide members 440 described above with reference to
The inserts 430, 470 may alternatively be configured to include an X-shaped structure similar that utilized on the base 338 of the insert 314. Furthermore, while the inserts 430 and 470 may be wrapped within any suitable folder, the inserts 430 and 470 are specifically intended for use with a folder similar to the folder 512 described below with reference to
An optical media storage package according to another embodiment of the invention is shown generally at reference numeral 510 in
With the exception of adding a disc opening and altering certain spines, hinges and tabs, the folder 512 includes the same components and is formed from the same materials as the folder 12.
The folder 512 includes a disc opening 516 for permitting a disc to be placed within, and removed from, the insert 514. As is shown in
The storage package 510 is assembled by folding the first panel 36′ along the cover hinge 44 and adhesively bonding the first panel 36′ against the second panel 38 so that the outside edge 540 extends along the third hinge 54′. It is noted that the first panel 36′ is shown already folded over in this manner in
The storage package 510 may alternatively feature a blank, not shown, but similar to the blank 534, in which the disc opening 516 is formed on the third panel 40′. To assemble the package 510, the back of the insert 514 is disposed against the interior surface of the fourth panel 42′ so that the front of the insert 514 may be accessed through the disc opening 516 on the third panel after the package 510 is assembled. The remaining components of the blank 534 are wrapped around the insert 514 in a manner identical to that which is described above with reference to
The storage package 510 may also include a tear-away insert disposed across a portion or overlying the entirety of the opening 516. The insert (not shown) is connected to the folder 12 by a perforated line to permit the insert to be removed by an end user. Such an insert is formed from any suitable material, including but not limited to the same substrate used for the blank 534, or a flexible material other than the die-cut substrate used for the blank 534.
Referring now to
A first diagonal frame support 560 extends from the second corner 554 to the fourth corner 558 and intersects a second diagonal frame support 562, which similarly extends from the first corner 552 to the third corner 556 to define cut-out areas 564, 565, 566, 567.
A central support 568 is disposed at the intersection of the first and second diagonal frame supports 560, 562. The central support 568 and the tabs 559 cooperate with four rim segments 569 to define a disc seat 570. Each of the frame supports 560, 562 includes a pair of the rim segments 569, which are disposed on the supports 560, 562 in spaced-apart relation to the central support 568. Each rim segment 569 is integrally formed with and extends perpendicularly to a selected one of the diagonal frame supports 560, 562, which in turn causes the disc seat 570 to be recessed relative to the lateral, upper and lower frame portions 544, 546, 548, 550.
The insert 514 includes features specifically designed to enhance the protection of a disc stored within the seat 570. As is best shown in
The reinforcing bar 572 also stabilizes the diagonal frame supports 560, 562 to allow a spring locking mechanism 580 to operate without difficulty. The spring locking mechanism 580 is disposed within the cut-out area 564 below the upper frame portion 548 and features an H-shaped member 582 mounted on a spring 584 which has ends 586 connected to the upper support ribs 574. In the absence of pressure on the spring 584, the web 585 of the H-shaped member 582 abuts a projection 588 which is integral with the upper frame portion 548 and extends toward the central support 568.
To place a disc in the insert 514, the web 585 of the H-shaped member 582 is urged slightly upwards and away from the bar 578, which likewise causes the spring 584 to flex outwardly away from the central support 568. As the spring 584 flexes, the web 545 slides toward the projection 588 so that a lock bar 590 disposed on the back of the H-shaped member 582 slides behind the projection 588 in the manner shown in
The central support 568 may alternatively be formed with an opening like the opening 345 described above for permitting an end user to insert a finger in the opening to remove the disc from the tray.
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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5713464 | Chang | Feb 1998 | A |
5799782 | Gelardi | Sep 1998 | A |
6283283 | Rufo et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
20050011784 | Ulrich | Jan 2005 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20070235356 A1 | Oct 2007 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60789783 | Apr 2006 | US |