Abstract:
A container for a disk having a central opening includes a base having a pedestal for holding the disk, a hingedly connected lid, and a laterally spaced pair of latches for locking the container closed. Also disclosed are interior partitions of the base and lid that have edgewise proximal engagement, a disk presser structure for holding edge extremities of the disk in place during mishandling of the container, and rib members that block entry of a destructive blade in an endwise path through regions of facing contact adjacent to living hinges of the container.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to optical data disks such as compact disks (CDs) and video disks (DVDs) that have central circular locating openings, and more particularly to devices for holding and/or protectively enclosing such disks for storage of same. 
         [0002]    Protective containers for the disks in common use have a central pedestal for supportively gripping the disc by engaging the central opening without contacting either side of the disk within data-containing regions thereof. Such containers, particularly those for high-value media, are made substantially oversize in order to render concealment by potential shoplifters difficult. Typically, such containers have a width that is not much greater than an outside diameter of the disk, but have a length that is substantially greater. It is also customary to provide a pair of spring clamps in the lid for holding descriptive literature, such as an article in the form of a printed card or book Typically, the article is rectangular, having a width that is nearly the same as the disk diameter, and a length that is substantially less than the case length. Consequently, the article can become considerably displaced from its intended position and creating an unsightly appearance because the clamps typically do not positively hold the article in position, particularly when there are a number of pages or folded layers. Moreover, since typical containers of this type have rounded corners, the article is subject to becoming “dog-eared” or otherwise damaged from impact with corners of the case. 
         [0003]    In addition, disk containers of the prior art typically exhibit one or more of the following disadvantages relating to security from theft of the disk from the container: 
         [0004]    1. They are ineffective in that the disk can easily become disengaged from the pedestal in normal and/or expected handling of the device, as well as during deliberate forcible deformation directed to unauthorized extraction of the disk; 
         [0005]    2. They are easily opened in an unauthorized manner by slicing living “hinges” that connect lid and base portions of the container; 
         [0006]    3. They are difficult to open in an authorized manner when they are provides with adhesive security devices securing the container in its closed condition; and 
         [0007]    4. They are excessively complex, involving high tooling costs, expensive quality control, and/or high rejection rates in production. 
         [0008]    Thus there is a need for a protective disk container that overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present invention meets this need by providing a molded protective disk container that is particularly effective in preventing theft of its contents, and that is inexpensive to produce, and easy to use. In one aspect of the invention, the container includes a a case comprising a base portion and a lid portion that are hingedly connected for opening and closing of the case, and a pedestal structure for engaging the central opening of the disk, and a latch structure comprising a latch member that is formed for snap engagement with the base or lid portion, the latch member being movably supported between a first position wherein the latch member also engages the other of the base and lid portions in a closed condition of the case for preventing opening of the case, and a second position permitting opening of the case. The one of the base and lid portions can be formed with a detent projection for yieldably holding the latch member in one of the first and second positions thereof. The detent projection can be one of a spaced pair of detent projections for yieldably holding the latch member in each of the first and second positions. 
         [0010]    The latch member in its snap-engaged condition can be slidably supported on the one of the base and lid portions. Also, the latch member can include an armature member and a plurality of projecting headed support prongs, each of the prongs having snap sliding engagement with a guide slot that is formed in the one of the base and lid portions. The detent projection can be located for contacting one of the headed support prongs of the latch member to yieldably hold the latch member in one of its positions. The latch member can further include a projecting latch prong that enters a generally L-shaped slot formed in the other of the base an lid portions when the case is manipulated to the closed condition with the latch member in the second position. Preferably there is a spaced pair of the latch structures for enhanced security of the case in its closed and locked condition. The latch structures can be oppositely handed and laterally aligned, with the latch members being moved toward each other in one of the first and second positions, and away from each other in the other of the first and second positions. Preferably the first positions of the latch members is moved toward each other for avoiding unintended unlocking during normal handling of the case. 
