PAPER CD/DVD CASE

Abstract

The invention is a paper and paperboard CD/DVD case. It has a first CD/DVD base portion comprising a wall with an upper surface. A CD/DVD holder frame portion with an upper surface and at least one cutout formed therein that is sized to receive a CD or DVD, and the CD/DVD holder frame portion is attached to the first CD/DVD base portion. The CD/DVD holder and the CD/DVD holder frame portion have paper on their upper surfaces and are printable with the same ink and process. A CD or DVD is receivable in the cutout of the CD/DVD holder above the CD/DVD holder frame portion. A number of sections of base portions and holder frame portions can be hingeably connected together by spines, with the base portions, holder frame portions, and spines being formed of paperboard that are overwrapped with flexible sheet material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/864,488, filed on Nov. 6, 2006.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to CD and DVD cases, and more particularly to a CD/DVD case that is preferably formed from paper and paperboard materials.

The rising popularity of music downloads has posed a challenge to traditional music recording companies, who have experienced a steady deterioration of sales of CDs over the last several years. This trend is not slowing down, and is probably accelerating with the increased popularity of compressed music players such as the ubiquitous Apple® iPod® line of MP3 players. With higher speed downloads and greater storage capacity of players, many believe that video downloads will soon lead to decreased sales of videos in the DVD format as well.

CD and DVD storage cases are made of plastic or plastics and paper, and for practical purposes are not biodegradable or easily recyclable. Consumers who may wish to reduce the amount of waste and choose to have less environmental impact may find it beneficial to download music instead of purchasing CDs and DVDs.

With conventional CD cases, e.g., those formed of plastics, such as polystyrene, manufactures print text and graphic indicia onto paper inserts that are retained underneath a tray portion of the CD case and will insert a printed booklet or insert sheet on a swinging front polystyrene cover of the conventional CD case. Polystyrene is commonly used because it is a cost-effective material and when newly manufactured, the surface of the CD case is transparent and scratch-free. However, polystyrene is not very durable, and cases made of polystyrene scratch and crack easily. In another style of CD cases, the so-called “Digitray” CD case, an inner plastic CD holder is glued to an outer paper sleeve which is folded around the plastic CD holder. In this style, the CD holder itself is commonly retained in a paper outer sleeve. In any event, while it is possible to print onto plastic, to the extent that different materials used to make up a CD/DVD case have different characteristics, different types of inks and processes may be needed to accomplish a desired printing effect. In general, due to the greater difficulty of printing onto plastic, either the areas covered by the plastic CD holder and case are unavailable for receiving printing, or the manufacturers and CD/DVD case designers will rely on images printed on paper showing through clear plastic material. In DVD cases, a softer and more flexible plastic is generally used and paper inserts are provided to bear text and graphical indicia. It would be desirable to have CD/DVD cases that are formed of biodegradable and recyclable material such as paper and paperboard that can be readily manufactured.

Music companies and producers of CDs and DVDs would like to address these challenges and thereby maintain sales of music and videos in a CD/DVD format. There accordingly remains a need for new cases for holding and displaying CDs and DVDs in an attractive manner that is more environmentally benign than present CD/DVD storage cases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary CD/DVD case of the invention in its opened position.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the CD/DVD case of FIG. 1 in its closed position.

FIG. 3 is a side, spine view of the CD/DVD case of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the exemplary CD/DVD case of FIG. 1

