Multiple disc package

Abstract

A storage media package has a molded tray is attached to a cover. The cover has multiple panels made from sheet material. The tray holds one or more compact discs in a common well centered on a standing boss. The boss has provisions to receive an insert that is used to retain the discs. The insert also establishes a bottom reference surface for the bottom disc to rest on. The insert's disc reference surface can be formed at different heights. This allows one tray design to be used for 1, 2, 3 . . . disc packaging without the need for multiple tray molds. The rosette insert can be formed to include a center button that is connected to disc locking arms of the rosette. When the user pushes the button, the locking arms are pulled inward and thus unlock the disc(s) for easy removal. The tray can also be molded with an integrally molded rosette.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 60/183,747, filed Feb. 22, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Compact disc jewel boxes are well known. Alternative compact disc packaging uses trays attached to sheet material. Before packaging, compact discs are handled and shipped mounted on long spindles. Needs exist for new packages for compact discs and DVD discs to facilitate making, storing and using packages and withdrawing, displaying and using discs in groups of discs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention includes a molded tray that is attached to a cover. The cover has multiple panels made from sheet material. The tray holds one or more compact discs in a common well centered on a standing boss. The boss has provisions to receive an insert that is used to retain the discs. The insert also establishes a bottom reference surface for the bottom disc to rest on. The insert's disc reference surface can be formed at different heights. This allows one tray design to be used for 1, 2, 3 . . . disc packaging without the need for multiple tray molds.

[0004] The rosette insert can be formed to include a center button that is connected to disc locking arms of the rosette. When the user pushes the button, the locking arms are pulled inward and thus unlock the disc(s) for easy removal. The tray can also be molded with an integrally molded rosette.

[0005] The tray has multiple radial wedge recesses in its upper surface that can be used for displaying the disc(s) after removal from the storage well. The disc display system allows the user to quickly locate and remove the desired disc.

[0006] The tray also provides an opening in one of its side walls to allow a booklet to be inserted between the bottom surface of the tray and inner surface of the attached sheet material.

[0007] The Multiple Disc Tray package has a deep molded tray that is attached to a cover. Preferably the cover is a multi-panel single sheet with a base, a spine and a cover portion. The cover portion may include a window. The tray edges and bottom attach to the base of the sheet.

[0008] The deep tray holds multiple compact discs on a standing boss centered in a single deep well. The floor of the tray and the boss or the floor alone have provisions to receive a rosette insert and lower disc reference surfaces which snap into place in the well floor. Alternatively, the rosette and floor are bonded, locked, screwed, or otherwise mechanically or chemically adhered or are co-molded or co-injected. Preferably the tray, well and floor are made of a clear material such as crystal styrene in a thickness that will withstand impact. The boss may be integrally molded of the same material. The rosette is molded elastomeric polymer, polypropylene, nylon, Zylar or some material which is flexible and resilient and may be thinner than the rest of the tray.

[0009] The different heights of the disc base reference surfaces which are snapped into or otherwise joined to the tray to provide a space between the reference surfaces and the rosette locks to hold a specific number of discs from one to multiple discs. A single deep well tray may be used to hold any number of discs from one up to the limit. The selected disc base reference surfaces always support the selected number so that the well appears full.

[0010] The rosette insert has a center button with thin connection links to upper portions of the locking arms. Pushing on the button draws the locking arms inward and releases the discs. An integrally molded rosette also can be used. The locking arms are positioned inward of the bosses and disc-guiding ribs so that the locking arms do not touch internal openings in the discs. The locking surfaces on the arms which are parallel to the discs overlie the uppermost discs.

[0011] Multiple segmental recesses in one extended upper surface of the tray hold edges of discs so that spaced discs may be held vertically after they are removed from the main tray recess.

[0012] A short rectangular opening at the bottom of one of the tray sidewalls and cooperating booklet-retaining ribs, which extend inward beneath the tray, provide space for holding a booklet under the bottom wall of the disc-receiving recess.

