Package for discs

Abstract

A package for a disc with least one section having a first panel and a second panel, where the first panel includes an opening formed substantially as a semi-circle with user access to the center of the disc and one or more embossing lines formed as at least a portion of a semi-circle below said opening, the first panel being fastened to the second panel in an area outside the substantially circular area formed by the opening and the embossed portion to form a pocket for the disc. The embossing lines act to limit insertion of the bottom of a disc into the pocket and the top of the opening forms a shelf for retaining the top of the disc inserted in the pocket.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the field of packaging, and more particularly to a package for discs in which at least one section of the package includes panels that form a pocket for accepting a disc.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Removable data storage media, including floppy discs and the like, have been used for recording and playing back data such as audio, video and computer related or machine-readable data. Recent advances in technology have dramatically increased their data storage capacity, while reducing their overall physical dimensions and weight. Optical discs are one type of data storage media which utilize optical technology for managing and storing data.[0003]Optical discs are available in several formats including, but not limited to, minidisks, compact discs (“CDs”), digital video discs (“DVDs”) and the like. Their large data storage capacity and compact size have made optical discs highly preferred over other types of data storage m...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention relates to a package for carrying, shipping and / or storing one or more discs. The package of the present invention is simple, convenient and inexpensive to make and use, while providing convenient packaging and display, enhanced disc storing capacity and improved retention of the discs in the packaging to limit unintentional release. The present package may be operatively implemented into compact form for efficient carrying, shipping or storage, or into an open form for providing and attractive display or retrieval of the discs packaged therein. The present package may be conveniently fabricated from a unitary blank composed of a rigid and foldable material such as paperboard. The package of the present inventions is further constructed in a manner that makes it especially suitable for use in consumer packaging.

[0010]The unique feature of the present disc wallet is in how the disc is held in place between the first and second panels of a section. The bottom of the disc is captured between the first and second panels, with the depth of insertion of the disc limited by the embossing on the first panel. Once the disc has been inserted the first time, it bulges out the pocket in the area within the area of the embossing, further defining the area in which the disc is retained and making it easier for the disc to be inserted the next time. The top of the disc fits within the semi-circular portion of the opening, which forms a shelf of the material of the front panel above the cut out of the opening to prevent the disc from easily falling out of the pocket accidentally. Tension created by the adhesive pattern between the panels also aids in keeping the disc in the pocket.

[0011]However, the user can intentionally remove the disc with ease, by inserting a finger into the center opening of the disc in the area of the opening providing access to the center of disc. The access to the center of the disc is generally a portion of the substantially semi-circular opening, either as the bottom edge of the opening adapted to cross below the center area of the disc or a lower bump out for the user's finger to engage the center hole in the disc. In its preferred embodiment, the substantially semi-circular opening also includes an upper bump out for the user to engage the outer edge of the disc, such as with the user's thumb, to ease in removal of the disc from the package.

[0012]The raw edge of the front panel, in the area of the top of the semi-circular opening, acts as a containment shelf where the edge of the disc falls within the opening when the disc is fully inserted into the pocket. Combination of this feature with the embossed pocket area and adhesive pattern limiting the insertion of the disc to the pocket makes for secure retention of the disc between the first and second panels that is easily removed by the user when desires.

Problems solved by technology

The performance of these optical discs, however, can be adversely affected by minor distortions in the disc surface cause by abrasions, debris, cracks and the like.

Such distortions can cause data loss or degradation in the affected optical disc.

However, such containers are usually bulky, heavy, and prone to breakage.

However, the package described therein utilizes a somewhat complex arrangement with slots and flaps interior to the opening for receiving the discs, requiring a number of cuts and perforations in the blank.

Moreover, the discs could be unintentionally released from the package if not handled properly.

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