Compact disc security container

• US 5,597,068 A
• Filed: 08/25/1995
• Issued: 01/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nexpak Corporation
• Original Assignee: Alpha Enterprises, Inc. (Nexpak Corporation)
• Inventors: Burdett, Ronald K., Weisburn, James T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gehman, Bryon P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI, LUAN KIM
• Application Number:
  US08/519,360
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 206/307, 206/307.1, 206/308.1, 206/308.2, 206/308.3, 206/309-310, 206/312, 206/387.11, 206/425, 206/472, 206/473, 206/387.14
• US Class Current: 206/308.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0023 Containers, boxes, cases or the like, e.g. for compact discs or video-cassettes, specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/0416 for disc cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/0422 for discs without cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/0488 in boxes or containers comprising additional sound reproducing or activating means

Abstract

A security container for storing various articles is formed of transparent plastic material and has four tabs extending from a bottom wall with latching flanges extending from the ends of each tab. The flanges are positioned to be inserted into the four openings formed in the side walls of most jewel boxes for the storage of compact discs, removably securing the jewel box to the bottom wall of the container and allowing the jewel box to be opened and the compact disc to be accessed while the jewel box remains secured to the container by the flanges. A holder with a U-shaped opening for receiving at least one or two compact discs is removably secured to the inside surface of a double hinge panel of the container and holds the compact discs for display through a front wall of the security container. A locking mechanism secures the contents of the container while allowing the articles to be displayed through the container walls. An E.A.S. tag also may be secured inside the container or the locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized removal of the container and contents from a retail store.

Claims

1. A container for displaying and storing a disc-shaped data storage medium and a jewel box, said container including:

a base and a cover hingedly connected to one another by a hinge panel for movement between open and closed positions, said base and cover forming a storage compartment;

first attachment means formed on the base of the container for attaching the jewel box to said base, said first attachment means including a plurality of spaced flexible retaining tabs formed on the base for snap-fitting into holes formed in the jewel box for removably mounting the jewel box on the container base, wherein each of the tabs have a latching flange for engagement with the jewel box;

a holder including a generally fiat panel formed with at least one substantially U-shaped groove for slidable receiving and retaining at least one disc-shaped data storage medium, said panel extending generally parallel to and spaced from the cover and forming a graphics storage space therebetween; and

second attachment means formed on the hinge panel for mounting the holder panel on said hinge panel.

2. The container defined in claim 1 including lock means for locking the cover and base in the closed position.

3. The container defined in claim 1 in which four of the flexible tabs are formed on the base in a rectangular pattern.

4. The container defined in claim 1 in which two U-shaped grooves are formed in the holder panel for receiving two disc-shaped data storage media therein.

5. The container defined in claim 4 in which each of the U-shaped grooves has a substantially semicircular configuration.

6. The container defined in claim 1 in which the second attachment means includes a plurality of outwardly extending receptacles formed on the hinge panel;

and in which the holder panel includes tabs formed adjacent a bottom edge thereof for removably mounting said holder panel to said receptacles.

7. The container defined in claim 6 in which certain of the receptacles include a pair of spaced walls;

and in which guides are formed on the holder panel and are slidably insertable between said spaced walls.

8. The container defined in claim 1 in which an E.A.S. tag is mounted within the storage compartment.

9. The container defined in claim 1 in which the base, cover and hinge panel are formed as a one-piece member of transparent plastic material.

10. In combination, a box for holding an article and a container for holding and displaying the box and a disc-shaped data storage medium, said combination including:

a base and a cover hingedly connected to one another by a hinge panel for movement between open and closed positions, said base and cover forming a storage compartment;

first attachment means formed on the base of the container for attaching the box to said base;

a holder for holding at least one of said disc-shaped data storage medium; and

second attachment means formed on the hinge panel for mounting the holder on said hinge panel;

said box having a pair of side walls with openings formed therein and a closure lid pivotally mounted with respect to said side walls;

said first attachment means includes a plurality of spaced flexible retaining tabs formed on the base for snap-fitting into the openings formed in the box side walls for removably mounting the box on the container base and for permitting the closure lid to be pivotally moved between open and closed positions when said box is mounted on the base.

11. The combination defined in claim 10 in which each of the tabs includes a latching flange which extends into the openings of the box for securing said box on the base of the container.

12. The combination defined in claim 10 in which the holder includes a generally flat panel formed with at least one substantially U-shaped groove for slidably receiving and retaining the disc-shaped data storage medium therein.

13. The combination defined in claim 12 in which the holder is formed with a U-shaped opening;

and in which two of the U-shaped grooves are formed adjacent said opening for receiving two disc-shaped storage media therein.

14. The combination defined in claim 13 in which the U-shaped opening and the pair of U-shaped grooves have a substantially semicircular configuration.

15. The combination defined in claim 10 in which the second attachment means includes a plurality of outwardly extending receptacles formed on the hinge panel;

and in which the holder includes tabs adjacent a bottom edge thereof for removably mounting said holder to said receptacles.

16. The combination defined in claim 10 in which the hinge panel includes an elongated rectangular member and a pair of living hinges connecting said member to the base and cover.

17. The combination defined in claim 10 in which the holder includes a generally flat panel which extends generally parallel to and spaced from the cover and forms a graphics storage space therebetween when the cover is in the closed position.