Abstract:
A media storage disc box comprising a base and a lid hingingly engaged to the base to be movable between an open condition to provide access to a media storage disc supported at its central aperture by a push release rosette fixture engaged to or part of the base within the box and a closed condition to provide a substantial enclosure of the media storage disc. The disc is supported intermediate and parallel to the base and the lid when in the closed condition. A security device is provided in juxtaposition to the media storage disc and the lid, the security device including a means to maintain a separation between the lid and the rosette member in order to prevent the rosette being actuated by the deflection of the lid towards the base member.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a security device of and/or for media storage disc cases or boxes for improved security of such cases to prevent unauthorised removal of the media storage disc.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Digital media such as digital versatile discs (DVD), compact discs (CD) and similar media are often the target of thieves. The discs often are stored in flat elongate plastic containers of a clamshell style which over their width and length are relatively flexible. The disc itself is normally mounted on a central hub or rosette. Pressure application to the rosette when the container is open, allows removal of the disc for use in a machine by a legitimate user.  
           [0003]    However without too much effort, pressure can be applied to the closed and sealed container to pop the disc off the mounting rosette. This allows the disc to be free moving in the container. Without disturbing the security seal (adhesive tape applied across one or two regions of lid and base) a simple slit along one edge of the plastic case can be generated by squeezing the case at two of its edges and thereby allowing the original disc to be quickly and easily removed. This disc removal can occur anywhere along the distribution chain and is relatively undetectable.  
           [0004]    Various measures to stiffen the container itself are not always effective as the cost of packaging will therefore increase and with the mere application of more pressure the same removal method can be effected. Alternative mounting methods of the disc may scratch the disc or prevent easy retrieval by the legitimate end user. Furthermore advantage is gained if there is little or no change to existing molding tooling for such containers and if the added security can be achieved by adding a discardable component to the disc and container internally prior to package sealing.  
           [0005]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a box with a and/or a security device for improving the security of media storage disc boxes or cases by preventing the disc being “popped” off the mounting hub whilst the case is closed, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.  
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Accordingly the present invention consists in a media storage disc box with a media storage disc retained thereby, said box comprising;  
           [0007]    a base and a lid hingingly engaged to the base to be movable between  
           [0008]    (a) an open condition to provide access to said media storage disc supported at its central aperture by a push release rosette member engaged to or part of said base, and  
           [0009]    (b) a closed condition to provide a substantial enclosure for said media storage disc,  
           [0010]    said media storage disc supported at its central aperture by said rosette member to hold said disc intermediate of and parallel to said base and said lid when in said closed condition  
           [0011]    a security device in juxtaposition to said media storage disc, said security device including a media storage disc engageable portion and a spacer portion raised from said media storage disc and projecting towards said lid (when in the closed condition) to be engageable (whether directly or indirectly) by said lid and wherein upon any deflection of said lid towards said base said security cover will maintain a separation between said rosette member and said lid.  
           [0012]    Preferably said push release rosette member supports said disc in a separated condition from the interior wall surface of said base and includes a portion thereof which extends through the central aperture wherein said spacer portion overlies that portion of said rosette member on the opposite side of said media storage disc to said base to thereby maintain said rosette member in a separated relationship from said lid (or an extension thereof).  
           [0013]    Preferably said media storage disc engageable portion is located against a portion of the lid facing surface (when in the closed condition) of said media storage disc which upon the pressing of said lid onto said spacer portion will press said disc towards said base yet keep said security device and said lid from pressing against said rosette member.  
           [0014]    Preferably said media storage disc engageable portion is a circular upstand substantially concentric about the central aperture of said media storage disc.  
           [0015]    Preferably said media storage disc engageable portion engages the lid facing surface of said media storage disc at the clamping area thereof.  
           [0016]    Preferably said spacer portion overlies said rosette member entirely.  
           [0017]    Preferably security device includes at least one location feature which is able to locate with said base at a region thereof outside of the perimeter (in plan view) of said media storage disc.  
           [0018]    Preferably said security device extends across said media storage disc and at a region or regions thereof not overlying said media storage disc includes a plurality of said location features.  
           [0019]    Preferably said security device extends over and beyond the entire perimeter of said media storage disc.  
           [0020]    Preferably said security device is a cover member.  
           [0021]    Preferably said security device is substantially planar save for said media storage disc engageable portion projecting on the media storage disc side of said security device and save for said spacer portion projecting from the lid side of said security device and save for said perimeter regions.  
           [0022]    Preferably said spacer portion is a cap extending over said rosette member.  
           [0023]    Preferably said base includes at least one indexing feature, for receiving the location feature of said security device.  
           [0024]    In a second aspect the present invention consists in a media storage disc box comprising;  
           [0025]    a base and a lid hingingly engaged to the base to be movable between an open condition to provide access to a media storage disc supported at its central aperture by a push release rosette fixture engaged to or part of said base within said box and a closed condition to provide a substantial enclosure of said media storage disc, said disc supported intermediate and parallel to said base and said lid when in said closed condition, a security device in juxtaposition to said media storage disc and said lid, said security device including a means to maintain a separation between said lid and said rosette member in order to prevent said rosette being actuated by the deflection of said lid towards said base.  
