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(11) EP 2 093 769 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.: of the grant of the patent: G11B 33/04 (2006.01) 20.03.2013 Bulletin 2013/12

(21) Application number: 08173117.6

(22) Date of filing: 30.12.2008

(54) Optical media disc Behälter für optische Medienplatte Boîtier de disque de support optique

(84) Designated Contracting States: (72) Inventor: Choi, King Yeung AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR Hong Kong (CN) HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (74) Representative: Vogel, Andreas et al Bals & Vogel (30) Priority: 20.02.2008 US 34625 Universitätsstrasse 142 44799 Bochum (DE) (43) Date of publication of application: 26.08.2009 Bulletin 2009/35 (56) References cited: EP-A- 0 576 256 EP-A- 1 918 935 (73) Proprietor: Encore Holdings Ltd. WO-A-99/59153 US-A- 6 029 848 3944 Nassau (BS) US-A1- 2002 033 348 US-A1- 2007 235 356

Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). EP 2 093 769 B1

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR) 1 EP 2 093 769 B1 2

Description structure toenable the mountingof the opticalmedia disc, the disc mounting structure provided on an inner surface Technical Field of the back cover. [0012] When the case is in an open configuration, the [0001] The Invention concerns a case for an optical 5 cut-out portions of the front cover may be covered by the media disc that has relatively less weight than conven- informational booklet and the cut-out portions of the back tional optical media disc cases, cover may be covered by the optical media disc mounted in the disc mounting structure so that the cut- out portions Background of the Invention are concealed. 10 [0013] The disc mounting structure may comprise a [0002] Shipping/postal fees or courier charges for disc mounting hub and a disc mounting platform, the items such as DVDs are typically calculated based on cut-out portions of the back cover located in an area of the following factors; the distance from source to desti- the back cover defined within the circumferential edge of nation, location of the destination and weight of the item the disc mounting platform, and the disc mounting hub to be sent. 15 may be positioned at the centre of the back cover and [0003] There are concerns that DVD cases are not en- connected to the back cover by supporting members ex- vironmentally friendly because they are made from plas- tending between the cut-out portions of the back cover. tics material which is not blodegradable. [0014] The cut-out portions may be positioned radially [0004] It is a desire to reduce the weight of the DVD around the centre of the front and back covers. cases in order to reduce the cost of shipping. It is another 20 [0015] There may be six cut-out portions defined in the desire to reduce the amount of material required front cover in a circular arrangement and six cut-out por- for DVD cases to reduce manufacturing costs and mini- tions defined in the back cover in a circular arrangement. mise environmental Impact. [0016] The total area of the cut-out portions of the front [0005] WO 99/59153 reflecting the nearest available cover may be greater than the total area of the cut-out prior art disclosesa casewith aperturesin order to reduce 25 portions of the back cover. the weight of the case. A flexible sheet is secured to the [0017] In a second aspect, there is provided a method case which seals the apertures thereby protecting the for manufacturing the case as described, the method case contents from dust and other particulates that could comprising: pass through the apertures. US 6,029,848 discloses a case with weight-reducing openings. A sheet which is 30 an injection operation to inject molten adhered to inner plane portions of the case overlies the into a mold of the case at high pressure; and openings. stamping voids in the front and back covers to define the cut-out portions after the case has cooled. Summary of the Invention 35 [0018] A stamp with a die in the shape of the cut-out [0006] In a first preferred aspect, there is provided a portions may be used for the stamping. one-piece, injection-molded case for containing an opti- cal media disc, the case comprising the features as de- Brief Description of the Drawings fined in claim 1. [0007] Further aspects are defined in the dependent 40 [0019] An example of the invention will now be de- claims. The front cover may be coupled to the spine via scribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in a first living hinge and the back cover is coupled to the which: spine via a second living hinge, and wherein when the case is in a closed configuration, has upper and lower Figure 1 is a perspective view of an inner surface of sidewalls, a spine sidewall, and a sidewall. 45 a case in an open configuration in accordance with [0008] The sleeve may be bonded to an edge of the a preferred embodiment of the present invention; closure sidewall on an outer surface of the front cover Figure 2 is a front view of an outer surface of the and to an edge of the closure sidewall on an outer surface case of Figure 1; of the back cover, the sleeve covering major portions of Figure 3 is a perspective view of the inner surface the front cover, the back cover, and the spine. 50 of the case of Figure 1 showing an informational [0009] The cut-out portions may be covered by a print- booklet and a DVD that are hiding cut-out portions ed insert that is inserted between the sleeve and made in the case; and the covers. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the outer surface [0010] The case may further comprise booklet clips on of a case in a closed configuration in accordance an inner surface of the front cover, the clips for holding 55 with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an informational booklet to conceal the cut-out portions showing a printed paper insert inserted between a of the front cover. polymeric sleeve and covers of the case. [0011] The case may further comprise a disc mounting

