Case and tray for holding two media storage units

A case and tray for holding two high-density media recording devices, commonly known as compact discs or CDs, on opposite planar surfaces of a tray molded of brittle, transparent polystyrene. The tray will fit in a conventional case, commonly called a jewel box, adapted to receive a tray for holding only one compact disc. An insert is disposed at each side of the tray and each has an outwardly extending pin disposed thereon. The pin is arranged to fit into retaining openings in sidewalls of the conventional case into which the tray will be fitted, whereby to hold it in place. A pivot point is disposed between the sidewall and the planar surface. A frangible membrane having a thickness approximating the thickness of flashing is arranged with the pivot point. The frangible membrane is arranged to hold the tray and the inserts as a single unit until the tray is fitted into the case and is arranged to break so the tray can swing, thereby allowing access to both sides thereof. The tray can be arranged to swing in either a portfolio or book style from the case depending upon which retaining opening the pin is fitted.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a case and tray for holding two 
high-density media recording devices, commonly known as compact discs or 
CDs, or one CD and a 3.5 inch microrecording floppy disc. The invention 
particularly relates to a tray for holding the two devices in a 
back-to-back relationship, the tray being adapted to be fitted into a 
conventional case, that is, one designed to receive a tray adapted to hold 
only one compact disc, commonly called a jewel box. The tray of the 
present invention is particularly suited to be molded with brittle and/or 
transparent molding plastics, such as polystyrene, commonly called crystal 
styrene. The principal reason for molding the trays from transparent 
materials, such as, polystyrene, is the compact disc manufacturers want an 
additional viewing surface for advertising, that is, the surface which is 
viewable beneath the tray when the case is opened. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
Molded plastic trays for holding two high-density media recording devices 
in a back-to-back relationship are well-known to the art. Also known to 
the art are trays molded of polystyrene which is a transparent but highly 
brittle material. The cases and trays made of polystyrene are used to 
store and display the discs for retail sale. Even though the case is 
relatively inexpensive, when compared to the cost of the compact discs it 
holds, it must be strong enough to hold the discs over a long period of 
time and withstand frequent opening, closing, dropping,and rough handling 
during shipping and processing on automated assembly lines. 
Industry requirements and consumer preferences have dictated the dimensions 
of the case. Sizes greater than these predetermined dimensions, especially 
greater thickness, have led to a lack of acceptance because oversized 
cases are more expensive, take up more shelf space and are not compatible 
with existing packaging automation. They have not been accepted by 
consumers because they are more difficult to store, especially by those 
who own large collections of compact discs. 
The recording, software, game and movie industries currently market works 
which are too lengthy and require more than one compact disc or have been 
modified to require more than one compact disc. Increasing the thickness 
of the case to accommodate a second disc is not always acceptable to the 
consumer. The industries have thus sought a case for two compact discs 
which has the same thickness as a case for the single compact disc and is 
compatible with automated packaging equipment currently in use. 
Popular cases currently manufactured for holding two compact discs on a 
single tray include a rectangular base, a corresponding rectangular cover 
pivotally attached to the base and a rectangular tray for holding the 
compact disc also hingedly attached to the base, whereby the tray can be 
swung outwardly to provide the consumer with access to both sides. 
A patent to Dunker, U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,248, discloses a tray and case 
including a base and a cover which is hingedly attached to the base. A 
tray is pivotally mounted in the base at the end opposite where the cover 
is hinged. In the embodiment shown by the patent, the tray cannot swing 
substantially beyond 90.degree. because it engages an end wall of the 
case. 
A further development in cases for holding two compact discs is disclosed 
by Lammerant et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,085. In this patent, a base for 
the case was specially designed to receive pins on the tray to enable the 
tray to be swung outwardly in a portfolio style. In this way, the compact 
disc on the underside of the tray can be easily removed because the tray 
can be rested upon a table and is adequately supported while the compact 
disc is being removed. Importantly, however, a special case had to be 
designed to receive the tray. The design required openings in special 
locations to receive the pivot points of the tray. Subsequently, a case 
was disclosed in the patent to Choi, U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,425. In the Choi 
patent, also, the tray was disposed within a specially designed case. 
