The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an assembly of a carrier and a holding element that is destined to engage with an edge region of printed matter comprising one or more sheets, in order to hold the printed matter against a surface of the carrier, comprising the following steps:

- providing a mold for the purpose of forming the assembly, which mold comprises two mold halves being displaceable with respect to each other, and which mold may be put into a closed condition in which a forming cavity is present in the mold, wherein a shape of a surface of this forming cavity is adapted to a shape of the assembly;

- arranging the mold, in the closed condition;

- introducing material for forming the assembly in the forming cavity of the mold, in a molten condition; and - moving the formed assembly and the mold halves away from each other.

A field in which manufacturing a carrier and a holding element is an important matter is the field of manufacturing DVD cases. In the following, the invention will be described in the context of this field, which does not at all mean that application of the invention is limited to just this field.

For sake of completeness, it is noted that DVD is an abbreviation that stands for Digital Versatile Disk or Digital Video Disk, and that a DVD is a type of optical registration disk, i.e. a disk carrying stored information which may be read out by means of optical techniques. In practical applications, in the process of reading out the information, a laser is utilized. In general, DVDs and other optical registration disks are designed as a planar disk having a circular circumference and a circular central hole. DVD cases are destined for storing DVDs. A DVD case may be suitable for storing just one DVD, but it is also possible that a DVD case is adapted to accommodating more than one DVD, usually two DVDs. Normally, a DVD case is completely manufactured of a plastic,

and has a design which is comparable to the design of the cover of a book. Hence, the DVD case comprises two rectangular parts which are connected to each other through a narrow spine part, and which are located on top of each other in a closed condition of the DVD case. A side of the case parts which is inside the DVD case in the closed condition of the DVD case will hereinafter be referred to as inner side, whereas another side of the case parts will hereinafter be referred to as outer side.

At the outer side, the whole of the two rectangular parts and the spine part is covered with a foil, which is only fastened at a number of rims. At least one rim is left open, so that a covering sheet can be placed behind the foil.

On the inner side of one case part, which will hereinafter be referred to as back case part, elements are provided for holding a DVD, in particular a resilient element that is destined to be received in the central hole of the DVD and to exert an outwardly directed resilient force from that position, and a circumferential rim that is elevated with respect to the surface of the back case part, and which is destined to enclose a circumferential rim of the DVD. Usually, on the inner side of another case part, which will hereinafter be referred to as front case part, two resilient lips are provided, which are suitable for holding an edge region of printed matter such as an inlay sheet, information booklet or the like. In a practical embodiment, the resilient lips are shaped like elongated strips of material which, at a short side, are connected to the front case part, which are extending at a short distance above an inner surface of the front case part, and which, at a side facing the surface of the front case part, comprise a spherical surface, wherein a top of the sphere is located at approximately the level of the inner surface of the front case part.

Usually, the DVD cases are manufactured of plastic, and are formed by means of an injection molding process. In this process, an injection molding mold is applied, which is usually manufactured of metal, and which comprises two mold halves, which can be placed against each other and moved away from each other. Each of the mold halves is provided with an impression of one side of the DVD case, as it were, so that, when the mold halves are placed against each other, a forming cavity is obtained, of which a inner surface defines an outer surface of the DVD case. The DVD case is formed by

spraying plastic into the forming cavity, in a fluid condition, and subsequently allowing it to cure.

For the purpose of forming the two resilient lips on the inner side of the front case part, the mold half for forming the outer side of the DVD case is provided with two projections, whereas the mold half for forming the inner side of the DVD case is provided with two recesses. When the mold halves are placed against each other, the projections and the recesses are located at opposite positions, wherein a narrow gap is obtained, which constitutes a forming cavity for forming the resilient lips. As a result of this way of manufacturing the resilient lips, holes are created in the front case part, at places corresponding to the places where the resilient lips are present. These holes are formed because the plastic that is applied for forming the front case part flows around the projections for forming the resilient lips. The fact of the formation of the resilient lips involving a formation of holes in the front case part does not constitute a problem. The fact is, the holes do not have a disturbing influence on the appearance of the DVD case, because the holes are eventually covered by means of the covering sheet that is placed between the foil and the outer side of the whole of front case part, spine part and back case part.

