Container for compact discs

Abstract

A specially designed package adapted to contain both a regular size compact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or a digital video disc-audio (DVDA) and a smaller, micro CD, DVD, DVDA. The smaller, micro CD, DVD, DVDA can readily be inserted into the users CD/CDROM or DVD drive on their personal computer or, alternatively can be inserted into a conventional DVD player that is interconnected with a television. The small micro CD, DVD, DVDA can be of various sizes, but is preferably about three inches in diameter.

Description

SPECIFICATION

[0001] This is a Non-Provisional Application based on Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/289,081 filed May 7, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to packaging of compact discs (“CDs”), More particularly, the invention concerns a novel packaging apparatus for packaging together in a single container a convention 4.75 inch compact disc and a second computer readable device comprising a compact disc of the size smaller than a conventional 4.75 inch.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art

[0005] Music compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs) and digital video discs-audio (DVDAs) and the jewel case or box in which they are marketed have become commonplace, and they are the primary way that music is sold today. Micro CD/DVDs, that is compact discs having a diameter less than the diameter of the conventional 4.75 inch compact discs are just beginning to be used. However, they are not currently being combined for sale by anyone.

[0006] Basically, the prior art consists of CDs and/or DVDs sold without any kind of videodiscs and/or micro discs sold in conjunction with them.

[0007] At the present time, micro CD's/DVD's are only being used for marketing purposes as handouts to replace “hard copy.” They are used for marketing purposes, and they have videos, animated and other visual media used on them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with the present invention, the micro CD, DVD, DVDA and/or enhanced micro CD,DVD, DVDA are added to specially designed packages adapted to contain the regular size CD/DVD/DVDA. The micro CD, DVD, DVDA and the enhanced micro CD,DVD, DVDA can readily be inserted into the music consumers CD/CDROM or DVD drive on their personal computer or, alternatively can be inserted into a conventional DVD player that is interconnected with a television. Accordingly, the purchaser can play a micro music video or micro CD, DVD, DVDA and/or enhanced micro CD, DVD, DVDA at any time.

[0009] Each micro CD, DVD, DVDA and/or enhanced micro CD,DVD, DVDA of the present invention can be custom silk screened, labeled, screen printed, or other process so that it “meshes” with, coordinates with, or compliments the merchandising insert and/or regular size CD and/or other artwork.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of one form of the container of the present invention for housing both a standard size compact disk and a micro compact disk.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a generally perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1 with the cover portion thereof moved into an open, disc receiving position and showing the micro compact disk superimposed over a conventional 4.75 inch CD.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, one form of the container of the present invention is there shown in generally designated by the numeral 14. The container 14 comprises a housing 16 having a base portion 18 (FIG. 2) and a substantially transparent, clear plastic cover 20 that is hingedly connected to the base portion 18 for movement is between a first position shown in FIG. 1 and a second position shown in FIG. 2. Clear plastic cover 20 allows a marketing insert 21 to be seen through the cover as well as the CDs carried within the container 14.

[0013] Container 14 of the form of the invention shown in the drawings is specially constructed and arranged to contain therewithin a compact disc 22 of a conventional size having a thickness T-1 and a diameter of approximately 4.75 inches and for containing in an overlaying position a compact disc 24 of a smaller size having a thickness T-2 and a diameter less than 4.75 inches.

[0014] Connected to base 18 and extending outwardly there from, is a specially designed spindle 26 having a lower portion for releasably gripping the compact disc 22 and an upper portion for releasably gripping compact disc 24. In the preferred form of the invention, spindle 26 extends from the upper portion 18a of base 18 (FIG. 2) a distance substantially equal to the combined thickness T-1 and T-2 of the compact discs 22 and 24.

[0015] In practice the larger CD/DVD/DVDA 24 can carry a silkscreen label or screen print art, pictures, graphics, and like. This “art” can mesh with, or be a continuation of the art on the conventional CD 22 and on the marketing insert 21.

[0016] Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following documents.

Claims

1. A container for containing a compact disc of a conventional size having a thickness and a diameter of approximately 4.75 inches and for containing in an overlaying position a compact disc of a smaller size having a thickness and a diameter less than 4.75 inches, said container comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) a cover hingedly connected to said base;

(c) a spindle connected to said base and extending outwardly there from, said spindle having a lower portion for releasably gripping said compact disc of a conventional size, and an upper portion for releasably gripping said compact disc of a smaller size.

2. The container as defined in claim 1 in which said lower portion of said spindle extends from said base a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said compact disc of conventional size.

3. The container as defined in claim 2 in which said upper portion of said spindle extends from said lower portion of said spindle by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the compact disc of a smaller size.

4. The container as defined in claim 2 in which said cover is substantially transparent.

5. A container for containing a compact disc of a conventional size having a thickness and a diameter of approximately 4.75 inches and for containing in an overlaying position a compact disc of a smaller size having a thickness and a diameter less than 4.75 inches, said container comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) a cover hingedly connected to said base; and

(c) a spindle connected to said base and extending outwardly there from, said spindle having a lower portion for releasably gripping said compact disc of a conventional size, and an upper portion for releasably gripping said compact disc of a smaller size, said spindle extending from said base a distance substantially equal to the combined thickness of the compact disc of a conventional size and of the compact disc of a smaller size.

6. The container as defined in claim 5 in which said cover is substantially transparent.

7. The container as defined in claim 5 that is so constructed and arranged as to contain a compact disc of a conventional size having a diameter of approximately 4.75 inches and for containing in an overlaying relationship with the compact disc of a conventional size a compact disc of a smaller size having a diameter of approximately 3.0 inches.

8. The container as defined in claim 5 that is so constructed and arranged as to contain a marketing insert.

9. A container for containing a compact disc of a conventional size having a thickness and a diameter of approximately 4.75 inches and for containing in an overlaying position a compact disc of a smaller size having a thickness and a diameter o approximately 3.0 inches inches, said container comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) a substantially transparent cover hingedly connected to said base;

(c) a spindle connected to said base and extending outwardly there from, said spindle having a lower portion for releasably gripping said compact disc of a conventional size, and an upper portion for releasably gripping said compact disc of a smaller size, said spindle extending from said base a distance substantially equal to the combined thickness of the compact disc of a conventional size and of the compact disc of a smaller size; and

(d) a marketing insert disposed intermediate said base and said cover.