Choi's pivot point is adjacent the spine of the case, thereby enabling the 
tray to be moved like a page in a book. In each of the above-described 
patents the case had to be specially designed to receive a pivotally 
disposed tray. 
A standard case for holding a single compact disc has a base including a 
bottom, two sidewalls, one on each side of the bottom, an end wall and a 
spine. A relatively large cover pivot opening is disposed in each of the 
sidewalls adjacent the spine to receive inwardly facing pins disposed on 
arms which extend from the cover. The pins fit into the relatively large 
cover pivot openings in the base and provide a pivot point for the cover 
to enable the user to open and close the case. A first set of retaining 
openings, smaller than the cover pivot openings, is formed in each of the 
sidewalls of a conventional base adjacent the spine to receive a set of 
pins on the tray to hold the tray in place within the base. Also, a second 
set of retaining openings is formed in each of the sidewalls of a 
conventional base adjacent the end wall to receive another set of pins on 
the tray, also to hold the tray in place within the base. 
When packaging two compact discs on a single tray, the tray is pressed into 
the base and pins on the tray slip into openings in the base. With the 
trays of either Lammerant et al. or Choi, both mentioned above, special 
cases had to be designed to house trays which receive discs on both sides. 
Such specially designed cases require the compact disc packager to stock 
large quantities of different types of bases and covers in inventory to 
package their compact discs. 
United States Patent to Gelardi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,243, discloses 
a tray for holding two compact discs which can be fitted into a 
conventional case. A so-called living hinge is used to allow both sides of 
the tray to be accessed when it is placed in a conventional case. Living 
hinges depend upon the use of a flexible plastic material such as 
polyethylene and are well known to the art for many different 
applications. The Gelardi et al. patent utilizes the living hinge so the 
tray may be pivoted over the spine of the case. Polyethylene, however, is 
not transparent. One cannot see clearly through the tray to the bottom of 
the case. Thus, while the Gelardi et al. patent provided for the 
disposition of a tray in a case conventionally made for storing only one 
compact disc, it did not provide clear, glass-like transparency. Styrene 
provides such transparency, but because of its inherent brittleness it is 
impossible to make a living hinge from polystyrene. 
International Application Number WO96/23304, published Jan. 8, 1996, based 
on International Application PCT/FR96/00091 by Cha et al., discloses a 
molded styrene tray which can be used to hold two compact discs and which 
can be disposed in a conventional case which is adapted to hold only one 
compact disc. The tray of the Cha et al. application includes two molded 
plastic material elements connected to each other by a hinge made of a 
flexible sheet of Mylar. The hinge is fixedly attached to each of the 
elements by a technique called over-molding. While the tray described in 
the above-mentioned application can be disposed within conventional cases, 
the use of the Mylar over-molded strip slows the production rates 
significantly, and also introduces additional costs. Moreover, the Mylar 
strip over a prolonged period of time can become brittle and will crack, 
thus destroying the tray. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the present invention I have discovered a tray which can be 
molded of brittle, transparent plastic for holding two high-density media 
recording devices, such as, two compact discs, or one compact disc and one 
3.5 inch microrecording floppy disc on opposite sides of a planar surface, 
and for providing access to both sides of the tray. The tray can be 
disposed within a conventional molded transparent case, commonly called a 
jewel box, which is adapted to hold only one compact disc. 
