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WO1997002569A1 - Unite de conditionnement et de stockage de supports d'informations numeriques - Google Patents

Unite de conditionnement et de stockage de supports d'informations numeriques Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1997002569A1
WO1997002569A1 PCT/US1996/011000 US9611000W WO9702569A1 WO 1997002569 A1 WO1997002569 A1 WO 1997002569A1 US 9611000 W US9611000 W US 9611000W WO 9702569 A1 WO9702569 A1 WO 9702569A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tray
frame
recess
unit
ism
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1996/011000
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Michael Lax
Original Assignee
Autronic Plastics, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/616,924 external-priority patent/US5730283A/en
Application filed by Autronic Plastics, Inc. filed Critical Autronic Plastics, Inc.
Publication of WO1997002569A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997002569A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B73/00—Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices
    • E05B73/0017—Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops
    • E05B73/0023—Containers, boxes, cases or the like, e.g. for compact discs or video-cassettes, specially adapted therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
    • G11B33/04—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers
    • G11B33/0405—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs
    • G11B33/0411—Single disc boxes
    • G11B33/0422—Single disc boxes for discs without cartridge

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to package and storage units for disks, and in particular, to units for packaging and storing digital video disks (DVDs) and to security mechanisms which can be attached to the units to prevent larceny.
  • DVDs digital video disks
  • CDs compact disks
  • CD-ROMs in the computer industry
  • CDs in the video game industry examples include compact disks (CDs) in the audio industry, CD-ROMs in the computer industry and CDs in the video game industry.
  • CD container commonly known as a "jewel box, " consists of two generally rectangular mating trays joined along a rear edge by a pair of hinges to form a clam shell-like receptacle.
  • Jewel box containers are typically opened by holding the lower tray in one hand and prying the upper tray open with the other.
  • the CD is retained in a molded insert placed in the lower tray.
  • Printed promotion and identifying material are usually fitted inside the container together with the CD.
  • a CD contained in a jewel box was commonly sold at retail in a package format called a "long box."
  • the long box was approximately twice as long as the width of the jewel box which prevented easy shoplifting.
  • the long box format also provided more area to display information and/or advertising material about the recordings on the CD to attract and inform the customer, and permitted utilization of existing merchandising racks, allowing the consumer to browse rows of the long boxes. Thus, the long box encouraged impulse buying.
  • CDs are today primarily packaged in the traditional jewel box minus the long box, or a similar box such as a "Digipac” or an “Ivy Hill F.L.P. "
  • jewel box containers are widely used, they suffer from several shortcomings. They are relatively expensive to manufacture since they are constructed from three separate pieces (i.e., an upper and lower tray and a molded insert) using conventional injection-molding technology. As a result of the hinged construction, the jewel box containers are prone to bending or fracturing over time since they are frequently opened and closed.
  • the jewel box containers have a small display area which limits the amount of exposed graphic design and the plastic layer of the cover is not completely transparent, preventing a clear display of the underlying graphics . This discourages impulse buying.
  • the jewel box containers are easy to steal because of their small size. Thus, oversized locks are necessary to deter theft.
  • each manufacturer e.g. , Sega for its Play Station and 3DO, uses a specific package design. These packages, however, are expensive and larger than necessary to create impulse sales .
  • DVDs digital video disks
  • the prior art CD containers are considered unsuitable for packaging and storing DVDs because of the problems associated therewith.
  • storage media e.g., CDs and DVDs, which avoids the problems of the prior art CD containers .
  • a feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide a package and storage unit that is easy to open and close, and that is easy to access and store disks .
  • Another feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide a package and storage unit that allows disks to be removed easily. Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide sufficient graphic areas to generate impulse sales of disks and to reinforce advertising and theater promotions.
  • a further feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide an added value to the end user, such as enhancing a home audio and/or video library collection.
  • a further feature and advantage of the present invention is to prevent theft of the disks.
  • Another feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide both a user friendly and an environmental friendly package and storage unit for both existing disks and disks embracing emerging technologies.
  • Another feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide a package and storage unit that is made of cost effective materials and is cost effective to manufacture.
  • a further feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide a package and storage unit that uses a simple and unobtrusive locking system to prevent theft of the disks.
  • Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide a package and storage unit having a molded endoskeleton/exoskeleton frame which can be reused for resale when returned by a user.
  • a package and storage unit with a tray which slides within an endoskeleton/exoskeleton frame.
  • the endoskeleton/ exoskeleton frame includes recesses, slots and protrusions to hold a wrapped paperboard on the outside of the frame.
  • Each interior side of the endoskeleton/exoskeleton frame includes parallel rails to guide the tray.