An alternative in respect of applying a cover in the form of a covering sheet and a foil, wherein the covering sheet is placed behind the foil, is the so-called in-mold labeling technique, wherein a label is applied to a product by letting it become part of a wall of the product, as it were, during an injection molding process. For example, the label comprises plastic that is printed at one side. When the product is formed in a mold by means of injection molding, the label is first inserted into the mold and positioned, by exerting electrostatic forces, for example. Subsequently, the material for forming the product is sprayed into the mold. Under the influence of the relatively high temperature prevailing during the injection molding process, the label melts together with the product, as a result of which the label becomes a part of the product.

It is desirable to also apply the above-described in-mold labeling technique for the purpose of applying a cover on a DVD case, in view of the fact that this involves a number of advantages. A first important advantage is that a DVD case having a cover which is part of the walls of the front case part, the spine part and the

back case part has a nice appearance. The appearance of a DVD case having such a cast-in cover is more appealing to users than the appearance of a DVD case having a cover that is more or less loosely situated between the foil and the outer side of the front case part, the spine part and the back case part. A second important advantage is that applying cast-in covers is a weapon in the battle against illegal copying of DVDs. In case DVD cases having cast-in covers would become common property, it would be easier to recognize copied DVDs on the basis of the fact that the accompanying case does not have a cast-in cover. Moreover, it is to be expected that a user will be more inclined to purchase an original DVD with accompanying original case, when a copy has a clearly deviating appearance.

When in-mould labeling is applied for the purpose of applying a covering to a DVD case, in view of obtaining a nice appearance of the DVD case, it is important that the surfaces of the front case part, the spine part and the back case part are fully closed. When a hole would be arranged in one of the parts of the DVD case, for example, it would be visible, because it would not be covered by the cover. According to the invention, in order to allow for applying at least one holding element on the inner surface of the front case part during manufacturing a DVD case, without it being necessary to make at least one hole in the front case part, wherein the holding element is destined to function in accordance with the resilient lips of the known DVD case by engaging with an edge region of printed matter comprising one or more sheets, in order to hold the printed matter against the inner surface of the front case part, a method for manufacturing an assembly of a carrier and a holding element is proposed, which comprises the following steps: - providing a mold for the purpose of forming the assembly, which mold comprises two mold halves being displaceable with respect to each other, wherein a first mold half is adapted to forming the holding element and an associated part of the carrier, and wherein a second mold half is adapted to forming the other part of the carrier, and which mold may be put into a closed condition in which a forming cavity is present in the mold, wherein a shape of a surface of this forming cavity is adapted to the shape of the assembly, wherein the first mold half comprises at least two mold parts being displaceable with respect to each other, which, in the closed condition of the mold, define at least one forming cavity

having a surface of which a shape is adapted to a shape of the holding element;

- arranging the mold, in the closed condition;

- introducing material for forming the assembly in the forming cavity of the mold, in a molten condition;

- moving the formed assembly and the mold halves away from each other, in a first direction, with the exception of a first mold part of the first mold half, in which the holding element is at least partially located; and - causing a mutual movement of the assembly and the first mold part, in a second direction that is deviating with respect to the first direction.

An essential difference between the invention and the prior art is that, in the case of the invention, for the purpose of the formation of the holding element, use is made of a single mold half, whereas in the case of the prior art, for the purpose of the formation of the holding element, a cooperation of the two mould halves is required.

According to an important aspect of the invention, the first mold half, which is adapted to forming the holding element and an associated part of the carrier, comprises at least two mold parts being displaceable with respect to each other. Due to this, it is possible to remove an assembly of carrier and holding element being formed in the mold from the first mold half, despite of the fact that the holding element is extending at a small distance with respect to a surface of the carrier, and prevents a movement of the assembly which is directed away from the first mold half. The fact is, by a division of the first mold half into at least two mold parts being, displaceable with respect to each other, it is possible to remove the different parts of the first mold half from a formed assembly in two different directions.

The first mold half is removed from the formed assembly by moving the first mold half, with the exception of the first mold part, and the assembly away from each other, in a first direction, and by moving the assembly and the first mold part with respect to each other, in a second direction, wherein the two directions are mutually different. Most advantageously, a mutual movement of the' assembly and the first mold part in the second direction is brought about by moving the assembly and the first mold half, with the exception of the first mold part, away from each other, in the first

direction. For example, this may be realized by an adapted design of the first mold half, wherein the first mold part and a second mold part of this mold half are displaceable with respect to each other in a direction deviating from the first direction. When, in that case, the second mold part and the assembly are moved away from each other in the first direction, while the position of the first mold part with respect to the assembly remains unchanged in this direction, the first mold part is displaced with respect to the second mould part in the deviating direction, wherein, at the same time, a displacement of the first mould part with respect to the assembly is brought about.