[0013] These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification, with the claims and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple disc package.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional detail of the multiple disc tray.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing three of the discs removed from the well and placed in the disc display rack.

[0017] FIG. 4 shows booklet insertion in the package.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tray showing four discs held in the well.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a detail of the center of the tray and the boss, and the snap-in rosette and disc reference surface assembly.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the tray.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the snap-in rosette and disc reference assembly.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the snap-in rosette and disc reference assembly.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the snap-in rosette and disc reference assembly configured for use with one disc.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a detail of the snap-in rosette assembly.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the tray showing the standing boss used to center discs in the storage well area of the tray.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a perspective top view of the tray showing the standing boss before the rosette is snapped in.

[0027] FIG. 14 is a detail of the standing boss showing openings for receiving the snap-in rosette and radial reference elements.

[0028] FIG. 15 is a detail of a standing boss with integrally formed disc-retaining elements.

[0029] FIG. 16 is a perspective top view of the tray with the boss with the deep rosette integrally molded as part of the tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a multiple disc package, generally indicated by the numeral 1, has a tray 3 and a cover 5, which is made of sheet material. In the embodiment shown, the cover 5 has a back panel 7, a spine panel 9 and a cover panel 11 with a semicircular window 13 for viewing the contents. An edge 15 of the panel overlies and may be secured to the opposite top portion of the tray. A booklet 17 is inserted through an opening 19 in the tray near the spine 9.

[0031] The tray 3 is formed of a relatively rigid plastic material, and has an upper surface 21 in which a deep well 23 is formed to hold one or more stacked discs 25. Recesses 27 are formed in the side wall 29 of well 23 for inserting fingers to lift edges of the discs.

[0032] A central rosette 31 has arms 33 and locks 35 which are urged outwardly to overlie and retain the discs. Arms 33 and locks 35 may be moved inward to release the discs by pressing on a push button 37 at the center. Segmental grooves 39 are formed in the top of the tray as a rack for holding and displaying vertically aligned discs. When the discs are removed from the well usually all discs are removed at once. Then the discs are placed in the rack grooves 39. The discs are removed and used one by one and then are returned to the rack 39 or to the well 23.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows four discs 25 held within the well 23. As shown in FIG. 2, the tray 3 is made of molded material with end walls 41 and 43 and side walls, which are not shown in FIG. 2. Lower partitions 45 and 47 guide the booklet which is held beneath the tray.

[0034] The rosette 31 has a base 51 which is secured into a recess 53 in the center of the floor of the tray. Preferably the rosette snaps into the recess. Alternatively, the rosette is co-injected, bonded or mechanically attached to the floor.

[0035] In FIG. 3, three discs 25 are stacked in the display rack 39 while one disc 25 remains in the well 23 FIG. 3 shows the outer side wall 48 of the tray, which is opposite the inner side wall 49 shown in FIG. 1.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows insertion and removal of the booklet 17 through the opening 19 in side wall 49 of the tray 3.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows four discs 25 held in the well 23 by the rosette 31.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows the snap-in rosette 31 mounted in the central boss 61. The rosette has resilient arms 33 with locking ledges 35 at the top. The locking ledges have flat lower surfaces 36 and rounded outer surfaces 38 to compress the arms as the discs are pushed downward over the rounded surfaces 38.

[0039] Preferably the rigid boss 61 is integrally molded with the tray 3.

[0040] The boss has rectangular openings 63 in which the spaced locking arms 33 are positioned. Semicircular ribs 65 near the openings 63 prevent the inner circumferences of the disc from contacting the front surfaces of the locking arms 33 and the major drafted generally cylindrical surfaces of the boss.