In one embodiment (wherein the tray swings in a book style) an insert is 
disposed at each end of a shelf and at least one of the inserts has an 
outwardly extending pin disposed thereon. The pin is adapted to fit into a 
conventionally disposed retaining opening in a sidewall of the case so the 
tray is held in place. A tray pivot point is disposed between the shelf 
and the planar surface, and a frangible membrane cooperates with the shelf 
and the planar surface to hold the shelf and the planar surface as a 
single unit until the tray is disposed within the case. When the membrane 
is broken, the tray can pivot to allow access to both planar surfaces 
after the tray is fitted within the case. In a second embodiment (wherein 
the tray swings in a portfolio style) a tray similar to the one described 
above is used. An insert is disposed on each of the edges of the tray and 
an outwardly extending pin is disposed on each of the inserts. The pins 
are adapted to fit into the retaining openings conventionally formed in 
the sidewalls of the case into which the tray will be fitted, whereby to 
hold the tray in place in the case. Pivot points are disposed between the 
inserts and the tray. Frangible membranes are arranged to hold the tray 
and the inserts as a single unit until the tray is disposed within the 
case, and then will break so the tray can swing around the pivot to allow 
access to both planar surfaces after the tray is fitted within the case. 
Preferably, the tray pivot point is formed of at least one protuberance and 
at least one opening, and the protuberance is adapted to fit into the 
opening. The frangible connection is a molded membrane associated with the 
protuberance and the opening. In one embodiment of the connection, the 
membrane is disposed between the protuberance and the opening. In another 
embodiment the frangible connection is a membrane between the tray and the 
insert, adjacent the pivot point. In yet another embodiment, the frangible 
connection is formed between a pusher flange extending from the tray and 
the insert. Also, it is preferred that the distance between the outer 
surfaces of the two inserts (that is, the surfaces which will abut the 
sidewalls of the base) be slightly greater (in the order of 0.5 to 2 mm) 
than the interior width of the case (that is, the distance between the 
insides of the sidewalls) into which the tray will be fitted so when the 
tray is forced into the case, the step of fitting will break the frangible 
membrane so the tray will be free to swing. 
My invention further involves a hinge assembly for use with a tray for 
holding two compact discs in a back-to-back relationship, the tray being 
adapted to be fitted within a conventional case. The hinge assembly 
includes a pair of inserts and a shelf connecting the inserts together. 
There is at least one first pin facing outwardly from each of the inserts. 
The first pin is adapted to be seated within first retaining openings on 
sidewalls of the conventional case. Also, there is at least one 
protuberance facing inwardly from each of the inserts and adapted to fit 
within pivot openings on flanges disposed beneath the shelf. A frangible 
membrane connects the inserts and the tray, whereby the tray and shelf are 
temporarily held together as a single unit prior to fitting of the tray 
within the case. The frangible membrane is then broken to allow the 
protuberances to be seated within the pivot openings and form a pivot 
point and provide for swinging of the tray around the pivot point to allow 
access to both sides of the tray. 
When using the principles of the present invention, significant savings can 
be realized, not only in labor and reducing the necessity of warehousing 
of more than one style of case, but also in the necessity of utilizing 
multiple sets of high capital cost automation in the assembly and 
packaging of compact discs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to FIG. 1, the compact disc case of the present invention 
includes a base 11 and a cover 12. Base 11 has retaining openings 32, 79 
in the sidewalls to receive a tray designed to hold only one compact disc. 
The cover 12 is hingedly connected to the base 11 at pivot points formed 
by pins 31 (one shown) fitting into a pivot opening (not shown) which 
allows the case to be opened and closed. The base 11 has an end wall 14 
and sidewalls 15 disposed around a bottom 16. A tray 17 formed of a 
disc-receiving planar surface 17a on each side of the tray 17 fits into 
the base 11. A hub 22 is centrally disposed in the planar surfaces 17a to 
receive and hold CDs on both sides of the tray 17, or a CD on one side and 
a 3.5 inch microdisc on the other. The hub 22 can be of conventional 
design for holding two CDs, such as disclosed in the Dunker patent 
mentioned above, or as disclosed in my copending patent, U.S. Pat. No. 
