1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to improvements to product packaging, and more particularly to advantageous aspects of packaging for holding multiple media discs and methods for making same.
2. Background of the Related Art
Numerous packages have been developed for holding media discs. The basic media disc package is the so-called “jewel case,” which typically includes a tray for holding a media disc, and a hinged cover that snaps into place over the tray. Jewel cases have been developed to hold two media discs. One such jewel case includes a two-sided central tray that receives a media disc on each side. Another jewel case provides for two media discs to be stacked, one on top of each other, in the same tray. However, neither of these designs is entirely satisfactory for a number of reasons, including ease of use, prevention of damage to the disc and aesthetic appearance. Further, it is becoming increasingly common for media discs to be packaged in sets having more than two discs.
There is thus a need for easy-to-use, esthetically appealing packaging for holding multiple media discs that can be manufactured at an acceptably low cost.
The subject invention is directed to a package for holding media discs and methods for making the same. The package includes a hinged tray assembly and a jacket. The jacket has a plurality of panels that fold around the tray assembly to close the package and it has an interior surface to which the tray assembly is mounted.
The hinged tray assembly includes at least two transparent disc-holding trays which each have a hinge edge and include means for securing a media disc to the tray. The trays are constructed such that the disc securing means (e.g., hub, rosette, etc.) of each tray is positioned offset with respect to the disc securing means of adjacent trays such that when the tray assembly is in a closed configuration, the trays are arranged in a stack with their hinge edges lined up and each disc securing means being offset from the disc securing means of adjacent trays in the stack.
These and other aspects of the device and method of the subject invention will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the figures and appended material.
So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed system appertains will more readily understand how to make and use the same, reference may be had to the drawings wherein:
These and other features of the subject invention will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.
As used herein, the term “media disc” refers to a compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), or other disc or disc-shaped media item that is used to store analog or digital information.
Reference is now made to the accompanying figures for the purpose of describing, in detail, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The figures and detailed description are provided to describe and illustrate examples in which the disclosed subject matter may be made and used, and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.
Referring now to the accompanying figures, there is illustrated in
The transparency of disc tray 12 allows disc tray 14 and any media disc attached thereto or graphics associated therewith to be seen without the need to move disc tray 12 (i.e., pivot tray 12 along hinge 22 to the open position). Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that a tray stack can include more than two disc trays without departing from the inventive aspects of the present disclosure. Moreover, the offset distance “d” can dimensioned such that only the edge of a media disc affixed to the next tray in the stack can be seen or the offset “d” can be made large enough to allow graphics or text printed on or adhered to face of the media disc or disc tray to be viewed through the disc tray positioned above the tray in the stack.
As shown in
The hinge member 22 can be fabricated from any suitable material, such as a styrene-based film or tape, polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like. The hinge member 22 may be fabricated, for example, from a strip of commercially available poly tape. The hinge member 22 must be flexible enough to allow the package 10 to be opened and closed freely, but must be strong enough to prevent failure of the hinge member or separation of the tray stack from the jacket 20. The hinge member may be affixed to the trays using an adhesive, or using a mechanical technique, including techniques using ultrasound or heat. In addition, the stack of trays 12 and 14 may be hinged in a number of different configurations without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the package 10 shown in
Each tray in the package 10 includes a cavity 24 (24a for disc tray 12 and 24b for disc tray 14) for receiving a media disc. Media discs commonly include a central spindle hole which engages with the rosette of the disc tray to releasably secure the media disc thereto.
The style, shape, and dimensions of each tray 12/14, including the number of indentations therein and the design and shape of the rosette 16a/16b, may be varied and are not limited in any way by this disclosure. The trays may suitably be fabricated from a plastic material that has been injection molded. Suitable materials for the tray include polystyrene, polypropylene, and environmentally friendly materials such as polylactic acid. As noted above, the trays are fabricated from a clear material, such as crystal styrene. The use of a clear material is desirable from an aesthetic point of view. Further, the use of a transparent material for the trays allows a user of the package to quickly determine whether any of the trays are empty.
As noted above, media package 10 includes a jacket 20 suitable for use in some embodiments of the media package 10. Prior to the addition of any text, graphics, and the like to the jacket 20, the exterior side of the jacket 20 is substantially identical in appearance to the interior side. According to one aspect of the invention, the jacket 20 is shaped such that it can be folded around the stack of trays mounted into the jacket 20 to form a boxlike package. The jacket may be fabricated from paper, paperboard, cardboard, plastic, or other suitable material. According to a further aspect of the invention, the jacket is fabricated from a material that is suitable for a high-speed printing process. As shown in
The creases may be introduced into the jacket using a number of different techniques. For example, if the jacket is fabricated from paperboard or cardboard, the creases can be introduced by pressing a scoring blade into the jacket. If the jacket is fabricated from plastic, the creases may be formed using an electron beam, RF creasing, microperforation or other suitable technique.
It should be noted that the shape of the jacket may be modified, as desired, without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it may be desirable to include cutout regions in the jacket. Further, it may be desirable for portions of the jacket to extend beyond the perimeter of the stack of trays.
As shown in
Referring now to
As before, the transparency of disc tray(s) 112 allows disc tray(s) 114 and any media disc attached thereto or graphics associated therewith to be seen without the need to move disc tray 112 (i.e., pivot tray 112 along hinge 122 to the open position). Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that a tray stack can include more than two disc trays without departing from the inventive aspects of the present disclosure. Moreover, the offset distance “d” can sized such that only the edge of a media disc affixed to the next tray in the stack can be seen or the offset “d” can be made large enough to allow graphics or text printed on or adhered to face of the media disc or disc tray to be viewed through the disc trays positioned above the tray in the stack.
As described hereinbefore, the trays in a stack are hinged to each other by a flexible hinge member 122 that is affixed to an edge (left edge for disc tray assembly 130 and right edge for disc tray assembly 140) of the stack of trays. However, other hinge configurations can be employed as will be discussed herein below. In the presently disclosed embodiment, the stack of trays is mounted onto an interior panel of an outer jacket 20. Alternatively, the stack of trays may be inserted into an open-ended sleeve or other carrier.
The media package 100 includes a jacket 150 suitable for use in some embodiments of the media package 100. Prior to the addition of any text, graphics, and the like to the jacket 150, the exterior side of the jacket 150 is substantially identical in appearance to the interior side. According to one aspect of the invention, the jacket 150 is shaped such that it can be folded around each stack of trays mounted into the jacket 150 to form a boxlike package. As shown in
As described above, the creases may be introduced into the jacket using a number of different techniques and the shape of the jacket may be modified, as desired, without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Media package 100 may be advantageously combined with a slip case that is shaped to closely receive the closed package 100.
Commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/060,576, published as US 2005/0189244, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, illustrates techniques for fabricating a plurality of hinged assemblies simultaneously. (See
A swath of hinge material 162 is then prepared, having dimensions corresponding to the size of the combined hinge edges. As shown in
In the previously described embodiments, the disc trays were hinged along a common longitudinal/vertical edge. However, it should be understood that the trays can be hinged along a transverse/horizontal edge. Moreover, it is not required that the all of the trays in a stack be hinged along a common edge. As shown in
It should be noted that the offset “d” described above does not have to be a vertical/longitudinal offset and can be a horizontal/transverse offset or simply a radial offset between the center of the rosette for adjacent disc trays.
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.
This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/781,445 filed Mar. 10, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US07/06273 | 3/12/2007 | WO | 00 | 8/21/2009 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60781445 | Mar 2006 | US |