Abstract:
The present invention is drawn to media disc packaging systems, which can utilize a jewel case as part of the packaging system. The system can comprise a container including, a media disc securing surface configured for receiving a media disc, and a plurality of walls defining a chamber, wherein at least one of the walls is transparent, and wherein the chamber is discrete from said securing surface; and a three-dimensional novelty object within the chamber, wherein the container is configured so that a media disc present on the securing surface and the three-dimensional novelty object are both unobstructedly viewable along an axis perpendicular to a face of the media disc.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention is drawn to media disc packaging systems, more particularly, the invention relates to the packaging of media discs for presentation at a point of sale.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Media discs such CD&#39;s, DVD&#39;s, CD-R&#39;s, CD-RW&#39;s, CD-ROM&#39;s, and the like are becoming a standard digital recording and playback medium in the marketplace. They have become popular because they are relatively small in size, but are not so small that they are difficult to handle and print on for marketing purposes. For example, a conventional media disc typically has one side to and from which data is recorded and retrieved. The opposite side of the same media disc typically is covered with colorful graphics or words related to or explaining the data contained on the media disc, or otherwise serving aesthetic or marketing purposes. Alternatively, some media discs contain digital data on both sides, such as is the case with certain DVD discs.  
           [0003]    A “jewel case” or “jewel box” (as these terms are used herein) has become an industry standard package for CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and CD-ROM disc products. Additionally, DVD&#39;s have also been packaged in jewel cases. A conventional jewel case is a flat rectangular box composed of rigid plastic panels such as a base, liner, and cover that snaps or hinges onto the base. Many jewel cases have an opaque liner member obstructing the view of the base when viewed from a front or facial perspective. Jewel cases having a liner that is clear or transparent such that printed material can be viewed through the liner from a front or facial perspective are also known.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    It has been recognized by the inventor that a jewel case, and other media disc packaging systems, can provide a space where three-dimensional novelty objects can be placed and viewed through a see-through panel or surface. Further, in one embodiment, a space is available for such an object (or plurality of such objects) wherein such object(s) do not contact the media disc. In another embodiment, the three-dimensional novelty object(s) can be placed in a pocket between a printed surface of a media disc and a cover of the jewel case.  
           [0005]    With this in mind, a jewel case in accordance with the invention can comprise a base; a liner carried by the base, wherein the liner and the base define an enclosed chamber, and wherein the enclosed chamber is viewable through one surface of one of the base and the liner; and a three-dimensional novelty object contained within the enclosed chamber.  
           [0006]    In another aspect of the invention, a media disc packaging system can comprise a container, including a media disc securing surface configured for receiving a media disc, and a plurality of walls defining a chamber, wherein at least one of the walls is see-through (e.g., transparent, translucent, see-through color modified, etc.), and wherein the chamber is discrete from the securing surface; and a three-dimensional novelty object can be carried within the chamber, wherein the container is configured so that a media disc present on the securing surface and the three-dimensional novelty object are both unobstructedly viewable along an axis perpendicular to a face of the media disc.  
           [0007]    An alternative media disc packaging system can comprise a jewel case, including a substrate configured for holding a media disc, wherein the media disc is releasably connected to the substrate, and a cover configured for exposing the media disc when the cover is in an open position, and configured for protecting the media disc when the cover is in a closed position, wherein the cover in the closed position provides an enclosed chamber; and a three-dimensional novelty object within the enclosed chamber. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    In the accompanying drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a jewel case having a three-dimensional novelty object packaged between the base and the liner;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a front schematic representation of a base and a liner of a jewel case having a three-dimensional novelty object packaged between the base and the liner;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a front schematic representation of a base and a liner of a jewel case having small particulates contained in four substantially enclosed chambers between the base and the liner;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIGS. 4 and 5 depict a front and a side view, respectively, of a base and a liner of a jewel case having a three-dimensional novelty object contained between the liner and the base, and wherein the novelty object is viewable from both perspectives;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIGS. 6 and 7 depict a front view and a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein a three-dimensional novelty object is contained within an enclosed chamber which is discrete from a disc holding surface; and  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the present invention having the three dimensional novelty object contained within a chamber with a media disc. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps and materials disclosed herein as these may vary to some degree. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting as the scope of the present invention. The invention will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.  
         [0016]    It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.  
         [0017]    The term “three-dimensional novelty object” is intended to include any three dimensional object other than printed media or a media disc, both of which can be packaged with three-dimensional novelty objects in accordance with the principals of the present invention. For example, items such as glitter, beads, toys, trinkets, souvenirs, foliage, and the like, are all examples of three-dimensional novelty objects. Printed media sheets, foldouts, or booklets as typically found within a media disc package are excluded, though some printed material may qualify within the present definition, e.g., a printed rolled scroll.  
         [0018]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.  
