Disc case

A recess is formed in a tray of a disc case. A peripheral wall portion of the recess is formed having disc supporting portions that support a disc in a manner such that the recording surface of the disc is floating. Spring elements are arranged along slots that are formed in the peripheral wall portion. Each spring element is formed having a protuberance and a guide surface. As the disc is inserted into the recess, the spring elements bend with their respective guide surfaces touched by an outer peripheral portion of the disc. The outer peripheral portion of the disc moves into the space inside the protuberances of the spring elements. When the disc is in the recess, the protuberances prevent the disc from slipping out of the recess.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-284071, filed Sep. 19, 2000, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a disc case used to store media discs, such as compact discs, so-called CD singles, digital versatile discs, etc.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a disc case that is conventionally used to store a media disc such as a compact disc, upper and lower plastic cases are swingably coupled to each other by means of hinge pivots, in general. A circular boss (center boss) is formed in the center of the lower case of the conventional disc case of this type. The disc is held in a manner such that its recording surface is floating as its center hole is fitted on the center boss.

Disc cases that are used to store discs containing musical pieces, literature, etc. require peculiar, beautiful designs that distinguish those disc contents from others. If the center boss is formed on the base plate, as in the conventional disc case, however, it inevitably restricts the case design.

Possibly, a flat base plate without a center boss may be used for the purpose. In this case, however, a protective sheet such as a nonwoven fabric must be used to protect the recording surface of a disc. Thus, the number of indispensable components increases, and besides, the protective sheet spoils the beautiful appearance of the expressly designed base plate.

A proposed example of a disc case without a center boss is formed having an opening in a side face of its tray. A disc can be loaded into and unloaded from this disc case through the opening in the lateral direction of the tray. Conventional automatic disc loaders are designed so that they can insert the disc into the tray that is held horizontal from above the tray (in the thickness direction of the tray). Thus, the existing automatic disc loaders cannot be applied to disc cases that require the disc to be inserted in the lateral direction of the tray.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a disc case capable of holding a disc in a given position on a tray without using a center boss and preferably of allowing the disc to be loaded into and unloaded from the tray in the thickness direction of the disc.

A disc case according to the present invention comprises a tray having a recess to be stored with a disc, a disc supporting portion formed on a peripheral wall portion of the recess and capable of supporting the outer peripheral portion of the disc in a manner such that the recording surface of the disc is floating, and spring portions provided near the peripheral wall portion. Each of the spring portions preferably may include a protuberance movable between a projecting position in which it prevents the disc from slipping out of the recess and a position in which it allows the disc to be taken out, a spring element for urging the protuberance toward the projecting position, and a guide surface adapted to touch the outer peripheral portion of the disc, thereby bending the spring element in a direction to allow the insertion of the disc into the recess, as the disc is inserted into the recess.

When the disc case is stored with the disc, the outer peripheral portion of the disc touches the respective guide surfaces of the spring portions. As the spring elements bend, the outer peripheral of the disc moves into inside the protuberances, whereby the disc is set in the recess. The respective protuberances of the spring portions are restored to their original projecting position by means of the elastic force of the spring elements. The outer peripheral portion of the disc in the recess is supported by means of the disc supporting portion. Thus, the recording surface of the disc is slightly lifted above the base portion of the tray. Besides, the protuberances prevent the disc from slipping out of the tray.

According to the present invention, the disc can be held in a given position on the tray with its recording surface floating without using a center boss. Since the disc case of the invention uses no center boss, restrictions on the design of the base portion of the tray are reduced. Further, the disc can be inserted into the recess in its thickness direction.

According to this invention, each of the spring portions may include an arm-shaped spring element that extends along a slot in the tray and can bend around the opposite ends of the slot. In this case, the spring elements easily bend in the diametrical direction of the disc.

Preferably, according to this invention, the tray is formed having an elliptic or oval recess. In taking out the disc, in this case, the disc can be easily disengaged from the protuberances by bending the spring elements in a manner such that its position is slightly shifted in the major-axis direction of the recess.

Preferably, according to this invention, an opening is formed in a side portion of the tray. In taking out the disc from the recess, in this case, a user can push the spring elements by, for example, slightly shifting the position of the disc with his/her finger on the outer peripheral portion of the disc at the opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A disc case10according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference toFIGS. 1to6.

The disc case10shown inFIG. 1comprises a plastic tray11and a lid13that is swingably attached to the tray11by means of a hinge portion12. The tray11is formed having a circular recess14that is shaped corresponding to the external shape of a disc D. The recess14includes a flat base portion15and a peripheral wall portion16around the base portion15.

