Abstract:
A disposable media storage container securely retains a disc within a storage chamber when the media storage container is closed. The container is opened by removing a door formed in a major panel of the container. The disc may be removed from the container through the opening that is defined when the door is removed. The container is then thrown away. The media storage container may be fabricated from a paper-based material.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 60/341,940 filed Dec. 19, 2001; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention generally relates to media storage containers and, more particularly, to a media storage container that securely retains an item of recorded media until a portion of the container is destroyed. Specifically, the present invention relates to a disc storage container that securely retains a disc such as a CD or a DVD within the body of the container until a perforated door is permanently removed from one of the major panels of the container to allow the disc to be removed. 
     2. Background Information 
     Various media storage containers are known in the art. Known storage containers generally are either reusable containers or disposable containers. Disposable containers may be used to mail promotional discs to potential customers or to store discs inside of other containers. Disposable storage containers must be designed to securely retain the discs so that the discs do not freely move within the container so that the discs are not damaged. The containers must also allow the discs to be easily removed from the container while preventing the discs from falling out of the container when the container is initially opened. Although some existing media storage containers achieve these goals and have achieved success in the art, there remains room in the art for improvement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a disposable media storage container that securely retains a disc when the media storage container is closed. The container is opened by removing a door formed in a major panel of the container. In one embodiment of the invention, the door is defined by a perforated line of severance that allows the user to tear the door from the panel. In one embodiment of the invention, the door may be configured to prevent the disc from unintentionally falling out of the container while the door is being removed. 
     The invention also provides a media storage container that is fabricated from a paper-based material. In one embodiment, the container may be formed from at least two panels that are folded together and connected by a suitable connector. The panels define a disc storage chamber that securely receives the disc when the panels are folded into the closed position. 
     In another embodiment, the invention provides a disposable media storage container formed from four paperboard panels that fold over one another with the two middle panels cooperating to define a disc storage chamber. In this embodiment, the panels may also define a finger access hole that allows the user to lift the edge of the disc to remove it from the container. The disc may be removed from the container only after a door is removed from one of the two outer panels. The door is sized to prevent the disc from falling out of the door opening while the doors is removed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the media storage container of the present invention in an unfolded condition. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the first two panels folded together to form a common storage chamber that is adapted to receive the item of recorded media. 
         FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  showing the first two panels folded over the third panel. 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of FIG.  3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the container in a closed condition with the item of recorded media securely held within the storage chamber. 
         FIG. 6  is a section view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the media storage container with the door partially removed. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the media storage container with the door partially removed. 
       Similar numbers refer to similar elements throughout the specification. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The media storage container of the present invention is formed from the blank  2  depicted in FIG.  1 . In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, blank  2  defines first  4 , second  6 , third,  8 , and fourth  10  major panels that are separated from one another by hinges  12 . At least one of hinges  12  may be a double hinge having a hinge panel  14 . Hinges  12  allow panels  4 ,  6 ,  8 , and  10  to be folded into a storage container  20  adapted to securely hold an item of recorded media  22  such as a disc, a tape, or a memory card. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, blank  2  is formed from a paperboard material having a central portion and outer skin sheets. The outer skin sheets may be printed with advertising or informational materials. The central portion defines a major portion of the thickness of the paperboard and may be used to strengthen and stiffen the material. In this type of material, hinges  12  may be formed by scoring the outer skin and folding the material along the score line. The double hinge is formed with parallel score lines disposed on either side of hinge panel  14 . 
     First panel  4  defines an opening  30  sized to receive item of recorded media  22 . When container  20  is designed to hold a disc such as a CD or a DVD, opening  30  has a diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of disc so that the disc can only move small distances within opening  30 . This prevents the disc from being damaged during mailing. Second panel  6  may also define an opening  32  that cooperates with opening  30  when first  4  and second  6  panels are folded together to form a common storage chamber  34 . Two panels ( 4  and  6 ) are used to form storage chamber  34  when the thickness of one panel is less than the thickness of item  22 . In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the thickness of blank  2  is slightly larger than half of the thickness of item  22  such that the combined thickness of panels  4  and  6  is slightly larger than the thickness of item  22  (FIG.  6 ). 
     A secondary opening  40  that joins openings  30  and  32  is used to define a finger access hole  42  that allows the user to lift the edge of item  22  when the user is removing item  22  from container  20  (FIG.  7 ). Secondary opening  40  extends across the hinge  12  that is defined between first panel  4  and second panel  6 . In other embodiments of the invention, finger access hole  42  may be formed in other manners such as by changing the shape of openings  30  and  32  or by formed spaced secondary openings. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, first  4  and second  6  panels are held together by a suitable connector once they are folded over one another. The suitable connector may be an adhesive or a mechanical connector. Connectors preferable join the edges of panels  4  and  6  adjacent openings  30  and  32  so that item  22  may not slip between panels  4  and  6 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, first  4  and second  6  panels are middle or inner panels that are covered by a pair of outer panels that are formed by third  8  and fourth  10  panels. As such, container  20  may have four panel thicknesses that give container  20  rigidity and the ability to protect item  22 . Second panel  6  may be slightly longer than first panel  4  so that hinge  12  between second panel  6  and third panel  8  is spaced from the edge of first panel  4  so that third panel  8  may easily fold back over the other side of first panel  4  without interference from the edge of first panel  4 . 
     The double hinge is defined between third  8  and fourth  10  panels so that panels  8  and  10  may fold around first  4  and second  6  panels without stressing the material of blank  2  or excessively bending panels. Hinge panel  14  is thus positioned along one of the sides of container  20  and is substantially perpendicular to the major panels of container  20 . The width of hinge panel  14  is thus substantially equal to the combined thickness of panels  4  and  6 . 
     Panels  8  and  10  are held in the folded position by suitable connectors such as those described above. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, third  8  and fourth  10  panels are connected to first  4  and second  6  panels with an adhesive. Panels  8  and  10  thus cover chamber  34  and form the front and rear walls that define chamber  34 . One of panels  8  and  10  includes a door  50  that is aligned with a portion of chamber  34  so that chamber  34  may be accessed when door  50  is open. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, door  50  is connected to third panel  8 . Door  50  is defined by a perforated perimeter line that allows door  50  to be torn away from third panel  8  when the user wishes to access chamber  34 . Door  50  includes lifting tab  52  that allows the user to grasp and pull on door  50 . Third panel  8  may define an opening  54  that allows the user to grasp tab  52  when door is closed. Opening  54  and the area where tab  52  was disposed before opening door  50  may also function as a finger access opening. Door  50  may have at least one wall that covers or overlies chamber  34  so that item  22  cannot fall directly our of chamber  34 . Door  50  may be sized larger than chamber  34  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  so that a portion of panel  4  is exposed when door  50  is open. 
     Item  22  is thus completely sealed within chamber  34  of container  20  when door  50  is closed and panels  8  and  10  are closed. In this condition, container  20  may be shipped to the user without damaging item  22 . The outwardly facing surface of fourth panel  10  may be printed with advertising material or information about the contents of item  22 . 
     When the user desires to remove item  22  from container  20 , the user removes door  50  by tearing door from the panel (FIG.  7 ). Item  22  may then be removed by the user by inserting a finger in finger access hole  42  and lifting the edge of item  22 . Once item  22  is removed, container  20  may be discarded. In other embodiments of the invention, door  50  may be hinged to panel  8  so that door  50  may be closed and container  20  may be reused. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.