Compression disc holder

Abstract

Storage devices or holders for discs are described which provide for ease of insertion and removal and which protect the optical surface of the stored compact disc from scratches and dust accumulation. The devices provide for compression of a preferably soft fabric-like material upon insertion of a disc into the holder and frictional engagement between the surfaces of the disc and the inner material which is capable of cleaning the disc surfaces.

1 . A disc holder for holding a disc having two surfaces and an edge, the holder comprising: 
 a top panel;    a bottom panel connected with respect to the top panel to form a cavity; and    a material positioned in the cavity, the material forming a disc-receiving slot;    whereby the holder is able to slidably receive a disc in the slot and the material is able to hold the disc within the slot through friction with at least one of the surfaces.    
     
     
         2 . The disc holder of  claim 1  wherein the material is compressible.  
     
     
         3 . The disc holder of  claim 2  wherein the material is fabric.  
     
     
         4 . The disc holder of  claim 1  wherein the top and bottom panels are interconnected by a first side panel, a second side panel and a rear panel.  
     
     
         5 . The disc holder of  claim 4  wherein each panel is rigid.  
     
     
         6 . The disc holder of  claim 4  wherein the top and bottom panels each include a front side, the holder further comprising an opening at the front sides, the opening leading to the cavity and the disc passing through the opening when received in the cavity.  
     
     
         7 . The disc holder of  claim 6  wherein at least one of the top and bottom panels includes a notch extending from the front side, the notch defined by an inner edge and providing access to the slot to enable a person to remove the disc from the slot.  
     
     
         8 . The disc holder of  claim 7  further comprising a shield extending across the notch for protecting a disc received in the slot, the shield allowing access to the slot.  
     
     
         9 . The disc holder of  claim 8  wherein the shield includes resilient bristles extending from the inner edge and terminating at a position at the notch.  
     
     
         10 . The disc holder of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of a disc received within the slot is visible so that a person can visually determine whether a disc is in the slot.  
     
     
         11 . A disc holder for holding a disc having two surfaces and an edge, the holder comprising: 
 a top panel having an inner face; and    bottom panel having an inner face, the bottom panel connected with respect to the top panel such that the inner faces form a cavity, the cavity being dimensioned to slidably receive a disc, the inner faces frictionally holding the surfaces of the disc;    whereby the disc holder prevents the unintentional removal of the disc from the cavity.    
     
     
         12 . The disc holder of  claim 11  wherein the inner faces are non-rigid.  
     
     
         13 . The disc holder of  claim 12  wherein the inner faces are fabric.  
     
     
         14 . The disc holder of  claim 13  wherein the fabric is comprised of polymeric microfiber which cleans the disc when inserted or removed from the cavity.  
     
     
         15 . The disc holder of  claim 11  wherein the top and bottom panels have an outer edge and further including a slot along the outer edge, the slot leading to the cavity.  
     
     
         16 . The disc holder of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the top and bottom panels includes a notch extending from the outer edge, the notch defined by an inner edge and providing access to the cavity to enable a person to remove the disc from the cavity.  
     
     
         17 . The disc holder of  claim 15  wherein the top and bottom panels include a slot face at the slot along the outer edge, the slot face being fabric.  
     
     
         18 . A disc holder for holding a disc having two surfaces and an edge, the holder comprising: 
 a rigid top panel;    a rigid bottom panel connected with respect to the top panel to form a cavity;    a compressible material positioned in the cavity and forming a slot, the slot being dimensioned to slidably receive the disc and frictionally hold the surfaces of the disc; the compressible material being selected such that the material cleans the surfaces of the disc when the disc slides into and out of the slot.    
     
     
         19 . The disc holder of  claim 18  wherein one of the top and bottom panels includes a notch to allow access to the slot to enable a person to remove a disc from the slot.  
     
     
         20 . The disc holder of  claim 18  wherein at least a portion of a disc received within the slot is visible so that a person is able to visually determine whether the holder is holding a disc.