Article for holding an object

A clip for holding an object, such as a literature booklet, comprises first (23) and second (25) resilient parts, the first part adapted to hold an object having a first thickness and the second part adapted to hold an object having a second thickness, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness. Consequently, the clip can hold a range of thickness of literature booklets or other objects. The clip may be part of an article, such as a container for compact discs or DVD's.

The present invention relates generally to containers and other articles for holding objects. The invention has particular relevance to containers and other articles for holding objects such as data storage media, including compact discs, DVD discs, tapes and cartridges (e.g. computer cartridges). The invention is not, however, limited to the field of data storage media, but is applicable generally to all types of containers and other articles for holding objects.

Recorded data, including audio data (e.g. music) and audio-visual data (e.g. films, television programs, or computer software, including computer games) are often supplied with literature, for example in the form of booklets. Such literature may provide information concerning the content of the data storage media, for example information concerning audio or audio-visual content, or instructions concerning computer software. With the ever-increasing range of such content, the range of literature booklet thicknesses has grown, to encompass slim booklets of a small number of pages (or even one or two sheets of paper), to thicker booklets of many pages. There is consequently a need for the containers and other articles holding the storage media and the accompanying literature to hold any thickness of booklet within a large range of thicknesses.

A media storage container including a literature clip for holding different thicknesses of literature booklets is proposed in international patent application WO 03/051747. This document discloses a clip that is able to move from a first position in which the clip is adapted to hold a relatively thin booklet, to a second position in which the clip is adapted to a hold a relatively thick booklet. The clip is moved from its first position to its second position and latched in place with respect to a wall of the container when in the second position.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved clip, especially an improved literature clip, and an article, for example a container, including the clip.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides a clip for holding an object, the clip comprising first and second resilient parts, the first part adapted to hold an object having a first thickness and the second part adapted to hold an object having a second thickness, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness.

A second aspect of the invention provides an article for holding an object, the article including at least one clip according to the first aspect of the invention. Preferably the article is a container.

The article according to the invention preferably is a container, e.g. for data storage media.

The clip according to the invention preferably is a literature clip, and the object preferably is a literature booklet (which term includes single or double sheets of paper). The clip preferably can hold single or double sheets of paper, or very slim booklets of thicknesses of 1-2 mm. The literature clip can also hold thicker booklets, preferably of thicknesses up to 8 mm, and more preferably up to 10 mm or 15 mm, or greater.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the second part of the clip extends from the first part, preferably from an end region (e.g. substantially an end) of the first part of the clip. The end region of the first part of the clip preferably is a free end region thereof. The second part of the clip preferably has a width no greater than (and preferably less than) the width of the first part of the clip, and preferably the second part of the clip does not project beyond the width of the first part of the clip. For example, the second part of the clip may correspond to an aperture in the first part of the clip (and, for example, the second part may, or may not, be formed by deforming a portion of the first part of the clip away from the reminder of the first part). Advantageously, the first and second parts may extend in generally opposing directions to each other.

The clip preferably is attached to the remainder of the article via the first part of the clip. The clip preferably is not attached to the remainder of the article via the second part of the clip. It is preferred that the second part, and at least a portion of the first part, of the clip, extend over a plane defining a surface of the article. Advantageously, the portion of the first part of the clip may comprise a cantilever extending over the surface of the article. Preferably the surface of the article adjacent to the clip is substantially flat, and more preferably substantially free from protrusions, e.g. to allow a booklet or other article to slide into, and out of, engagement with the clip along the surface of the article. Preferably at least a portion of the second part of the clip extends substantially parallel to the plane of the surface of the article.

To hold an object having a second thickness, the second part preferably moves resiliently with respect to the first part. To hold an object having a first thickness, the first and second parts preferably move resiliently as a unit.

The clip and/or the article preferably is/are formed from a plastics material, for example polypropylene or polyethylene. Preferably the clip and/or the article is/are moulded, for example by injection moulding.

Preferably the (or each) clip of an article according to the injection is integrally formed with the remainder of the article, for example by moulding.

Preferred and optional features of the invention are described below and in the dependent claims.

