Abstract:
The invention involves durable and protective data storage disc cases. A case includes two portions that join to form an inner support at the center of a disc and an outer support surrounding the disc at its outer diameter. The inner and outer supports prevent the case from contacting, and possibly scratching, the data surface of a disc within the case, even when the case is subjected to a compressive force. Furthermore, the case may secure a disc by holding the disc at its center using a spindle and by holding the outer edge, beyond the data surface, on a rim at the outer support. In this manner, a disc is centered on the spindle, and further constrained by the rim at its outer edge. This secures the disc when the halves of the case are closed and allows the disc to be freely removed once the case is opened.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The invention relates to storage containers for data storage media, such as optical discs.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Cases for data storage discs come in a variety of styles. For example, the most common case for compact discs (CDs) is known as a “jewel case”. While there are many variations of jewel cases, generally, a jewel case is a simple hinged plastic case designed to hold a CD and usually a printed insert or liner. Jewel cases are generally made from brittle plastic and are easily cracked under pressure. In contrast, cases commonly used for video applications on digital versatile disks (DVDs) are generally larger than jewel cases, and are made of a more durable plastic material. Video cases for single or double DVDs are generally about 10 mm thick, although 5 mm “slim” cases are also available for single DVDs. In both jewel cases and DVD video cases, the cases generally include tabs on a center hub to secure the disc to the case at the center hole of the disc.  
         [0003]     Data storage disc cases serve to protect data storage discs from degradation. Even so, data storage discs, such as CDs and DVDs, degrade over time. The most common degradation of a data storage disc occurs as a result of user “abuse.” Even when a disc is secured within a case, the cases themselves may be subject to significant abuse. For example, cases may be dropped, stepped on or stuffed inside a backpack with a collection of heavy books. Stresses can cause walls of the case to bend and contact the media surface of the disc, which can lead to scratching of the media surface. Data storage discs with scratched surfaces may be unreadable.  
         [0004]     Additionally, sunlight, humidity and static electricity all contribute to degradation of a data storage disc. Conventional plastic data storage disc cases do not protect data storage discs against humidity or static electricity, and clear plastic cases do not protect CDs or other data storage discs against sunlight. Such degradation generally occurs more slowly than degradation caused by physical abuse. Degradation due to sunlight, humidity and static electricity can eventually result in a disc, or a portion thereof, to becoming unreadable. Sunlight and humidity can also degrade label images printed onto the disk surface.  
         [0005]     Furthermore, even removing a data storage disc from a case may cause the disc to bend as a user pulls up on the edge of the disc in order to release it from the tabs holding the center of the disc. Bending also degrades a disc. Such bending may be particularly harmful to DVDs, which often contain multiple layers on each side. Bending can cause the layers of a DVD to delaminate, making the DVD unreadable.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     In general, the invention is directed to cases for data storage discs that provide improved protection against degradation for data storage discs. For example, embodiments of the invention may comprise a case for any data storage disc, including an audio CD, a video DVD, next generation DVDs, such as an HD-DVD disc or a Blu-Ray disc, or any other disc-shaped data storage medium including any optical disc, mageto-optic disc, magnetic disc, patterned media disc, holographic disc, or the like. According to an embodiment of the invention, a data storage disc case includes supports adjacent to the center hole and outer circumference of data storage disc. These supports prevent walls of the case from contacting a data surface of a disc even when the case is under compressive forces. The case may secure a disc by holding the disc at its center using a spindle and by holding the outer edge, beyond the data surface, on a rim at the outer support. In this manner, a disc is centered on the spindle, and further constrained by the rim at its outer edge.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a case for holding a data storage disc comprising a box forming an interior cavity, a first support element within the interior cavity extending from a top surface of the interior cavity to a bottom surface of the interior cavity, and a second support element extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The first support element substantially surrounds the data storage disc at an outer circumference of the data storage disc. The second support element fits within a center hole formed by the data storage disc.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a case for holding a data storage disc comprising a casing forming an interior cavity sized to hold a data storage disc, a support element within the interior cavity extending from a top surface of the interior cavity to a bottom surface of the interior cavity and a rim to hold the disc at an outer edge of the disc. The support element fits within a center hole formed by the data storage disc. The outer edge is beyond a data surface of the disc.  
