GB2354227A

GB2354227A - Unitary compact disc case using living hinges formed from plastics

Info

Publication number: GB2354227A
Application number: GB9921857A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chung Fai Cheung
Original assignee: Forward Electronics Manufacturing Co Ltd; FORWARD ELECTRONICS Manufacturing COMPAN
Current assignee: Forward Electronics Manufacturing Co Ltd; FORWARD ELECTRONICS Manufacturing COMPAN
Priority date: 1999-09-15
Filing date: 1999-09-15
Publication date: 2001-03-21
Also published as: GB9921857D0

Abstract

A unitary CD case comprises a case 10 having a lid 12 pivotally connected to a base 11 by hinge means 15 comprising two parallel plastics living hinges 18 and 19, one of which is more flexible, preferably being thinner, than the other so as to bend preferentially. The case may comprise two hinge means 15a and 15b there being one hinge means at each side edge of the base and lid, each hinge means including hinges 18 and 19. Another aspect of the case features frangible sealing means 44, sealing the lid 12 to the base, which must be broken to allow the case to be opened. The sealing means 44 are preferably integral with one of the base and the lid and preferably comprises a tear-strip 46. Another aspect defines a base 11 with mounting means 13 adapted to frictionally engage the inner edge of the disc about its central hole. The mounting means comprises a plurality of inwardly extending and upwardly inclined resilient radial arms 31 which have upwardly inclined clamping members 34 with an outside edge 35 defining a circular envelope, integral with base 11. In another aspect the mounting means 13 comprises a plurality of disc clamping members (fig. 19, 66), which have outer edges defining a circular envelope which are movable vertically and laterally relative to the base to allow the disc to be placed on and removed from the mounting means. Both types of mounting means 13 project only a small distance from the base, allowing for thin compact cases to be made.

Description

1 2354227 IMPR,.., v1EMENTS IN/OR RELATING TO COMPACT DISC CASES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compact disc cases, these being the cases in which compact discs are usually sold to the public. The cases protect the compact discs and usually bear or contain textual or graphical information about the information recorded on the compact discs or about the manufacturers and the properties of the compact discs in the case of blank but recordable compact discs. The term compact disc is 10 used in the present specification in a broad sense. It includes within its scope conventional audio compact discs (CD-s), compact discs an which computer softwarehas been recorded (CD ROA_s), digital video or versatile compact discs (DVD s), recordable compact discs (CD-R-s), and recordable and re-writable compact discs (CD-RW_S). All these compact discs record information digitally which information 15 is then read by optical means. However, that does not preclude the cases of the present invention from being used with compact discs on which infonnation is or can be recorded by analogue means or which is read by other than optical means. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most compact disc cases are designed to hold a single compact disc. Several embodiments of such cases are known. A common compact disc case designed to hold a single compact disc comprises a base 25 and a lid separately moulded from a suitable plastics material and pivotally connected by hinge means. The lid at least is transparent so that the cover of a leaflet, folder or booklet placed in the case under the lid, and removably held in place by tabs attached to the lid, can be seen from outside the case. 30 The case includes a separately made tray which is fixedly attached to the base. The tray is shaped, usually by having a substantially circular recess, to receive a compact disc lying flat on the tray. The compact disc has a central bole and the centre of the 2 tray has mounting means which frictionally engages with the edge of the disc about the central hole to keep the compact disc in place on the tray until the compact disc is lifted off the mounting means and the tray to be removed from the case.

While this known compact disc case is generally satisfactory, there are some problems associated with it. One problem is the cost of manufacturing the, case. Three separate components are made and then assembled to form the case. Amother problem is the thickness of the case. The case typically has a thickness of about 1 Omm whereas the thickness of a compact disc may be in the order of about 1.1mm. 10 Therefore the compact disc cases are relatively bulky, that contributing to freight costs and also to storage problems, whether for the manufacturers of the cases, wholesalers, retailers or the purchasing public. The size of the case also contributes to the amount of material used in manufacturing the case and its weight, these also being factors affecting the cost of manufacturing and transportation. 15 Compact disc cases of more simple construction are known. For example, a Imown compact disc case comprises a unitary case where the lid is pivotally connected to the base by plastic hinge means. The base does not include a tray. Instead, the inner face of the base itself is adapted to receive a compact disc and the mounting means for 20 frictionally engaging the central hole of the compact disc is integrally formed with the base. Such a compact disc case is disclosed in US Patent 5,788,068. At least partly because the case does not include a tray the case can be made thinner than that case first described above. 25 There are also compact discs cases designed to hold more than one compact disc. One known case designed to hold two compact discs is similar to the case first described above except that the tray is not fixedly attached to the base but is pivotally attached to both the lid and the base. The face on each opposite side of the tray is adapted to have a compact disc mounted thereto. The base may function as a 30 second hd. The tray, being the component to which the compact discs are mounted, may in fact be considered as a base.

3 An object of the present invention is to Provide various novel and inventive features, any one or more of which can be applied to a compact disc case. The features are particularly suited for relatively thin compact disc cases, preferably unitary cases, though all of these features can be used in thicker compact disc cases and some of the features can be used in cases assembled from separately made components.

Furthermore, some of the features can be used in cases designed to hold more than one compact disc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a case for a compact disc, said case being a unitary case moulded from 'a plastics material and comprising a base, a lid, mounting means on an inner face of the base for mounting a compact disc thereto, and hinge means whereby the lid is pivotally connected to the base, said hinge means is comprising a first plastic hinge and a second plastic hinge substantially parallel to each other and separated by an intermediate portion, the lid being pivotally connected to an edge of the intermediate portion by the first plastic hinge and the base being pivotally connected to an opposite edge of the intermediate portion by the second plastic hinge, wherein one of the plastic hinges is made to be more flexible than the other.

The more flexible plastic hinge is preferably made to be more flexible by being made thinner than the other, and therefore thicker, plastic hinge. The thickness of each hinge will depend on the type of plastics material used in manufacturing the case and the degree of flexibility desired for each hinge. The plastics material is preferably polypropylene. The difference in thickness between the first and second plastic hinges is preferably about 0.05nun. In a preferred embodiment, the thinner plastic hinge has a thickness of about 0.25nun and the thicker plastic binge has a thickness of about 0.30 Preferably, the inner face of at least one of the base and lid has a rim extending at least partly about the base or lid at or adjacent its periphery. The rim helps define and 4 enclose a space between the base and the lid when the case is closed within which space a compact disc is housed in use of the case. More preferably, each of the base and lid has such a rim, the respective rims being relatively dimensioned so that one smaller dimensioned rim fits within the other larger dimensioned rim when the lid is closed on the base. It is preferably the base or the lid having the larger dimensioned rim that is cc.-mected to the intermediate portion by the more flexible plastic hinge.

In the preferred ernbodiment the lid has the larger dimensioned rim and is therefore connected to the intermediate portion by the more flexible plastic hinge.

The hinge means extends at least partly along the length of respective hinged edges of the base and the lid, and the intermediate portion of the hinge means forms at least a partial spine for the case. In one embodiment, the hinge means extends substantially fully along the length of the respective hinged edges of the base and the lid, and the intermediate portion of the hinge means forms a fall length spine for the case. In another embodiment, the case has a plurality of hinge means spaced from each other along the respecfive hinged edges of the base and the lid. In the preferred embodiment, each hinge means extends partly along the length of the respective hinged edges, the intermediate portion of each hinge means forming a partial spine for the case with, at least when the lid is open, a gal) being left between the intermediate portions of adjacent hinge means. There are preferably two hinge means, one at each end of the respective hinged edges of the base and lid.

The embodiment of the invention having a plurality of, and preferably two, spaced apart hinge means preferably also has the previously mentioned rim provided on the base and/or the lid and a portion of the rim extends along at least part of a respective hinged edge of the base or the lid so that the gap left between the intermediate portions of the adjacent hinge means is closed by this portion of the rim when the lid is closed on the base. This portion of the rim, which is preferably on the Ed, thereby also provides a partial spine for the case. This partial spine, and the partial spine provided by the intermediate portions of the hinge means together provide a complete spine along the respective hinged edges of the base and the lid.

