Abstract: Optical arrangements are provided by which observers of flat containers or display boxes, such as compact disc (CD) jewel boxes, can be presented with different information about the contents of the box when looking at one of its surfaces from different angular perspectives. Advantageously, parallax effects are compensated where the size of the observable images and the viewing distance create undesirable visual artifacts. Horizontally and vertically oriented lenticulated panels are used in combination with interlaced images to convey the differently coded views without the need for physically manipulating such boxes as in the past to see equivalent information. Compliant inserts preferably provide the information content of the various views and are adapted for use with industry automated insert machinery while being self aligning with the lenticulated panels.

Abstract: Optical, printing, and fabrication arrangements are provided by which observers of flat containers or display boxes, such as video and audio tape cassettes or compact disc (CD) jewel boxes, can be presented with different information when looking at one of the box's surfaces from different angular perspectives. Advantageously, parallax effects are compensated where the size of the observable images and the viewing distance create undesirable visual artifacts. Horizontally and vertically oriented lenticulated panels are used in combination with interlaced images to convey the differently coded views without the need for physically manipulating such boxes as in the past to see equivalent information. Printed informational inserts or box surfaces are provided with interlaced images and reference surfaces for alignment purposes which is achieved either with control of fit or via resiliently flexible arrangements for urging the images and optics into positions of proper alignment.

Abstract: Optical arrangements are provided by which observers of flat containers or display boxes, such as compact disc (CD) jewel boxes, can be presented with different information when looking at one of the box's surfaces from different angular perspectives. Advantageously, parallax effects are compensated where the size of the observable images and the viewing distance create undesirable visual artifacts. Horizontally and vertically oriented lenticulated panels are used in combination with interlaced images to convey the differently coded views without the need for physically manipulating such boxes as in the past to see equivalent information. Printed informational inserts are provided with interlaced images and reference surfaces for alignment purposes which is achieved either with control of fit or via resiliently flexible arrangements for urging the inserts into positions of proper alignment.

Abstract: A storage package for an article and a booklet includes a pair of panels secured together and movable between a closed storage orientation, wherein the panels are substantially overlying with at least an article and a booklet supported by the article disposed intermediate the pair of panels, and an open use orientation, wherein the panels are not substantially overlying and the article and booklet are accessible. A fixed base formed of plastic defines a cavity with a bottom face mounted on one of the panels and an open top face. A floating holder formed of rigid plastic is disposed within the cavity intermediate the faces for receiving and maintaining thereon the article and booklet, the holder being movable between a plurality of positions variably spaced above the cavity bottom face. A spring secured to one of the base and holder biases the holder above the cavity bottom face, thereby to accommodate booklets of varying thickness.

Abstract: A sliding binocular body has two optical assemblies which slide on an intermediate plate to adjust for intraocular distance and which slide closed. Two shells are joined to form one assembly. Front and back contour plates cover the assembly. A field and eye lens holder slides into the box through the back plate. An eye piece is attached to the lens holder. Inward horizontal surfaces have inward extending rails, which engage outward facing grooves on the intermediate plate. The two shells are secured together and joined to the intermediate plate before mirrors are slid and clamped into place. The objective lenses are placed in position, and the contour plates are sealed in place. The eye lens and field lens are inserted in the holders before the holders are inserted in the assemblies. The assemblies hold and clamp mirrors against fixed reference surfaces. Objective lens holders formed in the assemblies permit vertical or horizontal adjustment of an objective lens before its fixing.

Abstract: Image displays are provided with mechanical and optical features that permit them to be easily configured for a variety of different display modes for a variety of aesthetic or commercial environments while having the capability of displaying multiple images in any of the available modes. The inventive displays are an alternative to and improvement over other methods such as standard picture frames (wood, plastic, metal), pins, buttons, badges, or cards (i.e., baseball cards, souvenirs, etc.).

Abstract: A compact disc container uses a plastic tray, a paperboard which is mechanically locked to the tray, and a clasp to hold the paperboard cover closed. Corner sections of the tray have elongated openings along outer walls to receive tabs which are bent up at right angles from a base panel of the board. The tabs are then bent inward over ribs in the corner section, and arcuate inner surfaces of the tabs lie against outer surfaces of segmental walls in the tray. Retainers hold the arcuate surfaces of the tabs downward. The outside of the tabs may be printed with the outside of the base and the cover, since the outside surfaces of the tabs appear within the tray. A spline panel extends from the base panel to the cover. The cover has an outer panel and an inner panel which are printed before they are folded and bonded. A second page is folded from an inward end of the inner panel.

Abstract: A sliding binocular body has two optical assemblies which slide on an intermediate plate to adjust for intraocular distance and which slide closed. Two shells are joined to form one assembly. Front and back contour plates cover the assembly. A field and eye lens holder slides into the box through the back plate. An eye piece is attached to the lens holder. Inward horizontal surfaces have inward extending rails, which engage outward facing grooves on the intermediate plate. The two shells are secured together and joined to the intermediate plate before mirrors are slid and clamped into place. The objective lenses are placed in position, and the contour plates are sealed in place. The eye lens and field lens are inserted in the holders before the holders are inserted in the assemblies. The assemblies hold and clamp mirrors against fixed reference surfaces. Objective lens holders formed in the assemblies permit vertical or horizontal adjustment of an objective lens before its fixing.

Abstract: Optical arrangements are provided by which observers of flat containers or display boxes, such as compact disc (CD) jewel boxes, can be presented with different information about the contents of the box when looking at one of its surfaces from different angular perspectives. Advantageously, parallax effects are compensated where the size of the observable images and the viewing distance create undesirable visual artifacts. Horizontally and vertically oriented lenticulated panels are used in combination with interlaced images to convey the differently coded views without the need for physically manipulating such boxes as in the past to see equivalent information. Compliant inserts preferably provide the information content of the various views and are adapted for use with industry automated insert machinery while being self aligning with the lenticulated panels.

Abstract: Optical arrangements are provided by which information about the contents of flat containers and display boxes, such as compact disc (CD) jewel boxes, that is carried on or near the surfaces its flat panels, can be observed by looking at or through its narrow edges. Preferred arrangements include one or more prisms or diffractive optical elements that are snapped to or molded with existing structure to provide folded optical paths between the viewer and the interior information to provide views of information that is located in planes that are at angles to an observer's natural line of sight.

Abstract: A storage package for an article and a booklet includes a pair of panels secured together and movable between a closed storage orientation, wherein the panels are substantially overlying with at least an article and a booklet supported by the article disposed intermediate the pair of panels, and an open use orientation, wherein the panels are not substantially overlying and the article and booklet are accessible. A fixed base formed of plastic defines a cavity with a bottom face mounted on one of the panels and an open top face. A floating holder formed of rigid plastic is disposed within the cavity intermediate the faces for receiving and maintaining thereon the article and booklet, the holder being movable between a plurality of positions variably spaced above the cavity bottom face. A spring secured to one of the base and holder biases the holder above the cavity bottom face, thereby to accommodate booklets of varying thickness.

Abstract: A plastic package for storing and selling at retail holds compact discs and accompanying 3.5" diskettes and literature. The container has two parts, a frame and a window. The frame, which is one molded piece, has a cover and a tray connected by a living hinge to form a book-like display. The tray has an opening in the base. Grippers positioned around the base retain a Jewel box inside the opening for external visual recognition. A hinged, foldable 3.5" diskette holder with a spring for securing multiple diskettes is connected by a second living hinge to the bottom wall of the tray. In an inward position, the holder extends along the base below the opening. A flap hinged to the base between the opening and the holder secures the Jewel box. A tab on the holder rests underneath an extension of the flap when the flap extends inward, perpendicular to the base. The flap/tab connection is strong and requires a screwdriver or coin to release.