5,803,251. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a shelf 18 is hingedly connected 
to the tray 17 with protuberances (not shown) which are connected to 
flanges 19, the flanges 19 being integrally molded to the edges of tray 
17. In this embodiment, a ledge 20 is shown depending from shelf 18. 
Flanges 19 are free to move in an 180.degree. arc within cutouts 18a 
formed in shelf 18 and ledge 20. The tray 17 has a peripheral size which 
enables it to be fitted within the base 11. A rim 21 can extend (or 
partially extend) around the sides the edge of the tray 17 to provide 
rigidity. An array of openings 23 is formed in the planar surfaces 17a to 
enable the user to remove CDs easily when they are mounted on the tray. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, a conventional jewel box includes the base 11 with 
a flat rectangular bottom 16 (shown through openings 23), two lateral 
sidewalls 15, an end wall 14 and a spine 6 (that is, the side opposite end 
wall 14). Retaining openings (not shown) are formed in the sidewalls 15 
adjacent spine 6 of the base 11 (that is, the side opposite the end wall 
14). Cover 12 is attached to base 11 by means of inwardly facing pins (not 
shown) which are disposed upon longitudinal extensions 12b of sidewalls 
12a. Tray 17 is fitted within the base 11. Shelf 18 extends between 
sidewalls 15 and holds tray 17 in place within the base 11. Shelf 18 is 
connected to tray 17 by means of pivot points located in flanges 19 
(attached to tray 17) and inserts (not shown, but frangibly attached to 
shelf 18). 
Referring to FIG. 3, an exploded view of a corner of the case of one 
embodiment of the present invention is shown. Sidewalls 12a of cover 12 
have extensions 12b disposed thereon, as is conventional. The extensions 
12b carry a cover pivot pin 30 which fits into cover pivot opening 31 in 
sidewall 15 of the base of the case. Cover 12 swings around cover pivot 
pin 30, as is conventional. A smaller retaining opening 32 is spaced about 
1.8 to 2.1 mm from its centerline to the bottom 16 of the base and about 5 
mm from the centerline of the cover pivot opening 31 (adjacent the spine 
6). Each of the elements of the case herein described as conventional and 
their locations in the case are to be found in cases designed to receive a 
tray which holds only one compact disc, commonly called a jewel box. Such 
cases have a base and a cover, with a bottom, two sidewalls, a spine and 
an end wall. The sidewalls have a set of cover pivot openings, a first set 
of retaining openings adjacent the spine. The centerline of the first set 
of retaining openings is spaced about 11 mm from the centerline of the 
cover pivot openings and a second set of retaining openings is spaced 
about 127 mm from the pivot openings 31. 
According to this embodiment of the present invention, shelf 18 receives a 
pair of inserts 33 (one of which is shown) depending therefrom and 
integrally molded therewith. The bottom of insert 33 rests (or nearly 
rests, that is, about 0.15 mm above) upon the bottom 16 of the base of the 
case and is nested in the corner. A pin 34 (shown in dotted lines) faces 
outwardly from the insert 33 and fits into the conventional retaining 
opening 32 in the sidewall 15. Pin 34 has a diameter between about 1.75 
and slightly less than 2.0 mm, and extends outwardly about 0.5 to 1.0 mm 
from the insert 33 to enable it to firmly fit in retaining opening 32. 
Preferably, for additional support, a second pin 46 (shown in dotted lines 
as a half-pin) also faces outwardly from the insert 33 and is seated in 
pivot opening 31 (along with cover pivot pin 30). Pin 46 has a relatively 
shallow depth so as not to interfere with the disposition or rotation of 
cover pivot pin 30 within cover pivot opening 31. The shelf 18 and each of 
the inserts 33 are firmly fitted within the base 11 and secured thereto by 
means of the pins in the retaining openings. The perimeter of shelf 18 
rests upon the top of spine 6 and sidewalls 15 to provide additional 
support. 
An opening 35 is formed in insert 33. Protuberance 19a (shown in dotted 
lines) is arranged to fit within the corresponding opening 35 in flange 19 
which is disposed on the edge of planar surface 17a. Although not shown in 
this Figure, protuberance 19a is connected to the opening 35 in the insert 
33 by a thin frangible membrane which enables the tray 17 to be rigidly, 
but temporarily, held with the insert 33 and the shelf 18. In this 
embodiment, a ledge 20 is integrally connected to the shelf 18, although 
in other embodiments the shelf and the ledge can be separate from each 
other. Flange 19 can move within slot 18a formed in shelf 18 when the 
frangible membrane is broken. 
Referring to FIG. 4, a corner of the assembled case of FIG. 3 is shown. 
Cover 12 is hingedly attached to the base by means of extension 12b. Cover 
pivot pin 30 on extension 12b is seated in cover pivot opening 31. Insert 
33 is integrally molded with shelf 18. Pin 34 extends from the side of 
insert 33 and fits into conventionally disposed retaining opening 32 in 
the sidewall 15. Flange 19 is molded as an integral part of planar surface 
17a. Protuberance 19a extends from flange 19 and fits in and is detachably 
connected (by the frangible membrane) to opening 35 in insert 33 which 
enables tray 17 to be rotated (after breaking the frangible membrane) to 
provide access to both sides of tray 17. To keep the shelf 18 and inserts 
33 temporarily rigid relative to the tray 17, the membrane (shown in FIGS. 
5a, 5b and 5c) is used to connect the inserts to the tray. 
Referring now to FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c, flange 19 carries protuberance 19a 
which is seated in the opening 35 in insert 33. An example of an 
embodiment of the frangible membrane being disposed at the pivot point is 
shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b. An array of frangible membranes 41 connects 
protuberance 19a to the opening 35. Generally, these frangible membranes 
have a thickness (at least in one location thereon) corresponding to the 
thickness of flashing, generally between about 0.05 and 0.7 mm. They can 
be easily broken by either the force required to lift the tray from the 
base, or by compressive horizontal forces generated when the tray is 
inserted into the base during packaging and/or assembly operations. Nubs 
42 are disposed around the protuberance 19a to prevent inordinate wobble 
after the frangible membranes 41 are broken. In FIG. 5c another embodiment 
is shown. Membrane 141a is shown disposed between the periphery of opening 
35 in insert 33 and the periphery of pin 119a. In this embodiment the 
frangible member 141a is at the pivot point. Although the membrane 141a is 
shown to be at the periphery of opening 35, it may also be displaced 
inwardly of opening 35 so a portion of pin 119a is already within opening 
35. While the frangible member is preferably disposed at the pivot point, 
other locations adjacent the pivot point may also be used which connect 
the insert 33 to tray 17 as shown in FIGS. 5c and 8c. 
In the FIG. 5c embodiment, membrane 141a connects insert 33. This 
embodiment is especially responsive to breakage by either horizontal 
compressive forces or vertical forces occurring when the tray is swung 
open from in the bottom of the case. As mentioned previously, the distance 
between the outer surfaces of the inserts 33 is preferably slightly 
greater than the space between sidewalls of the case into which the tray 
will be fitted so when the tray is forced into the case, the step of 
fitting will break the frangible membrane 41 (or 141a) so the tray will be 
free to pivot. 
Referring now to FIGS. 6a and 6b, the insert 33 is shown disposed within 
the base 11. Retaining pin 34 extends outwardly from insert 33 and fits 
into retaining opening 32 (shown in dotted lines) in the sidewall (not 
shown). Planar surface 17a carries flange 19 which is disposed within slot 
18a in shelf 18. Insert 33 has the pivot opening 35 into which 
protuberance 19a is disposed. Protuberance 19a is connected to opening 35 
by means of membranes 41. The compressive forces generated when the 
assembly is forced into the base can break the membrane 41, or when tray 
17 is lifted the membranes 41 will crack, both situations allowing for a 
full 180.degree. around protuberance 19a. 
FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c differ from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b in 
that tray 17 and ledge 20 are integrally connected together, and when tray 
17 is rotated, ledge 20 will rotate with it. As specifically shown in FIG. 
7c, tray 17 can be rotated a full 180.degree. around protuberance 19a 
after membranes 41 are broken. 
Referring to FIGS. 8a and 8b, a tray 80 is shown having two disc-receiving 
surfaces 80a and 80b (one on each side). A hub 81 is centrally disposed in 
the disc-receiving surfaces 80a and 80b, and serves to hold discs (or one 
disc and a 3.5 inch microrecording device) on each disc-receiving surface. 