           [0026]    In a further aspect the present invention consists in a security device for use in conjunction with a media storage disc box of a kind which comprises a base and a lid hingingly engaged to the base to be movable between an open condition to provide access to a media storage disc to be supported at its central aperture by a push release rosette member engaged to or part of said base and a closed condition to provide a substantial enclosure for said media storage disc, wherein said media storage disc is to be supported intermediate and parallel to said base and said lid when in said closed condition wherein  
           [0027]    said security device is to be placed in juxtaposition to said media storage disc and said lid said security device including a means to maintain a separation between said lid and said rosette member in order to prevent said rosette being actuated by the deflection of said lid towards said base member.  
           [0028]    Preferably said means to maintain separation includes a media storage disc engageable portion and a spacer portion to be provided more proximate to said lid (when in the closed condition)  
           [0029]    Preferably said media storage disc engageable portion is provided at a region of said security device to be located against a portion of the lid facing surface (when in the closed condition) of said media storage device which upon the pressing of said lid onto said spacer portion will press said disc towards said base yet keep said security device and said lid from pressing against said rosette member.  
           [0030]    Preferably said media storage disc engageable portion is a circular upstand substantially concentric about the spacer portion.  
           [0031]    Preferably said spacer portion is a cap like member to overly said rosette member entirely.  
           [0032]    Preferably said device includes at least one location feature which is able to locate with said base at a region thereof outside of the perimeter (in plan view) of said media storage disc.  
           [0033]    Preferably a region or regions thereof not overlying said media storage disc includes a plurality of said location features.  
           [0034]    Preferably said device is substantially planar save for said media storage disc engageable portion projecting on the media storage disc side of said security device and save for said spacer portion projecting from the lid side of said security device and save for said location features.  
           [0035]    In a further aspect the present invention consist in a security device for a case containing a media storage discs whereby said security device is located by a mount of a base of said case, said device to be located between said disc and the lid of said case to prevent the disc being removed from the mount, by transferring any force applied to the lid to the central area of the disc itself and not to the mount.  
           [0036]    Preferably an annular portion is provided to locate onto and press down on said central area of a said disc.  
           [0037]    Preferably there is provided at least in part a cover of said central mount to prevent any pressure that may be applied to said mount directly or indirectly, by said lid.  
           [0038]    Preferably it includes perimeter portions selectively engageable with said box.  
           [0039]    In a further aspect the present invention consist in a security device as described herein with reference to any one or more of the drawings.  
           [0040]    In still a further aspect the present invention consist a media storage box as described herein with reference to any one or more of the drawings.  
           [0041]    This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. For the purposes of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred. It is being understood however that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.  
           [0042]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and accordingly reference should be made to the appended claims rather than the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0043]    [0043]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a security device of the present invention,  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 2A is a perspective cutaway view of a security device of the present invention,  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 2B is a close-up view of the central region of said device including the cap portion,  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a disc storage case or box in an open condition,  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a box,  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 5 is a side view of the box of FIG. 4,  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 6 is a plan view of the security device of the present invention,  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 7 is a side view of the security device,  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 8 is a view through section BB of FIG. 6, and  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 9 is a sectional view through section AA of FIG. 6. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0053]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 9.  
         [0054]    A security device  1  is provided for engagement and use with a box  2  which is designed to carry a media storage disc such as a CD (compact disc), VCD (video compact disc), DVD (digital versatile disc) or the like. The media storage disc may be a recorded disc. The enclosure portions of box may be substantially of the prior art and may include for example a lid  3  and a base  4  which are hinged together along a hinge  6 . The hinge  6  allows for the lid and base to move between an open and closed condition. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the box is shown in a lay flat and open condition thereby exposing the interior surfaces of the lid and base and thereby allowing for convenient access to be gained to the interior and hence the disc retained by the box. The lid and/or the base may also include perimeter wall upstands  7  which when the box is in a closed condition will mate onto each other to thereby provide a substantially full enclosure to the interior of the box. Complementary snap fit locking features  8  on both the lid and base can allow for the box to be maintained in a closed condition yet be openable by a user to remove or enclose the disc within the box. Retention clips  27 , may be provided to retain a manual, booklet or other such reference material to the lid  3 .  
         [0055]    A means for retaining the disc to a box is provided by a rosette member  9  of the base  4  to engage with the central aperture of a disc. The rosette member is normally of a flexible kind so that it can be moved to assume a position where the disc can be released. The rosette however normally is in a retaining condition so that when a disc is engaged with the rosette the rosette will securely retain the disc and prevent the disc from moving off the rosette.  
