Patent Publication Number: US-2006016703-A1

Title: Disk storage case

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a disk storage case, and more particularly to a case for storing a recording medium disk such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD) or the like.  
      2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a commonly used flat case for storing a CD (hereinafter referred to as a standard case) comprises: a case body having an open surface that is formed across one side thereof and serves to hold a disk; and a cover that is hingedly connected to the case body in order to be opened and closed to expose and cover the open surface of the case body.  
      Such a standard case, however, suffers from the disadvantage that an opening portion of the case is not readily recognizable to the users and the case is difficult to open. Another disadvantage is that the standard case is not suitable for product display using a hooking member.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In view of the foregoing circumstances, a first object of the invention is to provide a disk storage case having features that an opening portion from which the case is opened is readily recognizable to the users and that the case is easily opened. A second object of the invention is to provide a disk storage case having another feature that the case can be put on display in a hung or suspended manner in addition to the foregoing feature.  
      According to the present invention, there is provided a flat disk-storage case comprising: a case body that forms one of two main surfaces of the disk storage case; and a cover that forms the other of the two main surfaces of the disk storage case and includes a hinge portion provided along one edge of the case body, via which the cover is joined to the case body so as to allow swinging opening/closure of the cover;  
      the disk storage case further comprising a pair of engaging elements respectively provided on the case body and the cover at a region located opposite and remote from the edge of the case along which the hinge portion is provided, wherein the pair of engaging elements cooperatively serve to engage the cover to the case body and thereby lock the cover in its closed condition by elastic mutual engagement, and cooperatively serve to disengage the cover from the case body and thereby release the cover to its open condition when the engaging elements undergo a twisting operation by a user&#39;s fingers, such as a thumb and a forefinger.  
      According to one aspect of the invention, the engaging elements are provided so as to be arranged mutually adjacent to each other within a plane extending substantially parallel to the aforementioned main surfaces. As used herein, the term “a plane extending substantially parallel to the main surfaces” is, for example, a plane which, when the disk storage case is closed, extends parallel to and is located approximately midway between one main surface of the case formed by the case body and the other main surface of the case formed by the cover.  
      As used herein, the term “a twisting operation with fingers such as a thumb and a forefinger” means not only a typical “twisting operation with a thumb and a forefinger” but also other similar operations, for example, “a twisting operation with a thumb and a middle finger”.  
      The aforementioned engaging elements are preferably provided at an approximately triangular corner region that is located opposite the edge along which the hinge portion is provided. Further, it is also preferable that an aperture for receiving a hooking member used for display and exhibit is defined at the corner region in a part more inwardly located than the engaging elements.  
      These engaging elements may be formed along an edge located opposite the edge along which the hinge portion is provided.  
      The disk storage case of the present invention is provided with a pair of engaging elements that cooperatively serve to engage the cover to the case body and thereby lock the cover in its closed condition when the engaging elements by mutual engagement, and cooperatively serve to disengage the cover from the case body and thereby release the cover to its open condition when the engaging elements undergo a twisting operation by a user&#39;s thumb and forefinger. These engaging elements are disposed at a region located opposite the edge of the case along which the hinge portion is provided. This produces the effect that the opening portion of the disk storage case is readily recognizable for users and the disk storage case can be easily opened with the fingers of one hand.  
      When the aforementioned engaging elements are provided at an approximately triangular corner region that is located opposite the hinge portion and usually remains as a dead space in the standard case, the engaging elements do not extend beyond the contour of the case and accordingly compactness of the disk-storage case can be ensured. Therefore, even when the disk storage cases of the invention are pre-packed in packs of some pieces, no problems impairing the transportation and loading qualities of the cases would be caused.  
