Hinged Compact Disc Container

The present invention relates generally to storing and transporting multiple compact discs or other thin, flat objects.

Needs exist for a means of storing multiple compact discs. As sizes of compact disc collections increase, incidences of lost, misplaced or misfiled compact discs also increase. The thinness of discs and cases and the ease of misplacement of a disc or case or of not returning a disc or case to its correct position in the collection makes it difficult for an owner to recognize that a disc is missing, misplaced or misfiled at an early enough stage so as easily to recover the disc. Incidences of compact disc loss and damage could be decreased, if users were able to select discs from collections without removing containers from original positions in the collections.

The mobility of compact disc players and the use of CD Roms have led to an increase in compact disc travel. Because of this trend, there has developed a need for an apparatus that can store multiple compact discs in albums or books and avoid transporting individual jewel cases. Attachments for holding individual containers that carry discs must be strong and not susceptible to unexpected detachment during transportation. Multiple disc carriers need to be lightweight and also need to be able to carry jacket covers, information booklets, documentation, and whatever other information which would have been available to users selecting the discs at homes or offices.

For storage, reference and commercial purposes, a multiple compact disc container that can carry not only the disc but also accompanying booklets and graphic cards would be advantageous. Convenience dictates that a user have all of his choices at his fingertips. Therefore, the means for combining and bundling the individual disc containers must be compatible with existing attachments for containers, such as boards and booklets.

Needs have long existed for a means of attaching multiple compact disc storage and transportation containers that will provide ease of use and permanence of positions of containers while allowing detachment of individual container trays.

A compact disc storage method hinges trays for holding multiple compact discs in connected trays as an album or book, and can also be used to hinge trays for the storage and delivery of other flat, thin objects. The present invention is a snap bar, connected to the base of individual compact disc containers, that permits easy attachment to other identical containers, is easily transportable, easy to use and inexpensive. The snap bar design enables manufacturers and owners to bundle multiple discs into one self-contained unit in a booklet or album configuration. Housed together in one package, discs and their accompanying booklets are easy to access and catalog.

Containers are connected in a manner that will allow quick access and permit simultaneous viewing of the disc and accompanying booklets. Users benefit from a multiple disc container wherein the individual containers are attached in a manner that would allow them to hold the collection in one hand and page through the collection with the other. While it is important that the multiple disc containers do not allow for unexpected disattachment of one container from the other, the connecting means in the present invention permits disc containers to be added and removed without undue burden or delay.

The individual containers are connected securely and pivotally so that the user will have a full view of the disc and be able to remove the disc by grasping its edges. This prevents the incidence of fingerprints and scratches on the disc.

The present invention is connected to the base of a standard, prior art compact disc container, each container having a hinged engaging end cap. Connecting one container or tray to another merely requires that the end cap of one container be inserted and held by the snap bar of a complementary container. The end cap, which is hinged to one end of the tray that holds the disc, can pivot, thus permitting the two containers to be drawn closer or further apart without releasing the end cap from the snap bar. This design permits the user to conveniently page through multiple compact discs as if he is reading a book.

By connecting individual containers together using the snap bar, the original order of compact discs in one's collection is effectively retained and the incidence of misplaced discs and containers is reduced. A compact disc can be selected, viewed and removed without having to take the container out of its original position and without detaching the container from the others. The present invention is compatible with a cover having panels and pockets for storing and displaying information, thus giving the user all the information needed at his fingertips. In addition, the present invention allows the user to view each disc completely and to remove it without difficulty, thus reducing incidences of scratching and fingerprints.

When the containers are connected using the snap bars, the containers are piled in a stacked configuration. The underside of each container has a flat printed board which works as a cover for the container that underlies it. This configuration provides stability to the apparatus and prevents damage to the stored discs. By having the tray serve as both a cover and a disc holder, the cost of production, as well as the apparatus weight, is lowered. It is no longer necessary to have a separate cover for each container.

The snap bars allows multiple compact discs to be marketed and stored in a book or album format. The snap bar/end cap attachment is strong and is not likely to disassemble unexpectedly. The attachments enable the multiple disc apparatus to rest horizontally and vertically. The hinged connection of the end cap to the tray, coupled with the strong attachment of the end cap to the snap bar, allows the user to quickly and effectively page through the stack of disc holders to find a desired disc. The connected disc holders can be opened at a 180 degree angle to each other without releasing the snap bar/end cap connection. Thus selection and removal of a compact disc are facilitated. The present invention also requires the detachment of the apparatus in only one place in order to add or remove compact discs and holders.

