Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6502694?dq=5,815,488
Timestamp: 2015-03-30 00:39:17
Document Index: 39326197

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 6', 'arts 6', 'art 6', 'arts 6', 'arts 6', 'arts 6', 'arts 6', 'arts 6']

Patent US6502694 - Apparatus for holding a compact disk - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsThe apparatus comprises a base portion and at least two arms resiliently cantilevered from the base portion, the inner ends of the arms forming a button-like member and each having a projection for engaging on the outwardly facing surface of a compact disk held on the apparatus. Depression of the button-like...http://www.google.com/patents/US6502694?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6502694 - Apparatus for holding a compact diskAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6502694 B1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/180,073Publication dateJan 7, 2003Filing dateApr 11, 1997Priority dateApr 30, 1996Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2253286A1, CN1225741A, DE69714034D1, DE69714034T2, DE69739647D1, EP0896719A2, EP0896719B1, EP1170748A1, EP1170748B1, EP1170748B8, US7143894, US20020130056, WO1997041563A1Publication number09180073, 180073, US 6502694 B1, US 6502694B1, US-B1-6502694, US6502694 B1, US6502694B1InventorsStefan Alexander Pijanowski, Anthony Henry Joseph Fraser, Peter Antony FarrarOriginal AssigneeDubois LimitedExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (100), Non-Patent Citations (4), Referenced by (10), Classifications (8), Legal Events (7) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetApparatus for holding a compact disk
US 6502694 B1Abstract
The apparatus comprises a base portion and at least two arms resiliently cantilevered from the base portion, the inner ends of the arms forming a button-like member and each having a projection for engaging on the outwardly facing surface of a compact disk held on the apparatus. Depression of the button-like member causes the projections to move towards each other until their engagement on the disk is released. An upstand surrounds the disk and is positioned close thereto so as to restrict movement of the disk within its own plane. the inner ends of the arms may be shaped to reduce the risk of forces applied thereto in the plane of the disk causing the disk to be released. Finger recesses in the upstand may be formed so as to inhibit access to the edge of a disk whilst held by the apparatus but provide access thereto once the disk has been released. 3-arm release mechanisms are also described.
What is claimed is: 1. Apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole, the apparatus comprising:
a base portion provided with disk engaging and release means including projections for releasably engaging the disk via its central hole; ejection means for moving the disk to a raised position relative to the base portion following its release from the disk engaging means; and an upstand for at least partially surrounding a peripheral portion of a disk held on the apparatus, the upstand being positioned and shaped to allow access to an edge of the disk when it has been moved to the raised position following release from the disk engaging means to permit removal of the disk from the apparatus but at least restrict such access when the disk is held by the disk engaging means, wherein a plurality of recesses are provided in the upstand to facilitate finger access to the peripheral portion of the disk once the disk has been moved to the raised position, and wherein a part of the upstand is of reduced thickness relative to the remainder of the upstand to form a wall that extends across an inner side portion of each of the recesses; wherein, the apparatus is arranged such that, when a disk is held by the disk engaging means, at least the underside of the disk is held no higher than level with a top portion of the upstand and, when the engagement of the projections on the outwardly facing surface of the disk is released, the disk is lifted so its periphery is moved upward with respect to the upstand to allow a user's fingers to grip an edge of the disk. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the said part of the upstand of reduced thickness is of lower height than the remainder of the upstand.
3. Apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole, the apparatus comprising: a base portion provided with disk engaging and release means for releasably engaging the central hole of a disk; ejection means for moving the disk to a raised position relative to the base portion following its release from the disk engaging means; and an upstand for at least partially surrounding the periphery of a disk held on the apparatus, the upstand being positioned and shaped to allow access to the edge of the disk when it has been moved to the raised position following release from the disk engaging means to permit removal of the disk from the apparatus but at least restrict such access when the disk is held by the disk engaging means, wherein the disk engaging means comprises three arms resiliently cantolevered from the base portion.
4. Apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole, the apparatus comprising: a base portion; disk engaging and release means extending from the base portion for releasably engaging the central hole of a disk comprising three equi-angularly spaced arms each resiliently cantilevered from the base portion, the inner ends of the arms together forming a button member for releasably engaging the central hole of a disk; and support means extending around the disk engaging means and arranged to support the periphery of a disk mounted on the apparatus during operation of the disk engaging and release means.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the base portion has a substantially flat rear face.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the rear face of the base portion is affixed to part of a folded cover.
7. Apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole, the apparatus comprising:
a base portion; disk engaging and release means extending from the base portion for releasably engaging the disk via its central hole, comprising three equi-angularly spaced arms each resiliently cantilevered from the base portion, inner ends of the arms together forming a button member for releasably engaging the disk; and support means extending around the disk engaging means and arranged to support a peripheral area of a disk mounted on the apparatus during operation of the disk engaging and release means; wherein the button member comprises three sector-shaped portions provided at the inner ends of the respective arms. 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the support means extends 360 degrees around the disk engaging means.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the support means is at a level 2 to 3 mm above the base portion.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 having an upstand extending around the outer edge of the support means so as to at least partially surround the peripheral edge of a disk whilst it is held in the apparatus, the upstand being positioned sufficiently close to the periphery of the disk as to restrict the scope for movement of the disk within its own plane.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the support means comprises a step on the inner side of the upstand.
12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the base portion is rectangular and has an upstanding wall around the periphery thereof.
13. A disk holder for use in holding a disk having a central hole, the disk holder comprising:
a base portion; disk-engaging structure extending from said base portion for releasably engaging the disk via its central hole; and disk support structure for supporting the disk away from its central hole; wherein at least a portion of the disk adjacent its central hole may be flexed until release of the disk-engaging structure from the disk, the resilience of the disk itself then causing disengagement of the disk from said disk-engaging structure; wherein said disk-engaging structure supports the disk adjacent its central hole away from said base portion of the disk holder; and wherein the portion of the disk adjacent its central hole may be flexed toward said base portion until release of the disk-engaging structure from the disk, the resilience of the disk itself then lifting the disk out of engagement with said disk-engaging structure; wherein said disk-engaging structure is made up of at least three resilient arms radially extending from said base portion. 14. The disk holder as recited in claim 13, wherein the at least three resilient arms, in their unflexed states, extend outwardly from the base portion at an angle such that the disk engaged by said disk-engaging structure is supported away from the base portion.
15. The disk holder as recited in claim 13, wherein the at least three resilient arms have inner ends that together form a circular member receivable in the central hole of the disk.
16. The disk holder as recited in claim 15, further comprising capping rims formed on the circular member, wherein upon depression of the circular member, said capping rims press the center of the disk towards the base portion so the center of the disk is flexed downwards until the capping rims release their engagement with the disk.
17. The disk holder as recited in claim 16, wherein each capping rim overlies an aperture in a respective one of said at least three resilient arms to allow each capping rim to be formed during a one-shot molding operation.
This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of International Application No. PCT/GB95/02581, filed Nov. 3, 1995, which became National Stage U.S. application Ser. No. 08/817,897, filed Apr. 30, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,068, issued Aug. 4, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference.
This invention relates to apparatus for holding a compact disk.
By �compact disk�, in the context of this specification, is meant not only the relatively common standard 120 mm diameter laser-readable disk such as are currently sold carrying, for example, pre-recorded music, computer software and data, and similar recordable disks, but also similar disks of various sizes such as are known or proposed for recording video, films, interactive games and other information or data.
Conventionally, when not in use, such compact disks are stored in clear polystyrene boxes, known as �jewel cases�, wherein the disk is held on a separate insert or tray fitted in the case and having seven or eight times arranged to form a boss or �rosette� with which the aperture in the centre of a compact disk may be releasably engaged.
It has long been recognised that such apparatus for holding a compact disk is not very satisfactory as it requires two hands to release a disk and lift it from the rosette; consequently many people do not attempt to push the centre of the rosette but instead use just one hand to grasp an outer edge of a compact disk and wrench it off the rosette thereby bending the disk, sometimes scoring the recorded surface of the disk on the tines, and eventually distorting or even breaking the tines. Such apparatus also does not retain the disk securely in that the disk can be released by lifting an edge thereof and may also be released due to shock loads, e.g. during transport, rough handling or if the apparatus is dropped or is subjected to an impact.
GB-A-2291640 and WO96/14636 disclose apparatus which overcomes many of the disadvantages of the prior art and the disclosure of both GB-A-2291640 and WO96/14636 is hereby incorporated in the present specification.
It has, however, been found that the apparatus disclosed in GB-A-2291640 and WO96/14636 can be further improved and that its construction can be further simplified.
One of the aims of the present invention is to reduce the risk of accidental release of a disk due to shock loads applied in the plane of the disk.
Another aim is to inhibit users from attempting to remove the disk by gripping the edge of the disk without having depressed the release mechanism.
