Storage case

[0001] This application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/301,383, filed on Jun. 27, 2001, by Michael Lax and Agjah I. Libohova, entitled Software Storage Case, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a storage case for storing a recording media such as optically readable information storage media and associated literature and more particularly to a storage case for holding computer software and its related literature.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] As the sale of recording media, such as software that is stored on a CD, CD-ROM or DVD continues to grow, retailers are being faced with the opportunity to increase their profits by increasing the volume of their sales. Two major factors, however, affect the potential for profits which may be obtained by an increase in the volume of sales in this field. The first factor concerns loss due to theft. The second factor is the inefficient use of retail space which limits the number of items that may be displayed for sale on the retail floor.

[0006] To address the first problem, at times, retailers display their products behind locked glass windows. While such a practice may reduce theft, it tends to retard sales as it requires the assistance of sales attendants as opposed to allowing the shoppers to help themselves thereby speeding up the sales process.

[0007] To prevent theft, the products such as a CD-ROM and its associated literature, have been packaged in large display boxes. Such packaging may hinder theft by making it more complicated for a thief to gain access to the contents of the package, but reduces the density of products that can be put on the shelves as it increases the size of each package.

[0008] It is thus highly desirable to reduce the size of packaging of interactive media, such as software, while maintaining or improving its security so as to retard or prevent loss due to theft and increase sales by increasing the density of products on the shelves.

[0009] Of course, the size of a storage case may depend on the products that it stores. Today's software products often include more than recording media, e.g., up to three or more CD-ROMs, on which computer readable software instructions are stored, and associated literature such as a user manual, warranty information etc. The associated literature also tends to be thick and bulky. Thus, it is necessary to have a storage case that can accommodate a plurality of recording media and associated literature, even if bulky.

[0010] It is, therefore, desirable to have a storage case that can accommodate software products that is as small as possible to increase the density of products on the retail floor.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage case that is reduced in size compared to conventional packages.

[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide a storage case that is more secure so that it may be displayed on the retail floor without theft.

[0013] A storage case according to the present invention can store recording media, such as CD-ROMs, and includes an enclosure which may receive literature even if bulky that is related to the media which is stored therein such as a user manual, warranty information etc.

[0014] A storage case according to the present invention also includes security features that retard theft.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, a storage case according to the present invention utilizes locking systems which have been described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/696,614 entitled Case and Lock with Improved Disc Protection, filed on Oct. 25, 2000, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/858,457 entitled Case With Internal Lock, filed May 6, 2001, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. Such locking systems are highly secure and space efficient. Also, such locking systems can be equipped with tags- which may be readable by sensors to prevent theft.

[0016] A storage case according to the present invention includes a hub or retainer member for holding conventional recording media such as CD-ROMs, and a biasing element which assists in securing the media in place when received by the retainer. The biasing element helps to reduce the size of the storage case because it provides the ability to secure more than one recording media on the retainer.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of a storage case according to the present invention includes a first cover; a second cover; a spine flexibly attached at opposing edges thereof to an edge of the first cover and an edge of the second cover respectively; and a recording media retainer adapted to receive at least one recording media, the retainer being disposed on a major surface of the first cover.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention an enclosure is provided on the second cover to receive literature. A brace is disposed over the enclosure to further secure the literature received therein. According to one aspect of the invention the brace includes a portion that is parallel to the second cover and another portion that extends from the first portion at an angle so that literature may be inserted between the brace and the second cover more easily.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the brace is raised sufficiently high above the second cover to receive and retain bulky or thick literature therein.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention the storage case includes a biasing element which is oriented opposite to a major surface of the first cover and makes contact with a recording media held by the retainer to hinder the motion of the same when the storage case is closed. The biasing element may be a spring and may be disposed over the brace, if one is provided.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention another biasing element, which may also be a spring, can be provided. The second biasing element may be spaced from the first biasing element at a distance that is at least as wide as the diameter of the central opening of a conventional recording media. The two biasing elements will be positioned so that the recording media retainer will be disposed between them when the storage case is closed.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a bottom plan view of a conventional recording media.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the interior of a storage case according to the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a retainer for retaining a conventional recording media.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the exterior of a storage case according to the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 shows another perspective view of the interior of a storage case according to the present invention showing literature as received within the storage case.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of a recording media 10 according to a conventional design. According to the conventional design, recording media 10 is circular and has a circular central opening 12. Typically, a concentric ring 14 is disposed around opening 12. Concentric ring 14 is usually devoid of any optically readable information. Optically readable information storage media such as compact disks (CDs), CD-ROMs and DVDs are examples of such recording media, although it should be realized by those skilled in the art that the storage case of the present invention can be used with any and all types of recording media. As is well known, CD-ROMs are used for storage of computer readable information and/or computer readable instructions (software). When sold, software is often accompanied with literature pertaining to, for example, the use of software, or other literature such as warranty information.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a software storage case 16 according to the present invention. Software storage case 16 includes first cover 18 and second cover 20, and spine 22 which is flexibly attached at opposing longitudinal edges thereof to an edge of first cover 18 and an edge of second cover 20, respectively. Due to the flexible attachment, first cover 18 may pivot toward second cover 20, and second cover 20 may pivot toward first cover 18. Thus, the flexible attachment of spine 22 to first cover 18 acts as a hinge between spine 22 and first cover 18 and the flexible attachment of spine 22 to second cover 18 acts as a hinge between spine 22 and second cover 20. This arrangement is commonly referred to as a living hinge.

