Abstract:
The present invention provides a media storage container for retaining and storing a data carrying media that includes a generally planar lid defining an inner surface and an outer surface, a generally planar base including an inner surface with a recessed panel and side walls defining a recessed pocket dimensioned to house at least one data carrying media therein, and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the base is secured to the inner surface of the lid along the respective peripheries thereof, and an opening flap defined by at least one perforated line, the flap being configured, dimensioned and positioned to permit access to the recessed pocket upon opening thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to media storage containers, and more particularly, media storage containers for securely retaining a data carrying media such as a compact disc (CD) or digital video disc (DVD). 
         [0003]    2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Various media storage containers are known in the art. Conventional CD or DVD enclosures or packages used in the multimedia and entertainment industries are of different styles, sizes and designs. These storage containers are either reusable containers, such as jewel boxes and clamshells, or disposable containers, such as paper packages and the like. 
         [0005]    Disposable containers may be used to mail promotional discs to potential customers or to store discs inside of other containers. Disposable storage containers must be designed to securely retain the discs so that the discs do not freely move within the container so that the discs are not damaged. The containers must also allow the discs to be easily removed from the container while preventing the discs from falling out of the container when the container is initially opened. Although some existing media storage containers achieve these goals and have achieved success in the art, there remains room in the art for improvement. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need for a simple, inexpensive to manufacture, lightweight package for data carriers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    The present invention improves upon and solves the problems associated with the prior art by providing, among other things, a lightweight multimedia package and method of making that addresses the above identified needs. 
         [0008]    In particular, the present invention is directed to a data carrying media package or storage container for retaining and storing a compact disc or other data carrying media that includes a generally planar lid defining an inner surface and an outer surface, a generally planar base having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the base is secured to the inner surface of the lid along the respective peripheries thereof. The inner surface of the base also includes a recessed panel and side walls defining a recessed pocket dimensioned to house at least one compact disc or data carrying media therein. 
         [0009]    The container also includes an opening flap defined by at least one perforated line, the flap being configured, dimensioned and positioned to permit access to the recessed pocket upon opening thereof. The opening flap can be disposed on the lid or on the base. Preferably, the opening flap is disposed adjacent the recessed pocket. 
         [0010]    In one alternative embodiment, a container of the present invention includes a lifting tab and/or a finger well for facilitating opening the flap. 
         [0011]    In another alternative embodiment, a container of the present invention includes at least one support member disposed in the recessed pocket for maintaining the position of a data carrying media therein. 
         [0012]    In another alternative embodiment, the perforated line defining the opening flap includes portions which differ in their resistance to separation and opening thereof. The opening flap may also be defined by three perforated lines and a folding line, or may also be defined entirely by perforated lines and removable from the container. 
         [0013]    A container of the present invention may include an opening flap that is resealable after opening thereof. A non-permanent adhesive material can be disposed opposite the opening flap to facilitate resealing the opening flap thereon. 
         [0014]    For display and promotional purposes, the outer surface of the lid and the outer surface of the base may include text and/or pictures disposed thereon. Literature or other materials can be disposed in the recessed pocket along with the data carrying media. 
         [0015]    These and other aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0016]    So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will more readily understand how to make and use the present invention, an embodiment thereof will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a lid in accordance with the data carrying media storage container of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a base in accordance with the data carrying media storage container of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the data carrying media storage container constructed in accordance with the embodiments of lid and base shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively, illustrating the inner surface of the lid, outer surface of the base, promotional booklet and CD, among other things; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the data carrying media storage container constructed in accordance with the embodiments of lid and base shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively, illustrating the inner surface of the base, outer surface of the lid, promotional booklet and CD, among other things; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the lid shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the opening of one embodiment of a flap defined thereon; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the data carrying media storage container of the present invention with the openable flap of the lid in a partially open position to show the base cavity with a CD housed therein; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a front view of another embodiment of the data carrying media storage container of the present invention, illustrating the lid and an alternative openable flap configuration defined thereon, among other things; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of another embodiment of the data carrying media storage container of the present invention, illustrating the base and an alternative openable flap configuration defined thereon that is also a removable strip from the container, among other things; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a rear view of another embodiment of the data carrying media storage container of the present invention, illustrating the base and an alternative openable flap configuration defined thereon that is also removable from the container, among other things; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the data carrying media storage container of the present invention that includes support members for maintaining the data carrying media in position within the container. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    It is to be understood that the system and method of the present invention may be advantageously employed without the incorporation of each of the features disclosed herein. It is to be further understood that modifications and variations may be utilized without departure from the spirit and scope of this inventive system and method, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0028]    According to the present invention, the need for an inexpensive, lightweight media storage container can be met by forming an enclosure out of inexpensive pressed paperboard, specifically from a paperboard base and cover. Typically, the base will be formed by molding a paperboard blank between a female press mold and a suitably configured male mold to create a shallow cavity which is dimensionally suitable for receiving a data carrier and, optionally, a promotional booklet or insert card. As used herein, the term “data carrier” or “data carrying media” is intended to encompass any form of object capable of carrying machine or computer-readable data, including, but not limited to, compact discs, digital video disks, floppy disks, tape cassettes, credit cards, phone cards, smart-media cards, flash memory cards, data cartridges and computer read-only or random access memory chips. 