         [0009]     In an embodiment, a case for holding a data storage disc comprises a box forming a circular shaped interior cavity within a sub-portion of the box, a first support element within the interior cavity extending from a top surface of the interior cavity to a bottom surface of the interior cavity, a spindle that extends from the top surface of the interior cavity to the bottom surface of the interior cavity, a first rim to support the disc at an outer edge of the disc, wherein the outer edge is beyond a data surface of the disc and a second rim to support the disc around the center hole. The first support element substantially surrounds the data storage disc at an outer circumference of the data storage disc. The spindle fits within a center hole formed by the data storage disc. The second rim is coplanar with the first rim.  
         [0010]     Embodiments of the invention may provide one or more of the following advantages. For example, embodiments of the invention may provide for a highly durable data storage disc case that protects a data storage disc from abuse. Embodiments of the invention may also include a barrier to protect a data storage disc from either one or more of light, humidity and static electricity. Embodiments of the invention may also allow a data storage disc to be freely removed from a data storage disc case, reducing the chance that a data storage disc may be damaged when removing it from the case.  
         [0011]     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIGS. 1A-1D  are illustrations of a data storage disc case including two joined portions that form a rectangular box surrounding a circular disc enclosure.  
         [0013]      FIGS. 2A-2D  are illustrations of a data storage disc case including two separate portions that combine to form a circular disc enclosure.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section view illustration of a data storage disc case holding a data storage disc.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]      FIGS. 1A-1D  (collectively  FIGS. 1 ) are illustrations of data storage disc case  100 . Case  100  comprises bottom portion  102  and top portion  104  joined by hinge  106 . As shown in  FIG. 1D , bottom portion  102  and top portion  104  mate to form an enclosure for a data storage disc. For example, case  100  may hold a CD, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-Ray or other data storage disc such as an optical disc, a magneto-optic disc, a magnetic disc, a patterned media disc, a holographic disc, or the like.  
         [0016]     When closed, as shown in  FIG. 1D , data storage disc case  100  includes a box forming an interior cavity. The interior cavity may comprise a circular shaped sub-portion of the entire inside of case  100 , i.e., the interior cavity is a sub-portion of the box. The inner surfaces of the interior cavity are shown in  FIG. 1A . The upper surface of the interior cavity is formed by top portion  104  and the bottom surface of the interior cavity is formed by bottom portion  102 . The sides of the interior cavity are formed by outer walls  115 A and  115 B of top portion  104  and bottom portion  102  respectively. Walls  115 A and  115 B are collectively referred to as wall  115 . Wall  115  helps prevent surfaces of the interior cavity from contacting a data storage disc, even when data storage disc case  100  is subjected to compressive forces.  
         [0017]     Data storage disc case  100  includes support element  114 A on bottom portion  102  and support element  114 A on top portion  104 . Support elements  114 A and  114 B are collectively referred to as support element  114 . When data storage disc case  100  is closed, support element  114  extends from the top surface of the interior cavity to the bottom surface of the interior cavity. In other embodiments, support elements may be a single support element extending from either top portion  104  or bottom portion  102  rather than a combination of support elements  114 A and  114 B. Furthermore, in some embodiments, support element  114  does not form a continuous ring to surround a data storage disc as in data storage disc case  100 . For example, support element  114  may include physically separate extrusions that, as a set, surround the outer circumference of a data storage disc contained by data storage disc case  100 . Other designs and configurations of support element  114  are also possible.  
