BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Currently compact disks are generally packaged in plastic cases known as jewel cases. Recently, cardboard packages have been introduced. One advantage of cardboard packages lies in the prevention of pirating. Genuine, original copies of CD's are generally packaged in the jewel case with a colorful paper overlay inside the case with eye-catching graphics printed thereon. This type of packaging is unfortunately easily counterfeited. The reason is that blank jewel cases may be easily and cheaply purchased, and the paper overlay may be easily copied, including any type of graphics, with modern laser printing techniques and equipment. In contrast, the cardboard packages are glued together or otherwise manufactured with techniques or machinery that are not readily available to counterfeiters or that are too expensive to make counterfeiting worthwhile.

Some cardboard packages of the art comprise multi-piece constructions, such as that described in British Design 2060677 and British Patent Application 9623310-1. Single piece, folded constructions are also known but are prone to the CD falling out of the package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide an improved cardboard CD package that is made of one sheet of folded cardboard, which securely holds a CD in a pocket formed therein with virtually no risk of the CD falling out or being dislodged therefrom. Multiple pockets may be formed to store a multiplicity of CD's in a single package.

It is noted that throughout the specification and claims the term"cardboard" encompasses any stiff, thin, foldable board or material, such as cardboard, paper, pasteboard and the like. It is also noted that the present invention is not limited to storage of a CD, but rather any type of media recording disk or any other kind of flat object.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a cardboard CD package including a pattern including a base section and two additional sections, called wing sections, one the wing section extending from a first side of the base section along a first fold line therebetween, and another the wing section extending from a second side of the base section along a second fold line therebetween, and wherein at least one of the base sections and the wing sections, called a CD-section, is formed with a CD-

containing portion that has a contour having a diameter at least as large as an outside diameter of a CD to be stored in the package, wherein part of the CD-containing portion is formed with an aperture bounded by the contour and a curve which crosses the CD-containing portion and extends from one point on the contour to another point on the contour, the remainder of the CD-containing portion, called a pocket portion, being defined by the curve and the remainder of the contour, and wherein another one of the sections, called an overlying-section, is formed with an opening having a contour at least part of which generally matches the contour of the CD-containing portion, and wherein another one of the sections, which is not the overlying- section and the CD-section, is called a backing-section, and wherein folding together the overlying-section and the CD-section, and folding together the CD-section and the backing- section, forms a pocket for storing therein a CD defined by the pocket portion backed by the backing-section.

There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a cardboard CD package including a pattern including a base section having two opposing sides, and an additional section, called a first-wing section, extending from one of the sides of the base section along a first fold line therebetween, and a tail section extending from a third side of the base section along a tail fold line therebetween generally perpendicular to the opposing sides, wherein the tail section is formed with an opening having a diameter at least as large as an outside diameter of a CD to be stored in the package, and wherein the first wing section is formed with a CD-containing portion that has a contour which generally matches a perimeter of the opening, wherein part of the CD-containing portion is formed with an aperture bounded by the contour and a curve which crosses the CD-containing portion and extends from one point on the contour to another point on the contour, the remainder of the CD-containing portion, called a pocket portion, being defined by the curve and the remainder of the contour, and wherein folding the tail section about the tail fold line to lie over the base section, and folding the first wing section about the first fold line to lie over the tail section, form a pocket for storing therein a CD defined by the pocket portion backed by the base section.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the aperture has an area greater than the pocket portion.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a thumbhole extends from the opening. Preferably the aperture is formed with a thumbhole

corresponding to the thumbhole of the opening. Preferably any of the sections folded together are also bonded together.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the CD-containing portion is formed with a removable tab that is shaped like the aperture and is initially attached thereto by means of the curve being perforated.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the second wing section is provided with at least one tab which is adapted to be mated with corresponding holes formed in at least one of the first wing section and the tail section.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the package also includes a hanger extending from one of the sections.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the hanger is formed by folding together two hanger members, wherein a first of the hanger members extends from one of the sections and the other hanger member extends from the first of the hanger members. Preferably the hanger is formed with a slot for hanging the package therefrom.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the pattern is foldable to form a multiplicity of the pockets for storing therein CD's.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the sections are shaped as parallelograms.

