Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Z0~5~3
1614~ F
E:NCI.OSURE FOR OPTICAI- DISX OR THE LIKE
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to porta~le enclosures or
boxes for storing, moving and handling recorded or
recordable disks such as compact disks containing
recorded audio and/or video information or digitally ;
encoded information.
Brief descri~tion of Prior Axt
V&rioue types of planar disks are in use at the
present time to record and store information which is
to be retrleved by various means such as by optical or
magnetic means. Typical of ~uch disks are compact
dieks in whlch information is digitally recorded by use
i of a laser beam and then read optically by a laser
beam. Information may be recorded, for example, using
an ablative process in which pits are formed ln a film
on the disk to represent digital ~'ones~ are "zeroes"
which are read optically and transformed into sound or
other information as recorded. Other types of
recording such as phaRe change or magneto-optic
techniques are also used. Such disks are used to
record audio information such as musical renditions,
video information such as visual images and digital
information for use as read only and other memories for
use in various applications such as computer
applications. In most instances at the present time
uch dl~k~ ~re ~old with LnformatLon ~lready recorded
.,
` 20~1~S8
.. ...
thereon. In other applications, such disks are sold in
blank form and are used by the cu~tomer to record
information thereon. In the latter case, for example,
optical disks are sold for use as computer storage
media and are used in hard di~k storage systems.
In either case, optical imperfections in or on the
surfaces of such disks interfere with both the
recording and retrieval of information stored in the
disks. Care must therefore be taken in the storage,
movlng and handling of such disks to avoid cau~ing any
such imperfections.
Compact disks containing laser recorded
information are typically packaged in enclosures which
protect the disks during storage and shipment.
~nclosures commonly used at the present time comprise a
three piece assembly consisting of a base or bottom
element, an insert or tray in the base/bottom element
for po~itioning and supporting the disk in the base
element and a lid or cover which i~ hinged to the ~ -`
base/bottom element and is closed thereon after the
di~k i~ mounted therein on the tray. The enclosure is
typically transparent and graphics relating to the disk
and containing trademark and sales promotional
information are usually inserted in the lid.
The tray usually contains a cavity having a
circular shape to receive the disk and a center -
pro~ection which enters and engages the aperture in the
center of the disk when the disk is placed in the
cavity. The surface of the cavity contacts the surface
of one face of the di~k, usually the playing surface,
and the inner surface of the cover is positioned
closely ad~acent the opposite face surface of the disk
when the cover is closed on the ba~e/bottom element.
The depth of the cavity i8 such that, when the cover is
20~1158
closed there i~ in~ufficient clearance between the face
of the di~k and the ad~acent surface of the closed
cover to permit the disk to escape from the cavity.
However, the ~urface of the disk can contact the inner
surface of the lid or graphics upon outward movement of
the dlsk which can be caused by typical handling or by
sudden movements, shocks or vibration or if the disk is
slightly misaligned or loosely mounted when placed in
A the cavity. The other surface of the disk remains in
contact with the surface of the insert and is
restrained only by the edges of the cavity and/or two
small holding tabs and the resilient engagement of the
center pro~ection with the center aperture of the disk.
With the prior art enclosure mechanisms of the
type ~ust described, even limited movements of the disk
within the enclosure , which can occur in
traneportation and handling, can cause abrasive surface
contacts between the surfaces of the disk and the inner
surfaces of the enclosure. These abrasive surface
contacts can result in the creation of imperfections
and defects ln or on the disk surface which interfere
with recording and reading of information on the disk.
Such defects are particularly troublesome in the case
of compact disks which are read optically. Even though
prone to problems of the type described, such prior art
di~k enclosures are expensive to manufacture and are
relatively complex to handle even in normal use. They
consist of three separate parts which mu~t be assembled
together in a format requiring relative precision in
the interfacing of the components. They are also
poorly adapted for ease of use in that the required
handling for insertion and removal of the disks from
the enclosures can result in surface scratches and
other defects being inadvertently cau~ed by the user in
,~ A
Z001~58
the process of handling. Further, such enclosures are
awkward and clumsy to use.
Summarv of the Invention
The present invention provides an improved
enclosure for optical disks and the like, such as
compact disks, in which the aforementioned
disadvantages of the prior art devices are overcome.