The poiLtion of the rim providing a partial spine for the case is preferably backed by label support means, for example, lugs closely spaced behind the rim portion, enabling a strip-like label to be releasably held in place immediately behind the rim portion.

The rim portion is sufficiently transparent to enable the label to be read from outside the case. Alternatively, a label can be adhered to the outside of the rim portion.

In a second aspec% the present invention broadly consists in a case for a compact disc, said case being a unitary case moulded from a plastics material and comprising a base, a lid, mounting means on a inner face of the base for mounting a compact disc thereto, and a plurality of hinge means spaced from each other along respective hinged edges of the base and the lid whereby the lid is pivotally connected to the base.

There arc preferably two hinge means, one at each end of the respective hinged edges of the base and the lid.

Because the case is a unitary moulded case, each hinge means is a plastic hinge means.

According to a preferred embodiment, each hinge means comprises a first plastic hinge and a second plastic hinge substantially parallel to each other and separated by an intermediate portion, the lid being pivotally connected to an edge of the intermediate portion by the first plastic hinge and the base being pivotaUy connected to an opposite edge of the intermediate portion by the second plastic hinge. This preferred embodiment is therefore the same as a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention except that the first aspect of the invention allows fbr a single hinge means preferably extending substantially fully along the length of the respective hinged edges of the base and the lid whereas the second aspect of the invention requires, in all its embodiments, a plurality of spaced-apart hinge means.

Any one or more of the other preferred features of the first aspect of the present invention can apply to the second aspect of the present invention.

in a third aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a case for a compact dist;, said case being a unitary case moulded from a plastics material and comprising a base, 6 a lid, mounting means on an inner face of the base for mounting a compact disc thereto, hinge means whereby the lid is pivotally connected to the base at or adjacent respective hinged edges of the base and the lid, and frangible sealing means attached to each of and bridging the base and the lid whereby the sealing means must be broken to allow the case to be opened.

The sealing means is preferably integral with one of the base and lid and bonded to the other of the base and the lid. The sealing means preferably incorporates a tear-strip which when torn completely allows the case to be opened. In the preferred embodiment, the sealing means comprises a flange integral with an edge of the base or the lid and comprising firstly the tear-strip substantially contiguous with the edge of the base or the lid and secondly a bonding strip bonded to an adjacent edge of the other of the base and the lid. Usually, the bonding strip is folded over that adjacent edge of the other of the base and the lid and is bonded to an outer face portion thereof The tear-strip preferably incorporates a finger grip to facilitate tearing of the tear-strip.

in the preferred embodiment, the sealing means is disposed at distal edges of the base and the lid opposite their hinged edges and the sealing means is made integral with the Ed and is bonded to the base.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a case for a compact disc, said case being a unitary case moulded from a plastics material and comprising a base, a lid, mounting means an an inner face of the base for mounting a compact disc thereto, hinge means whereby the lid is pivotally connected to the base at or adjacent respective hinged edges of the base and the lid, -md frangible sealing means attached to one of the base and the lid and being capable of bridging and being attached to the other of the base and the lid when the case is closed whereby the sealing means must be broken to allow the case to be opened.

The case of this fourth aspect of the present invention when closed and scaled provides the case according to the third aspect of the- present invention.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a method of packaging at least one compact disc in a case according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, comprising the steps of opening the case, mounting a compact disc on the mounting means of the base, closing the case, and attaching the sealing means to the other of the base and the lid from that to which it is attached initially.

As already indicated, the sealing means is preferably integral with one of the base and the lid, and preferably the lid, and the step of attaching the sealing means to the other of the base and the lid comprises bonding the sealing means to the other of the base and the lid, preferably by means of heat sealing or contact adhesive.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a base of or for a case for a compact disc having a central hole, said base being moulded from a plastics material and having an inner face with mounting means for mounting a compact disc thereto, said mounting means comprising a plurality of inwardly extending and normally upwardly inclined resilient radial arms integral with the base, inner ends of the arms having disc clamping members projecting upwardly away from the base, the disc clamping members having outer clamping edges defining a circWar envelope, the diameter of which is less than the diameter of the compact disc central hole when the disc clamping members and hence the radial arms are pushed downwardly to a depressed position towards the base but which is greater than the diameter of the compact disc central hole when the radial arms are in their normal upwardly inclined position, whereby a compact disc can be pressed down onto the mounting means to depress the radial arms and thereby allow the disc clamping members to protrude through the compact disc central hole and the outer clamping edges to frictionally engage the edge of the compact disc about the central hole when downwards pressure on the mounting means is released thereby allowing the resilient radial arm to move back towards their normal position, and whereby a sufficient downwards pressure applied to the disc clamping members when frictionally engaging the compact disc sufficiently depresses the radial arms and the disc clamping members to break the frictional engagement of the outer clamping edges with the compact disc and allow the 8 compact disc to be released from the mounting means.

The mounting means prefembly comprises four equiangularly disposed radial arms and in their normal position these are preferably inclined at an angle of about 10 to the plane of the base.

The radial arms are integrally moulded with the base. They therefore, in effect comprise cut-outs fi-om the base so that they can be pushed down to a depressed position substantially in the plane of the base. A clearance in the base is preferably left about each cut-out radial arm so that the base does not interfere with the movement of the arms between their normal and depressed positions.

The mounting means of this aspect of the invention is preferably for use with a relatively thin case. Th=fore, it is preferabic that in the normal position of the radial arms the disc clamping members project 'no more than about 3.Omm from the inner surface of the base and, for example, the disc clamping members may protect about 2.7mm. The base and each radial arm can have a thickness of about 1. 3mm but may be made in other thicknesses.

The outer clamping edges of the clamping members are preferably shaped so that in the normal position of the radial arms these edges are angled outwardly, for example, by about 5 off vertical with respect to the plane of the base, so that the diameter of a circular envelope about the outer clamping edges therefore increases from the bottom to towards the top of the outer clamping edges, with at least the largest diameter of the circular envelope at or adjacent the top of the outer clamping edges being greater than the diameter of the compact disc central hole.

I Each clamping member is preferably a substantially U-shaped member formed on a respective Tadial arm with the arms of the U radiating outwardly so that distal ends of the clamping member arms provide the outer clamping edges of the clamping member.

In the preferred embodiment the base has at least one protuberance from the inner 9 face of the base to space a lower face of a compact disc mounted on the mounting means from the base even when the radial arms of the mounting means are in a depressed position. The protuberance may comprise at least one raised rib, which rib may be a circular rib concentric with the mounting means. The protuberance may act to push the mounted compact disc off the mounting means when the radial arms and hence the clamping members are depressed sufficiently.

In one embodiment, the base is adapted to be connected to a lid by hinge means at or adjacent respective hinged edges of the base whereby the lid is pivotally connected to the base to form the case. The base may even be formed as a tray for use in a compact disc case.

In another embodiment, the lid is integrally connected to the base by plastic hinge means. The resulting case can incorporate features of the first or second aspects of the present invention. The case may also incorporate the scaling means referred to in respect of the third, fourth and fif1h aspects of the present invention.