There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention method for manufacturing a CD package, including providing a pattern including a base section and two additional sections, called wing sections, one the wing section extending from a first side of the base section along a first fold line therebetween, and another the wing section extending from a second side of the base section along a second fold line therebetween, and wherein at least one of the base sections and the wing sections, called a CD- section, is formed with a CD-containing portion that has a contour having a diameter at least as large as an outside diameter of a CD to be stored in the package, wherein part of the CD- containing portion is formed with an aperture bounded by the contour and a curve which crosses the CD-containing portion and extends from one point on the contour to another point on the contour, the remainder of the CD-containing portion, called a pocket portion, being defined by the curve and the remainder of the contour, and wherein another one of the sections, called an overlying-section, is formed with an opening having a contour at least part

of which generally matches the contour of the CD-containing portion, and wherein another one of the sections, which is not the overlying-section and the CD-section, is called a backing- section, folding together the overlying-section and the CD-section, placing a CD in the CD- containing portion, and folding together the CD-section and the backing-section, thereby forming a pocket for storing therein the CD defined by the pocket portion backed by the backing-section.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes bonding together the overlying-section and the CD-section.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes bonding together the CD-section and the backing-section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which : Fig. 1 is a simplified plan view illustration of a flat pattern for producing a cardboard CD package, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are simplified illustrations of folding the flat pattern of Fig. 1 into a finished cardboard CD package in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a simplified illustration of a portion of a CD package constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention ; Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C are simplified plan view illustrations of cardboard CD packages, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for storing two, three and four CD's, respectively ; Fig. 6 is a simplified plan view illustration of a flat pattern for producing a cardboard CD package, constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 7 is a simplified top-view illustration of packaging machinery used to assemble the CD package of Fig. 6, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference is now made to Fig. 1 which illustrates a flat pattern 10 for producing a cardboard CD package, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Pattern 10 preferably includes a base section 12 having two opposing sides 12A and 12B, and two additional sections, called wing sections, one wing section 14 extending from side 12A along a first fold line 16 therebetween and another wing section 18 extending from side 12B along a second fold line 20 therebetween. A tail section 22 extends from a third side of base section 12 along a tail fold line 24 therebetween generally perpendicular to sides 12A and 12B.

Sections 12,14,18 and 22 are preferably shaped as parallelograms and most preferably as squares, to form a T-shaped pattern (inverted T-shape in the illustration of Fig.

1). Fold lines 16,20 and 24 are shown as dotted lines in Fig. 1. Section 22 is preferably formed with an opening 26 having a diameter at least as large as an outside diameter of a CD to be stored in the finished package. A thumbhole or"ear"28 preferably extends from hole 26, such as, but not necessarily, at-45° measured from a horizontal axis of hole 26.

Section 14 is formed with a CD-containing portion 30 that has a contour 32 which generally matches the perimeter of hole 26. Part of CD-containing portion 30 is formed with an aperture 34 bounded by contour 32 and a curve 36 which crosses CD-containing portion and extends from one point 36A on contour 32 to another point 36B on contour 32.

The remainder of CD-containing portion 30 is called a pocket portion 38 comprising the material of section 14 and defined by curve 36 and the remainder of contour 32, this remainder being shown as a dotted line in Fig. 1. Aperture 34 preferably has an area greater than pocket portion 38. Aperture 34 is preferably formed with a thumbhole 40 corresponding to thumbhole 28 and oriented, with respect to a horizontal axis of aperture 34, generally 180° from thumbhole 28. In the illustrated example, this means that thumbhole 40 is located at 135° with respect to the horizontal axis of aperture 34.

