Device and method for packaging information carriers

Abstract

A device for packaging information carriers, provided with a first and a second cover part, mutually pivotally connected via hinge means and arranged for forming a substantially closed box, wherein at least one of the cover parts is provided, adjacent a side thereof, with an edge part fixedly connected therewith, on which edge part the hinge means are provided, which edge part preferably has a stiffness which is slightly higher than at least one cover part connected therewith and is at least partly hollow, and wherein at least one of the cover parts is provided with relatively slight elevations for supporting the information carrier spaced from wall parts of the cover parts, for protection of the information carrier.

1 . A device for packaging information carriers, provided with a first and a second cover part, mutually pivotally connected via hinge means and arranged for forming a substantially closed box, wherein at least one of the cover parts is provided, adjacent a side thereof, with an edge part fixedly connected therewith, on which edge part the hinge means are provided, which edge part preferably has a stiffness which is slightly higher than at least one cover part connected therewith and is at least partly hollow, and wherein at least one of the cover parts is provided with relatively slight elevations for supporting the information carrier spaced from wall parts of the cover parts, for protection of the information carrier.  
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein it is manufactured in one piece, with integrated hinges formed along therewith.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover part on which said edge part is provided is somewhat trough-shaped, provided with a bottom face and upstanding walls and wherein the edge part constitutes at least a part of at least one of the walls of said trough-shaped part.  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover part on which said edge part is provided comprises a closing face which links up on one side of the edge part, wherein the hinge means are provided on an opposite side of the edge part, and wherein the other cover part comprises an element bounding the hinge means, which element, in the closed position of the device, at least partly overlaps said edge part.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 4 , wherein the edge part has a first side, parallel to and substantially in line with said closing face, and a second side located remote from said closing face, the hinge means being provided on an edge of said edge part substantially in said second side.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover part on which said edge part is provided comprises a closing face which links up with a side of the edge part, while the hinge means are provided in a surface remote from the closing face.  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device has a maximum thickness which is approximately equal to the thickness of the closing faces of the two cover parts, increased by the thickness of an information carrier to be stored therein.  
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein the device has a thickness which is smaller than approximately 3.5 mm, preferably approximately 3.2 mm.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover parts, in a projection including the edge part, and with the device closed, have approximately the dimensions of a conventional CD box, in particular of the Jewel case-type, while the space in which the information carrier is to be received has an approximately square surface with sides of a length approximately corresponding to the cross section of a CD.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein both cover parts have a closing face, wherein one of the cover parts along at least three sides is provided with an upstanding edge adjacent the longitudinal edge of the respective closing face, wherein the other cover part, at least on the side remote from said edge part, is provided with an upstanding closing edge, which, with the device closed, falls between an upstanding wall of the first cover part and at least one and preferably at least two spaced apart projections, which projections are placed at a distance from the upstanding edge placed next to them, such that said closing edge can be clamped to some degree between them for keeping the device closed.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein the two cover parts are provided with engagement edges on the side remote from said edge part, such that through pressing against said engagement edges, the device can be opened.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one cover part comprises a closing face that is more flexible than a CD, such that a corner located opposite said edge part can be bent away under a CD laid thereon, for engaging the CD.  
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein on at least one of the cover parts, on the side facing inwards when the device is closed, retention means are provided for engaging an information carrier on a side edge thereof.  
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 13 , wherein said retention means are provided on the cover part which comprises the edge part, wherein the retention means comprise at least one relatively small undercut in at least one wall part of the respective cover part, in which undercut an edge part of an information carrier to be stored in the device can be received.  
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one and preferably each of the cover parts is provided with a closing face having thereon, on the side facing an information carrier during use, relatively small elevations which clamp the information carrier when the device is closed and keep the side surfaces of the information carrier at some distance from said closing face or closing faces.  
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the cover parts is provided with a recessed portion in which a second information carrier, in particular a card-shaped information carrier, can be received.  
   
   
       17 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the cover parts is provided with printing, comprising at least information about the information carrier which has been or is to be received in the storage device.  
   
   
       18 . A device according to  claim 17 , wherein the printing has been provided through in-mold labeling.  
   
   
       19 . A method for manufacturing a storage device for an information carrier, wherein a mold having at least one suitable mold cavity is brought into a first position such that the mold cavity has a greater volume than the mold cavity to be eventually formed, in which first position the mold cavity is filled with plastic, while the mold during the filling with plastic is energized, such that the mold cavity is gradually brought into a second position, such that it is brought into the desired shape while displacing the plastic.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the mold cavity is brought into the desired shape while the last plastic is being pressed into the mold cavity, in particular the last 20-0%, more particularly the last 15-5%, and preferably approximately the last 10%.  
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the mold comprises at least one movable part, in particular a core, which, with the mold cavity in the first position, is at least partly retracted from the mold cavity, for increasing the volume, and for achieving the second position is brought to an extended position.  
   
   
       22 . A method for packaging a plate-shaped information carrier in a device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is opened to some extent through pivoting of the cover parts relative to each other, thereby forming an opening between the sides of the two cover parts remote from the edge part, whereafter an information carrier is brought through said opening between the cover parts, so far until it abuts against the edge part, whereafter the cover parts are closed against each other, thereby enclosing the information carrier.  
   
   
       23 . A storage box for plate-shaped information carriers, in particular rectangular information carriers such as chips cards, SIM cards and the like, provided with two cover parts, mutually connected by at least one living hinge, while on or in at least one cover part at least two clamping edge parts are provided, located opposite each other and provided with undercuts, such that the information carrier can be slid substantially flat on the respective cover part, under the clamping edge parts and under the undercuts.  
   
   
       24 . A storage box according to  claim 23 , wherein the or each respective cover part provided with the receiving means for the information carrier is provided with an upstanding edge opposite the or each living hinge, while at least one inclined surface is provided next to or against said upstanding edge, for sliding the information carrier over the edge.