CD package

A CD package includes a CD tray for removably holding a CD, and a paper mount to which the CD tray is affixed. The CD tray is formed of paper produced from raw material other than wood pulp; specifically, paper produced from a combination of kenaf and bamboo fibers. The paper mount is formed of paper that contains kenaf and/or bagasse fibers in an amount of about 5-30% by weight and wood pulp as the, balance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
 1. Field of the Invention 
 The present invention relates to a CD package for removably holding a 
 compact disc (CD), or a recording medium which stores digital data, for 
 example, music data on a spiral recording track thereof. 
 2. Description of the Related Art 
 CD casings conventionally found in the market are produced from a synthetic
 resin, such as polystyrene. These CD casings are disposed of as industrial
 waste. Also, CDs are distributed in CD packages. The CD package includes a
 CD tray produced from a synthetic resin, a paper mount on which the CD 
 tray is affixed, and a container for accommodating the assembly of the CD 
 tray and the paper mount. When the CD package is to be disposed of, it 
 must be broken up for classified disposal of component parts, or it must 
 be disposed of as industrial waste. Burning component parts produced from 
 a synthetic resin involves emission of poisonous gases. Further, affixing 
 the CD tray on the paper mount involves use of an expensive adhesive, such
 as a hot-melt adhesive. Also, the casing does not permit printing thereon;
 thus, printed matter must be contained in the casing in order to provide a
 user with information about the contained CD. 
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
 An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems involved 
 in a conventional CD casing or CD package and to provide a CD package 
 capable of reducing the cost of disposal of a CD tray, a paper mount on 
 which the CD tray is affixed, and a container that contains the CD tray 
 affixed on the paper mount, permitting burning in a manner similar to that
 in which wood-pulp-derived paper is burnt, and contributing to forest 
 conservation; for example, through use of paper produced from raw material
 other than wood pulp, such as paper produced from a combination of kenaf 
 and bamboo fibers, as material for the CD tray. 
 In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a CD 
 package comprising a CD tray for removably holding a CD, the CD tray being
 formed of paper produced from raw material other than wood pulp; and a 
 container for accommodating the CD tray or a paper mount on which the CD 
 tray is affixed. Since members made of synthetic resin are not used, the 
 cost of classified disposal can be reduced. The CD tray, the paper mount, 
 and the container can be burnt in a manner similar to that in which 
 wood-pulp,-derived paper is burnt. 
 Preferably, the CD tray is formed of paper containing kenaf fibers in an 
 amount of 70-90% by weight and bamboo fibers in an amount of 10-30% by 
 weight. In this case, consumption of wood is reduced, thereby contributing
 to forest conservation and thus contributing to environmental protection. 
 Preferably, the paper mount contains kenaf and/or bagasse fibers in an 
 amount of about 5-30% and wood pulp as the balance. In this case, through 
 use of kenaf and/or bagasse, which are annual grasses, the proportion of 
 wood pulp to total material used is reduced, thereby contributing to 
 forest conservation and thus contributing to environmental protection. 
 Preferably, the CD tray comprises a bottom wall formed in a rectangular or 
 square shape; a boss projected from a central portion of the bottom wall 
 and adapted to be removably fitted into a center hole of the CD, the boss 
 being chamfered to have four corner portions, and tapered such that the 
 diameter of-the boss reduces toward an end thereof; an annular rest 
 portion provided at a base end of the boss and projected from the bottom 
 wall; projections extending along the corresponding opposite sides of the 
 bottom wall; side rest portions projected toward the boss from the 
 corresponding projections; and wing portions projected from the opposite 
 ends of each of the projections, wherein the boss, the projections, and 
 the wing portions have the same height above the bottom wall; the annular 
 rest portion and the side rest portions have the same height above the 
 bottom wall; and the wing portions each have an inward-projecting end 
 portion that abuts or comes into close proximity to a circumferential edge
 surface of the CD. In this case, since the annular rest portion and the 
 side rest portions are disposed in such a manner as to have the same 
 height above the bottom wall, the CD can be stably supported on the CD 
 tray while the boss is fitted into the center hole of the CD. 
 Preferably, four finger-reception recesses are defined by the projection 
 and the wing portions in such a manner as to be opened toward the boss. In
 this case, the finger-reception recesses receive the user's fingers to 
 thereby enable the user to remove a CD from the CD tray with his/her 
 fingers. 