In conjunction with the above, another aim is to facilitate easy removal of a disk after the release mechanism has been depressed.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole, the apparatus comprising: a base portion and disk engaging means extending from the base portion for releasably engaging the central hole of a disk, the disk engaging means comprising at least two arms resiliently cantilevered from the base portion, the inner ends of the arms together forming a button-like member and each being provided with a projection arranged to securely retain a compact disk on the apparatus by engaging on an outwardly facing surface thereof, the arrangement being such that depression of the button-like member depresses the arms so as to move the projections towards each other until their engagement on the outwardly facing surface of the compact disk is released; an upstand being provided to surround or partially surround the peripheral edge of a disk whilst it is held by the disk engaging means and positioned sufficiently close to the periphery of the disk as to restrict the scope for movement of the disk within its own plane.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole, the apparatus comprising a base portion and two arms resiliently cantilevered from the base portion extending radially inwards towards each other and away from the base portion, the inner end of each arm being provided with a projection and a contact portion, the projections being arranged to securely retain a compact disk on the apparatus by engaging on an outwardly facing surface thereof and the contact portions of the respective arms together forming a button-like member suitable for engagement by a finger tip, the arrangement being such that depression of the button-like member towards the base member causes the projections to move towards each other until their engagement with the outwardly facing surface of the compact disk is released, the contact portions being arranged such that should a force be applied to a disk held by the apparatus substantially in the plane of the disk and substantially perpendicular to the arms, at least the majority of said force is transmitted by the disk to only one of the contact portions so the possibility of such a force acting on the button-like member so as to release the disk is reduced.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole, the apparatus comprising a base portion provided with disk engaging means for releasably engaging the central hole of a disk and release means depression of which releases the disk from the disk engaging means whereupon the disk is moved to a raised position further from the base portion, the base portion being provided with an upstand positioned so as to surround or partially surround the periphery of a disk held on the apparatus, recesses or cut-outs being provided in the upstand and being shaped so as to provide access to the edge of the disk when it has been released from the disk-engaging means but prevent or inhibit such access when the disk is held by the disk-engaging means.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole, the apparatus comprising: a base portion; a disk engaging and release mechanism extending from the base portion for releasably engaging the central hole of a disk comprising three equi-angularly spaced arms each resiliently cantilevered from the base portion, the inner ends of the arms together forming a button-like member for releasably engaging the central hole of a disk; and support means in the form of raised surface extending around the disk-engaging means and arranged to support the periphery of a disk mounted on the apparatus during operation of the disk-engaging and release mechanism.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention;
FIGS. 4A-4D are schematic plan views of alternative forms of release mechanism which may be used in place of that shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of part of apparatus such as that shown in FIG. 2 showing a modification thereof;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are sectional views taken along line A�A of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 2 but with the modification illustrated in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a further embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a plan view of an alternative form of release mechanism which may be used in the apparatus shown in the preceding figures;
FIG. 13B is a similar view but with some parts omitted so as to reveal other parts which are concealed in FIG. 13A.
FIG. 1 shows a plan view of two disk engaging arms 1 of prior art such as that disclosed in GB-A-2291640, cantilevered from a base portion 2 and connected thereto at hinge lines 3. The inner end of each arm is provided with a semi-circular contact portion 4 which together form a substantially circular button-like member over which the central aperture of a disk (not shown) is fitted. Each contact portion 4 carries a lip or projection 4A for securely retaining a disk by engaging on an outwardly facing surface thereof. The disk is released by depressing the button-like member towards the base portion which causes the contact portions 4 and hence the projections 4A to move towards each other until the engagement of the projections 4A on the disk is released.
As mentioned above, the contact portions 4A can have a variety of shapes to achieve the above advantages. The gap between the contact portions may be a simple straight line at, for example, approximately 45-70 degrees to the length of the arms 1 as shown in FIG. 4A. Alternatively, the dividing line between the contact portions 4 may have a curved or sinusoidal shape. FIGS. 2 and 4B show examples of the latter where the contact portions 4 have a shape resembling the �yin-yang� symbol. The ends of these dividing lines still lie away from the perpendicular to the length of the arms 1 and are preferably positioned as close as possible to the arms 1.
In addition to the above features, it is important to accurately form the button-like member so that it is a close fit within the central aperture of the disk (which has a 15 mm diameter in the conventional 120 mm diameter disk) in order to minimise the scope for movement of the disk within the plane of the disk whilst it is held on the apparatus. To this end, in the direction parallel to the length of the arms 1, the diameter of the button-like member immediately beneath the projection 4A when the disk is held thereon is preferably as close a match as possible to the diameter of the disk's aperture (which is typically 15 mm) so as to avoid or minimise any play therebetween and avoid or minimise any stress applied to the aperture. Preferably the disk is free to rotate on the button-like member although lateral movement of the disk, i.e. within the plane of the disk, on the button is prevented or minimised.