[0041] The main body portions 67 of the boss 61 are slightly inwardly sloped with a draft to promote removal of the boss and tray from the mold and to prevent contact of the inner disc circumferences. There is little frictional resistance to upward and downward movement of the discs, which are held aligned by the semi-cylindrical ribs 65.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, the openings 63 in the boss 61 communicate with the openings 69 in the center of the base 71 of the tray for receiving the reference surfaces 73 on which the disc rests. Alternating radial openings 75 receive the snap-in disc reference surfaces 77 with the snaps 79, which slide through the openings and overlie the surface 71 to hold the rosette 31 in place. The raised area 78 is formed in the floor of the well in the tray.

[0043] FIG. 7 is an inverted bottom view of the tray showing mechanical attachment tabs 81, which grip the base or back panel of the cover.

[0044] Booklet-retaining ribs 45 and 47 guide the booklet, which is inserted through opening 19 in wall 49, and hold the booklet centered for easy insertion and withdrawal.

[0045] The base 83 of the snap-in rosette 31 is shown in the center of the bottom wall 85 of the well 23. Glue bosses 87 are provided near the corners of the tray.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 8, the multiple disc snap-in rosette has flexible locking arms 33 with elongated flex areas 91. Connecting webs 93 connect the upper portions of the locking arms 33 to the lower edge of the side wall 95 of the cylindrical disc unlocking push button 37. As the unlocking button 37 is pushed downward, the connecting webs 93 pull inward on the upper portions of the locking arms 33, which flex in the areas 91 to draw inward the surfaces 36 and locks 35 within the central openings of the discs. Fixed bottom reference surface elements 73 are integrally molded with the base 83. The snap-in disc reference surface elements 77 with the snaps 79 are integrally formed with the base. The openings 97 are provided to allow the molding of the snaps. Side walls 99 of the snap-in disc reference surface elements 77 are flexible to allow the snaps 79 to move inward when snapping into holes 75 in the central base area 71 of the tray.

[0047] FIG. 9 shows a four-disc snap-in rosette 31 in which the tops of the reference surface bases 73 and 77 are positioned vertically above the snap-in base 83 at a position spaced below the locking ledge 36, which is sufficient for the insertion of four CD's. The number 4 on top of the release push button 37 indicates that the snap-in rosette is configured for use with four discs.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 9, pushing downward on the lock release button 37 pulls the connecting webs 93 downward, which pulls the upper ends of the locking arms 33 inward to release discs that are lifted from the boss and rosette.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 the snaps 79, which connect the snap-in rosette to the base of the well, are positioned a uniform distance above base 83 to provide for the thickness of the floor of the well 71, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0050] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the snap-in rosette 31 configured for one disc, as shown in cross-section in FIG. 10.

[0051] FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of a snap-in rosette 31 with reference surface bases 73 and 77 configured for use with one disc. The reference surface bases are vertically elongated so that only one disc space exists between the locking ledges 36 and the tops of the reference elements 73 and 77.

[0052] FIG. 11 shows a snap-in rosette with disc support reference surface elements 73 and 77 configured for holding one disc.

[0053] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the tray before insertion of the snap-in rosette showing the tray floor 85 and the raised central portion of the floor 84, with the connected openings 63 and 69 for receiving the locking arms and associated reference surface elements, and the opening 75 for receiving the snap-in reference elements which hold the rosette in the tray bottom. The outer edge of the recess 101 formed in the tray bottom receives the outer edge 103 of the snap-in rosette base 83, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0054] FIG. 13 shows a top view of the tray 3 with the standing boss 61 having the openings 63 and 69 for receiving the flex arms and reference surfaces of the snap-in rosettes, and showing the openings 75 for receiving the snaps 79 and the reference bases 77.

[0055] FIG. 14 is a detail of the structure shown in FIG. 13, showing the openings 63 and 69 for receiving the locking arms and reference bases of the snap-in rosette, and for receiving the snapped reference bases and openings 75.

[0056] The ribs 65 near the openings 63 center the discs and prevent the discs from contacting the front of the locking arms of the multiple disc snap-in rosette insert. The ribs 65 also allow the walls 67 of the standing boss 61 to be drafted for easy removal from a mold.