The enclosure of the present invention provides
effective storage and ease of use of optical disks,
such as compact disks, in a manner to protect the
surfaces of the disk enclosed therein and i8 ~imple and
inexpensive to manufacture. It is also less bulky and
weighs less than typical prior art enclosures. It is
therefore less Qxpensive to ship in volume quantities
and takes up less room in storage at the point of use
a~ well. It is comprised, in a preferred embodiment
thereof, primarily of a single, one-piece main
functional element and utilizes a supplemental element
or cover which is removable from the one-piece main
element and is interchangeable between all such main
elements. The supplemental element or cover is also
adapted, in one embodiment thereof, to contain graphic ;
m~terial identifying the disk and including descriptive
and sales promotional material as well.
The main element of the enclosure of the present
invention, in one embodiment thereof, is formed of a
single, one-piece part which has a cavity therein ~ ;
formed by spaced apart, substantially flat walls having
inner, planar facing surfaces. The cavity i8 in the
form of a substantially flat, elongated space open at
least at one end thereof for receiving the disk. The
planar facing surfaces of the cavity are ~paced apart a
distance somewhat greater than the thickness of the
disk 80 that when the disk is mounted in the cavity,
- , - - . . . . . . .
2001~8
~ : .
there is a clearance between the ~urfaces of the di~k
and the inner planar surface~ of the cavity.
The lateral edges of the cavity include means for
engaging the edges of the disk and positioning the disk
within the cavity with the face surfaces of the di~k
spaced apart from the inner planar surfaces of the
cavity. Such positioning means include in one
embodiment rails or slots along opposite lateral edge~
of the cavity for engaging and restraining opposite
outer edges of the disk which are outside of the active
recorded or recording zone of the disk. In such
embodiment, the third inner edge of the cavity contain~
resilient holding or gripping means which may be in the
form of a slot or tab element which resiliently engages
a third portion of the outer edge of the disk, again
outside the active recorded or recording region. When
the disk 18 engaged by the reeilient holding mean~, the
di~k is resiliently held against withdrawal from the
cavity and i~ positioned and held within the cavity
with the face ~urface~ thereof in spaced apart
relation~hip with respect to the planar inner surfaces
of the cavity.
The oppositely positioned rails or slots also
provide guidance for inserting the disk into the
cavity. The disk is guided into the cavity by the
rails or slots without the active face surfaces of the
disk touching the planar inner surfaces of the cavity
and is also guided into resilient restraining contact
with the resilient slot or tab elements on the third
inner edge of the cavity. The same guidance is
provided during withdrawal of the disk from the cavity
of the enclo3ure, 80 that the active face ~urfaces of
the disk are spaced from contact with the inner planar
2~ 58
surfaces of the cavity during both insertion and
removal of the disk.
A cover member i8 placed over the single open end
of the cavity to complete closure of the di~k within
the cavity. The cover member includes, in one
embodiement of the invention, tapered tabs which are
wedged into the open end of the cavity to secure the
cover in place. The cover member also includes finger
grip portlons extending over cut out portion~ of the
enclosuxe at the open end of the cavity and having
inner portions thereof which engage the outer edge of
the disk to permit grasping thereof and removal of the
disk from the cavity without the need for touching the
active face surfaces thereof. Such inner portions al~o
engage the edge of the disk when the cover member is in
lts normal ~ecured position and therefore serve as ,~
further means for securing the edge of the disk when it
is stored in the enclosure.
The invention and the preferred embodiments thereof
will be hereinafter more fully described with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
Z~)~1158
Brief DescriPtion of the Drawinqs
Figure 1 is a front face view of a disk enclosure
embodying the present invention;
Figure lA i~ a cross sectional view of the
embodiment of Figure 1 taken along line E-E;
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the lower
portion of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken along the
line A-A of Pigure 1;
Figure 2A is an enlarged view of the lower
encircled portion of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a top view of the edge region B of the
embodiment of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of the edge
region C of the embodiment of Figure 1; . .
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the upper
portion of the embodiment of Figure 1 with a cover
element of the invention in place;
Figure 6 is a croes sectional view of the cover
element of Figure 5 taken along the D-D of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of one of the
tabe of the cover element of the embodiment of Figure 5
taken along the line E-E of Figure S;
Figure 8 is a bottom view of the cover element of
the embodiment of Figure 5;
Figure 9 is a front face view of the enclosure of
Figure 1 with one embodiment of a cover element of the
invention in piace; and
Figure 10 is a side cros~ sectional view of the ;~
embodiment of Flgure 9.
Detailed Description
Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front
face view of a one-piece di~k enclo~ure 10 embodying ;
. .
"";','"",
': '' '' ~':
' ~'
'"'. ' '. '~'
ZO~l~S8
the present invention. The enclosure lO is adspted to
receive and store a disk such as a compact disk 1 shown
in broken lines in Figure 1. The enclosure 10 is
provided with an opening ~ in one end thereof through
which the disk is inserted and removed.