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Detailed Description of the Drawings 60 are concealed and are not visually apparent to the consumer when the inner surface of the case 10 is visible, [0020] Referring to the drawings, a one-piece, injec- for example, when the case 10 is in an open configura- tion-molded case 10 for containing an optical media disc tion. such as a DVD 85 is provided. The case 10 generally 5 [0027] The disc mounting structure comprises a disc comprises: a front cover 20, a back cover 40, a spine 30 mounting hub 42 and a disc mounting platform 41. The and a flexible, polymeric sleeve 70. The spine 30 pivotally cut-out portions 60 of the back cover 40 are located in connects the front and back covers 20, 40. The flexible, an area of the back cover 40 defined within the circum- polymeric sleeve 70 wraps around an external surface ferential edge of the disc mounting platform 41. Once the of the front and back covers 20, 40 and spine 30. The 10 DVD 85 is mounted in the disc mounting structure, it is front and back covers 20, 40 have voids defining cut-out able to hide or conceal the cut- out portions 60 of the back portions 50, 60 to reduce the weight of the case 10. cover 40. The disc mounting hub 42 is positioned at the [0021] Preferably, the cut-out portions 50, 60 are such centre of the back cover 40 and connected to the back that they are still able to protect the DVD 85 from damage cover 40 by supporting members 61 extending between caused by an external force, and also maintain some 15 the cut-out portions 60 of the back cover 40. However, rigidity for the entire case 10. In other words, the size, the position of the disc mounting hub 42 is not critical. location and quantity of cut-out portions 50, 60 ensure [0028] A method for manufacturing the case 10 is pro- that the rigidity of the case 10 is maintained. In one ex- vided. Since the case 10 is a one-piece, injection-molded emplary configuration, the cut- out portions 50, 60 are po- case 10, a typical injection molding operation occurs. sitioned radially around the centre of the front and back 20 Molten plastic is injected at high pressure into a mold for covers 20, 40. There are six cut-out portions 50 defined the case 10. The mold is the inverse of the final shape in the front cover 20 in a circular arrangement and six of the case 10. After the molding operation, the mold is cut-out portions 60 defined in the back cover 40 in a cir- opened and the case 10 is removed and allowed to cool. cular arrangement. In alternate embodiments, the total After the case 10 has cooled and is sufficiently rigid, a area of the cut-out portions 50 of the front cover 20 is 25 stamping operation occurs to define the cut- out portions greater than the total area of the cut-out portions 60 of 50, 60 in the case 10. The case 10 is stamped by a die the back cover 40. This is because the front cover 20 having the shape of the cut- outportions 50,60. A stamper does not carry the DVD 85 unlike the back cover 40. stamps