CD case with polishing and cleaning device

Abstract

The present invention is to provide a CD case for either polishing or cleaning a stored CD comprising a tray; a platter pivotably provided on a top of the tray with the CD placed thereon; and a lid hingedly secured to an edge of the tray, the lid including an actuating assembly rotatably provided on its bottom facing the tray, an actuating unit moveably mounted on the actuating assembly and adapted to press onto one surface of the CD when the lid is closed onto the tray, and a driving assembly rotatably provided at the lid and having one end extended beyond the lid and the other end connected to both the platter and the actuating assembly such that turning one end of the driving assembly will turn the platter, the actuating assembly, and the actuating unit through its other end for move the actuating unit relative to one surface of the CD immediately therebelow for either polishing or cleaning the CD.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compact disc (CD) containers and more particularly to a CD case having a polishing and cleaning device with improved characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computer technology has known a rapid, spectacular development in recent several decades. Both operating speed and storage space of a computer are increased significantly. And in turn, the amount of data for various programs is increased greatly. Traditional diskettes of small capacity are thus insufficient. For solving this problem, many types of advanced data storage medium are developed by manufacturers of the art. These types of advanced data storage medium not only have a high capacity but also have an increased read-write speed. One typical type of the advanced data storage medium is optical disk (of which CD-ROM is the most common kind). Also, an optical burner is required to write data into a CD-R or the like. The operating speed of an optical burner is increased steadily and also capacity of an optical disk (e.g., compact disc (CD)) is increased steadily as technology makes progress. And in turn, selling price of a single CD is decreased greatly. As a result, the sales of CDs is increased steadily.

Nowadays, CDs gradually become a means for learning, entertainment, listening to music, watching movies, and storing data. Thus, it is a critical issue to store CDs in a safe place. It is known that a read-write surface of a CD tends to be scraped or scratched due to invasion of dust or collision. A correct data reading from CD is made impossible if its read-write surface is damaged. Thus, a variety of CD cases for storing CDs are commercially available. Further, a type of CD case having a cleaning feature is developed by some manufacturers of the art. The type of CD case not only can store CDs but also can clean same.

A conventional CD case is shown in its open position in FIG. 1. The circular CD case comprises a tray 1 and a lid 2 hingedly secured to an edge of the tray 1. The tray 1 comprises a circular platter 10 for carrying a CD 12, and a turning table 11. The turning table 11 has an outer diameter smaller than that of the platter 10. The platter 10 is pivotably provided on a center of the tray 1. The platter 10 comprises a drive gear 100 provided around its annular edge, and an annular flange 102 on its top center. The turning table 11 is provided proximate the platter 10. A driven gear (not shown) is provided on a bottom center of the turning table 11 and is in mesh with the drive gear 100. An annular resilient member 111 is provided around a top edge of the turning table 11. A polishing member (or cleaning member) 112 is provided on a top of the resilient member 111. A revolution of the platter 10 will turn the turning table 11 a plurality of revolutions. As a result, a read-write surface of the CD 12 is either polished by the polishing member 112 or cleaned by the cleaning member 112.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the lid 2 comprises a fastening member 20 on a bottom, a ring-shaped pressing member 22 on the bottom, and an L-shaped crank 24. The fastening member 20 is projected inward from a bottom center of the lid 2 facing the tray 1. The pressing member 22 is provided around the fastening member 20 and is spaced therefrom. The crank 24 is provided on a top of the lid 2 and has one end connected to the fastening member 20. The lid 2 is pivotably secured to an edge of the tray 1 by means of a hinge. The polishing member (or cleaning member) 112 is pressed onto a read-write surface of the CD 12 and the fastening member 20 is securely engaged in a tooth-shaped central opening of the flange 102 (i.e., the fastening member 20 and the platter 10 are secured together) when the tray 1 is closed by the lid 2 by pivoting. Then, turning the crank 24 will turn the pressing member 22, the platter 10, and the turning table 11 in sequence. As a result, the CD 12 is either cleaned or polished.

