Patent Abstract:
A packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as a CD-ROM or a DVD. The packaging device includes a first member for the storage of disc-shaped media in a chamber or cavity, which container may be attached to storage devices of various shapes and sizes for the storage of materials other than the disc-shaped media. The chamber includes means for maintaining the disc-shaped media in a stable state within the chamber, such that the disc-shaped media is allowed to rotate, while limiting the linear movement of the disc-shaped media both perpendicular to and parallel to the plane of the media. The disc-shaped media may be sealed within the inner chamber by means of either a circular protective element or by means of a complementary cap or lid adapted to engage the first member. The first member is attached to the storage device by means of engagement of the first member with the top of or cover to the package or packages. In such device, the first member and disc-shaped media may be of a larger diameter than one dimension of the top of or cover to the package or packages. Alternatively, the first member may engage and hold in positive juxtaposition multiple packages. The first member includes a protective element along the perimeter thereof to ensure the integrity of the first member as well as to prevent the edges of the disc-shaped media from being damaged. A method is further provided for packaging such disc-shaped item and other material within the packaging device.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent aplication Ser. No. 09/702,266 filed on Oct. 31, 2000 in the names of Alexandra Gordon and Charles W. Grimes for “Packaging Device for Disc-Shaped Items and Related Materials and Method for Packaging Such Disks and Material” which, in turn, was a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/161,064 filed on Sep. 25, 1998 in the names of Alexandra Gordon and Charles W. Grimes for “Packaging Device for Disc-Shaped Items and Related Materials and Method for Packaging Such Disks and Material” which subsequently issued on Apr. 17, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,857. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates, in general, to a device for packaging and displaying a circular or disc-shaped media and other materials and a method for packaging such disc-shaped media and other materials and, in particular to containers and methods for initially packaging and thereafter repeatedly storing disc-shaped media together with other materials stored in containers of various sizes.  
           [0004]    Still more particularly, the present invention further relates to a new and improved device for initially packaging and thereafter repeated storing of a disc-shaped media including a support element to receive and retain said disc-shaped media and means for attaching the packaging device to containers of varying sizes.  
           [0005]    2. Background of the Invention  
           [0006]    Packaging and storage devices for media are generally known. Disc-shaped media, such as CD&#39;s, DVD&#39;s or CD-ROM&#39;s, encounter special problems in handling, packaging and storage due to their delicate, flat recorded surfaces. Such disc-shaped media is generally sold in plastic cases which are sometimes referred to as “jewel boxes.” Such cases are generally rectangular and have a mounting hub for holding the disc-shaped media by its center aperture. Such cases are usually kept after purchase of the disc-shaped media and utilized for re-packaging, of the disc-shaped media between usage. Such jewel boxes are impractical packaging containers for shipping because of their small dimensions and easy breakage, and they thus require substantial additional packaging material or placement in larger shipping containers.  
           [0007]    Disc-shaped media is routinely sold with other materials (whether directly related to the content of the disc-shaped media, i.e., ancillary, or otherwise). At the present time, disc-shaped media in such “jewel boxes” is commonly packaged together with ancillary materials in larger rectangular shaped cardboard boxes for shipping, sale and packaging. The “jewel boxes” are necessary to reliably protect the disc-shaped media from contact with the ancillary materials in the larger cardboard boxes. Such plastic case/cardboard box combination package arrangements are not only expensive, they also do not lend themselves to easy and secure repeated re-storage of the disc-shaped media and ancillary materials. They are often damaged during initial opening and repeated re-storage. They are often unable after initial opening to securely re-store the disc-shaped media (in the jewel box) and the other materials together in the cardboard packaging in a manner to preclude contact with each other. They frequently become unsightly after initial opening and repeated re-storage. They are, themselves, difficult to handle and store.  
           [0008]    Other types of packaging and storage devices are needed to organize, protect, ship, display at retail and store disc-shaped media sold and/or shipped in combination with ancillary materials.  
           [0009]    A need also exists for devices which can effectively and efficiently organize, protect, ship, display at retail and store disc shaped media with other materials.  
           [0010]    An opportunity exists that is not being commercially exploited at the present time to distribute disc-shaped recording media with materials that are either ancillary or wholly unrelated to the content of the disc-shaped media. This opportunity is not being exploited due to the lack of an effective container design and method for efficiently organizing, protecting, shipping, displaying at retail and storing disc-shaped media packaged with other materials.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The primary object of this invention is to provide a container in which and a method whereby disc-shaped media and ancillary materials stored in packages of various shapes and sizes can initially be packaged together in stacked relationship and, after removal and use, can easily be re-stored in stacked relationship in a manner so as to avoid contact there between.  
