Abstract:
A optical disc holder and protector designed to retain a disc and remain thereon when the disc is inserted into a standard disc player/recorder so as to maintain protection of the disc and allow the disc to be utilized in the player/recorder. The disc holder includes a bottom tray configured to receive a standard disc. An upper retaining flange is present contiguously integrated into an outer wall, the upper retaining flange downwardly biases an inserted disc onto a lower retaining flange peripherally disposed adjacent to the outer wall creating a barrier to dust and debris.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an optical storage media protective device, more specifically but not by way of limitation, to a CD/DVD protection device that provides protection for the disc during storage and during use in a player/recorder. 
   BACKGROUND 
   With the proliferation of CD and DVD technology, the average consumer now has ten&#39;s if not hundreds of discs to manage. The difficulty in using the discs is in the area of disc management. The discs must be stored and then removed from their storage units, usually a standard jewel case made of polystyrene with a hinged cover, and placed in a desired player. Frequently, after normal use, the removing of the disc from its protective case to the player can result in permanent damage. Scratches to the disc, usually caused from dirt or dust accumulated on the disc renders the disc inoperable and must be replaced. It is highly beneficial to a user to keep the optical or information side of the disc free from all debris such as dust. 
   The damaged disc present several problems. First, as discs are used as backup devices in the information technology industry, the loss of crucial data can result in unfortunate circumstances. Another problem is the expense of the loss of data itself or the expense of the act of having to recover the data from another source and record it again on the disc. 
   Another problem for the individual consumer market is the cost of replacing the CD&#39;s or DVD&#39;s. With the average inventory of discs for the typical consumer being around a hundred discs, the cost of replacing damaged discs each year can be a significant expense. 
   Another problem in the area of disc management is that of shelf space. With the average jewel case being 1-2 cm in width, a slimmer storage case will allow storage of more encased discs per square inch of shelf space. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can protect the information containing side of CD&#39;s or DVD&#39;s from contamination of dust and debris without having to be removed from the device in order to use the enclosed disc in a standard CD/CVD player. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a disc storage case for a standard CD/DVD disc, more specifically a disc storage case with a CD/DVD encased therein that allows the user to use an encased CD or DVD in a standard CD/DVD player. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a one-sided case for the protection of the optical or information containing side of a CD/DVD disc from contamination such as dust or dirt. 
   A further object of the present invention to provide an alternative embodiment of a CD/DVD disc case that provides protection for both sides of the disc and the disc storage case with the CD/DVD contained therein can be used in a standard CD/DVD player. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a CD/DVD disc storage case that is compatible multiple with CD and DVD players to allow the disc storage case containing with a CD/DVD disc contained therein to be used in a standard CD/DVD player. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a CD/DVD disc storage case that is manufactured from a polymer with reduced diffraction properties. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a CD/DVD disc storage case that is lightweight, durable and relatively thin. 
   To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a single-sided embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a two-sided embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged assembled partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, wherein various elements depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in particular  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is illustrated a disc storage case  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
   The disc storage case  100  comprises a bottom tray  10  configured in a substantially planar manner having a disc resting surface  20 . The bottom tray  10  is circular in shape with the disc resting surface  20  extending inwardly to a central opening  30 . The diameter of the bottom tray  10  is approximately 0.04 inches greater than the diameter of the media to be inserted therein. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that while good results have been achieved with a bottom tray  10  of a diameter 0.04 inches greater than the diameter of the media to be inserted therein, such as a standard CD, those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous other diameters could be used to achieve the desired function herein. 
   The central opening  30  is circular in shape and of sufficient size to be larger than the standard opening of a disc. Although no specific measurements are required, a central opening  30  of approximately one inch has been shown to achieve good results. This measurement allows the disc retained in the disc storage case  100  to be inserted into a standard CD/DVD player and operate normally. Further, the measurement prevents interference with the disc and its engagement with a standard hub mechanism of a typical jewel storage case and the player. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous sizes of the central opening  30  could be used to achieve the function suggested herein. The central opening  30  should be of size so as not to create interference with the information containing area of a conventionally manufactured disc. 
   A standard disc of conventional construction typically has an information containing area and an adjacent non-information containing area along the outer edge  110  of the disc. The bottom tray  10  is designed to be relatively very thin. This facilitates the disc storage case  100  with a disc retained therein to be used normally in a standard CD/DVD player without disruption to the normal mechanisms in the player. 
   Although no specific measurements of the bottom tray  10  are required, good results have been shown to be achieved with a bottom tray  10  of approximately 0.02 inches in thickness. The bottom tray  10  is manufactured from durable plastic or other material. The bottom tray  10  must be manufactured from a group of plastics that exhibit low to no diffraction properties for the wavelength of the laser used to play the disc in standard players, as any diffraction of the laser beam will disrupt the operation of the player. 
