Abstract:
A media storage and display sleeve is adapted to fit over a media storage container to provide a unique interactive marketing piece to be viewed and handled by the consumer. The sleeve includes an inner sleeve that receives the traditional media storage container and a pair of outer sleeves that slide back and forth over the inner sleeve between closed and open configurations. Stops are used to impede the outer sleeves from being readily removed from the inner sleeve.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/793,297 filed Apr. 18, 2006; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     The invention generally relates to media storage containers and, more particularly, to promotional packaging for a media storage container. Specifically, the invention relates to promotional packaging for a media storage container that allows the user to physically interact with the packaging.  
         [0004]     2. Background Information  
         [0005]     Various media storage containers are known in the art. Some of the most common storage containers for recorded media are book-like containers having a lid connected to a base with a hinge. These containers typically allow a printed promotional slip sheet to be connected to the lid, hinge, and base where one surface of the sheet is viewable by the user. Those who manufacture and sell recorded media desire innovative packaging that attracts the consumer&#39;s attention while also providing space for printed information and the opportunity for consumer interaction with the packaging.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The invention provides a media storage and display sleeve that is adapted to fit over a media storage container to provide a unique interactive marketing piece to be viewed and handled by the consumer. The sleeve includes an inner sleeve that receives the traditional media storage container and a pair of outer sleeves that slide back and forth over the inner sleeve between closed and open configurations. Stops are used to prevent the outer sleeves from being readily removed from the inner sleeve.  
         [0007]     In one configuration, the media storage and display sleeve includes an inner sleeve that receives a media storage container and a pair of outer sleeves that slide back and forth over the inner sleeve. Stops prevent the outer sleeves from sliding directly off the inner sleeve. The stops include cantilevered tabs that engage to limit the relative movement of the sleeves. In an alternative embodiment of this configuration, one of the tabs is double thickness. The double thickness of the tab prevents pinching.  
         [0008]     The invention provides another configuration wherein a media storage container functions as the inner sleeve and the outer sleeves slide back and forth directly over the storage container. Stops are used to limit the movement of the outer sleeves.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one configuration for a media storage and display sleeve with the two outer sleeves in the closed configuration.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 1  configuration with the two outer sleeves in the open configuration.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a section view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged section view of the interlocking tabs encircled in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  includes  FIGS. 5-5E  which depicts a series of complementary end wall configurations.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged section view of a stop of the  FIG. 6  alternative embodiment. 
     
    
       [0016]     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     A first configuration of the media storage and display sleeve is indicated generally by the numeral  2  in the accompanying drawings. The first configuration of sleeve  2  is configured to receive a traditional media storage container  4  such as a DVD container, a CD container, a VHS box, a video game cartridge container, a UMD container, or the like. Container  4  holds an item of recorded media  5  in the manner for which it was designed. For example, a DVD container  4  may include a hub  7  adapted to snap through the central opening in the DVD to hold the DVD in place. Sleeve  2  does not interfere or enhance the manner in which container  4  operates. Sleeve  2  is used to provide a plurality of interactive graphic display areas  6 . Areas  6  may be used to display information related to the item of recorded media stored within container  4 . Areas  6  also may be used to display information or graphics related to the manufacturer of sleeve  2 , the distributor of container  4 , the retailer who is selling container  4 , or other promotional material such as a sweepstakes game or an instant-win game.  
         [0018]     Sleeve  2  generally includes an inner sleeve  8  adapted to closely surround container  4  and a pair of outer sleeves  10  that closely surround and slide against inner sleeve  8 . Sleeves  8  and  10  may be fabricated from paper-based (such as paperboard) materials. Sleeves  8  and  10  also may be fabricated from other materials such as plastics, metals, glass, or recyclable materials. Sleeves  8  and  10  may be formed (cut from sheets of material) flat and folded into the erected configurations shown in the drawings. When cut from blanks, the locations where sleeves  8  and  10  are folded may be scored or indented to make it easier to fold the flat blanks into sleeves  8  and  10 .  
