Abstract:
Packages are disclosed for storing multiple disc-like recording media in trays having optional pouch-type holders, and with means for retaining the media within the trays.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of provisional application Ser. Nos. 60/691,356, filed on Jun. 17, 2005, 60/693,563, filed on Jun. 24, 2005, and 60/694,421, filed on Jun. 27, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to a package for storing multiple disc-like recording media and, more particularly, to a closable package comprising at least one plastic tray supporting multiple discs, optionally in pouch-type holders and locking means for retaining the discs in the tray(s).  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Various types of planar discs are in use at the present time to record and store information which is to be retrieved by various means, such as by optical or magnetic means. Typical of such discs are compact discs in which information is digitally recorded by use of a laser beam and then read optically by a laser beam. Such discs are used to record audio information, such as musical renditions, video information such as visual images and digital information for use as read only and other memories for use in various applications, such as computer applications. In most instances, at the present time, such discs are sold with information already recorded thereon. In other applications, such discs are sold in blank form and are used by the customer to record information thereon. In the latter case, for example, optical discs are sold for use as computer storage media and are used in hard disc storage systems. As used herein, the term compact disc, CD or disc is intended to encompass all such discs and disc-shaped packaging, e.g., for pharmaceuticals or cosmetics, whatever their size, for all known or proposed uses.  
         [0006]     Compact discs containing laser recorded information are typically packaged in injection molded plastic enclosures designed to hold one or more CDs for protecting the discs during storage and shipment. Enclosures commonly used at the present time, such as the well known “jewel box,” comprise a three piece assembly consisting of a base or bottom element, an insert or tray in the base/bottom element for positioning and supporting the disc in the base/bottom element, e.g., by a center projection (commonly referred to as a “rosette”) which engages the periphery of the aperture in the center of the disc, and a lid or cover which is hinged to the base/bottom element and is closed thereon after the disc is mounted therein on the tray. Other enclosures utilize only two pieces, omit the tray, and position and support the disc via the center projection directly on the base/bottom element. The enclosure is, typically, at least partially transparent and graphics relating to the disc and containing trademark and sales promotional information are usually inserted in such a manner as to be visible through the enclosure.  
         [0007]     Except for the printed matter inserted therein, the “jewel box” is entirely plastic. For this reason, as well as because the typical jewel box requires three separately injection molded elements which must be manually assembled, the use of this type of enclosure is relatively expensive. Moreover, the use of such an enclosure is believed to be ecologically unacceptable by many because the plastic is non-biodegradable and, in view of the huge volume of such enclosures in use today, the disposal of these enclosures poses either a real or potential environmental problem. One solution to both of these problems has been the development of hybrid packages comprising both paper board and plastic components. These hybrid packages provide a CD package which is suitable and attractive for display, sale and storage of compact discs, yet which is both simple and inexpensive to manufacture.  
         [0008]     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,812—Kosterka discloses a compact disc package formed from a prescored, preprinted unitary blank and at least one injection molded plastic compact disc holder or tray adhesively adhered to one segment of the blank, the blank being adapted to fold along fold lines to position a blank segment over the top of the disc holder to sandwich it, in book style, between the segment to which it is adhered and the overlying segment.  
         [0009]     When it is desired to have a disc package house multiple discs, it has become common to form a book like package having opposite panels connected by a spine panel and to adhesively or mechanically adhere an injection molded plastic disc holder or tray to each of the facing panels. In this manner, when the book is closed, the trays seat upon one another in face-to-face relationship. Typically the height of upstanding peripheral rims around at least a portion of at least one of the trays limits the thickness of the book when the book is in the closed position to assure that the discs on the panels do not contact each other. The problem with this sort of arrangement is that the thickness of each tray doubles the thickness of the package as compared to a package containing only a single disc holder. Such a double thickness package occupies more retail space than is desirable and is wasteful of plastic material. More recently, only a single plastic tray has been used which is capable of receiving a plurality of discs. This type of package is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,390—Pozzoli, which discloses a plastic tray having first and second accommodation regions, each region capable of receiving up to two discs.  
         [0010]     Efforts to date directed at plastic trays used in hybrid packaging which are capable of receiving more than two discs suffer from one or more shortcomings which make the resulting CD packaging unsatisfactory. This is because prior art hybrid packaging is, typically, either uneconomical to manufacture and/or is expensive to transport, store and display in retail stores. Accordingly, there remains a need for a simple, inexpensive to manufacture, inexpensive to ship and display multiple-disc hybrid CD package which is reliable for use over the long term. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view, of an improved tray of a CD package of the present invention, with disc-receiving pouches not shown.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the improved tray of  FIG. 1  taken along a vertical plane passing longitudinally through the tray.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the improved tray of  FIG. 1  showing two disc-receiving pouches pivoted to form acute angles with the floor of the tray.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the improved tray of  FIG. 1  with two disc-containing pouches lying in their rest positions in the tray.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is another perspective view of the improved tray of  FIG. 1 , including two disc-containing pouches lying in their rest positions in the tray, taken along a vertical plane passing longitudinally through the tray.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is top perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 1 , with two pouches pivoted to form acute angles with the floor of the tray, one pouch containing a disc and the other having a disc ready for insertion therein.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 1  containing four disc-receiving pouches, three of which have been pivoted from their rest positions.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 7  taken along a vertical plane passing longitudinally through the tray.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is another top perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 7  containing four disc-containing pouches.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is still another top perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 7  containing four disc-containing pouches, the uppermost of which is pivoted to form an acute angle with the floor of the tray.  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is yet another top perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 7  containing four disc-containing pouches.  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the improved tray of  FIG. 1  mounted on one panel of a book-like package.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the tray of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is another top perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 13  including disc separator sheets.  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is another top perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 13  containing three discs arranged spaced apart in the longitudinal direction and overlapping.  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is another top perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 13  containing two discs arranged spaced apart in the longitudinal direction and overlapping.  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the improved tray of  FIG. 13  taken along a vertical plane passing longitudinally through the tray.  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the improved tray of  FIG. 13  mounted on one panel of a book-like package.  
         [0029]      FIG. 19  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the improved tray of  FIG. 13  which utilizes pivotable latching wings to prevent unwanted axial movement of the discs out of the tray.  
         [0030]      FIG. 20  is a top perspective view of an improved tray of another package of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 21  is a bottom perspective view of the improved tray of  FIG. 20 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 22  is a top perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 20  having discs A, B and C stored therein.  
         [0033]      FIG. 23  is another perspective view of the improved tray of  FIG. 20 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 24  is a bottom perspective view of the sheet separators forming part of the pouch-type disc holders of the tray shown in  FIG. 21 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 25  is a bottom perspective view of the tray of the sheet separators shown in  FIG. 24  interleaved between discs A, B and C.  
         [0036]      FIG. 26  is a partial perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 20  taken along a vertical plane passing longitudinally through the tray.  