  • a strip or a portion of plastic on each face of the frame forming the endoskeleton/exoskeleton frame includes a slot with springs at each end of the slot. The slot guides a raised contour of the tray, and each spring has an inverse contour of the raised contour to latch the tray in an open or a closed position.
  • the tray includes a spring and protrusions to hold the disk in a recess of the tray, facilitating the removal of the disk by a user.
  • the spring is integral with the tray, and a latch (or lip) of the spring has a step contour.
  • the protrusions have a beveled angled surface to allow quick and easy removal of the disk by the user. The disk is retained in the recess by the bias force of the spring and held beneath the protrusions.
  • the frame further includes a pair of parallel pusher members
  • the tray includes a pair of guides which replaces the spring of the above embodiment .
  • the tray also includes a recess with a lower leveled surface surrounded by an angled or bevelled wall with a shelf formed between an edge of the recess and the angled wall .
  • the locking mechanism includes a housing with a fixed member for engaging one of the recesses or notches on a side of the paperboard wrapped frame, two parallel flanges extending from the housing to overlie the faced of the frame, preventing the tray from being withdrawn from the frame, and a movable member for engaging a recess or notch on the side of the frame.
  • the movable member extends beyond an end of the housing and flanges when the locking mechanism is open and aligns with the end of the housing and flanges when the locking mechanism is closed.
  • An upper surface of the base housing has a recess for receiving a security strip.
  • Each of the two steel pins are retained in a sleeve attached to an inner surface of the base housing, and each steel pin is biased against a surface of the movable member.
  • a decoupler is provided for opening the locking mechanism.
  • the decoupler is a U-shaped housing having a flat upper surface, two inner surfaces extending from the flat upper surface, an outer surface corresponding to each inner surface, a vertical cross rib attached to the flat upper surface, and a magnet positioned in the housing between each inner surface and the corresponding outer surface. The magnets attract the steel pins when the closed locking mechanism is positioned in the decoupler with the movable member engaging the vertical cross rib.
  • Figure IA illustrates a package and storage unit according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure IB illustrates a package and storage unit of Figure IA wrapped with a paperboard to form a case
  • Figure IC illustrates a lock latched onto the case of Figure IB
  • Figures 2A illustrates an endoskeleton/exoskeleton frame of the package and storage unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2B illustrates a face of the frame illustrated in Figure 2A
  • Figure 2C illustrates a sectional view along a line 2C-2C of Figure 2B;
  • Figure 2D illustrates a sectional view along a line 2D-2D of Figure 2B
  • Figure 2E is a front view of the frame illustrated in Figure 2A;
  • Figure 2F is a rear view of the frame illustrated in Figure 2A;
  • Figure 2G is a sectional view along a line 2G-2G of Figure 2B;
  • Figure 2H is a detailed illustration of a retaining mechanism on the frame illustrated in Figure 2B;
  • Figure 21 is a sectional view along a line 21-21 of Figure 2B;
  • Figures 2J and 2K illustrate two detailed views of the cavity and protrusions for holding a folded edge of a paperboard to be wrapped around the frame illustrated in Figure 2A;
  • Figure 2L is a view of an edge of the frame illustrating folded edges of the paperboard being held within the cavity and protrusions of the frame illustrated in Figures 2J and 2K;
  • Figure 3A is a top view of a tray according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 3B is a bottom view of the tray illustraed in
  • Figure 3C is a top view of the tray with a disk retained in a recess of the tray illustrated in Figure 3A;
  • Figure 3D is a detailed illustration of a spring on the tray illustraed in Figure 3A;
  • Figure 3E is a detailed illustration of a protrusion on the tray illustrated in Figure 3A;
  • Figure 4A illustrates in detail the latching of the raised portion of the tray, illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B, with a slot end of the frame, illustrated in Figure
  • Figure 4B depicts a cutout of the unit with the tray inserted into the frame illustrated in Figure IB;
  • Figure 5A illustrates a package and storage unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 5B illustrates a pair of pusher members on a frame illustrated in Figure 5A
  • Figure 5C illustrates a top view of a tray illustrated in Figure 5A;
  • Figure 5D is a detailed illustration of a recess and a protrusion on the tray illustrated in Figure 5C;
  • Figure 5E illustrates the pair of guides guiding the pair of pusher members as the tray, illustrated in Figure
  • Figure 5F illustrates the pair of pusher members engaging the disk to firmly secure the disk within the recess of the tray illustrated in Figure 5C
  • Figure 5G illustrates the disk firmly secured beneath the pair of protrusions illustrated in Figure 5D;
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of a security case of the present invention with the case latched;
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of the security case with a locking mechanism engaging a locking mechanism decoupler
  • Figure 8 is a perspective view of the security case after the locking mechanism has been unlocked by a decoupler;
  • Figure 9 is a view of the locking mechanism being removed from the case;
  • Figure 10 is a top view of the locking mechanism illustrated in Figure 9;
  • Figure 11 is a side view of the locking mechanism illustrated in Figure 10 unlocked from the case;
  • Figures 12A to 12C are sectional views of the bottom of the locking mechanism illustrated in Figure 10 showing an actuator progressing from an open to a closed position;
  • Figure 13 is a sectional view of the security case illustrated in Figure 8 of the present invention showing the actuator being unlocked by the decoupler;
  • Figure 14 is a sectional view of the end of the security case showing the actuator being unlocked by the decoupler; and Figure 15 is an exploded general perspective of the locking mechanism and actuator.