However, the prior art CD case suffered from several disadvantages and consumers are thus not satisfied with its quality. For example, the crank 24 is in gear engagement with a center of the platter 10 for turning same in operation through the fastening member 20 and the flange 102. Hence, an excessive force is exerted upon the gear connection. As such, rotation of the platter 10 is not smooth, resulting in a poor polishing or cleaning effect. Consumers are thus frustrated. Further, both the fastening member 20 and the flange 102 tend to damage due to excessive force exertion. Furthermore, a distance between the hinge and the turning table 11 is relatively long. Hence, the CD 12 is not pressed by the polishing member (or cleaning member) 112 of the turning table 11 when the lid 2 is closed onto the tray 1. As such, the polishing or cleaning capability of the polishing member (or cleaning member) 112 is poor. Moreover, an area of the platter 10 is smaller than that of the CD 12. Hence, the CD 12 carried by the platter 10 is not reliable (i.e., tend to shake). And in turn, the CD 12 is not securely pressed by the polishing member (or cleaning member) 112. This further lowers the polishing or cleaning effect. Thus, it is desirable to provide a novel CD case having an improved polishing and cleaning device in order to overcome the inadequacies of the prior art, satisfy vast consumers, and increase sales of the product produced by manufacturers of the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

After considerable research and experimentation, a CD case having a polishing and cleaning device according to the present invention has been devised so as to overcome the above drawbacks of the prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a CD case for either polishing or cleaning a stored CD comprising a tray; a platter pivotably provided on a top of the tray with the CD placed thereon; and a lid hingedly secured to an edge of the tray, the lid including an actuating assembly rotatably provided on its bottom facing the tray, an actuating unit moveably mounted on the actuating assembly and adapted to press onto one surface of the CD when the lid is closed onto the tray, and a driving assembly rotatably provided at the lid and having one end extended beyond the lid and the other end connected to both the platter and the actuating assembly such that turning one end of the driving assembly will turn the platter, the actuating assembly, and the actuating unit through its other end for move the actuating unit relative to one surface of the CD immediately therebelow for either polishing or cleaning the CD.

In one aspect of the present invention both the platter and the actuating assembly are adapted to turn together. The driving assembly comprises a spindle received in a channel of the lid, the spindle having one end extended through the bottom of the lid and the other end extended beyond a top of the lid, a first drive gear put on one end of the spindle to be in mesh with an edge of the actuating assembly, a second drive gear put on one end of the spindle adjacent the first drive gear to be in mesh with an edge of the platter, and a crank provided on the other end of the spindle such that turning the crank will turn both the actuating assembly and the platter by turning both the first drive gear and the second drive gear on the spindle respectively.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional CD case in its open position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of CD case according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is another exploded view of the CD case of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled CD case of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a CD case having a polishing and cleaning device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a circular tray 3, a lid 6 hingedly secured to an edge of the tray 3 such that the lid 6 is adapted to pivot to close or open the tray 3, a platter 4 pivotably provided on a top the tray 3, a CD 5 adapted to place on a top of the platter 4 opposite the tray 3, an actuating assembly 7, and a driving assembly 9 both provided on the lid 6. The actuating assembly 7 is rotatably provided on a bottom of the lid 6 facing the tray 3. An actuating unit 8 moveably mounted on the actuating assembly 7 is pressed onto one surface of the CD 5 when the lid 6 is closed onto the tray 3. The driving assembly 9 is rotatably provided at the lid 6 and is extended to both faces of the lid 6. One end of the driving assembly 9 is extended beyond the lid 6 and the other end thereof is extended within the lid 6. Also, the driving assembly 9 is connected to both the platter 4 and the actuating assembly 7. In response to turning one end of the driving assembly 9, the other end of the driving assembly 9 turns same to turn the platter 4, the actuating assembly 7, and the actuating unit 8. As a result, the actuating unit 8 either polishes or cleans on the CD 5.