the die onto the case 10 which creates the voids [0022] The front cover 20 is coupled to the spine 30 in the covers 20, 40 corresponding to the cut- out portions via a first living hinge 31 and the back cover 40 is coupled 30 50, 60. It is possible there may be more than one die and to the spine 30 via a second living hinge 32. When the one stamper used, for example, one for the front cover case 10 is in a closed configuration, the case 10 has 20 and one for the back cover 40. The plastic pieces of upper and lower sidewalls 22, 23, a spine sidewall 24, the cut-out portions 50, 60 that have been discharged and a closure sidewall 25. from the case 10 by the stamping operation are collected [0023] The sleeve 70 is bonded to an edge of the clo- 35 and re-used for the injection molding operation again. sure sidewall 25 on an outer surface of the front cover This minimises wastage of plastics material which reduc- 20 and to an edge of the closure sidewall 25 on an outer es cost and environmental impact. surface of the back cover 40. The sleeve 25 covers major [0029] Although the cut-out portions 50, 60 are de- portions of the front cover 20, the back cover 40, and the scribed and illustrated as arcuate members, other spine 30. 40 shapes and sizes are envisaged. Although the cut-out [0024] The cut-out portions 50, 60 are covered by a portions 50, 60 are described and illustrated as posi- printedpaper insert 90 thatis insertedbetween the sleeve tioned around the centre of the covers 20, 40, they may 70 and the covers 20, 40. The printed paper insert 90 be located in other positions on the covers 20, 40. Al- conceals the cut-out portions 50, 60 when the outer sur- though six cut-out portions are illustrated on each cover face of the case 10 is visible, for example, when the case 45 20, 40, various quantities are possible. 10 is in an open or closed configuration. [0030] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the [0025] Booklet clips 21 on an inner surface of the front art that numerous variations and/or modifications may cover 20 are provide. The clips 21 hold an informational be made to the invention as shown in the specific em- booklet 80. The sleeve 70, printed paper insert 90 or in- bodiments without departing from the scope of the inven- formational booklet 80 protects the DVD 85 from damage 50 tion as defined in the appended claims. The present em- caused by scratching. bodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects [0026] A disc mounting structure 41, 42 is provided on illustrative and not restrictive. an inner surface of the back cover 40. When the case 10 is in an open configuration, the cut-out portions 50 of the front cover 20 are covered by the informational booklet 55 Claims 80 and the cut-out portions 60 of the back cover 40 are covered by the DVD 85 mounted in the disc mounting 1. A one-piece, injection-molded case (10) for contain- structure 41, 42. This is so that the cut-out portions 50, ing an optical media disc (85), the case (10) com-

