Package making – Methods – Filling preformed receptacle and closing
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-28
2003-09-30
Foster, Jim (Department: 3728)
Package making
Methods
Filling preformed receptacle and closing
C206S214000, C206S232000, C206S308100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06625959
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates, in general, to a device for packaging and displaying a circular or disc-shaped media and other materials and a method for packaging such disc-shaped media and other materials and, in particular, to containers and methods for initially packaging and thereafter repeatedly storing disc-shaped media together with or without other materials.
Still more particularly the present invention relates to a new and improved container for initially packaging and thereafter repeated storing of disc-shaped media and other materials in stacked relationship, having a first chamber adapted to be slidably inserted within a second chamber for respectively receiving and securely retaining the disc media and the other materials.
Still more particularly the present invention further relates to a new and improved system and method for initially packaging and thereafter repeated storing of media and other materials in stacked relationship, wherein a first container having a center column for its upper portion and a means for receiving and retaining materials other than the disc-shaped item as its lower portion is slidably inserted within an elongated second container. A cover is also provided to close the opening to the second container, thereby sealing the contents of both the first and second containers. The disc-shaped media is releasably retained within either the first container or the cover in a manner that the media is permitted to move rotationally while being limited in linear movement both perpendicularly and parallel to the plane of the media, and the other materials are placed inside an open ended second container or in the means for receiving and retaining on the lower portion of the first container. The first container is then inserted into the second container through the open end, and then cover is then releasably attached to the second container.
2. Background of the Invention
Packaging and storage devices for media are generally known. Disc-shaped media, such as CD's, DVD's or CD-ROM's, encounter special problems in handling, packaging and storage due to their delicate, flat recorded surfaces. Such disc media is generally sold in plastic cases which are sometimes referred to as “jewel boxes.” Such cases are generally rectangular and have a mounting hub for holding the disc media by its center aperture. Such cases are usually kept after purchase of the disc media and utilized for re-packaging of the disc media between usage. Such jewel boxes are impractical packaging containers for shipping because of their small dimensions and easy breakage, and they thus require substantial additional packaging material or placement in larger shipping containers.
Disc media is routinely sold with other materials (whether directly related to the content of the disc media, i.e., ancillary, or otherwise). At the present time, disc media in such “jewel boxes” is commonly packaged together with ancillary materials in larger rectangular shaped cardboard boxes for shipping, sale and packaging. The “jewel boxes” are necessary to reliably protect the disc media from contact with the ancillary materials in the larger cardboard boxes. Such plastic case/cardboard box combination package arrangements are not only expensive, they also do not lend themselves to easy and secure repeated re-storage of the disc media and ancillary materials. They are often damaged during initial opening and repeated re-storage. They are often unable after initial opening to securely re-store the disc media (in the jewel box) and the other materials together in the cardboard packaging in a manner to preclude contact with each other. They frequently become unsightly after initial opening and repeated re-storage. They are, themselves, difficult to handle and store.
Other types of packaging and storage devices are needed to organize, protect, ship, display at retail and store disc media sold and/or shipped in combination with ancillary materials.
A need also exists for devices which can effectively and efficiently organize, protect, ship, display at retail and store disc shaped media with other materials.
An opportunity exists that is not being commercially exploited at the present time to distribute disc-shaped recording media with materials that are either ancillary or wholly unrelated to the content of the disc media. This opportunity arises for product manufacturers who wish to deliver disc-shaped media with a collection of loose items used while watching the media, e.g., toy companies, arts and crafts companies, hobby companies, game companies, cosmetic companies, food companies (e.g., collections of spices or seasonings), kitchen and other utensil manufacturers (e.g., collections of baking or carving tools), sporting goods manufacturers (e.g., a set of gun cleaning tools or fishing lure tying equipment), machine tool manufacturers (e.g., a complete set of adjusting wrenches, bits, etc.), and the list goes on and on. This opportunity also arises in connection with delivery of purchases to catalog, e-commerce, and other “shop-at-home” customers, as well as for the distribution of free-standing-insert type advertising, samples, business-to-business communications and other forms of direct marketing and retail sales. This opportunity is not being exploited due to the lack of an effective container design and method for efficiently organizing, protecting, shipping, displaying at retail and storing disc-shaped media packaged with other materials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of this invention is to provide a container in which and a method whereby disc-shaped media and ancillary materials can initially be packaged together in stacked relationship and, after removal and use, they can easily be re-stored in stacked relationship in a manner so as to avoid contact therebetween.
Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging that eliminates the need for a separate case (i.e., the need for a “jewel box”) for the disc media.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby during initial storage, shipping, retail presentation and re-packaging disc media is securely held against movement and protected.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a shipping container in which and a method of packaging whereby disc-shaped media and other materials can be attractively, efficiently, and effectively packaged, presented, conveyed, distributed and stored.
Another important object of this invention is to provide an aesthetically unique and compelling device and method for presenting at retail disc-shaped media and other materials which may or may not be related to the content of the media.
But another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging including a first member adapted to be slidably inserted into a second member, said first member including means to receive and retain materials other than said disc-shaped media and, in a preferred embodiment, the disc-shaped media as well.
Yet still another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging including a first member adapted to be slidably inserted into a second member then sealed by a cover, said cover including means to receive and retain the disc-shaped media and said first member and second member both including means to receive and retain materials other than said disc-shaped media.
Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby the container has a removable lid that attaches to the container after the disc media has been either initially positioned or subsequently re-stored on a seat on the lid that retains the disc media against movement in a second, opposite direction perpendicular to the plane of the disc media.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a container and a method of packaging whereby the first member and lid are removable and the first member can be removed to acc
Gordon Alexandra
Grimes Charles W.
Avecmedia Inc.
Battersby Gregory J.
Coplit James G.
Foster Jim
Grimes & Battersby LLP
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