Special receptacle or package – For holding a machine readable recording medium – For holding an optical disc
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-03
2001-03-27
Fidei, David T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For holding a machine readable recording medium
For holding an optical disc
C206S310000, C206S493000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206186
ABSTRACT:
This application is a national stage application, according to Chapter II of the Patent Cooperation Treaty. This application claims priority from Spanish Application No. U 9703025 filed Nov. 11, 1997.
The present invention refers to a case for magnetic supports in disk shaped, such as compact disks (CD) and digital video disks (DVD) or similar.
At the moment diverse cases of this type are known, the most mentioned up to now being, the CD cases for audio and data and software.
In a similar way, these cases include in their central part a generally cylindrical projecting formation for a tight engagement in the central hole that is present in these types of disks and that protrudes from its upper part through the mentioned central hole of the disk when it is engaged in it. Also customarily, this cylindrical projection is deformable by compression, so that the disk can be released from its corresponding engagement when the user exercises a pressure on it, for example with one of his fingers.
Also, in general, the mentioned cylindrical formation, is provided integrally with the corresponding wall of the case, for example like a portion formed in molding processes for the production of the same. DE-4107218-A1 discloses a device to fix objects having a flat cross section and a hole for fixing element, such as for example a disc.
The document WO-9741563, considered as the closest prior art, discloses a case for a CD or the like made of plastics material and having a base and a hinged lid. The base and the lid have a generally square shape whereas the former also has generally cylindrical portion protruding upward and holding the CD in its central hole; this portion is elastic and can be pushed by the user in a downward direction against a bias force so as to release the discs. Particular embodiments of invention show a number of wall segments having together a buttonlike shape, and the upper parts of these wall segments have a peripheral projection for holding the disc as tight as possible, whereas the lower parts of the wall segments are connected to elastic wings which generate the upward bias force mentioned above. The wall segments and the wings are molded from the same plastics material.
From this configuration, different inconveniences result, like, for example, since the button is shaped by a number cylindrical wall segments, its upper base, over which the user exercises the pressure with his finger, is divided and has a cracks that tend to close when applying the release pressure, trapping (catching) the fingertip of the user, producing a disagreeable feeling for said user when trying to release the disc; also, burrs may from between these cracks during the molding process that would impede or hinder the release operation; also as the button is shaped by parts separated from each other, it can happen that the release pressure is exercised only over one or several of these parts, the remaining ones not acting, so that this release pressure can be insufficient to release the disc; on other hand, as the peripheral projections for holding the disc are shaped on the upper part of the cylindrical wall segments that shape the button, and the flexible wings are on the lower part of the button, the vertical excursion towards the bottom wall of the case should be of a considerable magnitude to such an extent that it surpasses the plane of this bottom wall, otherwise the peripheral projections for holding the disc should be very narrowly shaped so if they are worn with use they would lose their capacity to hold the disc; finally, when applying a release pressure on this device, as soon as the peripheral projections are below the lowest wall of the disc hole, said disc is released without any type of fastening , so that if the box does not occupy a perfectly horizontal position, the disc would fall without more from its engagement due to its weight, capable of hitting against the floor and being damaged.
The purpose of the invention is the development of a case of the type indicated foremost that presents an improved operation regarding to the prior art that is also of an easy manufacturing and safe operation.
In accordance with the invention this task is achieved, with a case made from plastic materials manufactured by means of molding processes, that has in the central part of one of its bindings or case covers and formed from the material of the wall of the same a portion deformable by compression on which stightly engage the disk through its central hole; the elastic portion being provided as a projection in a button-shape with lateral branches elastically deformable and an upper border with a peripheral projection for a corresponding engagement to the central hole of the disk, whose branches are connected in its lower end by some wings tilted upwards, also elastically deformable, formed from the material of the wall of the corresponding bindings or case cover; the mentioned elastic wings forming an angle in relation to the corresponding wall of the case cover; being provided a circumference projection for support of the external border of the disk on the wall of the case cover; wherein
the button (
4
) properly said is shaped as a continuous surface without cracks of a reduced diameter in comparison to the diameter of the central hole (
3
a
) of the disc and whose height is dimensioned so that its higher part is located above the vertical plane that contains the holding projections (
5
b
) of the disc, the lowest part in this button (
4
) being linked to first L-shaped branches (
5
) directed (extending) upwards that each is prolonged in a second L-shaped branch (
5
a
) bent downwards where said holding projections (
5
b
) are formed, the lowest part (
5
c
) of this second L-shaped branch (
5
a
) being linked to the inclined wings (
6
) and said lower part (
5
c
) being at a vertical distance regarding the bottom of the case (
7
) greater than the respective vertical distance of the lowest part of the button, and wherein,
on the bottom of the case are provided additional fixed portions of a cylindrical wall (
8
) for guidance and support of the central hole (
3
a
) of the disc (
3
), whose portion (
8
) are shaped on the same circumference where the vertical tracts of the second L-shaped branch (
5
a
) lie.
This button-shape allows to eliminate thanks to the continuous surface, the effect of having caught the user's finger, also, as the upper part is located highly above the holding peripheral projections and the lower base of the button is bellow the point of junction of the second bent branch and the flexible wings, the holding exercised by the peripheral projections will always be released before said lower part of the button reaches the level of the bottom wall of the case.
Also, the additional fixed portions (
8
) that not act with release pressure serve to keep the disc centered on them even when the holding exercised by the peripheral projections (
5
b
) has already been released, this way the disc is kept form falling if when releasing the disc the case is in a non-vertical position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5788068 (1998-08-01), Fraser et al.
patent: 5944181 (1999-08-01), Lau
patent: 5988375 (1999-11-01), Chang
patent: 6041922 (2000-03-01), Kollinell
patent: 4107218 A1 (1992-09-01), None
patent: 2751777 A1 (1998-01-01), None
patent: WO 9614636 A1 (1996-05-01), None
patent: WO 9736298 A1 (1997-10-01), None
patent: WO 9741563 A1 (1997-11-01), None
Cerda-Torres Ruben
Cerda-Vilaplana Gustavo
Adams, Schwartz & Evans P.A.
Fidei David T.
Luong Shian
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