When the method according to the invention is applied for the purpose of manufacturing a DVD case, no holes are created in the front part of the DVD case, and this ensures that the method according to the invention may very well be combined with in-mold labeling for the purpose of applying a cover on the DVD case.

On the basis of economic considerations, it is profitable when manufacturing a DVD case takes as less time as possible, in other words, when the production time of the DVD case is as short as possible. As the injection molding process is based on spraying fluid plastic into an injection molding mold, relatively high temperatures are prevailing during the injection molding process, and the length of the production time is partially determined by the time that is taken up by a cooling process of the DVD case.

It is very well possible to apply the method according to the invention for the purpose of obtaining holding elements which are shaped as resilient lips, in accordance with the prior art. However, taking into consideration the desire of keeping the production time of the DVD case as short as possible, this is not preferred at all.

When lips such as those of the prior art would be formed on the inner surface of the front case part, this would lead to the creation of so-called hot spots, i.e. places where the heat removal takes place at a relatively slow pace. After all, the lips cover a portion of the inner surface of the front case part, as a result of which the removal of heat of both this portion and a side of the lips facing the inner surface is hindered. Therefore, this would involve a relatively long production time.

Preferably, according to the invention, the holding elements are not shaped as the lips known from the prior art, but the holding

elements are shaped with a ribbon-shaped clamping body, of which at least one portion is connected to the inner surface of the front case part. In this context, the term ribbon is used to indicate an object being relatively narrow with respect to its length, wherein the section may be variable along the length. The ribbon-shaped clamping body may have any suitable shape, and may be U-shaped or V- shaped, for example.

In the prior art, the holding element exclusively comprises a resilient lip. As has been remarked before, at a side facing the surface of the front case part, the resilient lip comprises a spherical surface, wherein a top of the sphere is located at approximately the level of the inner surface of the front case part. In this way, it is achieved that when an edge region of printed matter is moved between the surface and the resilient lip, the resilient lip is always somewhat pressed away from the surface. The resilient lip is inclined to spring back to the original position, and therefore, it is guaranteed that the edge region is tightly pressed against the surface by the resilient lip. When a DVD case having a fully closed front part and holding elements formed thereon is manufactured by applying the method according to the invention, the parts of the holding elements which are not connected to the surface are entirely extending at a small distance from the surface. Without the application of further measures, that would mean that the holding elements are only suitable for holding an edge region of printed matter when the value of the thickness of this edge region is higher than a certain minimum value. In order to avoid this undesirable phenomenon, the invention proposes to not only provide the holding elements with a clamping body, ribbon-shaped or not, but also with at least one rib element that is arranged on the inner surface of the front case part as a local elevation, at the position of the clamping body, so that the edge region of the printed matter to be received is pressed somewhat in the direction of the clamping body by the rib element, as a result of which the clamping action of the clamping body on this edge region is enhanced.

In a practical embodiment of the invention, the holding elements comprise a U-shaped clamping body and two elongated rib elements extending substantially parallel with respect to legs of

the clamping body. Furthermore, a curved basic portion of the clamping body is inclined upwardly a little bit, with respect to the inner surface of the front case part, and ends of the rib elements are shaped as ramps having a height which, starting from zero, gradually increases, so that a more or less V-shaped entrance region is obtained, in which an edge region of printed matter may easily be inserted. In that case, the edge region gets clamped when it is moved further between the rib elements and the clamping body.

The present invention will be explained in greater detail on the basis of the following description of the invention, with reference to the figures, in which equal or similar parts are indicated by the same reference signs, and in which: figure 1 shows an outer side of an opened DVD case; figure 2 shows an inner side of an opened DVD case,- figure 3 is a front view of a DVD; figure 4 shows a detail Z indicated in figure 2, of the inner side of the DVD case, wherein, in particular, a holding element of the DVD case is depicted; figure 5 is a perspective view of the detail shown in figure 4; figure 6 is a side view of a section A-A indicated in figure 4; figure 7 is a perspective view of the holding element, a part of a front part of the DVD case on which the holding element is located, and a part of an inlay sheet, which is held by the holding element; figure 8 shows a first alternative embodiment of the holding element; figure 9 shows a second alternative embodiment of the holding element; figure 10 shows a third alternative embodiment of the holding element; and figures 11-18 diagrammatically illustrate steps of a method for manufacturing the DVD case having at least one holding element.