         [0011]    In another aspect of the invention, the container includes a case including a base having a base panel portion, and a lid, the base and the lid being hingedly connected for opening and closing of the case, a pedestal structure projecting forwardly from the base panel portion for engaging the central opening of the disk on a pedestal axis (the disk also having front and back face surfaces, and an outer perimeter, a data region of the disk extending inwardly from a radial distance D such as approximately 1.5 mm within the outer perimeter), and an edge support structure projecting forwardly from the base panel portion and being adapted for contacting the rear surface of the disk outside of the data region, a portion of the edge support structure extending forwardly of the front disk surface in concentric relation to the pedestal axis; and a disk presser structure having a pair of tab members for contacting the front surface of the disk outside of the data region, the disk presser structure moving to an open condition during opening of the case and moving to a clamping condition wherein the tab members project downwardly within the portion of the edge support that extends forwardly of the front surface of the disk during closing of the case. At least one of the tab members can be fixedly supported relative to the lid. Also, the container can further include generally rectangular spine portion, the base portion and the lid portion being hingedly connected along opposite side extremities of the spine portion, and with at least another of the tab members being rigidly supported relative to the spine portion. 
         [0012]    In a further aspect of the invention, the container includes the case with the base, lid, and side wall portions, the base and the lid having respective base and lid panel portions and being hingedly connected for opening and closing of the case, and a pedestal structure for engaging the central opening of the disk, the case having a case length and a case width in its closed condition, the case length being arbitrarily greater than the case width for hindering concealment of the container, the lid including means for yieldably clamping an article other than the disk against the lid panel portion; the lid further including a first lid partition extending from the lid panel portion downwardly in a transverse direction relative to one of the case length and width for confining the article within a compartment having a compartment length being substantially less than the one of the case length and width in the closed condition of the case; and the base further including a first base partition extending from the base panel portion upwardly generally in line with the first lid partition and having proximate contact therewith in the closed condition of the case for enhanced confinement of the article within the compartment. The each of the first lid and base partitions can extend respectively to sidewall portions of the lid and base for enhanced structural integrity of the case. The one of the case length and width can be the case length. The first lid and base partitions are preferably spaced substantially from one end of the case, the case further including respective second lid and base partitions in parallel spaced relation to the first lid and base partitions and spaced from an opposite end of the case for blocking movement of the article into an outer corner of the case. The container can further include the spine portion, the base portion and the lid portion being hingedly connected along opposite side extremities of the spine portion between the first and second lid and base partitions. Preferably, sidewall portions of at least one of the base and lid portions have endwise overlapping proximal engagement with opposite ends of the spine portion in the closed condition of the case for enhanced security of the container against theft of the disk. Preferably the spine portion extends lengthwise beyond the first and second lid and base partitions in facing relation to sidewall portions of the at least one of the base and lid for further enhanced security of the case. Each of the base and lid portions can have proximal facing contact with the spine portion within respective base and lid contact regions along corresponding side edges of the spine portion in a closed condition of the case, the case preferably further including: a base rib member rigidly projecting from one of the base and spine portions along the base contact region for blocking the base contact region; and a lid rib member rigidly projecting from one of the lid and spine portions along the lid contact region for blocking the lid contact region, thereby preventing entry of a bladed instrument into the case through the base and lid contact regions for enhanced security of the container against theft of the article. 
         [0013]    For further enhanced confinement of the article within the compartment, at least a substantial portion of the proximate contact between the first lid and base partitions is substantially inclined relative to the base panel portion. Alternatively, the first lid and base partitions can have overlapping edge portions in the closed condition of the case for the further enhanced confinement of the article within the compartment. 
         [0014]    In yet another aspect of the invention, the container includes the case including integrally formed base, lid, spine, and side wall portions, the base and the lid portions having the base and lid panel portions and being hingedly connected to the spine portion, each of the base and lid portions having the proximal facing contact regions against the spine portion in the closed condition of the case; the base and lid rib members along the base and lid contact regions for blocking the contact regions, thereby preventing entry of a bladed instrument into the case through the base and lid contact regions for enhanced security of the container against theft of the article. Preferably, sidewall portions of at least one of the base and lid portions have endwise overlapping proximal engagement with opposite ends of the spine portion in the closed condition of the case for enhanced security of the container against theft of the disk. 