  • FIG. IA illustrates a package and storage unit 100 according to first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the unit 100 comprises a carrier tray 102, which includes a recess 104 to receive a disk (not shown) .
  • An endoskeleton/exoskeleton frame 106 includes slots 114 and parallel guide rails 116, illustrated in Figure 2A, to allow the tray 102 to slide within the frame 106.
  • the carrier tray 102 and frame 106 are injection molded.
  • the endoskeleton/exoskeleton frame 106 allows a die cut paperboard 108 to be placed on the outside faces 106a and 106a', a side 106b and rear 118 of the frame 106.
  • the outside area of the frame provides a sufficiently large area to place graphic materials such as text, 3-D graphics and/or holograms on the paperboard 108 to generate impulse sales.
  • the graphic materials can be seen without the plastic cover layer of a conventional jewel box.
  • the combination of the tray 102, the frame 106 and the paperboard 108 form a case 21 for packaging and storing a storage medium such as a CD, a DVD, or a similar information storage disk.
  • FIGS 2A-2K illustrate in detail the endoskeleton/ exoskeleton frame 106.
  • each of the faces 106a, 106a' of the frame 106 includes strips of molded plastic or a plurality of plastic portions 110 interconnected in a predetermined pattern to form the endoskeleton/exoskeleton frame 106.
  • the strips or portions 110 provide a rigid support and reduce the amount of plastic needed for the frame 106.
  • the strips of plastic 110 can form a criss-cross pattern to form the endoskeleton/ exoskeleton frame.
  • Other modifications are possible to provide a rigid support to the frame 106.
  • each frame face 106a or 106a' includes a central strip 112 with a slot 114 and the interior of each side 106b and 106b' of the frame 106 includes parallel guide rails 116.
  • the central strip 112 and guide rails 116 guide the tray 102 within the frame 106 during opening and closing of the case 21.
  • the frame 106 also includes a closed rear 118 and an open front 120 with an indention 122.
  • the sides 106b and 106b' of the frame 106 include notches or recesses 126 near the front of the frame 106. As shown in Figure IC, the recesses 126 are used for latching a lock 30 onto the case 21 (described in detail hereinafter) .
  • Figures 2D, 2G, 2J, 2K and 2L illustrate an edge of the frame 106 which includes upper and lower recesses or cavities 130, 130' and protrusions 132 to receive folded ends 107, 107' of the paperboard 108. When the ends of paperboard 108 are folded, there is a tendency for the folded ends 107, 107' to spring toward an unfolded position.
  • such a tendency serves as a spring when folded ends 107, 107' of the paperboard 108 are inserted into the upper and lower cavities 130, 130' of the frame 106.
  • the protrusions 132 serve as hooks to retain the folded ends 107, 107' inside the upper and lower cavities 130, 130' .
  • the paperboard 108 has folded side ends 107, 107' tucked into the upper and lower cavities 130, 130' to wrap the paperboard 108 with the graphics onto the faces 106a and 106a' and the side 106b of the frame 106.
  • the folded rear edge of the paperboard 108 is inserted into a rear slot 134 ( Figures 21, 2K) to display the graphics on the rear of the frame 106.
  • Adhesive can be used to further secure the folded rear edge of the paperboard to the closed rear 118 of the frame 106.
  • Such an arrangement is environmentally friendly since the endoskeleton/exoskeleton frame 106 can be reused for resale, when a disk is returned, by rewrapping the frame 106 with a new paperboard. As illustrated in Fig.
  • the tray 102 includes a substantially circular recess 104 and center and front cutouts 144 and 146 to receive a disk.
  • the recess 104 includes side openings 137.
  • Two protrusions 136 are included at the side openings 137 of the circular recess 104.
  • a spring 138 with a ledge or a lip 140 is located at an opening 142 near the rear of the tray 102.