Openings 82 are disposed in the tray 80 to allow for the removal of discs 
stored thereon. A shelf 89 is disposed at the end of tray 80 and is 
elevated from the planar surface 80a by ledge 90. Shelf 89 will rest upon 
the spine of the base, as is conventional. A longitudinally extending rim 
92 provides support for the tray 80 against torsional rotation. If 
desired, a rim 80c can be added to the edges of the tray 80 to provide 
additional rigidity. The embodiment of FIGS. 8a to 8d differs from the 
embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in that the tray 80 opens in a portfolio style 
from the end wall base of the case. 
In this embodiment, two inserts 83 are disposed on opposite sides of tray 
80 and are attached within flanges 94 to two pins 84 by frangible 
membranes, such as described in FIGS. 5a to 5c. Inserts 83 have retaining 
pins 86 which fit into retaining openings 79 (shown in FIG. 1) in the 
sidewalls 15 of conventional cases designed to receive only one compact 
disc. Such cases have retaining openings in the sidewalls 15 adjacent the 
end wall 14 spaced about 127 mm from the centerline of the retaining 
opening 79 to the centerline of the pivot opening 31 and about 1.8 to 2.1 
mm from the bottom 16. The distance between the outer surfaces of the 
inserts 83 is slightly greater (in the order of 0.5 to 2 mm) than the 
space between the inside of the sidewalls 15 of the bottom of the 
conventional case into which the tray will be fitted, whereby when the 
tray 80 and the inserts 83 are forced into the bottom of the case, the 
step of fitting will break the frangible membrane so the tray 80 is free 
to swing. Full 180.degree. rotation of tray 80 is obtained by providing 
recess 91 in the tray 80 so it can fit over the end wall 14 of the case. 
In FIGS. 8c and 8d, the tray 80 is shown with the inserts 83 nested in the 
base of the case adjacent bottom 16 and engaging end wall 14. A shoulder 
83a extending outwardly from insert 83 rests upon the top of sidewall 15. 
Shoulder 83a prevents movement of the insert all the way to the bottom 16 
of the case, while a slanted edge 83b enables the insert 83 to be fitted 
snugly within the corner of the base and prevents disengagement when the 
tray is opened to 180.degree. or more. The bottom of the insert is raised 
slightly from the bottom 16 to provide space for the disposition of 
advertising literature. A rim 80c is disposed on the periphery of tray 80 
to provide rigidity. Tray 80 carries a pivot pin 84 which, when assembled 
in the base of the case, will fit into a pivot opening 85 disposed at the 
pivot point of the tray within a flange 94. An opening 88 is formed within 
the insert 83 directly above the retaining pin 86 which allows the pin 86 
to bend inwardly slightly upon insertion of the insert 83 and the tray 80 
into the base of the case. Essentially, slot or opening 88 acts as a 
spring and allows both inward and torsional motion of retaining pin 86 
when the assembly is being fitted into the base of the case. Alternatively 
to the horizontal disposition of the opening 80 (as shown), the opening 
may also be one or two vertical slots. The slots are disposed closely 
adjacent to pin 84. As shown in FIG. 8d, a membrane illustrated in FIGS. 
5a to 5c has been broken and the tray 80 is free to swing a full 
180.degree.. 
Referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b, a tray 100 is shown having two disc-receiving 
surfaces 100a and 100b (one on each side). A hub 101 is centrally disposed 
in the dis-creceiving surfaces 100a and 100b, and serves to hold discs on 
each disc-receiving surface. Openings 100d are disposed in the tray 100 to 
allow for the removal of discs stored thereon. A shelf 109 is disposed at 
the end of tray 100 and is elevated from the planar surface 100a by ledge 
110. Shelf 109 will rest upon the spine of the base of the case, as is 
conventional. A longitudinally extending rim 102 provides support for the 
tray 100 against torsional rotation. If desired, rims 100c can be added to 
the edges of the tray 100 to provide additional rigidity. Rims 100c can 
extend along the entire length of the tray 100, or partially, as desired. 
