Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02445490 2003-10-17
Title of the Invention
Standardized Disc Container with Added Security Feature
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to containers or cases used for the
secure storage
of disc media and more particularly to such cases that incorporate anti-theft
devices to
prevent the unwanted removal or theft of the media contained within the case.
Specifically, the container embodying the present invention includes a non
intrusive
and remotely operated locking mechanism that prevents the unauthorized opening
of
the case and which may also secure the media in the case and prevents the
motion of
the media in the case.
Background of the Invention
Pre-recorded media are sold in the form of discs which may typically contain
for
example music, videos or games and are commonly sold as Compact Discs (CDs) or
Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs). Due to the desirability of these products and
the ever
increasing content that can be placed on CDs or DVDs and the relatively small
size of
the discs themselves, they have become a target for theft in stores that
either rent or sell
these discs.
The discs are usually rented in various cases. These cases usually have a
centralized
hub or carrier onto which the disc may be rerr~~ovably secured. In order to
combat theft,
numerous techniques are currently being used. For example, some stores require
the
customer to bring the empty case to the clerk ~~ho controls the distribution
of rental
products. Empty cases are thus placed on shelves. When a particular disc such
as a
movie is wanted, the customer brings the empty case up to the cashier who upon
payment of the appropriate amount retrieves the disc from a storage drawer and
places
it in the case and turns the now disc containing case over to the customer.
Since the
customer does not have direct access to the disc until after he or she has
paid the
required amount, this method may prevent theft. However the method also
requires
CA 02445490 2003-10-17
2
that the rental agency have a storage location that is sufficiently large to
inventory all
the CDs and DVDs that are being offered. In addition, this method is of no use
for
stores that wish to sell as opposed to rent new CDs or DVDs since it would be
difficult
to remove all the new CDs and DVDs from their cases prior to their sale.
Customers
also do not wish to have the shrink-wrap packaging removed from their new CDs
and
DVDs. This might lead to improper piracy of the products.
Another method commonly employed for controlling theft for rentals is the use
of a
locking case in which the disc media is placed within the case and then placed
on the
display shelf. The lock prevents the opening of the case. The lock can be
removed
using a variety of specialized tools. Normally the containers may also contain
electronic
tracking devices that set off an alarm at the exit of the rental store if the
tracking device
is neither removed from the case nor deactivated. This type of method can be
circumvented by an indirect means by removing the disc from the case prior to
exiting
the rental store. As discs are fairly thin and cases are typically made of
slightly flexible
plastic, thieves have found that even though the case can not be opened, it is
still
possible to remove the disc by cutting the hinged edge of the container and
dislodging
the disc from the central hub prior to deforming the case in such a manor that
the disc
can be removed. The case can then be placed back on the shelf and the disc
placed in
the thief's pocket. The case may be a very specialized locking case designed
to be used
only for rentals, which includes a supplementary locking element used in
conjunction
with the case.
Another locking device used primarily for sales of media is the use of an
additional
locking container that surrounds the normal media containing case. In this
scenario,
media for sale is protected from theft by the use of a locking jacket that is
ultimately
removed. In such a manner for media sales, the shrink wrap of the new disc is
left
undisturbed. The use of this technique can be expensive and requires extra
storage
space as the store requires a place to keep an inventory of the locking
CA 02445490 2003-10-17
containers/jackets. The particular locking devices used to control pilfering
of media to
be sold are external and usually magnetically actuated and removed.
There exist therefore two separate case formats of containers used to control
the rental
and sales of discs. ~ne is used for rental products and is designed to remove
the disc
and have it separated from the original marketing container. The distribution
and
security is thus effected by the sales clerk. The other container is
specifically designed
to control the sales of disc media. This container carries the original case
from the
distributor of the product and includes a locking device which is removed by
the sales
clerk. Therefore a need exists in the market place to standardize the
container and
method of rental and of sales of disc media and to utilize the original disc
jacket
container to do so. There is also a need in the art fc>r an effective anti-
theft device that
can be used for both rental and sale of disc media that obviates the need for
supplementary containers to control the unwanted pilfering of the disc media.
Summary of the Invention
It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a standardized
container for
disc media which may be used to sec-ure both rental and sales products. It is
a further
object of the invention to provide a disc media container which includes a
simple
remotely operable locking device used to secure the disc in place even if the
hinge is slit.
