U.S. patent application number 10/082584 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-02 for paper compact disc case.
Invention is credited to Jang, Soon Sik.
Application Number | 20030000854 10/082584 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26638969 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030000854 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jang, Soon Sik |
January 2, 2003 |
Paper compact disc case
Abstract
Disclosed is a paper CD case. The paper CD case comprises a
sleeve jacket made of paper and opened at one end thereof; a holder
plate made of paper and slidably inserted into the sleeve jacket;
and stopper means for limiting a moving distance of the holder
plate such that the holder plate is not completely separated from
the sleeve jacket. The holder plate has an upper CD holding part on
which a CD is rested, a lower support part, and a protective part
covering and protecting the CD. First and second projecting beads
are formed on the CD holding part to support non-data-written
portions of the CD. The stopper means comprises a first hook
portion and a second hook portion. The second hook portion is
engaged with the first hook portion when the holder plate is pulled
out of the sleeve jacket and restrains the holder plate from being
completely separated from the sleeve jacket.
Inventors: |
Jang, Soon Sik;
(Pyungtaek-Shi, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
26638969 |
Appl. No.: |
10/082584 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/308.1 ;
G9B/33.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/0422 20130101;
G11B 33/0494 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/308.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/30; B65D
085/57 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 28, 2001 |
KR |
2001-19517 |
Nov 10, 2001 |
KR |
2001-69929 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A paper CD case comprising: a sleeve jacket made of paper and
having an inner space which is opened at one end thereof; a holder
plate made of paper for allowing a CD to be rested thereon and
slidably inserted into the inner space of the sleeve jacket so that
the CD rested on the holder plate is not viewed from the outside;
and stopper means for limiting a moving distance of the holder
plate in the sleeve jacket to a predetermined distance in a manner
such that the holder plate inserted into the sleeve jacket is not
completely separated from the sleeve jacket.
2. The paper CD case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve
jacket comprises a base part and a cover part integrally connected
with each other by a vertical wall portion and folded at upper and
lower ends of the vertical wall portion so that they are overlapped
one above the other, and a pair of wing portions respectively
formed at both side ends of the cover part and folded and attached
to the base part in a manner such that openings which are defined
between both side ends of the base part and cover part are closed
by the pair of wing portions; and the holder plate comprises a CD
holding part and a support part integrally connected with each
other and folded along folding guide lines so that they are
overlapped one above the other, and a protective part formed and
folded at a free end of the support part for partially covering and
thereby protecting the CD rested on the holder plate.
3. The paper CD case as claimed in claim 2, wherein first and
second projecting beads for respectively supporting
non-data-written portions of the CD, which are located adjacent to
inner and outer edges of the CD, are formed on the CD holding part
so that a data-written surface of the CD is not brought into
contact with an upper surface of the CD holding part.
4. The paper CD case as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first
projecting bead has a ring-shaped configuration, and a hole which
is communicated with a center hole of the CD is defined inward of
the first projecting bead.
5. The paper CD case as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first
projecting bead has a disc-shaped configuration, and a third
projecting bead, which is to be inserted into the center hole of
the CD, is formed on an upper surface of the first projecting
bead.
6. The paper CD case as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stopper
means comprises a first hook portion which is formed at a free end
of the cover part and folded in such a way as to be positioned in
the inner space of the sleeve jacket, and a second hook portion
which is formed at a boundary region between the CD holding part
and the support part in a manner such that the second hook portion
is cut from the boundary region at three sides thereof and folded
at one side thereof, the second hook portion being engaged with the
first hook portion when the holder plate is pulled out of the
sleeve jacket and thereby restraining the holder plate from being
completely separated from the sleeve jacket.
7. The paper CD case as claimed in claim 6, wherein the stopper
means further comprises third and fourth hook portions which are
formed and folded at both side ends of the CD holding part so that
they are engaged with the first hook portion along with the second
hook portion when the holder plate is pulled out of the sleeve
jacket and thereby restrain the holder plate from being completely
separated from the sleeve jacket.