         [0037]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a package of the present invention with the cover panel open and three discs stored in the tray of  FIG. 20  and showing one form of cover locking means for the discs in the tray.  
         [0038]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a package of the present invention with the cover panel open and three discs stored in the tray of  FIG. 20  and showing another form of cover locking means for the discs in the tray.  
         [0039]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 28  in the closed position taken along the longitudinal center line of the tray.  
         [0040]      FIG. 30  is a top perspective view of the package of  FIG. 28  taken along a vertical plane passing longitudinally through the package.  
         [0041]      FIG. 31  is a top perspective view of an improved tray of another package of the present invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 32  is a bottom perspective view of the improved tray of  FIG. 31 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 33  is a top perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 31  taken along a vertical plane passing longitudinally through the tray.  
         [0044]      FIG. 34  is a top plan view of the tray of  FIG. 31 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 35  is a perspective view of a package of the present invention in the closed position, comprising a stack of the improved trays of  FIG. 31  enclosed on three sides by paperboard cover and base panels connected by a spine panel.  
         [0046]      FIG. 36  is a top perspective view of the package of  FIG. 34  with the cover panel open and two discs stored in the uppermost tray and showing one form of cover locking means for the discs in the top tray.  
         [0047]      FIG. 37  is a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 36  with the cover panel and the trays fanned out showing discs mounted in the trays.  
         [0048]      FIG. 38  is a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 36  showing the undersides of two of the trays.  
         [0049]      FIG. 39  is a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 36  taken along a vertical plane passing longitudinally through the package.  
         [0050]      FIG. 40  is an enlarged perspective view of one side of the package as viewed in  FIG. 39 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 41  is a top perspective view of the package of  FIG. 34  with the cover panel open and two discs stored in the uppermost tray and showing another form of cover locking means for the discs in the top tray.  
         [0052]      FIG. 42  is a sectional view through the centerline of a single tray embodiment of the package of the present invention.  
         [0053]      FIG. 43  is an enlarged sectional view of one side of the package as viewed in  FIG. 42 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 44  is a top perspective view of a single tray embodiment of the package of the present invention taken along a vertical plane passing longitudinally through the package.  
         [0055]      FIG. 45  is a perspective view showing how a disc may be inserted or removed from one tray within the package of  FIG. 36 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0056]     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-11 , in which there is shown a tray for an improved CD package  10  for housing two or more discs. The package comprises a planar tray  12  which is generally rectangular, elongate and flat and includes an upper planar surface  14  having an elongate, generally rectangular-shaped recess  16  formed therein along substantially its entire width and length. The recess  16  defines a disc receiving housing which has a peripheral wall  18  extending between a housing floor  20   a ,  20   b  and the upper planar surface  14  of the tray  12 . The housing peripheral wall  18  comprises two elongate, longitudinally extending walls  22 ,  24  and two transverse walls  26 ,  28  connecting with the longitudinal walls. In a two-disc embodiment of the package, shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , circular discs A, B are supported in their rest positions in respective oblique planes relative to the housing floor  20   a ,  20   b  in each of two receiving areas  30 ,  32  with disc A partially overlapping disc B and aligned along the longitudinal direction of the tray to form a row. Tray  12  has a first disc receiving area  30  formed therein extending from one transverse peripheral wall  26  toward the median portion of the tray  12 , including floor portion  20   a , and a second disc receiving area  32  which is depressed from the first disc receiving area  30  by virtue of a transversely extending downward step  34  in the floor positioned between and generally parallel to the transverse peripheral walls  26 ,  28 . The length of floor  20   b  between the step  34  and the opposite transverse peripheral wall  28  represents the second disc receiving area  32  and is approximately the diameter of a disc.  
         [0057]     The discs are supported within the tray  12  in a uniformly spaced apart in the longitudinal direction arrangement. As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , each disc is received within a pouch  40 ,  42 , preferably formed of transparent plastic material, which comprises two generally rectangular plastic sheets sealed along three sides and open only at one transverse end  40   a ,  42   a . Desirably, a V-shaped notch  44 ,  46  is formed in the upper sheet of each plastic pouch  40 ,  42  communicating with the open transverse end  40   a ,  42   a  to facilitate grasping a disc which is in the pouch for purposes of removal. Each disc A, B is housed within a pouch  40 ,  42  and, as can be seen in  FIG. 5 , one lower peripheral edge  42   b  of the pouch  42  containing disc B is hingedly connected in the corner  48  defined between the step  34  and the floor  20   b , and extends obliquely upward, relative to the floor  20   b , in the longitudinal direction with its upper peripheral edge substantially flush with the upper planar surface  14  of the tray  12  and adjacent the opposite transverse wall  28 . Disc A rests upon the previous disc B and is spaced longitudinally therefrom along the housing with the lower peripheral edge  40   b  of its pouch  40  hingedly connected in the corner  50  defined between the one transverse peripheral wall  26  and the floor  20   a  and the upper peripheral edge of the pouch resting on the previous disc B. Thus, disc A is supported obliquely above its underlying floor element  20   a , and the discs are not parallel.  
         [0058]     A support means is provided to maintain disc B in an oblique position. The support means comprises a relatively short wall portion  52 , which may be inclined downwardly from the top of the opposite peripheral transverse wall  28  into the recess  16 . Thus disc B is supported in an oblique plane above floor portion  20   b  between the upper peripheral edge of the wall portion and the corner  48  defined between the step  34  and the floor portion  20   b . The disc A partially overlaps and rests upon the immediately preceding disc B. The extent of the overlap between adjacent discs depends on the number of discs spaced along the housing and the length of the housing.  
         [0059]     The lower peripheral edges  40   b ,  42   b  of the pouches are hingedly connected to the corners  48 ,  50  in which they rest to allow the pouches to pivot about the corner to facilitate disc removal. Tabs  54  extend into the recess  16  from the longitudinal peripheral walls  22 ,  24  into contact with the edges of the discs A, B at positions between the center of each disc and the edge thereof nearest the pouch opening  40   a ,  42   a  to prevent longitudinal sliding motion of the discs A, B when the pouches  40 ,  42  lie in their rest positions within the tray  12 . Notches  56  are formed in the pouch walls  40   c ,  40   d ,  42   c ,  42   d  to accommodate the tabs  54 . In order to remove a disc from a pouch, the pouch is pivoted upwardly about its lower peripheral edge  40   b ,  42   b  until the disc is sufficiently raised from the immediately preceding disc and sufficiently out of tray  12  that it can be easily grasped at the V-notch and slid out of the pouch in a direction parallel to the pouch walls  40   c ,  40   d ,  42   c ,  42   d.    