  • the tray 102 also includes raised contours 148 on a top 150 and a bottom 152 of the tray 102 so that a center contour 147 is slidable within the slots 114 on the center strips 112 of the frame 102.
  • the center contour 147 includes thick and thin portions 162 and 164 shown in Figure 4A which engage an inverse contour 166/168 shown in Figure 2H positioned at each end of the slot 114 of the frame 106 when the tray 102 is in an open or closed position within the frame 106.
  • the sides 154 of the tray are sized such that the sides 154 are slidable within the parallel rails 116 of the frame 106.
  • the top 150 and bottom 152 of the tray 102 also include parallel rails 153 to facilitate the slidable opening and closing of the tray 102 within the frame 106.
  • the front of the tray 102 is sized such that it is flush within the interior front dimensions of the frame 106 in the closed position. When the tray 102 is in the closed position, the raised face portion 124 rests within the indention 122 of the frame 106 and serves as a tab for the user to grip the tray 102, as shown in Figure 5A.
  • the spring 138 is preferably an arcuate arm with one end integral with the tray 102, i.e., the spring 138 is a cantilever spring.
  • the spring 138 provides a biasing force toward the front of the tray 102 when a disk 156 is placed in the recess 104, and a ledge 140, i.e., a step contour of the spring 138, holds the disk 156 in the recess 104 in conjunction with the protrusions 136. Since the recess 104 has a slightly larger dimension than the disk 156, a gap 151 exists between the disk 156 and the recess 104.
  • the gap 151 allows the disk 156 to slide in an appropriate direction when the user removes the disk 156 from the tray 102. While the spring 138 can be injection molded with the tray, it is also possible for the spring 138 to be attached to the tray using a screw, glue or other appropriate securing arrangements.
  • Figure 3E illustrates the details of one of the protrusions 136.
  • the protrusions 136 slightly protrude into the recess 104.
  • the disk 156 is secured in the recess 104, the disk 156 is located beneath the protrusion 136 and maintained in this position due to the forward biasing force of the spring 138.
  • the edges 158 of the disk 156 clear the edges 136a of the protrusions 136.
  • the protrusions 136 have angled bevelled surfaces 136b, the disk 156 naturally moves upward and out of the recess 104 as the spring 138 applies a bias on the disk 156 after the brief application of the offsetting force by the user. With the disk 156 out of the recess 104, the user can easily remove the disk 156 from the tray 102.
  • the center contour 147 includes thick and thin portions 162 and 164.
  • the thick portions 162 are sized to be slidable in the slot 114 of the center strip 112.
  • each side of the slot 114 has an inverse contour, i.e., curved and straight portions 166 and 168, of the center contour 147.
  • One inverse contour is shown in Figure 2H.
  • cutouts 167 are provided on the central strips 112.
  • each inverse contour 166/168 of the slot 114 and each cutout 137 functions as a retaining mechanism to latch the raised contour 147 of the tray.
  • the arrangement of the thick and thin portions 162 and 164 of the raised contours 147/148 fit snugly into the curved and straight portions 166 and 168 of the inverse contour, retaining the tray 102 open or closed.
  • the raised contours 147/148 are integral with tray 102, and are formed during injection molding of the tray 102. In other circumstances, the raised contours 147/148 can be separate and attached after the formation of the tray 102.
  • the user applies a force to the to the front of the tray 102 towards the rear of the frame 106.
  • the thick portions 162 of the center contour 147 apply a force against the curved portions 166 ( Figure 4A) . Due to the cutouts 167, the curved and straight portions 166 and 168 flex toward the sides 106b and 106b' such that the curved portions 166 are disengaged from the thin portion 164, and the thick portions 162 pass through the flexed curved and straight portions 166 and 168.
  • continued application of the force by the user allows the thick portions 162 to pass through the flexed curved portions 166 until the curved portions 166 snap against the thin portion 164.
  • the user grabs the raised face portion 124 of the tray 102 and pulls outward.
  • the lateral force exerted by the user releases the center contour 147 from the curved and straight portions 166 and 168 located near the rear of the frame 106.
  • the user continues to pull on the face portion 124, and the sides 154 and thick portions 162 of the tray 102 glide on the rails 116 and slots 114, respectively, of the frame 106.
  • the tray is pulled out from the frame 106 until the curved and straight portions 166 and 168 of the frame 106 snap or latch onto the thick and thin portions 162 and 164 of the tray 102.
  • the user inserts one of his finger into the center 160 of the disk 156 and uses his thumb to grab the edge 158 of the disk 156.
  • the user latches the edge 158 of the disk into the ledge 140 of the spring 138, and applies a force towards the rear of the tray 102 until the edge 158 of the disk 156 clears the protrusion 136.