In a seventh aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a base of or for a ease for a compact disc having a central hole, said base being moulded from a plastics material and having integral mounting means for mounting a compact disc thereto adjacent an inner face of the base, said mounting means comprising a plurality of disc clamping members integrally but resiliently attached to the base and projecting from the inner face of the base and movable from a normal position vertically and laterally relative to the plane of the base, each disc clamping member having an outer clamping edge which clamping edges of the disc clamping members define a circular envelope the diameter of which is normally greater than the diameter of the compact disc central hole but which becomes less than the diameter of the compact disc central hole when a downwards pressure is applied to the disc clamping members to cause them to move vertically downwardly and/or laterally relative to the plane of the base, whereby a compact disc can be pressed down. onto the mounting means to move the disc clamping members sufficiently away from their normal position to allow them to protrude through the central hole of the compact disc and the outer clamping edges to frictionaUy engage the edge of the compact disc about the central hole when downwards pressure on the mounting means is released allowing the disc clamp' g members to move back towards their normal position, and whereby a sufficient downwards pressure applied to the disc clamping members when frictionally engaging the compact disc moves the disc clamping members sufficiently to break the frictional engagement of the outer clamping edges with the compact disc and allow the compact disc to be released from the mounting means.

in an eighth aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a base of or for a case for a compact disc having a central hole, said base being moulded from a plastics material and having integral mounting means for mounting a compact disc thereto adjacent an inner face of the base, said mounting means comprising a region of the base having conjoined perforations defining a plurality of inwardly directed resilient arms in the plane of the base which arms are movable vertically relative to the plane of the base, and defining alongside each arm an outwardly directed resilient finger having a proximal end attached to the arm and a free distal end which finger is movable verticaIly with the arm and is also movable laterally in the plane of the base, wherein a disc clamping member is provided on each finger and is movable therewith, each disc clamping member projecting from the inner face of the base and having an outer clamping edge at or towards the distal end of the finger, which clamping edges of the disc clamping members define a circular envelope the diameter of which is normally greater than the diameter of the compact disc central hole but which becomes less than the diameter of the compact disc central hole when a downwards pressure is applied to the disc clamping members to cause them to move vertically downwardly and/or laterally relative to the plane of the base, whereby a compact disc can be pressed down onto the mounting means to move the disc clamping members sufficiently away from their normal position to allow them to protrude through the central hole of the compact disc and the outer clamping edges to frictionally engage the edge of the compact disc about the central hole when downwards pressure. on the mounting means is released allowing the disc clamping members to move back towards theiTnormal position, and whereby a sufficient downwards pressure applied to the disc clamping members when frictionally engaging the compact disc moves the disc clamping members sufficiently to break the frictional engagement of the outer clamping edges with the compact disc and allow the compact disc to be released from the mounting means.

The fingers and hence the disc clamping members preferably he on radii of a circle so that the resilient arms are offset with respect to the centre of the circle.

Preferably, the proximal end of each finger is attached to the respective arm towards a distal end thereof with each finger lying substantially parallel to the am to which it is attached. The length of each finger may be about half the length of an adjacent side of the associated arm. Ile mounting meanq preferably comprises four resilient arm and therefore four fingers and four disc clamping members.

In the normal position of the disc clamping members the outer clamping edges are preferably angled outwardly with respect to the base to help retain a compact disc mounted on the mounting means.

ei f The mounting means region of the inn r ace of the base may be raised relative to the surrounding region of the base. That spaces most of the lower face of a mounted compact disc slightly clear of the inner face of the base.

The mounting means region of the outer face of the base may be recessed relative to the surrounding region of the base. That allows some downwards movement of the resilient arms when the disc clamping members are pressed downwardly, even when the base lies flat against a surface such as that provided by a shelf or table top.

This base and its mounting means are particularly suitable for use with a very thin compact disc case, for example, having a thickness of about 3.8mm. For such a thin case having a thin base and hd polypropylene may not be suitable through being too flexible. Other materials such as general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) may be used instead. Because this material is not as flexible as polypropylene, the base of this embodiment is adapted to be connected to a lid by hinge means, other than plastic hinge means, at or adjacent respective hinged edges of the base and the lid whereby 12 the lid is then pivotally connected to the base to form the case. However, the base and its mounting means can be used in thicker cases where, because polypropylene or other flexible plastic materials can be used, the lid can be made integral with the base.

Therefore, this base and its mounting means can be included in cases having the features of the first and second aspects of the present invention. The case can also include sealing means as associated with the third, fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention.

for all aspects of the invention, the preferred embodiments of the case include catch means to prevent a closed case from inadvertently opening, a certain amount of force needing to be applied to release the catch means imd allow the case to be opened.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above has broadly defined the different aspects of the present invention, some preferred embodiments of which will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure I is a plan view of the outside of a first embodiment of compact disc shown in a fully open position; Figure 2 is a plan view of the inside of the compact disc case shown in a fully open position; Figure 3 is an edge view of the case taken on III-M of Figure 2; 13 Figure 4 is an edge view of the lid taken on IV-IV of Figure 2; Figure 5 is an edge view of the base taken on V-V of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the inside of the fully open case; Figure 7 is an end view of the plastic hinge means taken on VU-VII of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view from the lid-side of the case showing the case closed; 10 Figure 9 is a plan view of the disc mounting means as seen from the inner side of the base; Figure 10 is a plan view of the disc mounting means as seen from the outside of the 15 base; Figure 11 is a cross-section through the mounting means on IX-IX of Figure 9; Figure 12 is a cross-section through the mounting means on XII-XH of Figure 9; 20 Figure 13 is a cross-section-through the mounting means on XM-)MI of Figure 9; Figure 14 is a plan view of the outside of a second embodiment of compact disc case shown in a fully open position; Figure 15 is a plan view of the inside of the second embodiment of compact disc case shown in a fully open position; Figure 16 is an end view of the case taken on XVI-XVI of Figure 15; Figure 17 is an end view ofthe lid on XVII-XVU of Figure 15; 14 Figure 18 is an end view of the base on XV11I-XV111 of Figure IS; Figure 19 is a perspective view showing the inside of the second embodiment of compact disc case shown in a fully open position; Figure 20 is a perspective view from the lid-side of the second embodiment of compact disc case shown in a closed position; Figure 21 is an enlarged plan view of the disc mounting means of the second embodiment of compact disc case as seen from the inner side of the base; and Figure 22 is a cross-section through the disc mounting means on XXII-=1 of Figure 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE 114VENTION Details of a first prefeTred embodiment of compact disc case incorporating several of the various aspects of the present invention are shown in Figures 1-13. This 20 particular case is designed to hold a single compact disc. The case 10 is a unitary case moulded from polypropylene and comprising a base 11, a lid 12, mounting means 13 on an inner face 14 of the base for mounting a compact disc (not shown) thereto, and hinge means 15 wherebythe lid is pivotally connected to the base. The preferred embodiment has in fact two hinge means 15a and 15b, there being one hinge means at 25 each end of the hinged edges 16 and 17 of the base and the lid respectively. Because the case 10 is a unitary case, being made as a one-piece moulding, the hinge means 15 are in fact plastic hinge means. Each of the hinge means 15a and 15b comprises a first plastic hinge 18 and a second plastic hinge 19 substantially parallel to 30 each other and separated by an intermediate portion 20. The lid 12 is pivotally connected to an edge of the intermediate portion 20 by the first plastic hinge 18 and the base 11 is pivotally connected to an opposite edge of the intermediate portion 20 by the second plastic hinge 19.

One of the plastic hinges of each hinge means 15a and 15b is made to be more flexible than the other. That means it bends preferentially -relative to the other. In the preferred embodiment, it is the first plastic hinges 18 connecting the lid 12 to the intermediate portions 20 that are made to be more flexible than the second plastic hinges 19 connecting the base 11 to the intermediate portions 20. The first plastic hinges 18 are made to be more flexible by being made thinner than the second plastic hinges 19. For example, the preferred compact disc case moulded from polypropylene has the first plastic hinges 18 having a thickness of about 0.25 mm and the second plastic hinges 19 having a thickness of about 0.30 min. The different flexibility of the plastic hinges could alternatively be provided by different heat treatments of the plastic hinges or by incorporation of different plastic compositions in them The base 11 and the lid 12 are of substantially the same size. The inner face 21 of the lid has a rim 22 extending about the periphery of the lid. The inner face 14 of the base has a rim 23 extending about the base adjacent its periphery, that is, a little inwardly from the periphery of the base, preferably by a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the rim 22 of the lid. The rims are therefore relatively dimensioned so that the smaller dimensioned rim 23 of the base fits within the larger dimensioned rim 22 of the lid when the lid 12 is closed on the base 11.

The provision of hinge means 15 comprising first and second plastic hinges 18 and 19 where the funst plastic binge is made thinner, or is otherwise made more flexible, than the second plastic hinge is advantageous in embodiments of the compact disc case having rims on the base and a lid, with one rim fitting closely within the other when the case is closed. With particular reference to Figures 2, 3, 6 and 7, it can be seen that pivotal movement of the lid 12 to close it will cause both pivotal movement of the lid relative to the intermediate portions 20 about the first plastic hinges 18 and pivotal movement of the intermediate portions 20 relative to the base 11 about the second plastic hinges 19. As the lid pivots about the first plastic hinges, that portion of its 16 rim 22a along the hinged edge 17 of the lid also pivots about the first plastic hinges 18.