           [0012]    Another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the container and the disc-shaped media may be larger in area than the package or packages wherein the other material is stored.  
           [0013]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the disc-shaped media is protected from damage to its edges.  
           [0014]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the container is formed using an injection molding process whereby the dimensions and structures of the upper portion of the container remains constant while the dimensions and structures of the bottom portion may be varied depending upon the size of the package or packages to which the container will be attached.  
           [0015]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a container that may be attached to the package or packages by sliding the container over the top or the cap of the package or packages.  
           [0016]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging that eliminates the need for a separate case (i.e., the need for a “jewel box”) for the disc-shaped media.  
           [0017]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby during initial storage, shipping, retail presentation and re-packaging the disc-shaped media is securely held against movement in the planes both parallel and perpendicular to the plane of the disc-shaped media.  
           [0018]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby during initial storage, shipping, retail presentation and re-packaging the disc-shaped media is protected from contact with the other materials and from external forces.  
           [0019]    Another important object of this invention is to provide a shipping container in which and a method of shipping whereby disc-shaped media and other materials can be packaged, presented, conveyed, distributed and stored.  
           [0020]    Another important object of this invention is to provide an aesthetically unique and compelling device and method for presenting at retail disc-shaped media and other materials which may or may not be related to the content of the media.  
           [0021]    Still another object with this invention is to provide a container and a method packaging whereby the seat and lid are removable and the seat and lid can be combined to create a permanent storage and restoring package for the disc-shaped media alone.  
           [0022]    Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby a protective insert is placed in the container before the disc-shaped media to protect the disc-shaped media from contact with the other materials.  
           [0023]    Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby a replaceable protective insert is placed in the container before the disc-shaped media to protect the disc-shaped media from contact with the other materials, which insert can be removed to access the ancillary materials and can be replaced after the ancillary materials are re-stored in the container and before the disc-shaped media is re-stored in the container.  
           [0024]    Another object of this invention is to provide a container and method of packaging whereby the first chamber is within the removable lid and the disc-shaped media support member is a center post fixedly attached to and extending from the inside center of the lid.  
           [0025]    To accomplish these and other objects, the container of this invention in its preferred form comprises a first member for the storage of disc-shaped media in a chamber or cavity, which container may be attached to storage devices of various shapes and sizes for the storage of materials other than the disc-shaped media. The chamber includes means for maintaining the disc-shaped media in a stable state within the chamber, including a structure defining support for the disc-shaped media whether by means of the annular opening at the center thereof or the perimeter thereof, such that the disc-shaped media is allowed to rotate, while limiting the linear movement of the disc-shaped media both perpendicular to and parallel to the plane of the media. The disc-shaped media may be sealed within the inner chamber by means of either a circular protective element or by means of a complementary cap or lid adapted to engage the first member. The protective element may be affixed by a variety of means, including heat-sealing to either the inner structure or perimeter of the first member, or both, or snapping engagement onto the first member by means of at least one protrusion on either the inner structure or perimeter of the first member, or both. Other attachment means, such as adhesives, or sealing compression fits, are contemplated. The first member may be attached to the storage device by a variety of means including heat sealing, snapping engagement, adhesives or a compression fit whereby the first member is engaged to the top of or cover to the package or packages. In such device, the first member and disc-shaped media may be larger in diameter than one dimension of the top of or cover to the package or packages. The first member includes a protective element along the perimeter thereof to ensure the integrity of the first member as well as to prevent damage to the edges of the disc-shaped media. Alternatively, the first member may engage and hold two or more packages in juxtaposition.  
           [0026]    In the preferred method of packaging, disc-shaped media is inserted into and releasably retained within the chamber of the storage device by means of a cylindrical inner structure and sealed therein by means of a protective element. The storage device is then attached to the top of or cap to the package or packages containing the other material.  