8. The paper CD case as claimed in claim 2, wherein first and
second notch portions are formed at free ends of the cover part and
base part which free ends define the opened one end of the sleeve
jacket in a manner such that the holder plate inserted into the
sleeve jacket can be easily grasped by fingers.
9. The paper CD case as claimed in claim 8, wherein a tab portion
is formed, by cutting, on the support part of the holder plate at a
position where the support part is exposed to the outside through
the first notch portion, in a manner such that slippage of fingers
upon grasping the holder plate is prevented.
10. The paper CD case as claimed in claim 2, wherein third and
fourth notch portions are formed at both side ends of the CD
holding part and the support part in a manner such that it is
possible to easily grasp both sides of the CD rested on the holder
plate without undergoing any interference.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a compact disc
(hereinafter, referred to as "CD") case made of paper, and more
particularly, the present invention relates to a paper CD case
which allows a CD to be easily inserted thereinto and removed
therefrom, protects a data-written surface of the CD from being
damaged or scratched in the course of inserting and removing the
CD, and is capable of being designed to have a variety of colors
and shapes, and easily recycled.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Generally, a CD case for independently receiving and storing
a CD is made of plastic. The plastic CD case has a base which is
opened at an upper end thereof, a support frame which is detachably
assembled to the base so that the CD can be rested on the support
frame, and a cover which is pivotably coupled to one end of the
base.
[0005] In the plastic CD case constructed as mentioned above, a
hinge part which pivotably connects the base and the cover with
each other is likely to be snapped off. Also, if the plastic CD
case is inadvertently dropped to a floor, or external impact is
applied to the plastic CD case during handling thereof, the plastic
CD case is liable to be broken into pieces due to a brittle
characteristic of plastic material. Further, while a paper
advertising medium which is printed with product information, etc.
is put between the base and the support frame, since removal of the
paper advertising medium is troublesome, it is difficult to recycle
the plastic CD case. Moreover, the plastic CD case is not
preferable in terms of environmental protection, due to a
non-biodegradable nature of the plastic material. Furthermore, in
order to form plastic CD cases having a variety of shapes, because
various costly molds are needed in conformity with the shapes, a
manufacturing cost is increased. By this fact, since there is no
alternative but to form plastic CD cases to have a simple and
uniform shape, it is impossible to fully satisfy the diverse tastes
of customers. In addition, due to the fact that the plastic CD case
is hard and cold to the touch, its feel is unpleasant to a
user.
[0006] To cope with these problems of the plastic CD case, paper CD
cases have been disclosed in the art.
[0007] Since most of the conventional paper CD cases have a simple
and slim pocket-shaped configuration, they are advantageous from
the viewpoint of cost and recycling. However, in the conventional
paper CD cases, because a CD should be pushed into or pulled out of
the paper CD case upon inserting or removing the CD into or from
the CD case, a data-written surface of the CD is likely to be
scratched or damaged due to friction with the paper CD case, and
therefore, it is a frequent occurrence that the CD recorded with
costly software is ruined. Also, upon removing the CD from the
paper CD case, because a finger is apt to be initially brought into
contact with the data-written surface of the CD, it is difficult to
adequately protect the data-written surface of the CD. Further, in
a state wherein the CD is received in the conventional paper CD
case, if the paper CD case is shaken, as the CD is moved in the
paper CD case, the data-written surface of the CD and the paper CD
case are rubbed against each other, whereby scratches can be formed
on the data-written surface of the CD. Moreover, because the
conventional paper CD case is formed to have a slim configuration,
if impact is externally applied to the paper CD case, or a pressure
is applied to the paper CD case while the paper CD case is placed
on an uneven surface, since the CD is easily bent or broken, the
conventional paper CD case cannot reliably perform its function of
protecting the CD.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an
effort to solve the problems occurring in the related art, and an
object of the present invention is to provide a paper CD case which
has a structure solid enough to prevent a CD from being broken by
externally applied impact, thereby being capable of substituting
the conventional CD cases made of plastic.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
paper CD case which allows a CD to be easily inserted thereinto and
removed therefrom.
[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a paper CD case which can be formed to have a variety of colors and
shapes.
[0011] Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a paper CD case which can protect a data-written surface of
a CD from being damaged or scratched in the course of inserting and
removing the CD.
