FASTENING DEVICE FOR DISC-FORMED OBJECTS

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fixator for disc-shaped objects such as compact discs or other gramophone records. It is characterized in that it is made of fibreboard such as homogenous cardboard or pasteboard, and consists of two end plates (5, 6) and side parts (7, 8) joined therewith, parallel slots (10) being formed in the side portions, starting from one side and terminating in a semi-circular slot (11) joining the parallel slots (10) together, said slots (10, 11) being intended for the insertion and storage of objects and which slots (10,11) are located at such a height above the bottom end plate (6) that a gap is formed between an inserted object (2) and said uninterrupted plate (6), with the exception of at the outermost peripheral parts of the object (2).

Description: Fastening device for disc-formed objects. Technical field: The present invention relates to a fixator for disc-shaped objects such as compact discs or other gramophone records, comprising two flat end plates and side portions joining these together, parallel slots being formed in the side portions, starting from one side and terminating in a semi-circular slot connecting the parallel slots, said slots being intended for the insertion and storage of objects. Background art: CD discs and other disc-shaped objects are normally packed and stored in plastic sleeves which leads to environmental problems in the long term. The sleeves may also crack and often cover the graphic printing on the disc. It is also often difficult to them to open without some practice. A material is sought which can easily be burned after use without leading to environmental problems, where the packed product is easily visible and which at the same time provides a durable and inexpensive wrapping. Description of the invention: The invention constitutes a solution to these and other associated problems and is characterized in that the side portions comprise at least two layers encompassing the outer sides of the slots, an upper layer in contact with the outer edge of the disc and forming the bottom of the slot, and a layer arranged below the upper layer and in contact with the outermost peripheral parts of the disc not consisting of recorded parts of the disc, said layers being designed, together with an upper end plate, to clamp a disc that has been inserted. As mentioned above, this fixator may constitute part of a wrapper, such as the sleeve of a CD disc. The object, which may be a CD disc, is stored with its recorded part a certain distance from the uninterrupted bottom end plate and can therefore be kept free from dirt particles, scratches and the like which might cause disturbance when playing the disc. The upper end plate can be provided with a central opening clearly showing the label on the disc. Fixation will be durable and secure. By making the slot marginally narrower than the disc and its thickness marginally less than the thickness of the disc, the object is "clamped" firmly and the fixator is durable and secure. No damaging waste gases are obtained when this fixator is burned, as would be the case if it were made of plastic. Brief description of the drawings: The invention is exemplified in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows the fixator with a disc or object inserted and Figure 2 the same device with the disc or object partially withdrawn. Figure 3 shows a fixator in perspective and Figure 4 the same device seen in cross section. Figures 5A - 5D show the various layers of the fixator. Description of embodiment Figure 1 shows an object (2), such as a CD disc, inserted in a fixator (1) according to the invention and Figure 2 shows the same disc partially withdrawn. As can be seen, the uppermost end plate is provided with a central opening which fully reveals the label, and one or two open parts (3, 4) extend from this opening to the periphery. These facilitate insertion and withdrawal of the disc. Figure 3 shows a fixator according to the invention (with no disc inserted). It consists of an uninterrupted bottom end plate (6) and an upper end plate (5) provided with an opening (9), see also Figures 1 and 2. These end plates are joined by side portions, in this case two layers (7, 8). The lower bottom end plate is also shown in Figure 5 A and the upper end plate in Figure 5D. Two parallel slots (10) are formed in the side layers (7, 8), see also Figure 5C, terminating in a semi-circular slot (11). The disc shall be inserted in this slot (10, 11) and the shape of the slot is also shown in Figure 4. It is formed by a side layer (8) which shall abut against the periphery of the disc and form the deepest part of the slot (10, 11). A second side layer (7) is arranged beneath the first layer, which shall rest against the outer edge of the disc, i.e. against the unrecorded parts of the disc, see also Figure 5B. The width of the slot shall be marginally less than the width of the disc (approx. 0.5 mm less), and its height shall be marginally less (one to two tenths of a millimetre) than the thickness of the disc, so that the disc will be retained with a certain force. The slot (10, 11) is located a certain height above the bottom end plate (6) so that a gap is formed between the inserted disc and the bottom end plate, the recorded parts of the disc thus being kept free from dirt particles, scratches and the like. The outwardly directed part of the parallel parts of the slot (10) can be made gently diverging in order to facilitate insertion of the disc (not shown). A high-quality product is thus obtained, having accurately controlled properties, which is not easily broken - at worst the edges may become worn - and is able to withstand wet and damp. The graphic printing on an inserted disc is not hidden and the inserted disc is protected against knocks, wear and other undesirable external influences, as well exploiting the native paper industry - an important aspect. The invention can be varied in many ways within the scope of the following claims.

Claims: O CLAIMS 1. A fixator for disc-shaped objects such as compact discs or other gramophone records, comprising two flat end plates (5, 6) and side portions (7, 8) joining these, parallel slots (10) being formed in the side portions, starting from one side and terminating in a semi-circular slot (11) connecting the parallel slots (10), said slots (10, 11) being intended for the insertion and storage of objects, characterized in that the side portions comprise at least two layers (7, 8) encompassing the outer sides of the slots (10, 11), an upper layer (8) in contact with the outer edge of the disc and forming the bottom of the slot, and a layer (7) arranged below the upper layer and in contact with the outermost peripheral parts of the disc not consisting of recorded parts of the disc, said layers being designed, together with an upper end plate (5), to clamp a disc that has been inserted. 2. A fixator as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the device is made of fibreboard such as homogenous cardboard or pasteboard, and that the slots (10, 11) are located at such a height above the bottom end plate (6) that a gap is formed between an inserted object (2) and the uninterrupted plate (6), with the exception of at the outermost peripheral parts of the object (2). 3. A fixator as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the outermost parts of the parallel slots (10) have a slightly diverging shape in order to facilitate insertion of the object (2). 4. A fixator as claimed in claims 1-3, characterized in that the slot (10) has a width that is marginally less than the width of the object/ disc, e.g.0.5 mm less, and a thickness one to two tenths of a millimetre less than the thickness of the object/ disc (2), in order to clamp the object/ disc (2) once it has been inserted. 5. A fixator as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the upper end plate (5), which is not situated close to the gap

Inventors: DENIZE PASCAL, LECHERE ALEXANDRE, DENIZE, PASCAL, LECHERE, ALEXANDRE
Applicants: DENIZE PASCAL, LECHERE ALEXANDRE, DENIZE, PASCAL, LECHERE, ALEXANDRE
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B65D85
IPC codes: B65D85, G11B23, G11B33