           [0027]    The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]    The novel features believed characteristics of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as the preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention with the lid and disk media removed, illustrating the use of a one-piece annular collar member with an annular ring and lip;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of a portion of the novel disc packaging device of FIG. 1 when the lid is on the container, along line AA illustrating the resultant first and second chambers thereof;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2A is an alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 2, wherein a protective element is inserted between the first and second chambers;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2B is an alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 2A, showing an alternative method of insertion of the protective element between the first and second chambers;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 2C is a further alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 2A, showing, a further alternative method of insertion of the protective element between the first and second chambers;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention illustrating the alternative use of abutments and protrusions affixed to the inside wall of the container;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 3A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 3, along line B-B, with a disc-shaped media and other materials inserted and the lid affixed;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 3B is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention illustrating the alternative use of the upstanding rim of the base and the inside wall of the cover in place of the abutments and protrusions of FIG. 3;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 3C is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention illustrating the alternative use of the outer surface of the cover and the inner surface of a supplementary cover in place of the abutments and protrusions of FIG. 3;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention illustrating the alternative use of a center annular post support for the disc-shaped media suspended from spokes;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of the device shown in FIG. 4, along line C-C, with a disc-shaped media and other materials inserted and the lid affixed;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention illustrating fingers that extend from a frame carried by the side wall of the container and that provide center support for the disc-shaped media;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 5A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of the device shown in FIG. 5, alone, line D-D, with a disc-shaped media and other materials inserted and the lid affixed;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of alternate embodiments of the packaging device of the present invention depicting two different methods of mounting the disc-shaped media support member to the device outer wall;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 7 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with disc-shaped media and other materials inserted, the protective element inserted and the lid closed, in which the first chamber in which the disc-shaped media is stored is in the cover;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 7A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 7, wherein the disc-shaped media is inserted into a protective envelope that is affixed to the inner surface of the cover;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIGS. 8 and 8A are side perspective, partially cut-away, cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of the present invention, illustrating the use of the “lid” of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 as the base, thereby allowing the portion of the invention defining the second chamber to be of an irregular shape (FIG. 8) or to have deformable construction (FIG. 8A);  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 9 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the disk media is located in the lid and the lid and the container include second and third chambers, respectively, for storing other material;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 10 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention in which the second chamber in the container for storing other materials includes a second opening separate and distinct from the lid and a removable cover such that access to the second chamber can be attained without removing the lid;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIGS. 11 and 11A are cut-away, cross-sectional side views of another embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 10 in which the method of mounting shown in FIG. 6A is utilized and wherein the removable cover for the second chamber can be mated with the removable cover for the first chamber to form a mini-packaging device shown in FIG. 11A;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 12 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A in which the method shown in FIG. 3B for retaining the disc-shaped media is utilized and in which the two covers threadably engage the base and, when removed, can be threaded together to create a mini-packaging unit;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIGS. 12A and 12B are cut-away, cross-sectional side views of alternative embodiments of the device shown in FIG. 12, wherein the two covers slidably engage after removal (FIG. 12A) or threadably engage after removal (FIG. 12B);  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 13 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the present invention in which a concave cavity on the exterior side of the cover for the device forms the first chamber for the disc-shaped media and a seal encloses the disc-shaped media within the concave cavity;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention with the lid, disk media and protective element removed, illustrating the use of a sealed base; and  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the disk media is sealed within the lid, and the base is separately sealed, and the lid and base are detachably joined together by an outer packaging skin that can be severed with a pull string.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 16 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which in which the packaging device is larger than the cover to the container to which it is attached and fits about the cover or lid to said container.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 17 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which in which the packaging device is larger than the cover to the container to which it is attached and is attached to the container by means of engagement to the inside rim of the container.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 18 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in the which the packaging device is formed from a two part injection mold wherein the dimension and size of the upper portion remain constant while the dimension and size of the lower portion may be varied so as to conform to the dimensions of the container to which the packaging device is to be attached.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present invention in which the packaging device is attached to two or more containers.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 20 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 19 in which the disc-shaped media is stored on the bottom of the packaging device, facing the containers to which it is attached.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 21 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 19 in which the disc-shaped media is stored on the top of the packaging device, separated from the containers to which it is attached.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0060]    With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a front view of the disc packaging device  10  of the present invention. As illustrated, disc packaging device  10  includes a lower base component or container  12  and an upper cover component or lid  14 . Lower base component  12  and upper cover component  14  are utilized to form a generally cylindrical packaging device of dimension slightly larger than the disc shaped recording media to be stored. End plates  16  and  18  cooperate with lower base component  12  and upper cover component  14  to fully enclose the cylindrical packaging space defined thereby.  