 Preferably, aqueous coating is applied to the entire surface of the CD tray
 or to the surface of the boss and the surfaces of the inward-projecting 
 end portions. In this case, the applied aqueous coating prevents 
 generation of paper dust, which would otherwise result from strong 
 friction between the center hole wall of a CD and the boss of the CD tray 
 or between the circumferential edge surface of the CD and the surfaces of 
 the inward-projecting end portions of the CD tray. 
 Preferably, a weakly-adhesive seal is affixed to the annular rest portion 
 such that the boss of the CD tray is fitted into a center hole formed 
 therein, thereby enabling removable adhesion of the CD to the 
 weakly-adhesive seal. In this cases, even when some gap is present between
 the center hole wall of the CD and the boss of the CD tray or between the 
 circumferential edge surface of the CD and the four wing portions, the 
 weakly-adhesive seal prevents the CD from having play or the CD from 
 coming off the CD tray. 
 Preferably, the CD tray further comprises a peripheral frame portion 
 adapted to be affixed on the paper mount to thereby affix the CD tray on 
 the paper mount. In this case, the CD tray can be reliably affixed on the 
 paper mount at an appropriate position through bonding between the surface
 of the paper mount and the surface of the peripheral frame portion by 
 means of an inexpensive glue. 
 Preferably, the container assumes the form of a bag produced from a 
 synthetic resin or the form of a paper box. In this case, the paper mount 
 can be omitted in order to simplify the structure of the CD package and 
 thus providing the CD package at a low price. 
 Preferably, the paper mount assumes an elongated rectangular shape and is 
 scored, from the front-face side, at four positions perpendicularly to a 
 longitudinal direction across a width to thereby forming two central 
 scores and two outer scores; a space between the central scores is 
 narrower than that between the central score and the outer score; the 
 central scores and the outer scores define four rectangular portions, each
 having a size similar to or slightly greater than that of the CD tray; the
 outer rectangular portions are folded inward along the corresponding 
 scores so as to be superposed on the back faces of the inner rectangular 
 portions to thereby yield two pairs of superposed rectangular portions; 
 the paired superposed rectangular portions are bonded together at 
 peripheral portions by means of an adhesive; the CD tray is affixed to 
 either one pair of or both pairs of superposed rectangular portions 
 through bonding between the peripheral frame portion and the corresponding
 rectangular portion; and one pair of superposed rectangular portions is 
 folded along the central scores to thereby cover the CD tray in 
 cooperation with the other pair of superposed rectangular portions. In 
 this case, the CD can be stably held between the two-folded portions. 
 Preferably, a round hole is formed in the inner rectangular portion of the 
 two superposed rectangular portions at a central position so as to permit 
 the boss of the CD tray to be loosely fitted therein, and elongated 
 projections are formed on the rectangular portion on either side of the 
 round hole. In this case, the boss of the CD tray is loosely fitted into a
 round hole formed in the inner rectangular portion while the elongated 
 projections provided on either side of the round hole press a CD fitted to
 the boss against the annular rest portion and side rest portions of the CD
 tray, thereby stably holding the CD within the CD tray. 
 Preferably, the CD tray affixed on the paper mount is accommodated in a 
 container in a drawable manner, the container being formed of paper that 
 contains kenaf and/or bagasse fibers in an amount of 5-30% by weight and 
 wood pulp as the balance. In this case, despite employment of the 
 container, the proportion of wood pulp to total material used is reduced, 
 thereby contributing to forest conservation and thus contributing to 
 environmental protection.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
 Embodiments of the present invention will next be described in detail with 
 reference to the drawings. 
 FIGS. 1 and 2 show a CD package according to a first go embodiment of the 
 present invention. The CD package includes a CD tray 1, which is formed of
 paper produced from raw material other than wood pulp. 
 The CD tray 1 is formed of paper produced from raw material other than wood
 pulp; specifically, paper that contains kenaf fibers in an amount of 
 70-90% by weight and bamboo fibers in an amount of 10-30% by weight, 
 preferably kenaf fibers in an amount of 80% by weight and bamboo fibers in
 an amount of 20% by weight. 