[0012] In order to achieve the above object, according to the
present invention, there is provided a paper CD case comprising: a
sleeve jacket made of paper and having an inner space which is
opened at one end thereof; a holder plate made of paper for
allowing a CD to be rested thereon and slidably inserted into the
inner space of the sleeve jacket so that the CD rested on the
holder plate is not viewed from the outside; and stopper means for
limiting a moving distance of the holder plate in the sleeve jacket
to a predetermined distance in a manner such that the holder plate
inserted into the sleeve jacket is not completely separated from
the sleeve jacket.
[0013] According to the present invention, the sleeve jacket
comprises a base part and a cover part integrally connected with
each other and respectively folded along a pair of folding guide
lines so that they are overlapped one above the other, and a pair
of wing portions respectively formed at both side ends of the cover
part and folded and attached to the base part in a manner such that
openings which are defined between both side ends of the base part
and cover part are closed by the pair of wing portions.
Consequently, the sleeve jacket has the inner space which is opened
at the one end thereof and into which the holder plate can be
inserted.
[0014] Also, the holder plate comprises a CD holding part and a
support part integrally connected with each other and folded along
folding guide lines so that they are overlapped one above the
other, and a protective part formed and folded at a free end of the
support part for partially covering and thereby protecting the CD
rested on the holder plate.
[0015] It is preferred that first and second projecting beads for
respectively supporting non-data-written portions of the CD, which
are located adjacent to inner and outer edges of the CD, are formed
on the CD holding part so that a data-written surface of the CD is
not brought into contact with an upper surface of the CD holding
part. The first projecting bead can have a ring-shaped
configuration or a disc-shaped configuration. In the case that the
first projecting bead has the ring-shaped configuration, a hole
which is communicated with a center hole of the CD is defined
inward of the first projecting bead, and a third projecting bead is
formed on the CD holding part around the hole so that the third
projecting bead is inserted into the center hole of the CD to
prevent the CD from being moved. Further, in the case that the
first projecting bead has the disc-shaped configuration, it is
preferred that a fourth projecting bead, which is to be inserted
into the center hole of the CD, is formed on an upper surface of
the first projecting bead.
[0016] Moreover, the stopper means comprises a first hook portion
which is formed at a free end of the cover part and folded in such
a way as to be positioned in the inner space of the sleeve jacket,
and a second hook portion which is formed at a boundary region
between the CD holding part and the support part in a manner such
that the second hook portion is cut from the boundary region at
three sides thereof and folded at one side thereof, the second hook
portion being engaged with the first hook portion when the holder
plate is pulled out of the sleeve jacket and thereby restraining
the holder plate from being completely separated from the sleeve
jacket. The stopper means may further comprise third and fourth
hook portions which are formed and folded at both side ends of the
CD holding part so that they are engaged with the first hook
portion along with the second hook portion when the holder plate is
pulled out of the sleeve jacket and thereby restrain the holder
plate from being completely separated from the sleeve jacket.
[0017] It is preferred that first and second notch portions are
formed at free ends of the cover part and base part which free ends
define the opened one end of the sleeve jacket in a manner such
that the holder plate inserted into the sleeve jacket can be easily
grasped by fingers. A tab portion may be formed, by cutting, on the
support part of the holder plate at a position where the support
part is exposed to the outside through the first notch portion, in
a manner such that slippage of fingers upon grasping the holder
plate is prevented.
[0018] Furthermore, it is preferred that a pair of third and forth
notch portions are formed at both side ends of the CD holding part
and the support part in a manner such that it is possible to easily
grasp both sides of the CD rested on the holder plate without
undergoing any interference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The above objects, and other features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the
following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a paper
CD case in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a development view illustrating a sleeve jacket
which constitutes the paper CD case according to the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a development view illustrating a holder plate
which constitutes the paper CD case according to the present
invention;
[0023] FIGS. 4a through 4c are views illustrating operations of the
paper CD case according to the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
variation of the paper CD case according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred
embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description
to refer to the same or like parts.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, a paper CD case 10 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention includes a sleeve jacket 20,
and a holder plate 30. The holder plate 30 is formed in a manner
such that a CD C is removably loaded thereon. The holder plate 30
is slidably inserted into the sleeve jacket 20.