         [0060]     In a four-disc embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 7-11 , the structure of tray  12  remains the same as in the two-disc embodiment. Therefore, like parts are represented by like reference numerals. The only difference is that in the four-disc embodiment, there are two pouches  40 ,  41  and  42 ,  43  hingedly connected along their lower peripheral edges  40   b ,  41   b  and  42   b ,  43   b  within each of the corners  48 ,  50 , respectively. In this configuration, the discs A, C in each of the pouches  40 ,  41  and the discs B, D in each of the pouches  42 ,  43  are coaxial with one another when the pouches lie in their rest positions in tray  12 . At the same time, coaxial discs A, C partially overlie coaxial discs B, D when the pouches lie in their rest positions in tray  12 . In an alternative form of the invention, not shown, only two pouches are needed and each is two-sided and can hold two discs arranged coaxially with respect to each other. Each disc is received on one side of the two sided plastic pouch, which comprises, in one form, three generally rectangular plastic sheets sealed along three sides and open only at the upper transverse side. Discs are inserted into the two openings along the upper peripheral edge of each of the pouches on either side or both sides of the center sheet. Desirably, a V-shaped notch is formed in each of the outer sheets of each plastic pouch, communicating with the open transverse side, to facilitate grasping a disc in the pouch for purposes of its removal from the pouch. It will, of course, be appreciated, that the four-disc embodiment of this invention can be used for storing three discs as well, e.g., by omitting one of the pouches in the four pouch embodiment or by leaving one pouch pocket empty in the two-sided pouch embodiment.  
         [0061]     The paper board  80  of  FIG. 12  comprises a plurality of paper panels which are desirably formed from a presized, pre-printed unitary blank. In one embodiment of the invention, the blank includes two panels  82 ,  84  onto either of which the plastic tray  12  is adhesively or mechanically attached, separated by a spine panel  86 . Fold lines  88 ,  90  separate panels  82 ,  84 , respectively, from spine panel  86  and allow the panels to be pivoted between package open and package closed positions. The panels may be single ply although, in some instances, it may be desirable for one or both of these panels to be two or multiple ply.  
         [0062]     Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 13-18 , in which there is shown another improved CD package  100  for housing two or more discs. The package comprises a planar tray  102  which is generally rectangular, elongate and flat and includes an upper planar surface  104  having an elongate, generally rectangular-shaped, with arcuate end portions, recess  106  formed therein along substantially its entire width and length. The recess defines a disc receiving housing which has a peripheral wall  108  extending between a housing floor  110   a ,  110   b ,  100   c  and the upper planar surface  104  of the tray  102 . The housing peripheral wall  108  comprises two elongate, longitudinally extending walls  112 ,  114  and two arcuate end walls  116 ,  118  connecting with the longitudinal walls. Desirably, the arcuate end walls are generally semi-circular and have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of a disc. In one embodiment of the package, circular discs A, B, C are supported in their rest positions in respective oblique planes relative to the housing floor  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c  in each of three receiving areas  120 ,  122 ,  124  with disc A partially overlapping disc B and disc B partially overlapping disc C, with the discs aligned along the longitudinal direction of the tray to form a row.  
         [0063]     Tray  102  has a first disc receiving area  120  formed therein extending from one arcuate end wall  116  toward the median portion of the tray  102 , including floor portion  110   a , a second disc receiving area  122  which is depressed from the first disc receiving area  120  by virtue of an arcuate semi-circular downward step  126  in the floor positioned between the arcuate end walls  116 ,  118 , and generally parallel to arcuate end wall  116 , including floor portion  110   b , and a third disc receiving area  124  which is depressed from the second disc receiving area  122  by virtue of an arcuate semi-circular downward step  128  in the floor positioned between step  126  and arcuate end wall  118 , and generally parallel to arcuate end wall  116 , including floor portion  110   c . The length of floor  110   c  between the step  128  and the opposite arcuate end wall  118  represents the third disc receiving area  124  and is approximately the diameter of a disc.  
         [0064]     The discs are supported within the tray  102  in a uniformly spaced apart in the longitudinal direction arrangement. Each disc A, B, C is received within its respective disc receiving area  120 ,  122 ,  124  with the lower peripheral edge of the disc supported, respectively, in one of the corner  130  between the arcuate end wall  116  and floor portion  110   a  and corners  131  and  133 , between the steps  126 ,  128  and floor portions  110   b ,  110   c , respectively. The discs extend obliquely upward, relative to the floor portions  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , in the longitudinal direction with their upper peripheral edges substantially flush with the upper planar surface  104  of the tray  102 . Disc C has its lower peripheral edge supported in corner  133  and its upper peripheral edge supported along the upper peripheral edge of arcuate wall portion  118 . A support means is provided to maintain disc C in an oblique position. The support means comprises a relatively short wall portion  117 , which, desirably, is inclined downwardly from the top of the arcuate end wall  118  into the recess  106 . Disc B has its lower peripheral edge supported in corner  131  and its upper peripheral edge rests upon the previous disc C, with disc B spaced longitudinally from disc C along the housing. Disc A has its lower peripheral edge supported in the corner  130  defined between the arcuate end wall  116  and floor portion  110   a  and its upper peripheral edge resting on the previous disc B, with disc A spaced longitudinally from disc B along the housing. Thus, each of discs A, B, C is supported obliquely above its underlying floor element  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , and the discs are not parallel. The extent of the overlap between adjacent discs depends on the number of discs spaced along the housing and the length of the housing.  
         [0065]     Plastic separator sheets  132 ,  134  (see  FIG. 14 ) are affixed, desirably with adhesive, to the upper surfaces of floor portions  110   a ,  110   b  and extend therefrom toward arcuate end wall  118  a sufficient distance to completely separate disc B from disc C and disc A from disc B. In a preferred design, the separator sheets are generally circular in shape and approximate the dimensions of a disc in order that separator sheets  132 ,  134  are coextensive with discs B and C in tray  102 . Separator sheet  132  defines with the underlying floor portion  110   c  a pouch-like enclosure for receiving disc C therein. Likewise, separator sheet  134  defines with separator sheet  132  a pouch-like enclosure for receiving disc B therein. Disc A overlies separator sheet  134 . The discs are insertable into and removable from tray  102  by sliding in the oblique direction corresponding with their rest positions in the tray. Thus disc C may be removed by sliding it over inclined wall portion  117 , which desirably is inclined at substantially the same oblique angle as disc C in the tray, in a direction toward arcuate end wall  118 . In this manner, disc C may be slid from its oblique rest position out from under separation sheet  132  by exerting an obliquely-directed removal force to the disc without lifting the disc. In like manner, disc B may be slid out from between separator sheet  132 ,  134  and disc A may be slid out from on top of separator sheet  134 . It is noteworthy that the discs must be slid out of their respective pouch-like enclosures (discs B, C) or along separator sheet  134  (disc A) before they can be moved axially.  
