U.S. patent application number 09/449734 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-06 for compact disc container.
Invention is credited to LAU, KWOK DIN.
Application Number | 20010047947 09/449734 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23785281 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010047947 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LAU, KWOK DIN |
December 6, 2001 |
COMPACT DISC CONTAINER
Abstract
This invention provides an apparatus or container for a compact
disc having a central holding portion to retain the disc through a
central aperture. The central holding portion has a plurality of
inwardly directed radial arms that are depressible towards their
inner ends. Each arm includes a raised mid section which includes a
rib, lip or similar to engage over the disc. Also, a bearing means
bears on the underside of the disc around the central aperture on
the non-data carrying portion of the disc adjacent that aperture.
The disc is firmly supported between these two points of
contact.
Inventors: |
LAU, KWOK DIN; (CHAI WAN,
HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACOBSON, PRICE, HOLMAN & STERN
Professional Limited Liability Company
400 SEVENTH STREET N. W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Family ID: |
23785281 |
Appl. No.: |
09/449734 |
Filed: |
November 26, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/310 ;
206/303; 206/307; 206/308.1; G9B/33.011 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/0427
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/310 ;
206/308.1; 206/303; 206/307 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/02; B65D
085/30; B65D 085/57; B65D 085/575 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for holding a compact disc having a central
aperture comprising: a substantially planar base portion; a central
holding portion to retain said disc substantially parallel to and
separated from said base portion; said central holding portion
including a plurality of radial members forming a depressible
portion with their inner ends and fixed with relation to the base
portion at an outer radial end; said radial members including a
raised portion intermediate of the ends that is generally
transverse to the plan of the base member; an upper edge of or
outward projection on said raised portions forming a ring of
greater circumference than the circumference of said central
aperture of said disc to retain said disc once said disc is vetted
over said upper edge; said circumference of said ring being reduced
by depression of said depressible portion formed with the inner
ends of said radial members such that, when depressed, the disc may
release over said ring; and a bearing means about said central
holding portion to reside against an inner non-data cone underside
portion of said disc when said disc is retained by said central
holding portion.
2. An apparatus for holding a compact disc as claimed in claim 1
wherein said bearing means comprises a substantial circular upstand
generally transverse to the plane of the base member and
substantially concentric about said central holding portion.
3. An apparatus for holding a compact disc as claimed in claim 2
wherein said radial members are fixed at their outer radial ends to
and inner wall of said upstand.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said fixed ends of
said radial members are fixed to said inner wall of said upstand at
a point above the plane of said base member.
5. An apparatus for holding a compact disc as claimed in claim 1
wherein said ring formed by an upper edge of or outward projection
on said raised portions is formed by an outward projection adjacent
a upper edge of said raised portions.
6. An apparatus for holding a compact disc as claimed in claim 5
wherein an underside of said outward projection against which an
upper inner edge of said compact disc may reside is provided as an
angled face having an outer edge higher from said base member than
an inner edge.
7. An apparatus for holding a compact disc as claimed in claim 6
wherein an angled face is provided at an angle fall between 10 to
30 degrees from the plane of said base member.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a compact disc container for
audio, video or digital video discs.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Numerous compact disc containers have been manufactured to
date. The general structure of such containers involves an outer
plastic container and a tray or base portion in which the disc
sits.
[0003] The discs themselves are provided with a central aperture
and it is through this aperture that a variety of rosettes have
been used to contain the disc in place.
[0004] The difficulty in such rosettes is providing an ease of
removal of the compact disc. Again, a variety of mechanisms have
been used for this purpose with one such example being in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,788,068. In that device, inwardly directed radial arms form a
button at third inner ends. The outer circumference of the button
has a lip or similar projection over which the compact disc may be
pressed to be retained in place. As the button is pressed, the
radial arms move downward an inward to reduce the diameter of the
button and thereby release the disc.
[0005] The apparatus as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,068 relies
on flexure of the disc to facilitate the removal operation. The
lips on the button retaining the disc deform the disc toward the
base until the diameter has reduced sufficiently to allow the disc
to release. Although this flexure of the disc acts to pop the disc
to the top of the button, such treatment of the disc may be
detrimental over time.
[0006] Generally items similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,788,068 rely on some restraint against downward movement of the
outer edges of the disc so the disc is flexed between the outer
edge and the central aperture. Although there is a relatively clear
area adjacent the central aperture which does not contain machine
readable information, such information is contained towards the
outer edges of the disc and there is a risk of scratching or damage
to the disc adjacent those outer edges in these constructions. FIG.
10 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,068 shows angular walls around the outer
circumference which act to engage that outer edge of the disc.