     
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a protective disk case according to the present invention, the case being in an open condition; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a detail perspective view within region  2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a detail perspective view within region  3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view as in  FIG. 1 , showing the case in a closed and unlatched condition; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a detail sectional perspective view on line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 , showing portions of a latch in an unlocked position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a sectional perspective view as in  FIG. 5 , showing the latch in an intermediate position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a sectional perspective view showing the latch in a locked position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing snap-engagement of the latch with a base portion of the case; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a detail perspective view within region  9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a sectional perspective view of the case of  FIG. 1  on line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a sectional perspective view as in  FIG. 10 , showing deformation of the case of  FIG. 1  by application of an external force; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a detail sectional perspective view on line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 4 , showing blocking of an approaching blade; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a detail sectional perspective view on line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 2 , showing the case of  FIG. 1  in a partially open condition; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a detail sectional perspective view as in  FIG. 13 , on line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a fragmentary sectional perspective view on line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a sectional perspective view as in  FIG. 15 , showing an alternative configuration of the case of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    The present invention is directed to a security disk container that is particularly effective for securely and protectively storing disks such as CDS and DVDs. With reference to  FIGS. 1-16  of the drawings, a security disk case  10 , which may have a transparent jacket (not shown) bonded thereto for displaying printed material, includes a base  12 , a lid  14 , and a spine  15  that movably connects the base and lid. In an exemplary configuration, the case  10  is an integrally formed molded member, so-called “living hinges” being formed along opposite edges of the spine  15 . The base  12  and lid  14  include respective panel portions  16  and  18 , and respective perimeter side portions  17  and  19  that snap together in overlapping adjacency in a closed condition of the case  10 , the spine  15  and the side portions  17  and  19  together forming four side walls of the case  10 , the lid panel portion  18  forming a front wall, the base panel portion  16  forming a rear wall. In further description of the case  10 , the terms “front” and “forward” with respect to the base refer to a direction toward the lid  14  in the closed condition of the case  10 ; conversely, “rear”, “rearward”, and “back” refer to a direction away from the lid portion. 
         [0033]    A hub or pedestal  20  of the case projects forwardly from the base panel portion  16  on a pedestal axis  21  for supportively engaging an optical data disk  22  having front and rear face surfaces  23  and  24 , a circular central opening  25 , and a periphery  26  of diameter D, a data region  27  of the disk extending inwardly from a short distance d within the periphery and having an inside diameter somewhat greater than that of the central opening  25  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 10 . An edge-support structure  28  of case  10  also projects forwardly on the base panel portion  16  in concentric relation to the pedestal axis  21  proximate the periphery  26  of the disk  22 . The edge-support structure  28  is formed with a circumferentially spaced plurality of supports  30  for stabilizing the disk  22  against tipping, and a rim portion  32  that projects forwardly of the supports  30  beyond the front surface  23  of the disk for protecting the disk  22  proximate the periphery  26  while the disk is engaged with the pedestal  20 . The edge-support portion is also formed with at least one pair of finger depressions  34  for permitting opposite perimeter portions of the disk  22  to be grasped by a user of the container  10 , the rim portion  32  being interrupted by the finger depressions  34 . 
         [0034]    It is customary with disk containers, particularly those intended for marketing high-valued media, to make the container substantially oversized in order to render concealment by potential shoplifters difficult. Typically, such containers have a case width W that is not much greater than the disk diameter D, but a case length L that is substantially greater. It is also customary to provide a pair of spring clamp members  38  in the lid  14  for holding descriptive literature, such as an article  39  in the form of a printed card or book as shown in  FIG. 1 . Typically, the article  39  is rectangular, having a book width ω that is nearly the same as the disk diameter D, and a book length l that is substantially less than the case length L. Consequently, the article  39  can become considerably displaced from its intended position and creating an unsightly appearance, because the clamp members  38  typically do not positively hold the article  39  in position, particularly when it has a number of pages or folded layers. Moreover, since typical containers of this type have rounded corners, the article  39  is subject to becoming “dog-eared” or otherwise damaged from impact with corners of the case. According to the present invention, the disk case  10  is provided with interior partitions for forming a compartment of reduced size, whereby the article  39  is closely confined. More particularly, the lid  14  is formed with a transverse first lid partition  40  and a second lid partition  41 , the lid partitions  40  and  41  being parallel-spaced inwardly from opposite ends of the lid  14 , being spaced apart a compartment spacing s that is only slightly greater than the book length l, thereby confining the article  39  substantially to a fixed location away from opposite ends of the case  10 . 
