CASE WITH SLIDABLE TRAY FOR DISC MEDIA

Field of the invention The present invention relates to apparatus for the packaging of disc media and the like.

Although the invention is described with particular reference to compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs) and the like, it will be appreciated that the invention is applicable to the packaging of any substantially planar material.

Background of the invention

Disc-shaped media, such as CDs and DVDs are generally packaged in plastic cases which are known as "jewel boxes". Such cases are generally rectangular and have a "top" section or case which is pivotally mounted to a "bottom" section or base. The base in turn has a mounting hub which can pass through the central aperture in the disk to hold the disk in place.

In contrast, the present invention provides a different structure for the packaging of disks and the like. According to various particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, it can be integrated into another item, such as the cover of a book.

Summary of the invention

In one aspect, the present invention provides case for a disc or the like, comprising: a body; and a tray which is: slidably mounted within the body; and adapted to receive and retain a disk.

It is preferred that the body comprises two separate components, and that the tray is slidably mounted between those two separate components.

It is preferred that the case further comprises a latch which is adapted to retain the tray in a position in which the tray is within the body of the case.

It is preferred that the case further comprises urging means which is adapted to move the tray into a position in which it at least partially protrudes from the body of the case. It is preferred that the urging means comprises at least one helical spring.

It is preferred that the case comprises a cover and a base.

It is preferred that both the cover and the base are substantially rectangular in plan view.

It is preferred that the case for a disc or the like is in turn attached to another article.

It is preferred that the another article is a book. It is particularly preferred that the case for a disk or the like be within the cover of the book.

It will accordingly be seen that embodiments of the present invention a different structure for the packaging of disks and the like. In particular, they can be integrated into another item, such as the cover of a book.

Brief description of the drawings

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, preferred embodiments of it are described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: figure 1 is a perspective view, from an upper left viewpoint, of a preferred embodiment of the invention; figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of figure 1, viewed from an upper left viewpoint; figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of figure 1, viewed from an upper right viewpoint; figure 4 is a plan view from underneath of the embodiment of figure 1 ; figure 5 is a perspective view, from an upper- front-right viewpoint, of another preferred embodiment of the invention; figure 6 is another perspective view of the embodiment of figure 5; and figure 7 is another perspective view of the embodime ^' nt of figure 5, from substantially the same viewpoint as figure 5.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in figures 1 to 5.

According to that embodiment, there is provided a case 1 for a disc or the like. The case 1 comprises a cover 2, a base 3 and a tray 4. The tray 4 is mounted to the base 3 as is the cover 2, as described in more detail below.

The cover 2 is made in a substantially tray-shaped form having a substantially rectangular side 17 with an upstanding peripheral edge 18 around three sides, without any upstanding peripheral edge at its fourth side.

Similarly to the cover 2, the base 3 is made in a substantially tray-shaped form having a substantially rectangular side 19 with an upstanding peripheral edge 21 around three sides, without any upstanding peripheral edge on its fourth side.

The cover 2 and the base 3 are of substantially the same size and shape so that they can be joined together in a manner that is described in more detail below.

A tray 4 is slidably mounted within the base 3. A central hub 23 protrudes from the tray 4 for receipt of, and retention of, a disc 6 in the known manner. The tray 4 also includes a disc-shaped depression 22 for receipt of a disc 6 in known manner, as well as apertures 24 to allow insertion of a user's fingers to remove a disc 6 from the tray 4.

The tray 4 is slidably moveable between the position in which it is shown in figure 4 and positions in which it is shown in figures 1, 2 and 3. The tray 4 is provided with a latch tongue 26 which is cooperable with a latch 11 which is mounted on the base 4. On initial insertion of the latch tongue 26 into the latch 11, the latch tongue 26 is retained within the latch, resulting in retention of the tray 4 in the position in which it is illustrated in figure 4. Subsequent forces applied to the tray 4 in the direction of the latch 11 results in release of latch tongue 26 from the latch 11 in the manner known for such latches.

The latch 11 is mounted within a mounting 9 which in turn is preferably formed integrally with the base 3.

Mountings 7 and 12 are also preferably formed integrally with the base 3, for receipt of springs 8 and 13 respectively. Springs 8 and 13 are helical springs which are orientated with their axes parallel to the direction of sliding of the tray 4 within the base 3. On release of the latch tongue 26 from the latch 11, the springs 8 and 13 provide an initial impetus, propelling the tray 4 out of the base 3.

The cover 2 is preferably mounted to the base 3 by use of screws 14 which pass through screw holes 16 in the base 3 and into complementary apertures in the cover 2.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which the case 1 is incorporated into another article such as a book 27. In the embodiment of the invention, the case 1 is incorporated into the front cover 28 of the book 27 so that it is hidden except for a front edge of the tray 4. Pressure applied to the tray 4 (such as by pressing on it with a finger) causes the latch tongue 26 to disengage from the latch 11 and the tray 4 "pops out" of the book cover 28.

While the present invention has been described with reference to a few specific embodiments, the description is illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

"Comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.