Self closing case for holding a compact disc

United States Patent Application 20040206644

A Compact Disc storage case having a flexible body made of plastic, paper, or other flexible material. The case is opened by placing the case in your hand and squeezing the outer edge at the appropriate points. Once opened in this fashion a CD may be inserted or removed. Then once the desired action has been performed the squeezing may be stopped and the case will return to its original position holding the CD securely and safely if one was inserted. The case also has two inwardly protruding “dimples” or indentions in the middle of the case to facilitate the centering of the disc when inserted into the case. Optionally, the case may be surrounded by appropriate paperwork as needed.

Stalnecker, Frederick Davis (Mount Juliet, TN, US)

10/417376

10/21/2004

04/16/2003

Click for automatic bibliography generation

STALNECKER FREDERICK DAVIS

206/312

G9B/33.01

G11B33/04; (IPC1-7): B65D85/30

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WILLIAMS, JAMILA O

FREDERICK DAVIS STALNECKER (MOUNT JULIET, TN, US)

What is claimed is:

1. A self closing case for holding a compact disc for facilitating the quick and easy one handed storage and removal of a compact disc from its protective case by squeezing the outside edges at the opposing sides of the case comprising: means for flexable protection; means for providing an opening for the insertion and extraction of the disc; means for the cd entrance and exit location, operationally constructed to said means for providing an opening for the insertion and extraction of the disc, and circumferentially linked to said means for flexable protection; means for the designation of the squeeze point, flexibly molded to said means for flexable protection; means for the designation of the other squeeze point, oppositely positioned to said means for the designation of the squeeze point, and flexibly molded to said means for flexable protection; means for the effective locking and centering of the inserted cd, functionally placed to said means for flexable protection; means for the effective locking in place and centering of the inserted cd, oppositely positioned to said means for the effective locking and centering of the inserted cd, and functionally placed to said means for flexable protection; and means for holding the cd.

2. The self closing case for holding a compact disc in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for flexable protection comprises a protection body.

3. The self closing case for holding a compact disc in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing an opening for the insertion and extraction of the disc comprises an opening for 180 degrees of the circumference entrance and exit path.

4. The self closing case for holding a compact disc in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for the cd entrance and exit location comprises a circumference.

5. The self closing case for holding a compact disc in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for the designation of the squeeze point comprises a left side.

6. The self closing case for holding a compact disc in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for the designation of the other squeeze point comprises a right side.

7. The self closing case for holding a compact disc in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for the effective locking and centering of the inserted cd comprises a dimple a.

8. The self closing case for holding a compact disc in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for the effective locking in place and centering of the inserted cd comprises a dimple b.

9. The self closing case for holding a compact disc in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for holding the cd comprises a flexible cd case.

10. A self closing case for holding a compact disc for facilitating the quick and easy one handed storage and removal of a compact disc from its protective case by squeezing the outside edges at the opposing sides of the case comprising: a protection body, for flexable protection; an opening for 180 degrees of the circumference entrance and exit path, for providing an opening for the insertion and extraction of the disc; a circumference, for the cd entrance and exit location, operationally constructed to said entrance and exit path, and circumferentially linked to said body; a left side, for the designation of the squeeze point, flexibly molded to said body; a right side, for the designation of the other squeeze point, oppositely positioned to said left side, and flexibly molded to said body; a dimple a, for the effective locking and centering of the inserted cd, functionally placed to said body; a dimple b, for the effective locking in place and centering of the inserted cd, oppositely positioned to said dimple A, and functionally placed to said body; and a flexible cd case, for holding the cd.

11. The self closing case for holding a compact disc as recited in claim 10, further comprising: an artwork, for advertising or displaying the attributes of the enclosed cd, optionally folded around to said body.

12. A self closing case for holding a compact disc for facilitating the quick and easy one handed storage and removal of a compact disc from its protective case by squeezing the outside edges at the opposing sides of the case comprising: a protection body, for flexable protection; an opening for 180 degrees of the circumference entrance and exit path, for providing an opening for the insertion and extraction of the disc; a circumference, for the cd entrance and exit location, operationally constructed to said entrance and exit path, and circumferentially linked to said body; a left side, for the designation of the squeeze point, flexibly molded to said body; a right side, for the designation of the other squeeze point, oppositely positioned to said left side, and flexibly molded to said body; a dimple a, for the effective locking and centering of the inserted cd, functionally placed to said body; a dimple b, for the effective locking in place and centering of the inserted cd, oppositely positioned to said dimple A, and functionally placed to said body; an artwork, for advertising or displaying the attributes of the enclosed cd, optionally folded around to said body; and a flexible cd case, for holding the cd.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a compact disc case and, more particularly, to a self closing flexible compact disc case that opens or closes with one hand when squeezed or released.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Compact discs (CD's) are the most prevalent way of recording and storing information in the world today. The recording surface of a CD, however, is subject to scratching and soiling due to handling. Accordingly, manufacturers highly recommend cases to protect them. All of the CD cases available require two hands to open and close. Almost all of them are made of a very hard and breakable styrene or other plastic compounds. These cases can break and cause injury.