If, at the same tinic, there is too much pivotal movement of the intermediate portions about the second plastic hinges 19, the outside of the rim portion 22a of the lid will make contact with the upper edge of that portion 23a of the rim of the base which is adjacent the hinged edge 16 of the base. That contact will constitute an interference preventing Ru-ther closing of the lid. This problem can occur if the first and second plastic hinges 18 and 19 have the same flexibility and is more likely to occur if the second plastic hinges are more flexible than the first plastic hinges. However, the problem is unlikely to occur if the first plastic hinges 18 are Sufficiently more flexible than the second plastic hinges 19 as is the case in the preferred embodiment of the invention. In this case, closing of the lid causes a sufficient pivotal movement of the lid, and hence its rim portion 22a, before the pivotal movement of the intermediate portions 20 about the second plastic hinges 19 brings the lid rim portion 22a close to the base rim portion 23a, so that by the time that happens the lid rim portion 22a is positioned to drop down outside the base rim portion 23a without interference occurring between these rim portions preventing complete closing of the lid on the base.

The intermediate portion 20 of each of the two hinge means 15 forms a partial spine forthecasclO. A gap 24 is left between the two intermediate portions 22. Thisgap 24 is also bounded by the hinged edges 16 and 17 of the base and the lid. When the lid is closed on the base the gap 24 is closed by that part of the lid rim portion 22a extending between the two hinge means I Sa and 15b, that part of the lid rim portion thereby also providing a partial spine for the case. The partial spine formed by the intermediate portions 20 of the hinge means IS and the partial spine formed by the lid rim portion 22a provide a complete spine for the case 10 when the case is closed.

Referring to Figures 2 and 6, it can be seen that the lid rim portion 22a is stepped outwardly between the hinge means 15a and 15b so that when the case is closed the outside of this part of the lid rim portion is substantially flush with the outside of the intermediate portions 20. From Figures 3, 6 and 7, it can also be seen that between the hinge means 15a and l5b ft lid rim portion 22a is higher and has an inwardly bevelled top edge 25 compared with the rest of the rim 22 of the lid. These features 17 help produce a visually neat meeting of the bevelled top edge 25 with the hinged edge 16 of the base when the case is closed.

That outwardly stepped part of the lid rim portion 22a between the hinge means 15a and 15b is backed by a label support means in the form of three lugs 26 spaced from each other. The lugs are closely spaced behind the rim portion 22a so as to be able to frictionally, but releaseably hold a strip-like label behind the rim portion. The rim portion is sufficiently transparent to enable the label to be read from outside the case.

The base 11 is adapted to receive a single compact disc mounted by its central hole to the mounting means 13 in the centre of the base, the mounting means being integrally formed on the inner face 14 of the base. Concentric with the mounting means are two circular ribs 27 and 28. As can be seen by reference to the inner rib 27 shown in the cross sections of Figures 11-13, these ribs p-roject only a small distance from the inner face 14 of the base. Their purpose is to prevent most of the lower recorded or recordable surface of a compact disc pushed down onto the mounting means 13 from contacting and being scuffed by contact with the inner face 14 of the base, Outside the outer rib 28 there are two arcuate flanges 29 which are also concentric with the mounting means 13. The height of these is greater than the height at which a compact disc is mounted on the mounting means 13 but is less than the height of base rim 23. The arcuate flanges 29 are disposed at lateral sides of the base and do not extend around the top and bottom of the base. At the top and bottom of the base there are cut-out portions 30 in the base rim. These features mean that at the top and bottom of the case the edges of a compact disc are accessible to the thumb and fingers of a hand of a person removing the compact disc from the case.

As already indicated, the various aspects of the present invention are particularly suitable for application to relatively thin compact disc cases. The preferred compact disc case being described has a thickness when closed of 5mm, that being about half the thickness of the commonly available case with tray for a single compact disc. That is achieved with each of the base 11 and the lid 12 having a thickness of 1.3mm and the rims 22 and 23 of the base and the lid havinga thickness of 3.7mm.

Bearing in mind the presence of the circular ribs 27 and 28, that leaves a space of slightly less than 3.7mm to house a mounted compact disc which, as previously stated, has a thickness of about I. Imm. This obviously places limitations on the height and therefore the design of the mounting means 13.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 6 and 9-13, the mounting means 13 comprises four equiangularly disposed, inwardly extending and normally upwardly inclined, resilient radial arms 31 integral with the base. In the normal position of the radial arms each is inclined at an angle of about 10 relative to the plane of the base. The spider portion 32 of the base between adjacent radial arms 31 may be angled similarly as the radial arms, as best shown in Figure 13, or the whole spider portion 32 may be left in the same plane as the rest of the base. VVhichever, the radial arm 31 effectively comprise cut-outs from the base so that they can be pushed down to a depressed position substantially in the plane of the base. Because of the resilience of the radial arms, they return or try to return to their nonnal position when downwards pressure on them is released. A clearance 33 in the base is provided about each radial arm so that the base does not interfere with the movement of the radial arms between their normal and depressed positions.

The distal ends, that is, the inner ends, of the radial arms 31 have disc clamping members 34 projecting upwardly away from the base 11. The disc clamping members have outer clamping edges 35 which, when a compact disc is mounted on the mounting means 13, frictionally engage with the circular edge of the central hole of the compact disc. In the preferred embodiment, each clamping member 34 is a substantially U-shaped member integrally formed on a respective radial arm 31 with the arms 36 of the U radiating outwardly so that distal ends of these clamping members arms provide the outer clamping edges 35 of the clamping members.

The outer clarnping edges 35 of the disc clamping members 34 define a circular envelope. When the radial arms 31 are in their normally upwardly inclined position the diameter of the envelope is slightly greater than the diameter of the compact disc central hole. However, when the disc clamping members 34 and hence the radial 19 arms 3 1 are pushed downwardly, for example, by a person's thumb pushing downwardly simultaneously on all clamping members, the diameter of the envelo.,.:

decreases and at a sufficiently depressed position of the radial arms towards the base the diameter of the envelope is less fl= the diameter of the compact disc central hole.

This reduction in the diameter of the envelope as the radial arms are pushed downwardly occurs because each radial arm effectively pivots about its outer end resiliently and integrally attached to the base 11 Therefore, in use, a compact disc can be pressed down onto the mounting means 13 to depress the radial arms 31 sufficiently and thereby allow the disc clamping members 34 to protrude through the compact disc central hole. The outer clamping edges 35 of the disc clamping members frictionaUy engage the edge of the compact disc about the central hole when downwards pressure on the mounting means is released thereby allowing the resilient radial arms 31 to move back towards their normal position.

The radial arms of course cannot achieve their normal position with a compact disc mounted on the mounting means since the contact of the outer clamping edges 35 with the edge of the compact disc about the central hole prevents that from happening.

Only when the compact disc is removed from the mounting means can the radial arms 31 reassume their normal position. The compact disc can be removed from the mounting means by a person applying sufficient downwards pressure on the disc clamping members 34 when frictionally engaging the mounted compact disc so that the radial arms 31 and the disc clamping members 34 are depressed sufficiently to break the frictional engagement of the outer clamping edges 35 with the compact disc and allow the compact disc to be released from the mounting means. To facilitate the removal of the compact disc from the mounting means 13, the circular ribs; 27 and 28 may act to push the mounted compact disc off the disc clamping members 34 of the mounting means when the radial arms 31 and hence the disc clamping members of the mounting means are depressed sufficiently.

Preferably the outer clamping edges 35 of the disc clamping members 34 are shaped so that in the normal position of the radial arms 31 these outer clamping edges are angled outwardly, for example, by about 5 off vertical with respect to the plane of the base.

The diameter of a circular envelope about the outer clamping edges 34 therefore increases from the bottom to towards the top of these edges, and at least the largest diameter of the circular envelope at or adjacent the top of the outer clamping edges is slightly greater than the diameter of the compact disc central hole. These feature helps retain a compact disc on the clamping means 13 until the compact disc is deliberately removed.