 A boss 1a is projected from a central portion of the CD tray 1 and is 
 adapted to be removably fitted into a center hole 2a formed in a CD 2. The
 boss la has a square columnar shape, and four corner portions 1b are 
 chamfered such that squire-shaped portions respectively face rightward, 
 leftward upward, and downward in FIG. 1. An annular rest portion 1c is 
 provided at the base end of the boss 1a and is projected from a-bottom 
 wall 1d of the CD tray 1. The boss 1a is tapered such that its diameter 
 reduces from the base end toward the other end. The annular rest portion 
 1c has a skirt that is tapered such that its diameter reduces from the 
 bottom wall 1d toward the annular rest portion 1c. 
 Projections 1e are provided in the vicinity of the corresponding opposed 
 sides of the CD tray 1. Side rest portions if are projected from the 
 corresponding projections 1e toward the boss 1a and have a circularly 
 curved end. The boss 1a and the projections 1e have the same height above 
 the bottom wall 1d while the annular rest portion 1c and the side rest 
 portions if have the same height above the bottom wall 1d. Wing portions 
 1g are projected from the corresponding opposite end portions of each 
 projection 1e. Each wing portion 1g has an inward-projecting end portion 
 1h, so that the four inward-projecting end portions 1h support the CD 2 at
 four positions of the circumferential edge surface of the CD 2. The wing 
 portions 1g have the same height as the boss 1a and the projections 1e. 
 A finger-reception recess 1i is defined by each projection 1e and each wing
 portion 1g. A user puts his/her fingers into the corresponding 
 finger-reception recesses 1i in order to remove the CD 2 from the CD tray 
 1. The finger-reception recesses 1i substantially have the shape of the 
 letter "U" and are opened toward the boss 1a. A peripheral frame portion 
 1j is formed along the side edges of the CD tray 1 and is aligned with the
 bottom wall 1d. 
 The CD 2 has a diameter of 120 mm and a thickness of 1.2 mm, and the center
 hole 2a thereof has a diametrical variation of up to 0.05 mm. The 
 peripheral frame portion 1j has a width of about 2 mm as measured outward 
 from the projections 1e and wing portions 1g. The CD tray 1 has a 
 rectangular or square shape as viewed from above and has rounded corners. 
 FIGS. 3 and 4 show a paper mount 3 on which the CD tray 1 is to be bonded. 
 The paper mount 3 is formed of 400 g/m.sup.2 paper, which contains kenaf 
 and/or bagasse fibers in an amount of about 5-30% by weight and wood pulp 
 as the balance. 
 As shown in FIG. 3, the paper mount 3 has an elongated rectangular shape 
 and is scored, from the front-face-side, at four positions perpendicularly
 to the longitudinal direction across the width, thereby forming two 
 central scores 3a and two outer scores 3b. Each outer score 3b is located 
 between the corresponding central score 3a and an end of the paper mount 
 3. The space between the central scores 3a is rendered slightly greater 
 than the thickness of the CD tray 1. The central scores 3a and the outer 
 scores 3b define four rectangular portions 3c. A round hole 3d slightly 
 larger than the boss 1a of the CD tray 1 is punched in one outer 
 rectangular portion 3c from the back-face side, and elongated projections 
 3e projecting toward the front-face side are formed on the paper mount 3 
 in such a manner as to extend in the width direction of the paper mount 3 
 on either side of the round hole 3d and within a central area of the 
 corresponding rectangular portion 3c. 
 The outer rectangular portions 3c are folded inward along the outer scores 
 3b such that the outer rectangular portions 3c are superposed on the back 
 faces of the inner rectangular portions 3c. The two superposed rectangular
 portions 3c are affixed together at peripheral portions by means of an 
 adhesive. The pair of superposed rectangular portions 3c having the round 
 hole 3d serves as a cover 3f. The CD tray 1 is affixed on the pair of 
 rectangular portion 3c that does not have the round hole 3d, by means of a
 conventional glue applied to the back surface of the peripheral frame 
 portion 1j of the CD tray 1. The resultant assembly is shown in FIG. 5. 
 The CD 2 that stores, for example, music data is fitted to the CD tray 1 In
 the following manner: the center hole 2a formed in the CD 2 is fitted to 
 the boss 1a of the CD tray 1; the circumferential edge surface of the CD 2
 abuts the four inward-projecting end portions 1h of the CD tray 1; a 
 portion of the CD 2 around the center hole 2a rests on the annular rest 
 portion of the CD tray 1; and circumferential portions of the CD 2 rest on
 the side rest portions 1f of the CD tray 1. Subsequently, the cover 3f is 
 folded along the scores 3a so as to cover the resting CD 2, so that an end
 portion of the boss 1a of the CD tray 1 is loosely fitted into the round 
 hole 3d. Thus, the CD 2 is brought into an accommodated state as shown in 
 FIG. 6. The CD tray 1 and the paper mount 3 accommodating the CD 2 are 1 
 inserted into a container 5 having a shape of a book case as shown in FIG.