In this embodiment, an insert 103 is disposed on each side of tray 100. 
Pins 114 extend from the inserts 103 and are partially disposed within 
openings in rim 102 or the pins can extend from the rim 102 and be 
partially disposed within openings within the inserts 103. Inserts 103 
have retaining pins 106 which fit into retaining openings 79 (shown in 
FIG. 1) in the sidewalls 15 of conventional cases designed to receive only 
one compact disc. 
As discussed previously, such cases have retaining openings in the 
sidewalls 15 adjacent the end wall 14 spaced about 127 mm from the 
centerline of the retaining opening 79 to the centerline of the pivot 
opening 31 (see FIG. 1) and about 1.8 to 2.1 mm from the bottom 16 of the 
case. The distance between the outer surfaces of the inserts 103 is 
slightly greater (in the order of 0.5 to 2 mm) than the space between the 
inside of the sidewalls 15 of the bottom of the conventional case into 
which the tray will be fitted, whereby when the tray 100 and the inserts 
103 are forced into the bottom of the case, the step of fitting will break 
the frangible membrane so the tray 100 is free to swing. Full 180.degree. 
rotation of tray 100 is obtained by providing recess 100e in the tray 100 
so it can fit over the end wall 14 of the case. 
In the embodiment of FIGS. 9a and 9b, the two inserts 103 are attached to 
tray 100 by means of pusher flanges 120 which extend from disc-receiving 
surface 100a, as will be explained hereinafter. A protuberance 114 extends 
from rim 102 and fits into an opening in insert 103 and is free to rotate 
therein, thereby allowing the tray to swing freely in the jewel box. Slots 
121 are formed behind pusher flange 120 to enable the pins 106 to shift 
inwardly slightly as the tray is being inserted into the jewel box before 
they enter the openings which will retain them there. Slots 121 serve as 
springs because when pins 106 are fitted in the opening in the jewel box 
they allow the pins 106 to move inwardly and then force the pins 106 into 
retaining openings 79 and keep them in place. While depicted as being 
disposed only immediately behind the pusher flange 120, it is to be 
understood that slot 121 may extend through the rim 102, thereby allowing 
flexure of the pins 114. A laterally extending slot 122 is formed in the 
tray 100 at right angles to slot 121. Slot 122 allows the rib 102 to bend 
inwardly and bow somewhat. 
Turning to FIGS. 9c and 9d, tray 100 is attached to insert 103 by means of 
several frangible membranes 105 which are disposed between pusher flange 
120 and insert 103. Membranes 105 each have a thickness (at least in one 
location) corresponding to the thickness of flashing, generally between 
about 0.05 and 0.7 mm. They can be easily broken by both the force exerted 
upon pusher flange 120 while the tray and insert are being inserted into a 
jewel box and by compressive horizontal forces generated as the tray in 
fitted into the base of the jewel box during packaging and/or assembly 
operations (since the distance between opposite sides of inserts 103 is 
slightly greater than the width of the interior of the jewel box in which 
it is to be inserted). To provide a repository for any broken pieces of 
membranes 105, complimentary cavities 104 are formed in tray 100. These 
cavities will receive broken portions of the membranes 105, thereby 
enabling insert 103 to be squeezed and be seated in the jewel box. A 
chamfered edge 123 on insert 103 enables the insert to easily slide into 
the jewel box and simultaneously provide for breaking membranes 105 as the 
insert moves inwardly during the assembly operation. After the pins 106 
have been seated in the openings in the sidewalls of the jewel box and the 
membranes 105 have been broken, tray 100 will be free to swing around 
protuberance 114 that is seated in opening 114a. Preferably, protuberance 
114 is slightly tapered and has a triangular cross section, thereby 
enabling it to be easily seated within the opening 114a, although other 
cross-sectional shapes can also be used. 
It is apparent that modifications and changes can be made with the spirit 
and scope of the present invention, but it is my intention, however, only 
to be limited by the scope of the appended claims.