In addition to its leaf-through or page-through design, the present invention can be equipped easily with features that aid in compact disc recognition. Boards having pockets can be connected to the base of each tray without affecting the snap bar/end cap connection. Thus, accompanying booklets and graphic panels can be incorporated into the multiple disc apparatus.

By using the snap bar, manufacturers can package compact discs in a convenient, durable and cost-effective multiple tray apparatus that is made of recycled materials. Consumers will find the present invention convenient because of its compatibility with widely used trays equipped with end caps.

These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification, with the claims and the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of multiple containers connected by the present invention, along with a cover.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the stacked containers showing the snap bars.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional detail of a snap bar and end cap that are connected to the upper and lower container trays.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional detail of the coupling between the snap bar of a first container and the end cap of a second underlying container.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional detail of how the end cap acts as a hinge for connected trays.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a prior art tray.

FIG. 7 is a view of the tray shown in FIG. 6 from the first end.

FIG. 8 is a view of the tray shown in FIG. 6 from the second end.

FIG. 9 shows side views of the stacked configuration of several embodiments of the apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a four panel cover or board that can be attached to the base of a bottom tray when the tray is connected by the present invention to one or more upper trays.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a six panel board that can be attached to the base of a bottom tray.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of a back card.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a booklet for positioning in the sleeve.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the multiple container apparatus using the present invention as an attachment.

FIG. 15 is a side view of two containers connected by the present invention and having a four panel board attached.

FIG. 16 is a side view of two containers connected by the present invention and having a six panel board attached.

FIG. 17 is a side view of two containers connected by the present invention and having a graphic panel mounted to the base of the tray.

FIG. 18 is an illustration of two containers using the snap bar as an attachment means along with a four panel board and a graphic panel attached.

FIG. 19 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the snap bar.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of a snap bar shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of a snap bar shown in FIG. 19.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a multiple disc storage and transfer apparatus 1 composed of identical containers 3 connected by snap bars 39 in a multiple disc album 4.

FIG. 6 shows a prior art tray 5 that holds a compact disc or other flat, thin object. The tray 5 has a top 6, a first end 7, a base 8, a second end 9, and a pair of sidewalls 11, 13. The preferred embodiment has a rectangular shape. The top 6 of the tray 5, on which the disc rests, can have a circular recess 15 for restricting lateral movement of the disc in the container. A retaining element 17, such as a rosette, can be centrally positioned on the tray 5 to further prevent disc movement.

Connected to the first end 7 of the tray 5 is an end cap 19. FIGS. 3-7 and 15-17 best illustrate the structure of the end cap 19. The end cap 19 has a pair of opposed lateral sidewalls 21, 23. The end cap sidewalls 21, 23 rest snugly against the tray sidewalls 11, 13 when the end cap 19 is in its closed position. The tray sidewalls 11, 13 and end cap sidewalls 21, 23 can be further secured by creating a detent connection between the two pairs of sidewalls.

The two end cap sidewalls 21, 23 are connected by a connecting portion 25. In a preferred embodiment the connecting portion 25 has an L-shape configuration. The portion 25 has an end wall 27 which is connected to the first end 7 of the tray 5 with a living hinge 29. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the end wall 27 is connected to the lower part of the first end 7 of the tray 5 with the living hinge 29. Other types of hinge attachments are acceptable, as are connections to points higher up on the first end 7. Connected perpendicularly to the end wall 27 is a lid 31. The lid 31 can have a lip 32 for facilitating the opening and closing of the end cap 19. When the end cap 19 is in a closed position, the lid 31 is parallel to the tray 5 and the end wall 27 is perpendicular to the tray 5. In an open position, the end wall 27 lies in the same parallel plane as the tray 5, and the lid 31 is perpendicular to that plane. FIGS. 5 and 15-17 demonstrate how the end cap 19 pivots. FIGS. 7 and 8 show how the end cap 19 overhangs and extends over the top 6 of the tray 5. The end panels 33 of a cover board 35 may be folded over the upper tray 5 when the containers 3 are stacked. The lid 31 may be closed over the edge of the cover 35. A graphics panel 37 may be positioned on the base 8 of each container 3.