 7, yielding a CD package 4. The container 5 is formed of paper that 
 contains kenaf and/or bagasse as in the case of the paper mount 3. The 
 paper mount 3 and the container 5 bear printed information as appropriate.
 The CD tray 1 is formed of paper produced from raw material other than wood
 pulp; i.e., paper that contains kenaf fibers in an amount of 70-90% by 
 weight and bamboo fibers in an amount of 10-30% by weight, preferably 
 kenaf fibers in an amount of 80% by weight and bamboo fibers in an amount 
 of 20% bye weight. Accordingly, no part of the CD tray 1 becomes 
 industrial waste. The paper mount 3 and the container 5e are formed of 
 paper that contains kenaf and/or bamboo fibers in an amount of about 30% 
 by weight and wood pulp as the balance, thereby avoiding the cost of 
 classification of component parts, an increase in disposal cost, and 
 emission of poisonous gases during burning, which would result from use of
 a component part produced from a synthetic resin. Also, being formed of 
 paper, the paper mount 3 and the container 5 can be directly printed with 
 information and permit surface treatment, as needed, and the CD tray 1 can
 be easily bonded to the paper mount 3 at low cost. Through use of paper 
 produced from raw material other than wood pulp and through use of paper 
 that contains kenaf and/or bagasse fibers as well as wood pulp, 
 contribution is made to forest conservation. 
 The center hole 2a formed In the CD 2 is fitted to the boss 1a of the CD 
 tray 1; a portion of the CD 2 around the center hole 2a rests on the 
 annular rest portion 1c of the CD tray 1; and peripheral portions of the 
 CD 2 rest on the circularly curved side rest portions 1f. Thus, the CD 2 
 can be stably held on the CD tray 1. 
 According to Japanese Utility Model Application No. 5440/1996 (Japanese 
 Utility Model Registration No 3032353), depressions formed at the 
 corresponding four corners of a CD tray are bonded to a mount. By 
 contrast, the CD tray 1 of the present embodiment does not employ the 
 depressions, thereby improving appearance thereof. Since the back surface 
 of the peripheral frame portion 1j of the CD tray 1 is adapted to be 
 bonded to the paper mount 3, the contact surface between the CD tray 1 and
 the paper mount 3 is of a relatively large area, thereby enabling reliable
 bonding between the CD tray 1 and the paper mount 3 by means of an 
 inexpensive, conventional glue. 
 According to conventional practice, the round hole 3d is punched in the 
 paper mount 3 from the front-face side. By contrast, according to the 
 present embodiment, the round hole 3d is punched in the paper mount 3 from
 the back-face side In such a manner that the elongated projections 3e are 
 projected from the front face of the paper mount 3. Thus, when the cover 
 3f is closed, the central portion of the CD 2 can be reliably held by 
 means of the boss 1a of the CD tray 1 and the elongated projections 3e of 
 the paper mount 3. 
 When the CD 2 is to be held simply at 8 positions by means of friction 
 between the CD 2 and the boss 1a and between the CD 2 and the 
 inward-projecting end portions 1h, the friction is designed to be 
 relatively strong; consequently, the contact surfaces are rubbed together 
 strongly. Also, since the center hole 2a formed in the CD 2 has a 
 diametrical variation of about 0.05 mm, in some cases the boss 1a may be 
 fitted into the center hole 2a in a significantly tight manner. As a 
 result, paper dust may be generated. Thus, the present embodiment is not 
 designed to tightly hold the CD 2 by means of friction between the CD 2 
 and diagonal projections of the boss 1a, but is designed to reliably hold 
 the CD 2 through closing of the cover 3f of the paper mount 3, thereby 
 preventing generation of paper dust. Further, since kenaf and bamboo 
 fibers are long and strong, paper produced therefrom is less likely to 
 generate dust than is paper produced from wood pulp when used as material 
 for the CD tray 1. Also, through application, to a thickness of about 0.2 
 mm, of aqueous coating, such as aqueous varnish, to the entire surface of 
 the CD tray 1 or to the surfaces of the boss 1a and inward-projecting end 
 portions 1h, generation of paper dust, which would otherwise result from 
 rubbing, can be prevented. 