         [0056]    The rosette in the preferred form of the invention is provided substantially centrally on the base  4  and in a manner so that when it is retaining a disc it holds the disc substantially parallel to the base  4  and when the box is closed, also parallel to the lid. The rosette will support a disc on a platform  25  raised above the major surface of the base so that the recorded region of the disc (which will normally be the surface of the disc facing the base) is held in a manner so that it does not touch any part of the box. The disc is hence normally suspended above the inwardly facing major surface of the base.  
         [0057]    The rosette member  9  will engage at the perimeter of the central aperture of a disc and will also extend through the aperture and may for example include a catch or lip feature which will engage with part of the upwardly facing surface (the surface facing away from the base) of the disc. The catch or lip will locate on top of the disc and prevent it from moving axially off the rosette. The rosette  9  may for example be a push release like rosette where a person pushing down (towards the base) on the rosette will then release the disc there from.  
         [0058]    When in an assembled condition and retaining a disc, a security device  1  as shown for example in FIGS. 1, 2 and  6 , is located at least in part (and preferably entirely) over the disc and a rosette member  9 . The security device is effectively a spacer or cover and includes a cap region  13  which overlies the rosette to maintain a space between the lid and the rosette. The security device is a separate member to the enclosure features of the box and preferably is of one piece. The security device  1  in the most preferred form overlies substantially the entire disc. The security device includes a disc engageable portion such as for example an annular upstanding ring region  12  and a cap  13  which may be lid engageable.  
         [0059]    The main purpose of the installed security cover is to prevent the pressing of the central rosette directly or indirectly (should reference material or the like be contained in the lid) via the lid (while the box is closed) to release the disc from the rosette. It will transfer the force of the lid to the disc and not the rosette and will prevent release of the disc from the rosette.  
         [0060]    The ring  12  is a raised portion of the security cover provided on its base facing side and is provided to locate against the upwardly facing surface of the disc. In the most preferred form the ring  12  will locate against the clamping area of the disc, being that area of the disc which extends from the central aperture outwardly and bounded by the data region of the disc. The clamping region does not contain any data and the engagement of the lip  12  thereon, will not adversely affect the disc.  
         [0061]    Furthermore the security device may include a region  14  peripheral to the centrally located features of the ring and cap and which extends beyond the perimeter of the disc. The region of the cover which extends beyond the perimeter of the disc can locate with part of the base  4 . Location regions  20  can index with complementary features of the base in order for the security device to positively index with the base thereby ensuring the security device is maintained in the appropriate location over the disc. At least two location regions are provided and preferably such are in the form of rebates in the perimeter profile of the otherwise substantially square (in plan) shaped security device. The location regions are preferably provided at base engageable flanges  26  of the security device which project downwardly from the overlying regions  14  of the device. Such flanges  26  locate on the inwardly facing surface of the base  4  and may also provide some upward support to the device. Whilst the flanges may themselves provide the only upward support to the device to prevent the cap  13  from actuating the rosette, because the cover is preferably made of plastic, it will also have some flexibility which may not be rigid enough to prevent its displacement at the middle regions sufficiently to prevent actuation of the rosette without the presence of the disc engageable regions  12 .  
         [0062]    The disc engageable regions are preferably provided by a ring shaped member but may alternatively be by individual upstand or projections. Where such upstand are small in diameter, preferably at least two such upstands may be provided.  
         [0063]    In the preferred embodiment, the contact point(s) of the annular ring  12  is preferably 12.5 mm from the centre of the disc and is within the non-data area. Data will start from the lead-in area (at a minimum diameter of 45.2 mm for DVD and minimum diameter 46 mm for CD). The central aperture of a CD/DVD is typically 15 mm in diameter. Another factor to be considered is the diameter at which the disc receives upward support by the central platform  25  on which the disc lies. The platform is typically there to prevent the data area of the disc touching the base. The contact point of the ring should preferably not extend beyond the diameter of the platform, for otherwise the disc will be flexed by the contact point depressing the disc.  
         [0064]    The installed cover may be free to move within the enclosure in a direction normal to the disc surface. But the dimensions of the cover relative to those of the box and/or by the inclusion of the location regions are such that the cover cannot move in a direction parallel to the disc surface within the closed box.  
         [0065]    The covers can be installed by an automatic packing machine. The four location regions  20  may be utilized to locate the cover in position on the box during packing. At least two slots are preferably provided. Four regions  20  are provided to make manual stacking of the covers for feeding into the packing machine easier, since the cover will then be semi-symmetrical. The two circular openings  29  enable stacking through two vertical poles before the covers are being fed into the packing machine.  
         [0066]    Steps in automatic packing of a box include:  
         [0067]    (a) feed a box to the machine through a conveyor belt;  
         [0068]    (b) the machine opens the box;  
         [0069]    (c) the front jacket is affixed with the title page (if any) inserted underneath the jacket;  
         [0070]    (d) the booklet or insert (if any) is inserted under the two clips on the inside of the front lid;  
         [0071]    (e) the disc is loaded;  
         [0072]    (f) the security cover is installed;  
         [0073]    (g) the box is closed.