      Further, when an aperture for receiving a hooking member used for display and exhibit is defined at the corner region in a part more inwardly located than the engaging elements, display and exhibit of the tape storage cases using the hooking members becomes possible, which would contribute to increase in sales floor area to, for example, sales shops in the countries where sales goods are often put on display in a hung or suspended manner; convenience stores; and sales space near checkout stations of supermarkets. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a disk storage case according to a first embodiment of the invention shown closed;  
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the disk storage case in  FIG. 1  shown opened;  
       FIG. 3A  is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 , showing engaging elements of the disk storage case which are elastically engaged with each other, and  FIG. 3B  is an enlarged sectional view, showing the engaging elements which are disengaged from each other.  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the disk storage case in  FIG. 1  with a cover thereof being semi-opened;  
       FIG. 5  is a front view showing the state that the disk storage cases are put on display in a row with the disk storage cases of  FIG. 1  being respectively hung by means of hooking members;  
       FIG. 6A  to  FIG. 6D  are schematic perspective views showing pre-packed forms of the disk storage cases shown in  FIG. 1  which are packaged in packs of some pieces;  
       FIG. 7  is a plan view showing a disk storage case according to a second embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view showing an opening portion of the disk storage case shown in  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the disk storage case in  FIG. 7  with the cover being semi-opened;  
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIG. 11  is a plan view showing a disk storage case according to a third embodiment of the invention with the disk storage case being closed;  
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the disk storage case in  FIG. 11  with the cover being semi-opened;  
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  are enlarged perspective view respectively showing the opening portion of the disk storage case shown closed and semi-opened;  
       FIG. 14  is an enlarged side view showing the opening portion of the disk storage case in  FIG. 11  shown semi-opened;  
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 14 ; and  
       FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  16 - 16  in  FIG. 14 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      A first embodiment of the disk storage case of the invention is shown in FIGS.  1  to  4 . Specifically,  FIG. 1  is a plan view of the disk storage case shown closed;  FIG. 2  is a plan view of the disk storage case shown opened;  FIG. 3A  is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1  with a pair of engaging elements of the disk storage case being elastically engaged with each other;  FIG. 3B  is an enlarged sectional view with the pair of engaging elements being disengaged (i.e. released from the elastically engaged state); and  FIG. 4  is a perspective view with the opening portion being semi-opened.  
      As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the disk storage case  1  in its closed condition has a D-shaped plan contour defined by a linearly extending first side  11 , a second and third sides  12  and  13  each of which is shorter than the first side  11  and linearly extends away from each end of the first side at a right angle, and a fourth side  14  which extends between the end of the second side remote from the first side  12  and the end of the third side  13  remote from the first side  11 . As can be seen from  FIG. 2 , a case body which forms one of two main surfaces P 2  (see  FIG. 3 ) of the disk storage case  1  is joined with a cover  3  which forms the other of the two main surfaces P 3  (see  FIG. 3 ), such that the cover can pivot between its closed position and its open position about a hinge portion  10  disposed along the second side  12 .  
      A circular disk-holding projection  20  is centrally disposed within the case body  2 . The circular disk-holding projection  20  is engaged in a center hole  4   a  formed in a recording medium disk  4  such as a CD, a DVD or the like, so that the recording medium disk  4  can be removably held.  
      An opening portion  5  from which the cover  3  is opened and closed with respect to the case body  2  is located at a corner region of the disk storage case  1  located opposite the second side  12 , i.e. a corner formed by the first side  11  and the third side  13  so that it has a substantially right angled triangular shape.  
      As is apparent from  FIG. 2 , this opening portion  5  is defined by: a first engaging element  21  that is integrally formed with the case body  2  so as to extend along the first side  11  to the corner at the opening portion; and a second engaging element  31  that is integrally formed with the cover  3  so as to extend along the third side  13  to the corner region at the opening portion.  
      Each engaging element  21 ,  31  has a narrowly formed root portion  21   a  and  31   a , respectively, whereby elasticity is imparted thereto. As is apparent from  FIG. 1 , an aperture  6  is provided in a part more inwardly located than the engaging elements  21  and  31 . The aperture  6  is partially defined by inner peripheries  21   b  and  31   b  of the engaging elements  21  and  31 .  
      With reference to  FIG. 3A  showing an enlarged sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 , assume that a plane P 1  that is located approximately midway between the one main surface P 2  of the disk storage case  1  formed by the case body  2  and the other main surface P 3  of the disk storage case  1  formed by the case body  2  and extends substantially parallel to these main surfaces P 2  and P 3 . The distal ends of the first and second engaging elements  21  and  31  are arranged mutually adjacent to each other within the plane P 1  such that the distal end of the first engaging element  21  of the case body  2  is bulged out toward the main surface P 3  (so as not to extend beyond the level of the main surface P 3  when the disk storage case is closed) while the distal end of the second engaging element  31  of the cover  2  is bulged out toward the main surface P 2  (so as not to extend beyond the main surface P 2  when the disk storage case is closed).  