         [0061]    The lower base component  12  of the embodiment of this invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a side wall  20 . The side wall can be constructed from either cardboard (i.e., natural fiber material) or plastic (i.e., man-made synthetic material) or other material suitably rigid for the base component to retain its shape, including metal, e.g., as in a vacuum sealed, canned product.  
         [0062]    The base component  12  can be designed to threadably receive the bottom plate  16  which is of conventional design, made of stiff cardboard, plastic, metal or some similarly rigid material and used as a cover-all screw cap on a very wide variety of containers. Alternatively the bottom plate  16  can nest inside the side wall  20  where it is held by friction, stapling, gluing or some other means. The side wall  20  has an upper section  22  and the upper section  22  can be threaded to accommodate the upper cover component  14  although in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the cover is made of plastic and snaps on in a conventional manner.  
         [0063]    As best seen in FIG. 2, the upper section  22  is defined by an outer wall  24 , an inner wall  26  and a rim  28 . The cover component  14  has a side wall  30  defined by an outer wall  32 , an inner wall  34  and a rim  36 . The diameter of the inner wall  34  of the cover component is slightly greater than the diameter of the outer wall  24  of the base component. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is an inner structure  40  which provides circumferential support for a disc shaped media  42  stored within the packaging device  10 . The structure  40  comprises an annular collar  44  having an annular ring  46  and an annular lip  48 . The inner structure  40  nests within the lower base component  12 . The annular collar  44  has an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the inner wall  26  of the base component such that the annular collar extends beyond the inner wall  26  and sits on top of the base rim  28 . The annular ring  46  has an outer diameter less than the diameter of the inner wall  26 , such that the annular ring nests inside the inner wall  26 . The annular lip  48  has an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the disc shaped media  42 . Thus, the disc shaped media will rest on the annular lip, inside the annular ring. In this way, movement of the disc shaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media is precluded by the annular abutment  46 . Movement of the disc shaped media perpendicular to its plane is prevented in one direction by the annular lip  48 . When the cover component  14  is affixed to the base component  12 , the cover plate  18  acts to preclude movement of the disc shaped media in the opposite perpendicular direction to the plane of the disc shaped media.  
         [0064]    In the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2A, a protective member  50  is attached to the annular lip  48 . The protective member can be made of plastic film or any other conventional material to provide a barrier between the disc shaped media and other materials  52  which can be stored in the base component  12  of the packaging device  10 . The protective member can be permanently affixed to the annular lip or it can be affixed at the time of assembly and shipment and removed by the consumer after purchase, i.e., at a time when further “rough handling” that would cause interaction between the disc shaped media and the other materials is less likely to occur.  
         [0065]    In an alternative embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2B, the protective element is removable and sized to seat on the annular lip  48  between the annular lip  48  and the disc shaped media. The protective element is round like the disc shaped media and has a central opening into which one&#39;s finger can be inserted to engage, lift and remove the protective element and subsequently engage, lift and replace the protective element.  
         [0066]    In an alternative embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2C, the protective element  50 B is flexible and is removably inserted within the lower base component beneath the annular lip  48  and on top of the other materials  52  placed therein. The protective element is sized to correspond to the interior wall  26  and has a central opening into which one&#39;s finger can be inserted to engage, lift and remove the protective element and subsequently engage, lift and replace the protective element. Alternatively, the protective element can be provided with a lift tab or some other conventional means whereby it can be grabbed and removed.  
         [0067]    In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, the inner structure  40  is modified. The annular collar  44  with annular ring  46  and annular lip  48  is replaced by discrete abutments  54  and discrete protrusions  56 . Collectively, the abutments  54  and protrusions  56  are positioned within the lower base component  12  around the circumference of the inner wall  26  spaced below the rim  28 , affixed to the inner wall  26 , so as to perform the same function as the annular ring  46  and annular lip  48 . Specifically, the abutments  54  preclude movement of the disc shaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media i.e., performing the same function as the annular ring  46 . Similarly, the protrusions  56  are positioned about the inner wall  26  and collectively preclude movement of the disc shaped media in a direction perpendicular to plane of the disc shaped media i.e., performing the same function as the annular lip  48 .  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 3B shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the disc shaped media is seated on the rim  28  and movement of the disc shaped media perpendicular to its plane is prevented in one direction by the rim  28 . When the cover  14  is affixed to the base component  12 , movement of the disc shaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media is precluded by the inner wall  34  of the cover  14  and inner surface  14   a  of the cover  14  acts to preclude movement of the disc shaped media in the second, opposite perpendicular direction to the plane of the disc shaped media.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 3C shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the disc shaped media is seated on the outside surface  14   b  of the cover  14  and movement of the disc shaped media perpendicular to its plane is prevented in one direction by a supplementary cover  144  that snaps onto the cover  14 . When the supplementary cover  144  is affixed to the cover  14 , movement of the disc shaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media is precluded by the inner wall  144   a  of the supplementary cover  144  and the inner wall  144   b  of the supplementary cover  144  acts to preclude movement of the disc shaped media in the second, opposite perpendicular direction to the plane of the disc shaped media. The supplementary cover  144  can include a chamber  144   d  and a protective element  50   b  can be inserted to prevent contact between the disc shaped media and whatever materials  52   a  are placed in the chamber  144   d.    
         [0070]    In the alternative embodiment seen in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the inner support structure  40  is replaced with an inner support structure  58  that provides center support for the disc shaped media as opposed to the circumferential support provided by inner structure  40 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the alternative inner structure  58  includes an annular ring  60  and spokes  62  extending therefrom. As seen in FIG. 4A, the annular ring  60  has a raised portion  64  on which the disc-shaped media  42  sits, The spokes  62  each have a finger portion  66  which extends upwardly and outwardly such that when the structure  58  is inserted into the base component  12 , the fingers  56  frictionally engage the inner wall  26  and sit on the upper rim  28 . The structure  58  can include webbing between the fencers  56  (ala the webbing in a duck&#39;s foot) comprised of a thin material to provide protection for the disc shaped media  42  from the other materials  52 . Inside the annular ring  60  would be left open to allow the consumer, after removing, the cover  14 , to insert their finger into the annular ring and to thereby remove both the disc shaped media  42  and the structure  58 .  
         [0071]    [0071]FIGS. 5 and 5A show a further alternative inner structure  68  comprising an annular collar  70  from which fingers  72  extend inwardly. At the ends of the fingers  72  are upstanding projections  74 . The annular collar  70  nests inside the inner wall  26  and sits on the rim  28  in the same manner as the inner structure  40  in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The upstanding projections  74  cooperate to provide a center support structure for the disc shaped media.  
         [0072]    As seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the fingers  72  in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A do not necessarily need to be suspended from an annular collar. Alternatively, the could be clipped to the side wall  20  as seen in FIG. 6A or they could be screwed into the side wall  20  as shown in FIG. 6B.  
         [0073]    In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a center support structure is provided for the disc shaped media in the upper cover component  14 . Specifically, projections  80  extend from the inside wall  82  of the end plate  18 . These projections  80  cooperate to provide secure support for the disc shaped media in the cover component  14 . A protective element  84  can be provided which is either removably nested within the cover as shown or which can be inserted at the time of manufacture and removed and discarded by the consumer after purchase. The cover  14  can engage the base component  12  in any variety Of conventional ways, e.g., snap on, telescope on, screw on, etc.  
         [0074]    In a further alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, the disc shaped media is encased within an envelope  84   a  made of plastic or some other suitable material and which is affixed to the inside wall  82  of the end plate  18 . The envelope is either removably or permanently affixed, e.g., by gluing, with double-sided tape, or by other conventional means. The envelope can itself constitute a re-useable packaging container for the disc shaped media that either remains affixed to the plate  18  or can be removed from the plate  18 , e.g., so that the cover  14  can be discarded. Or the disc shaped media can be packaged within a packaging sleeve (not shown) ail of which can then be inserted into the envelope and then removed from the envelope once the envelope is opened.  
         [0075]    [0075]FIGS. 8 and 8A show further alternative embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the fact that the disc shaped media is stored within the cover component  14  allows for an alternative construction of the container  12 . In this alternative embodiment, the cover  14  serves as the “base”. The alternative base  90 , in which the other materials, in this case, a doll  92 , are stored, has an end wall structure  94  which frictionally encases the inner wall  96  and seals the chamber in the base  90 . Alternatively, wall  94  can be provided with threads so that it will threadably engage corresponding threads on the inside wall  96 . The cover  14  and base  90  can be attached in the same manner as heretofore been discussed in connection with other embodiments.  
         [0076]    In the embodiment showing in FIG. 8A, the cover  14  once again carries the disc shaped media  42  and thereby allows the base  12  to be of a deformable construction  98 . The deformable member  98  has a rigid internal support structure  100  which is designed to frictionally or threadably engage the cover  14 .  