FIG. 5 is a top view of another exemplary CD/DVD holder for use with the CD/DVD & case of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of yet another exemplary CD/DVD holder for use with the CD/DVD case of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a further exemplary CD/DVD case of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view of another exemplary CD/DVD case of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a top view of yet a further CD/DVD case of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary CD/DVD case 10 of the invention in its opened position. The CD/DVD case 10 is preferably in a book form, and has a left side 12, a right side 14, and spine portion 16 connecting the two sides in a hinged manner. The left side 12, a right side 14, and spine portion 16 can preferably be formed of heavy paperboard and be overlaid with thinner and flexible paper or other flexible material to provide hinging between the different sections. The left side 12 has a left side base portion 18 with a pouch 20 attached thereto. The pouch 20 preferably has a cutout tab 22 to allow a user to grasp and remove a booklet 50 therefrom (see FIG. 4). The pouch 20 can bear text and/or graphics 24. The right side 14 has a right side base portion 26 with an attached CD/DVD holder frame portion 28. The base portions and the attached CD/DVD holder frame portions are preferably formed of biodegradable materials such as paperboard, but could be formed of wood, plastics, or other materials. The base portions and the attached CD/DVD holder frame portions can be covered with paper or other flexible material that carries graphics indicia such as graphics, colors, and/or text. The CD/DVD holder frame portion 28 has a cutout pattern 30 having a generally circular shape 32 with a plurality of arched finger grip reliefs 34 that communicate with the generally circular portion 32. While a plurality of such finger grip reliefs are shown, it is possible to include only one. The CD/DVD holder frame portion 28 is preferably made thick enough to accommodate the thickness of a CD or DVD (not shown). A spindle holder 36 is used to engage with the hole in the CD or DVD, and can comprise elastomeric material, such as foam, prongs, or other devices to detachably attach a CD or DVD in place. Text or graphics 38 can appear on the upper surface of the CD/DVD holder frame portion 28, and text and/or graphics 40 can also be placed on the base surface 26 in the areas where the cutout pattern 30 of the CD/DVD holder frame portion 28 will be aligned. Although the CD/DVD case 10 is shown as having its CD/DVD holder frame portion 28 on the right side and the pouch 20 on the left side, their positions can be reversed. T

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the CD/DVD case 10 of FIG. 1 in its closed position. The left side 12 will appear as front face 42 of the CD/DVD case 10. Text and/or graphics 44 can be placed on the front face 42, much in the same manner that text and/or graphics appeared on old style LP record sleeves.

FIG. 3 is a side, spine view of the CD/DVD case 10. Its spine 16 has a front face 46 upon which can be placed text and/or graphics 48.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the exemplary CD/DVD case 10 of FIG. 1. A pamphlet 50 can be placed in the pouch 20 formed by folding a pouch sheet 52 with cutout tab 22 along its fold lines 54 and adhering the tabs 56 to the left side base portion 18. An open mouth of the pouch 58 is available for sliding in the pamphlet 50 between the folded and adhered pouch sheet 52 and the left side base portion 18. As noted above, the right side portion 26 can have text and/or graphics 40 appearing where the cutout portion 30 of the CD/DVD holder frame portion 28 is adhered to the right side portion 26. The spindle holder 36 is attached to the top surface of the right side portion 26 and is used to retain the CD or DVD in place. While a plurality of such finger grip reliefs 34 are shown, it is possible to include only one.

FIG. 5 is a top view of another exemplary CD/DVD holder frame 60 for use with the CD/DVD & pamphlet case of the invention. This CD/DVD holder frame 60 has a cutout pattern 62 with a generally circular shape 64 with three finger grasping reliefs 66. Text and/or graphics 68 can appear on a front surface of the CD/DVD holder frame 60. The CD/DVD holder frame 60 is preferably formed of a paperboard core, with over wrapped paper that bears the printing. It is also possible to print directly on the paperboard core. As with the CD/DVD holder frame 28 of FIGS. 1 and 4, this CD/DVD holder frame 60 will be attached to the right side portion 26.