Figures 1 and 2 show a DVD case 1 for receiving and enclosing a DVD 2 as shown in figure 3. The DVD 2 is shaped like a planar disk having a circular circumferential rim 3 and a circular central hole 4.

The DVD case 1 comprises a rectangular front part 11, a rectangular back part 12, and a rectangular, elongated spine part 13 extending between both case parts 11, 12. Both case parts 11, 12 and

the spine part 13 constitute a single whole, wherein the front case part 11 and the spine part 13 are connected to each other via a front folding line 14, and wherein the back case part 12 and the spine part 13 are connected to each other via a back folding line 15.

The whole of case parts 11, 12 and spine part 13 is manufactured of plastic by means of injection molding. During injection molding, a label 20 is applied at an outer side of the whole of case parts 11, 12 and spine part 13, wherein the label 20 is molten into the plastic of the whole by means of in-mold labeling.

For the purpose of holding a DVD 2, the DVD case 1, at an inner side, which is shown in figure 2, is provided with a resilient element 30 that is destined to be received in the central hole 4 of the DVD 2 and to exert an outwardly directed resilient force from that position, and a circumferential element 35 which, in the shown example, comprises a number of curved ribs, and which is destined to enclose the circumferential rim 3 of the DVD 2. In respect of the resilient element 30 and the circumferential element 35, many shapes, other than shown in figure 2, are possible, and it is even possible that the circumferential element 35 is omitted. Within the framework of the invention, it is not essential what the design of the resilient element 30 and the circumferential element 35 looks like, and therefore, the invention is applicable in case of all possible shapes of these elements 30, 35.

In figures 1 and 2, the DVD case 1 is shown in a fully opened condition. Due to the presence of the folding lines 14, 15, the DVD case 1 may be put to a closed position by a user in a simple way, by moving the case parts 11, 12 toward each other, via the folding lines 14, 15, until the case parts 11, 12 are located on top of each other, at a distance which is determined by a width of the spine part 13. In the closed condition, the resilient element 30, the circumferential element 35 and probably also a DVD 2 held by these elements 30, 35 are located inside the DVD case 1. In the shown example, both case parts 11, 12 are provided with standing circumferential rims 16 having a height which approximately corresponds to half of the width of the spine part 13, so that it is realized that in the closed condition of the DVD case 1, there really is a fully closed internal space. Along at least a portion of the circumferential rims 16 of both case parts 11, 12, means (not

shown) are provided, which are engaged with each other when the DVD case 1 is closed, and which are capable of keeping the DVD case 1 in the closed condition until a force aimed at moving the case parts 11, 12 away from each other again and opening the DVD case 1 is exerted by a user. Within the framework of the invention, the exact design of these means is not important.

On an inner surface 17 of the front case part 11, two holding elements 40 are provided, which are destined to engage with an edge region of an inlay sheet, information booklet or the like. In the shown example, each of the holding elements 40 is located near a side of the front case part 11, which is located opposite to a side via which the front case part 11 is connected to the front folding line 14. This is advantageous, because as a result, the dimensions of the inlay sheet, information booklet or the like can be as large as possible, i.e. approximately as large as the dimensions of the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11. That does not alter the fact that the holding elements 40 may have another position on the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11, for example, near the side via which the front case part 11 is connected to the front folding line 14. It is also possible that the DVD case 1 comprises more or less than two holding elements 40. For example, within the framework of the invention, it is also possible that the DVD case 1 is provided with an additional intermediate plate being pivotably connected to the spine part 13 and being located between both case parts 11, 12, wherein one or more holding elements 40 are arranged on this intermediate plate.

In figures 4-7, a holding element 40 is shown in greater detail. Moreover, figure 7 shows an edge region 51 of an inlay sheet 50, which is held by the holding element 40. In figures 4-7, it is clearly shown that the holding element 40 comprises a number of components, namely a substantially U-shaped clamping body 60 and two elongated rib elements 70. Both ends 61 of the U-shaped clamping body 60 are connected to the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11, whereas the other part of the clamping body 60 is extending at a small distance from the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11. The rib elements 70 are extending substantially parallel with respect to legs 62 of the clamping body 60, wherein the rib elements 70 are located at opposite sides of an axial line 63 of the clamping body 60, wherein, in the shown example, a distance between each of the rib elements 70 and the axial line 63 is smaller than a distance

between each of the legs 62 of the clamping body and the axial line 63. That does not alter the fact that, within the framework of the invention, it is also possible that the distance between each of the rib elements 70 and the axial line 63 is deviating from this, and, for example, is approximately equal to the distance between each of the legs 62 of the clamping body 60 and the axial line 63.