         [0077]    In the alternate embodiment shown In FIG. 9, the disc shaped media is stored in a first chamber  102  in the lid  14  defined by an annular support  40  similar in construction to the embodiment of FIG. 7, except that the lid includes a second chamber  104  defined by an outer wall  106  for other materials and the base  12  includes a third chamber  108 . In the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 10, which is similar in construction to the embodiment of FIG. 4, there is provided an additional opening  110  in the container  22  and a cover  116  for closing the opening  110 . The cover  116  can be removed to gain access to the chamber  104  without removing the cover  14 .  
         [0078]    In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A, an inner structure  40   a  is provided that is a slightly modified version of the inner structure  40  shown in FIG. 2, in that it includes an annular wall  45  that extends around the entire circumference of the annular collar  44  and engages the outer surface of the wall of the base  12 , and the cover  14  is configured to engage not the base  12 , but rather, the annular wall  45 . An additional opening  110  is provided as in the embodiment of FIG. 10, and a cover  116   a  is provided that is a slightly modified version of the cover  116  of FIG. 10, in that it includes not only an outer annular wall  116   b  for engaging the outer surface of the wall of the base  12 , but also an inner annular wall  116   c  for engaging the inner surface of the wall of the base  12 . The circumferential dimension of the outer surface  116   d  of the wall  116   b  of the cover  116   a  is identical to the circumferential dimension of the outer surface  45   d  of the wall  45 , such that the covers  14  and  116   a  can be removed and the cover  14  which matingly engaged the wall  45  will matingly engage the outer wall  116   b  of the cover  116   a , as shown in FIG. 11A. In this way, as also shown in FIG. 11A, the covers  14  and  116   a  can be used together as a mini-packaging device for the disc shaped media  42 . In the embodiment shown, the inner wall  116   c  helps to securely retain the disc shaped media against movement. However, it is understood that the benefits of the invention could be achieved without such inner wall, or utilizing one of the other retaining methods disclosed herein.  
         [0079]    In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the disc shaped media seats on the rim  28  as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, but the cover  14   x  does not snap onto the base  12 , but rather, threadably engages it. Furthermore, the bottom  12   x  of the base  12  is flared outwardly and contains internal threads that are of the same dimension as the internal threads of the cover  14   x . The cover  116   x  includes mating external threads such that the cover  116   x  can be threaded into the flared bottom  12   x  of base  12 . In this way, the covers  14   x  and  116   x  can be removed from the base  12  and threadably engaged to form a mini-packaging unit for the disc shaped media.  
         [0080]    In the alternative embodiments of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the need to flare out the bottom of the base  12  is eliminated. In FIG. 12A, the base  12   y  receives a bottom cover  116   y  that includes an overlapping portion  117   y , the outer surface  118   y  of which is of equal dimension to the outer surface  118   y  of which is of equal dimension to the outer wall of the base  12   y , such that covers  14   y  and  11   y  can be slidably engaged to form a mini-storage unit for the disc-shaped media. In FIG. 12B, the base  12   z  has an external threaded portion  119   z  and an internal threaded portion  120   z  each of which extends beyond the center line “C” of the wall of the base  12   z . In this way, when the covers  14   z  and  116   z  are removed, they can be threadably engaged to form a mini-storage unit for the disc-shaped media.  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 13 shows a further alternative embodiment, wherein the cover  244  nestingly seats within the base  12  and the disc shaped media  42  is placed within the concave recess  246  of the cover  244 . A seal  248  made of plastic or other suitable material is applied to the cover  244  to hold the disc shaped media within the cover  244  until the seal is removed by the user. The disc shaped media can be retained against movement within the cover  244  as a result of contact with the side walls  250 , bottom wall  252  and seal  248 , or by utilization of any of the other methods taught herein.  
         [0082]    [0082]FIG. 14 shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the base  12  is a separately manufactured container of miscellaneous content, that includes a slightly concave end  251 , the depth  252  of which exceeds the combined thickness of a disc shaped media  42  and a protective element  50  which are seated within the concave end  251  and held there by cover  14  which snaps onto base  12 . In an alternate embodiment, a protective element is not used or the disc shaped media is packaged in an envelope (not shown).  
         [0083]    [0083]FIG. 15 shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the disc shaped media is mounted and sealed within cover  14 , e.g., as taught herein in connection with other embodiments, and cover  14  is attached to base  12  by paper packaging material skin  0   1  that binds the cover  14  and base . 12  together. Cover  14  is separated from base  12  by pulling string  302  which tears the skin  301  and breaks the circumferential attachment between cover  14  and base  12 .  
         [0084]    It would be understood that in each embodiment, a container device is provided in which disc shaped media can be packaged, distributed, displayed at retail and, if desired, restored with other materials and that, in effecting such usage, discrete chambers are provided for the disc-shaped media and for the other materials so as to prevent contact between the disc-shaped media and the other materials. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 6B, the inner structure, whether it is the annular collar of FIG. 1, or the discretely positioned abutment/protrusion clips of FIG. 3, or the upstanding rim in FIG. 3B, or the lid and supplemental lid of FIG. 3C, or the “spider” structure of FIG. 4, or the “trap” structure of FIG. 5, in each case is located in and helps define a first chamber in the lower base component  12 . Underneath this first chamber is a second chamber. The first chamber receives and securely holds, despite repeated removal and re-packaging, the disc shaped media. The second chamber receives the other materials and keeps these materials separate from the disc shaped media. The need for a separate “jewel case” for the disc shaped media is thus completely eliminated.  
         [0085]    It would be understood that the shape of the container can be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention, e.g., the cylindrical base  12  can be square or rectangular so long as the outer wall of the collar  40  corresponds and the collar includes spacers from the outer wall of the collar to the annular ring and annular lip of the present invention. Similar adjustments could be made to the other embodiments as would be apparent to those skilled in the an having reviewed this disclosure. The abutment/protrusions clips of FIG. 3 could be mounted on a non-cylindrical shaped base, as could the spider structure of FIG. 4 or the trap structure of FIG. 5.  
         [0086]    It would be understood by those skilled in the art that the function of the annular ring of FIG. 1 or the abutments of FIG. 2 could be performed by an appropriately dimensioned inner wall  26  of the container  12 .  
         [0087]    It would be further understood that while several methods of attaching the annular collar of FIG. 1, the abutment/protrusion clips of FIG. 2, the spider structure of FIG. 3 and the trap structure of FIG. 4 have been shown, those skilled in the alt after having reviewed this disclosure could devise other means of attachment without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0088]    It would be further understood by those skilled in the art that the device and method of this invention can accommodate one or more disc shaped media, e.g., through the insertion of protective elements therebetween.  
         [0089]    Illustrated in FIGS. 16-21 are additional embodiments of the present invention comprising a first member or member  500  adapted to receive the disc-shaped media  42 , and thereafter to be affixed to the cover or top  502  of a container or containers  503 , which container or containers may be of any size or shape, regardless of whether smaller or larger in area than the member  500 . In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 16-21, provided at the center of the member  500  is a cylindrical projection  504  which serves the purpose of maintaining the disc shaped media  42  in a stable state within the cavity  506  formed by the member  500 , by receiving and retaining the disc-shaped media  42  such that the disc-shaped media  42  is prevented from moving linearly parallel to the plane of the disc-shaped media  42 , while allowing the disc-shaped media  42  to rotate around the cylindrical projection  504 . Toward that end, the outer diameter of the cylindrical projection  504  must be slightly less than the diameter of the annular aperture in the disc-shaped media  42  such that the cylindrical projection  504  may be in frictional contact with or loosely contact the annular aperture in the disc-shaped media  42 . It would be understood that the other means of maintaining the disc media in stable state taught herein, e.g., by means of members engaging the outer edge of the disc media, may alternatively be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0090]    The disc-shaped media  42  is further protected within the member  500  by means of raised shoulder or edge element  508  encircling the perimeter the member  500 , which shoulder or edge element  508  serves the dual purpose of forming the outer wall of the cavity  506  and protecting the disc-shaped media  42  from damage to the edges of the media  42  caused by contact with external forces being applied to the member  500 . In the preferred embodiment, the shoulder or edge element  508  is composed of a stiff material having some flexibility such as plastic such that it can deform so as to absorb and redistribute any force applied thereto. A downwardly extending extension  510  may also be provided, which extension  510  serves to increase the surface area of the shoulder or edge element  508  to thereby supplement the protection to the disc-shaped media  42 . The height of shoulder or edge element  508  should be sufficient that it is at least coplanar with the upper surface of the disc-shaped media  42 , although it is preferable if its upper surface is above the upper surface of the disc-shaped  42 .  