         [0066]     In order to prevent inadvertent sliding of the discs out of tray  102 , three side wall detents  136  extend into the recess  106  from each of the longitudinal peripheral walls  112 ,  114  into contact with the edges of the discs A, B, C at positions between the center of each disc and the edge thereof nearest arcuate end wall  118 . Each of the detents  136  comprises a tab  138  projecting into the recess  106  from an adjacent segment  140  of the peripheral longitudinal wall  112 ,  114 . The wall segment  140  is defined by a pair of longitudinally spaced apart vertical slits  142  in the peripheral wall which extend from the floor  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c  upwardly toward the planar surface  104 . The slits  142  separate the segment  140  from the remainder of the peripheral wall, allowing the segment  140  to flex toward and away from the recess  106  independent of the remainder of the peripheral wall. When no obliquely-directed removal force is applied to a disc, the pressure of the disc against the tab  138  is insufficient to cause the wall segment  140  to flex inwardly away from the recess  106  and the discs are positively retained against sliding movement. However, under the influence of an obliquely directed disc removal force, the force of the disc against tab  138  causes wall segment  140  to deflect away from the recess  106 , allowing the disc to be slidingly removed from tray  102 . In order to prevent the discs from inadvertently moving in an axial direction, circumferentially spaced apart horizontal projections  144  extend from the arcuate end wall  116  inwardly into recess  106 . Desirably, the projections are positioned a small distance above floor portion  110   a  and are equally spaced about the arcuate end wall  116 . When disc A is inserted into tray  102 , its lower peripheral edge and adjacent side edges are positioned in corner  130  below the projections  144  and its upper peripheral edge rests on separator sheet  134  above the next adjacent disc. The projections  144  bear against the upper surface of disc A around its periphery in order to retain disc A and any disc(s) underlying disc A against axial movement in the tray  102 .  
         [0067]     In an alternative embodiment, not shown, inadvertent sliding movement of the discs out of tray  102  can be prevented without use of sidewall detents  136 , by enlarging each of separator sheets  132 ,  134  and including a pair of raised yieldable dimples on each sheet positioned longitudinally to contact the edges of discs A and B between the center of each disc and the edge thereof nearest arcuate end wall  118 . The dimples are positioned transversely such that one dimple contacts each disc edge on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis A-A of tray  102 . When no obliquely-directed removal force is applied to a disc, the pressure of the disc against the dimples is insufficient to cause the dimples to yield and depress inwardly into separator sheets  132 ,  134  and the discs are positively retained against sliding movement. However, under the influence of an obliquely directed disc removal force, the force of the disc against the dimples causes the dimples to deflect downwardly into separator sheets  132 ,  134 , allowing the disc to be slidingly removed from tray  102 .  
         [0068]     The paper board  180  illustrated in  FIG. 18  comprises a plurality of paper panels which are desirably formed from a presized, pre-printed unitary blank. In one embodiment of the invention, the blank includes two panels  182 ,  184  onto either of which the plastic tray  102  is adhesively or mechanically attached, separated by a spine panel  186 . Fold lines  188 ,  190  separate panels  182 ,  184 , respectively, from spine panel  186  and allow the panels to be pivoted between package open and package closed positions. The panels may be single ply although, in some instances, it may be desirable for one or both of these panels to be two or multiple ply.  
         [0069]     Referring to  FIG. 19  there is illustrated another embodiment of the improved tray of  FIG. 13 . Therefore, like parts are represented by like reference numerals. In this embodiment, inadvertent sliding movement of the discs in the tray  202  is avoided by extending the arcuate semi-circular downward steps  126 ,  128  upward into the longitudinal peripheral walls to form arcuately stepped longitudinal peripheral walls  204 ,  206 . It will be appreciated that the intersection of the arcuate end wall  116  and the upward extension of arcuate step  126  defines a step  208  which extends inwardly from each of the peripheral longitudinal walls  204 ,  206  into recess  106 . Likewise the intersection of the upward extension of arcuate step  126  and the upward extension of arcuate step  128  defines a step  210  which extends inwardly from each of the peripheral longitudinal walls  204 ,  206  into recess  106 . With discs A, B, C seated in tray  202 , when no obliquely-directed removal force is applied to a disc, the pressure of the disc edges against the steps  208 ,  210  is insufficient to allow the discs to slide in tray  202 . However, under the influence of an obliquely directed disc removal force, the force of the disc edges against steps  208 ,  210  causes either the steps to yield or the disc to override the steps, allowing the disc to be slidingly removed from tray  202 .  
         [0070]     Whether the stepped peripheral longitudinal wall concept of  FIG. 19  is employed or another means, such as is described herein, is utilized to prevent unwanted sliding motion, unwanted axial movement of the discs out of tray  202  is prevented by a pair of elongate locking wings  212  mounted for pivotal movement between an open position, shown in  FIG. 19 , and a closed position wherein one peripheral edge of the locking wings  212  overlie the discs in tray  202 . Desirably, each locking wing  212  includes one longitudinal edge  212   a  which is pivotably supported by tray  102  and an opposite longitudinal edge  212   b  which overlies the discs in tray  202  to prevent axial movement thereof. The planar surface  204  of tray  202  is annular with respect to recess  106  and includes longitudinally extending planar surface portions  214 . In one form of the invention, each locking wing  212  comprises a flap formed from the longitudinally extending planar surface portion  214 , which flap desirably pivots about the outer longitudinal peripheral edge of longitudinally extending planar surface portion  214 , for example, via a living hinge  216 . In the closed position, the top surfaces  218  of the locking wings  212  are substantially flush with the planar surface  204  and the free longitudinal edge  212   b  of the locking wings, opposite to the living hinge edge  212   a , overlies the discs A, B, C, preventing their axial movement. The surfaces  220  of the locking wings  212  which face the discs in the closed position include a pair of male protrusions  222  which positively engage female apertures  224 , as by a snap engagement, formed in the recessed upwardly facing surface  226  of the longitudinally extending planar surface portion  214  from which the flap was formed. Additionally, a flange  228  profiled to correspond to the profile of the longitudinal peripheral walls projects from surfaces  220  into the recess  106 . In instances where the longitudinal peripheral walls are not profiled to prevent sliding movement of the discs, the profiled flange, in the closed position, will seat in the recess between the longitudinal peripheral walls and the disc edges with the steps on the flange profile contacting the disc edges to prevent sliding movement of the discs.  
         [0071]     Further embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in  FIGS. 20-30 , in which there is shown an improved CD package  1010  for housing three discs. The package comprises a planar tray  1012  which is generally rectangular, elongate and flat and includes an upper planar surface  1014  having an elongate, generally rectangular-shaped, with arcuate end portions, recess  1016  formed therein along substantially its entire width and length. The recess defines a disc receiving housing which has a peripheral wall  1018  extending between a housing floor  1020   a ,  1020   b ,  1020   c  and the upper planar surface  1014  of the tray  1012 . The housing peripheral wall  1018  comprises two elongate, longitudinally extending walls  1022 ,  1024  and two arcuate end walls  1026 ,  1028  connecting with the longitudinal walls. Desirably, the arcuate end walls are generally semi-circular and have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of a disc. In one embodiment of the package, circular discs A, B, C are supported in their rest positions in respective oblique planes relative to the housing floor  1020   a ,  1020   b ,  1020   c  in each of three receiving areas  1030 ,  1032 ,  1034  with disc A partially overlapping disc B and disc B partially overlapping disc C, with the discs aligned along the longitudinal direction of the tray to form a row.  
         [0072]     Tray  1012  has a first disc receiving area  1030  formed therein extending from one arcuate end wall  1026  toward the median portion of the tray  1012 , including floor portion  1020   a , a second disc receiving area  1032  which is depressed from the first disc receiving area  1030  by virtue of an arcuate semi-circular downward step  1036  in the floor positioned between the arcuate end walls  1026 ,  1028 , and generally parallel to arcuate end wall  1026 , including floor portion  1020   b , and a third disc receiving area  1034  which is depressed from the second disc receiving area  1032  by virtue of an arcuate semi-circular downward step  1038  in the floor positioned between step  1036  and arcuate end wall  1028 , and generally parallel to arcuate end wall  1026 , including floor portion  1020   c . The length of floor  1020   c  between the step  1038  and the opposite arcuate end wall  1028  represents the third disc receiving area  1034  and is approximately the diameter of a disc. Each of the floor portions  1020   a ,  1020   b ,  1020   c  defines a generally triangularly shaped aperture  1027  therein which is bisected by the longitudinal centerline of the tray CL-CL, includes two legs extending generally along arcuate wall portion  1026  or arcuate steps  1036 ,  1038 , respectively, and a base extending perpendicular to the centerline of the tray and interconnecting the ends of the legs.  
         [0073]     The discs are supported within the tray  1012  in a uniformly spaced apart in the longitudinal direction arrangement. Each disc A, B, C is received within its respective disc receiving area  1030 ,  1032 ,  1034  with the lower peripheral edge of the disc supported, respectively, in one of the corner  1040  between the arcuate end wall  1026  and floor portion  1020   a  and corners  1041  and  1043 , between the steps  1036 ,  1038  and floor portions  1020   b ,  1020   c , respectively. The discs extend obliquely upward, relative to the floor portions  1020   a ,  1020   b ,  1020   c , in the longitudinal direction. Disc C has its lower peripheral edge supported in corner  1043  and its upper peripheral edge supported along the upper peripheral edge of arcuate wall portion  1028 . A support means is provided to maintain disc C in an oblique position. The support means comprises a relatively short wall portion  1029 , which, desirably, is inclined downwardly from the top of the arcuate end wall  1028  into the recess  1016 . Disc B has its lower peripheral edge supported in corner  1041  and its upper peripheral edge rests upon the previous disc C, with disc B spaced longitudinally from disc C along the tray. Disc A has its lower peripheral edge supported in the corner  1040  defined between the arcuate end wall  1026  and floor portion  1020   a  and its upper peripheral edge resting on the previous disc B, with disc A spaced longitudinally from disc B along the tray. Thus, each of discs A, B, C is supported obliquely above its underlying floor element  1020   a ,  1020   b ,  1020   c , and the discs are not parallel. The extent of the overlap between adjacent discs depends on the number of discs spaced along the housing and the length of the housing.  
         [0074]     Separator sheets  1042 ,  1044  (see  FIGS. 24 and 25 ), which are preferably formed from plastic but may also be formed from paper, extend from arcuate end wall  1026  and from step  1036 , respectively, toward arcuate end wall  1028  a sufficient distance to completely separate disc A from disc B and disc B from disc C, respectively. In a preferred design, the separator sheets are generally circular in shape, approximately the diameter of a disc but are longer than the diameter of a disc by the length of floor  1020   a  and  1020   b , which are desirably the same length. In addition, separator sheets  1042 ,  1044  have an arcuate upper peripheral edge corresponding to arcuate end wall  1026  and arcuate step  1036 . This permits separator sheet  1042  to be positioned in tray  1012  on floor portion  1020   a  with one end adjacent arcuate end wall  1026 , yet be of sufficient length to be coextensive with disc B. In similar manner, separator sheet  1044  is positioned in tray  1012  on floor portion  1020   b  with one end adjacent step  1036 , yet is of sufficient length to be coextensive with disc C in tray  1012 . Each of separator sheets  1042 ,  1044  includes an arcuate cut-out  1045  formed in its upper periphery  1042   a ,  1044   a , which is adjacent arcuate end wall  1026  and step  1036 , respectively, when the sheets are positioned on floor portions  1020   a ,  1020   b . The separator sheets  1042 ,  1044  each also include a pair of sideways extending ears  1052 , desirably, positioned on opposite sides of cut out  1045  and at equiangular distances of about 20° to 90° therefrom. Ears  1052  extend through slots  1054  in arcuate end wall  1026  and step  1036  and include an undercut portion  1056  to engage a wall at the end of each slot  1054  for mechanically locking the separator sheets  1042 ,  1044  in position on floors  1020   a ,  1020   b . Each separator sheet  1042 ,  1044  has an opening flap feature  1046 ,  1048  incorporated therein. One example of a desirable opening flap feature  1046 ,  1048 , is formed by cutting through the separator sheet along a semi circle to define a generally arcuate flap  1050  (or through the separator sheet along three perpendicular sides to define a generally rectangular flap) such that a flap is formed in the sheets which is pivotable about a fold line  1053 . Flap  1050  is formed in separator sheets  1042 ,  1044  at a position which corresponds with apertures  1027  in floor portions  1020   b ,  1020   c  so that, with the separator sheets in position against respective end wall  1026  and step  1034 , flap  1050  on each sheet extends downwardly into and through apertures  1027 . Desirably flap  1050  includes an intermediate fold line  1055  parallel to fold line  1053  and spaced between fold line  1053  and the free end  1058  of flap  1050  to permit flap  1050  to be folded along fold line  1055  so that the portion of flap  1050  between fold line  1055  and its free end  1058  generally underlies the floor of tray  1012  with the free end  1058  pointed generally toward arcuate end wall  1028 . The distance between fold lines  1053 ,  1055  must be at least as long as the height of steps  1036 ,  1038 .  
         [0075]     Referring to  FIG. 26 , separator sheet  1044  defines with the underlying floor portion  1020   c  a pouch-like enclosure for receiving disc C therein with the lower peripheral edge of disc C in contact with flap  1050 . Likewise, separator sheet  1042  defines with separator sheet  1044  a pouch-like enclosure for receiving disc B therein with the lower peripheral edge of disc B in contact with flap  1050 . Disc A overlies separator sheet  1042 . Separator sheet arcuate cut outs  1045  in a lower separator sheet, for example separator sheet  1044 , allows flap  1050  of upper separator sheet  1042  to be pressed through aperture  1027  in floor portion  1020   b  without interference from separator sheet  1044 .  
