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Disc packaging deviceRelated Patent Categories: Special Receptacle Or Package, For Holding A Machine Readable Recording Medium (e.g., Compact Disc, Phonograph Record, Tape, Floppy Disk), For Holding An Optical Disc (e.g., Compact Disc)Disc packaging device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070187269, Disc packaging device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates generally to a disc packaging device for packaging a plurality of discs, e.g., optical discs such as CD-Rs, CD-RWs, or DVDs. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In recent years optical discs have become an increasingly popular choice as a medium for data storage. The availability of recordable optical discs, including compact disc-recordable (CD-R), compact disc-rewritable (CD-RW) or other optical media such as recordable digital versatile discs (DVDs) allow consumers to record their own collections of music, video, or other data. Blank optical discs are commonly distributed and sold commercially in packages containing at least 10 discs. Some of these packages are constructed to hold a plurality of optical discs, and may be secured by a central spindle and covered with a protective case. [0003] The common "cakebox" disc package comprises a base and a central spindle, with the discs stacked on the base and around the spindle, along with a cylindrical dome cover which protects the discs from damage during shipping and handling. This type of package requires a mechanism for ensuring that the cover can be locked securely onto the base during shipping. Such mechanisms include buckling sheets, coupling grooves, or snap fit mechanisms, as shown, for example, in US 2004/0182725, US 2004/0251150, and US 2004/0099548. Thus this type of disc packaging device requires that the base and cover be designed and manufactured with an attachment mechanism. Accordingly, such designs invariably require more complex manufacturing procedures and will also require an additional packaging step of securing the cover to the base before the packages are shipped. A design requiring a mechanism to connect the cover to the base typically results in the formation of a base that protrudes beyond the diameter of the cover, and thus the base is left exposed and may be subject to physical damage during shipping. [0004] However, if protecting or covering of the base is desired, an additional packaging step is required. In addition, the protrusion or lip of the base beyond the cover also results in a shape for the assembled package that is not perfectly cylindrical with respect to the cover, and therefore takes up additional space in shipping, storage and display. [0005] An alternative packaging system known in the art includes two endcaps, each of which has a central protrusion portion formed on one surface. An opposing surface has a plurality of ribs extending radially outwardly from an inner rim to an outer rim, which provide stability to the endcap. A stack of disks is disposed between the protrusion portions of the endcaps. Some versions of this packaging device also include a central spindle which further secures the discs. The spindle may be inserted through holes in the centers of each endcap, or each endcap may have a centered twist lock recess for accepting a twist lock spindle. Packaging systems of this type are illustrated in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,114 and US 2004/0154938. These packages require an additional band, plastic shield or flexible wrap which is wrapped around the discs to protect the stack of discs and to provide structural integrity to the package. Because the packaging device is not stable until this outer shield or wrap is applied, assembly of this type of package may require additional steps using a support rack, as shown in US 2004/0154938. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] One aspect of the invention is to provide a disc packaging device to simplify design and manufacture and to significantly reduce manufacturing, shipping and storage expenses to the trade. A further aspect of the invention is to provide a disc packing device which reduces source material used in manufacture. A further aspect of the invention is to provide a disc packing device wherein the assembled packages are cylindrical and take up minimal space in shipping or display. [0007] In one aspect, there is provided a disc packaging device comprising a base, an elongated spindle comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, the spindle being centrally located on the base and projecting from the top side of the base in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the base, wherein the spindle is configured to receive and secure a plurality of discs to the base; a removable, substantially circular protective endplate having a central opening for engaging with the top portion of the spindle, the endplate being disposed atop the plurality of discs to protect and secure the plurality of discs to the spindle and base; and sheet material wrapped around the plurality of discs and at least partly around the base and the endplate to enclose the plurality of discs securely between the base and endplate. [0008] In another aspect, there is provided a disc packaging device which comprises attachment means for attaching and securing the spindle to the base. In various embodiments, the attachment means is selected from the group consisting of a twist lock connection, coupling grooves, a snap fit mechanism, a screw-on locking nut configured with a threaded spindle wherein the nut may be secured from the top side or bottom side of the base, and a detachable snap-on connection. [0009] The invention further comprises a disc packaging device wherein the base has a centrally located opening, and wherein the spindle has a flange at the bottom portion of the spindle, wherein the flange is configured to fit through the opening and engage the bottom side of the base to secure the spindle to the base. In a further embodiment, the