         [0029]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar aspects and/or features of the subject invention there is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 , a media storage container configured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject invention and designated generally by reference numeral  10 . Container  10  provides a housing for a data carrying media  100 , which, for purposes of illustrating the features of a container constructed in accordance with the present invention, is depicted hereinafter as a CD type disc. 
         [0030]    Container  10  includes a base  12  and a lid  14  secured at least to a peripheral edge portion  16  of interior side  12   a  of base  12  which contacts interior side  14   a  of lid  14  upon formation of container  10 . Outer surface  12   b  of base  12  and outer surface  14   b  of lid  14  may be used to display descriptive and promotional information, for example, regarding the content of data carrying media  100  held within container  10 . 
         [0031]    A cavity  18  is formed in base  12 , for example by press molding, which includes a first pocket  20  formed by a first recessed panel  22  and first recessed side walls  24  and a second pocket  26  formed by a second recessed panel  28  and second recessed side walls  30 . Preferably, second pocket  26  is further recessed than first pocket  20 , that is, relative to the plane of lid  14 . In this embodiment, second pocket  26  is generally rectangular and appropriately dimensioned for receiving data carrying media  100  in the form of a CD or other data carrier therein while preferably permitting only minimal movement of data carrier  100 . Pocket  26  may also hold promotional literature  101  along with data carrier  100 . 
         [0032]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, lid  14  may be pressed from a paperboard sheet or may simply comprise a flat sheet of paperboard. Lid  14  is sealed to base  12  after data carrier  100  and promotional literature  101  are inserted into pocket  26  of cavity  18 . Preferably, lid  14  is heat sealed along its periphery to the upper peripheral surface of base  12 , for example by coating the underside of lid  14 , at least along a portion of its periphery, with a low density polyethylene coating to function as the sealing medium. 
         [0033]    An opening feature is desirably incorporated into base  12  or lid  14  to allow access to data carrier  100  and promotional literature  101  within cavity  18 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , lid  14  includes perforated line  32  that includes two side edge portions  32   a  and  32   b  and a generally arcuate top portion  32   c  which define a generally rectangular flap  34  pivotable about a fold line  36  positioned to oppose top portion  32   c . Preferably, a central lifting tab  38  is formed by a generally semi-circular portion  32   d  adjacent perforated line  32   c  and an opposing fold line  40 , thus also forming a finger well  42  thereunder. Lifting tab  38  and finger well  42  allow a user to better grasp and pull open flap  34 . 
         [0034]    To open flap  34 , a user would open (or alternatively, press in) lifting tab  38 , permitting greater access to the underside of flap  34  via finger well  42 . The underside of flap  34  can be used for leverage in pulling open flap  34 , which is pivotable about fold line  36  to allow access to cavity  18 . Preferably, and as shown herein; perforated lines  32  include portions having wider notches, thus increasing the resistive force against being opened, such as perforated portions  32   c  adjacent finger well  42 , while portions  32   a  and  32   b  of perforated line  32  consist of narrower notches, and thus, are less resistive to being torn. 