It is a further object of the invention to obviate the need for costly
supplementary
containers to prevent the pilferage of the container s contents. Further and
other objects
of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when
considering the
present summary of the invention and the more detailed description of the
preferred
embodiments fully illustrated herein.
In another aspect of the present invention, it is provided of a disc media
container
comprising a remotely actuated locking device movable between a first locked
and a
second released position wherein at the first position, the media is secured
and at the
second position, the media may be removed from the container. The container is
CA 02445490 2003-10-17
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inexpensive enough to be used for all types of media. The lock can be remotely
actuated without disturbing the shrink-wrap for new media sales but also
provides
sufficient protection to be used for rentals.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism
prevents
the opening of the media case.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism
removably
secures the media to a hub or carrier portion of the case to prevent the theft
of the
media.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism can
be
actuated between a locked and an unlocked position by electrical or magnetic
means
without distorting the outward appearance of the case or requiring that the
case be
opened. This feature is effective for unlocking shrink-wrapper products for
sale by the
vendor.
The storage case includes a first portion and a second portion movable in
relation to one
another preferably pivotable with respect to one another. The two portions are
adapted
to abut or engage each other at a closed position in such a way to define a
hollow cavity
or space in which a storage disc media may be placed. Either or both of the
two
portions may further comprise a media holding device. The first portion may
further
comprise a first detent such as a male membex designed to interengage with a
second
detent such as a female member provided with the second portion which when
interengaged provide a locking mechanism such as a latching mechanism. The
locking
mechanism comprises a movable device for locking the first decent with the
second
detent. The locking mechanism may be electrically or magnetically actuated and
is
located adjacent t~ the media holding device to: (1) lockably secure the disc
to said
holding device; and (2) additionally prevent the case from being opened while
locked.
The locking mechanism may be actuated between a locked and an unlocked
position by
a magnetic or electrical device without distorting the outward appearance of
the case or
CA 02445490 2003-10-17
requiring that the case be opened. In this way, the case may be used for both
rentals
and sales as it is not necessary for the removal of the shrink wrap from a new
disc case
in order to unlock the locking mechanism and finalize the sale with the disc
being
accessible to the purchaser.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a supplementary media case jacket used to
contain
media to be sold, of the prior art.
Figure 2 is a schematic view of the remote tool used with the media case
jacket of Fig.1
used to remove the media disc case from the jacket of the prior art.
Figure 3A and 3B are close up end views of the prior art of Fig.1 and 2
illustrating the
operation of the locking device.
Figure 4 illustrates a prior art anti-theft jacket used for media cases used
in sales.
Figure 5A is a schematic view of a prior art media ease which is limited to
use for rental
disc media and has no use in direct sales.
Figure 5B is a close up cross sectional view of the locking mechanism of Fig.
5A
illustrating its operation.
Figure 6 is a schematic view of the media case of the present invention for
holding disc
shaped media illustrating a preferred embodiment.
Figure 7A is a close up schematic view of the locking mechanism used in Fig. 6
shown
in an unlocked state and illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7B is a close up schematic view of the locking mechanism used in Fig. 6
shown in
a locked state and illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.
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Figure 7C is a cross sectional view of the locking mechanism of Fig 7B shown
in a
locked position.
Figure 8A is a schematic close up view of an alternative embodiment of the
present
invention illustrating the holding and securing of disc shaped media.
Figure 8B is a sectional view of fig. 8A in a locked position.
Figure 8C is a cross sectional view of .fig 8A in an unlocked position and the
associated
use of a remote tool.
Figure 9 is a schematic view of a further alternative embodiment of the
present
invention illustrating a locking mechanism and carrier of the media disc.
Figure 10A and 10B are schematic and cross sectional views respectively of
another
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a locking device and the
manner in
which it retains disc shaped media.
Figure 11A is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the case and
locking
mechanism of the present invention.
Figure 11B is a partial cross sectional view of the locking mechanism of
Figure 11A
illustrating its operation.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present
invention for
holding and securing of disc shaped media and locking it in place.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present
invention for
holding and securing disc shaped media and locking it in place.