spindle further comprises a backing ring at the bottom portion of the spindle and above the flange, positioned so as to contact the upper side of the base and further secure the spindle to the base. [0010] In another variation of the above embodiments, the base and spindle are formed of unitary construction. In some embodiments the base and spindle are formed from extruded molding fabrication methods. In various embodiments, the base and spindle are made from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, metal, or a combination thereof. In various embodiments, the endplate is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, paper, cardboard, metal, or a combination thereof. In various embodiments the sheet material is shrink-wrap film or stretch film. [0011] In another aspect of the above embodiments, the sheet material wraps the device sufficiently to protect the device from the environment during shipping, handling and storage. In a further aspect of the above embodiments, the sheet material wraps the device sufficiently to maintain a water resistant environment for the discs. [0012] In further embodiments of the invention, the base has an annular outer rib at an outer edge of the bottom side of the base, which allows for easier removal of the outer wrap from the package. [0013] In various embodiments of the invention, the plurality of discs are optical data discs, for example, read only optical disks such as CD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and DVD-Video; write-once discs such as CD-R, DVD-R, WORM and magneto-optic discs; or rewritable discs such as CR-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW and MO. In some embodiments, the device is configured to hold at least 25 discs. [0014] In a further embodiment, the invention is directed to a packaging device for securely holding and storing a plurality of discs, the device comprising: a base having a top side and a bottom side; an elongated spindle comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, the spindle being centrally located on the base and projecting from the base in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the base, wherein the spindle is configured to receive and secure a plurality of discs to the base; a removable, substantially circular protective endplate having a central opening for engaging with the top portion of the spindle, the endplate being disposed atop the plurality of discs to protect and secure the plurality of discs to the spindle and base; and attachment means for securing the endplate to the spindle. [0015] In various embodiments, the attachment means is selected from the group consisting of a twist lock connection, a screw on locking nut configured with a threaded spindle wherein the nut may be secured from the top side of the lid, and a detachable snap-on connection. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the base and spindle are formed of unitary construction. [0016] In further embodiments the device further comprises an outer wrap of a sheet material to protect the discs from dust, light and water during transportation and storage. [0017] In preferred embodiments, the base and the endplate are of the same diameter as the packaged discs; thus the packages take up the minimum amount of space, allowing for efficient packing for shipping or display. In some embodiments, the base has an annular rib on the periphery of the lower side of the base, which allows for easy removal of the outer wrap from the package. [0018] The invention is further directed to a method for securely holding and storing a plurality of discs, the method comprising providing a packaging device comprising: i) a base having a top side and a bottom side; ii) an elongated spindle comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, the spindle being centrally located on the base and projecting from the top side of the base in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the base, wherein the spindle is configured to receive and secure a plurality of discs to the base; and iii) a removable, substantially circular protective endplate having a central opening for engaging with the top portion of the spindle, the endplate being disposed atop the plurality of discs to protect and secure the plurality of discs to the spindle and base; stacking a plurality of discs onto the spindle; installing a endplate on the discs; and wrapping the plurality of discs and at least part of the base and the endplate with sheet material to enclose the plurality of optical discs securely between the base and endplate. [0019] In some embodiments of the method, the packaging device further comprises attachment means for attaching and securing the spindle to the base, and the method further comprises the step of attaching the spindle to the base. In further embodiments of the method, the sheet material is shrink-wrap film and the method further comprises the step of heating the shrink-wrap film to shrink the film after the wrapping step. [0020] In another aspect of the above embodiments, the sheet material wraps the device sufficiently to protect the device from the environment during shipping, handling and storage. In a further aspect of the above embodiments, the sheet material wraps the device sufficiently to maintain a water resistant environment for the discs. [0021] Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The embodiments, aspects, objects, features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combination particularly pointed out in the appended claims. In addition, as disclosed herein, it is intended that any one or more features, aspects or embodiments of the invention may be combined or used in connection or interchangeably with any other features, aspects or embodiments of the invention. Continue reading about Disc packaging device... Full patent description for Disc packaging device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Disc packaging device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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