Enclosure 10 is preferably a one-piece, unitary
molded part formed of plastic or a similar material and
is formed of substantially planar parallel side walls
11 and 1~ spaced apart as shown in Figure lA to form a
cavity 13 therebetween together with end wall 14 and ;
edge walls 15 and 16. The side walls 11 and 12 have
substantially parallel, spaced apart inner, ~;
sub~tantially planar surfaces lla and 12a which form
the elongated, substantially flat shape of the cavity
13. The di~tance between the inner facing ~urface3 lla
and 12a i~ selected to be somewhat greater than the
thlcknes~ of the di~k to be stored 80 that when the
disk i~ stored within the cavity 13, the active
~urface~ of the di~k are spaced apart from the inner
facing surfaces lla and 12a.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a pair of opposing
tab or grip elements 17 and 18 are mounted on the end
wall 14 to form resilient means with a space 19
therebetween to receive an edge of the disk when it i~
fully in~erted into the cavity 13. The grip elements
17 and 18 are preferably integral with and of the same
material as the side and end walls, preferably plastic
or a similar material, and extend in cantilever fashion
from the end wall 14 to provide a resilient resistance
when spread apart to receive the outer edge of the
disk. The distance between the grip elements 17 and 18
forming the space 19 is selected such that a snug fit
is made to grip the outer edge of the disk against the
resilience of the cantilever mounting of the elements.
.. ~''',
"~, ,:. ,,';,
:'..-;
.. . . .
Z~ 5~3
Entrance of the disk into the space 19 i8 facilitated
by sloping portions 17a and 18a on grip elements 17 and
18 respectively along the entrance path of the disk to
the space 19 as shown in Figure 2. When the disk is
mounted in the cavity 13, the resilient force exerted
on the outer edge thereof by the resilient engagement
o cantilever mounted grip elements 17 and 18 re3ists
movement of the disk in a planar direction out of the
cavity while at the same time positioning the disk with
the active face surfaces thereof in spaced apart
relation with respect to the inner surfaces lla and 12a
of the side walls 11 and 12.
As ~hown in Figure 2A, additional pairs of grip
elements 17b, 18b and 17c, 18c are preferrably
positioned on either side of the grip elements 17 and
18 to grip the outer edge of the disk and ~ecure it
against movement in the planar direction. These grip
element pairs 17b, 18b and 17c, 18c are of the same
general cros~ sectional ~hape and operate in the same
manner as grlp elements 17 and 18 illustrated in
Figure 2.
The inner surfaces 17a and 18a of the grip
elements 17 and 18 are preferably smooth and non-
abrasive 80 a~ not to damage the edge of the disk and
may be polished in any suitable manner to enhancs such
desired properties. The same applies to the inner
surfaces of the additional pairs of grip elements 17b,
18b and 17c, 18c.
The edge walls 15 and 16 include elongated rails
or slots 20 and 23 for engaging the outer edges of the
disk when it is positioned in the cavity 13. One
embodiment of this structure is shown in the partial
view of Figure 3 wherein slot 20 is formed in edge wall
16. The slot 20 may be formed by a pair of extending
' .
' ' '.," '' '~
: . ''
. ,:
Z~ 158
rails 21 and 22 or by a slot extending into the edge
wall 16 or by a combination of both as shown in Figure
3. Slot 23 of the same ~tructure as slot 20 extends
along the inner surface of the opposite edge wall 15.
Preferably the slots 20 and 23 extend from the entrance
opening 2 to at least the midway point between the `~
entrance opening 2 and the end wall 14 80 that the : :
outer edges of the disk are engaged from the point of ` :;
entry of the edges to the enclosure to the point of
engagement with the grip elements 17 and 18 on the end
wall 14. Similarly, upon removal of the disk from the
enclosure, the edges of the disk are engaged to the
point of removal of the edges of the disk from the
enclosure. In the embodiment shown, the slots 20 and
23 also extend to the entrance region 2 in order to
provide a securing engagement for the cover for the
enclosure 10 as will later be explained. The entrance
region~ of the slots 20 and 23 may be tapered in the
vicinity of the opening 2 to facilitate entrance of the
disk into the slots.
The outer edges of the edge walls 15 and 16 are
preferably serrated as shown in Figure 1 and in the
enlarged view of Figure 4 to facilitate gripping the
enclosure 10 for insertion and removal of the di~k.
Side walls 11 and 12 are provided with aligned cut out
portions llb and 12b which form an access opening 25
for gripping the disk for removal from the enclo~ure
and for faciliting the full insertion thereof into the
enclosure.
The cavity 13 is basically formed by the planar
side walls 11 and 12 held in spaced apart relationship
by the edge walls 15 and 16. The enclosure of the : .;;
invention may be formed in this manner without the end : :.
wall 14 80 that, in such embodiment, the cavity 13 is
- ............................. , : ,
: .' . - : - , : :
ZOV~58
11 . .
:' ''
open at both ends. In such embodiment, the grip
elements 17 and 18 would be positioned in one or both
of the edge walls 15 and 16 to grip the edges of the
disk again~t planar movement from the enclo~ure. It i8
preferred, however, that the end wall 14 be included
for additional ~tructural rigidity and to maintain the
desired spacing and orientation of the structure and
the disk stored therein.
Referring now to Figure 5, there i8 shown a cross
sectional view of the upper portion of the enclosure 10
with a cover element 30 in place and covering the
opening 2. The cover element 30 is preferably made of
a single piece, preferably a molded pla~tic or ~imilar
material, and comprises a cover portion 31 having
dlmen~ion~ for closing the opening 2, and oppo~ing
finger grip portions 33 and 34. The cover element 30
al~o lncludes tabs 35 and 36 for securing the cover
element in place on the enclosure 10.
The finger grip portion of the cover 30 is shown
in cros~ section in Figure 6. Located within the
finger grip portions 33 and 34 are cantilevered
elements 37 and 38 which are spaced apart to engage and
grip the outer edge of the disk when the disk i8
in~erted in the enclosure 10. Both the flnger grip
portions 33 and 34 and the elements 37 and 38 are
cantilevered from the cover portion 31 and thu~ a
finger pre~sure in a direction to squeeze together the
grip portions 33 and 34 also causes deflection of the
elements 37 and 38 to increase gripping force on a disk
when the edge thereof is located between element~ 37 : ::
and 38. The cover element 30 also contains stop
members 39 and 40 to engage the outer surface of the
edge of the disk to limit the engagement of the cover ;~ ~
element with the edge of the disk. ~ ~ -
': ' ''
~, '
Z~Q1~
The cover element i~ held in place over the
opening 2 by means of engagement of the tabs 35 and 36
with the opening of the enclosure 10. In the
embodiment shown, the tabs 35 and 36 are tapered as
5 shown in Figure 7 and thus make a wedging engagement
with slots 20 and 23 in the edge walls 15 and 16 as the
cover element 30 is pushed into place while, at the
same time, engagement means formed by the cantilevered
elements 37 and 38 resiliently engage the outer edge of
10 the stored disk. A bottom plan view of the cover
element 30 is shown in Figure 8 illustrating the
placement of the finger grips 33 and 34, tabs 35 and
36, cantilevered elements 37 and 38 and ~tops 39 and
40.
Insertion and removal of the disk using the cover
element 30 will now be described. Assume that a disk 1
is stored in the enclosure 10 with cover element 30
eecured in place. The edges of the disk engage the
~lots 20 and 23 in the side wall~ and the elements 17
20 and 18 in the end wall 14. The disk is held in place
in the enclo~ure 10 by the re~ilient engagement of the
elements 17 and 18 as described above and is further
secured by the cover element 30 by engagement of the
cantilevered elements 37 and 38 and the stops 39 and 40
25 with the upper edge of the disk, with the cover element
being secured in place by engagement of the tabs 35 and ; ~;
36 with the slot~ 20 and 23. . :~ -
The disk is removed by grasping the finger grip ~ ~ ;
portions 33 and 34 on the outer surfaces thereof and
30 exerting a slight squeezing pressure thereon while
pulling the disk out of the enclosure 10 while holding
the enclosure on the serrated edges. The disk is thus
removed without the need for contacting any portion of
the active surface thereof and while the disk is held
.: .
. ",,
` 20~158
13 :
and guided in spaced apart relation to the inner
surfaces of the cavity 13 by the slot~ 20 and 23. The
dlsk may be inserted by grasping the finger grip
portions of the cover elenent and engaging the edge
portion of the disk with the cantilevered element~ 37
and 38 and, with the disk 80 held, inserting the disk
into the enclosure 10 by guiding the edges of the disk
into engagement with the slots 20 and 23 and then
moving the di~k in ~uch gu~ded engagement into the
enclosure until the disk i~ firmly engaged with the
elements 17 and 18 at the bottom of the cavity 13. ~he
cover is then pushed firmly into place to secure the
enclosure.
It will be observed that the e~sential functions
of mounting the disk are performed in the preferred
embodiment of Figure 1 in the single, one-piece,
unltary enclosure 10 acting a~ a main functional
element. In this embodiment, the disk iB positioned
and held wlthln the planar space of the cavity 13 wlth
2Q the actlve surfaces held in spaced apart relation to
the lnner surfaces of the cavity and with at least one
edge gripped to prevent the disk from sliding out of
the enclo~ure. While the cover arrangement to be shown
and described repre~ent~ a preferred embodiment, the
cover can take various forms a~ long as it performs the
basic function of closing the opening 2 in the
enclosure 10. It should therefore be understood that : ~:
varlous cover elements may be used and also that, for ; ::
example, varlous othér techniques may be employed for
securing the cover ele~ent in place.
Another embodiment of the enclo~ure of F~gure 1
and a cover element is shown in Figures 9 and 10. In
this embodiment, a cover element 50 formed of a
flexible, foldable material is wrapped around a disk 1.
. .
Z~)~1158
14
The cover element 50 has slots 51 and 52 formed in the
opposite edges thereof and an additional slot 53 formed
in one end thereof. The ~lot~ 51, 52 and 53 are
positioned such that edge portions la, lb and lc of the
disk 1 extend from the cover element 50. These
extending edge portion~ la, lb and lc are thu~ free to
engage the po~itioning and grip elements on the inner
edge~ and end of the enclosure 10 as described in
connection with the embodiment of Figure 1. The cover
element 50 i~ thus folded around the disk 1 and
inserted into the enclosure 10 with the disk edge
portion~ la, lb and lc engaging the positioning and
gripping means within the cavity 13 in the enclosure
10. The disk may then be removed from the enclosure by
gra~ping the finger portions of the cover 50 and, with
the cover 50 engaged with the disk 1, pulling the disk
out of the enclo~ure with the cover remaining engaged
with and protecting the disk during the proces~. The
cover can be allowed to remain wrapped around the disk
to facilitate handling befor being removed for playing
of the di~k. The front portion of the cover 50 may
include openings 54 which expose portions of the stored
di~k 1 and which allow printed material and graphics on
the disk 1 to be viewed from the exterior of the cover
50 without opening the cover. ;
In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, the
cover 50 is made of a single piece which is wrapped
around the disk 1 as best illustrated in Figure 10 and
includes overlapping flap portions 55 and 56 for
completing the exten~ion of the cover around the disk.
The flap portion~ 55 and 56 may include interlocking ~
inserts portions or tabs for securing the cover 50 in ~-
place on the disk 1. The cover 50 is provided with one
edge 57 which is available for printed matter such as
Z~)~1158
the title of the disk which can be viewed from that
edge when the disk is stored on edge or stacked with
other disks.
The cover 50 also provides a means for gripping
the disk with the fingers to insert and remove the disk
and to handle it without the need for touching the
surfaces of the disk. It also provides surface space
for custom graphics.
The one-piece enclosure of the present invention
is inexpensive to manufacture and is rugged and easy to
use. It can be manufactured as a single element, for
example in essentially one step in the form of a
~ingle, one-piece unitary plastic molding, and is
readily adaptable to attractive packaging appearance
design. The enclosure of the present invention is
lighter in welght and smaller in volume than ~:
conventional packages now typically used. It is
~uperior in performance to devices available in the
prior art in protecting the surfaces of disks both in
~torage and in use and, in combination with the cover
element of the pre~ent invention, permits the handling ;~
of such disks with a minimum of exposure to possible
~cratching and occurrence of other surface and optical
defect~
The enclosure of the present invention i8
particularly useful as a package for enclosing optical
disks on which information has been recorded optically
such as by means of a laser beam or which are adapted
for having information optically recorded thereon.
Such disks in one form thereof are commonly referred to
as "compact disks". The term 'loptical disks~ is
intended to include all such types of disks. The
enclosure of the present invention may also be used a~
a package for other types of disks of similar ~tructure
~, , . ' ": '
. ,;,, .:,, i
:~ ,'. ""'.'':,.
,. , .::
ZOO~lS8
16
such a~ hard disks for recording information
magnetically and the phrase ~'optical disk or the likell
refers to all such disks whether optical recording and
retrieving means are used or other methods of recording
and retrieving are employed. It should be understood
that the detailed aspects of the embodiments presented
herein are set forth for purposes of full disclosure
and are not intended as limiting in any way. Various
changes, modification~ and substitutions will thus
occur to those skilled in the art and will fall within
the true scope and spirit of this invention as set
forth in the appended claims.