   Those skilled in the art will recognize that a standard DVD player utilizes a laser that has a wavelength of approximately 650 nm. The wavelength for a laser in a standard CD player is approximately 780 nm. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the bottom tray  10  would posses low diffraction of wavelengths between 600-800 nm. The bottom tray  10  should allow wavelengths of these approximate measurements to pass through with no diffraction in order to prevent interference with the performance of the CD/DVD player. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the disc storage case  100  could be utilized in numerous devices. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, the disc storage case  100  having a disc encased therein could be used in computers, car stereos, home theater systems and portable game machines designed to utilize optical discs. 
   Proximate to the peripheral edge  50  of the bottom tray  10  and generally perpendicular to the bottom tray  10  is an outer wall  40 . The outer wall  40  is contiguous with and extends upwardly from the bottom tray  10 . The outer wall  40  is circumferentially disposed along the entire peripheral edge  50  of the bottom tray  10 . The portion of the outer wall  40  distal to the bottom tray  10  is shaped to form an upper retaining flange  70 . The upper retaining flange  70  protrudes inwardly toward the central opening  30  from the outer wall  40 . Mounted opposite the upper retaining flange  70  adjacent to the outer wall  40  and inwardly protruding toward the central opening  30  is a lower retaining flange  80 . The lower retaining flange  80  is generally rectangular in shape and is circumferentially disposed along the entire outer wall  40  and is contiguously mounted to the bottom tray  10 . The lower retaining flange  80  is used to capture the disc  105  and suspend the disc superposed to the disc resting area  20 . Upon placement of a disc  105  on the bottom tray  10 , the upper retaining flange  70  downwardly biases the disc  105  against the lower retaining flange  80 . 
   This biased position is specifically illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Once in a biased position, the disc  105  and the disc resting surface  20  form a lower void  90 . The lower void  90  is impervious to dust and debris with the outer edge  110  of the disc  105  being downwardly biased by the upper retaining flange  80  onto the lower retaining flange  80 . This configuration creates the ability for the disc storage case  100  to effectively encase the information containing side of the disc  105  and be transferred from storage to player in combination preventing damage from occurring to the disc  105 . Although no specific measurements are required for the lower retaining flange  80 , good results have been shown to be achieved with a lower retaining flange  80  that is 0.005 inches in width and 0.005 inches in height. 
   Now referring in particular to  FIG. 2 , a downwardly extending circular ridge  60  is formed on the under surface of the bottom tray  10 . The circular ridge  60  is disposed about the central opening. The circular ridge  60  allows the disc storage case  100  to readily engage with a standard tray of a jewel case or CD/DVD player. The circular ridge  60  downwardly biases the disc storage case  100  when it is engaged with a standard tray of a jewel case and CD/DVD player. Although no specific measurement is required for the diameter of the circular ridge  60 , good results have been shown to be achieved with a diameter that is equal to the central opening  30  as described herein. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the disc storage case  200 , comprises a bottom tray  210  and an upper tray  220 , both configured in a substantially planar manner and circular in shape. The bottom tray  210  and the upper tray  220  both have a diameter generally 0.04 inches greater than the diameter of a standard CD/DVD. Both the bottom tray  210  and the upper tray  220  are approximately 0.02 inches in thickness. Those skilled in the art will recognized that numerous other selections could be made for the thickness of the upper tray  220  and the bottom tray  210  to achieve the functionality suggested herein. As previously referenced herein, the bottom tray  210  should be manufactured from a durable material such as but not limited to plastic that has no diffraction properties for wavelengths between 600-800 nm to prevent interfering with the laser used in standard CD/DVD players. 