      The first and second engaging elements  21  and  31  are respectively provided with first and second engaging surfaces  21   c  and  31   c  which are elastically engaged with each other on or near a point O on the plane P 1 . As shown, a tangent line L to the first and second engaging surfaces passes through or near the point O on the plane P 1  in a manner such that the tangent line L is inclined in the direction toward the first and second engaging elements  21  and  31 , whereby the cover  3  is engaged with the case body  2  and held in a closed condition.  
      Such an engaging mechanism can bee seen, for example, at a top closure of a purse or a handbag. When a user puts the tip of his or her thumb on the bottom side of the distal end of the first engaging element  21  as indicated by arrow A while putting the tip of his or her forefinger (or middle finger) on the top side of the distal end of the second engaging element  31  as indicated by arrow B and twists the finger tips in the clockwise direction about point O, the first and second engaging surfaces  21   c  and  31   c  in contact with each other mutually slide and finally the first and second engaging elements  21  and  31  are disengaged as shown in  FIG. 3B . Thus, the cover  3  can be opened as shown in  FIG. 4 . To close the cover  3 , the user needs to apply pressure such a direction that the disengaged first and second engaging elements  21  and  31  as shown in  FIG. 3B  or the main surfaces P 2  and P 3  near the engaging elements  21  and  31  are brought closer to each other, which causes the first and second engaging elements  21  and  31  to be elastically flexed and finally engaged with each other as shown in  FIG. 3A .  
      The aperture  6  defined in a part more inwardly located than the first and second engaging elements  21  and  31  serves as an aperture for receiving a hooking member that is used when the disk storage case  1  holding therein a disk  4  is put on display in a hung or suspended manner.  FIG. 5  shows a state where three disk-storage cases  1   a ,  1   b ,  1   c  each holding therein a disk  4  are arranged in a row for display and exhibit with the disk storage cases being respectively hung by hooking members  7 .  
       FIG. 6A  to  FIG. 6D  show the disk storage cases  1  of the first embodiment with the cases being packaged in a pack of 5 pieces, 10 pieces, 20 pieces, and so on.  
      As can be seen from the foregoing description, the disk storage case  1  of the first embodiment is provided with a pair of engaging elements  21  and  31  at a corner region of the case  1  located opposite the edge along which the hinge portion  10  is provided. An aperture is defined within the corner region. The engaging elements  21  and  31  cooperatively serve to engage the cover  3  to the case body  2  and thereby lock the cover  3  in its closed condition by elastic mutual engagement, and cooperatively serve to disengage the cover  3  from the case body  2  and thereby release the cover  3  to its open condition when the engaging elements  21  and  31  undergo a twisting operation by user&#39;s fingers such as a thumb and a forefinger. This produces an effect of making the opening portion  5  readily recognizable to users and allowing the users to easily open the disk storage case.  
      Further, since the aperture for receiving a hooking member  7  used for display and exhibit is defined in a part more inwardly located than the first and second engaging elements  21  and  31 , display and exhibit using the hooking member  7  becomes possible.  
      In addition, since the engaging elements  21  and  31  are formed at an approximately triangular corner region that remains as a dead space, the compactness of the disk storage case  1  is not precluded.  
      Further, since the engaging elements  21  and  31  do not extend beyond the levels of the main surfaces P 3  and P 2  opposite thereto as shown in  FIG. 3A , disk storage cases pre-packed as shown in  FIGS. 6A  to  6 D would not cause any problem regarding transportation and loading.  
      FIGS.  7  to  10  show a disk storage case according to a second embodiment of the invention. Specifically,  FIG. 7  is a plan view of the disk storage case shown closed;  FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view showing an opening portion thereof;  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the disk storage case shown semi-opened; and  FIG. 10  is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 7 .  
      The disk storage case  1 ′ comprises a case body  2  and a cover  3 , each of which has an approximately square planar shape. The case body  2  and the cover  3  are joined via a hinge portion  10  such that the cover  3  can pivot between its closed position and its open position. As in the first embodiment described above, an opening portion  5 ′ is provided at a corner region of the disk storage case  1 ′ which is located opposite the hinge portion  10 . The case body  2  and the cover  3  which respectively form main surfaces P 2  and P 3  of the disk storage case  1 ′ are respectively provided with a first engaging element  22  and a second engaging element  32 , one on each side of the opening portion  5 ′. When the disk storage case  1 ′ is closed, the first and second engaging elements  22  and  32  are respectively positioned to be flush with the main surfaces P 3  and P 2  opposite thereto. V-shaped notches  23 ,  33  each of which is adapted to receive the corresponding engaging element  32 ,  22  are respectively formed in the case body  2  and the cover  3 .  