In the direction perpendicular to the length of the arms 1, the contact portions 4 are again sized to be as close a fit as possible within the aperture of the disk so as to avoid or minimise the scope for movement of the disk in this direction and avoid or minimise any stress applied to the aperture.
The apparatus described herein has a number of other important differences over the apparatus described in GB-A-2291640.
GB-A-2291640 describes the use of resilient ejection means for urging the disk out of engagement with the disk engaging means when the rims or lips release their engagement on the disk, for example, further arms resiliently cantilevered from the base portion or one or more pieces of compressible material.
One simple way of achieving this is to provide supports 5 adjacent the periphery of the disk so that when the button-like member is depressed, the disk is moved towards the base portion 2 until its periphery engages the supports 5. Further depression of the button-like member to release the disk thus presses the centre of the disk towards the base portion 2 relative to the periphery of the disk whereby the disk undergoes elastic deformation. Once the projections 4A have moved inwardly sufficient to release their engagement on the outwardly facing surface of the disk, the disk is free to revert to its unstressed, flat shape whereupon the central portion of the disk moves, or �pops up�, so it is not re-engaged by the projections 4A or button-like member when the user's finger is removed.
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 and shows a disk 10 held on the apparatus. This Figure shows the disk being held so that its periphery rests lightly on the supports 5 and the centre of the disk 10 is supported clear of the base portion 2 by the arms 1, preferably 2-3 mm clear of the base portion 2.
The supports 5 also limit the extent by which the peripheral portion of the disk can be pressed towards the base portion. A further problem of the apparatus described in GB-A-2291640 is that by pressing the edge of the disk towards the base portion it is sometimes possible to prise the disk off the apparatus even though the button-like member has not been fully depressed. Accordingly, by limiting the scope for movement of the periphery of the disk towards the base portion, preferably in combination with an upstand (described further below) which limits the scope for lateral movement of the disk, this problem can be overcome or at least minimised.
The contact portions 4 may be mechanically interconnected, e.g. by a �living hinge� or a further button-like member. However, although this can be advantageous in some circumstances, it is not always possible or desirable. A living hinge can be formed between the contact portions if the apparatus is made of a resilient (typically crystalline) plastics material such as polypropylene and, indeed, this material is used to form apparatus as described herein when the apparatus is formed as an integral part of an enclosure for housing the disk. In some cases, such apparatus may, if desired, be provided with a mechanical interconnection between the contact portions, e.g. in the form of a living hinge, but in other cases no such interconnection is provided so the contact portions are separate from each other.
It is also desirable to form the apparatus described herein as an insert or �tray� for inserting within a separate casing. The conventional �jewel box� mentioned above comprises a clear plastics casing with the disk-holding rosette formed on a tray inserted therein. The apparatus described herein may also be formed on a similar type of tray for inserting in a conventional clear plastics casing. Such inserts or trays are preferably made of an amorphous plastics material, such as styrene, as this has the required rigidity to hold its shape when formed into a relatively flat, tray-like article and is capable of being formed into more precise and intricate shapes. However, it is not always possible to form a living hinge that will survive repeated use in such a rigid material.
In such an arrangement, the contact portions 4 are also preferably shaped so as to increase the likelihood that both portions are contacted when the button-like member is depressed by a finger tip (as described above) to help ensure the release mechanism operates easily and reliably.
Another way of reducing the risk of accidental release of a disk due to forces applied in the plane of the disk, is to provide an upstand 6 surrounding or partially surrounding the disk when it is held in the apparatus so as to restrict access to the peripheral edge of the disk. The upstand 6 thus forms a �nest� in which the disk is held. The upstand 6 thus acts to obstruct access to much of the edge of the disk (except at finger cut-outs 6A which are provided to assist in lifting a disk out of the apparatus once it has been released) in order to further reduce the risk of forces being applied to the disk within the plane thereof. The upstand 6 is positioned close to the periphery of the disk (e.g. with a clearance of 0.5 mm or less) so as to provide further restriction on the scope for movement of the disk within its own plane.
Whilst held by the apparatus, the disk is supported away from the base portion 2 by the arms 1 and/or the button-like member. As the arms flex principally about the hinge lines 3 which are at a greater radius from the centre of the apparatus than the projections 4A, any attempt to prise or wrench the disk off the apparatus will cause the arms 1 to flex further from the base portion about the hinge lines 3 and thus tighten their engagement with the disk.
