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Disc case

Disc case description/claims

The present invention relates to container or case for holding a CD or DVD disc for storage or transporting purposes. References to disc in the specification generally refers to CD and DVD discs but is not limited to these disc types.

With the development of information technology, discs have increasingly been used because of their ability to store large amounts of information.

The discs are stored in plastic cases often referred to as jewel cases. Each jewel case is generally made of two plastic parts that are hinged together. One part contains a central boss to receive the disc through the central hole of the disc while the other part of the jewel case forms a lid to enclose the disc within the jewel case. Jewel cases that can accommodate multiple discs have additional parts to hold more discs in place. The assembly of multiple parts of a jewel case adds to the complexity and costs of manufacturing the final product.

With collection of discs, storage of the discs in their individual jewel cases becomes impractical due to space limitations in office and homes. Another way of storing discs has been the use of purpose designed paper envelopes with a clear face that have been developed to hold discs and prevent them from being scratched. A further alternative has been the development of cardboard holders where the design of some of these cardboard holders are of the type that can open like a book and have pockets on each side. The use of paper envelopes and cardboard folders allow discs to be stored in a more compact manner. Whilst addressing the problem of limited storage space in offices and homes, paper envelopes and cardboard folders can be easily bent and therefore do not provide sufficient protection to the discs. Furthermore, each disc cannot be conveniently displayed in a paper envelope or cardboard folder.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a disc case for a disc that overcomes in part at least one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages.

In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in a disc case for a CD or DVD including

a first portion separated from a second portion by a fold-line which enables the portions to move about the fold-line relative to each other, each portion has at least one pocket to hold the disc wherein the pocket of each portion opposes each other and enclosed when the disc case is closed, each pocket has securing means to secure the disc within the pocket, each portion has a closure member that is positionable an outer surface of one of the portions to maintain the disc case in a closed position.

Preferably the disc case is a one piece disc case.

The securing means preferably includes a boss that receives a disc in a snap-fitting arrangement.

Alternatively, the securing means includes a retainer positionable over part of the disc to substantially prevent displacement of the disc from the pocket. The retainer may be a tab integrally formed with the portion and engageable with a peripheral edge of the disc. In a different embodiment of the disc case, the retainer may be a flap formed within the portion. The flap may be covered by a protector to prevent damage to the disc. The protector is preferably a strip of material that is positioned over the flap to enclose the disc within the disc case.

The fold-line is preferably centrally located between the first and second portions.

Preferably, the first portion is the same shape and size as the second portion so the disc case is symmetrical about the fold-line. Each pocket is preferably substantially triangular in shape. Preferably the pocket has an opening that is at least the diameter of the disc. The pocket is preferably dimensioned to have a depth that encloses at least half of the disc within the pocket.

In one embodiment of the invention, each portion has a plurality of pockets and each pocket overlaps with at least one other pocket to enable discs to be retained in the pockets in an arrangement forming a row whereby one disc is slightly offset from an adjacent disc.

The first and second portions preferably each has a closure member to support the first and second portions in a standing position for displaying the discs.

The closure members are preferably foldable over the outer surface of one of the portions. The closure members preferably support the case in an upright position when it is opened.

Preferably, the closure member is a flat edge portion formed by folding a peripheral section of one portion.

Preferably, the closure member is triangular in shape.

The disc case is preferably made of a flexible plastic. An exterior face of each of the first and second portions preferably has printed words or graphics that describe or promote contents of the disc.

In another embodiment the disc case as described above has side portions that are foldable to overlie an internal surface of the portions when the disc case is closed. Preferably the side portions cover a disc within the pocket to substantially prevent dislodgement or loss of the disc when the disc case is closed. More preferably the side portions are inwardly foldable and cover the exposed section of the disc in the pocket.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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