         [0018]     Data storage disc case  100  also includes spindle  108 . Spindle  108  functions as an additional support element. When data storage disc case  100  is closed, spindle  108  extends from the top surface of the interior cavity to the bottom surface of the interior cavity. Spindle  108  fits within a center hole formed by a data storage disc. Data storage disc case  100  also includes rim  112 . Rim  112  holds a data storage disc at its outer edge and beyond the data surface of the data storage disc. For example, a CD or DVD disc may be  120  millimeters in diameter and the data surface of the disc may extend from an inner diameter of approximately  25  millimeters to an outer diameter of approximately  118  millimeters. The outer edge of a disc is the portion beyond the outer diameter of the data surface. Spindle  108  centers a data storage disc within the interior cavity and rim  112  supports the outer edge of the disc to keep the disc substantially parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface of the interior cavity formed by data storage disc case  100  when closed.  
         [0019]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 , data storage disc case  100  also includes a center rim  110 , which provides additional support for a data storage disc near the center hole of a data storage disc and also inside the data surface of a data storage disc. Center rim  110  is coplanar with rim  112 . For example, center rim  110  may have an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the data surface on a data storage disc, such that the data storage surface of the disc is not contacted by center rim  110 . A data storage disc is further constrained by rim  116 . A data storage disc is pinched between center rim  110  and rim  116  to further constrain the position of the data storage disc within the interior cavity of data storage disc case  100 . The position of a data storage disc within a data storage disc case is shown in  FIG. 3  and described below.  
         [0020]     Support element  114  combines with spindle  108  and walls  115  to reduce deformation due to compressive force on data storage disc case  100 . For example, bottom portion  102  and top portion  104  may be thin-walled plastic structures. As such, bottom portion  102  and top portion  104  may deform under force. Deformation of data storage disc case  100  in response to compressive forces is related to the thickness of the material in bottom portion  102  and top portion  104  and the span distance between supports. Supports of data storage disc case  100  include outer wall  115 , but also support element  114  and spindle  108 . As compared to a data storage disc case without support element  114  or spindle  108 , the span distance of data storage disc case  100  is significantly reduced. For example, the span distance of data storage disc case  100  may be approximately one-third the distance of the span distance in a data storage disc case without support element  114  or spindle  108 . In other embodiments, a data storage disc case may include only one support element  114  or spindle, leaving a longer span distance than with data storage disc case  100 , but still providing a reduced span as compared to a data storage disc case without additional supports.  
         [0021]     Because data storage disc case  100  has a relatively short span distance, data storage disc case  100  will not contact the data surface of a data storage disc within data storage disc case  100  under normal use or even significant abuse. For example, if data storage disc case  100  was accidentally stepped on while lying on a floor, a data storage disc within data storage disc case  100  may not be damaged.  
         [0022]     Data storage disc case  100  also includes additional features to protect an encased data storage disc. For example, ribs  134 A and ribs  134 B (collectively ribs  134 ), shown in  FIG. 1C , increase the stiffness of data storage disc case  100 . Ribs  134 A are on the surface of bottom portion  102  and ribs  134 B are on the surface of upper portion  104 . Ribs  134  each extend from support element  114  to spindle  108 . In other embodiments, ribs may be positioned in a different manner, e.g., ribs may extend from support element  114  to walls  115 .  
         [0023]     Data storage disc case  100  may also include extrusions  132  to keep top portion  104  aligned with bottom portion  102  when data storage disc case  100  is subjected to forces causing deformation. Likewise, ring  117  fits over spindle  108  to provide another feature to maintain alignment of top portion  104  and bottom portion  102 . Maintaining alignment of top portion  104  and bottom portion  102  increases the ability of data storage disc case  100  to resist deformation.  
         [0024]     Data storage disc case  100  may optionally include a barrier (not shown in  FIGS. 1 ) to protect a data storage disc from sunlight, static electricity and/or humidity. For example, a barrier may include a polymer loaded with a conductive substance, a carbon-loaded polymer and/or a metallic thin-film deposition, e.g., a nickel thin-film deposition. In the case of sunlight protection, the barrier may simply comprise an opaque material. The barrier may additionally comprise a seal between support element  114 A and support element  114 B. Examples of possible seals include semi-permanent seals such as a thermal seal, epoxy seal or solvent seal. A non-permanent seal is also possible, e.g., a press-fit seal. If data storage disc case  100  includes a semi-permanent seal, data storage disc case  100  would be best suited for storing data storage discs for a long period of time. For example, data storage disc case  100  may be used to archive data stored on a data storage disc. By providing a vapor barrier and/or a static electricity barrier, data storage disc case  100  increases data storage reliability of data storage discs.  
