Package for Information Carriers

U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,689

U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,751

DGM No. 74 18 574

The present invention relates to a package structure, and more particularly to a package structure for an information carrier such as a magnetic tape cassette or cartridge.

It has previously been proposed to package magnetic tape cassettes or cartridges in plastic cases which usually are transparent and which are formed in the shape of a receptacle for the cartridge. If information sheets, advertising leaflets, and the like, are to be inserted in such a receptacle, the information leaflet will tend to entirely obscure the contents within the package. It is also known to package goods in plastic containers which are formed with recesses corresponding to the shape of the goods to be packaged, either for shipment or for display. A transparent cover can be placed thereover. Such packages have the disadvantage that they are not suited to the reception of advertising or information leaflets, and that the contents of the assembled package cannot be readily inspected from two directions; plastic molded recess-type packages also are difficult to stack.

It is an object to provide a package structure which is simple, permits the insertion of advertising sheets or leaflets, and which results in a final package which can be easily stacked.

Briefly, a block-like or plate-like carrier body, for example of plastic, is formed with a recess in a surface thereof which, preferably, is a flat surface. The recess matches the outer dimensions of the information carrier, typically a magnetic cassette or cartridge. A transparent cover fits over the entire body, that is, over the surface as well as over the recess. An information insert sheet is located between the surface and the cover, preferably shaped with a cut-out leaving exposed at least a portion of the information carrier within the recess. The recess is preferably located at an edge of the block or plate-like carrier so that both the top side as well as an edge of the information carrier, for example a cassette or cartridge, will be visible.

The package permits simple insertion of advertising instruction or other information leaflets; the package is easily assembled and can be readily stacked. Additionally, the package lends itself admirably to mailing.

Visibility of the contents, when placed within the package, has the advantage that even in stacks of such packages, the individual contents therein can be easily recognized and inspected. The general outline, in top projection, of the overall package can be determined essentially by the dimensions of the advertising or information or advertising insert sheet; the height of the package can be determined, essentially, by the thickness of the information carrier itself, that is, typically the cassette or cartridge.

Drawings, illustrating a preferred example:

The single FIGURE is an exploded view of a packaging structure with an information insert leaf.

A packaging base or carrier 1, for example made of plastic, such as foamed plastic, is formed with a recess 2 extending from one edge. The FIGURE shows a package for a magnetic tape cartridge. The cartridge can be inserted from one edge into the recess 2; one end surface of the cartridge will then be visible. The body 1 is, preferably, formed with a bottom flange or bottom plate-like extension as is clearly visible in the FIGURE. Other information carriers than magnetic tape units may be packaged this way, for example books, brochures, magazines, or the like. The recess 2 is of such depth and dimension that the edge of the article to be packaged essentially matches the edge of the body 1 adjacent the recess. Upon placement of a transparent cover 4 over the package, with the information carrier article inserted in the recess 2, it is then possible to view the contents of the package both from the side, that is, direction of the arrow A, as well as from the top, that is, direction of the arrow B. The body or block 1 is formed with a top surface 3 on which an information, advertising or instruction leaflet 5 is placed. Preferably, at least a portion of the article in the recess 2 should be left exposed. The leaflet 5 can be printed with micro images 6, and with printed information or instructions for use, as schematically indicated at 7.

The top cover 4, preferably of transparent plastic material, fits over body 1 and against the bottom plate or surface beneath the body 1. The result is a compact package which can be easily stacked, can readily be made secure for mailing, while still permitting inspection of the contents through the cover, from the edge, and also from the bottom, if the bottom surface plate 8 is also transparent.

The recess 2 need not be located centrally as shown; it can also be located at a corner so that the body 1 then will not be generally C-shaped but, rather, will generally L-shaped. It is then possible to recognize the contents from the top, from the front edge, from a side edge and, if the bottom edge is transparent, also from the bottom.

Various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the inventive concept.