         [0076]     The discs are insertable into and removable from tray  1012  by sliding in the oblique direction corresponding with their rest positions in the tray. Thus disc C may be removed by sliding it over inclined wall portion  1029 , which desirably is inclined at substantially the same oblique angle as disc C in the tray, in a direction toward arcuate end wall  1028 . In this manner, disc C may be slid from its oblique rest position out from under separation sheet  1044  by exerting an obliquely-directed removal force to the disc without lifting the disc. In like manner, disc B may be slid out from between separator sheet  1042 ,  1044  and disc A may be slid out from on top of separator sheet  1042 . It is noteworthy that the discs must be slid out of their respective pouch-like enclosures (discs B, C) or along separator sheet  1134  (disc A) at least about 10 mm before they can be moved axially. Flaps  1050  prevent discs B, C from inadvertently sliding over floor portions  1020   a ,  1020   b , respectively.  
         [0077]     In order to prevent inadvertent sliding of the discs out of tray  1012 , a side wall detents  1060  extends into the recess  1016  from each of the opposite longitudinal peripheral walls  1022 ,  1024  in each of disc receiving areas  1030 ,  1032 ,  1034 . The detents  1060  contact the edges of the discs A, B, C at longitudinal positions between the center of each disc and the peripheral edge thereof nearest arcuate end wall  1028 . Each of the detents  1060  comprises a tab  1062  projecting into the recess  1016  into contact with discs A, B, C from an adjacent depending segment  1064  of the peripheral longitudinal wall  1022 ,  1024 . The wall segment  1064  is defined by a pair of longitudinally spaced apart vertical slits  1066  in the peripheral wall which extend from the floor  1020   a ,  1020   b  upwardly toward the planar surface  1014  and a horizontal slit  1068  separating the wall segment  1064  from floor  1020   a ,  1020   b . The slits  1066  separate the segment  1064  from the remainder of the peripheral wall and, together with the slit  1068 , allow the depending segment  1064  to flex toward and away from the recess  1016  independent of the remainder of the peripheral wall. When no obliquely-directed removal force is applied to a disc, the pressure of the disc against the tab  1062  is insufficient to cause the wall segment  1064  to flex inwardly away from the recess  1016  and the discs are positively retained against sliding movement. However, under the influence of an obliquely directed disc removal force, the force of the disc against tabs  1062  causes wall segment  1064  to deflect away from the recess  1016 , allowing the disc to be slidingly removed from tray  1012 .  
         [0078]     In order to prevent the discs from inadvertently moving in an axial direction, circumferentially spaced apart horizontal projections  1070  overlie and bear against the upper surface of disc A at its peripheral edges. Desirably, three horizontal projections  1070  overlie and bear against the upper surface of disc A at its peripheral edges and extend from the arcuate end wall  1026  inwardly into recess  1016 . The projections  1070  are positioned a small distance above floor portion  1020   a  and are equally spaced, preferably at approximately 90° intervals, about the arcuate end wall  1026 . Desirably, end wall projection  1070  is positioned at the intersection of arcuate end wall  1026  and the centerline CL-CL of tray  1012  and the side wall projections  1070  are positioned at equal circumferential distances on either side of end wall projection  1070  and angularly spaced about 90° therefrom. When disc A is inserted into tray  1012 , its lower peripheral edge and adjacent side edges are positioned in corner  1040  below the projections  1070  and its upper peripheral edge rests on disc B. The projections  1070  bear against the upper surface of disc A around its periphery in order to retain disc A against axial movement in the tray  1012 . Since disc A is the uppermost disc, retaining it against axial movement also prevents axial movement of discs B, C, which underlie disc A.  
         [0079]     The discs are insertable into and removable from tray  1012  by sliding in the oblique direction corresponding with their orientations in the tray. Thus disc C may be removed by sliding it over inclined wall portion  1029  of arcuate end wall  1028 , which desirably is inclined at substantially the same oblique angle as disc C in the tray, in a direction toward arcuate end wall  1028 . Disc C may be slid from its oblique position in tray  1012  by exerting an obliquely-directed removal force to the disc without lifting the disc. In like manner, discs A, B may be slid out from their position in tray  1012 . It is noteworthy that the discs must be slid at least 10 mm out of tray  1012  before they can be moved axially. It will be apparent that any of discs A, B, C can be slidably removed from tray  1012  without need for removing the other of the discs.  
         [0080]     The package enclosure  1080  of  FIGS. 27-30 , which preferably is formed from paper board but also may be formed from plastic, comprises a plurality of paper panels which are desirably formed from a presized, pre-printed unitary blank. In one embodiment of the invention, the blank includes two panels  1082 ,  1084  onto either of which a plastic tray  1012  is adhesively or mechanically attached separated by a spine panel  1086 . Fold lines  1088 ,  1090  separate panels  1082 ,  1084 , respectively, from spine panel  1086  and allow the panels to be pivoted between package open ( FIG. 27, 28 ) and package closed ( FIG. 29, 30 ) positions. The panels, if paper, may be single ply although, in some instances, it may be desirable for one or both of these panels to be two or multiple ply. Appropriate latching means (not shown), which are well known in the field, may be used if it is desired to latch the package  1010  in the closed position.  
         [0081]     In one embodiment, discs A ,B, C are positioned in tray  1012  such that their upper peripheral edges are at substantially the same height and trays  1012  are dimensioned in such a manner that the upper peripheral edges of discs A, B, C project a small distance above planar surface  1014 . This facilitates locking the discs in the tray during storage, shipping and handling. Referring to  FIG. 27 , cover  1082  of paperboard  1080  locks discs A, B in the tray  1012  by providing three vertically spaced apart pockets  1100 ,  1102 ,  1104  in the inward facing panel  1083  of cover  1082 , which pockets  1100 ,  1102 ,  1104  are positioned and oriented to receive the upper peripheral edges of discs A, B, C respectively, protruding above the planar surface  1014  of tray  1012 . In this manner, discs A, B, C are locked between the corners  1040 ,  1041 ,  1043  supporting the lower peripheral edges of the discs and pockets  1100 ,  1102 ,  1104  in cover panel  1083  supporting the upper peripheral edges of the discs.  
         [0082]     In another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 28-30 , trays  1012  are dimensioned in such a manner that the upper peripheral edges of discs A and B are substantially flush with planar surface  1014 . In this embodiment, cover  1082  of paperboard  1080  locks discs A, B, C in the tray  1012  by providing cover mounted features which project from panel  1083  of cover  1082  into recess  1016  proximate the upper peripheral edges of discs A, B, C. These cover mounted features may be three vertically spaced apart ribs  1106 ,  1108 ,  1110  positioned and oriented to abut or proximately abut the upper peripheral edges of discs A, B, C or other cover mounted or cover embossed features which project from panel  1083  into recess  1016  to lock discs A, B, C in tray  1012 .  