FIG. 6 is a top view of yet another exemplary CD/DVD holder frame 80 attached to a right side portion 26 for use with the CD/DVD case of the invention. In this version, the CD/DVD holder frame 80 has three identical cutout patterns 82, each with a generally circular shape 84 with a plurality of finger grasping reliefs 86 that are available to allow a user to grasp an edge of the CD or DVD and detach it from the spindle engagement 88. While a plurality of such finger grip reliefs 86 are shown, it is possible to include only one. Text and/or graphics 90 can be placed on the top of the right side portion 26. While three identical cutout patterns 82 are shown, fewer or more (up to 4 for a 12″ w×12″ h CD/DVD case) can be used. Text and/or graphics 92 can also be placed on a right side portion 26 and be relieved through the cutout patterns 82.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a further CD/DVD case 100 of the invention in its opened position that is designed to hold a single CD/DVD and can have the same height and width as conventional CD cases (e.g., about 12.2 cm (4.875 inches) high and about 14 cm (5.5 inches) wide). The CD/DVD case 100 is preferably in a book form, and has a left side 112, a right side 114, and spine portion 116 connecting the two sides in a hinged manner. The left side 112, the right side 114, and the spine portion 116 can preferably be formed of heavy paperboard and be overlaid with thinner and flexible paper to provide hinging between the left and right sides. The left side 112 has a left side base portion 118 with a pouch 120 attached thereto. The pouch 120 preferably has a cutout tab 122 to allow a user to grasp and remove a booklet therefrom (not shown). The pouch 120 can bear text and/or graphics 124. The right side 114 has a right side base portion 126 with an attached CD/DVD holder frame portion 128. The CD/DVD holder frame portion 128 has a cutout pattern 130 having a generally circular shape 132 with a plurality of arched finger grip reliefs 134 that communicate with the generally circular portion 132. The CD/DVD holder frame portion 128 is preferably formed of paperboard stock material that is thick enough to accommodate the thickness of a CD or DVD (not shown). An upper surface 136 of the CD/DVD holder frame portion 128 can be printed with text and/or graphics as desired. A spindle holder 138 is used to engage with the hole in the CD or DVD, and can comprise elastomeric material, such as foam, plastic prongs, or other devices to detachably attach a CD or DVD in place. Text or graphics can appear on the upper surface of the CD/DVD holder frame portion 128, and text and/or graphics 140 can also be placed on the base portion 126 in the areas where the cutout pattern 130 of the CD/DVD holder frame portion 128 is aligned. For example, the CD/DVD holder frame 128 can be formed of paperboard and a layer of printed paper can be attached thereto. Although the CD/DVD case 100 is shown as having its CD/DVD holder frame portion 128 on the right side and the pouch 120 on the left side, their positions can be reversed. Moreover, in lieu of the pouch 120, an additional CD/DVD holder frame portion can be incorporated on the left side 112.

The invention also encompasses a CD/DVD case with more than two hinged together portions so that one or more pouch and/or more than one CD/DVD holder frames can be included, to enable two or more CDs or DVDs to be held. Such CD/DVD case can be in tri-fold or quad-fold format, for example, and can be in a booklet form, where more than two “pages” are held together in a single spine.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a further exemplary embodiment of a CD/DVD case 150 of the invention that will hold three CDs or DVDs and has a booklet pouch 174. This CD/DVD case 150 includes four sections 152, 154, 156 and 158 that are hinged together by hinges 160, 162 and 164. Text and/or graphics 166, 168, 170, and 172 can appear thereon. Spindle holders 176 are used to engage with the hole in the CD or DVD, and can comprise elastomeric material, such as foam, plastic prongs, or other devices to detachably attach a CD or DVD in place. Sections 154, 156, 158 can each carry a cutout pattern 178 having a generally circular shape with one or more arched finger grip reliefs that communicate with the generally circular portion. This CD/DVD case 150 can be constructed in the same manner as the other cases, e.g., from paper and paperboard material.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a further exemplary embodiment of a CD/DVD case 180 of the invention that will hold three CDs or DVDs. This CD/DVD case 180 includes three sections 182, 184, and 186 that are hinged together by spines 188 and 190, with hinging being provided along lines 192 and 194 (to hinge together sections 182 and 184), and hinging being provided along lines 196 and 198 (to hinge together sections 184 and 186). Each sections 154, 156, 158 has a cutout pattern 210 having a generally circular shape with one or more arched finger grip reliefs that communicate with the generally circular portion. If desired, the cutout pattern 210 in the three sections 182, 184, and 186 can be offset to create a wider margin 210 on one or more sides to bear more text and/or other graphic indicia. As shown, spine 188 is wider than spine 190 to allow for section 186 to be folder first over section 184, and then section 182 can be folded over the back of section 186. The order of folding can be changed if desired, e.g., with spine 190 being made wider than spine 188. Text and/or graphics 200 can be place on the top layers 202 of sections 182, 184, and 186, and likewise, text and/or graphics 204 can appear on the bottom layer 206 thereof. Spindle holders 206 are used to engage with the hole in the CD or DVD, and can comprise elastomeric material, such as foam, plastic prongs, or other devices to detachably attach a CD or DVD in place. This CD/DVD case 180 can be constructed in the same manner as the other cases, e.g., from paper and paperboard material to allow for easy construction that uses biodegradable materials.

