Printed Paperboard Retainer for Storage of Recording Media
A printed paperboard retainer for holding compact discs, DVDs and the like includes a front panel, a back panel, inner panels, and a spine. At least one inner panel has an alignment opening for receiving a retaining button to snap-engage a recording medium. The spine is formed by a gap disposed between the inner panels, wherein the gap can be wider or narrower according to the number of recording media the retainer is arranged to hold.
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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a holder for storing compact discs, DVDs and the like, and more particularly to a blank for forming such holder, wherein the blank has at least two flaps having an alignment opening for receiving a retaining button, and wherein the retaining button is operatively arranged to snap-engage at least one recording medium within the perimeter of a flap.
2. Description of Related Art
A number of recording media holders are known in the art. Many of the holders are constructed with a plastic molded tray secured to a panel or case for safe storage of a compact disc. However, these storage containers are bulky and expensive to manufacture. Further, the plastic molded trays are unfriendly to the environment as they are usually not recyclable. Additionally, it is difficult to print materials on the tray, thereby requiring additional inserts for advertisements, logos, and the like.
Others have attempted to construct recording media holders of paperboard. These holders are foldable to form a sleeve or pocket for storing a recording media. However, over time the recording medium becomes scratched or marked from the frequent sliding of the recording medium across the paperboard surface when inserting it into the sleeve or pocket.
Therefore, the need exists for a recording medium retainer made of paperboard, which can safely store compact discs, DVDs, and the like, without scratching or otherwise marking the surface of the medium. The need also exists for a retainer that is aesthetically pleasing, environmentally friendly, and which only requires printing on one side of the paperboard surface. Further, a retainer for holding a plurality of recording media is needed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a paperboard container assembly comprising a blank folded to define a retainer having a front panel, a back panel, a first and second inner panel, and a spine, wherein the spine is formed by a gap disposed between the first and second inner panels. At least one inner panel includes an alignment opening for the insertion of a retaining button for engaging a compact disc, DVD, or other similar type of recording medium having an aperture.
The blank comprises a base with a horizontal fold line defining at least two flaps, wherein the flaps are laterally spaced apart by a gap and are integrally connected to the base along the horizontal fold line. In one configuration, the base has a pair of vertical fold lines, corresponding to the gap, which define the spine. The spine is foldable to form the retainer, wherein a recording medium is received by a retaining button that is secured to the base and protrudes through an alignment opening on the flap.
In another configuration, the blank comprises a base with a horizontal fold line defining a plurality of flaps. The flaps are laterally spaced apart by a plurality of gaps and are integrally connected to the base along the horizontal fold line. Each flap is foldable, wherein a planar surface is formed when each flap is folded inwardly. The base also has a plurality of pairs of vertical fold lines each pair corresponding to a gap and each defining a corresponding plurality of spines. The spines are foldable to form the retainer. The blank, in its folded configuration, has a front panel, a back panel, a plurality of inner panels, and a plurality of spines, wherein the inner panels each have an alignment opening for receiving a retaining button.
Referring now to the figures,
It should be appreciated that the width of spine 26 may also correspond to the number of retaining buttons 32 and hence retained media.
Blank 10 further comprises a printed surface 34 and non-printed surface 36, wherein base 12, and first and second flaps 14, 16, each have printed surface 34 and non-printed surface 36. Non-printed surface 36 of first and second flaps 14, 16 is contiguous with non-printed surface 36 of base 12 described in more detail herein below. In one configuration, retaining button 32 comprises an annular seat and a protruding surface having the shape of a triangle with rounded corners, which snap-engages the aperture of a compact disc, DVD, or other similar type of recording medium. The annular seat is slightly raised such that the recording medium rests slightly above surface 36. This feature allows the recording medium to be safely stored in retainer 28 without scratching or otherwise marking the surface of the recording medium.
Referring to
Referring to
Base 102 further comprises pairs of vertical fold lines 132 and 134, 136 and 138, and, 140 and 142 disposed on base 102 to correspond to gaps 114, 116, and 118, respectively. Vertical fold lines 132 and 134, 136 and 138, and, 140 and 142 define spines 144, 146, and 148 as discussed infra. Generally, the width of spines 144, 146, 148 (and the associated gaps 114, 116, 118) are each sized to accommodate the number of retaining buttons, and hence retained media, disposed between the respective panels.