Disc supporting portions20are formed on the peripheral wall portion16. As shown inFIG. 4, the supporting portions20can carry thereon an outer peripheral portion D1of the disc D in the recess14in a manner such that a recording surface D2of the disc is floating. The supporting portions20are formed in a plurality of positions that are spaced in the circumferential direction of the recess14. The supporting portions20may be replaced with a supporting portion that extends continuously in the circumferential direction of the recess14.

Spring portions21are provided in a plurality of positions located close to the peripheral wall portion16of the recess14and spaced in the circumferential direction of the recess. Since the spring portions21have their configuration and function in common, one of them will be described representatively. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 5, the spring portion21has a slot22that extends in the circumferential direction of the recess14and an arm-shaped spring element25that extends along the slot22between its opposite ends23and24. Further, the spring portion21has a protuberance26formed near the upper end of the middle portion of the spring element with respect to its longitudinal direction and a slanting guide surface27formed on the outer side of the protuberance26.

A central portion30of the spring element25with respect to its longitudinal direction projects toward the inner part of the recess14. The protuberance26is formed integrally with the central portion30of the spring element25. The spring element25can bend in the diametrical direction of the disc D around the opposite ends23and24of the slot22. The spring elements25push the outer peripheral portion D1of the disc in the diametrical direction of the disc D, thereby the disc D is urged towards the center of the recess14.

The protuberance26can move in the direction indicated by arrow C in FIG.6. More specifically, the protuberance26can move between a projecting position B1in which it prevents the disc D from slipping out of the recess14and a position B2in which it allows the disc D to be taken out. The plate shaped spring element25urges the protuberance26toward the projecting position B1.

In the case of the tray11shown inFIG. 2, the spring portions21are located individually in four positions at given spaces in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall portion16of the recess14. Among the four spring portions21, a pair of spring portions21aand21bthat are situated nearer to one side portion11aof the tray11than to the other side portion11badjoin each other at an angle θ1(e.g., 60° or thereabout) narrower than 90° to each other. Another pair of spring portions21cand21dthat are situated nearer to the object side portion11bof the tray11also adjoin each other at an angle θ2(e.g., 60° or thereabout) narrower than 90° to each other. Thus, each spring portion21is liable to bend in the direction indicated by a segment L1in FIG.2.

The plane shape of the recess14(taken as the tray11is viewed in its thickness direction) is the shape of an ellipse or oval that has its major axis extending along the segment L1(along which each spring element25is liable to bend) and its minor axis extending along a segment L2perpendicular to the segment L1. In this embodiment, the major axis is longer than the minor axis by a dimension ΔL of several millimeters.

InFIG. 2, the respective centers of circular arcs R1and R2that pass individually through the respective distal ends of the protuberances26are represented by C1and C2, respectively. The distances (radii of curvature) from the centers C1and C2to the respective distal ends of the protuberances26are represented by r1and r2, respectively. When the spring elements25are subjected to no external force (or in a free state), r1and r2are a little shorter than the radius of the disc D. The guide surface27is a slope such that it projects toward the disc D with distance from its top to the base portion15is increased. As the disc D is inserted into the recess14, therefore, each spring element25bends in the direction to allow the insertion of the disc D with its guide surface27in contact with the outer peripheral portion D1of the disc D.

The disc case10of this embodiment, unlike a conventional one, uses no center boss, so that its base portion15is substantially flat. If the tray11is formed of an optically transparent synthetic resin, therefore, the backside of the base portion15can be seen from the outside. If a beautifully designed printed surface is provided on the backside of the tray11, moreover, the commercial value of the disc case10can be enhanced.

An opening40that opens into the recess14is formed in the one side portion11aof the tray11. The opening40enables a user to catch or push the outer peripheral portion D1of the disc D with his/her finger as he/she takes out the disc D from the recess14. As shown inFIG. 1, lugs13bare formed inner side portions13aof the lid13. When the lid13is put on, the respective distal ends of the lugs13bface the upper surface of the outer peripheral portion D1of the disc D.

FIGS. 15to18individually show examples of the shape of each lug13b. The lugs13bshown inFIGS. 15 and 16are reduced in thickness or tapered toward their respective distal ends13dso that they have their respective slopes13con the underside. Usually, respective slopes13care slightly apart from the edge of the outer peripheral portion D1of the disc. When the disc D is moved toward the lugs13bby shock or the like, the lugs13btouch only the edge of the outer peripheral portion D1of the disc. Accordingly, if the disc D is turned upside down and the recording surface D2of the disc faces on the lugs13b, therefore, the recording surface D2can be prevented from touching the lugs13b.

