Compact disk holder

Abstract

A compact disk holder is disclosed, including lips that releasably engage the center hole of a compact disk. A compact disk is placed on top of the holder. When the lips are pushed through the central hole of a compact disk from behind the holder, the compact disk is positioned to the top of the holder. The holder may be constructed with flexible material such as paper or plastic.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a device to hold and store a compact disk.

[0003] 2. Background of the Invention

[0004] Although compact disk holders are not new in the art, prior art devices have shortcomings. Prior art compact disk holders are expensive to manufacture, occupy excessive space relative to the size of the compact disk, are inconvenient to use, and only accommodate circular shaped disks.

[0005] Typical compact disk storage devices are plastic boxes, such as those sold with compact disks or photo album-like systems. Plastic boxes, known as “jewel boxes” contain a hub within the box, in which a compact disk is mounted and pressed into place. The boxes are relatively expensive to manufacture and require excessive space, relative to the thickness of the compact disk itself.

[0006] An alternative prior art compact disk storage system parallels a photo album, in which compact disks are inserted in sleeves made of clear plastic. The device is tedious when repeatedly inserting and removing compact disks from the compartments, and repeated sliding of the compact disk into the compartment may increase the risk that the information containing side of the compact disk will be scratched.

[0007] Additionally, prior art devices may not easily accomodate non-circular compact disks. As compact disks may be embedded within plastic that does not contain digital information, enabling the compact disk to have a shape that is other than circular. Current marketing trends include the distribution of promotional material via compact disks contained within plastic having a business holder shape. These promotional compact disks are generally CD-ROMs and contain audio visual information regarding a particular business. As this medium for promotional activity has gained popularity, there is a need for storage of these compact disk business holders such that the user can easily access and organize them.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a compact disk holder that is convenient to use, inexpensive to manufacture, and can accommodate non-circular shaped compact disks. The present invention provides such a holder.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0009] Applicant discloses a compact disk holder comprising a planar surface with lips that are capable of releasably engaging a compact disk. The lips are comprised of an upper lobe and a lower lobe. The lips engage the compact disk by placement of a center hole of a compact disk above the lips and pushing the lips through the hole from the back surface of the holder. To release the compact disk, the user pushes the lips from the top surface of the holder, through the hole of the compact disk, disengaging the compact disk.

[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, the holder is designed for storage in a standard card retrieval system. The size and shape of the holder may be configured for placement within a storage holder retrieval system. The corner edges of the holder may have at least one pocket for insertion of a corner of the compact disk, providing an additional means for securing the compact disk on top of the holder. The bottom edge of the holder can have a slot that engages the card retrieval system, further facilitating storage of the holder.

[0011] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the holder is attached to a folder, forming a compact disk holder assembly. The folder encloses the holder and can be used as a protective cover for the compact disk during transport. The holder may be detached from the folder through perforations or other means enabling separation of the assembly without damage to the holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of the assembly including the holder and folder, fully flattened.

[0013] FIG. 1A is a side perspective view of the compact disk attached to the holder.

[0014] FIG. 1B is a top elevational view of the holder.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly partially opened.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a side edge view of the assembly shown as line 3-3 in FIG. 6.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional, side edge view of the assembly of FIG. 2 partially opened.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a side edge view of the assembly fully flattened taken at line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembly closed.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembly displaying a user's hand release of the compact disk from the holder.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a top elevational view of the assembly displaying the removal of the compact disk from the holder.

[0022] FIG. 9 displays one usage of the compact disk once removed from the holder.

[0023] FIGS. 10 and 11 displays a reattachment of the compact disk within the holder.

[0024] FIG. 12 shows the removal of the compact disk holder from the assembly along its perforations.

