Packaging for multiple media discs and methods for making same
AssigneeMeadWestvaco Corporation
InventorsJohn A. Gelardi, Richard C. Thibault, Peter L. Gidion, Kaman Sin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A package for holding multiple media discs includes a stack of disc-holding trays, and a flexible hinge member affixed to hinge edges of each tray, which secures the trays in relation to each other. The stack of trays may be mounted onto a panel of a folded jacket, or inserted into a sleeve. Further described are fastening means for holding the package closed, and methods for manufacturing packages for holding multiple media discs.
Claims25
A package for holding media discs, comprising:
- a stack of disc-holding trays, each tray in the stack having a central cavity that is shaped to closely receive a media disc and a hub shaped and positioned to closely fit within a media disc central spindle hole when the media disc is seated in the cavity,
- each tray in the stack having a hinge edge, the hinge edges being lined up with each other, and
- a flexible hinge member affixed to the hinge edges, the flexible hinge member hinging the trays to each other at the hinge edges,
- the hinge member comprising a strip of material that is adhered to each disc-holding tray only at the tray's hinge edge,
- the package further including a jacket having a plurality of panels, the stack of trays being attached to only one of said plurality of panels, the package being closed by folding the jacket around the stack of trays.
A method for manufacturing a package having a jacket that includes a plurality of panels, comprising:
- (a) stacking a set of disc-holding trays, each tray in the stack having a central cavity that is shaped to closely receive a media disc and a hub shaped and positioned to closely fit within a media disc central spindle hole when the media disc is seated in the cavity, each tray in the stack having a hinge edge, the hinge edges being lined up with each other;
- (b) affixing a flexible hinge member to the hinge edges, the hinge member hinging the trays to each other at the hinge edges, the flexible hinge member comprising a strip of material that is adhered to each disc-holding tray only at the tray's hinge edge;
- and
- (c) attaching the jacket to the stack of trays by mounting only a single tray in the stack of trays onto only one of said plurality of panels of the jacket, the jacket folding around the stack of trays to close the package.
A method for manufacturing a package, comprising:
- providing a plurality of disc-holding trays, each tray in the plurality of disc-holding trays having a hinge edge, the hinge edges being lined up with each other wherein a swath of flexible hinge material is affixed to the hinge edges, the hinge material hinging the trays to each other at the hinge edges;
- and
- providing a jacket having a plurality of panels;
- mounting one of said plurality of disc-holding trays to only one of said plurality of panels of said jacket, the package being closed by folding the jacket around the stack of trays.
A method for manufacturing a package including a jacket having a plurality of panels, comprising:
- (a) stacking a set of disc-holding trays, each tray in the stack having a hinge edge, the hinge edges being lined up with each other;
- (b) advancing the stack of disc-holding trays and causing hinge material to be affixed to the hinge edges one at a time in sequence, the hinge material comprising a flexible material that is adhered to each disc-holding tray only at the tray's hinge edge;
- (c) cutting the hinge material between the trays at regular intervals to produce hinge assemblies having a desired number of trays, each hinge assembly comprising a stack of disc-holding trays that are hingeably attached to each other by a strip of flexible material that is adhered only to the hinge edges of the trays in the stack;
- and
- (d) mounting each hinge assembly onto only one of said panels of a said jacket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.