         [0019]    Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a jewel case having a three-dimensional novelty object packaged therein, is shown. Specifically jewel case  10  is shown have a base  12  and a liner  14 . The liner  14  and/or the base  12  can be transparent, color modified, or translucent in this embodiment, provided a three-dimensional novelty object  18  can be seen through a surface of the liner  14  or a surface of the base  12 . If printed matter is present in the base  12 , then cut-out sections of the printed matter can be present so that the three-dimensional novelty object  18  can be viewable through the base  12 . At certain locations are provided enclosed chambers  16 . For example, an enclosed chamber  16  at a spine  28  or in an enclosed chamber  16  at a corner area  30  can be provided between the base  12  and the liner  14 . In this embodiment the three-dimensional object  18  is a key and fits within an enclosed chamber  16  provided substantially along the spine  28  and within a corner area  30 . The three-dimensional novelty object  18  can be a thickness of at least 1 millimeter, though a three-dimensional object of any functional thickness can be used. A cover  20  is shown in an open position exposing a substrate  26  configured for holding the media disc  24 . Once the media disc  24  is in place on the substrate  26 , the cover  20  can be positioned in a closed position protecting the media disc  24 . Shown printed on the media disc  24  is printed matter or printed media  22 . Printed media  22  is also present as an insert resting on the base  12 . The printed media  22  can contain images related thematically to the novelty object  18 . For example, as shown in this embodiment, the printed media  22  has a lock printed thereon (as shown on an insert and the media disc) and the three-dimensional novelty object  18  is a key. Thus, the three-dimensional novelty object  18  is thematically related to a theme set forth on the printed media  22 , e.g., printed on the media disc and a paper sheet within the enclosed chamber. Likewise the three-dimensional novelty object can be thematically related to data stored on the media disc itself.  
         [0020]    Turning now to FIG. 2, a front view of the embodiment described in FIG. 1 is shown. A three-dimensional novelty object  18 , which is a key, is contained within an opening defined by the base  12  and the liner  14 . The three-dimensional novelty object  18  also straddles a corner area  30  and a spine area  28 . Again, the printed media  22  is thematically related to the three-dimensional object  18 .  
         [0021]    Turning now to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment is shown wherein the jewel case  10  has several substantially enclosed chambers  16 . These enclosed chambers  16  are adjacent to a corner of the liner  14 . The spine area  28  and the corner area  30  are separated from one another unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The three-dimensional novelty object  18  shown in this embodiment is a series or plurality of small particulates. These three-dimensional novelty objects are configured to turn about in the enclosed chamber. Examples of such three-dimensional novelty objects or particulates can include glitter, beads, small stones, or the like.  
         [0022]    Referring now to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a front view of a base  12  and a liner  14  of a jewel case is shown. In this embodiment the three-dimensional novelty object  18  is a pencil and is substantially within the spine  28  of the jewel case  10 . The pencil is viewable along a facial surface  36 . FIG. 5 shows that the three-dimensional novelty object  18  can also be viewable along an alternative surface other than the facial surface  36  of the jewel case  10 . Along an axis  34  perpendicular to the media disc, both the three-dimensional novelty object  18  and a media disc secured to the substrate can be viewed simultaneously.  
         [0023]    Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7, a molded plastic packaging system  40  is shown. Within the molded plastic packaging system  40  is a three-dimensional novelty object  18  which, in this embodiment, is a necklace. The three-dimensional novelty object  18  is within a chamber  32  that is discrete from a media disc-securing surface  26 . Further, in this embodiment along an axis  34  perpendicular to the media disc, both a media disc  24  and the three-dimensional novelty object  18  are unobstructedly viewable. By unobstructedly viewable, what is meant is that the media disc and the three-dimensional novelty object do not obstruct the view of one another at this angle of view. Next, in FIG. 8 a jewel case  10  is shown having a base  12  and a liner  14 . In this embodiment the liner  14  is opaque, though the liner can be transparent, see-through color modified, translucent, or of some alternative design. The three-dimensional novelty object  18  is present on top of the media disc  24 , such that when a cover  20  is in a closed position, the media disc and the cover  20  provide a pocket for containing the three-dimensional novelty object  18 . Thus, when the cover  20  is in an open position, the media disc  24  and the three-dimensional novelty object  18  are exposed. Conversely, when the cover  20  is closed, the media disc  24  and the three-dimensional novelty object  18  are protected. Further, in this embodiment, printed media  22  is present as is typically packaged with media discs.  
         [0024]    In another embodiment, the printed media found in the cover can contain a cut-out portion such that the three-dimensional novelty object can be viewed through the cutout portion of the printed media. For example, if the three-dimensional novelty object is a stone, then it can be positioned on the media disc or on center disc holder, and the printed media within the cover can contain a hole for viewing of thee stone through the clear cover when in the closed position.  
         [0025]    It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.