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prising: 4. The case (10) according to claim 3, wherein there are six cut- out portions (50) defined in the front cover a front cover (20); (20) in a circular arrangement and six cut-out por- a back cover (40); tions (60) defined in the back cover (40) in a circular a spine (30) to pivotally connect the front and 5 arrangement. back covers (20, 40); and a flexible, polymeric sleeve (70) to wrap around 5. The case (10) according to claim 1, wherein the total an external surface of the front and back covers area of the cut- out potions (50) of the front cover (20) (20, 40) and spine (30); is greater than the total area of the cut-out portions wherein the front and back covers (20, 40) have 10 (60) of the back cover (40). voids defining cut- out portions (50, 60) to reduce the weight of the case (10); a disc mounting structure (41, 42) on the inner Patentansprüche surface of the back cover (40); the front cover (20) is coupled to the spine (30) 15 1. Einteilige Spritzgussvorrichtung (10) beinhaltend ei- via a first living hinge (31) and the back cover nen optischen Datenträger (85), wobei die Vorrich- (40) Is coupled to the spine (30) via a second tung (10) aufweist: living hinge (32), and when the case (10) is In a closed configuration, has upper and lower side- eine Frontabdeckung (20); walls(22, 23), a spine sidewall(24) and a closure 20 eine Rückabdeckung (40); sidewall (25); einen Mittelteil (30), um die Front- (20) und characterized in that Rückabdeckung (40) drehbar zu verbinden, und the flexible, polymeric sleeve (70) is configured eine flexible polymere Hülse (70), welche um so that the cut-out portions (50, 60) In the exte- die äußere Oberfläche der Front- rior of the covers (20, 40) are concealed when 25 und Rückabdeckung (20, 40) und den Mittelteil a printed paper insert (90) is inserted between (30) legbar ist, the sleeve and the covers (20, 40); wobei die Front- und Rückabdeckung (20, 40) a pair of booklet clips (21) is provided on an inner Ausnehmungenin Form vonAussparungen (50, surface of the front cover (20); 60) aufweisen, um das Gewicht der Vorrichtung the booklet clips (21) are configured so that the 30 (10) zu reduzieren; cut-out portions (50) In the Interior of the front wobei eine Befestigungsstruktur der Disc (41, cover (20) are concealed when an Information 42) an der Innenseite der Rückabdeckung (40) booklet (80) is held by the clips (21); anordbar ist; thecut- outportions (60)in theinterior of theback wobei die Frontabdeckung (20) über ein erstes cover (40) are concealed when an optical disc 35 Gelenk (31) mit dem Mittelteil (30) verbindbar (85) is mounted In the disc mounting structure ist und die Rückabdeckung (40) über ein zweites (41, 42). Gelenk (32) mit dem Mittelteil (30) verbindbar ist, und 2. The case (10) according to claim 1, wherein the wenn die Vorrichtung (10) in einer Schließstel- sleeve (70) is bonded to an edge of the closure side- 40 lung ist, diese obere und untere Seitenwände wall (25) on an outer surface of the front cover (20) (22, 23), eine rückseitige Seitenwand (24) und and to an edge of the closure sidewall (25) on an eine schließbare Seitenwand (25) aufweist, outer surface of the back cover (40), the sleeve (70) dadurch gekennzeichnet, covering major portions of the front cover (20), the dass die flexible polymere Hülse (70) derart back cover (40), and the spine (30). 45 ausgestaltet ist, dass Ausnehmungen (50, 60) an der Außenseite der Abdeckung (20, 40) ab- 3. The case (10) according to claim 1, wherein the disc gedeckt sind, wenn eine Einlage von Drucksa- mounting structure (41, 42) comprises a disc mount- chen (80) zwischen der Hülse und den Abdek- ing hub (42) and a disc mounting platform (41 the kungen (20, 40) eingeführt wird, cut-out portions (60) of the back cover (40) located 50 wobei ein Paar Klammern (21) an einer Innen- In an area of the back cover (40) defined within the seite der Frontabdeckung (20) vorgesehen sind, circumferential edge of the disc mounting platform wobei die Klammern (21) derart ausgebildet (41), and the disc mounting hub (42) is positioned at sind, dass die Ausnehmungen (50) im Inneren the centre of the back cover (40) and connected to der Frontabdeckung (20) abgedeckt sind, wenn the back cover (40) by supporting members (61) ex- 55 Informationshefte (80) durch die Klammern (21) tending between the cut- out portions (60) of the back gehalten werden, cover (40). wobei die Ausnehmungen (60) der Innenseite der Rückabdeckung (40) abgedeckt sind, wenn