Figure 14A is a cross sectional view of the case of Fig.13 illustrating the
media disc
being locked and secured in place.
CA 02445490 2003-10-17
Fig.14B and 14C are overhead views of the case of Fig.13 illustrated in an
unlocked and
locked position respectively.
Detailed Description ~f the Drawings
In Figure 1, an anti-theft construction according to the prior art. The media
case 1 is
insertable into the open end of a media case containing jacket 2. The jacket
contains
towards its open end small notches or grooves 3 designed to engage with
detents 4
located on the bottom cover 5. The bottom cover 5 consists of a housing 6 and
a slidable
member 7. The fixed locked housing 6 contains the slidable member 7, with the
slidable
member 7 being movable to and from an engaged and disengaged position wherein
in
the engaged position, the detent 4 on the bottom cover 5 engage the notches or
grooves
3 on the jacket 2 so that the bottom cover 5 cannot be removed. The housing 6
and
slidable member 7 together contain a magnetically releasable internal locking
detent
(not shown) that prevents the easy disengagement of the detent 4 on the bottom
cover
from the small notch or groove 3.
In Figure 2, a release tool 8 is provided that is used to remove the bottom
cov er 5 from
the jacket 2 of Figure 1. The tool 8 contains U-channel guide path 9 that is
slightly
larger than the width of the bottom cover 5. By sliding the jacket 2 with
associated and
engaged bottom cover 5 through this U-Channel path 9, permanent magnets 10
located
within the tool 8 interact with the magnetically releasable locking decent
(not shown)
within the bottom cover 5 to release and allow the slidable member l to slide
away from
the housing b, so that the decants ~ no longer engage the notches 3.
In Figs. 3A and 3B, the prior art tool 8 and ho~F it functions is illustrated.
The
permanent magnets 10 allow the disengaging of the slidable member 7 from the
housing 6. Once the detent 4 has cleared the notch 3, by a simple tipping
motion of the
jacket 2 as seen in Fig. 3B, the bottom cover 5 can be removed from the jacket
2. Once
this bottom cover 5 is removed, the media case is accessible and can be freely
removed
or inserted into the now open end. The bottom cover 5 can be reinserted and
attached
CA 02445490 2003-10-17
8
to the jacket 2 via the use of the tool 8 to unlock and move the slidable
member 7 to a
disengaged position with respect to the housing 6 and then positioning the
bottom
cover 5 onto the jacket 2 and then moving the slidable member 7 into an
engaged
position with respect to the housing 6.
In Fig. 4 a prior art anti-theft jacket 11 used for media cases utilized in
sales is
illustrated. The jacket 11 consists of two covers (12,13) that together define
an empty
cavity into which the disc media case is inserted. The case contains a locking
device
(not shown) located within the lower portion of the cavity.
Reference now to Fig. 5A and 513 wherein a locking mechanism 14 for an anti-
theft case
15 of the prior art for locking disc media 16 used in rental stores. The case
15 contains
integrally formed to the case, disc holding rims in the shape of elevated
ridges 17. The
locking mechanism 14 consists of an internal magnetically actuated lock 18
contained
within a lock housing 19 that is designed to engage and disengage a ;pin 20
that is
connected with an external button 21. The locking mechanism 14 is also adapted
to
serve as a hub 25 and contains protrusions 22 to removably secure the disc 16.
The case
may also contain an area 23 in ~lhich a theft detection device designed to set
off an
alarm can be permanently secured to the case 15. To insert a disc 16 into a
secured
position, a magnetically actuated remote release tool is used (not shown), the
external
button 21 and associated pin 20 are removed and disengaged from the locking
mechanism 14 and case 15. The interior of the case 15 is then accessible and
the disc 16
can then be inserted into the disc holding rims 17 and removably secured to
the hub 25
of the locking mechanism 14. The case 15 is then closed and the pin 20 on the
external
button 21 is inserted into an aperture 24 in the case cover which then allows
the pin 20
to be inserted into the locking mechanism 14. Once the pin 20 enters the
locking
mechanism 14 and lock housing 19, it is held in place by the magnetically
actuated lock
18 and can not be removed easily without the use of a remote tool (not shown).
With
the external button 21 in place, the case 15 is prevented from being opened.
