Special receptacle or package – For holding a machine readable recording medium – For holding an optical disc
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-25
2001-10-02
Foster, Jim (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For holding a machine readable recording medium
For holding an optical disc
C206S310000, C206S445000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296114
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a package for a plurality of optical disks which form a stack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Bulk packaging of optical disks, such as, for example conventional compact disks (CDs), compact read-only memory optical disks (CD-ROMs), and hybrid optical disks having recorded and recordable portions, is rapidly evolving as a technology driven by economic considerations since packaging costs can constitute a measurable fraction of the manufacturing costs of optical disks.
Various designs of packages for a stack of optical disks have been proposed or are commercially available. One design includes a base and a spindle extending from the base wherein the base and spindle are molded as an integral unit. An upper portion of the spindle is threaded to mate with a nut which serves to affix a top plate and a plastic container for covering a stack of disks. A spacer is used over the spindle if a reduced number of disks are packaged as a stack.
Another bulk packaging system for a stack of disks is commercially available from El Mar Plastics, Inc., of Carson, Calif., under the designation “CD Shipping Spindles.” This packaging system includes two endcaps, each of which has a central protrusion portion formed on a planar surface thereof. An opposing surface has a plurality of ribs extending radially outwardly from an inner rim to an outer rim. Each endcap has a centered twist lock recess for accepting a twist lock spindle. A stack of disks is disposed along the spindle between the protrusion portions of the endcaps, and a plastic shield extends between the outer rims of the endcaps to protect the stack of disks and to provide structural integrity to the package.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a package for a stack of optical disks in which the package includes two endcaps having lip portions to surround an outer edge of at least one optical disk at each one of opposite ends of the stack.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a package for a stack of optical disks in which the package includes two endcaps having lip portions to surround an outer edge of at least one optical disk at each one of opposite ends of the stack, and a spindle member extending between the endcaps for accepting a stack of optical disks.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package for a stack of optical disks in which the package includes two endcaps having lip portions to surround an outer edge of at least one optical disk at each one of opposite ends of the stack, and a wrapping material mounted about exterior portions of the endcaps and extending along outer edges of the disks of the stack which are not surrounded by the lip portions so as to secure the stack of optical disks between the endcaps.
In one aspect, these and other objects and advantages are achieved in a package for a plurality of optical disks which form a stack wherein each disk includes a nonrecorded or a nonwritable portion surrounding a center hole formed in the disk, comprising:
a) first and second spaced apart endcaps, each such endcap defining a protrusion portion which engages the nonrecorded or the nonwritable portion of a disk disposed at one of opposite ends of the stack;
b) each endcap further defining a middle portion which extends outwardly from the protrusion portion and terminates in a lip portion which extends from the middle portion to spacedly surround an outer edge of at least one optical disk at one of the opposite ends of the stack; and
c) a wrapping material mounted about exterior portions of the endcaps and extending along outer edges of the disks of the stack not surrounded by the lip portions to secure the stack of optical disks between the first and second endcaps.
In another aspect, these and other objects and advantages are achieved in a package for a plurality of optical disks which form a stack wherein each disk includes a nonrecorded or a nonwritable portion surrounding a center hole formed in the disk, comprising:
a) first and second spaced apart endcaps, at least one of such endcaps defining a protrusion portion which engages the nonrecorded or the nonwritable portion of a disk disposed at one of opposite ends of the stack, and each endcap having an endcap center hole of a diameter substantially identical to a diameter of the center hole formed in the disks;
b) each endcap further defining a middle portion which extends outwardly from the protrusion portion and terminates in a lip portion which extends from the middle portion to spacedly surround an outer edge of at least one optical disk at one of the opposite ends of the stack;
c) a spindle member inserted into an endcap center hole of one of the endcaps and extending upwardly through the center hole of each optical disk in the stack and terminating in the endcap center hole of the second endcap; and
d) a wrapping material mounted about exterior portions of the endcaps and extending along outer edges of the disks of the stack not surrounded by the lip portions to secure the stack of optical disks between the first and second endcaps.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4577756 (1986-03-01), Hennessy et al.
patent: 6112894 (2000-09-01), Kikuchi et al.
patent: 6119872 (2000-09-01), Flores, Jr. et al.
patent: 3-148486 (1991-06-01), None
patent: 4-352682 (1992-12-01), None
patent: 2000-255672 (2000-09-01), None
Bubb Wayne A.
Veness Mark T.
Eastman Kodak Company
Foster Jim
Owens Raymond L.
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