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die optische Disc (85) an der Discbefestigungs- une structure de montage de disque (41, 42) sur struktur (41, 42) angebracht ist. la surface interne du capot arrière (40) ; le capot frontal (20) est couplé à l’épine (30) via 2. Vorrichtung (10) gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch ge- une première charnière (31) et le capot arrière kennzeichnet, dass die Hülse (70) an einem Ende 5 (40) est couplé à l’épine (30) via une seconde dergeschlossenen Seitenwand (25),an der äußeren charnière (32) et, lorsque le boîtier (10) est en Oberfläche der Frontabdeckung (20) und an einem position fermée, a des cloisons latérales supé- Ende der geschlossenen Seitenwand (25) an der äu- rieure et ßeren Oberfläche der Rückabdeckung (40) anliegt, inférieure (22, 23), une cloison latérale dorsale wobei die Hülse (70) den größten Teil der Frontab- 10 (24) et une cloison latérale obturatrice (25) ; ca- deckung (20), der Rückabdeckung (40) und des Mit- ractérisé en ce que telteils (30) abdeckt. le manchon souple en polymère (70) est conçu de manière à ce que les parties échancrées (50, 3. Vorrichtung (10) gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch ge- 60) de l’extérieur des capots (20, 40) soient dis- kennzeichnet, dass die Discbefestigung (41, 42) 15 simulées lorsqu’un insert en papier imprimé (90) eine Anlage zur Discbefestigung (42) und eine Platt- est inséré entre le manchon et les capots (20, form zur Discbefestigung (41) aufweist, wobei die 40) ; Ausnehmungen (60) der Rückabdeckung (40), in ei- une paire d’attaches pour livret (21) est prévue nem Bereich der Rückabdeckung (40), innerhalb sur une surface interne du capot frontal (20) ; des umlaufenden Endes der Plattform zur Discbefe- 20 les attaches pour livret (21) sont conçues de ma- stigung (41), lokalisiert sind, und wobei die Anlage- nière à ce que les parties échancrées (50) de fläche zur Discbefestigung (42) im Zentrum der l’intérieur du capot frontal (20) soient dissimu- Rückabdeckung (40) positioniert und mit der Rück- lées lorsqu’un livret d’information (80) est main- abdeckung (40) verbunden ist, indem Unterstüt- tenu par les attaches (21) ; zungselemente (61) zwischen den Ausnehmungen 25 les parties échancrées (60) de l’intérieur du ca- (60) und der Rückabdeckung (40) sich ausdehnen. pot arrière (40) sont dissimulées lorsqu’un dis- que optique (85) est monté dans la structure de 4. Vorrichtung (10) gemäß Anspruch 3, dadurch ge- montage de disque (41, 42). kennzeichnet, dass sechs Ausnehmungen (50) sich in einer zirkulären Anordnung in der Frontab- 30 2. Boîtier (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le deckung (20) erstrecken und sechs Ausnehmungen manchon (70) est lié à un bord de la cloison latérale (60) sich in einer zirkulären Anordnung in der Rück- obturatrice (25) sur une surface extérieure du capot abdeckung (40) erstrecken. frontal (20) et à un bord de la cloison obturatrice (25) sur une surface extérieure du capot arrière (40), le 5. Vorrichtung (10) gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch ge- 35 manchon (70) couvrant des parties majeures du ca- kennzeichnet, dass der komplette Bereich der Aus- pot frontal (20), du capot arrière (40) et de l’épine nehmungen (50) der Frontabdeckung (20) größer (30). ist, als der komplette Bereich der Ausnehmungen (60) der Rückabdeckung (40). 3. Boîtier (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la 40 structure de montage de disque (41, 42) comprend unpivot de montage dedisque (42) et une plateforme Revendications de montage de disque (41), les parties échancrées (60) du capot arrière (40) localisées dans une zone 1. Boîtier de disque monobloc moulé par injection (10) du capot arrière (40) définie dans le bord circonfé- destiné à contenir un disque de support optique (85), 45 rentiel de la plateforme de montage de disque (41), ce boîtier (10) comprenant : et le pivot de montage de disque (42) est positionné au centre du capot arrière (40) et connecté au capot un capot frontal (20) ; arrière (40) par des éléments supports (61) s’éten- un capot arrière (40) ; dant entre les parties échancrées (60) du capot ar- une épine (30) permettant de connecter en pi- 50 rière (40). votement les capots frontal et arrière (20, 40) ; et un manchon souple en polymère (70) à enrouler 4. Boîtier (10) selon la revendication 3, dans lequel il y autour d’une surface externe des capots frontal a six parties échancrées (50) définies dans le capot et arrière (20, 40) et de l’épine (30) ; frontal (20) en agencement circulaire et six parties dans lequel les capots frontal et arrière (20, 40) 55 échancrées (60) définies dans le capot arrière (40) ont des vides définissant des parties échan- en agencement circulaire. crées (50, 60) pour réduire le poids du boîtier (10) ; 5. Boîtier (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le

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REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• WO 9959153 A [0005] • US 6029848 A [0005]

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