[0057] FIGS. 15 and 16 show a detail of an alternate form of a standing boss 111. Openings 113 allow movement of the molded rosette arms 123. Ribs 115 contact the inner surfaces of the discs and allow drafting of the walls 117 of the boss 111. The detents 125 on the locking arms 123 have rounded lower surfaces 126 and rounded upper surfaces 128, which allow pulling and pushing on the edges of the discs to cause the centers of the discs to override the detent 125 in the removal and installation direction. The top 119 of the boss 111 is rigid. The base 129 of the boss and molded rosette are integrally formed with the base of the well 131 in the alternate integrally molded form of the tray 133, as shown in FIG. 16.

[0058] Preferably spaced positions of a boss are integrally molded with the tray, and rosette and reference surface elements are added by co-molding or twisting, snapping, sonic welding or bonding.

[0059] While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A storage medium holding apparatus comprising a molded tray, a cover having at least one panel attached to the tray, a well in the tray, a boss in the well, and an insert attachable in the boss for receiving and holding at least one storage medium.

2. The apparatus of

claim 1, wherein the tray comprises front and rear walls, opposite sidewalls connecting the front and rear walls, and at least one groove in at least one of the front or rear walls.

3. The apparatus of

claim 1, wherein the tray is of rigid plastic material.

4. The apparatus of

claim 3, wherein the insert is of flexible plastic material.

5. The apparatus of

claim 4, wherein the insert is a rosette for retaining the at least one storage medium.

6. The apparatus of

claim 4, wherein the rosette has a bottom reference surface for resting the at least one storage medium.

7. The apparatus of

claim 6, wherein the at least one storage medium comprises plural storage media, and wherein the bottom reference surface has a height sufficient to accommodate the plural storage media on the rosette within the tray.

8. The apparatus of

claim 7, wherein the rosette further comprises a center button, plural locking arms connected to the center button, and wherein pushing the center button, releases the locking arms for unlocking and releasing the storage media.

9. The apparatus of

claim 7, wherein the rosette is integrally molded with the tray.

10. The apparatus of

claim 1, wherein the tray further comprises has multiple radial wedge recesses on an upper surface for displaying the storage medium after removal from the well.

11. The apparatus of

claim 2, further comprising a information medium, and an opening in one of the sidewalls of the tray for receiving the information medium between a bottom surface of the tray and an inner surface of an attached sheet material.

12. The apparatus of

claim 2, wherein the cover is a multi-panel single sheet with a base, a spine and a cover portion.

13. The apparatus of

claim 12, wherein the cover further comprises a window.

14. The apparatus of

claim 13, wherein edges and bottom of the tray attach to the base of the sheet.

15. The apparatus of

claim 5, wherein the rosette is connected to the tray by connections selected from a group consisting of snap-fitting, bonding, locking, screwing, mechanical connections, chemical connections, co-molding or co-injection.

14. The apparatus of

claim 3, wherein the tray is a clear crystal styrene material.

15. The apparatus of

claim 14, wherein the boss is a clear crystal styrene material integrally molded with the tray.

16. The apparatus of

claim 5, wherein the rosette is of a flexible resilient plastic material.

17. The apparatus of

claim 16, wherein the rosette is of a molded material selected from the group consisting of elastomeric polymer, polypropylene, nylon, Zylar, or combinations thereof.

18. The apparatus of

claim 5, wherein the rosette has a thickness less than a thickness of the rest of the tray.

19. The apparatus of

claim 1, wherein the at least one storage medium is selected from a group consisting of diskettes, DVDs, CDs, floppies, and discs.

20. The apparatus of

claim 8, further comprising openings in the boss, the locking arms being positioned inward of the openings in the boss, disc-guiding ribs on the boss for preventing the locking arms from contacting internal openings in the storage medium.

21. The apparatus of

claim 20, further comprising locking surfaces on the locking arms parallel to the storage medium for overlying an uppermost storage medium.