  • the forward bias of the spring 138 moves the disk 156 such that the disk 156 is latched in the ledge 140 of the spring 138 and beneath the protrusion 136, as shown in Figure 3C.
  • the recess 104 has a slightly bigger dimensions than the disk 156.
  • the spring 138 with the ledge (or a lip) 140 and the protrusions 136 securely hold the disk in the recess 104 for protection of the disk during shipment.
  • the spring 138 and protrusions 136 do not interfere with the graphics on the disk 156 or scratch the critical areas of the disk 156.
  • the user To remove the disk 156 from the recess 104 of the open tray 102, the user inserts a forefinger in the center hole 160 of the disk 156 which aligns with the center hole 144 of the tray 102, and a thumb into the forward cutout 146 of the tray 102.
  • the bevelled surfaces 136b of the protrusions 136 allow the disk to be naturally lifted out of the protrusions 136 in conjunction with the forward bias of the spring 138.
  • FIGs 5A-5G illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • a guide and pusher member arrangement 172/174 replaces the spring 138 of the first embodiment.
  • a pair of pusher members 174 are located on a face of the frame 106 (see Figure 5B)
  • a pair of guides 172 are located on the tray 102 (see Figure 5C) .
  • the tray 102 of the second embodiment also includes a recess 104 comprised of a shelf or ledge 176 substantially surrounding a lower surface 178.
  • An angled or bevelled wall 178a connects the lower surface 178 with the shelf 176.
  • the lower surface 178 is sized to support the disk 156 at the outer periphery thereof, reducing the amount of surface area of the disk which is in contact with the tray 102.
  • Figure 5B illustrates the details of the pair of pusher members 174 on the face of the frame 106.
  • Each pusher member 174 has a stepped rib or finger like shape.
  • the top and bottom front portions of the pusher member 174 have angled surfaces 174a and 174a' .
  • the angled surface 174a at the bottom front portion has a longer length than the angled surface 174a' at the top front portion of the pusher member 174.
  • the angled surfaces 174a and 174a' end at two parallel surfaces 174b and 174b' with a perpendicular wall 174c.
  • the parallel surfaces 174b and 174b' and the perpendicular wall 174c form a slot to push the disk 156 as the tray 102 slides into the frame 106 and to hold the disk 156 within the recess 104 of the tray 102 at the closed position of the tray 102 within the frame 106 (described hereinafter) .
  • Figure 5C illustrates the tray 102 of the second embodiment
  • Figure 5D is an exploded view of one of the protrusions 136, the shelf 176 and the lower surface
  • each guide 172 includes an open rectangular cutout 172a in the recess 104 of tray 102 and a covered rectangular guide 172b as shown in Figure 5C.
  • the rear of the guide 172b is tapered to facilitate alignment of the pusher member 174 when the tray 102 is pushed into the frame 106 to the closed position.
  • the protrusion 136' is formed at the cutout 137 of the tray. Unlike the protrusion 136 of the first embodiment, the protrusion 136' does not have a bevelled surface. The protrusion 136' forms a ledge to trap the disk 156. At the final closed position of the tray 102 within the frame 106, the disk 156 is trapped between the shelf 176 and the protrusion 136' .
  • the disk 156 is dropped in the recess 104.
  • the pair of pusher members 174 slides within the pair of guides 172 (see Figure 5E) .
  • the surfaces of the pair of pusher members 174 begin to contact the edge 158 of the disk 156.
  • the continued movement of the tray 102 into the frame results in the disk edge being positioned between the parallel surfaces 172b and 172b' , as illustrated in Figure 5F.
  • the pusher members 174 push the disk 156 toward the front of the tray 102 by the movement of the tray 102 into the closed position.
  • the edge of the disk 156 is trapped underneath the protrusions 136' near the front of the tray 102 while the pair of pusher members 174 push the edge of the disk 156 at the rear of the tray 102 towards the front of the tray (see Figure 5G) .
  • the disk 156 is prevented from lifting out of the recess 104 of the tray 102 in the closed position.
  • the tray 102 is opened.
  • the disk moves freely in the larger dimensioned recess 104. Therefore, the user merely inserts a forefinger in the center hole of the disk 156 and a thumb into the forward cutout 146, moves the disk slightly towards the rear of the tray 102 to clear the disk edge from protrusions 136, and lifts the disk 156 from the tray 102.
  • the disk 156 is placed on the tray 102 at an open position within the frame 106 (see Figure 1) .
  • the spring 138 and the protrusions 136 hold the disk 156 within the recess 104, and the tray 102 slides in the frame 106 to a closed position (not shown) .