For the preferred embodiment of thin compact disc case being described, in the normal position of the radial arms 31, the disc clamping members 34 project no more than about 3.Omm, and preferably project only about 2.7mm, from the inner surface 14 of the base 11. However, the mounting means can be used in thicker compact disc cases, whether or not they are unitary cases. The mounting means can even be incorporated in a separately made tray -which is attached to and therefore forms part of a base of a conventional compact disc case. The mounting means can also be used as the compact disc mounting means in cases designed to hold more than one compact disc.

Such cases Gen have more than. one base; a -base- being defined as any component of the compact disc case bearing a compact disc mounting means.

The compact disc case I O'has catch means to retain the lid 12 in a closed position on the base 11 except when the case is deliberately opened. In the preferred embodiment of the invention being described with reference to Figures 1- 13, and with particular reference to Figure 6, the catch means comprises two nibs 37 on the outside of the base rim 23 adjacent the distal edge 38 of the base I I and two complementary recesses 39 on the inside of the lid rim 22 at the distal edge 40 of the lid 12. There is sufficient resilient flexibility in the rims 23 and 22 adjacent the nibs 37 and the recesses 39 to allow the nibs to snap into the recesses when the lid is completely closed on the base and also to allow the uusnapping of these when a user applies a sufficient force to open the lid. To help positively engage the nibs 37 in the recesses 39 when the lid is closed, the inner face 41 of the lid has, for each recess 39, a backing member 42 spaced from the inside of the lid rim portion 22b and offset a little relative to the respective recess. As shown in Figure 2, these backing members 42 are T shaped in plan view. Each of the T-shaped baeldng members 42 has a leg 43, the 21 distal end of which is spaced from the inside of the lid rim portion 22b. When the lid is closed on the base, the base rim portion 23b fits into these spaces with the distal end of each leg 43 bearing against the inside of the base rim portion 23b, and thus positively holding the nibs 37 in the recesses 39. The distal ends of the legs 43 are angled inwardly towards the top to prevent the bacldng members 42 from catching on the edge of the base rim portion 23b and interfering with the closing of the ewe.

This preferred embodiment of compact disc case incorporates another aspect of the present invention, that being a fi-dngible sealing means whereby the case holding a compact disc can be sealed closed until the sealing means is broken, for example, by a purchaser of the compact disc. The preferred sealing means 44 comprises a flange 45 integral with the distal edge 40 of the lid 12. The sealing flange 45 comprises a tear strip 46 substantially contiguous with the distal edge 40 of the lid and a parallel bonding strip 47 contiguous with the tear-strip. The tear-strip 46 is demarcated from is the lid 12 and the bonding strip 47 by two parallel and perforated fold lines 48. The perforations facilitate the tearing of the tear-strip when required. At one end, the tear-strip has a finger grip 49 which can be bent outwardly by a person to enable that person to grasp it firmly between a thumb and forefinger to enable the tear-strip to be torn away. When the compact disc case is holcling a compact disc and the lid 12 is closed on the base 11, the sealing flange 45 is bent about both of its perforated fold lines 48 to bring the inner face 50 of the bonding strip 47 into contact with a recessed strip 51 on the outer face 52 of the base adjacent its distal edge 38. The inner face 50 of the bonding strip 47 is bonded to that recessed strip 5 1, for example, by heat sealing or contact adhesive. The result is a sealed compact disc case as shown in Figure 8.

Tearing away of the tear-strip 46 allows the case to be opened. The use of such sealing means can help assure a purchaser that it is a genuine product that is being purchased.

Such sealing means can be provided on other types of compact disc case, either made integrally with the case when the case is made of a sufficiently resiliently flexible material or else made separately from the case and bonded to each of the lid and the base. The sealing means can, instead of having a tear-strip, be made frangible by 22 incorporating a tear-thread having an exposed end which when pulled tears open the sealing means. The sealing means could also be located at other edges ofthe case but it is sufficient for it to be located at the opening edges of the case, that is, at the distal edges of the face and the lid.

Another feature of the compact disc case is the presence of a slightly recessed area 53 on the outer face 54 of the lid in which an adhesive label may be placed. Details of a second preferred embodiment of compact disc case incorporating other 10 aspects of the present invention is shown in Figures 14-20. In general, those parts which correspond to parts of the fint preferred compact disc case shown in Figures I13 are given. like numbers. This second preferred compact disc case is a very thin case, having a thickness of is about3.8mm. To allow forthis, the thickness of thebase 11 and of the lid 12 andthe height of the base and lid rims 23 and 22 are less than for those of the first preferred compact disc case. Polypropylene is too flexible for such a thin case which is therefore made from a more rigid plastics material, such as GPPS (general purpose polystyrene). The use of a more rigid plastics material means that the case is not 20 made as a unitary case having plastic hinge means connecting the lid to the base. Instead, the base and the lid are made separately and are pivotally connected by conventional compact disc hinges 55. There is one hinge 55 at each end of the spine 56 of the case. In this case the spine is formed entirely at the hinged edge 16 of the base. At each end of the spine there is an axle pin 57 which fits within a circular hole 25 in an extension 58 from the hinged edge 17 of the lid. The thinness of the case also means that the mounting means of the first preferred embodiment of compact disc case cannot be used because its upwardly inclined radial arms mean that the disc clamping members extend too far above the base and if used 30 in the present compact disc case would be pressed downwardly upon the closing of the lid on the base. Therefore, an especially low profile mounting means 13 has been devised for very thin compact disc cases, though this low profile mounting means can 23 be used in the first preferred embodiment of compact disc case and in conventional compact disc cases, whether unitary cases or not and whether designed to hold one or more compact discs. Again, the base can comprise or include a tray.

Because, in a very thin compact disc little movement of disc clamping members vertically relative to the plane of the base is possible to enable the mounting of a compact disc on the mounting means and its subsequent removal, what vertical movement is possible is complemented by a small degree of lateral movement of the disc clamping members in the plane of the base. It is this combined movement of the 10 disc clamping members that facilitates the mounting and demounting of the compact discs. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting means 13 comprises a central region 59 of the base having conjoined perforations 60 defining four inwardly directed resilient 15 arms 61 in the plane of the base 11. There is sufficient resilient flexibility in the arms 61 that they are movable to a small extent vertically relative to the plane of the base. The perforations 60 in the base also define alongside each arm 61 an outwardly directed resilient fmger 62, each finger having a proximal end 63 attached to the arm, towards its distal end, and a free distal end 64. Each finger 62 is slightly movable 20 vertically with the arm 61 to which it is attached and is also slightly movable laterally in the plane of the base. Each finger 62 lies substantially parallel to the arm 61 to which it is attached and is about half the length of an adjacent side of that arm. Each finger 62 carries a disc clamping member 65 integral with the finger and 25 movable with it. The inner end of the disc clamping member 65 extends to the distal end of the associated arm 61. The fingers 62 and hence the disc clamping members 65 he on radfi of a circle so that the resilient arms 61 are offset with respect to the centre of that circle. The disc clamping members project from the inner face 14 of the base 11 but only so far as necessary to allow for the mounting of a compact disc. 30 Each has an outer clamping edge 66 at the distal end 64 of the associated finger 62. These clamping edges of the disc clamping members define a circular envelope having a diameter which is normally greater than the diameter of the compact disc central hole 24 but which becomes less than the diameter of the compact disc central hole when a downwards pressure is applied to the disc clamping members 65 to cause them to move vertically downwardly and/or laterally relative to the plane of the b ase. In fact, the combined effect of the two possible movements can be a slight twisting movement of the disc clamping members 65.

In use, a compact disc can be pressed down onto the mounting means 13 to move the disc clamping members 65 sufficiently away from their normal position to allow them to protrude through the central hole of the compact disc and the outer clamping edges 66 to frictionaUy engage the edge of the compact disc about the central hole when downwards pressure on the mounting means is released allowing the disc clamping members to move back towards their normal position.

