Compact disc storage case

• US 5,377,825 A
• Filed: 01/18/1994
• Issued: 01/03/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dennis B. Barnett, Philip K. Sykes
• Original Assignee: Dennis B. Barnett, Philip K. Sykes
• Inventors: Sykes, Philip K., Barnett, Dennis B.
• Primary Examiner(s): ACKUN, JACOB K
• Application Number:
  US08/183,629
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: 206/444, 206/307, 206/309, 206/310, 206/311, 206/312, 206/313, 206/232, 312/9.41, 312/9.42, 312/9.43, 312/9.44, 312/9.58, 312/9.64
• US Class Current: 206/232
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/045 comprising centre hole locking means

Abstract

A CD storage case made of polypropylene injection molded plastic in a foldable configuration, which when fully assembled, is generally a flat, square box. The box comprises six sides comprising bottom and top panels, two side panels, a front panel and a rear hinge panel, the latter being provided with a pair of living hinges to permit the folding and unfolding of the box. The top and bottom panel are provided with hubs, each adapted for receiving a compact disc, whereby when fully closed, the CD storage case houses two compact discs in opposed spaced parallel relation, each firmly secured on its own respective hub. Each top and bottom panel provides a support segment which consists of a short, curved wall positioned along the interior surface of each panel, a distance from the center of the hub slightly greater than the radius of the disc. Each such panel provides four such support segments spaced symmetrically around the hub and which cooperate with the top surface of the hub to provide a support for documentation. The present invention provides storage for up to two compact discs and associated documentation in a manner which prevents any surface contact between the discs or between the documentation and the discs.

Claims

1. A container for enclosing at least one compact disc of the type used for storing digital information recoverable by operation of a laser producing light incident on the disc surface between inner and outer radial disc edges;

the container comprising;

a unitary, injection-molded plastic housing having at least one substantially planar interior surface and having a plurality of integral flexible fingers extended perpendicularly from said planar interior surface;

said fingers being arranged in an annular configuration to form a hub for receiving said inner radial edge of said disc in press fit engagement therewith, at least one of said fingers having an outwardly radially disposed integral knob formed below an upper surface of said finger;

said planar interior surface also having an integral support ring extending perpendicularly therefrom and disposed in spaced symmetrical relation about said hub to receive said disc surface, the height of said support ring above said interior planar surface being less than the height of said knob above said interior planar surface for securing said disc between said ring and said knob in spaced parallel relation to said planar interior surface; and

a plurality of curved documentation support members spaced from said ring and also extending integrally from said interior planar surface, each of said documentation support members being elongated and having a height above said interior planar surface for supporting overlying documentation in a position spaced from said disc to prevent contact between said documentation and said disc within said container.

2. A container for enclosing at least one compact disc of the type used for storing digital information recoverable by operation of a laser producing light incident on the disc surface between inner and outer radial disc edges;

the container comprising;

a unitary, injection-molded plastic housing having at least one substantially planar interior surface, a pair of side panels, a frontal panel, a rear panel and having a plurality of integral flexible fingers extended perpendicularly from said planar interior surface;

said fingers being arranged in an annular configuration to form a hub for receiving said inner radial edge of said disc in press fit engagement therewith, at least one of said fingers having an outwardly radially disposed integral knob formed below an upper surface of said finger;

said planar interior surface also having an integral support ring extending perpendicularly therefrom and disposed in spaced symmetrical relation about said hub to receive said disc surface, the height of said support ring above said interior planar surface being less than the height of said knob above said interior planar surface for securing said disc between said ring and said knob in spaced parallel relation to said planar interior surface; and

a plurality of curved documentation support members spaced outwardly from said ring, and inwardly from said side, frontal and rear panels and also extending integrally from said interior planar surface, each of said documentation support members being elongated and having a height above said interior planar surface for supporting overlying documentation in a position spaced from said disc to prevent contact between said documentation and said disc within said container.

3. A container for enclosing at least one compact disc of the type used for storing digital information recoverable by operation of a laser producing light incident on the disc surface between inner and outer radial disc edges;

the container comprising;

a unitary, injection-molded plastic housing having at least one substantially planar interior surface and having a plurality of integral flexible fingers extended perpendicularly from said planar interior surface;

said fingers being arranged in an annular configuration to form a hub for receiving said inner radial edge of said disc in press fit engagement therewith, at least one of said fingers having an outwardly radially disposed integral knob formed below an upper surface of said finger at a first predetermined distance above said planar interior surface;

said planar interior surface also having an integral support ring extending perpendicularly therefrom to a second predetermined distance above said planar interior surface, said first predetermined distance being greater than said second predetermined distance, and disposed in spaced symmetrical relation about said hub to receive said disc surface, the height of said support ring above said interior planar surface being less than the height of said knob above said interior planar surface for securing said disc between said ring and said knob in spaced parallel relation to said planar interior surface; and

a plurality of curved documentation support members spaced from said ring and also extending integrally from said interior planar surface, each of said documentation support members being elongated and having a height above said interior planar surface greater than said first predetermined distance of said knob above said planar interior surface for supporting overlying documentation in a position spaced from said disc to prevent contact between said documentation and said disc within said container.