In figure 5 and 6, it is clearly shown that the rib elements 70 are shaped like elevations on the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11. Furthermore, it is clearly shown that ends of the rib elements 70 are shaped like ramps 71 having a height which, starting from zero, gradually increases. A curved basic portion 64 of the clamping body 60 is inclined upwardly a little bit, with respect to the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11. In this way, a more or less V-shaped entrance region 45 is obtained, whereby the insertion of an edge region 51 of an inlay sheet 50, information booklet or the like between the clamping body 60 and the rib elements 70 is facilitated.

In the direction of the connection between the ends 61 of the clamping body 60 and the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11, starting from the entrance region 45, the distance being present between the clamping body 60 and the rib elements 70 more and more decreases, in a direction at right angles to the inner surface 17. The mutual positioning of the clamping body 60 and the rib elements 70 may be such that this distance -can be zero or even get negative. In the latter case, an overlap between the clamping body 60 and the rib elements 70 is realized, as seen in a direction along the inner surface 17. The fact that the distance between the clamping body 60 and the rib elements 70 may be zero or even negative is advantageous in view of the operation of the holding element 40. In such a case, when an edge region 51 of an inlay sheet 50 is positioned in the entrance region 45 and is subsequently moved further in the direction of the ends 61 of the clamping body 60, at a certain moment, the clamping body 60 is pressed upwardly with respect to the rib elements 70 by this edge region 51. The clamping body 60 is inclined to spring back to its original position, and therefore, in this way, it is guaranteed that the edge region 51 is very well held by the holding element 40. Apart from that, it is the intention for the edge region 51 of the inlay sheet 50 to be moved further into the holding element 40, until an outer edge of the edge region 51 abuts against a standing edge 65 of the ends 61 of the clamping body

60, which is extending from the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11.

Within the framework of the invention, alternatives exist in respect of the embodiment of the holding element 40. For example, the holding element 40 can be realized without rib elements 70. However, it is preferred to apply the rib elements 70, especially for the purpose of enhancing the clamping action of the clamping body 60.

The clamping body 60 may have another shape than the U-shape shown in the figures. In general, a ribbon-shaped clamping body 60 is proposed by the invention, which is connected to the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11 at its ends. By means of the indication of the clamping body 60 as being ribbon-shaped, it is meant that the clamping body 60 is relatively narrow with respect to its length. The section of the clamping body 60 may vary along its length.

In figures 8-10, alternative embodiments of the holding element 40 are shown. In all shown embodiments, the holding element 40 comprises two rib elements 70. In that sense, the embodiments correspond to the holding element 40 that has already been described. However, in case of the embodiments shown in figures 8 and 9, it is true that the shape of the clamping body 60 is deviating. In figure 8, a V-shaped clamping body 60 is shown, of which both ends 61 are connected to the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11, whereas the other part of the clamping body 60 is extending at a small distance from the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11. In figure 9, a clamping body 60 having two substantially parallel legs 62 is shown, wherein the legs 62 are interconnected by means of a basic part 64 extending substantially at right angles to the legs 62. In this variant, it is also true that both ends 61 are connected to the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11, whereas the other part of the clamping body 60 is extending at a small distance from the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11. The holding element 40 shown in figure 10 comprises two I-shaped clamping bodies 60, which are extending substantially parallel with respect to each other and with respect to the rib elements 70. Each of both clamping bodies 60 is connected to the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11 at an end 61 that is located near the circumferential rim 16 of the front case part 11.

The whole of front case part 11, spine part 13 and back case part 12, including the resilient element 30, the circumferential element 35 and the holding elements 40 is manufactured by means of injection molding. Injection molding is a known technique in which fluid plastic is sprayed into a mold, wherein the mold comprises a forming cavity which determines the ultimate shape of the injection molding product. In view of the fact that fluid plastic is applied, relatively high temperatures are prevailing during injection molding. Before the product is ready to be removed from the mold, it needs to have been cooled down to a point at which it is capable of maintaining its shape without the support of the mold. Usually, the product needs to have been cooled down completely before it may be processed any further, or before it may be packed, for example.