22. The apparatus of

claim 1, further comprising at least one segmental recess in an extended upper surface of the tray for holding edges of the storage medium vertically after removal from the well.

23. The apparatus of

claim 2, further comprising at least one short rectangular opening at a bottom of one of the sidewalls and cooperating booklet-retaining ribs extending inward beneath the tray, a space formed by the opening and the ribs for holding a booklet under a bottom wall of the tray.

24. A package for storage media comprising a tray, a cover connected to the tray, the tray and cover being of rigid plastic material, and a rosette connected to the tray, the rosette being of flexible plastic material and having a thickness less than a thickness of the tray.

25. The package of

claim 24, wherein the cover has a back panel, a spine panel and a cover panel with a semicircular window for viewing the contents, and an edge of the spine panel overlying and securable to an opposite top portion of the tray.

26. The package of

claim 25, further comprising an opening in the tray proximal the spine panel, and a booklet insertable through the opening in the tray.

27. The package of

claim 24, wherein the tray comprises an upper surface, a well in the upper surface to hold one or more stacked storage media.

28. The package of

claim 27, further comprising recesses in the side wall of the well for inserting fingers to lift edges of the storage media.

29. The package of

claim 24, wherein the rosette has arms with locks urged outwardly to overlie and retain the storage media.

30. The package of

claim 29, further comprising a push button substantially centrally connected to the arms and wherein the arms and locks are movable inward for releasing the storage media by pressing on the push button.

31. The package of

claim 24, further comprising segmental grooves on a top of the tray forming a rack for holding and displaying vertically aligned storage media removed from the well.

32. The package of

claim 24, wherein the tray comprises end walls and side walls connecting the end walls, and lower partitions for guiding a booklet held beneath the tray.

33. The package of

claim 24, wherein the rosette is connected to the tray by snap-on connections.

34. The package of

claim 24, wherein the rosette is connected by co-injection, bonding or mechanical or chemical attachments to the tray.

35. The package of

claim 24, further comprising a central boss in the well, and resilient arms on the rosette with locking ledges at tops of the arms being connected to the central boss.

36. The package of

claim 35, wherein the locking ledges have flat lower surfaces and rounded outer surfaces for compressing the arms when the storage media are inserted into the tray by pushing downward over the rounded surfaces.

37. The package of

claim 35, wherein the boss is rigid and is integrally molded with the tray.

38. The package of

claim 35, wherein the boss has rectangular openings for receiving the locking arms.

39. The package of

claim 38, further comprising generally cylindrical surfaces on the boss and semicircular ribs proximal the openings for preventing inner circumferences of the storage media from contacting front surfaces of the locking arms and the generally cylindrical surfaces of the boss.

40. The package of

claim 38, wherein the boss comprises main body portions slightly inwardly sloped with a draft to promote removal of the boss and tray from a mold and to prevent contact of the inner disc circumferences.

41. The package of

claim 24, further comprising openings in a base of the tray and complementary openings in the boss, wherein the openings and the complementary openings communicate for receiving reference surfaces of the rosette for resting the storage media thereon.

42. The package of

claim 24, wherein the rosette comprises reference surfaces for resting storage media thereon, and the boss comprises radial openings for receiving and holding the reference surfaces and for holding the rosette in place.

43. The package of

claim 42, wherein the rosette comprises a base locatable in a center of a bottom wall of the well.

44. The package of

claim 24, further comprising glue bosses on undersides of the tray.

45. The package of

claim 30, wherein the arms are flexible having elongated flex areas.

46. The package of

claim 45, wherein the rosette further comprises connecting webs for connecting upper portions of the locking arms to a lower edge of a side wall of the cylindrical push button.

47. The package of

claim 46, wherein the push button is movable downwards and wherein the connecting webs pull inward on the upper portions of the locking arms when the push button moves downwards, thereby flexing the arms and locks inward and releasing the storage media.

48. The package of

claim 48, further comprising fixed bottom reference surface elements integrally molded with a base of the rosette for snap-fitting within the tray.