         [0019]     Inner sleeve  8  defines a chamber that is configured to receive at least a substantial portion of container  4 . Container  4  may be secured inside sleeve  8  with a connector which may be a mechanical or adhesive connector. In another configuration, inner sleeve  8  is configured to frictionally receive container  4  tightly enough to prevent container  4  from easily slipping from inner sleeve  8 . In the configuration shown in the drawings, inner sleeve  8  is configured to be disposed tightly enough around container  4  to allow container  4  to be forced out of sleeve  8  with the user&#39;s fingers or a tool. In another configuration, container  4  may be held within sleeve  8  by appropriate holders. Such holders may include tape, clips, friction members, shrink wrap and other such devices. In another configuration, container  4  may be integrated with sleeve  8  such that sleeve  8  functions as part of container  4 .  
         [0020]     Outer sleeves  10  slide over inner sleeve  8  between closed ( FIG. 1 ) and open ( FIG. 2 ) configurations. In the closed configuration, outer sleeves  10  may completely hide the top, bottom, and side walls of inner sleeve  8 . Outer sleeves  10  may frictionally engage inner sleeve  8  so that the relative position of outer sleeves  10  is frictionally maintained. Holders or ratchets also may be used to maintain the positions of outer sleeves  10 . Each outer sleeve  10  has an inner end wall  12  that may abut each other when the outer sleeves  10  are in the closed configuration. End walls  12  may complement each other when outer sleeves  10  are in the closed configuration as shown if  FIG. 5 . In the exemplary configuration of  FIGS. 1-4 , end walls  12  are both perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of inner sleeve  8  and abut each other when outer sleeves  10  are closed. Other end wall configurations may be curved ( FIG. 5 ), wavy ( FIG. 5A , crenulated or interlocking ( FIGS. 5B, 5D , and  5 E), and wavy ( FIG. 5C ).  
         [0021]     Display sleeve  2  includes a pair of stops  20  that impede outer sleeves  10  from sliding off the outer ends of inner sleeve  8 . In the context of this application, stops  20  are considered to impede outer sleeves  10  from sliding off the ends of inner sleeve  8  even though stops  20  or sleeves  8 / 10  may be manipulated to allow complete separation of sleeves  8  and  10 . Stops  20  may be in the form of cooperating tabs  22  and  24  that are integrally formed from sleeves  8  and  10 . One or both or tabs  22  and  24  may be doubled over to prevent pinching. In the exemplary embodiment, tab  24  has two layers to increase the strength of tab  24  and to prevent tab  24  from becoming pinched inside tab  22 . This configuration provides allows sleeve  10  to operate smoothly. Stops  20  also may be provided in alternative configurations such as stop walls, clips, or interlocking projections and depressions. Stops  20  are depicted on locations the top of sleeve  2  but may be disposed on the bottom, sides, or a combination of these locations.  
         [0022]     In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, tabs  22  and  24  are formed by folding sections of material integral to sleeves  8  and  10 . These sections are defined when sleeves  8  and  10  are cut into blanks from raw material sheets. Tab  22  is defined by creating a fold  23  to place tab  22  inwardly of the end of sleeve  10 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , fold  23  defines inner end wall  12 . When other end wall  12  configurations are used, tab  22  may be folded or connected with a connector such as an adhesive or a mechanical connector. Tab  24  is defined by creating at least one fold  25  to place tab  24  back over the top of sleeve  8  as shown in  FIG. 4 . A second fold  26  may be formed to double the thickness of tab  24 .  
         [0023]     Sleeve  2  provides graphic areas on the four outer surfaces of the inner sleeve  8  in addition to the four outer surfaces of both outer sleeves  10 . This configuration essentially doubles the available surface for printing information as compared sleeve  8  alone. This configuration allows the inner and outer graphic areas to be related and creatively used to engage or entertain the user. In one example, the inner graphic can be an extension of the two outer graphics such that the inner and outer graphic areas combine to form a single graphic when the outer sleeves  10  are in the open configuration. The inner graphic may also be a graphic image that is logically subsequent to the outer image such that the user first comprehends the outer image and then opens the sleeves to see what the subsequent image reveals (such as a riddle and an answer—or different steps of a storyboard). Another configuration provides graphic images on the outer sleeves with text information about a company or a product on the inner sleeve (or vice versa).  
         [0024]      FIGS. 6 and 7  depict an alternative embodiment  28  of the invention wherein container  4  functions as inner sleeve  8 . Sleeve  28  includes container  4  and both outer sleeves  10  which slide back and forth between the open and closed configurations. In this embodiment, container  4  includes a projection  30  that functions as part of stop  20  to impede the removal of outer sleeve  10  from container  4 .  
         [0025]     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.  
         [0026]     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.