Within the framework of the invention, it is not necessary for the at least one clamping body 60 of the holding element 40 to be ribbon-shaped, i.e. to have a relatively narrow shape. However, this is preferred, because due to this, the holding element 40 has an open structure, and it may be prevented that, after the injection molding process has taken place, a so-called hot spot is obtained on the DVD case 1, at the position of the holding element 40, which cools down at a relatively slow pace with respect to the other parts of the DVD case 1. In this way, the production time of the DVD case 1 is kept as short as possible.

Steps of a method according to the invention for manufacturing the DVD case 1 having at least one holding element 40 having a U- shaped clamping body 60 are diagrammatically depicted in figures 11- 18. Apart from that, the method can be applied in a similar manner when the holding element 40 has another shape, for example, a shape such as shown in figures 8-10.

In figure 11, a portion of a first mold half 80 is shown, which, during the manufacturing process of the DVD case 1, is applied for the purpose of forming the inner side of the DVD case 1, including the holding element 40. The first mold half 80 is part of a mold (not shown) which comprises a second mold half (not shown) as well. During the manufacturing process, the first mold half 80 is used in combination with the second mold half for the purpose of constituting a forming cavity of which an inner surface defines an outer surface of the DVD case 1. The associated condition of the mold is indicated as closed condition of the mold. For the purpose

of letting in the fluid plastic in the closed mold, one of both mold halves is provided with an inlet opening (not shown) .

The first mold half 80 comprises a basic mold part 81 and a pin mold part 82 extending through a hole in the basic mold part 81. The pin mold part 82 is displaceably arranged with respect to the basic mold part 81, and is separately shown in figure 12. In this figure, it is shown that the pin mold part 82 is shaped like a rod having a rectangular section, wherein a U-shaped recess 83 is arranged along the entire length of the rod. At a side which will hereinafter be referred to as upper side, the mold parts 81, 82 are provided with a predetermined pattern of recesses. The patterns in the mold parts 81, 82 are adapted to each other, so that, when an upper surface 84 of the pin mold part 82 is extending in the same plane as an upper surface 85 of the basic mold part 81, forming cavities defining the shape of the holding element 40 are present in the first mold half 80. In the following, the associated mutual position of the mold parts 81, 82 will be indicated as starting position.

In the upper surface 85 of the basic mold part 81, two elongated recesses 86a are located, which are each destined to form a first part of a rib element 70. Also, in the upper surface 84 of the pin mold part 82, two elongated recesses 86b are located, which are each destined for forming a second part of a rib element 70, wherein, in the shown example, the elongated recesses 86b in the upper surface 84 of the pin mold part 82 are shorter than the elongated recesses 86a in the upper surface 85 of the basic mold part 81. In the starting position, the pair of elongated recesses 86a in the upper surface 85 of the basic mold part 81 and the pair of elongated recesses 86b in the upper surface 84 of the pin mold part 82 extend as a continuation of each other, so that these pairs are capable of jointly forming the two rib elements 70.

Besides the elongated recesses 86a, two other recesses 87a are formed in the upper surface 85 of the basic mold part 81, which are destined to form the ends 61 of the legs 62 of the clamping body 60. In the pin mold part 82, at a small distance below the level of the upper surface 84, a groove 87b is arranged in the wall of the U- shaped recess 83. In the starting position, this groove 87b is closed by the basic mold part 81, and is only accessible via the recesses 87a in the upper surface 85 of the basic mold part 81, which are destined to form the ends 61 of the legs 62 of the

clamping body 60. The space of the groove 87b is destined to form the other part of the clamping body 60.

The DVD case 1 is formed by introducing fluid plastic in the mold, wherein the forming cavity which is enclosed by the mold halves is filled with the plastic. In the process, the holding element 40 is formed in forming cavities in the first mold half 80, which are constituted by a combination of the elongated recesses 86a, 86b in the upper surfaces 84, 85 of the mold parts 81, 82 and a combination of the recesses 87a in the upper surface 85 of the basic mold part 81 and the groove 87b in the pin mold part 82, which is closed by the basic mold part 81. A filled condition of the forming cavities for forming the holding element 40 is diagrammatically depicted in figure 13, wherein, for sake of clarity, only a portion of the first mold half 80 is shown. In figure 14, the first mold half 80 is completely omitted, so that only the obtained shape is shown. It is clearly shown that this shape corresponds to the holding element 40 having the U-shaped clamping body 60 and the two rib elements 70, as described and shown earlier.