FIG. 1shows an embodiment of an article1according to the invention, in the form of a container for data storage media. The container1comprises a base3, a lid5, and a hinge arrangement7by which the base and the lid may be brought together to close the container. A surface9of the base3, which is situated inside the container when the container is closed, includes retaining devices11for computer games cartridges13. (Alternatively or additionally, the container could include retaining devices for compact discs, DVD discs, tapes, or other data storage media.)

A surface15of the lid5of the container1, which is situated inside the container when the container is closed, includes a plurality (two as drawn) of clips17according to the invention. The clips17are literature clips for holding a literature booklet, such as the booklet19. By means of the clips17, together with retaining members21(in the form of upstanding wall features) also provided on the surface15, the booklet19may be held on the interior surface15of the lid5of the container. The booklet19is held in place on the interior surface of the lid of the container both when the container is closed, and when the container is opened, until it is manually removed from the clips17and from the peripheral upstanding retaining members21.

A detail of a container1according to the invention, which is similar to that shown inFIG. 1is shown inFIG. 2. The detail shows two literature clips17according to the invention, provided on the interior surface15of the lid of the container. More specifically, each clip17comprises a first resilient part23and a second resilient part25, both parts extending over the plane of the surface15, and at least the first part23spaced apart from the plane of the surface. (The clips17actually extend over gaps provided in the surface15, formed when the container is moulded.) Each clip17is attached to the remainder of the container1via the first part23of the clip, and not via the second part25of the clip. Instead, the second part25of the clip extends from the first part23, and specifically extends from a free end region27of the first part23of the clip, in a direction generally opposing the direction in which the first part23extends. The end region27is in the form of an upwardly-curved “lead-in” of the clip, which facilitates the smooth insertion of a literature booklet (or other article) into the clip. The lead-in27is a lead-in for both the first part23and the second part25.

A first portion23a(as indicated schematically inFIG. 3) of the first part23of the clip17extends very approximately perpendicularly from the surface15of the container1, as a first cantilever portion. A second portion23bof the first part23of the clip extends very approximately perpendicularly from the first portion23aas a second cantilever portion that extends over the surface15(and spaced apart from the surface15). The first part23of the clip17may be regarded as having a distorted “S-bend” profile. The second part25of the clip17extends from the free end region27of the first part23with a single curve profile. At its closest approach to the plane of the surface15, the second part25is closer to the plane of the surface than is the closest approach of the second portion23bof the second part of the clip. For example, the closest approach of the portion23bmay lie approximately in the plane of the surface15(or 1-2 mm or less spaced therefrom), whereas the closest approach of the second part25may be approximately 3-8 mm (or greater) from the plane of the surface15.

Also shown inFIG. 2are reinforcing ribs28that support the upright portions23aof each clip17, and cut-outs30in the surface15adjacent to where the portions23ameet the surface15, to reduce stress concentrations at these regions.

The functioning of the clips17ofFIGS. 1 and 2in holding different thicknesses of booklets19is shown inFIG. 3, views (a) and (b). InFIG. 3(a), a relatively thin booklet19ais retained on the surface15of the lid5of the container, by a clip17. Because the booklet19ais relatively thin (i.e. it has a thickness in a range referred to herein as a “second thickness”) it is retained by the resilience of the second part25of the clip. Specifically, the second part25of the clip has been flexed away from the surface15slightly, as indicated by arrow A. The resilience of the second part25, which is provided at least to a degree by the resilience of the end region27of the first part23from which the second part extends, causes the second part25to grip the booklet and to hold it in place. There will also be some deflection of the end region27of the first part23of the clip.

InFIG. 3(b), a thicker booklet19bis retained in place by the clip17. The thicker booklet has a thickness in a range referred to herein as a “first thickness”, which is sufficient to cause the first part23of the clip17to flex away from the surface15, as indicated by arrow B. The resilience of the first part23causes the first part23to grip the booklet and to hold it in place. Additionally, in order to accommodate the thicker booklet19b, the second part25has also been flexed away from the surface15(and to move away from the surface15due to the movement of the first part23which carries the second part25) as indicated by arrow A. Consequently, the booklet19bis held both by means of the first part23and by means of the second part25of the clip17, but primarily by means of the first part23.