Subsequently, a sufficient downwards pressure applied to the disc clamping member 65 when frictionally engaging the compact disc moves these sufficiently to break the frictional engagement of the outer clamping edges 66 with the compact disc and allow its release from the mounting means.

As best shown in Figure 22, the mounting means region 59 of the inner face 14 of the base I I is raised slightly to form a boss 67 which has two advantageous ftetions.

The first advantageous fanction. is that when a compact disc is mounted on the mounting means 13 the boss holds most of the lower face of the compact disc clear of the inner surface 14 of the base. It may be assisted in that fixnction by the presence of a low level circular rib 68 concentric with the mounting means. The second advantageous function of the raised boss 67 is that it allows the provision of a circular recess 69 in the outer face 52 of the base 11. This means that when the out f 52 er ace of the base is placed upon a flat surface some downwards movement of the resilient arms 61 and their associated fingers 62 and disc clamping member 65 is permitted when downwards pressure is applied, for example, by finger or thumb, to the disc clamping members. The height of the boss 67 and depth of the recess 69 may be the same and may be less d= the thickness of the base itself This compact disc case also has catch means to retain the lid closed on the base except when a person deliberately opens the case. The catch means comprises a small catch projection 70 on the outside of the base rim 23 at the top and the bottom of the base and towards its distal edge 38 and complementary catch recesses 71 on the inside of the lid rim 22. While GPPS is not as flexible as polypropylene there is still sufficient resilient flexibility for this type of catch to operate satisfactorily.

This second preferred embodiment of compact disc case includes a feature commonly found on existing compact disc cases, that is provision for the removable mounting of a leafletl a folder or a booklet against the inner face 41 of the lid. Four tabs 72 attached to and projecting inwardly from the inside of the lid rim 22 are spaced sufficiently clear of the inner surface 41 of the lid to allow the insertion of the edges of the leaflet, folder or booklet. Two small ribs 73 on the inner face of the lid also help keep the leaflet, folder or booklet in place unless a person desires to remove it. The base rim 23 has recessed portions 74 to accommodate the tabs 72 when the lid is closed on the base; otherwise a complete closing of the lid would not be possible.

This feature whereby a leaflet, folder or booklet can be removably mounted to the inside of the Ed can also be provided in the first preferred embodiment of compact disc case. Such a feature may mean that the compact disc case will need to be thicker than would otherwise be the case, depending on the number of sheets comprising any leaflets, folder or booklet for which the lid is designed to hold. For example, one sheet of paper is typically about 0.06mm thick. Five sheets of paper therefore have a total thickness of about 0.3num Providing for that many sheets in the first preferred embodiment of compact disc case means that the thickness of the case is increased from about S.Omm to about 5.4mm, that allowing some clearance to facilitate insertion and removal of the five sheets.

The above has described two preferred embodiments of compact disc case, each incorporating one or more of the various asp" of the present invention. Some modifications have been described but it will be appreciated that other modifications can be made without departing from the broad scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A case for a compact disc, said case being a unitary case moulded from a plastics material and comprising a base, a lid, mounting means on an inner face of the base for mounting a compact disc thereto, and hinge means whereby the lid is pivotally connected to the base, said hinge means comprising a first plastic hinge and a second plastic hinge substantially parallel to each other and sepamted by an intermediate portion, the lid being pivotally connected to an edge of the intennediate portion by the first plastic hinge and the base being pivotally connected to an opposite edge of the intermediate portion by the second plastic hinge, wherein one of the plastic hinges is made to be more flexible than the other.

2. A case according to claim 1 wherein the more flexible plastic hinge is made to be more flexible by being made thinner than the other, and therefore thicker, plastic hinge.

3. A case according to claim 2 wherein the difference in thickness between the fiTst and second plastic hinges is about 0.05mm.

4. A case according to claim 3 wherein the thinner plastic hinge has a thickness of about 0.25mm and the thicker plastic hinge has a thickness of about 0.30mm. 5. A case according to any one of the preceding 'claims wh=in the plastics material is polypropylene. 25 6. A case according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the inner face of at least one of the base and lid has a rim extending at least partly about the base or lid at or adjacent its periphery. 30 7. A case according to claim 6 wherein each of the base and lid has a said rim, the rim of the base and the rim of the lid being relatively dimensioned so that one smaller dimensioned rim fits within the other larger dimensioned rim when the lid is closed on the base. 35 8. A cast according to claim 7 wherein it is the base or the lid having the larger dimensioned rim that is connected to the intermediate portion by the more flexible plastic hinge.

27 9. A case according to claim 8 wherein the lid has the larger dimensioned rim and is therefore connected to the intermediate portion by the more flexible plastic hinge. 10. A case according to any one of claims 1-7 wherein the lid is connected to the 5 intermediate portion by the more flexible plastic hinge. 11. A case according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hinge means extends at least partly along the length of respective hinged edges of the base and the lid, and the intermediate portion of the hinge means forms at least a partial spine for 10 the case. 12. A case according to claim 11 wherein the hinge means extends substantially fully along the length of the respective hinged edges of the base and the lid, and the intermediate portion of the hinge means forms a full length spine for the case. 15 13. A case according to claim I I having a plurality of said hinge means spaced from each other along the respective hinged edges of the base and the lid, each hinge means extending partly along the length of said respective hinged edges, the intermediate portion of each hinge means forming a partial spine for the case with, at 20 least when the lid is open, a gap being left between the intermediate portions of adjacent hinge means. 14. A case according to claim 13 wherein there are two hinge means, there being one hinge means at each end of the respective hinged edges of the base and the lid. 25 15. A case according to any one of claims 6-9 wherein a portion of the rim extends along at least part of a respective hinged edge of the base or the lid, and the case has a plurality of said hinge means spaced from each other along the length of the respective hinged edges of the base and the lid, each hinge means extending paWy along the 30 length of said respective hinged edges, the intennediate portion of each hinge means forming a partial spine for the case with a gap being left between the intermediate portions of adjacent hinge means, which gap is closed by said portion of the rim when the lid is closed on the base, said portion of the rim thereby also providing a partial spine for the case. 35 16. A case according to claim 15 wherein said portion of the rim which closes said gap is on the lid.

28 17, A case according to claim 15 or 16 wherein the partial spine provided by the intermediate portions of the hinge means and the partial spine provided by said portion of the rim provides a complete spine along the respective hinged edges of the base and the lid. 5 18. A case according to any one of claims 15-17 wherein there are two hinge means, there being one hinge means at each end of the respective hinged edges of the base and the lid. 19. A case according to any one of claims 15-18 wherein said portion of the rim to providing a partial spine for the case is backed by label support means enabling a striplike label to be releasably supported behind the Tim portion which rim portion is sufficiently transparent to enable the label to be read from outside the case, 20. A case according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the case has a is thickness when closed of about 5.4mm. or less, and preferably about 5.0mm. 21. A case for a compact disc, said case being a unitary case moulded from a plastics material and comprising a base, a lid, mounting means on an inner face of the base for mounting a cornpact disc thereto, and a plurality of hinge means spaced from 20 each other along respective hinged edges of the base and the lid whereby the lid is pivotally connected to the base. 22. A case according to claim 21 wherein there are two hinge means, there being one hinge means at each end of the respective hinged edges of the base and the lid. 25 23. A case according to claim 21 or 22 wherein the plastics material is polypropylene 24. A case according to any one of claims 21-23 wherein each binge means 30 comprises a first plastic hinge and a second plastic hinge substantially parallel to each other and separated by an intermediate portion, the lid being pivotally connected to an edge of the intermediate portion by the first plastic hinge and the base being pivotally connected to an opposite edge of the intermediate portion by the second plastic hinge. 35 25. A case according to claim 24 wherein one of the plastic hinges of each hinge means is made to be more flexible &an the other.

29 26. A case according to claim 25 wherein the more flexible plastic hinge is made to be more flexible by being made thinner than the other, and therefore thicker, plastic hinge.