         [0083]     The discs A, B, C in a single tray  1012  are locked in place when cover  1082  is closed. The opening of the cover  1082  releases the discs in tray  1012 . The reverse is true when closing package  1010 . As the cover is closed, the discs in the tray  1012  are once again locked in position. The discs are securely held in the tray  1012 , but not locked therein, when the user can directly view and touch the discs in a facing tray.  
         [0084]     Still additional preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in  FIGS. 31-45 , in which there is shown an improved CD package  2010  for housing two discs. Referring to  FIGS. 31-34 , the package comprises a planar tray  2012  which is generally rectangular, elongate and flat and includes an upper planar surface  2014  having an elongate, generally rectangular-shaped, with arcuate end portions, recess  2016  formed therein along substantially its entire width and length. The recess  2016  defines a disc receiving housing which has a peripheral wall  2018  extending between a housing floor  2020   a ,  2020   b  and the upper planar surface  2014  of the tray  2012 . The housing peripheral wall  2018  comprises two elongate, longitudinally extending walls  2022 ,  2024  and two arcuate end walls  2026 ,  2028  connecting with the longitudinal walls. Desirably, the arcuate end walls are generally semi-circular and have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of a disc. A flange or skirt  2029  depends from the periphery of planar surface  2014  with the lower edges of skirt  2029  generally flush with the lowermost floor  2020   b.    
         [0085]     In the two-disc embodiment of the tray, shown in  FIGS. 31-45 , circular discs A, B are supported in their rest positions in respective oblique planes relative to the housing floor  2020   a ,  2020   b  in each of two receiving areas  2030 ,  2032  with disc A partially overlapping disc B and aligned along the longitudinal direction of the tray to form a row. Tray  2012  has a first disc receiving area  2030  formed therein extending from one peripheral arcuate end wall  2026  toward the median portion of the tray  2012 , including floor portion  2020   a , and a second disc receiving area  2032  which is depressed from the first disc receiving area  2030  by virtue of an arcuate semi-circular downward step  2034  in the floor positioned between the arcuate end walls  2026 ,  2028 , and generally parallel to arcuate end wall  2026 . The length of floor  2020   b  between the step  2034  and the opposite peripheral arcuate end wall  2028  represents the second disc receiving area  2032  and is approximately the diameter of a disc.  
         [0086]     The discs are supported within the tray  2012  in a uniformly spaced apart in the longitudinal direction arrangement. As can be seen in  FIGS. 39 and 42 , one lower peripheral edge of disc B is supported in the corner  2040  defined between the step  2034  and the floor  2020   b , and extends obliquely upward, relative to the floor  2020   b , in the longitudinal direction with its upper peripheral edge adjacent the opposite transverse wall  2028 . The lower peripheral edge of disc B rests on nub  2044  which protrudes upwardly from floor  2020   b  and into recess  2016  from a location on step  2034  where step  2034  intersects the centerline CL-CL of tray  2012 . The right and left side peripheral edges of disc B rest on nubs  2046  which protrude upwardly from floor  2020   b  and into recess  2016  from locations on the peripheral wall which are, desirably, equiangularly spaced on either side of nub  2044 , preferably by about 90°. To create the oblique orientation of disc B relative to floor  2020   b , nub  2044  protrudes a smaller distance above floor  2020   b  than do nubs  2046 , which desirably are the same height. Disc A is, desirably, supported generally parallel to disc B and is spaced longitudinally therefrom along the housing with the lower peripheral edge of disc A supported in the corner  2042  defined between the one peripheral arcuate end wall  2026  and the floor  2020   a . The right and left side peripheral edges of disc A rest on nubs  2048  which protrude upwardly from floor  2020   a  and into recess  2016  from locations on the peripheral wall, which are equiangularly spaced, desirably by about 90°, from nubs  2050 . Nubs  2050  protrude upwardly from floor  2020   a  and into recess  2016  from locations on arcuate end wall  2026  and are spaced apart on opposite sides of end projection  2070 , as will be described more fully hereinafter. To create the oblique orientation of disc A relative to floor  2020   a , nubs  2050 , which are the same height, protrude a smaller distance above floor  2020   a  than do nubs  2046 , which desirably are the same height. Thus, disc A is supported obliquely above its underlying floor element  2020   a , the discs are generally parallel and disc A partially overlaps disc B with the extent of the overlap between adjacent discs depending on the number of discs spaced along the housing and the length of the housing.  
         [0087]     In order to prevent inadvertent sliding of the discs out of tray  2012 , two side wall detents  2060  extend into the recess  2016  from each of the opposite longitudinal peripheral walls  2022 ,  2024  in each of disc receiving areas  2030 ,  2032 . The detents  2060  contact the edges of the discs A, B at longitudinal positions between the center of each disc and the peripheral edge thereof nearest arcuate end wall  2028 . Each of the detents  2060  comprises a tab  2062  projecting into the recess  2016  into contact with discs A, B from an adjacent depending segment  2064  of the peripheral longitudinal wall  2022 ,  2024 . The wall segment  2064  is defined by a pair of longitudinally spaced apart vertical slits  2066  in the peripheral wall which extend from the floor  2020   a ,  2020   b  upwardly toward the planar surface  2014  and a horizontal slit  2068  separating the wall segment  2064  from floor  2020   a ,  2020   b . The slits  2066  separate the segment  2064  from the remainder of the peripheral wall and, together with the slit  2068 , allow the depending segment  2064  to flex toward and away from the recess  2016  independent of the remainder of the peripheral wall. When no obliquely-directed removal force is applied to a disc, the pressure of the disc against the tab  2062  is insufficient to cause the wall segment  2064  to flex inwardly away from the recess  2016  and the discs are positively retained against sliding movement. However, under the influence of an obliquely directed disc removal force, the force of the disc against tabs  2062  causes wall segment  2064  to deflect away from the recess  2016 , allowing the disc to be slidingly removed from tray  2012 .  
         [0088]     In order to prevent the discs from inadvertently moving in an axial direction, circumferentially spaced apart horizontal projections  2070  overlie and bear against the upper surface of discs A, B at their peripheral edges. Desirably, three horizontal projections  2070  overlie and bear against the upper surface of disc A at its peripheral edges and extend from the arcuate end wall  2026  inwardly into recess  2016 . The projections  2070  are positioned a small distance above floor portion  2020   a  and are equally spaced, preferably at approximately 90° intervals, about the arcuate end wall  2026 . Desirably, end wall projection  2070  is positioned at the intersection of arcuate end wall  2026  and the centerline CL-CL of tray  2012  and the side wall projections  2070  are positioned at equal circumferential distances on either side of end wall projection  2070  and angularly spaced about 90° therefrom. When disc A is inserted into tray  2012 , its lower peripheral edge and adjacent side edges are positioned in corner  2042  on nubs  2050  below the projections  2070  and its side edges rest on nubs  2048  to space disc A from disc B and orient it generally parallel thereto. The projections  2070  bear against the upper surface of disc A around its periphery in order to retain disc A against axial movement in the tray  2012 . In like manner, two horizontal projections  2070  desirably overlie and bear against the upper surface of disc B at its peripheral edges and extend from opposite longitudinal walls  2022 ,  2024  inwardly into recess  2016 . When disc B is inserted into tray  2012 , its lower peripheral edge is positioned in corner  2040  on nub  2044  with its side edges resting on nubs  2046  and below the projections  2070 . The projections  2070  bear against the upper surface of disc B at its side edges in order to retain disc B against axial movement in the tray  2012 .  