Abstract: A storage device stores computer data cartridges in individual boxes. The storage device can store multiple boxes of computer cartridges. Preferably six boxes are stored in one case. The case has two side walls, a back, an upper wall, and a lower wall. A case with multiple inner dividers forms inner chambers for holding and separating one box from another. An ejector is associated with each of the chambers. Each ejector has an elongated and tilted floor member extending from the front of the ejector to the back of the case. The upward tilted position of the floor member holds the boxes against the upper wall and back of the case and therefore does not allow unintentional ejection of the boxes. Pushing the ejector downward forces the tilted floor member downward, sliding and ejecting the box outward under its own weight. A comb-like clamp and ejector assembly has rear grippers that grip a downward edge of the back. Fulcrums upwardly tilt forward cantilevered fingers which form the floors of the chambers.

Abstract: The present invention provides an insertable compact disc tray for standard single CD jewel boxes. The tray allows for conversion to multiple disc retention and has first and second sides with rosettes, for examples, for engaging and for holding first and second CDs. The tray has a shelf which fixedly attaches between first and second outer hinges of the box, and an attached leaf. A living hinge is provided between the shelf and the leaf for allowing rotational movement therebetween, with the user accessing the oppositely mounted CDs through rotation of the leaf around the living hinge. Upward rotation of the leaf allows for the insertion of a graphics card under the shelf and tray before or after the shelf and tray are inserted in the box. The shelf traps and holds the upper edge of the graphics card end and cooperates to hold the graphics card in fixed position during raising and lowering of the cover and the tray.

Abstract: A compact disc tray incorporates a flat planar surface approximating the size of a compact disc for nesting a compact disc. A central rosette molded to the flat planar surface engages the inner center hole of the CD. The rosette has engagement arms molded to and extending upward from the tray for engaging the center hole, and further extending radially inward towards a molded connection with a center button. The molded connection between the center button and inner ends of the engagement arms provides a living hinge and may be accomplished through reduced thickness in the molded material. Pushing of the center button imparts a downward motion on the inner ends of the engagement arms, which thereby angles the upwardly extending portions of the engagement arms away from the engagement with the center hole of the CD. This releases the CD from the rosette.

Abstract: A reel spring including a wire having a flat central portion and two angled arms, each terminating in substantially planar pads, curved portions or pivot buttons. The flat central portion includes two spaced, open loops which receive corresponding projections formed on the cassette cover. The pads, curved portions or pivot buttons abut and bias the tape reel hubs downwardly when the cassette cover and base are mated. The methods of assembly include the steps of moving the loops against the projections until the corresponding projections are received by the loops and caulking or swaging the projections. The wire reel spring can be removed by merely moving the wire reel spring in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Reel leaf spring/cassette cover combinations are described, wherein the leaf spring is removably mounted on the cover. In a cam fit embodiment, the spring is held within opposing pairs of projections. In a press fit embodiment, the spring includes lateral pointed members, which are caught between parallel projecting members formed on the cover. A related method of assembly includes the steps of: forming a cassette cover to include a plurality of opposing projections; inserting a leaf spring against the cover at an angle between the projections; and rotating the leaf spring to be removably engaged by the projections. In an alternate embodiment, the leaf spring includes lateral pointed members and the spring is installed straight down, such that the pointed members catch the plurality of projections.

Abstract: A write/protect tab assembly including a substantially planar jacket base and a write/protect tab slidably mounted in a tab pocket formed in the jacket base, such that the tab is encaptured by the jacket base. The tab is alternatively encaptured by: a latch formed at the tab pocket for receiving the tab; shelf-like projections formed on the tab pocket for receiving corresponding elongated recesses formed on the sides of the tab; a cap attached to the tab with the tab pocket being disposed between the tab and the cap; or guides formed adjacent the tab pocket for receiving in sliding relation the sides of the tab. The present invention also includes a method of encapturing the tabs in the jacket base before the cover is positioned on the jacket base.