Patent Application
20070272569
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to devices and methods used to package optical discs, such as compact discs (CD's), digital versatile discs (DVD's), and other disc-shaped media, and more particularly to such devices which hold a standard-size CD jewel case and a standard-size DVD jewel case for sale as a single unit.
II. Background and Prior Art
Packaging and storage devices for media are generally known. Disc-shaped media, such as CD's, DVD's or CD-ROM's, encounter special problems in handling, packaging and storage due to their delicate, flat recorded surfaces. Such disc media is generally sold in plastic cases which are sometimes referred to as “jewel boxes” or “jewel cases.” Such cases are generally rectangular and have a mounting hub for holding the disc media by its center aperture. Such cases are usually kept after purchase of the disc media and utilized for re-packaging of the disc media between usage.
It is often desirable to market and sell music CD and DVD products as a single package, particularly when the products are from a single artist. For example, a music CD and a music video DVD may be sold to consumers who desire both media for their enjoyment. However, there is no simple and effective means to package these different products in a single unit for retail sale. Moreover, if such products were placed within a single package, such package may prevent the consumer from viewing the individual CD or DVD cases as they may have been sold separately in the past. Furthermore, if such individual CD and DVD cases were contained within a transparent case, the individual UPC data on each case may inadvertently be scanned at the point of sale. Therefore, a need exists for a packaging system which allows the co-marketing and sale of CD/CD and CD/DVD jewel cases within a single unit having its own UPC data which cannot be confused with prior UPC data for the individual cases.
Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a package for the sale of two or more optical discs as a single unit.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a package for containing a CD-size jewel case and a DVD-size jewel case within a single unit.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a package for multiple CD and/or DVD jewel cases which includes mask areas for obscuring the UPC or other identifying indicia on the individual jewel cases.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a package for multiple CD and/or DVD jewel cases which includes a compartment or area containing an informational insert or label, along with UPC data for the entire package.
Accordingly, a package for holding a plurality of jewel cases for optical discs is provided, comprising a shell member having a first compartment and a second compartment, a cover sealably attachable to the shell member, and one or more mask areas on the shell member. Each of the mask areas are sized and positioned to obscure bar code indicia on the individual jewel cases contained within the shell member. In a preferred embodiment, the package is transparent, and it may contain a CD jewel case and a DVD jewel case. A third compartment contains an informational insert with a bar code or other point-of-sale indicia so that the package can be sold as a single unit.
Turning now to
In a preferred embodiment, the first compartment 3 is shaped to contain a CD jewel case and the second compartment 4 is shaped to contain a DVD jewel case. Alternatively, the first and second compartments 3, 4 may each be shaped to contain a CD jewel case, or they may each be shaped to contain a DVD jewel case.
The cover 5 or the shell member 2, or both, may be constructed from common plastic sheet used extensively in the industry. In most applications, it will be desirable for the shell member 2 and the cover 5 to be transparent such that the individual jewel cases may be readily viewable by consumers. The shell member 2 preferably comprises a third compartment 7 adjacent to the first or second compartment 3, 4, wherein the third compartment 7 is sized to contain or accommodate an informational insert or label 8 having a unique UPC bar code 9 or other information about the single package 1. The package 1 also includes at least one or more slots 10, 11 formed into the shell member 2 and cover between the first and second compartments 3, 4 for engagement with a retail shelving system, such as conventional rack components or wires.
The mask areas 6 on the shell member 2 may simply comprise an opaque region, such as a colored area which is effective in preventing the bar codes or other UPC data on the individual jewel cases from being scanned at the point of sale. Alternatively, the mask areas 6 may each comprise a textured region formed into the shell member 2 at the time that the shell member 2 is manufactured. Such textured regions should be sufficient to reflect, refract, or otherwise obscure the scanning of the individual jewel cases.
In a preferred configuration, the present invention should be manufactured in a generally rectangular shape, such that a taller DVD jewel case positioned next to a shorter CD jewel cases provides a convenient region for the single-package informational area 8. One of the key advantages of the present invention is that it allows co-marketing and sale of a prerecorded music CD with a prerecorded music DVD in their originally marketed cases. Thus, the distribution of a single-unit package 1 having both CD and DVD products will not require any changes to the existing packaging of the individual products.
Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This nonprovisional patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/801,674, filed on May 16, 2006.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60801674 | May 2006 | US |