Referring to FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG. 3, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the driving assembly 9 comprises a spindle 91, a first drive gear 93, a second drive gear 95, and a crank 97. The spindle 91 is received in a channel 60 of the lid 6. One end of the spindle 91 is extended downward through the lid 6 facing the top of the tray 3 and the other end thereof is extended upward to top of the lid 6. The first drive gear 93 is put on one end of the spindle 91 to be in mesh with an edge of the actuating assembly 7. The second drive gear 95 is put on one end of the spindle 91 adjacent the first drive gear 93 to be in mesh with an edge of the platter 4. The crank 97 is provided on the other end of the spindle 91. Thus, turning the crank 97 will turn the spindle 91, the first drive gear 93, and the second drive gear 95. And in turn, both the actuating assembly 7 and the platter 4 are turned. As compared to the prior art which exerts a great force on a center of the platter 4 for rotation, only a minimum force exerted by the invention is capable of effecting a smooth rotation of the platter 4. Also, the polishing or cleaning operation of the CD 5 is smooth and consistent.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the preferred embodiment the crank 97 comprises a projection 971 at one end, a yoke 973 having one end pivotably secured to the projection 971 by a pivot pin, and a cylinder 975 provided at the other end of the yoke 973. The yoke 973 is adapted to pivot about the projection 971 on their pivot joint in one direction to insert the cylinder 975 into a cavity 62 on a face of the lid 6. As a result, a complete CD case is formed. The CD case is easy to store in a minimum space. Also, the yoke 973 is adapted to pivot about the projection 971 on their pivot joint in the other opposite direction to cause the cylinder 975 to clear the cavity 62. Then, a user may hold the cylinder 975 to turn the projection 971 and thus the spindle 91. By configuring as above, a user may easily either polish or clean the CD 5 by turning the crank 97.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 again, in the preferred embodiment the actuating assembly 7 comprises a first disc 71 and a second disc 73 having an annular riser 731. The first disc 71 is affixed to the bottom of the lid 6 facing top of the tray 3 and is spaced from the lid 6 by a gap. The second disc 73 is pivotably provided in the gap and has its periphery extended to periphery of the first disc 71. The riser 731 is provided on the periphery of the first disc 71 and is formed on a face of the second disc 73 facing the top of the tray 3. A first driven gear 733 formed on a periphery of the riser 731 is in mesh with the first drive gear 93. Thus, the second disc 73 may turn in response to turning the first drive gear 93.

Referring to FIG. 3 again, in the preferred embodiment the actuating unit 8 comprises at least one hollow cylinder 80 having one end pivotably secured to a position proximate a periphery of the first disc 71. The hollow cylinder 80 comprises a drive gear 800 and a pressing disc 82. The drive gear 800 is formed on a periphery of the hollow cylinder 80 and is in mesh with a second driven gear 735 formed at an inner side of the riser 731. The hollow cylinder 80 is turned by the second driven gear 735 when the second disc 73 turns. The pressing disc 82 is resiliently provided at the other end of the hollow cylinder 80. A cleaning pad or polishing pad is adhered to bottom of the pressing disc 82 facing top of the tray 3. Thus, the pressing disc 82 may turn as the hollow cylinder 80 turns. As an end, the polishing or cleaning pad may thoroughly and uniformly polish or clean the CD 5.