      With reference to  FIG. 10  which corresponds to  FIG. 3A , when assuming a plane P 1  that is located approximately midway between these main surfaces P 2  and P 3  and extends substantially parallel to these main surfaces P 2  and P 3 , the first and second engaging elements  22  and  32  are arranged mutually adjacent to each other within the plane P 1 . The engaging elements  22  and  32  are respectively provided with engaging surfaces which are elastically engaged with each other on or near a point O on the plane P 1 . As is shown, a tangent line L to the engaging surfaces passes through or near the point O on the plane P 1  in a manner such that the tangent line L is inclined in the direction toward the first and second engaging elements  22  and  32 , whereby the cover  3  is engaged with the case body  2  and held in a closed condition.  
      In this case too, by imparting a twisting operation to the engaging elements near the opening portion  5 ′ with the tips of user&#39;s fingers (for example, a thumb and a forefinger) in the clockwise direction about point O, the engaging elements  22  and  32  are disengaged or released from the elastic engagement. Thus, the cover  3  can be easily opened as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
      As is also evident from  FIG. 7 , when a visual indication, for example, “push”, for indicating where the opening portion  5 ′ is positioned is indicated on the engaging element  22  of the case body  2  facing the cover  3 , the user can find the opening portion  5 ′ more easily.  
      FIGS.  11  to  16  show a disk storage case according to a third embodiment of the invention. Specifically,  FIG. 11  is a plan of the disk storage case shown closed;  FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the disk storage case shown semi-opened;  FIG. 13A  is an enlarged perspective view of an opening portion of the disk storage case shown closed;  FIG. 13B  is an enlarged perspective view of the opening portion shown semi-opened;  FIG. 14  is a perspective view with the opening portion being semi-opened, as viewed from the right side of  FIG. 11 ;  FIG. 15  is a partial sectional view taken along line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 14 ; and  FIG. 16  is a partial sectional view taken along  16 - 16  in  FIG. 14 .  
      A disk storage case  1 ″ according to the third embodiment has an opening portion  5 ″ at the substantial middle of a side opposite to another side along which a hinge portion  10  is provided. The disk storage case  1 ″ comprises a case body  2  and a cover  3  which respectively form main surfaces P 2  and P 3  of the disk storage case  1 ″. The case body  2  and the cover  3  respectively include a first flange  28  and a second flange  38  along the opposite side mentioned above. These flanges are disposed one on each side of the opening portion  5 ″. When the disk storage case  1 ″ is closed, these flanges  28  and  38  are respectively positioned to be flush with the main surfaces opposite thereto. Accordingly, elongate cutouts  24  and  34  each of which receives the corresponding flanges  38  and  28  are respectively formed in the case body  2  and the cover  3  along the opposite side.  
      As is especially apparent from  FIG. 13B  and FIGS.  14  to  16 , engaging protrusions  25  and  35  are respectively provided on the end faces of the cutouts  24  and  34  near the opening portion  5 ″. Accordingly, on the inner surfaces of the flanges  28 ,  38 , protrusion receiving recesses  26  and  36  for respectively receiving the engaging protrusions  35  and  25  are formed correspondingly.  
      More specifically, the disk storage case  1 ″ is provided with a set of paired elastically engaging elements which are constituted by an engaging protrusion  25  on the case body  2  and a protrusion receiving recess  36  on the cover  3 ; and a protrusion receiving recess  26  on the case body  2  and a engaging protrusion  35  on the cover  3 . Also in the third embodiment, to open the closed disk storage case  1 ″, the user needs to put the tips of fingers (for example, a thumb and a forefinger) on the flanges  28  and  38  near the opening portion  5 ″ and twist the fingers in the clockwise direction. Whereby the engaging elements are disengaged from each other, and thus the cover  3  can be easily opened as shown in  FIG. 12 .  
      Also in the third embodiment, when a visual indication, for example, “push”, for indicating where the opening portion  5 ″ is positioned is indicated on the flange  28  of the case body  2  facing the cover  3 , it enables the user to know where the user should place his or her fingers.  
      When the disk storage case of the invention is sold with a disk medium, for example, an optical disk (such as a CD-RCM or a DVD-ROM) or an optical recording medium (such as a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-R, or DVD-RW), being held therein, it is preferable to affix a sealing label on the opening portion of the case in order to prevent the disk therein from being easily stolen. Such a sealing label may be, for example, a sealing label described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-347875.