To remove
the media disc 16, the external tool (not shown) is directed to a position in
association
CA 02445490 2003-10-17
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with the button 21 wherein permanent magnets of the tool interact with the
magnetically actuated lock 18 located in the lock housing 19 of the case 15
and allow the
release of the pin 20 from the locking mechanism 14. The button 21 is then
removed,
the interior of the case becoming accessible and the disc 16 being freely
removable from
the hub 25 and case 15.
Reference now to Figure 6, there is illustrated a case 26 having two portions
movably
hinged with respect to one another including a first portion 27 and a second
portion 28,
flexibly coupled to one another via a flexible hinge 29. The two portions
contain
sidewalk 37. One of the portions 27 contains a female hub 30 that also
contains a
locking portion 31. The female hub 30 being so designed to hold a media disc
16. The
other portion 28 contains a male hub 32 containing a male member in the form
of a
rotatable pin 33. The rotatable pin 33 is designed to interengage with the
locking
portion 31 of the female hub 30 located on the first portion 27 to
collectively form a
locking mechanism. The locking portion 31 on the female hub 30, includes a
generally
L-shaped slot 34 through which the freely rotatable pin 33 included within the
male hub
32 engages. When the case 26 is closed, the freely rotatable pin 33 enters the
first shaft
35 of the generally L-shaped slot 34 and is disposed parallel thereto. When
fully closed,
the pin 33 is rotated when brought adjacent to a remote magnetic tool (not
shown)
which causes the pin 33 to move into the second shaft 36 of the generally L-
shaped slot
34 and into a locking position. When in this position, the case is prevented
from being
opened and the disc is additionally secured to the hub. In this manner, the
disc case
may be used for both the rental and retail sales markets. Fox retail sales,
the anti-theft
case can be locked and unlocked without disturbing the shrink wrap, yet this
same case
with associated locking mechanism can be effectively used for rental sales.
In Fig. 7A, 7B and 7C, the locking mechanism of the case 26 of Figure 6 is
illustrated and
is depicted ia1 both a disengaged (7A) and engaged (7B) position. The male hub
32
containing a rotatable pin 33, the pin 33 being rotatable and operable when
brought
adjacent to an external magnet provided with a remote tool (not illustrated)
to rotate the
CA 02445490 2003-10-17
pin 33 from the a position when the female hub 30 and male hub 32 would be
brought
together shown in Figure 7A to a position shown in. Figure ~B. The pin 33 upon
closing
of the case enters the first leg 3~ of the generally L-shaped slot 34 located
on the female
hub 30. The pin 33 is then rotated when brought adjacent to a remote magnetic
tool
(not shown) to enter the second leg 36 of the generally L-shaped slot 34 as
seen in
Figure 7B which results in the locking mechanism being put into a locked
position that
prevents the opening of the case.
Reference to Figures 8A, 8B and 8C is illustrated another embodiment of the
present
invention is depicted including a first portion 38 and a second portion 39.
The first
portion 38 contains disc holding female hub 40 in which a disc 16 is centered.
The
female hub 40 contains an aperture 41. The second portion 39 contains a male
housing
42 designed to interengage with the female hub 40. The male housing 42 is also
adapted to contain a slidable pin 43. The aperture 41 on the female hub 40 is
designed
to interengage with the slidable pin 43 in the male housing 42. The slidable
pin 43 is
moveable and operable when brought adjacent to an external magnetic tool 44
and is
moveable between a first position as depicted in Fig. 8C in which the pin 43
is retracted
and not visible to a second position as depicted in Fig. 8B in which the pin
43 is exposed
and interengaged with the aperture 42 contained on the female hub 40 when the
case is
closed. When the disc 16 is placed onto the female hub 40 and the case is
closed and the
pin 43 is moved into the exposed position by the external magnetic tool 44,
the pin 43
interengage the aperture 41 and the case is prevented from being opened and
additionally the interengaged female hub 40, the housing 42 and the engaged
pin 43
serve to prevent the disc 16 from being lifted out of or dislodged from the
female hub
40. Again in this manner, the disc case may be used for both the rental and
retail sales
markets. For retail sales, the anti-theft case can be locked and unlocked
without
disturbing the shrink wrap, yet this same case with associated locking
mechanism can
be effectively used for rental sales.