The following is a description of the operation of the disc case10according to this embodiment.

The disc D can be inserted into the recess14in the thickness direction of the tray11(indicated by arrows A in FIG.1). When the outer peripheral portion D1of the disc D touches the respective guide surfaces27of the spring portions21as the disc D is inserted into the recess14, the spring elements25bend so that the outer peripheral portion D1of the disc D get inside the protuberances26.

Thus, the disc D is held in the recess14, and the protuberances26are returned to their original projecting position by means of the elastic restoring force of the spring elements25. The outer peripheral portion D1of the disc D in the recess14is supported by means of the disc supporting portions20. The recording surface D2of the disc D is slightly lifted above the base portion15of the tray11. Besides, the protuberances26prevent the disc D from slipping out of the tray11. When the lid13is closed, the respective distal ends of the lugs13bface the outer peripheral portion D1of the disc D. If a shock acts on the disc case10, therefore, the lugs13bcan further effectively restrain the disc D from slipping out of the recess14.

The disc case10is designed so that the disc D can be inserted into the recess14in its thickness direction from above. Thus, an automatic loader that has been used in disc loading operation for conventional disc cases (cases with a center boss) can be used without modification. In this automatic loader, the disc D is kept horizontal by means of a vacuum suction mechanism or the like. The disc D can be set in the recess14by being simply inserted into the recess14from above the tray11.

The disc case10is provided with the spring elements25or plate springs that extend along the slots22in the tray11. Therefore, each spring element25can enjoy so long an overall length W (shown inFIG. 3) that it easily bends in the diametrical direction of the disc D. Further, the flexibility of each spring element25can be adjusted according to its overall length W. Thus, the spring elements25can be made hard to break, so that their durability can be improved.

The transparent resin for the tray11, e.g., polystyrene, ABS resin, or polyvinyl chloride, etc. that is doped with no softener, is harder than a resin that is doped with a softener. As described above, the spring elements25of the disc case10can be made flexible, so that their durability can be improved despite the use of the relatively hard resin as the material of the tray11. However, the material of the tray11may be selected freely, and an opaque resin may be used for the purpose.

In taking out the disc D from the recess14of the disc case10, the spring portions21cand21dcan be bent by pressing the disc D in the major-axis direction of the recess14(indicated by arrow P in FIG.2). By doing this, the outer peripheral portion D1of the disc D can be easily removed from the respective protuberances26of the spring portions21aand21bthat are situated near the opening40.

If the recess14has the shape of a perfect circle, a substantial gap is inevitably created between the outer peripheral portion D1of the disc D and the peripheral wall portion16throughout the circumference of the disc D when the spring portions21cand21dare allowed to bend in the direction of arrow P in FIG.2. This gap causes the disc D to shake in the recess14. According to this embodiment, however, the recess14is in the shape of a moderate ellipse or oval, so that the spring elements25can fully bend in the direction of the major axis (segment L1) of the recess14. The disc D can be prevented from moving in the direction of the miner axis (segment L2) of the recess14. Thus, the disc D can be restrained from shaking in the recess14. Further, the disc D can be easily disengaged from the protuberances26as it is taken out of the recess14.

The side portion11aof the tray11of this embodiment is formed having the opening40on the major axis (segment L1). In taking out the disc D from the recess14, the user softly pushes the disc D in the direction of arrow P with his/her finger on the outer peripheral portion D1of the disc D at the opening40. By doing this, the spring portions21cand21dcan be bent in the direction of arrow P, and the disc D can be easily disengaged from the respective protuberances26of the spring portions21aand21b.

FIG. 7shows a disc case10A according to a second embodiment of the invention. The disc case10A of this embodiment comprises a tray11and a folding cover member50of cardboard. An example of the cover member50includes a mount portion51fixed to the second surface of a base portion15of the tray11, a first cover portion52covering the first surface side of the tray11, a second cover portion53capable of being put on the second surface side of the mount portion51, etc. Since the basic configuration, function, and effect of the tray11of the second embodiment are the same as those of the tray11of the first embodiment, the common numeral is used to designate the two trays, and a description of the tray11of the second embodiment is omitted. The cover member50may alternatively be formed of a synthetic resin.

In the disc case10A of the second embodiment, patterns of desired designs can be beautifully printed on the cover member50by using an existing printing technique. If an optically transparent synthetic resin is used for the tray11, the printed surface of the mount portion51can be seen through the base portion15. The disc case10A, unlike a conventional one, uses no center boss, so that the beautiful printed surface of the mount portion51that is located on the under surface side of the transparent base portion15can be viewed clearly. Thus, the commercial value of the disc case10A is enhanced.