27. A case according to claim 26 wherein the difference in thickness between the first and second plastic hinges is about 0.05mm. 28. A case according to claim 27 wherein the thinner plastic hinge has a thickness of about 0.25mm and the thicker plastic hinge has a thickness of about 0. 30mm. 10 29. A case according to any one of claims 24-28 wherein the inner face of at least one of the base and lid has a rim extending at least partly about the base or lid at or adjacent its periphery. 15 30. A case according to claim 29 wherein each of the base and lid has a said rim, the rim of the base and the rim of the lid being relatively dimensioned so that one smaller dimensioned rim fits within the other larger dimensioned rim when the lid is closed on the base. 20 31. A case according to claim 30 wherein it is the base or the lid having the larger dimensioned rim that is connected to the intermediate portion by the more flexible plastic hinge. 32. A case according to claim 31 wherein the lid has the larger dimensioned rim 25 and is therefore connected to the intermediate portion by the more flexible plastic hinge. 33. A case according to any one of claims 24-32 wherein each hinge means extends at least partly along the length of the respective hinged edges of the base and the lid, 30 and the intermediate portion of the hinge means forms a partial spine for the case with, at least when the lid is open, a gap being left between the intermediate portions of adjacent hinge means. 34. A case according to any one of claims 29-32 wherein a portion of the rim 35 extends along at least part of a respective hinged edge of the base or the lid, and the case has a plurality of said hinge mearis spaced from each other along the length of the respective hinged edges of the base and the lid, each hinge means extending partly along the length of said respective hinged. edges, the intermediate portion of each hinge means forming a partial spine for the case with a gap being left between the intermediate portions of adjacent hinge means, which gap is closed by said portion of the rim when the lid is closed on the base, said portion of the rim thereby also providing a partial spine for the case.

35. A case according to claim 34 wherein said portion of the rim which closes said gap is on the lid. 36. A case according to claim 34 or 35 wherein the partial spine provided by the intermediate portions of the hinge means and the partial spine provided by said portion 10 of the rim provides a complete spine along the respective hinged edges of the base and the lid. 37. A case according to any one of claims 34-36 wherein said portion of the rim providing a partial spine for the case is backed by label support means enabling a strip15 like label to be releasably supported behind the rim portion which rim portion is sufficiently transparent to enable the label to be read from outside the case. 38. A case according to claim 37 wherein the label support means comprises a plurality of separated lugs spaced sufficiently behind the said portion of the rim to 20 receive said label.

39. A case according to any one of claims 21-38 wherein the case has a thickness when closed of about, 5.4mm or less.

40. A case according to claim 39 wherein the thickness of the case is about 5.0mm.

41. A case for a ' compact disc, said case being a unitary case moulded from a plastics material and comprising a base, a lid, mounting means on an inner face of the base for mounting a compact disc thereto, hinge means whereby the lid is pivotally connected to the base at or adjacent respective hinged edges of the base and the lid, and frangible sealing means attached to each of and bridging the base and the lid whereby the sealing means must be broken to allow the case to be opened.

42. A case according to claim 41 wherein the sealing means is integral with one of the base and the lid and is bonded to the other of the base and the lid.

43. A case according to claim 42 wherein the sealing means is integral with the lid and is bonded to the base.

31 44. A case according to any one of claims 41-43 wherein the sealing means incorporates a tear-strip which when tam completely allows the case to be opened. 45. A case according to claim 44 wherein the sealing means comprises a flange 5 integral wiffi an edge of the base or the lid and comprising said tear-strip substantially contiguous with said edge of the base or the lid and a bonding strip bonded to an adjacent edge of the other of the base and the lid. 46. A case according to claim 45 wherein the bonding strip folds over said adjacent 10 edge of the other of the base and the lid and is bonded to an outer face portion thereof.

47. A case according to any one of claims 44-46 wherein the tear-strip incoxporates a finger grip to facilitate tearing of the tear-strip.

48. A case according to any one of claims 41-47 wherein the sealing means is disposed at distal edges of the base and the lid opposite the hinged edges of the base and the lid. 49. A case for a compact disc, said case being a unitary case moulded from a 20 plastics material and comprising a base, a lid, mounting means on an inner face of the base for mounting a compact disc thereto, hinge means whereby the Rd is pivotally connected to the base at or adjacent respective hinged edges of the base and the lid, and frangible sealing means attached to one of the base and the lid and being capable of bridging and being attached to the other of the base and the lid when the case. is 25 closed whereby the sealing means must be broken to allow the case to be opened.

50. A case according to claim 49 wherein the sealing means is inkgral with one of the base and the lid and is capable of being bonded to the other of the base and the lid.

51. A case according to claim 50 wherein the sealing means is integral with the lid and is capable of being bonded to the base. 52. A case according to any one of claims 49-51 wherein the sealing means incorporates a tear-strip such that when the case is closed and sealed by the sealing 35 means a complete tearing through of the tear-strip allows the case to be opened.

53. A case according to claim S2 wherein the sealing means comprises a flange integral with an edge of the base or the lid and comprising said tear-stdp substantially contiguous with said edge of the base or the lid and a bonding strip capable of being 32 bonded to an adjacent edge of the other of the base and the lid.

54. A case according to claim 53 wherein the bonding strip is foldable over said adjacent edge of the other of the base and the lid when the case is closed and is bondable to an outer face portion thereof.

55. A case according to any one of.cWms 52-54 wherein the tear-strip incorporates a finger grip to facilitate tearing of the tear-strip.

56. A case according to any one of claims 49-55 wherein the sealing means is disposed at a distal edge of the base or the lid opposite the hinged edges of the base and the lid and when'the case is closed is capable of bridging and being attached to a distal edge of the other of the base and the lid.

57. A method of packaging at least one compact disc in a case as claimed in claim 49 comprising the steps of opening the case, mounting a compact disc an the mounting means of the base, closing the case, and attaching the sealing means to the other of the base and the lid from that to which it is attached initially.

58. A method according to claim 57 wherein the sealing means is integral with one of the base and the lid and the step of attaching the sealing means to the other of the base and the lid comprises bonding the sealing means to the other of the base and the lid.

59. A method according to claim 58 wherein the sealing means is integral with the lid and is bonded to the base.

60. A method according to claim 58 or 59 wherein the step of bonding the the sealing means to the other of the base and the lid comprises utilizing heat sealing or contact adhesive to effect the bond.

61. A method according to any one of claims 57-60 wherein the sealing me= incorporates a tear-strip such that when the case is closed and sealed by the sealing means a complete tearing through of the tear-strip allows the cast to be opened.

62. A method according to claim 61 wherein Ihe sealing means comprises a flange integral with an edge of the base or the lid and comprising said tear-strip substantially contiguous with said edge of the base or the lid and a bonding strip capable of being folded over and bonded to an outer face portion of an adjacent edge of the other of the base and the lid, the step of attaching the sealing strip to the othex of the base and the 33 lid comprising folding the bonding strip over said adjacent edge and bonding it to said outer fare portion.

63. A base of or for a case for a compact disc having a central hole, said base being moulded from a plastics material and having an inner face with mounting means for mounting a compact disc thereto, said mounting means comprising a plurality of inwardly extending and normally upwardly inclined resilient radial arms integral with the base, inner ends of the arms having disc clamping members projecting upwardly away from the base, the disc clamping members having outer clamping edges defining a circular envelope, the diameter of which is less than the diameter of the compact disc central hole when the disc clamping members and hence the radial arms are pushed downwardly to a depressed position towards the base but which is greater than the diameter of the compact disc central hole when the radial arms are in their normal upwardly inclined position, whereby a compact disc can be pressed down onto the mounting means to depress the radial arms and thereby allow the disc clamping members to protrude through the compact disc central hole and the outer clamping edges to frictionally engage the edge of the compact disc about the central hole when downwards pressure on the mountingmeans is released thereby allowing the resilient radial arms to move back towards their normal position, and whereby a sufficient downwards pressure applied to the disc clamping members when frictionally engaging the compact disc sufficiently depresses the radial arms and the disc clamping members to break the frictional engagement of the outer clamping edges with the compact disc and allow the compact disc to be released from the mounting means.

64. A base according to claim 63 wherein the mounting means comprises four equiangularly disposed radial arms.

65, A base according to claim 63 or 64 wherein in the normal position of the radial arms each is inclined at an angle of about 10 relative to the plane of the base.