  • the pair of pusher members 174 and protrusions 136' hold the disk 156 in the recess 104 (as shown in Figure 5A) .
  • a paperboard 108 including the graphics Prior to or after the insertion of the tray 102, a paperboard 108 including the graphics is folded, and the folded edges 107 and 107' of the paperboard 108 are tucked into the recesses 130 and slots 134 to wrap the paperboard 108 around the exterior of the endoskeleton/exoskeleton frame 106, as illustrated in Figures IB and 2L. Thereafter, for both the first and second embodiments of the invention, the case 21 having the disk loaded tray 102 within the frame 106 is shrink wrapped with a thin film polymer. Once the case 21 arrives at the retail store, the retailer can attach the lock 30, as illustrated in Figures IC and 6-8 and described hereinafter.
  • a security case of the present invention includes the case 21 for holding merchandise, such as the disk 156, and a lock 30 for latching the case closed. While the disclosed embodiment assumes that CDs, or DVDs will be retained in the case 21, it should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of merchandise can be retained, and the present invention is not limited by the particular type of merchandise which is held in the case.
  • the lock 30 is constructed as shown in Figure 15 with a housing 31, an actuator 90 at one end of the housing, and parallel flanges 32 extending from a cross ⁇ piece 33 of the housing 31.
  • the housing is comprise of two portions 96 and 98 permanently connected to each other, for example by sonic welding.
  • the portions 96 and 98 are substantially mirror images of each other, but portion 96 has a slot 53, to be described later, formed on an inner wall 94.
  • the flanges 32 are spaced apart from each other by a distance slightly greater than the maximum width of the case 21. These flanges overlie a portion of the faces 23a and 23b of the case when the case is positioned on the cross-piece 33 of the housing 31.
  • One end of the lock 30 has a fixed L-shaped hook 34 and the other end has a movable L-shaped hook 35.
  • the movable L-shaped hook 35 is part of an actuator 90 for latching the lock to a case, to be described later.
  • cross-piece 33 of the housing 31 has a recess 36 designed to provide a location for a security strip to be used with the lock.
  • a security strip is placed in the recess 36 and the lock 30 is fastened to the case 21, the security strip is inaccessible to the customer and remains with the merchandise until the lock is removed.
  • an external alarm (not shown) will sound.
  • Both the fixed L-shaped hook 34 and movable L-shaped hook 35 engage the recesses or notches 126 of the sides when the lock is latched to the case as shown in Figure 6.
  • the case is first placed on the cross-piece 33 of the lock housing 31 and positioned so that the fixed L-shape hook 34 engages one of the recesses or notches 126 ( Figure 9) .
  • the actuator 90 is in the open position with the movable L- shaped hook 35 located as shown in Figure 11, i.e., aligned to engage the other recess or notch 126.
  • the actuator is then pressed to engage the movable L-shaped hook 35 in the other recess or notch 126.
  • a mechanism (to be described hereinafter) locks the actuator in position, securing the lock 30 to the case 21.
  • the actuator 90 comprises the L-shaped hook 35, a portion 42 extending inward from the L-shaped hook and another portion 43 extending downward.
  • External portions 40 and 41 form the L-shaped hook with portion 41 extending parallel to the cross-piece 33.
  • Another cross-piece 44 formed beneath the actuator portion 42 has one end attached to actuator portion 43 with the other end extending a prescribed distance towards the hook portion 40.
  • the spring 52 fits over the protrusion 51 and has one end resting against the portion 43. The other end of the spring rests against a back surface of the slot 53 formed between the inner walls of the housing 31.
  • the length of the portion 51 is designed so that the free end of the protrusion does not strike the back surface of the slot 33 when the actuator is in the closed position.
  • Sleeves 60 are formed on opposing sides of the inner walls 94 and 95 of the housing 31.
  • Each sleeve adapted to receive a spring 61 and steel pin 62, allows the steel pin under load from the spring to freely engage the cross-piece 44.
  • the length of each steel pin is such that the pin does not extend beyond the outer edge of the sleeve when the spring 61 is fully compressed.
  • each side of the cross-piece 44 has, in succession, a flat segment 45, a curved segment 46, and another flat segment 47.
  • the curvature of the segment 46 is greater at the junction to the flat segment 47 than at the junction to the flat segment 45.
  • the wall 50, the flat segment 47, and the junction between the flat segment 47 and the curved segment 46 form a seat on each side of the cross portion 44 for the steel pins 62.
  • the spring 52 continues to compress, and at the same time, the springs 61 decompress slightly, rapidly forcing the steel pins 62 into the seats formed by the wall 50, the flat segment 47, and the junction between the flat segment 47 and the curved segment 46.