[0027] The sleeve jacket 20 and the holder plate 30 are made of
paper material such as millboard, corrugated paperboard, special
paper, and the like, which has a relatively solid structure.
[0028] The sleeve jacket 20 can be formed by folding paper material
which is cut to have a predetermined shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2. That is to say, the sleeve jacket 20 has a base part 21 and a
cover part 22 which are integrally connected with each other and
respectively folded along a pair of folding guide lines L1 so that
they are overlapped one above the other. A pair of wing portions
21a are respectively formed at both side ends of the cover part 22
and folded and attached to an inner surface of the base part 21 in
a manner such that openings which are defined between both side
ends of the base part 21 and cover part 22 are closed by the pair
of wing portions 21a, whereby an inner space, which is opened at
one end thereof, is defined in the sleeve jacket 20. Concretely
speaking, as the pair of wing portions 21a are folded also along
folding guide lines, a vertical wall portion 23 is formed between
each pair of folding guide lines. Therefore, due to the presence of
vertical wall portions 23 formed in this way, the inner space,
which has a predetermined height and is opened at the one end
thereof, is defined in the sleeve jacket 20.
[0029] The holder plate 30 on or from which the CD C can be loaded
or unloaded can be slidably inserted into the sleeve jacket 20
through the opened one end. Thus, the sleeve jacket 20 functions to
protect the CD C. In this regard, it is to be readily understood
that a supplement such as an explanatory note, etc. can be received
in the inner space of the sleeve jacket 20.
[0030] The holder plate 30 can be formed by folding paper material
which is cut to have a preselected shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
That is to say, the holder plate 30 has a support part 31 and a CD
holding part 32 which are integrally connected with each other and
respectively folded along a pair of folding guide lines L2 so that
they are overlapped one above the other.
[0031] It is preferred that a protective part 33 is formed and
folded at a free end of the support part 31 to partially cover and
thereby protect the CD C which is rested on the CD holding part 32.
As the protective part 33 is folded along a pair of folding guide
lines, a vertical wall portion 34, which has the same height as the
inner space of the sleeve jacket 20, is formed. Due to the fact
that the protective part 33 is supported by the vertical wall
portion 34, the protective part 33 ensures that a height of the
holder plate 30 inserted into the inner space of the sleeve jacket
20 is appropriately adjusted, and at the same time, prevents the CD
C from being exposed to the outside of the paper CD case 10.
Because the protective part 33 is exposed to the outside when the
holder plate 30 is pulled outward from the sleeve jacket 20, outer
surfaces of the protective part 33 and vertical wall portion 34 can
be printed with letters or images which explain contents of the CD
C.
[0032] The CD holding part 32 has substantially a circular outline
and a size for allowing the CD C to be loaded thereon, and
functions to protect the CD C in the paper CD case 10.
[0033] In the present invention, it is preferred that first and
second projecting beads 41 and 42 for respectively supporting
non-data-written portions of the CD C, which are located adjacent
to inner and outer edges of the CD C, are formed on an upper
surface of the CD holding part 32. Accordingly, since only the
non-data-written portions of the CD C are respectively brought into
contact with the first and second projecting beads 41 and 42 and a
data-written surface of the CD C is not brought into contact with
the upper surface of the CD holding part 32, when loading or
unloading the CD C on or from the CD holding part 32, it is
possible to prevent the data-written surface of the CD C from being
inadvertently rubbed against the upper surface of the CD holding
part 32. Hence, the data-written surface of the CD C is prevented
from being damaged or scratched.
[0034] The first projecting bead 41 can have a ring-shaped
configuration or a disc-shaped configuration as shown in FIG.
5.