The folding steps required to manufacture the finished CD package are now described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. In Fig. 2, section 22 is folded about fold line 24 to lie over section 12. Adhesive is preferably applied to section 12 before folding section 22, so that after folding, sections 12 and 22 are bonded together. In Fig. 3, section 14 is folded about fold line 16 to lie over section 22. Similarly, adhesive is preferably applied to section 22 before folding section 14, so that after folding, sections 22 and 14 are bonded together. A CD 42 may now be placed in a pocket formed by pocket portion 38 backed by section 12. Thumbholes 28

and 40 allow fingers of a user to conveniently grasp and remove CD 42 from pocket portion 38.

After placing CD 42 in the pocket of the finished CD package, section 18 serves as a closure cover which may be folded about fold line 20 to close the package. The finished package may be sealed with an adhesive-backed strip, decal, wrapper or the like and may have any kind of graphics printed thereon. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the package of the present invention may be fashioned without section 18 altogether, because CD 42 is securely held in pocket portion 38 even without section 18 lying thereover.

Optionally, section 18 may be provided with one or more tabs 44 which can be pushed through and mated with corresponding D-shaped holes 46 formed in sections 14 and/or 22. The provision of tabs 44 and D-holes 46 may help keep section 18 closed against the rest of the package, if desired.

The present invention permits packaging the CD into the finished package with relatively simple packaging machinery. The steps of the automatic packaging process are preferably as follows : 1. Prepare pattern 10 as illustrated in Fig. 1.

2. Fold section 22 about fold line 24 to lie over section 12. As mentioned above, sections 12 and 22 may be bonded together with adhesive.

3. Place CD 42 into hole 26 which is now backed by section 12 (Fig. 2).

4. Fold section 14 about fold line 16 to lie over section 22. As mentioned above, sections 22 and 14 may be bonded together with adhesive.

5. If desired, fold section 18 over fold line 20 and seal with wrapper or the like.

Reference is now made to Fig. 4 which illustrates a further feature of the present invention. In this embodiment, CD-containing portion 30 of section 14 is formed with a removable tab 48 that is shaped like aperture 34 and is initially attached thereto by means of curve 36 being perforated. A purchaser of the CD must tear out tab 48 in order to use the CD.

This feature of the present invention thus provides additional security by providing tamper evidence; the CD cannot be inserted or removed into/from pocket portion 38 without first tearing tab 48. This feature also increases the difficulty of counterfeiting the genuine package.

Tab 48 may be used as a coupon for any kind of marketing or advertising purpose, such as proof-of-purchase.

Reference is now made to Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C which illustrate that the package of the present invention may be fashioned to store more than one CD therein. Specifically,

Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate packages 50,60 and 70 for storing two, three and four CD's, respectively. The flat patterns for folding packages 50,60 and 70 are similar to the flat pattern 10 shown in Fig. 1, with the necessary changes made to accommodate the additional sections, as is easily appreciated by persons skilled in the art.

Reference is now made to Fig. 6 which illustrates a flat pattern 80 for producing a cardboard CD package, constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Pattern 80 preferably includes a base section 82 having two opposing sides 82A and 82B, and two additional sections, called wing sections, one wing section 84 extending from side 82A along a first fold line 86 therebetween and another wing section 88 extending from side 82B along a second fold line 90 therebetween. Sections 82,84 and 88 are preferably shaped as parallelograms and most preferably as squares. Fold lines 86 and 90 are shown as dotted lines in Fig. 6. It should be noted that fold line 90 preferably comprises one contiguous line, whereas fold line 86 preferably comprises two separate portions, as seen in Fig. 6. The purpose of fold line 86 having two separate portions will be described further hereinbelow.