 FIGS. 8 and 9 show a modification of the first embodiment. The space 
 between two central scores 3g formed on the paper mount 3 is approximately
 twice that between the central scores 3a of the first embodiment, whereby 
 two CD trays 1 can be affixed on the corresponding opposed inner 
 rectangular portions 3c by means of glue applied to the back surfaces of 
 the peripheral frame portions 1j thereof. Thus, two CDs 2 can be removably
 held on the corresponding CD trays 1 while facing each other. 
 Preferably, the above-described modification does not have the round hole 
 3d and the elongated projections 3e, which are formed in the first 
 embodiment. The modification is configured In a manner similar to that of 
 the first embodiment except the above-described feature. In FIGS. 8 and 9,
 features similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by common 
 reference numerals. 
 FIG. 10 shows a CD package according to a second embodiment of the present 
 invention. As shown in FIG. 10, a weakly-adhesive seal 6 is affixed on the
 substantially entire surface of the annular rest portion 1c of the CD tray
 1 such that the boss 1a of the CD tray 1 is fitted into a center hole 6a 
 formed therein. The seal 6 is coated with an adhesive 6b for adhesively 
 holding the CD 2 in a removable manner. Accordingly, even when a gap is 
 present between the center hole 2a formed in the CD 2 and the boss 1a of 
 the CD tray 1 and between the circumferential edge surface of the CD 2 and
 the four Inward-projecting end portions 1h of the CD tray 1, the CD 2 will
 not have play or come off even in the event of vibration. Also, even when 
 the surface of the boss la or inward-projecting end portion 1h is damaged 
 as a result of attaching the CD 2 to and detaching from the CD tray 1 by a
 large number of repetitions, the CD 2 will not have play or come off. 
 Other features, usage, and effects of the second embodiment are similar to
 those of the first embodiment. 
 FIG. 11 shows a CD package according to a third embodiment of the present 
 invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the CD package of the present embodiment 
 includes the CD tray 1 according to the first or second embodiment and a 
 container 7 that assumes the form of a bag produced from a synthetic 
 resin. The CD tray 1 carrying the CD 2 is contained in the bag, which is 
 then shut tightly. When the CD 2 is to be used, the bag is opened and the 
 CD tray 1 carrying the CD 2 is taken out from the bag. The CD 2 is removed
 from the CD tray 1 and is then used. After being used, the CD 2 is 
 replaced on the CD tray 1. 
 FIG. 12 shows a CD package according to a fourth embodiment of the present 
 invention. As shown in FIG. 12, the CD package of the present embodiment 
 includes the CD tray 1 according to the first or second embodiment and a 
 container 8, which is composed of a box 8 opened upward (in FIG. 12) and a
 sheath 8b. The CD tray 1 carrying the CD 2 is placed in the box 8a. Then, 
 the sheath 8b is fitted to the box 8a in order to close the container 8. 
 When the CD 2 is to be used, the sheath 8b is removed from the box 8a. The
 CD 2 is taken out from the box 8a and is then used. After being used, the 
 CD 2 is replaced on the CD tray 1 and the sheath 8b is fitted to the box 
 8a. The box 8a and the sheath 8b are formed of paper that contains kenaf 
 and/or bagasse fibers in an amount of 5-30% by weight and wood pulp as the
 balance. The outer surface of the sheath 8b is printed with desired 
 information as needed. 
 The peripheral frame portion 1; may be omitted from the CD tray 1 to be 
 used in the CD package of the third or fourth embodiment. The fourth 
 embodiment is described while mentioning the box 8a opened upward (in FIG.
 12). However, the form of the box 8a is not limited thereto. The box 8a 
 may includes an inner box and an outer box serving as a cover for the 
 inner box. The CD tray 1 may be accommodated in each of the inner and 
 outer boxes. After the CDs 2 are fitted to the corresponding CD trays 1, 
 the inner box is covered with the outer box. The sheath 8b is fitted to 
 the resultant box assembly. 
 The CD packages of the third and fourth embodiments produce less industrial
 waste, thereby reducing disposal cost. The CD packages can be burned as 
 are conventional paper and the CD package of the first embodiment. 
 The above-mentioned containers may assume any form so long as they are 
 formed of paper that contains kenaf and/or bagasse and wood pulp.