[0035] In the case that the first projecting bead 41 has the
ring-shaped configuration, it is preferred that a hole 39 which is
communicated with a center hole C1 of the CD C is defined inward of
the first projecting bead 41. A third projecting bead 43 can be
further formed on the CD holding part 32 directly around the hole
39 so that the third projecting bead 43 is inserted into the center
hole C1 of the CD C to prevent the CD C from being moved. As can be
readily seen from FIG. 4b, the hole 39 can be defined in a manner
such that it has a diameter which is greater than that of the
center hole C1, and in this case, the third projecting bead 43 also
supports the non-data-written surface of the CD C. If the hole 39
is defined, when unloading the CD C from the CD holding part 32,
because it is possible to insert the index finger into the center
hole C1 of the CD C and the hole 39 of the CD holding part 32 and
grasp the outer edge of the CD C by the thumb, the data-written
surface of the CD C can be stably protected.
[0036] Further, in the case that the first projecting bead 41 has
the disc-shaped configuration, it is preferred that a fourth
projecting bead 44, which is to be inserted into the center hole C1
of the CD C, is formed on an upper surface of the first projecting
bead 41. In this case, since the CD C is prevented from being moved
leftward or rightward by the presence of the fourth projecting bead
44, upon handling the paper CD case 10 in which the CD C is
received, the CD C can be further stably protected, which is
facilitated by the protective part 33.
[0037] Also, according to the present invention, the second
projecting bead 42 can be formed to have a shape of a ring which is
discontinued at several points. The projecting beads 41, 42, 43 and
44 can be formed by an embossing process.
[0038] On the other hand, one of characterizing features of the
paper CD case 10 according to present invention is in that the
holder plate 30 inserted into the sleeve jacket 20 is pulled
outward from the sleeve jacket 20 only to the extent allowing the
CD C to be loaded on or unloaded from the holder plate 30, and
stopper means S (see FIG. 4b) is provided to prevent the holder
plate 30 from being completely separated from the sleeve jacket
20.
[0039] In other words, describing an example of the stopper means S
for preventing complete separation of the holding plate 30 from the
sleeve jacket 20, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4b, a first hook
portion 24 is formed at a free end of the cover part 22 and folded
in such a way as to be positioned in the inner space of the sleeve
jacket 20. Also, a second hook portion 35 is formed at a boundary
region between the support part 31 and the CD holding part 32 of
the holder plate 30 in a manner such that the second hook portion
35 is cut from the boundary region at three sides thereof and
folded at one side thereof. The second hook portion 35 is engaged
with the first hook portion 24 when the holder plate 30 is pulled
outward from the sleeve jacket 20, and thereby restrains the holder
plate 30 from being completely separated from the sleeve jacket
20.
[0040] In addition, third and fourth hook portions 36 and 37 can be
further formed and folded at both side ends of the CD holding part
32 so that they are engaged with the first hook portion 24 along
with the second hook portion 35 when the holder plate 30 is pulled
outward from the sleeve jacket 20 and thereby restrain the holder
plate 30 from being completely separated from the sleeve jacket
20.
[0041] The second hook portion 35, the third hook portion 36 and
the fourth hook portion 37 are formed along a circumference of the
CD holding part 32 in such a way as to extend toward the inside of
the inner space of the sleeve jacket 20, and thereby function to
hold, in cooperation with the protective part 33, the CD C in place
and prevent the CD C from being moved even when the paper CD case
10 is shaken.
[0042] As the second hook portion 35, the third hook portion 36 and
the fourth hook portion 37 are located along a curved path, both
side ends of the first hook portion 24 can be curvedly or
inclinedly formed, and a free end of the first hook portion 24 can
be formed to define a circular arc-shaped outline.
[0043] In the meanwhile, it is preferred that grasping means for
enabling the holder plate 30 inserted into the sleeve jacket 20 to
be easily grasped is formed in the sleeve jacket 20.
[0044] Namely, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as an example of the
grasping means for allowing the holder plate 30 to be easily
grasped, first and second notch portions 25 and 25a can be formed
by cutting away portions adjacent to free ends of the base part 21
and the cover part 22 which free ends define the opened one end of
the sleeve jacket 20. In this case, because the first hook portion
24 which is formed at the free end of the cover part 22 is folded
to be positioned in the sleeve jacket 20, the second notch portion
25a of the cover part 22 is formed in a manner such that the second
notch portion 25a directly faces the first notch portion 25 of the
base part 21 even when the first hook portion 24 is folded with
respect to the cover part 22. To this end, a circle or an ellipse
is defined by punching at a boundary area between the cover part 22
and the first hook portion 24 in the paper material which is cut as
shown in FIG. 2.
