A COMPACT DISC CONTAINER

Abstract: A compact disc package (10) comprises a small bottom member (14) and a large bottom member (16) connected by a lining hinge (18) with a flexible frictional engaging locking mechanism (44) for locking of the small and large bottom members (14, 16) together, including a hinged clear transparent cover (12) at an end of the large bottom member (16). The transparent cover is provided with a finger grip grooves (76a, 76b) and a bar lock (62). The small bottom member (14) includes the bar lock locks (58, 60) for frictional engagement with the bar lock (62), and a disc gripper (56) for holding of a portion of a digital audio disc (100) which is used in a compact disc player. The larger bottom member (16) provides for alignment of the disc (100) into the disc gripper (56) during mating of the small bottom member (14) about the lining hinge (18) with the large bottom member (16). A large center disc support (20) and a disc alignment ring (22) maintains the disc position in the large bottom member (16) and with respect to the small bottom member (14) for protecting the disc data regions.

Description: "A COMPACT DISC CONTAINER" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field cf the Invention - The present invention pertains to a package, and more particularly, pertains to a package for a digital audio disc as used in compact disc players. 2. Description of the Prior Art - Prior art disc packages have failed to provide a package which is easy to accessibly open by an individual. The prior art packages have usually been extremely small in size relating to the smallness and thinness of the digital disc. Consequently, it has taken a certain amount of finger dexterity to open the package accordingly. Another problem of the prior art has been the surface for gripping the disc, the components of which have failed in time to grip the disc due to normal wear and tear, and which usually have been extremely large in size. Finally, the prior art devices do not have a sufficiently high center disc support nor a disc alignment ring which would also protect the surface of the disc which contained the data regions. The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a digital audio disc package SUBSTITUTE SHEET which is easy to open, includes a small disc gripper area, and has a substantial center disc support and disc alignment ring, in addition to being a state of the art package for containing the disc. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a digital audio disc package for supporting a digital audio disc. The package includes a small bottom member and a large bottom member connected by a living hinge, a flexible hinge locking device locking together the small and large bottom members positioned over and above portions of the living hinge, and a transparent cover positioned about a hinge at one end of the large bottom member for encompassing both the small bottom member and the large bottom member into frictional engagement. According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a digital audio disc package which includes a small bottom member and a large bottom member connected by a living hinge, a flexible hinge lock locking the two bottom members by frictional engagement, and a transparent cover positioned about hinges at the end of the large bottom member. The package includes a disc alignment ring, a center disc support for supporting the disc so that the data regions are protected. The package also includes a bar lock with bar lock receptors for secure frictional engagement locking and finger grip grooves with sufficiently accessible surfaces and overhanging edges for easy opening and closing of the transparent cover. Large retainers are provided for informational material in the transparent cover. One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a digital audio disc package which includes a reinforced area for encompassing and carrying SUBSTlTl e sHeer advertising material. The package also includes finger grip grooves and sufficiently accessible overhang areas beneath the finger grip grooves to aid an easy access for opening and closing of the package. The locking mechanism between the top cover and the bottom cover includes a reinforced lock bar for engagement with lock bar receptors. Other significant aspects and features include a locking hinge utilizing flexible locking members linking together the small and large bottom members through frictional engagement. There is also provided a center disc support and edge disc supports for keeping the disc free of the disc data regions. The package also provides for alignment of the edges for centering of the disc and the final seating of the disc in the package. A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flexible disc gripper which provides for non-contaminating digitory containment of the disc within the package. Having thus described the embodiments of the present invention, it is the principal object hereof to provide a digital audio disc package. One object of the present invention is to provide a state-of-the-art digital audio disc package for storage of a digital audio disc. Another object of the present invention is to provide a package which is easy to open and close by any individual and not dependent upon an individual's dexterity. The package can even be easily opened by a child. A further object of the present invention is to provide a package which supports a disc free and clear of physical structure, protecting the disc data regions. SUBSTITUTESHEET A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a package which requires no touching of the disc by an individual's hands for insertion into a digital audio disc player. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a package for digital audio disc for compact disc players; FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the small bottom member with the large member folded at a right angle at the living hinge; FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the large bottom member with the small bottom member folded at a right angle to the living hinge; FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 of the large bottom member folded at a right angle to the small bottom member; FIG. 5 illustrates a profile view of the large bottom member folded at a right angle to the small bottom member; FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 7; FIG. 7 illustrates a view of the large bottom member with the small member folded at a right angle to the living hinge; FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the cover; FIG. 9 illustrates an end view of the top bar lock end; FIG. 10 illustrates a view of the top cover underside; FIG. 11 illustrates a sectional view of the cover taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10; FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the cover; FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of the locking hinge prior to engagement; SUBSTITUTESHEET FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of the locking hinge in a locked position; FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of the locking hinge prior to engagement; and, FIG. 16 illustrates a top view of the locking hinge in a locked position. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a digital audio disc package, the present invention. The package 10 includes a transparent cover 12, a small bottom member 14, and a large -bottom member 16. A living hinge 18 connects the large bottom member 16 to the small bottom member 14. The large bottom member 16 includes a center disc support 20 with a disc alignment ring 22. Large bottom member 16 also includes a plurality of edge guides 24a-24d. Substantially circular areas 26 and 28 about either side of the living hinge 18 provide for capture of a digital audio disc. A disc edge support 30 and disc containment edge 32 extend substantially about the large bottom member 16 and the small bottom member 14. Hinges 34, and 36 provide for movement of the transparent cover 12 about large bottom member rounded edge member 37 with respect to the large and small bottom members 16 and 14. Areas 38a-38d are provided for accepting the advertising retainers 70a-70d of the clear cover 12, as later described in detail. A plurality of structural supports 40a-40n are provided along the length of the large bottom member 16, and 42a-42n along the length of the small bottom member 14. Locking hinges 44 and 46, which are identical to each other and as later described in detail, provide locking between the small bottom member 14 and the large bottom member 16 providing for rigidity of the bottom areas. Finger grips 48 and 50 are provided for ease in opening of the package. Alignment grooves 52 and SUBSTJTUTESHEET 54 are provided for aligning the top cover 12 to the small bottom member 14. A disc gripper 56 is provided for gripping and containment of the disc within the small and large bottom members 14 and 16, respectively. The disc gripper 56 provides minimal contact with the disc. Bar lock receptors 58 and 60 cooperate with the locking bar 62 of the cover 12 while reinforcement locating bars 77a and 77b engage adjacent to the raised edge 61 of the small bottom member 14 for added package integrity. The cover 12 includes reinforced advertising material retainer.members 70a-70d, top edge members 72a- 72b, corner reinforcements 74a and 74b, finger grooves 76a and 76b, reinforcement locating bars 77a and 77b as previously described, and cover reinforcing bar 79. FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the small bottom member 14 with the large bottom member 16 folded at a right angle. All numerals correspond to those elements previously described. The hinges 44 and 46 will be described later in detail in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16. A disc 100 is shown inserted into the disc gripper 56 as it would be positioned prior to insertion into a compact disc player. FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the large bottom member 16 with the small bottom member 14 folded at a right angle. The locking hinges 44 and 46 will be described in detail in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16, while the hinges 36 and 38 will be described in detail in FIGS. 10-12. A portion of a disc 100 is shown inserted into disc gripper 56. All other numerals correspond to those elements previously described. FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 of the large bottom member 16 folded at a right angle to the small bottom member 14, where all SUBSTTΠXΠE SHEET numerals correspond to those elements previously described. FIG. 5 illustrates a profile view of the large bottom member 16 folded at a right angle to the small bottom member 14, where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described. When a disc is inserted into the capture area of the disc gripper 56, the small bottom member 14 can be at any angle alpha greater than 5 degrees for insertion -of the disc into the disc gripper 56 and subsequent engagement of the large bottom member 16 to the small bottom member 14. FIG. 6 illustrates a