         [0025]     Data storage disc case  100  may be manufactured using injection molding techniques commonly known to those in the art. Data storage disc case  100  includes features related to manufacturability. For example, data storage disc case  100  forms groove  120 , shown in  FIG. 1B , which corresponds to support element  114 B. In this manner, the thickness of data storage disc case  100  is not greater at support element  114 B. As shown in  FIGS. 1 , data storage disc case also includes additional groves and recesses, which serve to limit the maximum thickness of any cross-section of data storage disc case  100 . Maintaining a consistent thickness throughout data storage disc case  100  may, for example, improve flow into a mold and/or limit the time necessary for the material forming data storage disc case  100  to solidify after being injected into a mold. Data storage disc case  100  may also include features that require additional manufacturing processes. For example, data storage disc case  100  may include a metallic barrier to provide a vapor seal and further to protect a data storage disc from static electricity. For example, a metallic barrier may be formed by performing a thin-film deposition process.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 2A-2D  (collectively  FIGS. 2 ) are illustrations of data storage disc case  200  including bottom portion  202  and top portion  204 . Bottom portion  202  and top portion  204  mate to form the casing of data storage disc case  200 . The casing of data storage disc case  200  forms an interior cavity sized to hold a data storage disc. For example, case  100  may hold a CD, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-Ray or other data storage disc.  
         [0027]     Data storage disc case  200  includes many features the same or similar to data storage disc case  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 . For example, spindle  208  functions as a support element to reduce the span distance in data storage disc case  200 . When data storage disc case  200  is closed, as shown in  FIG. 2D , spindle  208  extends for a top surface of the interior cavity sized to hold a data storage disc to a bottom surface of the interior cavity. Casing wall  214 A and  214 B (collectively wall  214 ) also function as support elements. The combination of spindle  208  and wall  214  provide for a short span distance similar to that of data storage disc case  100  in  FIGS. 1 . In the same manner as data storage disc case  100 , data storage disc case  200  can protect a data storage disc under normal use or even significant abuse.  
         [0028]     Rim  212  holds a data storage disc at its outer edge and beyond the data surface of the data storage disc. Center rim  210  provides additional support for a data storage disc near the center hole of a data storage disc beyond the data surface of a data storage disc. In data storage disc case  200 , a data storage disc is centered on spindle  208 , laid flat on center rim  210  and rim  212  and held flat by rim  216  when data storage disc case  200  is closed.  
         [0029]     Data storage disc case  200  includes additional features to increase its durability. For example, data storage disc case  200  includes ribs  234 A and ribs  234 B (collectively ribs  234 ), which increase the stiffness of data storage disc case  200 . Ribs  234 A are on the surface of bottom portion  202  and ribs  234 B are on the surface of upper portion  204 . Ribs  234  each extend from casing wall  214  to spindle  208 . In other embodiments, ribs may be positioned in a different manner. Data storage disc case  200  also includes ring  217 , which fits over spindle  208  to provide alignment of top portion  204  and bottom portion  202 .  
         [0030]     Data storage disc case  200  may optionally include a barrier (not shown in  FIGS. 2 ) to protect a data storage disc from static electricity and/or humidity. For example, a barrier may include a polymer loaded with a conductive substance, a carbon-loaded polymer and/or a metallic thin-film deposition, e.g., a nickel thin-film deposition. The barrier may additionally comprise a seal between wall  214 A and  214 B. Examples of possible seals include semi-permanent seals such as a thermal seal, epoxy seal or solvent seal. A non-permanent seal is also possible, e.g., a press-fit seal. If data storage disc case  200  includes a semi-permanent seal, data storage disc case  200  would be best suited for storing data storage discs for a long period of time. For example, data storage disc case  200  may be used to archive data stored on a data storage disc. By providing a vapor barrier and/or a static electricity barrier, data storage disc case  200  increases data storage reliability of data storage discs.  
         [0031]     Data storage disc case  200  may be manufactured using injection molding techniques commonly known to those in the art. Data storage disc case  200  may also include features that require additional manufacturing processes. For example, data storage disc case  200  may include a metallic barrier to provide a vapor seal and further to protect a data storage disc from static electricity. For example, a metallic barrier may be formed by performing a thin-film deposition process. An example of a data storage disc case including a barrier is shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section view illustration of data storage disc case  300  holding a data storage disc  340 . Data storage disc case  300  comprises bottom portion  302  and top portion  304  joined by hinge  306 . Bottom portion  302  and top portion  304  mate to form an enclosure for data storage disc  340 . For example, data storage disc  340  may be a CD, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-Ray or other data storage disc.  
         [0033]     When closed, as shown in  FIG. 3 , data storage disc case  300  is a box or container that forms an interior cavity. The upper surface of the interior cavity is formed by top portion  302  and the bottom surface of the interior cavity is formed by bottom portion  304 . The sides of the interior cavity are formed by outer walls  315 A and  315 B (collectively wall  315 ). Wall  315  helps prevent surfaces of the interior cavity from contacting data storage disc  340 , even when data storage disc case  300  is subjected to compressive force and other abuse.  
         [0034]     Support elements  314 A and  314 B (collectively support elements  314 ) extend from the top surface of the interior cavity to bottom surface of the interior cavity. Spindle  308  also functions as an additional support element. Spindle  308  extends from the top surface of the interior cavity to bottom surface of the interior cavity. Support element  314  combines with wall  315  and spindle  308  to reduce the span distance, thereby reducing deformation due to compressive force on data storage disc case  300 .  
         [0035]     Data storage disc case  300  holds data storage disc  340  without contacting a data surface of the data storage disc. Spindle  308  fits within a center hole formed by data storage disc  340 . Rim  312  holds data storage disc  340  beyond the data surface of data storage disc  340 . Rim  310  holds data storage disc  340  near its center, inside the data surface. Rim  316  also contacts data storage disc  340  near its center and beyond the data surface. The data surface of data storage disc  340  is protected against scratching from contact with data storage disc case  300 .  
         [0036]     Data storage disc case  300  includes features that line up top portion  304  with bottom portion  302  and maintain alignment when data storage disc case  300  is subjected to forces causing deformation. For example, ring  317  fits over spindle  308  and support element  314 B fits within support element  314 A. Data storage disc case  300  may additionally include extrusions (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) along wall  315  and/or ribs extending from spindle  308  to support element  314  to further increase resistance to deformation for data storage disc case  300 .  
         [0037]     Barrier  327  is formed over both the inner surface of the box of data storage case  300  and the outer surface of the box of data storage case  300 . In other embodiments, barrier  327  may be formed over only a single surface of the box. Barrier  327  protects data storage disc  340  from light, static electricity and/or humidity. For example, barrier  327  may include a polymer loaded with a conductive substance, a carbon-loaded polymer and/or a metallic thin-film deposition, e.g., a nickel thin-film deposition. The barrier may additionally comprise a seal between support element  314 A and support element  314 B. Examples of possible seals include semi-permanent seals such as a thermal seal, epoxy seal or solvent seal. A non-permanent seal is also possible, e.g., a press-fit seal. By providing a vapor barrier and/or a static electricity barrier, data storage disc case  300  increases data storage reliability of data storage discs. While barrier  327  is shown in  FIG. 3  as a thin-film coating, in other embodiments, barrier  327  may be part of bottom portion  302  and upper portion  304 , e.g., as a carbon loaded polymer used to form data storage disc case  300 .  
         [0038]     Data storage disc case  300  may be manufactured using injection molding techniques commonly known to those in the art. Data storage disc case  300  requires additional manufacturing process to form barrier  327 . For example, barrier  327  may be formed by a thin-film deposition process after molding processes.  
         [0039]     A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, consistent with the invention, a data storage disc case may be formed from stamped metal rather than plastic to further increase durability of a data storage disc case. Accordingly, these and other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.