Referring to FIG. 3 again, in the preferred embodiment one face of the pressing disc 82 facing the hollow cylinder 80 comprises a plurality of hooks 822 extended to the other end of the hollow cylinder 80 and inserted into a plurality of holes 802 formed proximate the other end face of the hollow cylinder 80. The pressing disc 82 is mounted on the hollow cylinder 80. The hollow cylinder 80 further comprises an elastic member 84 having one end urged against one end of the hollow cylinder 80 and the other end received in a space confined by the hooks 822 to urge against one face of the pressing disc 82 facing the hollow cylinder 80. By configuring as above, an elastic force exerted by the elastic member 84 may urge the pressing disc 82 to continuously press onto one surface of the CD 5. The cleaning pad or polishing pad is disposed in close proximity to the surface of the CD 5 when both the platter 4 and the pressing disc 82 turn. As a result, cleaning or polishing effect is improved. Also, it is possible of replacing a polishing pad with a cleaning pad or vice versa in any time by cooperating the pressing disc 82 with the hollow cylinder 80.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the preferred embodiment the platter 4 comprises a rotation hole 40, a flexible latch 42, and a third driven gear 44. The rotation hole 40 is provided on a center of the platter 4 and is located on a face of the platter 4 facing top of the tray 3. A center post 31 of the tray 3 is rotatably provided in the rotation hole 40. Thus, the platter 4 may turn on the tray 3. The latch 42 is provided on center of the platter 4 and is located on a face of the platter 4 facing a bottom of the lid 6. A center hole 51 of the CD 5 is put on the latch 42 for securing the CD 5 onto the platter 4. The third driven gear 44 is formed around a periphery of the platter 4 and is in mesh with the second drive gear 95. The platter 4 turns on the tray 3 when the second drive gear 95 turns. And in turn, the CD 5 turns as the platter 4 turns. Thus the actuating unit 8 cleans or polishes one surface of the CD 5. A surface area of the platter 4 is larger than that of the conventional platter. Hence, a more even force is exerted on the CD 5 by the actuating unit 8. As an end, the polishing or cleaning effect is greatly improved.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the preferred embodiment a hinge 64 is provided at a joining portion of the lid 6 and the tray 3. The hinge 64 comprises two spaced first protrusions 642 and two spaced second protrusions 33. The first protrusions 642 are provided on one face of the lid 6 facing top of the tray 3. Each of the first protrusions 642 comprises a first pivot member 644 on one side facing the first pivot member 644 of the other first protrusion 642. The second protrusions 33 are spaced apart and are provided at one edge on one face of the tray 3. Each of the second protrusions 33 comprises a second pivot member 35 on the other side distal the second pivot member 35 of the other second protrusion 33. The second protrusions 33 are fitted between the first protrusions 642 when the lid 6 is closed onto the tray 3. Also, the pivot members 644 and 35 are pivotably secured together. As such, the lid 6 and the tray 3 are hingedly secured together at one edge. Therefore, the lid 6 is adapted to pivot in one direction to close onto the tray 3 or pivot in the other opposite direction or open the tray 3.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the preferred embodiment the lid 6 further comprises a peripheral flange 66 on one face facing top of the tray 3. The flange 66 is integrally formed with the lid 6. The flange 66 comprises a central well 660 and an elongate trough 661 besides the well 660. The well 660 is provided on one face of the flange 66 facing top of the tray 3. The well 660 has one face formed on one face of the lid 6 and the other face formed on the other face of the lid 6. The well 660 is adapted to receive the tray 3. The lid 6 and the tray 3 are formed as a unitary member when the lid 6 is closed onto the tray 3. The trough,661 is provided between the well 660 and one edge of the lid 6. The protrusions 642 and 33 pass the trough 661 to extend between the lid 6 and the flange 66 when the lid 6 is closed onto the tray 3. By constructing as above, the lid 6 is hingedly connected to the tray 3 at one edge. As such, the lid 6 and the tray 3 are formed as a unitary member with both the driving assembly 9 and the actuating assembly 7 are concealed in a space defined by the lid 6 and the flange 66. The CD case is thus not only aesthetic but also is prevented from being damaged or losing its components by concealing both the driving assembly 9 and the actuating assembly 7.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the preferred embodiment the flange 66 further comprises a cut 662 and at least one hole 663. The cut 662 is provided on an edge at one face of the well 660 such that the second drive gear 95 may pass the flange 66 to be in mesh with the third driven gear 44. As such, the platter 4 can be turned. The holes 663 are provided facing the other end of the actuating unit 8 which passes the flange 66 for urging the pressing disc 82 against one surface of the CD 5. By configuring as above, both the second drive gear 95 and the other end of the actuating unit 8 are easy to pass the flange 66 to turn the platter 4 to clean or polish the CD 5.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the preferred embodiment the flange 66 further comprises a switch 67 proximate the other face of the well 660. The switch 67 comprises a groove 671, a push button 672, and a second elastic member 675. The groove 671 is provided on the flange 66. One end of the groove 671 is proximate the well 660. The push button 672 is moveably provided on the groove 671. The push button 672 comprises a push block 673 at one face of the flange 66. A latch piece 674 is provided at the other face of the flange 66. Thus, the push button 672 moveably provided in the groove 671 is prevented from being dislodged. Also, one end of the push button 672 directly faces a tunnel 664 on a periphery of the well 660. One end of the second elastic member 675 urges against the push block 673 and the other end thereof urges against a protuberance 665 formed at the other face of the flange 66 in which the protuberance 665 is proximate the groove 671.