[0007] A further form of compact disc container is described in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,085. In this container, the disc is supported
on the area adjacent the central opening trough the disc.
Furthermore, there is no peripheral contact with the disc to avoid
even the outer edges of the disc becoming marked by contact with
the container.
[0008] Out of the disadvantages with the items disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,874,085 is that there is no easy means to urge the disc
from its connection with the central holding portion. For example,
as shown in FIG. 9 of that patent, upright fingers are provided to
retain the disc on the planar surface beneath and these fingers are
only capable of radially inward movement. The disc must be pulled
from these fingers rather than there be any downward motion of the
fingers that may allow the disc to be urged to the top of those
fingers unless the entire base unit is flexed. When the base
resides on a hard surface such as a table top or similar, it is not
possible to move those fingers in a downward direction and instead
the disc must be pulled upward over the retaining portions.
[0009] A yet further compact disc container is described in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,526,926. In this patent, the central holding portion
includes actuatable spring-catches. The spring-catches have a
radially outwardly extending portion that rises upon depression of
the central holding portion to assist in urging the disc out of
contact.
[0010] The apparatus as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,926
suffers from many disadvantages including the difficulty in
retaining consistent movement in the spring-catches after many
uses. The spring-catches are supported on a small pivot beneath the
catch and do not provide a strong contact with the disc. As such, a
disc can be easily dislodged from the central holding portions
particularly if the container is dropped. The spring-catches are
also relatively difficult and expensive to manufacture.
[0011] Another difficulty with many of the arrangements is that the
container, when accidentally dropped, releases the disc which may
then move around inside the container and create significant damage
to the disc. This is particularly the case with arrangements which
rely on flexure of the disc for release as dropping of the
container may just cause such flexure the disc and depression of
the relevant portions.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
compact disc container which overcomes some of the problems of the
prior art or at least provides the public with a useful choice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Accordingly, in the first aspect, the invention may be said
to consist in an apparatus for holding a compact disc having a
central aperture comprising:
[0014] a substantially planar base portion;
[0015] a central holding portion to retain said disc substantially
parallel to and separated from said base portion;
[0016] said central holding portioning including a plurality of
radial members forming a depressible portion with their inner ends
and fixed with relation to the base portion at an outer radial
end;
[0017] said radial members including a raised portion intermediate
of the ends that is generally transverse to the plane of the base
member;
[0018] an upper edge of or outward projection on said raised
portions forming a ring of greater circumference than the
circumference of said central aperture of said disc to retain said
disc once said disc is fitted over said upper edge;
[0019] said circumference of said ring being reduced by depression
of said depressible portion formed with the inner ends of said
radial members such that, when depressed, the disc may release over
said ring; and
[0020] a bearing means about said central holding portion to reside
against an inner non-data contains underside portion of said disc
when said disc is retained by said central holding portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Preferred embodiments of this invention will now be
described with reference to the following drawings in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the
apparatus in a closed condition;
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1
in an open configuration;
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a central holding portion
in accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus;
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view through the central
holding portion of FIG. 3;
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an alternative central
holding portion;
[0027] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view through the central
holding portion of FIG. 5;
[0028] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a yet further central
hold portion;
[0029] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view through the central
holding portion of FIG. 7;
[0030] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view through one embodiment
of the apparatus with a compact disc in place and retained by said
central holding portion;
[0031] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of
FIG. 9 as the compact disc is being released; and
[0032] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view through the apparatus
of FIGS. 9 and 10 with the compact disc now released.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Referring to the drawings, this invention can be seen to
reside in a compact disc container or apparatus for holding a
compact disc 1. Typically, such apparatus is provided with an outer
case 2 which is often formed into a book-like case having a spine 3
which acts as a hinge for a top and bottom cover of the container
1.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, the apparats or container 1 is shown in
an open configuration. The top cover 2 is rotated to the open
position about the spine 3 and the bottom cover 4 is shown to
contain a central holding portion 5. Additional features may be
provided in the container such as retaining means 6 to retain a
booklet or other printed information relating to the compact disc
held in the container.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, the central holding portion 5 can be
seen to be raised with respect to a surrounding base portion 7 and
the central holding portion 5 is intended to secure a compact disc
through the central aperture provided in such a disc.
[0036] The central holding portion 5 will now be described in more
detail with a first embodiment shown in FIG. 3.
[0037] The central holding portion 5 can be seen to include a
plurality of inwardly radial portions or members 8. These radial
portions have an inner end 9 which, cooperatively, form a
depressible portion 10 formed by the inner ends 9.
[0038] Each of the radial members 8 contribute to form the
depressible portion 10 by having a fee end at the inner end 9.
