Abstract: A case for retaining disks therein. The case is preferably a two-piece structure formed of a lid and a base detachably coupled together. The base is formed to include a disk retainer that is rotatable with respect to the base. The retainer is coupled to a wall of the base using a living hinge that permits rotation of the retainer well away from the interior surface of the base. The retainer includes a modified hub for capturing the disk. The modified hub has a tongue-and-capturing-structure combination permitting easy application of the disk to the hub and removal therefrom with little stress on the disk. The lid is coupled to the base using a pair of rotatable cams that allow the lid to be rotatable well away from the base. The two-piece structure with the rotatable disk retainer and lid make the case of the present invention compatible with an array of automated disk packaging processes and equipment.

Abstract: A container for a PC card including a relatively hard base pivotably connected by a hinge to a cover. A resilient tray is positioned within the base. The cover can be kept in a closed position by a latch. An outer edge of the tray attaches to a peripheral lip on the base to form a bumper and a seal between the base and cover when the container is closed. The edge also prevents shear movement of the cover relative to the base when the container is dropped on a corner. The hinge and latch are inboard of the outer edge of the tray so that they aren't disturbed if the container is dropped. The tray includes a central receptacle that receives the PC card. Between the PC card receptacle and the outer edge of the tray there is formed a bellows-like member which tangents the cover and base and physically isolates the PC card receptacle from the cover and base.

Abstract: A CD package including a CD holder and a foldable cover for the holder. The CD holder includes a tray and base in telescoping relationship, one of the tray and base being glued to the foldable cover. The CD holder includes edge projections and recesses which cooperate with edge projections and recesses of other CD holders to allow stacking of the CD holders to facilitate automated assembly. The base and tray also include ramped stops and cooperating projections, respectively, inward of the sides, to releasably lock the tray and base in the telescoped and untelescoped positions. Tabs are provided on the sides of the base to abut the tray and improve stability of the base relative to the tray in the untelescoped configuration. A transparent window is assembled on an end cap via a tongue and groove connection and then welded. Detents are added adjacent a recess formed on each side wall of the end cap, which recesses cooperate with a projection on the tray to connect the cap and tray.

Abstract: A pivotable spring load dust door movable between a first, closed position and a second, open position and including a pair of integrally formed projections. The projections extend, when the dust door is in the closed position, through openings formed in a front edge of the cassette cover and engage teeth formed on the circumference of the tape reel upper flanges.

Abstract: A pair of spaced reel springs are integrally molded on a cassette cover to extend inwardly and downwardly at an angle. When the cassette cover and base are mated, the springs bias movable tape reels against the cassette base. A removable dust door includes an extension having a pair of integrally formed projections. The projections extend, when the removable dust door is positioned on the cassette, into openings formed in the tape cassette around the reel springs. The projections abut the springs, hold the tape reels against the cassette base and relieve the load from the springs.

Abstract: A CD package is provided, including a pivotable CD holder and a foldable cardboard cover. The holder includes a square central panel and two side, substantially rectangular profile "flip" panels each with a substantially semicircular cutout corresponding to half of a CD. The cover includes four portions separated by strips, each portion foldable relative to each other, and a plurality of cutouts to temporarily receive projections formed on the underside of the holder. The cover is slidably received within clasps, also formed on the underside of the holder. The flip panels are pivoted, coplanar to the central panel to create a retail configuration, with two portions of the cover extending over each of the front and back, respectively, of the holder. The cover and holder are then shrink wrapped together. This retail configuration forms a rigid "long box" since the holder spans cover strips. The consumer removes the shrink wrap, unfolds the cover and removes the CD.

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: A short leg and coil of a torsion spring fit on a dust door polar member and a long leg having a first end connected to the coil and a second free end extends therefrom. An offset is formed between the first and second ends of the long leg and is received by a cassette cover and the free end engages a perpendicular projection formed on a dust door latch. In a second embodiment, a lower portion of the latch can flex relative to an upper portion, and a leaf spring is integrally formed to extend from the upper portion. The dust door polar member has a cam which cooperates with the leaf spring. In the first embodiment, when the latch is actuated by a pin the dust door is unlatched and rotated to the open position. When the pin is released, the long leg biases the latch back into a latched position and, simultaneously, the rest of the spring closes the door.

Abstract: Integrally molded dust door latches for a video cassette. The latch never needs to be preloaded and includes a planar latch body having a flexing member formed integrally therein to impart inherent spring action to the latch. The latch includes two lateral supports and a first and second projections which enter openings formed in the cassette base. The latch is assembled in the cassette such that the latch can flex or deflect via the flexing member when pressure is applied to one of the projections.

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: An integral actuator/reel lock/spring for a video cassette is described, including: (a) a lock body having a first end and a second end, an inclined opening at the first end to receive a tape player/recorder pin, lateral wings, angled grooves and a lead in for a self-centering rib in the cassette base; and (b) a spring bar connected centrally at the second end of the lock body, the spring bar including a pawl and a lower dog leg combination formed at each end. The lock body is received in the cassette base in an area defined by: (a) a first, elongated, central portion having parallel side walls, between which is formed a self-centering rib; and (b) a pair of lateral, substantially triangular walled portions, each spaced from the central portion.

Abstract: Window/cassette cover combinations and more economical methods for assembling the window in the cassette are described. A planar window is: rectangular and includes a pair upper lips, each an opposite sides, and a pair of lower riges or ledges, each on other sides; generally square and includes an upper discontinuous lip and a pair of lower ridges or ledges on opposite sides; or circular and includes an upper continuous lip and a lower continuous ridge or ledge. In each of these three embodiments, the upper lips and lower ledges or ridges cooperate to receive the borders of a window opening formed in the cassette cover, and a label can be applied between the windows and optionally covering one or more windows. In each embodiment of the method, the window is flexed to position opposing ledges under the borders and the window is returned to its original planar position so that the upper lip abuts the top of the border.

Abstract: A static tape cassette reel lock is described. In one embodiment a tape reel flange has on the outer circumference thereof a plurality of teeth, and the cassette base includes a plurality of slanted vertical ribs and a centered slanted horizontal rib. The teeth of the flange are able to move past the angled ribs so that the tape reel can rotate in one direction, but does not allow rotation in the other direction. In another embodiment the reel hub includes a chamfered ring of teeth. The cassette base includes a corresponding ratchet ring of ramped teeth. Again, rotation in one direction is allowed, but not in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An integrally molded dust door latch/spring for a video cassette and related method of assembly are described. The latch/spring includes: a planar latch body having a flexing member formed between a first upper end and a second lower end. The first end includes two lateral supports and a projecting, substantially planar perpendicular member. The second end includes first and second projections which enter openings formed in the cassette base. The latch/spring is assembled in the cassette such that the first end is fixed between the cassette base and cover, but the second end can flex or deflect via the flexing member relative to the first end. The method includes the steps of: (1) locating the two projections in the openings formed in the cassette base; (2) locating the supports in receptacles formed in the base; and (3) placing the cassette cover on the base so that the first end of the latch body is fixed relative to the cassette and the first end can flex relative to the first end via the flexing member.

Abstract: A tape reel is described which is a one-piece, integrally, molded member. A planar continuous flange is connected to a central hub. A plurality of petals or ears is molded in an upright condition to be movably connected to the upper end of the hub. The ears are pushed down to be parallel with the plane of the lower flange to receive tape. The ears are held in place by cooperating members formed on both the ears and hub. Finally, a friction button can be formed separately and assembled on the hub, or may be integrally molded of the hub.

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 diagonally 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.