[0045] It is preferred that a tab portion 45 (see FIG. 3) is
further formed by partially cutting the support part 31 of the
holder plate 30 at a position where the support part 31 is exposed
to the outside through the first notch portion 25 of the base part
21, in a manner such that the index finger is prevented from being
slipped on the holder plate 30 upon grasping and pulling outward
the holder plate 30 from the sleeve jacket 20 by inserting the
index finger through the first notch portion 25.
[0046] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
tab portion 45 is cut in the form of a semicircle or to have a
U-shaped outline. When the holder plate 30 is grasped by the index
finger to be pulled outward from the sleeve jacket 20, as the tab
portion 45 is pressed inward by the index finger, firm grasping of
the holder plate 30 is guaranteed. The tab portion 45 also allows
the left and right, top and bottom, and front and rear of holder
plate 30 to be easily confirmed.
[0047] On the other hand, another grasping means for enabling the
CD C to be easily grasped in obedience to a habit of a user can be
formed in the holder plate 30.
[0048] As an example of this grasping means which is formed in the
holder plate 30, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a pair of third notch
portions 38 are formed at both side ends of the CD holding part 32
in a manner such that it is possible to easily grasp both sides of
the CD C rested on the CD holding part 32 without undergoing any
interference. Also, the support part 31 can be formed with a pair
of fourth notch portions 38a in a manner such that the pair of
fourth notch portions 38a correspond to the pair of third notch
portions 38, respectively. These third and fourth notch portions 38
and 38a ensure that the outer edge of the CD C can be easily
grasped using the thumb and middle finger to load or unload the CD
C on or from the CD holding part 32, whereby the data-written
surface of the CD C is prevented from being damaged.
[0049] According to the present invention, it is preferable to
print or coat portions of the sleeve jacket 20 and the holder plate
30 which portions are exposed to the outside. Also, in order to
protect the data-written surface of the CD C, it is preferable to
coat a portion of the CD holding part 32 which portion is exposed
to the outside.
[0050] Describing a manufacturing procedure of the paper CD case
according to the present invention, constructed as mentioned above,
as can be readily seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, after cutting paperboard
material in the form of the deployed sleeve jacket 20 and the
deployed holder plate 30, by folding the cut paperboard material,
the sleeve jacket 20 and the holder plate 30 of the paper CD case
10 can be independently prepared as shown in FIG. 1.
[0051] Then, after the CD C is loaded on the CD holding part 32 of
the holder plate 30, the holder plate 30 is inserted into the
sleeve jacket 20 as shown in FIG. 4a.
[0052] Upon pulling outward the holder plate 30 from the sleeve
jacket 20 to unload the CD C from the paper CD case 10 or to
receive the CD C into the paper CD case 10, the holder plate 30 is
grasped by inserting the fingers into the first and second notch
portions 25 and 25a of the sleeve jacket 20. At this time, as the
tab portion 45 of the holder plate 30 is pressed inward by the
finger which is inserted into the first notch portion 25, the
holder plate 30 is firmly grasped by the fingers. By this fact,
upon pulling outward the holder plate 30 from the sleeve jacket 20,
slippage of the fingers on the holder plate 30 is prevented,
whereby it is possible to conveniently pull outward the holder
plate 30.
[0053] By pulling outward the holder plate 30 in this way, the
holder plate 30 is slid out of the sleeve jacket 20. At this time,
as shown in FIGS. 4b and 4c, when the holder plate 30 is pulled
from the sleeve jacket 20 by a predetermined distance, the second
hook portion 35 is engaged with the first hook portion 24, and the
third and fourth hook portions 36 and 37 are engaged with the first
hook portion 24. Accordingly, since the holder plate 30 cannot be
further pulled out of the sleeve jacket 20, the holder plate 30 is
not completely separated from the sleeve jacket 20.