         [0091]    A separate annular downwardly extending skirt member  512  is provided to attach the member  500  to the cover or top  502  of the container or containers  503 . In the preferred embodiment, the skirt member  512  is also composed of a stiff material having some flexibility so that it can deform to match the contours of the cover or top  502 . This deformation also serves to help retain the member  500  in place on the cover or top  502  by allowing the skirt member  512  to “grip” the cover or top  502 . It should therefore be appreciated that the inner dimensions of the skirt member  512  should be slightly smaller than the external dimensions of the cover or top  502  so that the member  500  may be secured to the top of the container  503  by means of the compression fit between the skirt member  512  and cover or top  502 .  
         [0092]    In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17, the skirt member  512  may also engage the cover or top  502  about an inner perimeter of the cover or top  502 . In such embodiment, the external dimension of the skirt member  512  should be slightly larger than the internal dimension of the inner perimeter of the cover or top  502  such that the deformation of the skirt member  512  serves to provide an outwardly directed force that increases the frictional contact between the skirt member  512  and inner perimeter of the cover or top  502 .  
         [0093]    Additional structures may also be included within the member  500  to ensure the stability and integrity of the disc-shaped media  42 . For example, as seen in FIG. 17, one or more outwardly extending protrusions  514  may be provided at the top of the cylindrical projection  504 , which protrusions  514  serve to prevent the disc-shaped media  42  from sliding off the cylindrical projection  504 . The protrusions  514  and the cylindrical projection  504  in such embodiment should be at least slightly flexible so as to allow the disc-shaped media  42  to be “snapped over” the protrusions  514  in order to repeatedly attach and remove the disc-shaped media  42  from the cylindrical projection  504 .  
         [0094]    Inner and outer raised shelves  516 ,  518  as seen in FIG. 16 may also be provided in the member  500  so as to raise the disc-shaped media  42  above the floor  520  of the member  500 , so as to prevent damage to the media surface of the disc-shaped media  42 . The inner raised shelf  516  may be disposed about the cylindrical projection  504  so that it does not come into contact with the media surface. The outer raised shelf  518 , however, may or may not come into contact with the media surface. Accordingly, if necessary, such shelf  518  should be composed of or covered by a material that will not damage the media surface.  
         [0095]    [0095]FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the member  500  is formed by injection molding using a mold that has two halves—an upper mold  522  and a lower mold  524 , which molds  522 ,  524  are joined at centerline  526 . It should be appreciated that the dimensions and structures formed by the upper mold  522  can be made constant, inasmuch as the dimensions of the disc-shaped media  42  never change, and therefore the raised shoulder or edge element  508  and cylindrical projection  504  do not need to change. The lower mold  524 , however, can be varied depending upon the shape and size of the container or container  503  to which the member  500  is to be attached. This embodiment eliminates the need for manufacturing numerous different molds so as to accommodate discs  42  and containers  503  of varying sizes. A manufacturer need only identify the size of the disc-shaped media  42  and the size and shape of the container or containers  503 , and match the two molds  522  and  524  appropriate for each together.  
         [0096]    Illustrated in FIGS. 19 through 21 is the attachment of the member  500  to two or more containers simultaneously. In such embodiments, the skirt member  512  is sized so as to conform to the shape of the covers or tops  502  of the containers  503 . This embodiment has particular applicability for tube-shaped containers  503  such as tennis ball containers or containers for potato chips, for example. The advantage of such embodiment is that it allows for the positive juxtaposition of products, as well as allowing the products to be packaged in an alternating arrangement (e.g., “head” to “toe”) in shipping cartons, which saves packaging space. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that while the figures show the member  500  being attached to two containers  503 , any number of containers  503  may be covered/attached by this embodiment.  
         [0097]    Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the disc-shaped media  42  may be situated in the cavity  506  created in the member  500  in several configurations, including the inwardly facing configuration shown in FIG. 20 as well as the outwardly facing configuration shown in FIG. 21. In the former, a separate protective element or seal  528  may be provided so as to prevent contact between the disc-shaped media  42  and the containers  503 . In the latter configuration, a cover  530  or lid may be provided to cover the member  500  and further serve to retain the disc-shaped media  42  within the cavity  506 . Of course, the protective element  528  or cover  530  may be used in any of the other embodiments already described.  
         [0098]    Having thus described the invention with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1