  • the load exerted on the portion 43 by the compressed spring 52 causes an outer edge of each of the steel pins 62 to rest against the junction between the curved segment 46 and the flat segment 47.
  • a decoupler 70 for releasing the actuator has a U-shaped housing which is positioned near a counter. Screws 81 (only one is shown) are used to fasten the decoupler to the counter, although other suitable means for fastening may be employed.
  • the decoupler 70 has a base 71, outer surfaces 72, a flat surface 73, and inner surfaces 74 extending from the flat surface 73.
  • the inner surfaces 74 each have a first portion 75 and a second portion 76 perpendicular to the surface 73.
  • the distance between the first portions 75 is slightly greater than the width of the housing 31 of the lock 30, and the distance between the second portions 76 is slightly greater than the width of the flanges 32. This arrangement results in the formation of ledges 77. Because the flanges 32 of the lock 30 are wider than the base 31, the lower surfaces of the flanges 32 ride on the ledges 77 during a release operation.
  • a magnet 78 is positioned in the decoupler 70 between each outer surface 72 and the first portion 75 of each inner surface 74.
  • a vertical cross rib structure 80 is attached to the flat surface 73. Both the position of the magnets in the decoupler and the position of the vertical cross rib structure 80 on the flat surface 73 are arranged so that, during the release operation, the outer surface of the portion 40 of the actuator engages the vertical cross rib structure as the steel pins 62 align approximately with the center of the magnets 78.
  • the lock 30, fastened to the case 21, is brought in contact with the decoupler by placing the housing 31 on the flat surface 73 with the outer surface of the portion 40 facing the vertical cross rib structure 80.
  • the lower surfaces of the flanges 32 will ride on ledges 77 during the release operation.
  • the latched case is swiftly moved in a horizontal direction towards the vertical cross rib structure 80. This swift movement results in sharp contact between the outer surface of the portion 40 and the vertical cross rib structure.
  • the sharp contact further compresses the spring 52, allowing the outer edges of the steel pins 62 to move away from the junction between the flat segment 47 and the curved portion 46 in each of the seats.
  • the present embodiment uses the spring 52 to bias the actuator 90 to the open position, the spring is not required. Without the spring 52, the outer edge of each of the steel pins 62 is not forced to rest against the junction between the curved segment 46 and the flat segment 47 when the actuator is in the closed position. This eliminates the need for swift movement of the latched case towards the vertical cross rib structure 80.
  • the decoupler 70 is mounted vertically with an outer surface of the rib structure 80 facing downward and the outer surface of the hook portion 40 of the lock 30 is brought in contact with the vertical cross rib structure 80 of the decoupler.
  • the lower surfaces of the flanges 32 of the lock 30 should be on ledges 77 of the decoupler.
  • the magnets 78 draw the pins toward the sleeves 60, releasing the actuator.
  • Gravity holds the released actuator against the vertical cross rib structure 80.
  • the case 21, attached to the lock 30 by L-shaped hook 34 is moved vertically upward along the ledges 77 of the decoupler 70.
  • the case and locking mechanism provide protection for CDs or DVDs in a live merchandising format without increasing inventory space.
  • the locking mechanism has a cross-piece with a recessed surface for a security strip and when the locking mechanism latches the case closed, the case is positioned on the cross-piece, making the security strip inaccessible to customers.
  • Such a security device is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/398,280.
  • the locking mechanism is appropriately sized.
  • the location where the steel pin locks the actuator can be offset by about 1 inch from the prior application design.
  • the foregoing embodiment is merely exemplary and not to be construed as limiting the basic concept of the package and storage unit.
  • the invention is not so limited, and can easily be applied to other industry for packaging and storing storage media of existing and emerging technologies .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Packaging For Recording Disks (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une unité de conditionnement et de stockage qui comprend un plateau coulissant à l'intérieur d'un cadre d'endosquelette/exosquelette. Le bord de chaque surface du cadre d'endosquelette/exosquelette comprend une cavité/évidement et des parties saillantes pour maintenir, autour du cadre, un carton plié, muni de graphismes. Des fentes sur trois bords de la partie postérieure du cadre reçoivent une partie postérieure pliée du carton. Le plateau comprend un ressort avec une moulure et deux parties saillantes pour maintenir fermement le disque et permettre de l'enlever facilement du plateau. Dans un autre mode de réalisation, le cadre comprend deux éléments pousseurs parallèles, et le plateau comprend deux guides. La disposition des deux éléments pousseurs et des deux guides est utilisée pour maintenir fermement le disque et permettre de l'enlever facilement du plateau. Le cadre et le plateau comprennent tous deux des parties profilées pour verrouiller le plateau dans une position ouverte ou fermée à l'intérieur du cadre. Un mécanisme de verrouillage est pourvu d'un logement avec des rebords parallèles destinés à recouvrir une partie des côtés frontaux et un côté latéral du cadre, et pour empêcher que le plateau ne soit retiré du cadre. Une extrémité du mécanisme de verrouillage est fixe et l'autre est mobile entre la position ouverte et la position fermée, et un mécanisme placé à l'intérieur du logement maintient fermée l'extrémité mobile du mécanisme de verrouillage. Un élément de libération est prévu pour ouvrir le mécanisme de verrouillage.