When the plastic of the DVD case 1 has cured sufficiently to be capable of maintaining its shape without support of the mold, the mold is put from the closed condition to an opened condition, wherein the second mold half is moved away from the DVD case 1, and wherein the DVD case 1 is moved away from the f-irst mold half 80. However, first of all, the DVD case 1 is only moved away from the basic mold part 81 of the first mold half 80, because a mutual movement of the DVD case 1 and the pin mold part 82, which is directed away from each other, is hindered by a portion of the clamping body 60, which is located in the groove 87b, i.e. a portion of the clamping body 60 extending from the ends 61 which are connected to the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11. This portion of the clamping body 60 will hereinafter be indicated as free portion of the clamping body 60. In figure 15, it is illustrated how the free portion of the clamping body 60 is positioned with respect to the pin mold part 82 at first. In the various figures in which the pin mold part 82 is shown, it is shown that a longitudinal axis of the pin mold part 82 does not extend at right angles to, but at another angle with respect to the upper surface 84 of the pin mold part 82. Due to this, it is not only achieved that when the DVD case 1 is moved away from the basic mold part 81, in a direction substantially at right angles to the

upper surface 85 of the basic mold part 81, the pin mold part 82 is extended with respect to the basic mold part 81, but also that the pin mold part 82 is displaced with respect to the DVD case 1, in a direction along its upper surface 84. In the process, the upper surface 84 of the pin mold part 82 moves along the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11 of the DVD case 1. The direction in which the longitudinal axis of the pin mold part 82 is extending determines in which direction the upper surface 84 of the pin mold part 82 is moving along the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11 of the DVD case 1. The direction of the longitudinal axis of the pin mold part 82 is adapted to realizing a movement in the direction in which the axial line 63 of the clamping body 60 is extending, away from the clamping body 60. Due to this, it is achieved that the free portion of the clamping body 60, which was enclosed in the pin mold part 82 at first, is gradually released by the pin mold part 82.

In figures 16-18, an extended position of the pin mold part 82 with respect to the basic mold part 81 is shown, as seen from different sides, wherein the clamping body 60 is completely removed from the pin mold part 82. Especially in figure 18, this is clearly- shown. Due to the fact that the clamping body 60 is U-shaped, the distance along which the pin mold part 82 needs to be displaced in the direction along the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11 of the DVD case 1 before the clamping body 60 is completely released by the pin mold part 82 is relatively small, smaller than in case the clamping body 60 comprises two substantially parallel legs 62, for example, which are interconnected by means of a basic part 64 extending substantially at right angles with respect to the legs 62, as is the case in respect of the clamping body 60 shown in figure 9, assuming that the rough dimensions of the differently shaped clamping bodies 60 are approximately equal. When the clamping body 60 is V-shaped, like the clamping body 60 shown in figure 8, the distance along which the pin mold part 82 needs to be displaced in the direction along the inner surface 17 of the front case part 11 of the DVD case 1 before the clamping body 60 is completely released by the pin mold part 82 is even smaller.

For sake of completeness, it is noted that in figure 17, a number of pushing pins 90 are shown, which are applied for the purpose of pushing the DVD case 1 away from the basic mold part 81. As soon as the DVD case 1 is loose with respect to both the basic

mold part 81 and the pin mold part 82, the DVD case 1 can be taken out of the mold. For the purpose of forming a next DVD case 1, the pushing pins 90 are retracted with respect to the basic mold part 81. The pin mold part 82 is also retracted with respect to the basic mold part 81, until the starting position of the mold parts 81, 82 is reached.

The above-described method for forming the DVD case 1 assumes that the various parts 11, 12, 13 of the DVD case 1 need to be fully- closed. Due to this, the method is especially suitable to be applied when a label 20 is also applied at the outer side of the front part 11, the spine part 13 and the back part 12 of the DVD case 1 by- means of in-mold labeling. By giving the holding element 40 an open structure, for example by providing the clamping body 60 with a ribbon-shape, it is prevented that a so-called hot spot is obtained on the DVD case 1 after the injection molding process has taken place, which cools down at a relatively slow pace with respect to the other parts of the DVD case 1, and consequently has a prolonging effect on the total production time of the DVD case 1.

On the basis of the figures 11-18, the formation of a portion of the DVD case 1 having one holding element 40 has been described and illustrated. When a DVD case 1 having more than one holding element 40 is manufactured, use is made of a first mold half 80 comprising more than one pin mold part 82, wherein the number of pin mold parts 82 corresponds to the number of holding ^* elements 40. Also, at more than one place, the basic mold part 81 is provided with the group of recesses 86a, 87a for forming a part of a holding element 40, wherein the number of groups corresponds to the number of holding elements 40.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims. In the foregoing, it has already been noted that the holding element 40 may have another shape than the shown shape, and that the number of holding elements 40 per DVD case 1 and the position of the holding elements 40 on the DVD case 1 may be chosen freely within the framework of the invention. In view of keeping limited the production time of the DVD case 1, it is preferred when the holding

element 40 comprises a ribbon-shaped clamping body 60, wherein an open structure is obtained, which is still effective in holding an inlay sheet 50, information booklet or the like.