Although the preferred embodiments describe these as free ends of
each of the radial members 8, it should be appreciated that some
form of integral joint between them is possible provided such an
integral joint or other connection between each of the free ends 9
does not inhibit the ability of these ends 9 to be depressed and
move inwardly and downwardly as they do so.
[0039] Each of the radial members 8 are substantially fixed at the
outer ends 11 and upon pressure being applied to the free ends 9,
each of the radial members 8 formed from a material suitable to
allow some flexure of the member 8 about its substantially fixed
end 11.
[0040] Intermediate of the fixed end 11 and the free end 9 on each
radial member 8, there is a raised portion 12 that is substantially
transverse to the plane of the surrounding base member 7. This
raised portion 12 provides a step in the radial arm 8 between the
fixed end 11 and the inner end 9 such that the inner end 9 is
raised above the end portion of the radial member 8 progressing
towards the fixed end 11.
[0041] Also shown in FIG. 3, a bearing means 14 is provided around
the central holding portion 5. The bearing means 14 is intended to
bear on the underside of the compact disc retained on the central
holding portion 5. The size of the central aperture in a compact
disc is relatively standard allowing the size of the central
portion 5 to be accurately determined and the being means 14 is
intended to bear on the compact disc around the central aperture.
There is a significant portion of non-data carrying space on a
compact disc from the central aperture and radially outward
therefrom. The majority of data area is closer to the outer edges
of a compact disc in most cases.
[0042] The bearing means 14 is intended to bear a non-data carrying
portion adjacent the central aperture.
[0043] As shown in this example the bearing means 14 is a
continuous concentric ring around the central holding portion. Of
course, such a bearing means 14 does not need to be circular in
plan view around the central axis of the holding portion 5 although
this is preferred. Similarly, it does not need to be continuous and
may be provided by intermittent portions if desired. It is
preferable that at least sufficient portions are provided to
support the disc and, for example, three or four discreet points
around the central holding portion 5.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, the central holding portion 5 is shown
in cross section.
[0045] It can be seen that the raised portion 12 terminates in an
upper edge 15 before progressing further inwardly towards the inner
end 9. This upper edge 15 around the radial members 8 is sized to a
dimension slightly larger than the dimension of the inner aperture
of a compact disc. A standard compact disc has a central aperture
of approximately 15 mm diameter and it is intended that the compact
disc needs to be pushed over the upper edge 15 to reside in place.
As some inward movement is accommodated by the radial arms 8 as the
inner ends 9 can move towards each other, a compact disc can simply
be pushed over the upper edge 15 as each radial member relaxes to
its normal state, the slightly greater diameter of the upper edge
15 retains the compact disc.
[0046] Although the slightly increased diameter of the upper edge
15 can be provided by a slight outward angle to the raised portion
12, it is preferred that a lip 16 is provided around the upper edge
15 and the base portion 12 is substantially transverse to the base
portion 7 in its normal configuration.
[0047] The construction of each of the radial arms 8 can be more
clearly seen in cross section to comprise a first end portion 17
progressing from the free end 9 towards the raised portion 12. The
raised portion 12 forms a mid section of the arm 8. The remainder
is a third portion 18 which is adjacent the fixed end 11 of the arm
8.
[0048] As it is intended that the compact disc is retained under
the lip or rib 16 and bear on the bearing means 14 but not contact
the remainder of the arm 8, the third portion 18 is substantially
transverse to the base member 7 or may even progress at a slight
downward angle from its fixed end 11 towards the mid section 12.
The mid section 12 is substantially transverse to the base member
7. The first portion 17 is less restricted in form as it is within
the central aperture of the compact disc so is not constrained as
much in its configuration. As shown in this embodiment, this
portion raises slightly towards the free end 9 to provide a
slightly raised depressible button-like member in cooperation with
other free ends 9.
[0049] To retain the compact disc under the lip or rib 16, a
variety of surfaces 19 may be used on the underside of the lip or
rib 16. In this example, an angled face 19 is provided against
which the upper edge of the central aperture of the compact disc
may reside. This angled face is preferred at an angle of between 10
and 30 degree to the base member 7 and coded such that the higher
edge of the face 19 is at the outward radial edge of the face 19
from the central axis 20.
[0050] A further embodiment of the central holding portion 5 is
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0051] In this embodiment, the construction as shown in FIG. 5 is
substantially the same as that of the previous embodiment. Again
the plurality of members 8 are provided with a fixed end 11, a free
end 9 and a substantially transverse mid section 12 to form a step
in the radial member 8.
[0052] The difference between this embodiment and the previous
embodiment is shown more clearly in FIG. 6. The difference resides
in the formation of the lip or rib 16 around the upper edge 15. In
this embodiment, rounded upper and lower portions of the lip 16 are
provided rather than the angled face 19 as previously described.