   The disc storage case  200  has a first position and a second position with the first position illustrated in  FIG. 3  in the drawings submitted herewith. In the first position the upper tray  220  and the bottom tray  210  are disengaged allowing the user to place a disc on the bottom tray. Once a disc is placed on the bottom tray  210  the disc storage case  200  is placed in its second position by releasably securing the upper tray  220  to the bottom tray  210 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   The bottom tray  210  has a disc resting area  230 . The disc resting area  230  extends inwardly to a central opening  215 . The central opening  215  has an approximate diameter of 1 inch, which prevents the central opening  230  from interfering with the engagement of the disc  205  with a standard hub mechanism on a CD/DVD player or a typical jewel storage case. A standard disc  205  of conventional construction typically has an information containing area and an adjacent non-information containing area along the outer edge  207  of the disc  205 . 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , circumferentially disposed along the peripheral edge  250  of the bottom tray  210  and contiguously formed therewith is an outer wall  240 . The outer wall  240  is generally perpendicular and extends upwardly from the bottom tray  210 . Although no specific measurements are required, good results have been shown to be achieved with an outer wall  240  that is approximately 0.02 inches in thickness. The portion of the outer wall  240  positioned distally from the bottom tray  210  is integrally formed therewith a generally concave shaped snap groove  270 . The snap groove  270  is formed on the outer wall  240  positioned opposite to the disc resting area  230 . The snap groove  270  protrudes slightly inward from the top edge  204  of the outer wall  240  and is configured to mate with the snap tongue  265 . Adjacent to the outer wall  240  and superposed on the bottom tray  210  is a lower retaining flange  290 . The lower retaining flange  290  is entirely contiguously mounted along the inner circumference of the outer wall  240 . As referenced herein, no specific measurements are required but good results have been achieved with a lower retaining flange  290  approximately 0.005 inches in thickness. The lower retaining flange  290  is designed to engage the outer edge  207  of the disc  205 , which is generally a non-information containing area on a conventionally manufactured disc  205 . Upon engagement with the lower retaining flange  290  the disc  205  and the disc resting area  230  form a lower void  280 . The lower void  280  is impervious to dust and debris which facilitates the protection of the information containing or optical side of the disc  205 . 
   Referring in particular to  FIG. 4 , a downwardly extending circular ridge  295  is formed on the under surface of the bottom tray  210 . The circular ridge is mounted circumferentially about the central opening. The circular ridge  295  allows the disc storage case  200  to readily engage with a standard tray of a jewel case or a CD/DVD player. The circular ridge  295  downwardly biases the disc storage case  200  when it is engaged with a standard tray of a jewel case or CD/DVD player. 
   Now referring to  FIG. 3 , the upper tray  220  is manufactured from a durable and lightweight material. More specifically but not by way of limitation plastic. Integrally formed with the upper tray  220  and generally proximate to the upper peripheral edge  255  is the upper outer wall  257 . The upper outer wall  257  extends perpendicularly downward from the upper tray  220 . An upper retaining flange  285  is located adjacent to the upper outer wall  257  and contiguously mounted with the disc-facing surface  288  of the upper tray  220 . The upper retaining flange  285  will downwardly bias a disc  205  against the lower retaining flange  290  when the disc storage case  200  is in the second position. Positioned on the upper outer wall  257  opposite the interior facing surface  258  generally protruding inward is a snap tongue  265 . The snap tongue  265  is proximate to the lower edge  282  of the upper outer wall  257 . The snap tongue  265  is generally convex in shape and is of specific shape to mate with the snap groove  270 . When the user places the upper tray  220  and the bottom tray  210  together, the two trays are releasably secured with the snap groove  270  and the snap tongue  265  biasing the upper outer wall  257  and the outer wall  240  in a generally lateral direction. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that many different types of securing mechanisms could be used in place of and or in conjunction with the snap groove  270  and the snap tongue  265 . More specifically but not by way of limitation, the disc storage case  200  could be secured together with threads. 
   Extending downward from the underside of the upper tray  220  located proximate to and encircling the central opening  215  is a biasing ridge  293 . Although no specific measurements are required, good results have been shown to be achieved with a biasing ridge  293  that extends downwardly for approximately 0.01 inches. The upper ridge  293  downwardly biases the disc  205  against the lower retaining flanges  290  when the upper tray  220  is releasably secured to the bottom tray  210 . In the downwardly biased position the outer edge  207  contacts the lower retaining flange  290  creating a lower void  280 . The lower void  280  is completely impervious to dust and debris thus protecting the information containing area of the disc  205 . 
   Referring in particular to the drawings submitted herewith, more specifically  FIG. 1 , a description of the operation of the disc storage case  100  is as follows. 
   In use, a user will place a disc on the disc resting surface  20  of the bottom tray  10 . The user will exert a slight downward force in the general region of the central opening  30  to engage the outer edge  110  of the disc with the lower retaining flange  80 . The upper retaining flange  70  will exert a continuous downward bias on the disc thereby forcing the outer edge  110  of the disc to maintain contact with the lower retaining flange  80 . This prevents dust and debris from contacting the information containing area of the disc. Once the disc is engaged in the disc storage case  100  the user can place disc storage case  100  in a desired CD/DVD player and activate the player. Once the user no longer desires to use the player or the disc encased in the disc storage case  100 , the user removes the disc storage case  100  with the disc encased therein and can store in a standard jewel case or store without the aid of any additional protection required for the disc in a suitable location. 
   In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.