Storage container for recorded media

Abstract

A storage container for holding an item of recorded media includes a base; an outer wall extending upwardly from the base, the outer wall having an upper surface adapted to receive the lower surface of item adjacent the outer diameter of item. The storage container also includes a retaining hub that extends upwardly from the base. The retaining hub includes a plurality of hinged arms and fixed supports. A retaining lip is carried by the hinged arms. The retaining lip engages the upper surface of the item in a storage position and is moveable inwardly and downwardly to release item. Retaining lip also engages the lower surface of item to lift item from the storage container. The fixed supports include an upper surface that remains in position during the removal of item to provide support to item to substantially prevent bending forces from damaging item.

1 . A storage container for storing a disc-shaped item of recorded media; the disc-shaped item of recorded media having an upper surface, a lower surface, a thickness, an outer diameter, and a centrally-disposed opening; the storage container comprising: 
 a base;    a retaining hub extending upwardly from the base; the retaining hub being adapted to engage the centrally-disposed opening of the item of recorded media;    the retaining hub having at least two bumps adapted to engage the lower surface of the disc-shaped item of recorded media; the bumps adapted to minimize the friction between the hub and the disc-shaped item of recorded media;    the at least two bumps being spaced apart and independent from each other; and    the at least two bumps being fixed with respect to the hub.    
     
     
         2 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the bump does not extend around the retaining lip.  
     
     
         3 . The storage container of  claim 2 , wherein the bump is dome-shaped.  
     
     
         4 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the hub includes a support surface disposed substantially parallel to the base; the at least two bumps projecting upwardly from the support surface.  
     
     
         5 . The storage container of  claim 4 , wherein the hub includes at least one resilient arm; the retaining lip being carried by the arm.  
     
     
         6 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the hub includes three bumps.  
     
     
         7 . The storage container of  claim 6 , wherein the three bumps are spaced apart and independent.  
     
     
         8 . The storage container of  claim 7 , wherein the three bumps are evenly spaced about the hub.  
     
     
         9 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein each bump has a body having a lower surface and an upper surface; the body converging from the lower surface toward the upper surface.  
     
     
         10 . The storage container of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer wall disposed radially outwardly of the hub.  
     
     
         11 . The storage container of  claim 10 , wherein the outer wall includes a support surface.  
     
     
         12 . The storage container of  claim 11 , wherein the outer wall includes at least one bump projecting upwardly from the support surface of the outer wall; the bump projecting upwardly from the support surface being adapted to engage the lower surface of the disc-shaped item of recorded media.  
     
     
         13 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining hub includes at least one retaining lip adapted to engage the upper surface of the disc-shaped item of recorded media; the retaining lip adapted to hold the disc-shaped item of recorded media on the hub.  
     
     
         14 . The storage container of  claim 13 , further comprising a lid movable between opening and closed positions; the lid and base surrounding the retaining hub when the lid is in the closed position.  
     
     
         15 . The storage container of  claim 14 , wherein the retaining hub is a push button-type hub adapted to release the disc-shaped item of recorded media when the hub is depressed.  
     
     
         16 . The storage container of  claim 13 , wherein the retaining hub is configured to loosely receive the disc-shaped item of recorded media such that the disc-shaped item of recorded media may spin on the retaining hub.  
     
     
         17 . The storage container of  claim 13 , wherein the retaining lip has a lower surface and each bump has an upper surface; there being a first vertical distance between the lower surface of the retaining lip and the upper surface of the bump; the first vertical distance being adapted to be larger than the thickness of the disc-shaped item of recorded media such that the disc-shaped item of recorded media is not pinched.  
     
     
         18 . A storage container for storing a disc-shaped item of recorded media; the disc-shaped item of recorded media having an upper surface, a lower surface, a thickness, an outer circumferential edge, and a centrally-disposed opening; the storage container comprising: 
 a base;    a retaining hub extending upwardly from the base; the retaining hub being adapted to engage the centrally-disposed opening of the item of recorded media;    the base having at least two bumps adapted to engage the lower surface of the disc-shaped item of recorded media; the bumps adapted to minimize the friction between the base and the disc-shaped item of recorded media;    the at least two bumps being spaced apart and independent from each other; and    the at least two bumps being fixed with respect to the hub.    
     
     
         19 . The storage container of  claim 18 , further comprising at least two bumps carried by the base in a location where the at least two bumps are adapted to engage the lower surface of the item of recorded media adjacent the outer circumferential edge of the disc-shaped item of recorded media.