         [0035]    Container  10  may be intended to be disposed immediately or reusable. It is contemplated that data carrier  100 , after and between uses, can be returned and stored in cavity  18 . For this reason, it is desirable that at least the flap  34  be reclosable. This can be accomplished by forming the flap  34  in such a manner that a portion thereof, when closed, overlaps a portion of the base  12 , or by using lifting tab  38  to secure flap  34 . 
         [0036]    Alternatively, an adhesive patch  48  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) can be disposed in first pocket  20  of cavity  18 . Flap  34  can be closed and releasably adhered by a readily and repeatedly releasable and readily and repeatedly resealable adhesive, such as is well known, for example in connection with note paper. In this manner, the flap  34  may be readily peeled back from the base portion  12  to access data carrying media  100  and may be readily resealed after the data carrying media  100  is returned to cavity  16 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative container  110  constructed in accordance with the present invention in which the edges of lid  114  comprise side edges  132   a  and  132   b  of flap  134 .  FIG. 8  illustrates another alternative embodiment of the present invention, in which container  210  has a base  212  including a completely removable flap  234  defined by perforated line  232  in recessed panel  228  of second pocket  226 . Flap  234  is generally rectangular and by removal thereof permits access to data carrier  100  housed in pocket  226 . Flap  234  may also include a lifting tab and/or finger well as described above. In this embodiment, container  210  further includes a hang tag  244  disposed along an upper margin of container  210  to facilitate display or storage thereof. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate another alternative embodiment of a media storage container constructed in accordance with the present invention. Container  310  includes a removable flap  334  defined by perforated line  332  in recessed panel  328  of second pocket  326 . Flap  334  is generally rectangular and has sides that are smaller in length than the radius or sides of media  100 . In this embodiment, cavity  318  includes supports  346  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 9 ) generally disposed along the periphery of data carrying media  100  for further limiting movement thereof within cavity  318 . Supports may be adjacent or secured to side  314   a  of lid  314 , or alternatively, be adjacent or secured to side  312   a  of base  312 . 
         [0039]    The aforementioned embodiment provides possible configurations in accordance with the present invention, and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. It should be readily apparent that the lid and/or base may include a variety of opening features for accessing the contents of the cavity, and if perforated opening features are involved, these perforations may come in a variety of desired shapes or forms. Preferably, the opening feature is sized smaller than the data carrying media to prevent the data carrying media from falling from the cavity after opening the container of the present invention. 
         [0040]    It is also advantageous to optionally incorporate a security device in the container of the present invention, for example by adhering a radio frequency identification device (RFID) to a surface of the first or second pocket which can aid in detecting unauthorized removal of the container of the present invention from a premises, such as a retail store. 
         [0041]    Alternatively, or in addition, a security/inventory control/traceable device, such as a Sensomatic tag, can be adhered to a surface of the container of the present invention for purposes of security and/or to aid in tracing the container through distribution channels and/or for inventory control. 
         [0042]    It has been found that paperboard formulated with added stretch properties is particularly desirable as the material for forming the base and lid of the container of the present invention. In particular, paperboard which is higher in pine fibers than hardwood fibers is especially desirable to confer advantageous stretch properties on the paperboard. Specifically, paperboard having a minimum of 35% content of pine fibers is especially desirable. 
         [0043]    The base of the container is desirably formed by placing a paperboard blank, coated on its clay side (i.e., the print surface) with a UV overprint coating, into a mold with the clay coated side positioned in contact with the female side of the mold. The UV overprint coating protects the printed surface of the paperboard against heat and abrasion which attends the press molding process. 
         [0044]    The male mold, is the heated side of the tool during the formation of the base. Both the male and female molds are appropriately shaped and dimensioned to create a cavity for receiving the desired data carrier. The male and female molds are brought together to form the base, with the desired shaped and dimensioned cavity, from the paperboard blank. 
         [0045]    The lid, which is desirably a flat sheet of paperboard, is sealed onto the base after the data carrying media is loaded into the cavity. Typically, during the press molding of paperboard, moisture has to be introduced into the process to keep the paper from cracking. According to the present process, at least so long as the cavity remains of a depth sufficient for a single data carrier with minimal literature, the introduction of moisture into the process can be avoided. As a consequence, the resulting container remains lightweight and has all the advantages of an inexpensive to manufacture, lightweight container, such as postage savings during mailing. 
         [0046]    Although the media storage container of the subject invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject invention as defined by the appended claims