The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is preferably formed as an integral, one-shot plastics moulding.
As indicated above, the apparatus is provided with an upstand 6 for surrounding or partially surrounding a disk held in the apparatus so as to restrict access to the peripheral edge of the disk. The upstand 6 thus acts to obstruct access to much of the edge of the disk, except at finger cut-outs 6A which are provided to assist in lifting a disk out of the apparatus when it has been released, to reduce the risk of forces being applied to the disk within the plane thereof. The upstand 6 is preferably positioned close to the periphery of the disk (eg with a clearance of 0.5 mm or less) so as to restrict the scope for movement of the disk within its own plane.
FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the finger recess 6A shown in FIG. 5 and shows the position of the disk when it is held by the disk-engaging means. As shown, the disk is preferably held just clear of the step or support 5 provided on the inner side of the upstand 6 but is at a position level with or beneath the top of the part 6B. The upstand 6, and the parts 6B thereof across the recesses 6A thus prevent access to the edge of the disk.
As described above, to enable the disk 10 to be lifted from the apparatus it must be moved to a raised position following its release so that it stands proud of the part 6B of the upstand 6. It is found that access to the edge of the disk is sufficient to enable it to be lifted, it not being necessary for the users fingers to engage the underside of the disk. Thus, to enable the disk to be lifted away from the apparatus it is merely necessary for the disk to be moved, following its release from the disk-engaging means, to a position where it stands just clear of the top of parts 6B of the upstand 6, preferably with the underside of the disk 10 just clear of the top of parts 6B.
When the disk 18 is held by the disk-engaging means, the upper surface of the disk 10 preferably lies at substantially the same level as the top of the parts 6B. or may lie slightly below the level of the top of the remainder of the upstand 6 to prevent access to the edge of the disk 10. However, in other arrangements, when the disk 10 is held by the disk-engaging means, its upper surface may lie at a higher level than the top of the parts 6B as the form of the upstand 6 and/or recesses 6A may be such as to prevent a user's finger from being able to grip the edge of the disk as only the upper corner at the periphery of the disk can be touched. However, following release of the disk 10, it is lifted so the bottom surface of the disk 10 lies at a similar level to or above the level of the top of the parts 6B so the edge of the disk 10 can be gripped by a user's fingers.
The apparatus shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 functions in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 2. When a disk is held on the apparatus, the upstand, being positioned immediately adjacent the periphery of the disk, obstructs access to the edge of the disk to prevent forces being applied to the disk in the plane thereof and to inhibit finger access to the edge of the disk and also serves to restrict scope for movement of the disk within the plane of the disk. It is therefore very difficult for the disk to be released from the mechanism either accidentally or intentionally other than by depressing the button-like member 4 at the centre of the disk.
When the button-like member 4 is depressed, the centre of the disk is flexed downwards by the action of the projections 4A of the button-like member 4 as the periphery of the disk is supported on the support 5 until the engagement of the projections 4A on the disk are released and the button-like member is able to pass through the central hole of the disk. The centre of the disk then �pops up� as the disk reverts to its flat, unflexed state whereby the centre of the disk is raised to prevent it being re-engaged by the button-like member when the user's finger is removed therefrom. The disk then rest lightly on the top of the button-like member 4 and its projections 4A and in this position its edges are held clear of the upstand 6 so a user's fingers can engage the edges of the disk to lift it away from the apparatus.
FIGS. 10 and 11 show another embodiment of apparatus for holding a compact disk similar to that shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 but with a 3-arm release mechanism instead of a 2-arm release mechanism, and mounted on a substantially square base portion 2 rather than a rectangular base portion. As shown, the three arms 1 are equi-angularly spaced from each other.
A further upstand in the form of a wall 23 is provided around the periphery of the base portion 2. The wall 23 is preferably slightly higher than the upstand 6 so when the folded cover mentioned above is closed, the cover does not lie in contact with the disk. As shown in FIG. 10, the wall 23 may form part of the upstand 6 where the upstand 6 meets the wall at the edge of the base portion.
FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the 3-arm release mechanism shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 13B is a similar view but with the arms 1 and sector-shaped portions 25 omitted so as to more clearly show a three-armed re-inforcing portion 26 provided across the cut-out in the base portion 2 underneath the release mechanism.
FIGS. 8-11 show a continuous upstand 6 without finger recesses. However, in other arrangements (not shown) some areas of the upstand may be of slightly reduced height to facilitate finger access to the edge of the disk once it has been released so making it easier to grip the disk to lift it clear of the apparatus. Four localised areas of reduced height may, for instance, be provided in the upstand, each extending over a length of upstand subtending an angle of about 20 degrees at the centre of the apparatus. These areas are preferably equi-angularly spaced from each other and preferably located in areas of the upstand nearest the corners of the base portion 2.