         [0035]    Also, the base  12  has a first base partition  42  and a second base partition  43  positioned and configured for generally edgewise proximal engagement with corresponding lid partition members  40  and  41  as indicated, respectively, at  48  and  49  in  FIG. 15  for improved confinement of the article  39  within the compartment spacing s. Substantial portions of the edgewise proximal engagement are substantially inclined relative to the lid panel portion for further improved confinement of the article  39  as further explained below. More particularly, edge portions of the first and second lid partitions  40  and  41  are inclined away from the lid panel portion  18  to respective intersections with the lid side portion  19  as indicated at  44  in  FIG. 2 and 45  in  FIG. 3 ; also, corresponding edge portions of the first and second base partitions  42  and  43  are inclined toward from the base panel portion  16  to respective intersections with the base side portion  17  as indicated at  46  in  FIG. 2 and 47  in  FIG. 3 . For example, a sheet extending proximate mating edges of base and lid partitions, which might otherwise protrude between them, is prevented from such undesired movement by the sloping portions of the mating edges. This blockage is effective unless the sheet happens to be deformed in correspondence with the sloping portions of the mating edges, that being unlikely. Moreover, the connections of the lid partitions  40  and  41  with the lid side portion  18  and the connections of the base partitions  42  and  43  with the base side portion  19  substantially improve the structural integrity of the side portions at their extremities proximate opposite ends of the spine  15 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 1-3  show an optional pair of hinge posts  50  for supporting one or more disk-carrying trays, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,554,132 to the present inventor and pending application Ser. No. 11/182,541, entitled Disk Protective Enclosure, which was filed Jul. 15, 2005. Both disclosures are incorporated herein in their entirety by these references. 
         [0037]    With particular reference to FIGS.  1  and  4 - 9 , the case  10  incorporates an oppositely handed pair of latch structures  52 , individually designated left latch structure  52 L and right latch structure  52 R, for selectively locking the case in its closed condition, with  FIGS. 5-9  showing the left catch structure in greater detail, the right latch structure being of the same form but oppositely handed. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the left latch structure  52 L includes a latch member  54  having an armature  55  for manipulation by a user of the case  10 , a plurality of base prongs  56  for sliding engagement with respective base slots  59  that are formed in a portion of the base side portion  17 , and at least one lid prong  60  for selective engagement with the lid side portion  19  as further described herein. The latch members are moved apart to respective lock positions as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , being moved toward each other to lock the case  10  as described below. As shown in the drawings, an exemplary and preferred form of the latch member  54  has three of the base prongs in a triangular pattern, and a laterally spaced pair of the lid prongs  60 . 
         [0038]    Two of the base prongs, designated  56 ′ are headed, having a ramped end extremity  57  and a shoulder surface  58  for hooked snap engagement through a corresponding base slot of modified form and designated  59 ′ for receiving the enlarged end extremities of the base prongs  56 ′. The latch member  54  thus has snap engagement with the base  12 , being inserted while aligned in the unlock position, the base prongs  56 ′ being deflected slightly in opposition to the base prong  56  until the latch member is fully seated in sliding engagement with the base as depicted by broken lines in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Similarly, each of the lid prongs  60  is headed, having a rounded end extremity  61  and a shoulder surface  62  for hooked engagement through a corresponding generally L-shaped lid slot  63  that is formed in the lid side portion  19 . The engagement of the lid prongs  60  becomes hooked when the latch member is moved from the unlocked position shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  5 ,  8 , and  9 , to a locked position shown in  FIG. 7 . More particularly, the lid slots  63  are vertically open downwardly as indicated at  64  for receiving the lid prongs  60  as the lid  14  is being closed, and having a side extension  65  for laterally receiving the lid prong as the latch member  54  is moved through an intermediate position shown in  FIG. 6  to the lock position shown in  FIG. 7 . As further shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the base side portion  17  is formed with two pairs of inwardly projecting detent members  64  for frictional engagement with two of the base prongs  56  for yieldably holding the latch member in positions to which it has been moved. 