[0054] When pulling of the holder plate 30 is stopped, the CD C can
be loaded on or unloaded from the holder plate 30. That is to say,
by unfolding the protective part 33 of the holder plate 30, the CD
C can be loaded on or unloaded from the CD holding part 32.
[0055] In the case that the CD holding part 32 is defined with the
hole 39, depending upon a habit of a user, one finger can be
inserted into the hole 39 and another finger can grasp a portion of
the outer edge of the CD C which portion is positioned in the third
and fourth notch portions 38 and 38a, to unload the CD C from the
CD holding part 32. This applies in the same manner upon loading
the CD C on the CD holding part 32. In the present invention,
during handling of the CD C, since the data-written surface of the
CD C is not rubbed against the upper surface of the CD holding part
32 owing to the presence of the first and second projecting beads
41 and 42, the data-written surface of the CD C is prevented from
being scratched or damaged.
[0056] Meanwhile, upon storing the CD C, after loading the CD C on
the CD holding part 32 of the holder plate 30, by pushing the
holder plate 30 into the sleeve jacket 20, the holder plate 30 is
inserted into the sleeve jacket 20 in a state wherein the hook
portions 35, 36 and 37 of the holder plate 30 are engaged with the
first hook portion 24 of the sleeve jacket 20 and the support part
31 of the holder plate 30 is supported by the base part 21 of the
sleeve jacket 20. Then, as the hook portions 35, 36 and 37 of the
holder plate 30 are disengaged from the first hook portion 24, the
hook portions 35, 36 and 37 are moved in a state wherein they are
brought into contact with a lower surface of the cover part 22 of
the sleeve jacket 20 (see FIG. 4a). Thus, by the presence of the
hook portions 35, 36 and 37 and the protective part 33, the holder
plate 30 can be smoothly pulled out of and pushed into the sleeve
jacket 20. As a consequence, while the CD C is stored in this way,
even though the paper CD case 10 is shaken, the CD C is not moved
in the paper CD case 10, which is further facilitated by the
application of the fourth projecting bead 44.
[0057] As apparent from the above descriptions, the paper CD case
according to the present invention, constructed as mentioned above,
provides advantages in that, since the CD case is made of paper, it
is possible to form, at a reduced cost, CD cases to have a variety
of colors and shapes, in obedience to the diverse tastes of
customers. Also, by performing a coating treatment for the paper CD
case according to the present invention, the paper CD case can be
made pleasant to the touch, and valuableness of the paper CD case
can be increased. Also, since recycling of the paper CD case is
possible, the paper CD case is superior to the conventional plastic
CD case in terms of environmental protection.
[0058] Further, because the paper CD case has a solid structure for
substituting the conventional plastic CD case, even when the paper
CD case is inadvertently dropped to a floor, or a load is
externally applied to the paper CD case placed on an uneven
surface, the paper CD case is hardly deformed and is prevented from
being damaged or broken into pieces, other than the conventional
plastic CD case. Therefore, the paper CD case according to the
present invention can reliably perform its function of protecting a
CD.
[0059] Moreover, in the present invention, because a data-written
surface of the CD is protected, by virtue of first and second
projecting beads, from being scratched or damaged during handling
of the CD, and the CD is prevented, by virtue of a protective part,
hook portions and a fourth projecting bead, from being moved in the
paper CD case even when the paper CD case is shaken, CD protection
is improved.
[0060] Furthermore, by the fact that a holder plate is not
completely separated from a sleeve jacket and instead partially
drawn to a predetermined position, when considering the
conventional situation where a holder plate is completely separated
from a sleeve jacket upon removing a CD, it is convenient to use
and handle the paper CD case according to the present invention,
and the CD can be easily inserted into and removed from the paper
CD case.
[0061] In addition, in the case that paper CD cases according to
the present invention are stored in a state wherein they are
vertically received in a CD rack or horizontally arranged in a CD
box, it is not necessary to completely remove each paper CD case as
a whole from the CD rack or box, and instead, it is sufficient to
partially pull the holder plate out of the sleeve jacket to unload
the CD from the paper CD case, whereby user convenience is
ensured.
[0062] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed
typical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although
specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and
descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the
scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *