Granted Patent B2

US 7,753,198 · App. 11/060,576 · Granted Jul 13, 2010

Abstract

Claims (18)

1. A package for holding media discs, comprising:

a hinged tray assembly, including (i) a plurality of stacked trays, each tray having a hinge edge, a second edge, and a central cavity that is shaped to receive a media disc and includes means for supporting the media disc in the central cavity, the trays being positioned with respect to each other such that when the tray assembly is in a closed configuration, the trays are arranged in a stack with their hinge edges aligned to define a hinge side of the tray assembly, with their second edges aligned to define a second side of the tray assembly, and with the bottom-most of said stacked trays defining a bottom surface of said tray assembly and the uppermost of said stacked trays defining an upper surface of said tray assembly, and (ii) a flexible hinge member affixed to the hinge edges of the trays along the hinge side of the tray assembly;

a jacket formed from a substantially rigid material, comprising a series of panels hingedly connected one to the next, each of said panels having an interior surface;

the bottom surface of said tray assembly being mounted to the interior surface of a first of said panels, said panels being sized and arranged such that the jacket may be placed in a closed position with a second of said panels disposed adjacent one of said hinge side and said second side of said tray assembly, and with a third of said panels disposed adjacent said upper surface of said tray assembly, said second and third panels being unsecured to said tray assembly.

2. The package of claim 1 , wherein said second panel is sized and arranged such that when the jacket is placed in said closed position, said second panel is disposed adjacent said hinge side of said tray assembly.

3. The package of claim 1 , wherein said second panel is sized and arranged such that when the jacket is placed in said closed position, said second panel is disposed adjacent said second side of said tray assembly.

4. The package of claim 1 , wherein said first panel defines a rear jacket panel, said second panel defines a spine panel, and said rear jacket panel and said spine panel are connected to each other along a first crease line.

5. The package of claim 4 , wherein said third panel defines a front jacket panel, and said front jacket panel and said spine panel are connected to each other along a second crease line.

6. The package of claim 1 , wherein said second panel defines a spine panel, said third panel defines a front jacket panel, and said front jacket panel and said spine panel are connected to each other along a second crease line.

7. The package of claim 1 , further comprising a slip case that fits closely around the tray assembly and jacket when they are in a closed configuration.

8. The package of claim 1 , wherein the jacket further includes a flap extending from one of said first panel and said third panel, the flap being attachable to the other of said first panel and said third panel to hold the package closed.

9. The package of claim 1 , further including a first fastening element mounted to the flap and a second, mating fastening element mounted to said other panel.

10. The package of claim 9 , wherein said first and second fastening elements snap together.

11. The package of claim 9 , wherein said first and second fastening elements comprise a hook-and-loop fastening system.

12. The package of claim 9 , wherein said first and second fastening elements comprise magnets.

13. The package of claim 1 , further comprising a band that fits closely around the package to hold it in a closed position.

14. The package of claim 1 , further comprising an elastic band that loops around opposite corners of the package to hold it in a closed position.

15. The package of claim 14 , wherein said first and third panels include notches defined therein for receiving the elastic band.

Assignments (9)