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lI
Reference to Fig. 9, another embodiment of the present invention including a
case 45
capable of holding two discs including a first portion 46 and a second portion
47 that
are flexibly connected with a flexible hinge 50. The first and second portions
also
contain sidewalk 54. The flexible hinge 50 also contains mounted thereto disc
holders
49 used to secure a first disc 16 and a second disc. The first portion
contains a female
hub 48 that contains an aperture 51, the female hub 48 so designed to engage
the
circular aperture 55 of the disc. The second portion 47 contains a male
housing 52 so
designed to interengage the female hub 48 when the case 45 is closed. The male
housing 52 houses a slidable pin 53 appropriately mounted so that when the
ease 45 is
closed, the pin 53 can interengage with the aperture 51 contained on the
female hub 48.
When the case is closed, the pin 53 when placed adjacent to a magnetic remote
tool (not
shown) is movable between a first retracted position and a second exposed
position.
The pin 53 in the second position is designed to interengage with the aperture
51
located on the female hub 48 contained on the first portion 46. When the case
45 is in a
closed position, the female hub 48 in the first portion 46 passes through the
disc
apertures) 55 and into an aligned portion within the male housing 52 contained
on fihe
second portion 47 that houses a retracted and slidable pin 53. The pin 53 is
actuated to
a second position by the use of a magnetic remote tool (not shown) in which it
interengages the aperture 51 of the female hub 48. When this occurs, the case
45 is
prevented from being opened and the discs) 16 is then additionally secured to
the
female hub 48. For retail sales, the anti-theft case can be locked and
unlocked without
disturbing the shrink wrap, yet this same case with associated locking
mechanism can
be effectively used for rental sales.
Fig. 10A and 10B illustrate another embodiment of the locking mechanism of the
present invention including a disc 16 holding female hub 58 located on a
second portion
57. The female hub 58 contains a circumferential groove 59 thereon. The first
portion
56 contains a male housing 60 so designed to farm a cavity 61 that is designed
to interfit
with the female hub 58. At least one of the walls of the cavity 58 contains a
slot 62
CA 02445490 2003-10-17
12
through which a lever 63 also located in the housing 60 can be rotated into
and through.
The lever 63 is so designed and positioned so that when the case is closed and
the
female hub 58 engages the cavity 61 of the male housing 60, the lever 63 can
interengage
the circumferential groove 59 contained on the female hub 58. When the case is
closed,
the lever 63 when placed adjacent to a magnetic remote tool (not shown) can be
rotated
between a first unlocked position as depicted in Figure 10A to a second locked
position
wherein the lever 63 passes through the slot 62 and then engages the
circumferential
groove 59 contained on the female hub 58. In this locked position, the case is
prevented
from being opened and the disc 16 is additionally secured to the female hub
58. For
retail sales, this locking mechanism can be locked and unlocked without
disturbing the
shrink wrap of the associated case, yet this same locking mechanism can be
effectively
used for rental sales.
Fig.11A and 11B, another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated
including
a case 64 consisting of a first portion 65 and a second portion fib. The first
and second
portions also contain sidewalk 67. Both the portions contain integrally formed
disc
holders in the form of rims 68, 69. The second portion 66 and its associated
rim 69
contain female apertures 70. The first portion 65 and its associated rim 68
contain male
housings 71. Each male housing 71 contains a slidable pin 72 that is movable
when
placed adjacent to a magnetic remote tool (not shown). The slidable pins 72 in
the male
housings 71 of the first portion 65 so designed to interengage with the
apertutres 70
contained within the rim 69 of the second portion 66. When the case 64 is
closed, the
pins 72 can be slidably moved by a remote magnetic tool (not shown) between a
first
position as depicted in Fig.11A in which the interior of the case 64 can be
opened and a
disc can be inserted/removed and a second position as depicted in Fig.11B in
which
the pins 72 of the first portion engages the apertures 70 of the second.
portion. In this
second position, the case 64 is prevented from being opened and additionally
the pins
72 themselves act to secure the disc 16 to the inside of the disc holders in
the form of
rims (68, 69).