Referring to
Referring to
Blank 10 thus forms a retainer 28 having base 12, and flaps 14, 16, wherein flaps 14, 16, foldably connect to base 12 and are spaced by gap 20. Base 12 further comprises two vertical fold lines 22, 24 to define spine 26 between gap 20. Alignment opening 30 on flap 14 and/or flap 16 receives retaining button 32 which is operatively positioned on base 12 for securing a recording medium within the perimeter of flap 14 and/or flap 16.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A paperboard retainer assembly comprising:
- (a) a single piece blank folded to define a retainer having a front panel, a back panel, a first and a second inner panel, and a spine, wherein said spine is formed by a gap disposed between said first and second inner panels and two vertical fold lines corresponding to said gap, said first inner panel including an alignment opening for insertion of a retaining button for forming at least a one-disc storage retainer.
2. The paperboard retainer assembly of claim 1, wherein said blank includes a base and at least two flaps, said flaps are laterally spaced apart by said gap and are integrally connected to said base along a horizontal fold line which transverses said blank.
3. The paperboard retainer assembly of claim 1, wherein the width of said spine corresponds to the number of recording media to be stored.
4. The paperboard retainer assembly of claim 1, wherein the width of said spine corresponds to the number of said retaining buttons.
5. The paperboard retainer assembly of claim 3, wherein said alignment opening is operatively positioned on at least one flap, and wherein periphery of said recording medium is within perimeter of said at least one flap.
6. A paperboard retainer for recording media storage comprising:
- (a) a blank having a base with a horizontal fold line to define a first flap and a second flap, said first and second flaps are laterally spaced apart by a gap and are integrally connected to said base along said horizontal fold line, wherein said first and second flaps are foldable to form a planar surface;
- (b) at least one pair of vertical fold lines disposed on said base corresponding to said gap, wherein said at least one pair of vertical fold lines define a spine, and wherein said spine is foldable to form said retainer having a front panel, a back panel, a first inner panel, a second inner panel, and said spine; and,
- (c) an alignment opening on said first flap for receiving a retaining button.
7. The paperboard retainer for recording media storage of claim 6, wherein the width of said spine corresponds to the number of recording media to be stored.
8. The paperboard retainer for recording media storage of claim 6, wherein the width of said spine corresponds to the number of said retaining buttons.
9. The paperboard retainer for recording media storage of claim 6, wherein said blank further comprises a printed surface and a non-printed surface, said base and said first and second flaps each having said printed surface and said non-printed surface.
10. The paperboard retainer for recording media storage of claim 9, wherein said first and second flaps are superimposed on said base, and wherein said non-printed surface of said base is adhesively secured to said non-printed side of said first and second flaps.
11. The paperboard retainer for recording media storage of claim 10, wherein said spine has printed material thereon.
12. The paperboard retainer of recording media storage of claim 6, wherein said alignment opening is operatively positioned on at least one flap such that periphery of said recording medium is within perimeter of said at least one flap.
13. The paperboard retainer of recording media storage of claim 6, wherein said alignment opening is a circular aperture.
14. A paperboard retainer for recording media storage comprising:
- (a) a blank having a base with a horizontal fold line to define a plurality of flaps, said plurality of flaps are laterally spaced apart by a plurality of gaps and are integrally connected to said base along said horizontal fold line; wherein said plurality of flaps are foldable to form a planar surface;
- (b) a plurality of pairs of vertical fold lines disposed on said base corresponding to said plurality of gaps, wherein said plurality of said pairs of vertical fold lines define a plurality of spines, and wherein said plurality of spines are foldable to form said retainer having a front panel, a back panel, a plurality of inner panels, and said plurality of spines; and,
- (c) an alignment opening on each of said plurality of flaps for receiving a retaining button.
15. The paperboard retainer for recording media storage of claim 14, wherein said plurality of spines are foldable in alternating directions to allow said retainer to hold a plurality of recording media.
16. The paperboard retainer for recording media storage of claim 14, wherein said plurality of spines are foldable inwardly from right to left to allow said retainer to hold a plurality of recording media.
17. A blank for forming a retainer for recording media storage, the blank comprising:
- (a) a base, a first flap and a second flap, said first and second flap foldably connected to said base and spaced by a gap;
- (b) at least two vertical fold lines to define a spine between said gap; and,
- (c) an alignment opening on said first flap for receiving a retaining button, said retaining button operatively positioned on said base for securing a recording medium within the perimeter of said first flap.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 8, 2006
Publication Date: Jun 12, 2008
Applicant: Information Packaging Corporation (Macedon, NY)
Inventor: Brenda Fitzsimons (Fairport, NY)
Application Number: 11/608,661
International Classification: B65D 85/57 (20060101); B65D 75/00 (20060101); B65D 5/50 (20060101);