view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 7 showing a section through the disc alignment ring 22 and the center disc support 20. All other numerals . correspond to those elements previously described. FIG. 7 illustrates a view of the large bottom member 16 with the small bottom member 14 folded at a right angle thereto. FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the cover 12. All other numerals correspond to those elements previously described. FIG. 9 illustrates an end view of the top bar lock end of the top cover 12 where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described. FIG. 10 illustrates an underside view of the cover 12 where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described. Particularly shown are the male portions of hinge 34 and 36 which correspondingly mate to the female portions of hinge 34 and 36 of the lower edge member rounded edge 37, whereby the transparent cover 12 rotates about hinge 34 and 36 to mate through frictional engagement with the locked together small and large bottom members 14 and 16 to form an integral unit package. SUBSTITUTESHEET FIG. 11 illustrates a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10 of the cover 12 where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described. FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the cover 12 where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described. FIGS. 13-16 illustrate the frictionally engaging locking hinge 46, which is a mirror image of locking hinge 44, as not described. FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of the locking hinge 46 prior to engagement. The large bottom member 16 includes a flexible wall 80, a female receptor 82, and a second flexible wall 84. A male locking protrusion 86 on a lock bar 88 flexes the wall 84 to engage into the female receptor 82. FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of the locking hinge 46 in a locked position. FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of the locking hinge 46 prior to engagement, that view corresponding to FIG. 13. FIG. 16 illustrates a top view of the locking hinge 46 in a locked position, that view corresponding to FIG. 14. All other numerals correspond to those elements previously described. MODE OF OPERATION A disc 100, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, slides under the disc gripper 56 when the large bottom member 16 is at a finite angle with respect to the small bottom member 14. Then, the large and small bottom members 16 and 14 are gripped by one's fingers and rotated about the living hinge 18 so as to be in an identical plane with respect to each other, whereupon the disc 100 is aligned in the final closing operation by the edge guide members 90 and 92, the disc then being engaged by the disc SUBSTITUTE SHEET alignment ring 22, seats on center disc support 20 and is supported also upon the disc support edge 30. Afterwards, the cover 12 can be rotated about the hinges 34 and 26 and lock into position over the small bottom member 14 and the large bottom member 16 which, using locking hinges 44 and 46, which were previously locked together in a rigid fashion during disc insertion into the package. The small bottom member 14 is in frictional engagement to the large bottom member 16 and the transparent cover 12 is in frictional engagement to the small bottom member 14. The mated small and large bottom members form a substantially circular area for encompassing the disc. To utilize the disc contained within the package 10, one merely grasps the underside overhang area of finger grip grooves 76a and 76b to loosen and pivot the cover 12 clear of bottom members 14 and 16. Then, with simple application of light diverse pressure upon small and large bottom members 14 and 16, the locking hinges 44 and 46 disengage themselves allowing the members to be rotated to approximately a 90° angle from each other about the living hinge 18, thus disengaging the disc alignment ring 22 leaving the disc 100 contained by disc gripper 56 ready for insertion into a compact disc player. SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Claims: Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: 1. Digital audio disc package for supporting a disc comprising a small bottom member and a large bottom member, said members hinged about a living hinge, said large bottom member including a disc alignment ring and a center disc support, said small bottom member including a disc gripper, a substantially circular area formed between said small bottom member and said large bottom member for capturing of said disc, and a cover hinged at a free end of the large bottom member, the cover including a bar lock for engagement with bar lock receptors of said small bottom member, and said large bottom member including disc alignment means for aligning of the disc during rotational movement of said members about said living hinge. 2. Package of claim 1 wherein said collapsible bottom members include at least one flexible hinge lock between said members. 3. Package of claim 2 wherein said disc gripper provides minimal contact with said disc. 4. Package of claim 1 including overhanging finger grip grooves about said bottom member. 5. Package of claim 1 wherein said cover includes a plurality of reinforced retainer tabs for advertising material. SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Inventors: GREGERSON BARRY, MORTENSEN ROGER L, GREGERSON, BARRY, MORTENSEN, ROGER, L.
Applicants: EMPAK INC, EMPAK INC.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: G11B23
IPC codes: G11B33