[0030] First cover 18 has disposed on a surface thereof a hub or recording media retainer 24. Recording media retainer 24 may be adapted to receive one or more recording media as desired. Preferably, retainer 24 is adapted to receive three recording media as schematically suggested in FIG. 5, although it can be adapted to hold more than three.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of retainer 24. Referring to FIG. 3, retainer 24 includes a plurality of spaced tabs 26. Tabs 26 are arranged around a circle having a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of central opening 12 (FIG. 1) of a conventional recording media 10 (FIG. 1). Each tab 26 includes an enlarged free end 28 and an opposing end which is attached to first cover 18. Each enlarged end 28 includes a curved exterior surface. To utilize recording media retainer 24, central opening 12 of a conventional recording media 10 is substantially aligned with tabs 26. When conventional recording media 10 is forced downwardly toward first cover 18, each tab 26 is elastically deformed thereby allowing its respective free end to slip into opening 12 (FIG. 1) of conventional recording media 10. Once recording media 10 is moved further toward first cover 18 past enlarged free ends 28 of tabs 26, tabs 26 automatically return to their undeformed positions and make contact with the annular wall 12'(FIG. 1) of opening 12 and due to friction, retain recording media 10 in a position substantially parallel to first cover 18.

[0032] Cylinder 30 may be disposed on first cover 18 and within the space created by tabs 26. Cylinder 30 is spaced from tabs 26 to allow adequate room for each tab 26 to be deformed when recording media 10 is being received by recording media retainer 24. However, cylinder 30 is close enough so as not to allow tabs 26 to be deformed too far inwardly to prevent breakage or permanent deformation of tabs 26.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an annular ring 32 is disposed on first cover 18 and about recording media retainer 24. Annular ring 32 has a diameter which is preferably more than the diameter of opening 12 and less than the diameter of concentric ring 14 of a conventional recording media 10 (FIG. 1), and rises to a height so as to space the bottom of recording media 10 that is received by retainer 24 from first cover 18. Because the diameter of annular ring 32 is smaller than the diameter of concentric ring 14 (FIG. 1) of recording media 10, annular ring 32 will not make contact with those portions of recording media 10 that contain optically readable information, which portions are typically outside of concentric ring 14 (FIG. 1).

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of spaced arcuate walls 34 are disposed on first cover 18 and about recording media retainer 24. Arcuate walls 34 are arranged around a circle having a slightly larger diameter than the diameter of recording media 10 (FIG. 10). Arcuate walls 34 rise to about the height of recording media retainer 24. Once a recording media 10 is received by recording media retainer 24, arcuate walls 34 hinder its lateral movement thereby contributing to its secured retention.