         [0039]    As further shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  10 , and  11 , the case  10  is provided with a disk presser structure  70  having a first tab member  72  substantially rigidly supported relative to the spine  15  and a second tab member  73  substantially rigidly supported relative to the lid  14  opposite the spine, the tab members  72  and  73  being disposed oppositely relative to the pedestal axis  21  for contacting the disk  22  outside of the data region  27  in the closed condition of the case  10 . More particularly, each of the tab members  72  and  73  includes a downwardly projecting tab extension  74  that extends below the top of the rim portion  32  of the edge support structure  28  for contacting the disk  22  within the radial distance d that extends between the data region  27  and the periphery  26 . Typically, the distance d is approximately 1.5 mm on optical disks having the outside diameter D of approximately 120 mm. The disk presser structure  70  according to the present invention advantageously prevents the disk  22  from becoming dislodged from the pedestal  20 , even when the case  10  is subjected to downward pressure on the lid  14  concentric with the pedestal axis  21  sufficient to release the disk, in a manner producing deformation of the case that would otherwise remove the disk from the pedestal  20  and permit extraction thereof between separated portions of the base and lid side walls  17  and  19 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . In this respect, the projection of the rim portion  32  above the front surface  23  serves to lock the disk in concentric relation with the pedestal axis  21  so that as the external deforming force is removed the tab members  72  can urge the disk back into seated engagement with the pedestal  20 . 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and  12 , the case  10  is provided with rib members that extend proximate opposite sides of the spine when the case is closed for security against cutting the lid  14  and/or the base  12  from the spine along the hinged (living hinge) connections therebetween. In the closed condition of the case  10 , there is proximal facing contact between the base  12  and the spine  15  in a base contact region  80  along one side edge of the spine, and between the lid  14  and the spine in a lid contact region  82  along an opposite side edge of the spine. It has been observed that shoplifters sometimes succeed in unauthorized removal of the disk  22  from prior disk containers by slicing the living hinge with a blade such as that indicated at  84  in  FIG. 12 , the blade being inserted through one or the other of the contact regions  80  and  82  and moved in the direction of the arrow in  FIG. 12 . According to the present invention, a base rib member  86  is formed on the spine  15  along the base contact region  80 , and a lid rib member  87  is similarly formed along the lid contact region  82  for blocking advancement of the blade  84 , thereby making theft of the disk in the manner described above difficult. It will be understood that the rib members  86  and  87  can be alternatively located, respectively, on the base  12  and lid  14  to provide the same blockage of the blade  84 . 
         [0041]    As further shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ,  13 , and  14 , the base and lid side portions  17  and  19  have endwise proximal engagement with opposite ends of the spine  15  in the closed condition of the case  10  for further enhanced security of the container against theft of the disk. More particularly, a first side shoulder  90  of the base side portion  17  and a first side shoulder  91  of the lid side portion  19  move into facing relation to one end of the spine  15  as the case  10  is closed as shown in  FIG. 13 . Similarly, a second side shoulder  92  of the base side portion  17  and a first side shoulder  93  of the lid side portion  19  move into facing relation to an opposite end of the spine  15  as the case is closed as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0042]    With further reference to  FIG. 16 , an alternate configuration of the disk case  10  has the lid and base partitions  40 ,  41 ,  42 , and  43  configured for overlapping proximate contact as indicated at  48 ′ and  49 ′ for enhanced confinement of the article  39  within the compartment spacing S. More particularly, a first overlapping engagement  48  of the first lid and base partitions  40  and  42 , and a second overlapping engagement  49  of the second lid and base partitions  41  and  43  is provided in the form of complementary notches along substantial portions of the respective partitions. It will be understood that the overlapping engagement can alternatively be provided by slightly offsetting each partition relative to counterpart. 
         [0043]    Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. For example, the case  10  can be configured for incorporating an additional pedestal  20  on the lid panel portion  18 , such as disclosed in the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,132 and pending application Ser. No. 11/182,541. In these examples, the lid panel portion functions as a base panel portion, and disk-carrying trays have equivalent structure. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not necessarily be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.