Referring to FIG. 4 again, an elastic force exerted by the second elastic member 675 is adapted to push one end of the push button 672 through the tunnel 661 and the well 660 until insert same into a slot 37 on a bottom of the tray 3. As such, the lid 6 is lockingly secured to the base 3. It is possible of opening the lid 6 only by pushing the push button 672 toward the protuberance 665 to cause one end of the push button 672 to clear the tunnel 664, the slot 37, and the well 660. Further, the switch 67, the driving assembly 9, and the actuating assembly 7 are proximate bottom of the lid 6. The lid 6 is securely closed onto the tray 3 by the switch 67. And in turn, the actuating unit 8 on the actuating assembly 7 is further close to the CD 5. As an end, the polishing or cleaning effect on the CD 5 is improved greatly.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the preferred embodiment the lid 6 further comprises two arcuate first recesses 68 proximate two edges. A transparent cover 680 is provided on each first recess 68. The flange 66 further comprises two arcuate second recesses 666 facing the first recesses 68. A transparent cover 667 is provided on each second recess 666. Thus, a user may clearly see the CD 5 being polished or cleaned through the recesses 68 and 666 and the transparent covers 680 and 667.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A CD case for either polishing or cleaning a stored CD comprising:

a tray;

a platter pivotably provided on a top of the tray with the CD placed thereon;

a lid hingedly secured to an edge of the tray;

an actuating assembly rotatably provided on a bottom of the lid facing the tray;

an actuating unit moveably mounted on the actuating assembly and adapted to press onto one surface of the CD when the lid is closed onto the tray; and

a driving assembly rotatably provided at the lid and having one end extended beyond the lid and the other end connected to both the platter and the actuating assembly such that turning one end of the driving assembly will turn the platter, the actuating assembly, and the actuating unit through its other end.

2. The CD case of claim 1, wherein the driving assembly comprises:

a spindle received in a channel of the lid, the spindle having one end extended through the bottom of the lid and the other end extended beyond a top of the lid;

a first drive gear put on one end of the spindle to be in mesh with an edge of the actuating assembly;

a second drive gear put on one end of the spindle adjacent the first drive gear-to be in mesh with an edge of the platter; and

a crank provided on the other end of the spindle such that turning the crank will turn both the actuating assembly and the platter by turning both the first drive gear and the second drive gear on the spindle respectively.

3. The CD case of claim 2, wherein the actuating assembly comprises:

a first disc affixed to the bottom of the lid facing the top of the tray and spaced from the lid by a gap;

a second disc pivotably provided in the gap and having a periphery extended to a periphery of the first disc;

a riser provided on the periphery of the first disc and disposed on one face of the second disc facing the top of the tray; and

a first driven gear formed on a periphery of the riser to be in mesh with the first drive gear such that the second disc is adapted to turn in response to turning the first drive gear.

4. The CD case of claim 3, wherein the actuating unit comprises at least one hollow cylinder having one end pivotably secured to a position proximate the periphery of the first disc, the hollow cylinder including:

a drive gear formed on a periphery of the hollow cylinder to be in mesh with a second driven gear formed at an inner side of the riser such that turning the second disc will turn the hollow cylinder through the second driven gear; and

a pressing disc resiliently provided at the other end of the hollow cylinder, the pressing disc having a bottom facing the top of the tray adhered to either a cleaning pad or a polishing pad.

5. The CD case of claim 4, wherein the platter comprises:

a rotation hole provided on a center of the platter and located on one face of the platter facing the top of the tray wherein the rotation hole is adapted to rotatably receive a center post of the tray;

a flexible latch provided on the center of the platter and located on the other face of the platter facing the bottom of the lid wherein a center hole of the CD is adapted to securely put on the latch; and

a third driven gear formed around a periphery of the platter to be in mesh with the second drive gear.

6. The CD case of claim 5, further comprising a hinge provided at a joining portion of the lid and the tray, the hinge including:

two spaced first protrusions provided on one face of the lid facing the top of the tray, each of the first protrusions including a first pivot member on one side facing the first pivot member of the other first protrusion; and

two spaced second protrusions provided at one edge on one face of the tray, each of the second protrusions including a second pivot member on the other side distal the second pivot member of the other second protrusion wherein the second protrusions are fitted between the first protrusions when the lid is closed onto the tray, and the first and second pivot members are pivotably secured together for hingedly securing the lid to the tray at one edge.

7. The CD case of claim 6, wherein the lid further comprises a peripheral flange on one face facing the top of the tray, the flange integrally formed with the lid and including:

a well provided on one face of the flange facing the top of the tray, the well having has one face formed on one face of the lid and the other face formed on the other face of the lid, and the well adapted to receive the tray wherein the lid and the tray are formed as a unitary member when the lid is closed onto the tray;

a trough provided between the well and one edge of the lid wherein the first and second protrusions pass the trough to extend between the lid and the flange when the lid is closed onto the tray;

a cut provided on an edge at one face of the well such that the second drive gear is adapted to pass the flange to be in mesh with the third driven gear; and

at least one hole facing the other end of the actuating unit which is adapted to pass the flange for urging the pressing disc against one surface of the CD.

8. The CD case of claim 7, wherein the flange further comprises a switch proximate the other face of the well, the switch including:

a groove provided on the flange, the groove having one end proximate the well;

a push button moveably provided on the groove, the push button including a push block at one face of the flange, and a latch piece provided at the other face of the flange wherein one end of the push button faces a tunnel formed on a periphery of the well; and

an elastic member having one end urged against the push block and the other end urged against a protuberance formed at the other face of the flange, the protuberance being proximate the groove such that an elastic force exerted by the elastic member is adapted to push one end of the push button through the tunnel and the well until insert same into a slot formed on a bottom of the tray.

9. The CD case of claim 8, wherein the crank comprises:

a projection formed at the other end of the spindle;

a yoke having one end pivotably secured to the projection; and

a cylindrical member provided at the other end of the yoke wherein either the yoke is adapted to pivot about the projection on their pivot joint in one direction to insert the cylindrical member into a cavity formed on one face of the lid, or the yoke is adapted to pivot about the projection on their pivot joint in the other opposite direction to cause the cylindrical member to clear the cavity such that holding and turning the cylindrical member will turn both the projection and the spindle through the yoke.

10. The CD case of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of hooks formed on one face of the pressing disc facing the hollow cylinder, extended to the other end of the hollow cylinder, and inserted into a plurality of holes formed proximate the other end face of the hollow cylinder.

11. The CD case of claim 10, wherein the hollow cylinder further comprises an elastic element having one end urged against one end of the hollow cylinder and the other end received in a space confined by the hooks to urge against one face of the pressing disc facing the hollow cylinder.

12. The CD case of claim 7, wherein the lid further comprises two first recesses proximate its two edges, and two transparent covers each provided on the first recess.

13. The CD case of claim 12, wherein the flange further comprises two arcuate second recesses facing the first recesses, and two transparent covers each provided on the second recess.