In the instant invention, the entire surface of the CD/DVD case (with the possible exception of the spindle holder) comprises paper and/or paperboard and is therefore readily printable using the same ink and colors and using the same printing processes without adjustment which permits better control over the printing process and a more uniform end result. The base portions and the attached CD/DVD holder frame portions are preferably formed of biodegradable materials such as paperboard, but could be formed of wood, plastics, or other materials. The base portions and the attached CD/DVD holder frame portions can either be directly printed with graphics indicia such as graphics, colors, and/or text, or can be covered with paper or other flexible material that carries graphics indicia such as graphics, colors, and/or text. This is in contrast with CD/DVD holders formed of combinations of plastic and paper materials. Moreover, by eliminating the plastics typically used for CDs and DVDs, a more environmentally benign CD/DVD case can be provided.

With respect to all embodiments of the CD/DVD cases, rather than forming the base portions and the CD/DVD holder portions as separate pieces, if desired, they can be formed from single pieces of material with the CD/DVD holder portions being folded over onto the base portions. While the invention has been described for holding CDs and DVDs, other recording media can be retained by the invention. Also, the case of the invention is adapted to retain any size of CD and DVD including standard sized CDs and smaller sized mini CDs and DVDs.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove in connection with certain exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and/or equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A CD/DVD case, comprising:

a first CD/DVD base portion comprising a wall with an upper surface; and

a first CD/DVD holder frame portion with an upper surface and at least one cutout formed therein that is sized to receive a CD or DVD, wherein the first CD/DVD holder frame portion is placed on the first CD/DVD base portion and wherein the first CD/DVD base portion and the CD/DVD holder frame portion have printable upper surfaces.

2. The CD/DVD holder case of claim 1, wherein the first CD/DVD base portion and the first CD/DVD holder frame portion are made of paper and paperboard and are adapted to receive printing on their upper surfaces.

3. The CD/DVD case of claim 1, wherein the first CD/DVD base portion is hingeably attached to at least one additional CD/DVD base portion comprising a wall with an upper surface.

4. The CD/DVD case of claim 3, wherein the first CD/DVD base portion and the at least one additional CD/DVD base portion are hingeably attached to each other by a spine.

5. The CD/DVD case of claim 3 wherein the at least one additional CD/DVD base portion has a pouch for holding a booklet.

6. The CD/DVD case of claim 3 wherein the at least one additional base portion has at least one additional CD/DVD holder frame portion with an upper surface and at least one cutout formed therein that is sized to receive a CD or DVD, the at least one additional CD/DVD holder frame portion being placed on the at least one additional CD/DVD base portion, wherein the at least one additional CD/DVD base portion and the at least one additional CD/DVD holder frame portion have printable upper surfaces.

7. The CD/DVD case of claim 1, further comprising a spindle holder attached to the CD/DVD base portion.

8. The CD/DVD case of claim 3, wherein the first CD/DVD frame portion and the at least one additional CD/DVD base portion are formed of paperboard, with the hinge joining the first and a second CD/DVD base portions formed by overwrapping paper or other flexible material on the walls of the first and a second CD/DVD holders.

9. The CD/DVD case of claim 4, wherein the first frame portion and the at least one additional CD/DVD base portion are formed of paperboard, wherein the first frame portion and the at least one additional CD/DVD base portion are hingedly attached to each other through the spine and hinges are formed by overwrapping paper or other flexible material on the walls of the first and the at least one additional CD/DVD holders together with the spine.

10. The CD/DVD case of claim 9, wherein overwrapping paper or other flexible material is preprinted with graphical indicia.

11. The CD/DVD case of claim 1, wherein the first CD/DVD holder frame portion is adhered to the first CD/DVD base portion.

12. The CD/DVD case of claim 6, wherein the CD/DVD holder frame portions are adhered to the CD/DVD base portions.

13. A CD/DVD case, comprising:

a first CD/DVD base portion comprising a wall with an upper surface;

a second CD/DVD base portion comprising a wall with an upper surface;

a spine;

a spindle holder attached to the CD/DVD base portion; and

a CD/DVD holder frame portion with an upper surface and at least one cutout formed therein that is sized to receive a CD or DVD, the CD/DVD holder frame portion and the spindle holder being attached to the first CD/DVD base portion, wherein the first CD/DVD base portion and the CD/DVD holder frame portion have printable upper surfaces and wherein the first and second CD/DVD base portions are hingeably attached to the spine.

14. The CD/DVD case of claim 13, wherein the walls of first and a second CD/DVD base portion and the CD/DVD holder frame portion are formed of paperboard, with living hinges joining the first and the second CD/DVD base portions to the spine formed by overwrapping paper or other flexible material on the walls of the first and a second CD/DVD base portions and the spine.

15. The CD/DVD case of claim 13, wherein a second CD/DVD holder frame portion with an upper surface and at least one cutout formed therein that is sized to receive a CD or DVD, and a second spindle, are attached to the second CD/DVD base portion.

16. The CD/DVD case of claim 13, further comprising:

at least one additional CD/DVD base portion comprising a wall with an upper surface;

at least one additional spine;

at least one additional spindle holder; and

at least one additional CD/DVD holder frame portion with an upper surface and at least one cutout formed therein that is sized to receive a CD or DVD, the at least one additional CD/DVD holder frame portion and the at least one additional spindle holder being attached to the at least one additional CD/DVD base portion, wherein the at least one additional CD/DVD base portions and the CD/DVD holder frame portions have printable upper surfaces and wherein one of the first or second CD/DVD base portions and the at least one additional CD/DVD base portion are hingeably attached to the at least one additional spine.

17. The CD/DVD case of claim 16, wherein the CD/DVD holder frame portions are adhered to the CD/DVD base portions.

18. A CD/DVD case, comprising:

a plurality of CD/DVD base portions, each comprising a wall with a printable upper surface;

a plurality of CD/DVD holder frame portions, each with a printable upper surface and at least one cutout formed therein that is sized to receive a CD or DVD,

spines that hingeably connect together pairs of the plurality of CD/DVD base portions and/or the plurality of CD/DVD holder frame portions; and

a plurality of spindle holder, wherein the CD/DVD holder frame portions and the spindle holders are attached to the first CD/DVD base portions.

19. The CD/DVD holder case of claim 18, wherein the CD/DVD base portions, the CD/DVD holder frame portions, and the spines are made of paper and/or other flexible material and paperboard and/or other rigid material.

20. The CD/DVD case of claim 18, wherein the CD/DVD base portions, CD/DVD frame portions, and the spines are formed of paperboard that is overwrapped with paper or other flexible material to form hinges between the spines and the adjoining CD/DVD base portions.

21. The CD/DVD case of claim 18, wherein the CD/DVD holder frame portions are adhered to the CD/DVD base portions.