[0035] Disposed between arcuate walls 34 and on first cover 18 are a plurality of raised portions 36. Raised portions 36 rise to a height below the height of arcuate walls 34 and equal to or slightly below the height of annular ring 32. Raised portions 36 may make contact with the outer edge of recording media 10 (FIG. 1) when it is received by retainer 24. Such contact may occur, for example, when recording media 10 (FIG. 1) that is received by recording media retainer 24 is removed.

[0036] A recording media 10 may be removed by two opposing fingers of a user placed at opposing regions on the outer edge of a recording media 10 (FIG. 1) that is received by recording media retainer 24. The downward pressure applied to the retained recording media 10 during this procedure may cause a slight deformation of recording media 10, as it may be pressed against annular ring 32. Raised portions 36 prevent recording media 10 (FIG. 1) from being pressed too far downwardly, thereby averting accidental breakage of recording media 10 during its removal.

[0037] Storage case 16 may utilize a locking mechanism that is described in detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/858,457 described above. For convenience, a brief description of the locking mechanism follows. As described above, first cover 18 is flexibly attached at a proximal edge 19 thereof to spine 22, while second cover 20 is flexibly attached at a proximal edge 21 thereof to spine 22. First cover 18 has disposed opposite and parallel to its proximal edge a pair of spaced parallel walls 38, 40. Similarly, a pair of spaced parallel walls 42, 44 are disposed on second cover 20 opposite and parallel to its proximal edge. A plurality of spaced loops 46 are disposed between spaced parallel walls 42, 44 on the second cover. Also, a plurality of spaced loops 48 are disposed between spaced parallel walls 38, 40 on first cover 18. Loops 46, which are disposed between spaced parallel walls 42, 44 on second cover 20, are longitudinally aligned with one another. The longitudinal positions of the loops 46 and 48 are different such that the loops 46 have a staggered relationship with respect to the loops 48 and loops 48 which are disposed between spaced parallel walls 38, 40 on first cover 18 are aligned with one another. The longitudinal positions of the loops 46 and 48 are different such that the loops 46 have a staggered relationship with respect to the loops 48. When software storage case 16 is closed, that is, when first cover 18 and second cover 20 are brought close to one another, loops 48 which are disposed between spaced parallel walls 38, 40 will be positioned between the loops 46 which are disposed between spaced parallel walls 42, 44 and vice versa to provide a free path 45 (FIG. 4). A locking member comprising a substantially straight bar 47 (FIG. 4) is then received in free path 45 by each loop 46, 48 to secure the first cover and the second cover to one another.

[0038] First cover 18 has disposed thereon a pair of opposing vertical walls 50, 52, which are disposed adjacent to its proximal edge 19. Opposing vertical walls 50, 52 each have an extended portion 50a, 52a. Second cover 20 also has disposed thereon a pair of opposing vertical walls 54, 56 which are adjacent to its proximal edge 21. The respective extended portions 50a, 50b of opposing vertical walls 50, 52, on first cover 18 are spaced apart slightly further than opposing vertical walls 54, 56 so that when software storage case 16 is closed extended portions 50a, 52a of opposing vertical walls 50, 52 will be positioned outside opposing vertical walls 54, 56 of second cover 20 respectively as shown schematically in FIG. 4. This arrangement improves the security of software storage case 16 by providing a double-wall structure that makes it more difficult to compromise software storage case 16, by, for example, prying it open to gain access to its contents. Optionally, filler layers 58 may be provided on exterior portions of opposing vertical walls 54, 56 of second cover 20 to cover those portions of the exterior of opposing vertical walls 54, 56 which are not covered by extended portions 50a, 52a of respective opposing vertical walls 50, 52. These and other security features are described in more detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/696,614 described above.