CA 02445490 2003-10-17
13
Fig.12 illustrates another embodiment of the invention including a case 73
having of a
first portion 74 and a second portion 75. The first and second portions are
flexibly
connected by the use of a flexible hinge 76. The first portion 74 contains a
disc retainer
in the form of a rim 77. The second portion ~5 also contains a disc rei:ainer
in the form
of a rim 78. Both rims (77, 78) contain slots (79, 80) located thereon. T'he
slots (79, 80) are
so situated so that when the case is in a closed position, the slots 79 on the
first portion
74 are in an aligned position with slots 80 of the second portion 75 to allow
for the
passage of levers 81 through both sets of slots (79, 80). These levers 81 are
situated near
the slots 79 of the first portion ~4 and are movable between a first
disengaged and
unlocked position to a second engaged and locked position by the use of a
magnetic
remote tool (not shown). In the unlocked position, as illustrated in Fig 12,
the levers 81
have been rotated away from the slots 79 of the first portion 74 and the case
~3 can be
freely opened and closed. When the case 73 is closed, to place the case 73
into a locked
position, a magnetic remote tool (not shown) is used to rotate the levers 81
into the slots
'79 of the first portion 74 and to engage and lock with the slots 80 of the
second portion
75. A disc (not shown) can be placed in either of the disc retainers (7~, 78)
and the case
73 closed. When the levers 81 are moved by the use of a magnetic remote tool
so they
engage the slots 80 of the secand portion 75, the case 73 is prevented from
being
opened. Additionally, the levers 81 also prevent the disc from being
disengaged from
the disc holding rims (77, 78) regardless of which of the rims is used to
contain the
media disc.
Fig.13 depicts another embodiment of the invention that is a case 82 including
a first
portion 83 and a second portion 84 slidably movable with respect to one
another from a
first position wherein the interior of the case 82 is accessible to a closed
position where
the interior of the case is not accessible. The edges of the second portion 84
contain
tongue portions 85 designed to slidably interfit with groove portions 86
located on the
first portion 83. The first portion 83 contains a disc holding male hub 87
that is capable
of holding a disc. The hub 87 contains two apertures 88 that are
interconnected by a
CA 02445490 2003-10-17
14
cylindrical passageway 89. The cylindrical passageway 89 houses two pins 90
(shown
outside of the passage) that are slidably movable by the use of a magnetic
remote tool
(not shown) through the passageway 89 and through the apertures 88 of the hub
87.
The pins 90 are movable between a first position wherein the pins 90 are
retracted and
contained within the cylindrical passageway 89 and a second position wherein
the pins
90 are partially exposed through the apertures 88 of the hub 8~. The second
portion 84
contains a U-shaped rim 91 that interfits with the h,ub 87 of the first
portion 83. The U-
shaped rim 91 also contains apertures 92 that are so located that when the
first portion
83 and second portion 84 interfit to cause the case to be closed that the
apertures 92 of
the U-shaped rim 91 of the second portion 84 and the apertures 88 located on
the hub 87
of the first portion $3 are aligned. When the case 82 is closed, a magnetic
remote tool
(not shown) is used to actuate the pins 90 from an unlocked position wherein
the pins
90 are situated within the cylindrical passageway 89 to a locked position
wherein the
pins 90 are partially exposed and pass through the apertures 88 of the hub 87
of the first
portion 83 to engage the apertures 92 of the U-shaped rim 91 on the second
portion. In
this manner, the case becomes locked and additionally the case is secured to
the hub.
Figures 14A,14B and 14C illustrate the case of Fig. 13 in an unlocked position
(14C)
wherein the pins 90 are located in the cylindrical passageway 89 and a locked
position
(14B) wherein the pins 90 have been moved within the cylindrical passageway 89
through the apertures 88 of the hub 87 to engage the apertures 92 of the U-
shaped rim
91. Figure 14A illustrates the securing of a disc 16 in the case and the
interfitting of the
hub 87 and U-shaped rim 91 and the alignment of the apertures 88 of the hub 87
and the
apertures 92 of the U-shaped rim 91.
Changes may be made to the aforementioned embodiment without departing from
the
scope of the invention. All material contained herein is to be considered
illustrative of
the invention but not in a limiting sense. These examples provided above are
merely
illustrative of the invention and should not be construed as being the only
containers
CA 02445490 2003-10-17
that are within the meaning of the invention. ether containers may be
manufactured
that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.