It should be noted that the degree of flexing of a disk required to cause the centre of the disk to rise or �pop up� sufficiently on release of the disk to prevent re-engagement thereof by the disk engaging mechanism may be relatively small. In some embodiments with a typical disk having a diameter of approximately 120 mm the centre may be flexed approximately 0.5-1.0 mm relative to the periphery thereof whereas in other embodiments the centre may flex 1.0-3.0 mm. Similarly, the periphery of the disk need be raised by only a relatively small amount to lift it sufficiently relative to the upstand to enable the edges of the disk to be grasped. In some embodiments, this movement may be as small as 0.5-1.0 mm whereas in other embodiments it may be 1-5 mm.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS3530981Dec 26, 1968Sep 29, 1970Phillips Petroleum CoRecord mailerUS4709812Jul 11, 1986Dec 1, 1987Agi IncorporatedCompact disc package and a method of making sameUS4718550Oct 24, 1986Jan 12, 1988Johnson Breck JThermoformed composite cassette albumUS4730727Jan 22, 1987Mar 15, 1988John PetroffDiskette fileUS4793479Mar 30, 1988Dec 27, 1988Shin-Estu Polymer Co., Ltd.Holder tray of a compact discUS4819799Dec 18, 1987Apr 11, 1989Laservideo, Inc.Optical disc packageUS4874085Oct 18, 1988Oct 17, 1989Polygram GmbhStorage cassette for high storage density, disc-shaped information carriersUS4895252 *Aug 26, 1988Jan 23, 1990Laservideo, Inc.Optical disc packageUS4903829Oct 7, 1988Feb 27, 1990Clemens Philip MContainer for compact discUS5101971Aug 17, 1990Apr 7, 1992Philips And Dupont Optical CompanyStorage cassette for a disc having a center holeUS5154284Nov 7, 1991Oct 13, 1992Starkey Merrily JCompact disc packagingUS5188230Jan 8, 1992Feb 23, 1993Ivy Hill CorporationCompact disc storage packUS5205405May 10, 1991Apr 27, 1993Ivy Hill CorporationCompact disc holder and package thereforUS5219417Dec 12, 1991Jun 15, 1993Ivy Hill CorporationCompact disc storage packageUS5238107Jan 7, 1992Aug 24, 1993Kownacki Charles DDisc storage container having a securing means central apertureUS5251750Apr 22, 1992Oct 12, 1993Paul J. GelardiMolded CD tray and pop up rosette thereforUS5305873Jan 12, 1993Apr 26, 1994Joyce MoldingPackage for recording mediaUS5310053Mar 20, 1992May 10, 1994Shape Inc.Telescoping compact disc holder and foldable coverUS5341924 *Sep 7, 1989Aug 30, 1994Morrone James VMedia storage apparatusUS5366074Mar 3, 1993Nov 22, 1994Ivy Hill CorporationCD package comprising non-plastic panelsUS5377825Jan 18, 1994Jan 3, 1995Sykes; Philip K.Compact disc storage caseUS5377827Feb 7, 1994Jan 3, 1995Queens Group, Inc.Media disk storage container with printed paperboard sheetsUS5400902Jan 21, 1994Mar 28, 1995Kaminski; AndrewUniversal compact disc storage unitUS5402882Feb 22, 1993Apr 4, 1995Bandy; Gregory S.Compact disk holder including disk extractorUS5433319Feb 25, 1994Jul 18, 1995Shih-Hsien LinStructure for compact disk caseUS5445265Feb 7, 1994Aug 29, 1995Reynard Cvc, Inc.Storage container for information-bearing disc devices having printed matter retrieval meansUS5450951Jan 21, 1994Sep 19, 1995Luckow; Hans-JuergenCompact disc case with holding clampUS5462159Sep 13, 1994Oct 31, 1995Queens Group, Inc.Media disk storage containerUS5494156Jul 21, 1994Feb 27, 1996Optima Precision Inc.Disc retainer for disc storage deviceUS5529182Nov 18, 1994Jun 25, 1996Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing CompanyDual disc adapter with downward sloping outside corner wedgesUS5542531Dec 17, 1993Aug 6, 1996Encore Holdings LimitedHolder for compact disc having carrier partUS5551559Jan 18, 1995Sep 3, 1996Queens Group Inc.Media disk storage container with printed paperboard sheetsUS5558221Jan 19, 1995Sep 24, 1996Scior; SusanDiskette holderUS5586651Jul 13, 1995Dec 24, 1996Apparate-Und Werkzeugbau AgDisk holder in a CD boxUS5626225Oct 23, 1995May 6, 1997Joyce Development CorporationMultiple compact disc supporting trayUS5685425Feb 16, 1996Nov 11, 1997Viva Magnetics LimitedCD box with T-shape clamping elementsUS5685427May 3, 1996Nov 11, 1997Ultrapac, Inc.Holder for removably supporting a compact diskUS5690220Oct 16, 1996Nov 25, 1997Swan; RaleighPackaging arrangement for display and storage of compact disksUS5727680Dec 19, 1995Mar 17, 1998Liu; Tak LunImpact resistant compact disc tray structureUS5730283Mar 15, 1996Mar 24, 1998Autronic Plastics, Inc.Package and storage unit for digital information storage mediaUS5748608Dec 27, 1993May 5, 1998Spector; DonaldCompact disc albumUS5788068Nov 3, 1995Aug 4, 1998Dubois LimitedApparatus for holding a compact diskUS5829583Apr 8, 1997Nov 3, 1998J.L. Clark, Inc.Container for packaging recorded mediaUS5887713Oct 11, 1996Mar 30, 1999Ultrapac, Inc.Holder for compact discsUS5887714Sep 4, 1997Mar 30, 1999Yeo; Hock WahPackage for discsUS5944181Sep 9, 1998Aug 31, 1999Finest Industrial Co., Ltd.Disk protective enclosureUS5954197Dec 16, 1996Sep 21, 1999Opticord, Inc.Storage case for compact discsUS5988376Feb 4, 1998Nov 23, 1999Autronics Plastics, Inc.Security devices for information storage media with locking mechanismsUS6029811Nov 20, 1996Feb 29, 2000Montan Nederland B.V.Assembly of a number of plate-shaped data carriers and a storage deviceUSD351963Aug 5, 1992Nov 1, 1994 Compact disc caseUSD379413Jun 7, 1995May 27, 1997Skaraborg Invest USA, Inc.Disk-holding insert for a storage case for a compact diskUSD385145Apr 8, 1996Oct 21, 1997J.L. Clark, Inc.Bottom of a disc container for CD and floppy discsUSD386013Apr 29, 1996Nov 11, 1997 Compact disk holderUSD420240Nov 27, 1998Feb 8, 2000 DVD holderAU672676B2 Title not availableCH675173A5 Title not availableDE3325394A1Jul 14, 1983Jan 24, 1985Heiland Heinrich GmbhContainer for the storage of video cassettes or audio cassettesDE3425579A1Jul 11, 1984Jan 16, 1986Polygram GmbhStorage cassette for information carriers of high packing density in disc formDE3715187A1May 7, 1987Nov 24, 1988Manfred HagerStoring cassette for a CDDE4107218A1Mar 7, 1991Sep 10, 1992Lfd GmbhFixing element for use with records and discs - is in form of spring spigot element that deflects to snap into position in centre holeDE4123139A1Jul 12, 1991Jul 16, 1992Roland GuenterTransparent wrapping for video tape cassette - allows insertion and replacement of denoting labels underneathDE4225784A1Aug 4, 1992May 13, 1993Encore Holdings LtdHaltevorrichtung fuer compact discs oder dergleichenDE4332183A1Sep 22, 1993Mar 23, 1995Roland HeckmannSupport part for CDsDE8703616U1Mar 11, 1987Apr 23, 1987Gustav Stabernack Gmbh, 6420 Lauterbach, DeTitle not availableDE9201879U1Feb 14, 1992Apr 30, 1992Cartonneries De Thulin S.A., Thulin, BeTitle not availableEP0337181A1Mar 25, 1989Oct 18, 1989Tribbels, MichaelCompact disc packageEP0356539A1Aug 29, 1988Mar 7, 1990Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.Holder tray of a compact discEP0414306A1Aug 15, 1990Feb 27, 1991Philips and Du Pont Optical CompanyStorage cassette for a disc having a centre holeEP0429195A2Oct 30, 1990May 29, 1991Peter Graham WyattStorage casesEP0514156A2May 13, 1992Nov 19, 1992Donald SpectorImproved compact disc packageEP0692791A1Jul 12, 1995Jan 17, 1996Apparate- und Werkzeugbau AGDisc holding device in a CD-cassetteEP0762425A2Sep 11, 1996Mar 12, 1997Tak Lun LiuImpact resistant compact disc tray structureEP0789914A1Nov 3, 1995Aug 20, 1997Dubois Ltd.Apparatus for holding a compact diskEP0838821A1Oct 26, 1996Apr 29, 1998Cartonneries De Thulin S.A.Package for holding a disc-like information carrierEP1033719A1Nov 17, 1998Sep 6, 2000Magnetic Imatge, S.A.Case for compact discs, digital video disks or the likeES1038807U Title not availableES1039254U Title not availableES1039530U Title not availableES1042607U Title not availableFR2706671A1 Title not availableFR2729248A1 Title not availableFR2751777A1 Title not availableFR2753295A1 Title not availableGB1067442A Title not availableGB2187442A Title not availableGB2219573A Title not availableGB2243145A Title not availableGB2266514A Title not availableGB2291640A Title not availableGB2291859A Title not availableGB2311489A Title not availableJPH057778A Title not availableJPH0234490U Title not availableJPH0298589U Title not availableJPH0343488U Title not availableJPH0364279U Title not availableJPS6417994U Title not availableJPS6419373U Title not availableJPS63142074U Title not availableJPS63157852U Title not available* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1California Case-Case No. CV-01-00393-VIVA Complaint, Westvaco Answer.2California Case�Case No. CV-01-00393�VIVA Complaint, Westvaco Answer.3New York Case-Civil Action No. 00 CIV 9399 (LTS)-Westvaco Complaint, Matrix Answer, Matrix Summary Judgement Motion of Non-Infringement (with Memo of Law), Matrix Declaration of Dillard in support of Motion.4New York Case�Civil Action No. 00 CIV 9399 (LTS)�Westvaco Complaint, Matrix Answer, Matrix Summary Judgement Motion of Non-Infringement (with Memo of Law), Matrix Declaration of Dillard in support of Motion.Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS6779659Oct 17, 2002Aug 24, 2004Nexpak CorporationHub for holding disc-shaped item of recorded mediaUS7028835Nov 7, 2003Apr 18, 2006Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LlcDisk packagingUS7051872Sep 8, 2004May 30, 2006Glud & Marstrand A/SMetal packagingUS7143894 *May 3, 2002Dec 5, 2006Dubois LimitedApparatus for holding a compact diskUS7165671Aug 13, 2003Jan 23, 2007Pinnacle Design TechnologyHub for storage packageUS7219803Mar 28, 2005May 22, 2007Entegris, Inc.Carrier tape for disk componentsUS7232032Mar 15, 2005Jun 19, 2007Glud & Marstrand A/SMetal packagingUS7350642 *Sep 15, 2005Apr 1, 2008Glud & Marstrand A/SMetal packagingUS7422103 *Aug 15, 2006Sep 9, 2008Meadwestvaco CorporationApparatus for holding a compact diskUS7669712Mar 16, 2005Mar 2, 2010Cartonneries De Thulin S.A.Storage case for receiving data disks* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification206/310, 206/308.1, G9B/33.011International ClassificationG11B33/00, B65D85/57, G11B33/04Cooperative ClassificationG11B33/0427European ClassificationG11B33/04D1B1Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionAug 15, 2014REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedDec 10, 2010ASAssignmentEffective date: 20101104Owner name: RBS INVOICE FINANCE LIMITED, ENGLANDFree format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DUBOISE LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:025641/0788Owner name: RBS BUSINESS CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF RBS ASSET FINAFree format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:DUBOIS LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:025641/0617Effective date: 20101104Nov 5, 2010ASAssignmentEffective date: 20101104Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DUBOIS LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:026271/0843Owner name: RBS INVOICE FINANCE LIMITED, ENGLANDFree format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:DUBOIS LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:026271/0843Jul 7, 2010FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Jul 7, 2006FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Sep 16, 1999ASAssignmentOwner name: DUBOIS LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOMFree format text: ;ASSIGNORS:PIJANOWSKI, STEFAN ALEXANDER;FRASER, ANTHONY HENRY JOSEPH;FARRAR, PETER ANTONY;REEL/FRAME:010295/0056;SIGNING DATES FROM 19990817 TO 19990818Sep 14, 1999ASAssignmentOwner name: DUBOIS LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOMFree format text: RE-RECORD TO CORRECT THE RECORDATION DATE OF 09-16-99 TO 09-14-99, PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL 10295 FRAME 0056.;ASSIGNORS:PIJANOWSKI, STEFAN ALEXANDER;FRASER, ANTHONY HENRY JOSEPH;FARRAR, PETER ANTONY;REEL/FRAME:010448/0687;SIGNING DATES FROM 19990817 TO 19990818RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services