Section 82 is preferably formed with a CD-containing portion 92 that has a contour 94 which has a diameter at least as large as an outside diameter of a CD to be stored in the finished package. Part of CD-containing portion 92 is formed with an aperture 96 bounded by contour 94 and a curve 98 which crosses CD-containing portion 92 and extends from one point 98A on contour 94 to another point 98B on contour 94. The remainder of CD-containing portion 92 is called a pocket portion 100 comprising the material of section 82 and defined by curve 98 and the remainder of contour 94, this remainder being shown as a dotted line in Fig.

6. Aperture 96 preferably has an area greater than pocket portion 100. A thumbhole 102 preferably extends from aperture 96, such as, but not necessarily, at-45° measured from a horizontal axis of aperture 96.

Preferably, as similarly described previously with reference to the embodiment of Fig. 4, CD-containing portion 92 is formed with a removable tab 99 that is shaped like aperture 96 and is initially attached thereto by means of curve 98 being perforated. A purchaser of the CD must tear out tab 99 in order to use the CD. As mentioned above, this feature of the present invention thus provides additional security by providing tamper evidence, because the CD cannot be inserted or removed into/from pocket portion 100 without first tearing tab 99.

Section 84 is preferably formed with an aperture 104 defined by a contour 106 at least part of which is generally shaped the same as contour 94. Aperture 104 is preferably

formed with a thumbhole 108 corresponding to thumbhole 102 and oriented as a mirror image of thumbhole 102 with respect to fold line 86. In the illustrated example, this means that thumbhole 108 is located at 225° with respect to the horizontal axis of aperture 104.

Extending from side 82A is a hanger 110. Hanger 110 preferably comprises a generally trapezoidally-shaped first hanger member 112 which extends from side 82A and joins the two portions of fold line 86 at its base. Extending from the first hanger member 112 along a fold line 114 is its mirror-image, herein called a second hanger member 116. Hanger members 112 and 116 are preferably formed with slots 118 and 120, respectively. Slots 118 and 120 are preferably shaped like a so-called Euro-slot which allows hanging the finished package either on a single peg or a bent prong.

It is noted that since hanger 110 is cut out inside aperture 104, hanger 110 does not add anything to the cost of the CD package. For mailing purposes, the package can be made without hanger 110, if desired.

Optionally, an additional section 97 may be provided which extends from section 88 along a fold line 95. Advertising material, instructions or other printed matter may be printed on or bonded to the additional section 97, if desired.

Reference is now made to Fig. 7 which illustrates packaging machinery 150 used to assemble the CD package of Fig. 6, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The folding steps required to manufacture the finished CD package of Fig. 6 are as follows. Pattern 80 is fed by a feeder mechanism 152 to a conveyor 154. Feeder mechanism 152 may be any type of machine capable of feeding individual cardboard blanks from a stack of such blanks. Such machines are well known in the art and do not require further description to the skilled artisan. After pattern 80 reaches conveyor 154, adhesive 156 is applied to section 82. Adhesive 156 is preferably applied around the perimeter of section 82, but may alternatively be applied as a plurality of spots. At reference numeral 158, section 84 is folded about fold line 86 and bonded to section 82.

At reference numeral 160, second hanger member 116 is folded about fold line 114 to lie over first hanger member 112. At reference numeral 162, a CD 164 is placed in CD- containing portion 92. Placement machinery for placement of such objects as CD's are well known in the art and do not require further description to the skilled artisan.

At reference numeral 166, adhesive 168 is applied to section 88. Adhesive 168 is preferably applied around the perimeter of section 88, but may alternatively be applied as a

plurality of spots. At reference numeral 170, section 88 is folded about fold line 90 to lie over section 84 and second hanger member 116, and bonded thereto. The finished package then exits conveyor 154 and drops onto a slow collecting belt 172 in order to allow easy catching and casing. As mentioned above, the finished package may be sealed with an adhesive-backed strip, decal, wrapper or the like and may have any kind of graphics printed thereon. In addition, in a manner similar to that described hereinabove for the embodiments of Figs. 5A-5C, the package of Figs. 6 and 7 may be fashioned to store more than one CD therein.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.