[0003] Other solutions to protect CD's include the common hard plastic “jewel cases”, tyvex envelopes called “sleeves”, and “clam shell” devices such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,363. An individual CD file having two a first shell and a second shell hinged together, wherein the first shell has a split hub at the center, for holding compact discs. Other cases are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,894 issued to Lakoski et al. A data disk holder for electronic data storage disks such as compact disks (CDs), includes two opposed, generally arcuate planar closure members which are joined together along a base portion by a living hinge. U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,216 issued to Nesbitt et al. A jewel case for a compact laser disc consists of a transparent hinged case and a disc holder received inside the case. U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,957 issued to Ackeret. A container for storing flat recording media, such as compact discs, has a housing and a plurality of media holders which can be moved between a storage position and an ejected position. Also there is U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,599 issued to Mahler. The jacket for a compact disc carrier comprises a generally rectangular space defined by a top panel, bottom panel, two side panels and an end panel.

[0004] Heretofore, no device has been created to fulfill the need for a cost effective, safe, and easily operable CD case. Without exception every other solution requires the use of two hands to open and close the case. They are all labor intensive to manufacture and assemble. Most are not weather proof and are easy to tear or destroy accidentally. Most, while protecting the CD, can actually harm the user when shattered or broken into striated sharp pieces. None of the presently manufactured cases considers the needs of the handicapped. None of the CD cases presently manufactured may be printed on.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a packaging for the disc marketing industry and/or to allow the storage of a CD in a flexible case.

[0006] It is still another object of the invention to provide a CD case that opens easily with one hand.

[0007] A further object of the invention is to prevent any sharp edges which can injure a person when being used.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a secure non-abrasive environment for the CD.

[0009] It is yet another object of the invention to provide CD cases in different sizes to accommodate different sized discs.

[0010] A still further object of the invention is to provide a case to hold all types of compact discs which could include digital video discs, computer software, musical CD's, and/or any information stored on a disc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a compact disc storage case having a flexible body made of flexible material. The case is opened by placing the case in hand and squeezing the outer edge at the appropriate points which are disposed 180 degrees from and opposite each other. Once opened in this fashion a CD may be inserted or removed. Then once the desired action has been performed the squeezing may be stopped and the case (once released) will return to its original position holding the CD securely if one was inserted. The case also has corresponding protrusions or indentions in the middle of the case to facilitate the centering and secure storage of the disc. These dimples are approximately the same size as the hole in the middle of a compact disc. This case may be made of any flexible material such as paper, plastic, rubber, or other flexible compound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of a CD case in accordance with the invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of a the inventive CD case; and

[0015] FIG. 3 is a top view of a the CD case showing poster artwork.

[0016] For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the FIGURES.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the CD case 10 of the present invention. This CD case 10 of the present invention has a flexible body 12 that may be fabricated of any suitable material which allows for the proper flexing of the body 12. An entrance and exit path 14 is created when the body 12 is squeezed with sufficient force as described herein below. Since luminescent or “glow in the dark” materials are available, the body 12 could also be manufactured in this material for ease of use-in darkened environments. Various colors and embossings are optional as well. For instance, a recording artist's name or software title could actually be molded into the case to distinguish this case from another case. The Logos and trademarks could also be embossed or printed on the CD case 10 for the purpose of advertising, or filing by name or category.

[0018] Referring now also to FIG. 2, body 12 is sealed along one half of its circumference 15 and unsealed along the other half of its circumference 15 , as shown, forming an opening or entrance and exit path 14.

[0019] In operation, this is openable and closable with only one hand, not shown. Besides making this

[0020] extremely easy to use, it is also perfectly adapted for use by handicapped people as well.

[0021] By squeezing on the left side 16 and the right side 18 of the body 12 , disposed opposite each other, the CD storage case opens in a similar fashion to the plastic change purses, not shown, which were made in the 1950s. Please see U.S. Pat. No. 2,667,906 “Oct. 16, 1951 ” issued to B. Stiller for a description of such purses. These change purses were opened by squeezing but were not similar to the invention in any other way. The opening for these change purses was not on the outside edge, but was located in the middle and ran across the flat surface of one side, not around a slit at the circumference 15.

[0022] Once inserted in the body 12 of the CD case 10, a CD, not shown, is held in place securely by a dimple A 20 and a dimple B 22 which are opposite each other and curving towards the inside of the body 12 in order to coincide with a conventional hole found in the middle of a CD.

[0023] The CD case 10 can also be wrapped in Artwork 24, as shown in FIG. 3. Artwork 24 can be wrapped, folded around, or surround the CD case 10 to display information about the CD enclosed. This Artwork 24 can be made of paper or foil or any other suitable, bendable material and could also be folded around the CD case 10 to have the exact same shape and size of a CD jewel case so that the CD case 10 would fit into the shelves, bins, and racks at retail outlets and at home, presently sized for the common hard plastic jewel cases in present use. This would ensure that the size of the new CD case 10 would not impede its use commercially. A CD case 10 wrapped in Artwork 24 would be a commercial success.

[0024] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

[0025] Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.