[0025] FIG. 13 shows the insertion of the compact disk holder into a standard holder retrieval system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The preferred embodiment of the invention will now be discussed in detail. Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, the compact disk holder assembly 14 is shown in its fully flattened position. The assembly is comprised of a folder 15 and a holder 2. The folder may have a front cover 4 and a back cover 3. The holder can be attached to the folder by suitable means such as perforations located at the bottom edge 11 of the holder which provide for separability from the folder. The holder holds the compact disk 10 while the folder serves as a protective cover for the holder and compact disk.

[0027] A compact disk is held to the holder by placing a center hole of a compact disk 13 above a pair of lips 1 located on the holder and inserting the lips through the center hole of the compact disk from behind the holder. FIG. 1A, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 shows the resulting protrusion of the lips when the lips engage the compact disk.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1B, the lips are comprised of an upper lobe 1e that is opposable by a lower lobe 1f along a center line. Each lobe has a bell-like shape, with rounded sides fanning out into tapered edges 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d. The length (l2) of the lips are approximately 18 mm, and are slightly longer than the diameter of a hole in the center of a compact disk to be held. When the lips are pushed through the hole such that all of the edges extend through the hole of the compact disk as shown in FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, and 5 the tapered edges latch onto the compact disk and removably secure it in place on the holder.

[0029] The holder can contain one or more pockets 5 to further position the compact disk to the holder as best shown in FIG. 1B. The pockets 5 are formed from creating diagonal incisions located at the corners of the holder or by any suitable alternate design enabling engagement of the compact disk corner. The corners of the compact disk 16 are placed within the pockets prior to inserting the lips through the hole of the compact disk. Once the corners of the compact disk are placed within the pockets, the compact disk is finally positioned by inserting the lips. To release the compact disk, the lips are pushed through the center hole of the compact disk from the top surface of the holder as shown in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 8, the compact disk can then slide out of the holder.

[0030] The holder can be detached from the folder through perforations at the lower edge 11 of the holder as displayed in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 shows the insertion of the holder in a holder storage retrieval system 12. A tab 8 above the holder is used to identify the contents of the compact disk for easy access and organization.

[0031] As seen in FIG. 1B, the holder can have an approximate length (l1) of 10 cm and a width (w) of 7 cm. While the dimensions of the holder may vary, it is preferred that the size be suitable for placement in the holder storage retrieval system. The bottom edge of the holder can contain slots 9 for ready insertion into the holder retrieval system as shown in FIG. 13.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows the folder in the fully closed position. In this position, the folder can be fastened together through the insertion of a tongue 6 into a slit 7, as shown in FIG. 10. In the closed position, the folder has an approximate width of 8.5 cm (w) and length of 12.5 cm (l). The folder may be constructed in differing sizes provided the folder is larger than the holder, so that the compact disk may be protected during transport.

[0033] The holder and folder are constructed from suitable materials such as paper or plastic. Examples of such materials presently known in the art are: 12 pt C1S tag stock, 12 pt C2S tag stock, 7.0 mil clear polypropylene or 2.5 clear polypropylene overlamination. This list is not exhaustive and other materials having suitable properties can be used.

[0034] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A compact disk holder comprising:

a planar surface;

said surface having a pair of lips;

said lips capable of releasably holding a compact disk on said surface.

2. The holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lips are comprised of:

an upper lobe having tapered edges;

a lower lobe having tapered edges;

said upper lobe and said lower lobe opposable along a center line.

3. The holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the holder is constructed with paper or plastic.

4. The holder according to claim 1 wherein the holder contains at least one pocket.

5. The holder of claim 1 wherein the holder has a length of 10 cm and a width of 7 cm

6. The holder claimed in claim 5 wherein said holder has at least one slot enabling storage in a holder retrieval system.

7. The holder claimed in claim 5 wherein the upper edge of the flat surface has a tab that can be used to label the contents of the compact disk.

8. A compact disk holder assembly comprising:

a holder according to claim 1;

a folder;

said folder attached to said holder;

9. The assembly according to claim 8 wherein said holder is detachable from said folder.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the assembly is constructed with paper or plastic.

11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said folder contains a tongue for insertion into a slit enabling the folder to be secured closed.