In the foregoing, it has been described that, for the purpose of removing the DVD case 1 from the first mold half 80, the DVD case 1 is pushed from the basic mold portion 81 by applying the pushing pins 90, and that, in the process, the pin mold part 82 is extended with respect to the basic mold part 81. However, for example, it is also possible that the DVD case 1 is kept in place, and that only both mold parts 81, 82 are moved. The point is that mutual movements of the basic mold part 81 and the DVD case 1, of the basic mold part 81 and the pin mold part 82, and of the pin mold part 82 and the DVD case 1 are realized.

The mold can be adapted to manufacturing more than one DVD case 1, for example four DVD cases 1, at one time.

It is not essential that the first mold half 80 is arranged such that a movement of the DVD case 1 in a direction away from the basic mold part 81 causes a movement of the pin mold part 82, which results in a release of the holding element 40. When that would not be the case, for example when the longitudinal axis of the pin mold part 82 would be extending substantially at right angles to the upper surface 84 of the pin mold part 82, and the mold parts 81, 82 would be movable with respect to each other in that direction, it is still possible to remove the DVD case 1 completely from the first mold half 80. However, in that case, measures are necessary for causing a mutual movement of the pin mold part 82 and the DVD case 1 after the DVD case 1 and the basic mold part 81 have moved away from each other, as the pin mold part 82 is not automatically displaced with respect to the DVD case 1 by a movement of the basic mold part 81. These measures comprise causing a mutual movement of the DVD case 1 and the entire first mold half 80.

In respect of the dimensions of the DVD case 1 and the various components thereof, the following values may be applicable, for example: long side of the case parts 11, 12: 192 mm,- short side of the case parts 11, 12: 135 mm; length of the clamping body 60, measured in a direction parallel with respect to the axial line 63 : 13 mm,-

width of the clamping body 60, measured in a direction at right angles to the axial line 63 : 12 mm; length of a rib element 70: 9 mm.

The holding element 40 is suitable for holding an edge region of one or more sheets, in particular an inlay sheet 50, information booklet or the like, wherein the sheets may be made of all kinds of appropriate materials, for example of paper, cardboard or plastic.

In the foregoing, a method for manufacturing a DVD case 1 has been described. The DVD case 1, including holding elements 40 for holding printed matter such as an inlay sheet 50, is manufactured by means of injection molding. During the injection molding process, a mold having two mold halves is used, wherein a first mold half 80 is exclusively applied for the purpose of forming the holding elements 40, so that a front case part 11, onto which the holding elements 40 are arranged, can be fully closed. The first mold half 80 comprises a basic mold part 81 and pin mold parts 82 being displaceable with respect to the basic mold part 81. Both the basic mold part 81 and the pin mold parts 82 are provided with recesses 86a, 86b, 87a, 87b for the purpose of forming the holding elements 40.

After the DVD case 1 has been formed in the mold, this is moved away from the basic mold part 81. The pin mold parts 82 move along with the DVD case 1, in one direction, while, at the same time, the pin mold parts 82 are displaced with respect to the DVD case 1 in another direction, in order to release the holding elements 40. In this way, it is achieved that it is possible to manufacture a DVD case 1 which is fully closed at an outer side, is provided with holding elements 40, and in spite of that can be released by the first mold half 80. Because of the fact that the DVD case 1 is fully closed at the outer side, in-mold labeling techniques may be applied during the injection molding process, in order to provide the DVD case 1 with a label 20.

The shown holding element 40 comprises two elongated rib elements 70 and a ribbon-shaped clamping body 60. As a consequence of this design, the holding element 40 has an open structure, which is advantageous in view of the cooling time needed for the DVD case 1. In order to manufacture the DVD case 1 in mass production, it is particularly desirable to keep the time that is needed for cooling down the DVD case 1 as short as possible.

The method according to the invention is not only suitable to be applied for the purpose of manufacturing DVD cases. It is also possible to apply the method for the purpose of manufacturing other injecting molding products which need to be equipped with at least one holding element.