Method and apparatus for treatment of compact discs

Abstract

Apparatus for rendering a compact disc unplayable comprises first and second pressing elements and at least one spoiling element interposed between the pressing elements. The pressing elements are adapted to be brought together to press the spoiling element against a disc placed therebetween thus causing damage to the information bearing surface of the disc. In a preferred embodiment, the or each spoiling element includes scraping means which may comprise a serrated blade or an abrasive material. Rotation of the disc relative to the scraping means when the disc is sandwiched between the pressing elements results in the disc's information bearing surface being scratched or otherwise damaged. A method of rendering unplayable a compact disc is also described.

1 . Apparatus for rendering a compact disc unplayable comprising first and second pressing elements and at least one spoiling element interposed between the pressing elements, the pressing elements being adapted to be brought together to press the spoiling element against a disc when placed therebetween thereby to damage the information bearing surface of the disc.  
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each spoiling element is attached to or integral with a pressing element.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the or each spoiling element comprises a blade which projects from and out of the plane of the first pressing element for snapping the disc into two or more pieces when the first and second pressing elements are brought together to press the blade(s) against the disc.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second pressing elements are pivotally connected.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the or each blade is aligned parallel with the pivot axis between first and second pressing elements.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 4  or  5 , further comprising a lever arm pivotally attached to one of said pressing elements at a position substantially opposite the pivotal connection between first and second pressing elements for exerting pressure against an outer portion of the other of said pressing elements when the pressing elements are brought together.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the lever arm is provided with a projection on its underside, the projection being adapted to press against an outer portion of the other pressing element when the pressing elements are brought together.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 3  to  7 , wherein the second pressing element is provided with a recess for receiving at least the projecting portion of the or each blade carried on the first pressing element when the pressing elements are brought together.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 3  to  8 , wherein the second pressing element has a hollow interior.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein a disc locating ridge is provided on the second pressing element to support the disc at a desired height above the hollow interior.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the hollow interior is provided with one or more layers of resilient material to support the disc at a desired height.  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 9  to  11 , wherein one or more further blades are provided in the hollow interior of the second pressing element such that a supported disc rests just above or against said further blade(s).  
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the or each spoiling element comprises scraping means for abrading the information bearing surface of the disc.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the scraping means comprises one or more serrated blades.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the scraping means comprises an abrasive material.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the abrasive material comprises sand or grit paper.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the abrasive material comprises a knurled surface formed on one or both pressing elements.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 13  to  17 , wherein the disc is retained on the first pressing element and the scraping means is provided on the second pressing element.  
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  18 , wherein the first pressing element comprises a planar base portion and a wall portion which together define a recess in which the disc may sit.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to any one of  claims 13  to  19 , wherein said first and second pressing elements are adapted to provide relative rotation between the scraping means and the disc to cause abrasion on the information bearing surface of the disc.  
     
     
         21 . Apparatus according to claim any of  claims 18  to  20 , wherein the first pressing element includes a spindle on which the disc is retained through its central hole.  
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the spindle is provided with teeth, serrations or the like, to inhibit or prevent rotational movement of the disc relative to the spindle.  
     
     
         23 . Apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the spindle is adapted to be rotated such that a disc retained thereon may be scraped against the scraping means on the second pressing element when the first and second elements are brought together.  
     
     
         24 . Apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the first and second pressing elements are provided with complementary locking means to hold pressing elements stationary with respect to each other after they are brought together.  
     
     
         25 . Apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the locking means includes means to maintain pressure on the disc by the scraping means.  
     
     
         26 . Apparatus according to  claim 24  or  25 , wherein the first and second pressing elements are held stationary together by a friction fit.  
     
     
         27 . Apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the second pressing element is adapted to be rotated relative to the first pressing element.  
     
     
         28 . Apparatus for rendering a compact disc unplayable comprising first and second pressing elements each of which is hand-held in use and includes a substantially planar surface, and abrasive means associated with one or both planar surfaces, the pressing elements being adapted to be manually pressed together to trap the disc between the planar surfaces against the abrasive means and simultaneously for one or both discs to be rotated relative to each other to abrade the information bearing surface or surfaces of the disc.  
     
     
         28 . (as amended) Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second pressing elements is hand-held in use and includes a substantially planar surface, and the spoiling element comprises abrasive means associated with one or both planar surfaces, the pressing elements being adapted to be manually pressed together to trap the disc between the planar surfaces against the abrasive means and simultaneously for one or both discs to be rotated relative to each other to abrade the information bearing surface or surfaces of the disc  
     
     
         29 . Apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the first pressing element comprises a planar base portion forming the planar surface and a wall portion which together define a recess in which the disc may sit.  
     
     
         30 . Apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the planar surface of the second pressing element is adapted to be received in the recess.  
     
     
         31 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 28  to  30 , wherein the first and second pressing elements are provided with means for enabling an operator comfortably to grip each element whilst pressing together and rotating one or both elements.  
     
     
         32 . Apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the first pressing element has an external wall portion provided with finger recesses, indentations or the like for gripping the element in use.  
     
     
         33 . Apparatus according to  claim 31  or  32 , wherein the second pressing element is provided with a handle on its external surface in use.  
     
     
         34 . A method of rendering unplayable a compact disc, comprising placing the disc between first and second pressing elements, bringing said first and second pressing elements together so that the disc is trapped therebetween and is pressed against one or more disc spoiling elements adapted to damage the face of the disc on which the information bearing surface is provided.  
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein the first and second pressing elements are simultaneously rotated so that the or each spoiling element is scraped across the information bearing surface.  
     
     
         36 . Apparatus for rendering a compact disc unplayable substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of FIGS.  1  to  13  of the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         37 . A method of rendering unplayable a compact disc substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of FIGS.  1  to  13  of the accompanying drawings.