FIGS. 2-5 show details of the present invention. Connector bars 39 secure one container 3 to another. Preferred embodiments of the connector bars 39 are snap bars 39 having a U-shaped configurations. Each snap bar 39 has an upper segment 41 and a lower segment 43. The upper segment 41 has an upper side 45, a lower side 47, an open outer end 44 and an inner end 46. The upper side 45 is attached, bonded, welded, molded or mechanically connected to the base 8 of the tray 5 near the first end 7. The lower segment 43 is connected to the inner end 46 of the upper segment 41. A preferred embodiment has a living hinge connecting the upper segment 41 and the lower segment 43. Other hinge connections may also be acceptable. The upper segment 41 and the lower segment 43, being connected in this manner, create a an outward opening receiver 49 for receiving the lid 31 of a second container's 3 end cap 19. The hinge of the end cap 19 is used as the hinged connection between the trays 5. A preferred embodiment of this snap bar 39 would have the upper segment 41 extending almost the entire length of the first end 7, and the lower segment 43 being slightly shorter than the upper segment 41.

FIGS. 19-21 show the preferred embodiment of the snap bar 39. The upper segment 41 is hinge connected 29 to the lower segment 43. The upper side 45 of the upper segment 41 has a multiple of apertures 53 that receive lugs 51 of the lower segment 43. The upper side 45 also has energy directors 54 that facilitate the alignment and attachment by welding of the snap bar 39 to a base 8 of a tray 5. The base 8 is normally waffled, and the energy directors 54, along with the cutouts 56 of the upper segment 41, allow for an easier and stronger connection of the snap bar 39 to the base 8. To further facilitate connection to the base 8 and to prevent snap bar 39 movement, L-shaped extensions 58 are positioned on the upper side 45 of the upper segment 41. The extensions 58 are perpendicular to the upper segment 41 and engage the waffled base 8 to restrict disattachment of the snap bar 39 from the base 8.

The lower segment 43 must be tightly secured to the upper segment 41 to have a strong engagement between the snap bar 39 and the end cap 19. The preferred embodiment of the present invention achieves this means by using lugs 51 and apertures 53. One embodiment has multiple upwardly extending lugs 51 positioned on the lower segment 43 of the snap bar 39 and multiple apertures 53, corresponding in both number and position to the lugs 51 on the lower segment 43, positioned in the upper segment 41. In a similar fashion, the lugs 51 can be positioned on the upper segment 41 and the apertures 53 in the lower segment 43. Any multiple of lugs 51 and apertures 53 can be used. A preferred embodiment of the present invention uses four lugs 51 and four apertures 53. The snap bar 39 can also be manufactured by molding the upper segment 41 with the lower segment 43, rather than using a hinge connection. FIG. 9 shows the apparatus 1 using the snap bar 39 as a connector bar 39 in its stacked configuration. Each container 3 is connected to the containers below and above by connecting the end cap 19 of the container 3 below to the snap bar 39 of the container 3 above. FIGS. 3-5 show how this connection is accomplished. In a preferred embodiment, a strong engagement between the snap bar 39 and the end cap 19 is realized by using openings 55 and tabs 57. Multiple downward extending tabs 57 can be positioned on the lid 31 of the end cap 19, and multiple openings 55, corresponding in position and number to the tabs 57 of the lid 31, can be positioned in the lower segment 43 of the snap bar 39. In a similar fashion, multiple openings 55 can be positioned in the lid 31, and a corresponding number of upward extending tabs 57 can be positioned on the lower segment 43. Any number of openings 55 and tabs 57 can be used. A preferred embodiment of the invention uses four tabs 57 and four openings 55.

FIGS. 10-18 show the display boards 35 and their compatibility with the multiple disc transport and storage apparatus 1 that uses the snap bar 39. Each board 35 has either four or six panels 33, each panel 33 with an optional pocket 59. The base 8 of each tray 5 can have a panel 33 of the board 35 attached to it. FIG. 18 shows how a disc, along with all information booklets and documentation, can be viewed at one time. Bendable spines 61 between the panels 33 along with the hinged connection of the end cap 19 to the first end 7 of the tray 5 allows for all information to be displayed in the same plane. The spine 61 has a dimension equivalent to a thickness of more than one tray 5. When not in use, the panels 33 can be folded over, as in FIGS. 15 and 16, laid across the tray 5 and held in this position by the end cap 19. The panels 33 are connected by bendable spines 61. This allows for a wealth of information to be stored easily and efficiently and also permits quick accessibility. Graphic panels 37 can also be mounted on the base 8 of a tray 5, as shown in FIG. 17.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims.