The invention relates to a container for accommodating a packaged data carrier, particularly a CD or DVD, having a first accommodation space for accommodating the packaged data carrier, and a second accommodation space for accommodating print materials or the like, which is separated from the first accommodation space.
CDs and DVDs are frequently packaged in so-called jewel cases, which can be opened by means of a hinged lid and have a holder in their interior, onto which a CD or DVD can be set. On the inside of the pivoting lid of these jewel cases, a cover or, because of the limited available space, only a correspondingly thin booklet can be attached.
However, since in the meantime software, including video games and computer games, is being sold almost exclusively in the form of CDs, the handling and playing instructions of which are becoming increasingly complex, there is a need for supplying a correspondingly voluminous handbook, together with the CD, which does not find room in the known jewel cases.
It is true that it is known to configure jewel cases as a double case or multiple cases, in which a larger booklet can be accommodated, but no independent, closed space is formed in this manner.
Furthermore, the sale of movies on DVD is gaining increasing importance; in addition to the actual movie, they contain a large number of additional data, such as several language versions and background reports, so that here again, there is also a need for voluminous booklets. In addition, it is often desirable for marketing purposes to add merchandise articles to the CD or DVD, in order to thereby increase the sale of CDs or DVDs. Larger packaging materials, for example made of paperboard, such as that used for the sale of software, are not suitable for this purpose, since because of their larger dimensions, they cannot be transported and stored in the same space-saving manner as jewel cases.
It is therefore the task of the invention to make available a container for accommodating a data carrier packaged, in particular, in a jewel case or similar packaging made of plastic or cardboard, particularly a CD or DVD, into which a related product description, merchandise article or the like can be inserted, and which is transported in space-saving manner, because of its compact dimensions, like conventional CD or DVD sleeves, and can be made available in product presentation devices designed for such sleeves.
The task of the invention is accomplished by means of the invention indicated in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.
The container according to this type has a first accommodation space for accommodating a data carrier, particularly a CD or DVD, and a second accommodation space for accommodating print materials or the like, which is separated from the first accommodation space.
The solution according to the invention is characterized in that the first accommodation space has a holder to accommodate the packaged data carrier, and that the second accommodation space is separated from the first accommodation space by means of a removable covering, whereby the two accommodation spaces have essentially the same base area dimensions.
In this way, the container according to the invention, together with a data carrier, can be sorted into and stored in transport devices and product presentation devices that are designed for known CD or DVD containers.
Preferably, it is provided that the packaging of the data carrier is configured as a standardized CD or DVD container, for example like a jewel case.
In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the second accommodation space is configured to be rectangular, with a circumferential border that has lateral super-elevations, which are arranged on two opposite lengthwise sides of the circumferential border, and at the ends of which, projections that face inwards are provided, which partially overlap the first accommodation space and can hold a packaging in place, so that a packaging can be pushed in from a crosswise side of the container, whereby the front side of the packaging remains uncovered.
In a further embodiment, it is provided that the second accommodation space is configured with a circumferential border that has elevated side walls on two opposite lengthwise sides, which walls form the holder and delimit the first accommodation space, whereby edges directed inwards are arranged at the ends of the elevated side walls, which edges partly overlap the first accommodation space and are able to hold a packaging in place, so that the packaging can, once again, be pushed in from a crosswise side of the container, and the front of the packaging remains uncovered.
In a further embodiment, it is provided that the covering can be inserted into a pair of rails that is arranged on the insides of the elevated side walls.
Preferably, it is provided that the first accommodation space contains a stop to limit the insertion path of the data carrier.
In a further embodiment, it is provided that the super-elevations are made from an elastic material, and can be bent outward, so that a data carrier can be set onto the container and removed from it by means of bending the super-elevations away from the front.
In a particular embodiment, it is provided that the first accommodation container is configured as a block-shaped container that is open on one side, into which a packaging can be inserted, and that the first accommodation container can be set onto the second accommodation container.
Preferably, it is provided that the covering has pins that can engage into openings on the inside of the circumferential border.
Preferably, it is provided that the second accommodation space has holders for fixing objects introduced into the second accommodation space in place spatially, so that damage to impact-sensitive merchandise articles can specifically be avoided.
Preferably, it is provided that the container and the covering are made of transparent polystyrene, so that the interior of the container, with the merchandise article, can be seen.
Any desired articles can be placed in the second accommodation space, for example booklets, toys, but also a T-shirt that has been compressed to the corresponding size.
Preferably, the removable covering forms a part of the first accommodation space.
Another preferred solution is characterized in that the first accommodation space contains a rectangular base plate, holder elements that are arranged on two opposite edges of the base plate, and projections on the outer end of the holder elements that are directed inwards, and that the base plate has press-down elements that are directed into the first accommodation space, which are configured to be resilient, so that a data carrier that has been set into the first accommodation space is pressed against the projections that are directed inwards, by the press-down elements, and thus is held between the press-down elements and the projections. In this way, the number of variants of the containers can be reduced, since otherwise, they would have to be made available for jewel cases having different thicknesses.
It can also be provided that the base plate has curve-shaped indentations, by means of which resilient surface regions delimited in the base plate are formed, which regions are connected with the remaining region of the base plate by way of gates, and that the press-down elements that project from the base plate, which press against a data carrier introduced into the first accommodation space, are arranged in the surface regions that are formed. Thus, the covering can be produced in one piece with the press-down elements, and therefore can be produced inexpensively.
In another preferred embodiment, it is provided that the container has at least one catch device to attach the covering on the second accommodation space, which device can be blocked by a data carrier inserted into the first accommodation space, to prevent it from being removed from the second accommodation space. This ensures that the container according to the invention can only be opened, and the merchandise article can only be removed, after the packaged data carrier was separated from the container. This also permits the container according to the invention, with the data carrier set onto it, to be securely closed, in simple manner, in that removal of the packaged data carrier is merely prevented by means of a clip that holds the data carrier in place in the first accommodation space.
Preferably, it is provided that the first accommodation space has at least one recess, and that the catch device of the second accommodation space has at least one hook, arranged laterally at the end of a bendable extension, whereby the hook can engage in the recess of the first accommodation space, so that the first accommodation space can be attached to the second accommodation space, whereby a data carrier inserted into the first accommodation space prevents the hook from being pressed inwards and thereby being released from the recess, so that the packaged data carrier first has to be removed, in order to be able to remove the covering.
In a particular embodiment, it is provided that the holder elements are configured to be resilient, so that the packaged data carrier can be both pushed into the first accommodation space from the side, as well as set on and pressed down, whereby the holder elements are bent outward, in order to then snap back and hold the packaged data carrier in place.
In another preferred embodiment, it is provided that the first accommodation space can be attached to the second accommodation space so as to pivot, by means of a film hinge, so that the accommodation spaces can be produced in one piece, and thereby in inexpensive manner.
In the following, the invention will be explained in greater detail, making reference to the drawing, whereby
Reference is made to
The container 2 according to the invention (see
The triangular super-elevations 11 have projections 16 at the end segments, which projections are directed inwards toward one another. The triangular super-elevations 11 having the projections 16 partially overlap the inserted packaging 4, and hold it in place by means of the triangular super-elevations 11 and the projections 16.
In addition, the circumferential border 12 has openings 9 that were made in the two lengthwise sides having the triangular super-elevations 11, and into which pins 20 of a covering 10 can engage, in order to hold the covering 10 in place after it is inserted. The base plate 7, the inserted covering 10, and the circumferential border 12 form the second accommodation space 8 for accommodating a booklet or a merchandise article.
After a booklet or a merchandise article has been placed into the second accommodation space 8 of the container 2, the latter is closed by means of the covering 10, in that the covering 10 is set onto the container 2 in such a manner that the pins 20 engage in the openings 9 and thereby hold the covering 10 in place.
Subsequently, the packaging 4 is placed into the first accommodation space 6, in that it is pushed sideways, from one of the crosswise sides of the container 2, between the covering 10 and the triangular super-elevations 11 having the projections 16, until the position shown in
To remove the booklet or the merchandise article, the packaging 4 is first released from the container 2, in that it is pushed sideways until it is no longer in engagement with the super-elevations 11 and the projections 16, and can be removed. Subsequently, the covering 10 is removed, in that the pins 20 of the covering 10 are released from the openings of the container 2, so that the booklet or the merchandise article can be easily removed.
In another exemplary embodiment, the triangular super-elevations 11 are made of an elastic material, so that the projections 16, which are arranged on the ends of the triangular super-elevations 11, can be bent outward, in order to set a packaging 4 onto the container 2 from the front. After the packaging 4 has been set on, the projections 16 on the triangular super-elevations 11 return to their starting position, and hold the packaging 4 in place, since the projections 16 partly overlap the packaging 4.
To release the packaging 4, the projections 16 are bent outward again, so that the packaging 4 can be removed from the container 2. Subsequently, the covering 10 can be removed, as well, in order to remove the booklet or the merchandise article from the second accommodation space 8.
A second exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention is shown in
In this exemplary embodiment, as compared with the first exemplary embodiment, elevated side walls 17 are arranged on two opposite lengthwise sides on the circumferential border 14, which delimit the first accommodation space 6 laterally. At the top ends of the opposite lengthwise sides, two edges 18 are arranged, which are directed inwards, so that they can also partially overlap a packaging 4 that has been pushed in, and hold it in place.
On the inside of each of these opposite lengthwise sides, a pair of rails 22 are arranged, in each instance, each of which forms a U-shaped profile, into which the covering 10 can be inserted and held in place.
After a booklet or a merchandise article has been put in, the second accommodation space 8 is closed by pushing the covering 10 in. Subsequently, the packaging 4 is pushed into the first accommodation space 6, while standing in engagement with the elevated side walls 17, until it makes contact with the stop 24.
To remove the booklet or the merchandise article, the packaging 4 is first released from the container 2, in which is it pushed sideways until it is no longer in engagement with the edges 18 and the elevated side walls 17, and can be taken off. Subsequently, the covering 10 is pushed sideways until the covering 10 is no longer in engagement with the pair of rails 22, so that the booklet or the merchandise article can be easily removed.
Reference is now made to
In this third embodiment, in contrast to the two previous exemplary embodiments, the covering 10 has a block-shaped accommodation container 26, the interior of which forms a first accommodation space 6. A packaging 4 can be inserted into this accommodation container 26 that forms the first accommodation space 6, through a lateral insertion opening 28, and later removed again.
In order to be able to attach the covering 10, which forms the underside of the accommodation container 26, i.e. the first accommodation space 6, on the container 2, the covering 10 has pins 20 that can engage in corresponding openings 9 in the circumferential border 12 of the container 2.
The second accommodation space 8 is closed by setting on the covering 10 and engaging the pins 20 into the openings 9 of the container 2, after a booklet or a merchandise article was put in. Subsequently, the packaging 4 is pushed in through the lateral insertion opening 28 of the accommodation container 26, until it is completely contained in the accommodation container 26.
To remove the booklet or the merchandise article, the packaging 4 can first be removed from the accommodation container 26, and subsequently, the accommodation container 26 is released from the container 2, or the accommodation container 26 with the packaging 4 located in it is released from the container 2, so that now, the booklet or the merchandise article can easily be removed, although the packaging 4, in contrast to the two previous exemplary embodiments, is still located in the accommodation container 26.
Instead of a pin connection between the first and second accommodation space, an articulation and catch connection can also be selected.
Reference is now made to
In this connection, the invention comprises a second accommodation space 30 and a covering 31, with which the second accommodation space 30 can be closed off. The first accommodation space 32, in which a data carrier 33, for example a CD or DVD packaged in a jewel case, can be accommodated, is formed on the front of the covering 31, while the second accommodation space 30 is defined by the interior of the block-shaped container behind the covering 31, with the data carrier 33 set onto it.
At each of two opposite sides of the covering 31, four holder elements 34 are arranged. At the ends of the holder elements 34, projections 35 are provided, which are directed inwards and partly overlap the inserted data carrier 33 and hold it in place.
The structure of the second accommodation container will now be explained on the basis of
The second accommodation space consists of a rectangular base plate 37 having a circumferential border 38. On two opposite sides of the circumferential border 38, two catch devices are arranged, each of which comprises an extension 39 having a hook 40 that is directed outward. The covering 31 can be attached to the second accommodation space with these hooks 40, so that the second accommodation space can be closed off. The extensions 39 are configured so that they can bend inwards.
Now the structure of the covering 31 will be explained, using
The covering 31 consists of a base plate 42, the size area dimensions of which correspond to those of the base plate 37 of the second accommodation space. The base plate 42 of the covering 31 has two lateral openings 43, which are arranged in such a manner that the hooks 40 on the extensions 39 of the second accommodation space can be guided by them, when the covering 31 is set onto the second accommodation space.
On two opposite sides of the base plate 42 of the covering 31, side walls 41 that stand upright on the base plate 42 are provided, each of which walls has a recess 44. When the covering 31 is connected with the second accommodation space, the hooks 40 of the second accommodation space are in engagement with the recesses 44 and thereby hold the covering 31 in place on the second accommodation space.
On both side of the upright side walls 41, holder elements 34 are arranged, which have projections 35 that are directed inwards on their ends, in order to hold an inserted data carrier 33 in place. In this connection, the holder elements 34 are configured to be resilient, so that they can be bent outward, in order to release an inserted data carrier 33 from the covering 31. Vice versa, a packaged data carrier 33 can also be attached to the covering 31, in that it is set onto the covering 31 and then pressed down, whereby the projections 35 on the resiliently configured holder elements 34 are first pressed outward and, after the packaged data carrier 33 has engaged, snap back. Alternatively, the packaged data carrier 33 can also be pushed sideways into the first accommodation space 32 between the base plate 42, the covering 31, and the plane of the projections 35, whereby a stop 46 is provided on a third side of the covering 31, which stops this insertion movement.
Two C-shaped indentations 47 are made in the base plate 42 of the covering 31, in such a manner that elevated press-down elements 48 arranged on two regions of the base plate 42 delimited thereby are configured to be movable on the base plate 42 and, at the same time, resilient. These press-down elements 48 press a data carrier 33 that has been inserted into the first accommodation space 32 against the projections 35, so that the carrier is held in place by the projections 35 and the press-down elements 48, together. The resiliently configured press-down elements 48 also have the effect that jewel cases having different thicknesses, for packaging data carriers 33, can be introduced into the first accommodation space 32, and then held in place by the projections 35 and the press-down elements 48, since the resiliently configured press-down elements 48 are pivoted in accordance with the thickness of the packaging of the data carrier 33, in each instance.
In the corners of the base plate 42, on the side with which the covering 31 is set onto the second accommodation space, bracket-shaped blocking elements 45 are arranged, which stand in engagement with the circumferential border 38 of the second accommodation space when the covering 31 has been set onto the second accommodation space. The blocking elements 45 prevent the covering 31 from being rotated relative to the second accommodation space, which would have the result that the extensions 39 on the second accommodation space, which are guided through the openings 43 of the base plate 42 of the covering 31, break off.
Reference is now made to
The container according to the invention is composed as follows. First, a merchandising article can be placed into the second accommodation space 30, in the interior of the second accommodation space. Then the covering 31 is set onto the second accommodation space, whereby the extensions 39 of the second accommodation space are guided through the openings 43 of the base plate 42, until the two hooks 40 on the two extensions 39 catch in the recesses 44 on the two side walls of the covering 31. Then the covering 31 lies on the circumferential border 38 of the second accommodation space and closes it off.
Next, a data carrier 33 packaged in a jewel case is pushed sideways into the first accommodation space 32, between the press-down elements 48 and the projections 35, until it reaches the stop 46. Alternatively, the packaged data carrier 33 can be set into the first accommodation space 32 from the top, and pressed in, whereby the projections 35 on the holder elements 34 are pressed outward, and the packaged data carrier 33 engages and is held in place by the holder elements 34.
At the same time, the hooks 40 on the extensions 39 are blocked by the data carrier 33 that has been set on, so that they can no longer be bent inwards, in order to be released from the recesses 44. The covering 31 can only be removed from the second accommodation space once the packaged data carrier 33 has been removed from the first accommodation space 32 by means of lateral displacement, so that the extensions 39 can be bent inwards, until the hooks 40 are no longer in engagement with the recesses 44. In this connection, the recesses 44 make it possible to exert direct pressure onto the extensions 39, in order to press these inwards.
Another exemplary embodiment of the invention has a film hinge that connects the second accommodation space 30 and the covering 31 with one another, in pivoting manner, whereby the covering 31 and the second accommodation space are formed in one piece, and can be produced together, in a single work step.
Locking of the pivoting covering 31 on the second accommodation space also takes place by means of an extension 39, which can be passed through an opening 43 of the covering 31; at the end of the extension, a hook 40 is arranged, which engages in a recess 44 of the covering 31. This catch device is blocked by a packaged data carrier 33 that has been introduced into the first accommodation space 32, so that the second accommodation space can only be opened after the packaged data carrier 33 has been removed, by pivoting the covering 31.
The container according to the invention as a whole, or at least the second accommodation container, can also have side walls that are configured to be slightly conical, in order to allow easier stacking of the containers; this can reduce transport costs, among other things.
In an alternative embodiment, it is not necessary to have a partition wall between the first and the second accommodation container. In this case, the bottom of the jewel case takes over the function of the partition wall.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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201 19 369.8 | Nov 2001 | DE | national |
202 05 789.5 | Apr 2002 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/DE02/04303 | 11/23/2002 | WO |