66. A base according to any one of claims 63-65 wherein the radial arms comprise cut-outs from the base so that they can be pushed down to a depressed position substantially in the plane of the base.

67. A base according to claim 66 wherein there is a clearance in the base about each cut-out radial arm so that the base does not interfere with movement of the radial arms between their normal and depressed positions.

34 68. A base according to any one of claims 63-67 wherein in the normal position of the radial arms the disc clamping members project no more than about 3.0mm from the inner surface of the base.

69. A base according to claim 68 wherein in the normal position of the radial arms the disc clamping members project about 2.7mm from the inner surface of the base. 70. A base according to any one of claims 63-69 wherein the base and each radial arm have a thickness of about 1.3mm. 10 71. A base according to any one of claims 63-70 wherein in the normal position of the radial arms the outer clamping edges of the clamping menibers are angled outwardly and the diameter of a circular envelope about the outer clamping edges therefore increases from the bottom to towards the top of the outer clamping edges, 15 and at least the largest diameter of the circular envelope at or adjacent the top of the outer clamping edges is slightly greater than the diameter of the compact disc central hole. 72. A base according to claim 71 wherein in the normal position of the radial aims 20 the outer clamping edges of the clamping members are angled outwardly at an angle of about 5 off vertical with respect to the plane of the base. 73. A base according to any one. of claims 63-72 wherein each clamping member is a substantially U-shaped member formed on a respective radial arm with the arms of 25 the U radiating outwardly so that distal ends of the clamping member arms provide the outer clamping edges of the clamping member. 74. A base according to any one of claims 63-73 having at least one protuberance from the inner face of the base to space a lower face of a compact disc mounted on the 30 mounting means from the base even when the radial arms of the mounting means are in a depressed position. 75. A base according to claim 74 wherein the protuberance comprises at least one raised rib on the inner face ofthe base about the mounting means. 35 76. A base according to claim 74 or 75 wherein the at least one protuberance acts to push the mounted compact disc off the mounting means when the radial arms and hence the clamping members of the mounting means are depressed sufficiently.

77. A base according to any one of claims 63-76 wherein the plastics material is polypropylene78. A base according to any one of claims 63-78 wherein the base is adapted to be 5 connected to a lid by hinge means at or adjacent respective hinged edges of the base and the lid whereby the lid- is then pivotally connected to the base to form the case. 79. A case for a compact disc comprising a base according to any one of claims 6378, a lid and hinge means, wherein the base is pivotally connected to the Ed by the 10 hinge means at or adjacent respective hinged edges of the base and the lid. 80. A case for a compact disc comprising a base according to any one of claims 6377, a lid and hinge means, wherein the base is pivotally connected to the lid by the hinge means at or adjacent respective hinged edges of the base and the lid, the lid and 15 the hinge means also being moulded from said plastics material so that the hinge means comprises plastic hinge means integral v6th the base and the lid to provide a unitary case. 81. A base of or for a case for a compact disc having a central hole, said base being 20 moulded from a plastics material and having integral mounting means for mounting a compact disc thereto adjacent an inner face of the base, said mounting means comprising a plurality of disc clamping members integrally but resiliently attached to the base and projecting from the inner face of the base and movable from a normal position vertically and laterally relative to the plane of the base, each disc clamping 25 member having an outer clamping edge which clamping edges of the disc clamping members define a circular envelope the diameter of which is normally greater than the diameter of the compact disc central hole but which becomes less than the diameter of the compact disc central hole when a downwards pressure is applied to the disc clamping members to cause them to move vertically downwardly and/or laterally 30 relative to the plane of the base, whereby a compact disc can be pressed down onto the mounting means to move the disc clarnping members sufficiently away from their normal position to allow them to protrude through the central hole of the compact disc and the outer clamping edges to frictionally engage the edge of the compact disc about the central hole when downwards pressure on the mounting means is released allowing 35 the disc clamping members to move back towards their normal position, and whereby a sufficient downwards pressure applied to the disc clamping members when ffictionally engaging the compact disc moves the disc clarnping members sufficiently to break the frictional engagement of the outer clamping edges with the compact disc and allow the compact disc to be released from the mounting means.

36 82. A base according to claim 81 wherein the disc clamping members we radially disposed relative to each other. 83. A base of or for a case for a compact disc having a central hole, said base being 5 moulded from a plastics material and having integral mounting means for mounting a compact disc thereto adjacent an inner face of the base, said mounting means comprising a region of the base having conjoined perforations defining a plurality of inwardly directed resilient arms in the plane of the base which anus are movable vertically relative to the plane of the base, and defining alongside each arm an 10 outwardly directed resilient finger having a proximal end attached to the arm and a fi-ee distal end which finger is movable vertically with the arm and is also movable laterally in the plane of the base, wherein a disc clamping member is provided on each finger and is movable therewith, each disc clamping member projecting from the inner face of the base and having an outer clamping edge at or towards the distal end of the is finger, which clamping edges of the disc clamping members define a circular envelope the diameter of which is normally greater than the diameter of the compact disc central hole but which becomes less than the diameter of the compact disc central bole when a downwards pressure is applied to the disc clamping members to cause them to move vertically downwardly and/or laterally relative to the plane of the base, whereby a 20 compact disc can be pressed down onto the mounting means to move the disc clamping members sufficiently away from their normal position to allow them to protrude through the central hole of the compact disc and the outer clamping edges to frictionally engage the edge of the compact disc about the central hole when downwards pressure on the mounting means is released allowing the disc clamping 25 members to move back towards their normal position, and whereby a sufficient downwards pressure applied to the disc clamping members when frictionally eaigaging the compact disc moves the disc clamping members sufficiently to break the fidetional engagement of the outer clamping edges with the compact disc and allow the compact disc to be released from the mounting means. 30 84. A base according to claim 83 wherein the fingers and hence the disc clamping members lie on radii of a circle so that the resilient arms are offset with respect to the centre of the circle. 35 85. A base according to claim 83 or 84 wherein the proximal end of each finger is attached to the respective arm towards a distal end thereof. 86. A base according to any one of claims 83-85 wherein each finger lies substantially parallel to the resilient arm to which it is attached.

37 87. A base according to claim 86 wherein the length of each finger is about half the length of an adjacent side of the resilient arm to which the finger is attached. 88. A base according to any one of claims 83-87 wherein the mounting means 5 comprises four resilient arms and therefore four fingets and four disc clamping members. 89. A base according to any one of claims 81-88 wherein in the normal position of the disc clamping members the outer clamping edges are angled outwardly with 10 respect to the base.

90. A base according to any one of claims 81-89 wherein the mounting means region of the inner face of the base is raised relative to the surrounding region of the base.

91. A base according to claim 90 wherein the mounting means region of the inner face of the base is raised relative to the surrounding region of the base by an amount less than the thickness of the base.

92. A base according to any one of claims 81-91 wherein the mounting means region of the outer face of the base is recessed relative to the surrounding region of the base. 93. A base according to claim 92 wherein the mounting means region of the outer 25 face of the base is recessed relative to the surrounding region of the base by an amount less than the thickness of the base. 94. A base according to any one of claims 81-93 wherein the plastics material from which the base is made is general purpose polystyrene (GPPS). 30 95. A base according to any one of claims 81-94 wherein the base is adapted to be connected to a lid by hinge means at or adjacent respective hinged edges of the base and the lid whereby the lid is then pivotally connected to the base to form the case. 35 96. A case for a compact disc comprising a base according to any one of claims 8195, a lid and hinge means, wherein the base is pivotally connected to the lid by the hinge means at or adjacent respective hinged edges of the base and the lid.

38 97. A case for a compact disc comprising a base according to any one of claims 81 94, a lid and hinge means, wherein the base is pivotally connected to the lid by the hinge means at or adjacent respective hinged edges of the base and the lid, the lid and the hinge means also being moulded from said plastics material so that the hinge 5 means comprises plastic hinge means integral with the base and the lid to provide a unitary case. 98. A case according to claim 96 or 97 wherein the case when closed has a thickness of about 3.8mm. 10 99. A case according to any one of claims 1-62 wherein the base is a base according to any one of claims 63-76 or according to any one of claims 81-93.