[0039] The innermost one 42 of spaced parallel walls 42, 44 and opposing vertical walls 54, 56 create an enclosure that can receive literature, such as a booklet or other written material such as warranty material, etc. An opening 59 in second cover 20 serves as a window which may be used to display portions of literature that is received in the literature enclosure. Optionally, a short wall 57 may be disposed on second cover 20 near and parallel to its proximal edge 21. Short wall 57, when provided, will further restrict the lateral movement of any literature received in the enclosure that is created by opposing vertical walls 54, 56 and innermost one 42 of spaced parallel walls 42, 44. First cover 18 also has disposed near its proximal edge a short vertical wall 51. Short wall 51 ensures that first cover 18 will not pivot beyond a vertical position relative to spine 22. The same function is substantially performed by short wall 57 of second cover 20. Thus, when software storage case 16 is closed, first cover 18 and second cover 20 will be oriented substantially vertical to spine 22, and thus parallel to one another as first cover 18 is pivoted about is proximal edge 19 when, for example, software storage case 16 is closed.

[0040] According to an aspect of the present invention, brace 60 is provided over the literature enclosure. Brace 60 extends between opposing vertical walls 54, 56 of second cover 20. Brace 60, preferably includes first portion 60a which is substantially parallel to second cover 20 and a second portion 60b which slopes at an angle away from second cover 20 thereby providing a wide opening for receiving literature in the literature enclosure. FIG. 5 shows software storage package 16 which has received in its literature enclosure an item of literature. Preferably, brace 60 is configured to receive thick or bulky literature that is at least thick. Also, preferably software storage package 16 meets the size requirements recommended by IEMA (Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association) for a downsized software storage case. The IEMA recommended dimensions are 7 by 5 by 1.

[0041] According to another aspect of the present invention, at least one biasing element (e.g. 62, 64) is provided to make contact with at least one recording media, and preferably up to three, that is retained by recording media retainer 24 when software storage package 16 is closed. To make contact with a recording media retained on recording media retainer 24, biasing element (e.g. 62, 64) is oriented in a direction opposite to first cover 18 when software storage case 16 is closed. Biasing elements 62, 64 in the preferred embodiment of the invention are springs and biased towards the recording media when storage case 16 is closed. The biasing elements 62, 64 should be sufficiently biased to securely hold from one to three or more recording media on retainer 24 when case 16 is closed. Preferably, biasing elements 62, 64 are sufficiently resilient and contact the recording media on the unrecorded portion, thereby preventing damage to the recording media.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, biasing elements 62, 64 are spaced at least as wide as the diameter of central opening 14 of a conventional recording media 10 (FIG. 1). Also, according to an aspect of the invention, biasing elements 62, 64 are disposed on brace 60. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, recording media retainer 24 will be disposed between biasing elements 62, 64 when software storage case 16 is closed, thus providing biasing force evenly over a recording media retained by recording media retainer 24.

[0043] A software case according to a preferred embodiment is made from an environmentally friendly recyclable polypropylene copolymer and is 7 by 4 by when closed. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is thus smaller than conventional packages, which saves retail space thus allowing retailers to display up to three times more products on the shelves. A software case according to the preferred embodiment can accommodate a booklet that is 6 by 4 by up to a booklet that is 7{fraction (1/16)} by 4 by .

[0044] A package according to the present invention is advantageous in that it: conforms to the size standards set by IEMA and their retailers; provides customers with compact and permanent storage cases which are easy to use as opposed to boxes which are discarded after use; provides customers with environmentally friendly packaging as it is made from recyclable material and it is capable of being reused to package other products when it is returned; includes a reusable lock which further makes it environmentally friendly; and furthers energy efficiency in that it can be produced by low energy injection molding.

[0045] Preferably, a software case according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention can have a clear sleeve disposed on its exterior to receive graphic inserts that can be 11{fraction (1/16)} by 7{fraction (9/32)}.

[0046] A software case according to the present invention lends itself easily to packaging automation such as the packaging automation used for the packaging of DVDs in which the graphic insert and the recording media are first automatically inserted into the case and then the booklets are inserted in a semi-automatic station.

[0047] A software case according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes: an internal lock system with double acting catches that makes the case smaller; internal double overlapping walls which hinders theft by spreading the case apart; and a stronger body and particularly a reinforced spine which makes it more difficult to compromise the case by cutting it. The lock used in the preferred embodiment can have security tags placed thereon or can accommodate coil technology.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.