The radiused corners may be, for example, a 1 mm. radius corner on
the upper corner 22 and a sharper radius such as 0.5 mm. for the
lower corner 21.
[0053] All the previous embodiments may provide a portion of the
member 8 of reduced thickness such as that portion 23 shown in FIG.
6. This portion of reduced thickness is provided to increase the
flexibility of the members 8 and is positioned adjacent the fixed
end 11.
[0054] As shown in these preferred embodiments, the reduction of
thickness of the member 8 adjacent the fixed end 11 may be provided
by grooves on either side of the member 8 although, alternatively,
can be obtained by a single groove or reduction to one side
only.
[0055] FIG. 6 also shows the fixing of the members 8 at a point
above the plane of the base member 7. The members 8 are fixed at
the fixed end 11 to a surrounding upstanding wall 24, the top of
which also provides the bearing means 14. This is done for
simplicity although the bearing means 14 could be provided
separately if desired. By fixing the member 8 above the plane of
the base member 7, there is ample space beneath the member 8 to
accommodate depression of the inner end 9 and rotation of the
member 8 about the fixed end 11. Should the container be placed on
a hard surface underneath the bottom cover 4, it is necessary to
accommodate an area for downward movement of the radial member 8
and this is done in this preferred embodiment by fixing the members
8 above the plane of the base 7.
[0056] A yet further embodiment of the central holding portion 5 is
shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this embodiment, the rib or lip at the
top of the raised portion 12 is provided by an outward projection
27. This projection need not extend over the entire length of the
upper edge 15 of the member 8.
[0057] To assist in tie formation of the projection 27 and increase
the distance that it may project, an aperture 26 may be provided
beneath the projection 27. This aperture 26 may facilitate the
introduction of 4 face in the tool used to manufacture such
products to form the underside face 19 as shown in FIG. 8 and
improve the formation of the projection 27.
[0058] The operation of such a container 1 will now be described
with reference to the sequential FIGS. 9 to 11.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 9, the central portion 5 can be seen to
hold a compact disc 30 so that it is retained underneath the lip or
rib 16 and bears upon the bearing means 14. The disc 30 is
otherwise separated from the base 7.
[0060] Upon application the downward force as indicated by arrow 31
onto the inner ends 9 of the members 8, the members 8 will rotate
inwards and downwards about the fixed end 11. Although there may be
a tendency for the disc 30 to be flexed or otherwise moved towards
the base 7, the bearing means 14 inhibits such movement and allows
the members 8 to press past the inner edge 32 of the central
aperture in the disc 30.
[0061] Having pressed past the edge 32, the force 31 may be
released and the natural resilience of the members 8 may lift the
disc 30 as the central portion 5 rises as indicated by arrow 33.
The disc 30 is now held on top of the lips or ribs 16.
[0062] Referring again to FIG. 2, it can be seen that a peripheral
support 34 may be provided around the disc. However, as the
retaining and releasing action of the disc 30 does not involve
support of the disc 30 about its outer edges, the peripheral
portion 34 may be provided purely to assist in supporting the disc
in plane with the base 7. It can provide lateral support although
there is no need for it to provide support of the disc against the
downward pressure as shown by arrow 31 in FIG. 9. The peripheral
portion 34 can bear against only the outer edge of the disc and
does not need to contact the underside of the disc at all if
desired. In an alternative embodiment, the outer support 34 can be
dispensed with entirely.
[0063] If an outer support 34 is to be provided as shown in FIG. 2,
there may be recesses 35 about this peripheral support to allow
finger access to the edge of the disc to assist in lifting the disc
once released by the central portion 9.
[0064] In manufacturing such items, a variety of materials could be
used. It is typical that such containers are made from plastics
material and generally injection molded or otherwise formed as a
single item. In this manner, it may be desirable to utilize a
single material for the entire item. The material chosen needs to
provide some flexibility or elasticity to the members 8 so that
they may deform as shown particularly in FIG. 8.
[0065] Thus it will be appreciated that the present invention
allows the disc to be retained on the central holding portion 5
with the disc held between the lip or rib on the arms 8 and the
bearing means underneath being the substantially concentric ring
14. The use of a concentric ring 14 also provides a point of
connection for the radial members 8 elevated from the base 7 to
accommodate the downward movement of those arms.
[0066] Although the invention has been descried with reference to
particular embodiments, it will be appreciated that the invention
is not restricted to those embodiments but instead defined by the
appended claims. Specific integers referred to throughout the
description are deemed to incorporate known equivalence where
appropriate and references to the singular may include the
plural.
* * * * *