The spring elements25are expected only to have elasticity such that they can be deformed by being pushed by the outer peripheral portion D1of the disc D as the disc D is inserted into the recess14, and that they can be restored to their original state when the disc D is held in the recess14. In either of the foregoing embodiments, the spring elements25may be molded integrally with or separately from the tray11.

As in the case of a third embodiment shown inFIG. 8A, for example, the protuberance26and the guide surface27of each spring portion21may be formed having a continuous arcuate shape. As in a fourth embodiment shown inFIG. 8B, moreover, the protuberance26of each spring portion21may be tapered. Alternatively, as in a fifth embodiment shown inFIG. 8C, each spring element25may be formed having a tapered protuberance26and a guide surface27. These retaining protuberances26, like the ones according to the foregoing embodiment, are overhangs that project toward the inner part of the recess14.

As in the case of a sixth embodiment shown inFIG. 9, moreover, a protuberance26and a guide surface27may be formed on the distal end portion of each spring element25that has a U-shaped sheet portion55. Alternatively, as in a seventh embodiment shown inFIG. 10, a protuberance26and a guide surface27may be formed on the distal end portion of each spring element25that rises from the base portion15of the tray11. Thus, the spring portions may be formed having various shapes.

FIG. 11shows a disc case10B according to an eighth embodiment of the invention. Common numerals are used to designate common portions of the disc cases10and10B of the second and eighth embodiments, and a description of those portions is omitted. In the disc case10B, spring portions21cand21dwhich are remote from an opening40have a shape such that they can bend deeper in the direction of the segment L1than protuberances26of those spring portions21aand21bwhich are situated near the opening40can. Besides, the protuberances26of the spring portions21cand21dthat are remote from the opening40are larger than the protuberances26of the spring portions21aand21bnear the opening40.

If a shock acts on the disc case10B having these spring portions21ato21d, the disc cannot be easily disengaged from the spring portions21ato21d. In taking out the disc from the tray11, moreover, the user can fully bend the spring portions21cand21dby applying force P to an end of the disc with his/her fingertip60. Thus, the outer peripheral portion of the disc D can be easily disengaged from the protuberances26of the spring portions21aand21bthat are situated near the opening40by bending the spring portions21cand21dthat have a longer bending stroke.

FIGS. 12to14show a disc case10C according to a ninth embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 12, a plurality of circular holes71are formed in a base70that is formed of cardboard, for example. Round trays11′ are fitted in the holes71, individually. Each tray11′ shares its basic configuration and function with the tray11of the disc case10B shown inFIG. 11except for the following particulars.

As shown inFIG. 13, spring portions21a,21band21care formed individually in three positions on the circumference of each tray11′. Flange portions75that engage the upper side of the inner peripheral surface of each hole71in the base70and retaining protuberances76that can catch the inner peripheral surface of the hole71are formed on part of the tray11′ in its circumferential direction. The tray11′, like the tray11, is formed of an optically transparent synthetic resin. The base70is provided with printed surfaces72, on which beautifully designed patterns or pictures are printed. Among these printed surfaces72, those ones which are situated on the backside of the base portion15of the tray11′ can be externally seen through the transparent base portion15.

FIG. 19shows a disc case10according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. This disc case10is provided with a pair of retaining protuberances26anear the opening40. A spring portion21is formed opposed to the opening40. A pair of retaining protuberances26bis formed near the spring portion21. The protuberances26acloser to the opening40are smaller than the protuberances26blocated near the spring portion21.

FIG. 20shows a disc case10according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. This disc case10is provided with a pair of protuberance26anear the opening40. A protuberance26bis formed opposed to the opening40. A pair of spring portions21is formed near the protuberance26b. Like the protuberances26of the aforesaid embodiments, the protuberances26aand26bare over-hanging so as to prevent the disc from slipping out of the recess14.

In connection with the foregoing embodiments, the trays having the recess14with an elliptic or oval plane shape have been described as preferred examples. However, the present invention is also applicable to trays with various other shapes. It is to be understood that the invention is applicable to a disc case using a tray that has a substantially perfectly circular recess, for example.

In carrying out the present invention, the material and transparency of the trays may be selected freely, and in short, it is necessary only that the trays be shaped corresponding to media discs to be stored therein. It is to be understood that the respective configurations of the spring elements, protuberances, etc. and the number and location of the spring portions, as well as the respective configurations of the recess and the disc supporting portion(s), may be suitably changed or modified by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.