PCT/US1996/011000 1995-07-03 1996-06-27 Unite de conditionnement et de stockage de supports d'informations numeriques WO1997002569A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US83595P 1995-07-03 1995-07-03
US60/000,835 1995-07-03
US658295P 1995-11-13 1995-11-13
US60/006,582 1995-11-13
US08/616,924 US5730283A (en) 1995-07-03 1996-03-15 Package and storage unit for digital information storage media
US08/616,924 1996-03-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997002569A1 true WO1997002569A1 (fr) 1997-01-23

Family

ID=27356760

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1996/011000 WO1997002569A1 (fr) 1995-07-03 1996-06-27 Unite de conditionnement et de stockage de supports d'informations numeriques

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1997002569A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6315994B2 (en) 1992-02-24 2001-11-13 Anton-Lewis Usala Medium and matrix for long-term proliferation of cells
WO2002039451A3 (fr) * 2000-11-10 2002-10-24 Dubois Ltd Dispositif de securite pour support de stockage d'informations
NL1023340C2 (nl) * 2003-05-05 2004-11-09 Nedap Nv Vergrendelbare doos voor compactdiscs.
EP1659590A3 (fr) * 2004-11-17 2006-06-28 BO.MI.SA. Bottoni Minuterie S.p.A. Boîte à cadeaux
WO2013011370A1 (fr) 2011-07-19 2013-01-24 Dubois Limited Contenant ou emballage de produit comportant un dispositif de sécurité
EP2988281A1 (fr) 2014-08-21 2016-02-24 Dubois Ltd. Étiquette de sécurité optique
USD885907S1 (en) * 2017-01-26 2020-06-02 Videri Inc. Exoskeleton for packaging

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3923107A1 (de) * 1989-07-13 1991-01-24 Thomson Brandt Gmbh Aufnahmevorrichtung fuer plattenfoermigen informationstraeger
US5011010A (en) * 1990-01-30 1991-04-30 Francis Nicholas J Compact disc container
US5213209A (en) * 1991-03-30 1993-05-25 Song Jin W One touch drawer type opening and closing device for a compact disc storage case

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3923107A1 (de) * 1989-07-13 1991-01-24 Thomson Brandt Gmbh Aufnahmevorrichtung fuer plattenfoermigen informationstraeger
US5011010A (en) * 1990-01-30 1991-04-30 Francis Nicholas J Compact disc container
US5213209A (en) * 1991-03-30 1993-05-25 Song Jin W One touch drawer type opening and closing device for a compact disc storage case

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6315994B2 (en) 1992-02-24 2001-11-13 Anton-Lewis Usala Medium and matrix for long-term proliferation of cells
US6713079B2 (en) 1992-02-24 2004-03-30 Encelle, Inc. Methods for increasing vascularization and promoting wound healing
US6730315B2 (en) 1992-02-24 2004-05-04 Encelle, Inc. Medium and matrix for long-term proliferation of cells
WO2002039451A3 (fr) * 2000-11-10 2002-10-24 Dubois Ltd Dispositif de securite pour support de stockage d'informations
EP2474694A2 (fr) 2000-11-10 2012-07-11 DuBois Limited Dispositif de sécurité
EP2474694A3 (fr) * 2000-11-10 2014-02-19 DuBois Limited Dispositif de sécurité
NL1023340C2 (nl) * 2003-05-05 2004-11-09 Nedap Nv Vergrendelbare doos voor compactdiscs.
EP1659590A3 (fr) * 2004-11-17 2006-06-28 BO.MI.SA. Bottoni Minuterie S.p.A. Boîte à cadeaux
WO2013011370A1 (fr) 2011-07-19 2013-01-24 Dubois Limited Contenant ou emballage de produit comportant un dispositif de sécurité
EP2988281A1 (fr) 2014-08-21 2016-02-24 Dubois Ltd. Étiquette de sécurité optique
US9355537B2 (en) 2014-08-21 2016-05-31 Dubois Limited Optical security tag
USD885907S1 (en) * 2017-01-26 2020-06-02 Videri Inc. Exoskeleton for packaging

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