Folio-3 CD

Abstract

A specially designed and constructed corrugated sleeve for packaging and displaying three (3) compact disc (CDs) which includes a unitary rectangular sheet of 15 point cover stock paper which is folded to form a holder for three (3) CDs. The folded sleeve is thereafter encased in a tightly fitted clear plastic heat sealed bag in such as fashion that the entire package can be opened flat to allow each individual CD to be viewed along with printed media, label copy and information.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Both consumers and music distributors/retailers experience difficulty and frustration with the current format predominately utilized for the sale of CDs. Packaging of CDs typically includes a hard plastic box, often referred to as a “jewel case” which in turn holds the CD and some printed information. The plastic jewel case is both expensive, a waste of resources and, in instances where multiple CDs are being packaged, a waste of space. So called “multipacks”, featuring two (2), three (3) or more CDs often take up shelf space that even the largest stores are not willing or able to surrender.

[0002] There have been efforts that have attempted to overcome the disadvantages of the jewel case using paper material (U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,318 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,284). However, the earlier efforts were largely concerned with a single CD and attempted to create some way to allow space for booklets and other printed material to be incorporated therein.

[0003] The current application applies the benefit of paper to a holder of three (3) CDs and utilizes a tightly fitted clear plastic heat sealed bag. The plastic bag is applied in such a way as to allow the packaging to open to lie flat to permit all three (3) CDs to be viewed.

[0004] Hence this application features a three (3) CD holder which is inexpensive to construct and efficiently stores CDs to maximize utility for both commercial display and consumer storage purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a three (3) CD packaging sleeve constructed from a single sheet piece of 15 point cover stock paper. The rectangular sheet is folded horizontally to form three (3) separate sleeves for the storage of compact discs. Each sleeve has a “half moon” cut out window through which the actual compact disc can be viewed. In addition, each sleeve has a half circle thumb tab to allow the compact disc to be easily removed. The front and back covers, as well as each sleeve can be utilized for printed information including label copy and performance information. In addition, the entire packaging will be encased in a tightly fitted clear plastic heat sealed bag while flat so that all three (3) sleeves as well as the compact discs can be viewed by the consumer without being opened.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a three (3) CD packaging sleeve, as formed from a single piece of material, which minimizes the material necessary to effectively and safely package three CDs.

[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a three (3) CD packaging sleeve which utilizes a single-fold design with a sleeve and cover portion.

[0008] It is the further object of the present invention to provide a “cut out” window through which a portion of the three (3) CDs can be viewed.

[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide that the sleeve portion can be formed to hold three (3) CDs by folding a portion of the unitary sheet over upon itself and folding underneath.

[0010] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide surfaces for display of label copy and other pertinent information.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein set forth, by way of illustration and example, are certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

Claims

1. A Folio-3 CD holder specially constructed in a space efficient manner and uniquely packaged in a tightly fitted clear plastic heat sealed bag comprised of three (3) CD containing sleeves formed from a unitary rectangular sheet of 15 point cover stock paper. The rectangular sheet of 15 point cover stock paper is folded horizontally to form three (3) individual sleeves. Separating each sleeve is a vertical spine panel which allows for identifying information to be printed on the outside thereof. Each of the three (3) sleeves are formed by folding the adhering tabs over a center section and affixed to viewing panels;

Wherein each of the three (3) CD containing sleeves is formed by:

folding the corresponding adhering tabs along with the center panel over the viewing panel; and

securing the adhering tables to the viewing panel by folding said tabs under viewing panels; and

wherein following the insertion of said CDs such packaging is heat sealed within a tightly fitted clear plastic bag while flat so that the individual CDs are visible through cutout windows.

2. The Folio-3 CD holder of claim 1, wherein said unitary sheet material includes 15 point cover stock.

3. The Folio-3 CD holder of claim 1, wherein said adhering tabs fold under viewing panel so that each of the three (3) containment sleeves forms a smooth pocket to receive each CD.

4. The Folio-3 CD holder of claim 1, wherein said viewing panel contains a cutout window in a half moon shape through which the CD located in the containment sleeves can be viewed.

5. The Folio-3 CD holder of claim 1, wherein said viewing panel contains four (4) thumb tabs to allow easy removal of CDs.

6. The Folio-3 CD holder of claim 1, wherein said viewing panel contains space for label copy and other identifying information.

7. The Folio-3 CD holder of claim 1, wherein said vertical spine panels separate each sleeve and form outer spine for printing product information.

8. The Folio-3 CD holder of claim 1, wherein said three (3) containment sleeves are packaged in a heat sealed tightly fitted clear plastic bag.

9. The sealed tightly fitted clear plastic bag encased Folio-3 CD holder of claim 8, wherein said heat sealed tightly fitted containment sleeves may be opened to view contents or closed for space saving display.

10. The sealed tightly fitted clear plastic bag encased Folio-3 CD of claim 8, wherein the printed product information may be readily and repeatedly viewed by the consumer by opening and closing the sealed Folio-3 CD.

11. The sealed tightly fitted clear plastic bag encased Folio-3 CD of claim 8, wherein the structure of the Folio-3 CD containment sleeve as well as the tightly sealed plastic bag ensures that the CDs are not damaged or displaced with frequent opening by the consumer.