         [0089]     Referring to  FIG. 45 , the discs are insertable into and removable from tray  2012  by sliding in the oblique direction corresponding with their orientations in the tray. Thus disc B may be removed by sliding it over inclined wall portion  2052  of arcuate end wall  2028 , which desirably is inclined at substantially the same oblique angle as disc B in the tray, in a direction toward arcuate end wall  2028 . Disc B may be slid from its oblique position in tray  2012  by exerting an obliquely-directed removal force to the disc without lifting the disc. In like manner, disc A may be slid out from its position in tray  2012 . It is noteworthy that the discs must be slid at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, out of tray  2012  to clear overlying projections  2070  before they can be moved axially. It will be apparent that either of discs A, B can be slidably removed from tray  2012  without need for removing the other of the discs.  
         [0090]     The paper board  2080  of  FIGS. 35-45  comprises a plurality of paper panels which are desirably formed from a presized, pre-printed unitary blank. In one embodiment of the invention, the blank includes two panels  2082 ,  2084  onto either of which a plastic tray  2012  (with, optionally, additional plastic trays stacked thereon, as will be described more fully hereinafter), is adhesively or mechanically attached, separated by a spine panel  2086 . Fold lines  2088 ,  2090  separate panels  2082 ,  2084 , respectively, from spine panel  2086  and allow the panels to be pivoted between package open ( FIG. 36 ) and package closed ( FIG. 35 ) positions. The panels may be single ply although, in some instances, it may be desirable for one or both of these panels to be two or multiple ply. Appropriate latching means (not shown), which are well known in the field, may be used if it is desired to latch the package  2010  in the closed position.  
         [0091]     The trays  2012  may be used singly or arranged in a stack together with the paperboard  2080  to form the package of the present invention. Most preferably, a single tray  2012  or bottom tray of a stack of trays  2012  is adhesively adhered to panels  2084  serving as the base panel with the other panel  2082  serving as the cover panel. As shown in  FIGS. 35-41 , when the trays are arranged in a stack, they are hinged to each other by a flexible hinge member  2092  that is affixed to one side of the stack of trays, such as along one of the longitudinal edges. The hinged member  2092  may be fabricated, as is well known, from a suitable material, such as a styrene-based film or tape, polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like. For example, the hinge member  2092  may be fabricated from a strip of commercially available poly tape. The hinge member  2092  must be flexible enough to allow the stack of trays to be opened and closed freely, as by pivoting the upper tray, and each succeeding tray, in order, about the flexible hinge. In addition, the hinge member  2092  must be strong enough to prevent premature failure of the hinge member or separation of the hinge member from trays in the stack. The hinge member  2092  may be affixed to the trays using an adhesive, or using a mechanical technique, including techniques using ultrasound or heat.  
         [0092]     In one embodiment, discs A and B are positioned in tray  2012  such that their upper peripheral edges are at substantially the same height and trays  2012  are dimensioned in such a manner that the upper peripheral edges of discs A and B project a small distance above planar surface  2014 . This facilitates locking the discs in the tray during storage, shipping and handling. Referring to  FIGS. 41-44 , cover  2082  of paperboard  2080  locks discs A, B in the single tray or uppermost tray in a stack by providing a pair of pockets  2100 ,  2102  in the inward facing panel  2083  of cover  2082 , which pockets  2100 ,  2102  are positioned and oriented to receive the upper peripheral edges of discs A, B, respectively, protruding above the planar surface  2014  of tray  2012 . In this manner, discs A, B are locked between the corners  2040 ,  2042  supporting the lower peripheral edges of the discs and pockets  2100 ,  2102  in cover panel  2083  supporting the upper peripheral edges of the discs.  
         [0093]     In another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 36-40 , trays  2012  are dimensioned in such a manner that the upper peripheral edges of discs A and B are substantially flush with planar surface  2014 . In this embodiment, cover  2082  of paperboard  2080  locks discs A, B in the single tray or uppermost tray in a stack by providing cover mounted features which project from panel  2083  of cover  2082  into recess  2016  proximate the upper peripheral edges of discs A, B. These cover mounted features may be ribs  2108 ,  2110  positioned and oriented to abut or proximately abut the upper peripheral edges of discs A, B, or other cover mounted or cover embossed features which project from panel  2083  into recess  2016  to lock discs A, B in tray  2012 .  
         [0094]     When trays  2012  are arranged in a stack, the discs in the upper tray are locked in position by cover  2082  and the discs in each lower tray are locked in position by the tray immediately above. To accomplish this, each tray  2012  includes a transversely elongate, desirably, generally oval shaped, aperture  2104  extending through floor  2020   b . The aperture  2104  is positioned and oriented in floor  2020   b  to receive the upper peripheral edge of disc A which protrudes above the planar surface of the immediately lower tray in the stack. In addition, each tray  2012  includes a rib  2106  (see  FIG. 32 ) which depends from the underside of floor  2020   b  of the tray at about the area of inclined wall portion  2052  and is adjacent peripheral skirt  2029 . The upper peripheral edge of disc B projecting from the immediately lower tray in the stack abuts, and is locked into position, by rib  2106 . In this manner, discs A, B in a tray  2012  are locked in position between the corners  2040 ,  2042  supporting the lower peripheral edges of the discs and aperture  2104  and rib  2106 , respectively, constraining the upper peripheral edges of the discs.  
         [0095]     The discs A, B in a single tray or the top tray in a stack are locked in place when cover  2082  is closed. Discs A, B in other than the top tray in a stack of trays are locked in place when the package  2010  is in the closed position with each tray in a stack adjacent to the trays above and below it. The opening of the cover  2082  releases the discs in the top tray and pivoting the trays in the stack about hinge member  2092  releases, in turn, the discs in each tray. The reverse is true when closing package  2010 . As the stack is re-established and the cover is closed, the discs in the trays are once again locked in position. The discs are securely held in the tray  2012 , but not locked therein, when the user can directly view and touch the discs in a facing tray.  
         [0096]     While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that no limitations are intended thereby to the details of construction or design, the present invention contemplating and including any novel feature or novel combination of features which are herein disclosed.