Standardized disc container with added security feature

Abstract

A compact disc (CD) and digital versatile disc (DVD) anti-theft media case that is lockable, useful for both sales and rental of the media, having a first and second portion, one of the portions containing a detent designed to interfit with a second detent situated on the other of the two portions. The two detents interfit with one another to form a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can be remotely moved by the use of a magnetic or electrical remote tool. The locking mechanism when locked in addition to preventing the case from being opened also prevents the disc from being removed from the case. The case can be locked and unlocked remotely without having to distort the outward appearance of the case and is therefore useful in unlocking shrink wrapped cases used in sales, but can also be used for rental media.

1 . A case for containing and securing a media disc comprising: 
 (i) first and second members movable with respect to one another from a first position whereat the case is in a closed position and containing the media disc, to a second position whereat the disc is accessible;    (ii) a first and second retaining part disposed within the first and second members respectively which interfit to contain and secure said disc;    (iii) one of said first or second retaining parts including a moveable locking first detent, and the other one of said first and second retaining parts including a second detent to engage said moveable locking first detent; and    (iv) said moveable locking first detent being operable to and from a locked position when placed adjacent to a remote release device and the case is in a closed position, wherein said case may be utilized to prevent the unauthorized removal of the media disc from the case for both sales and rentals of the media.    
   
   
       2 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the remote release device is magnetic or electrical.  
   
   
       3 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the first and second members are hingably connected.  
   
   
       4 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the movable locking first detent is a slidable pin and the second detent is an aperture.  
   
   
       5 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the movable locking first detent is a rotatable pin and the second detent is a groove.  
   
   
       6 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the movable locking first detent is a lever and the second detent is a slot.  
   
   
       7 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the movable locking first detent and the second detent act collectively to form a latching mechanism.  
   
   
       8 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the media disc is a DVD or CD.  
   
   
       9 . A case of  claim 1  wherein the first and second retaining parts are first and second hubs respectively, one of said first and second hubs comprising a radial first groove connected to a second groove substantially normal to said first groove, the other of said first or second hubs comprising a freely rotatable pin compatible with said first and second grooves, the pin being movable when the case is in a closed position to and from a locked position when placed adjacent to a remote release device, said locked position being a result of said rotatable pin being located in said second groove.  
   
   
       10 . A case of  claim 1  wherein the first and second retaining parts are a cylindrical disc compatible hub and a housing respectively, one of one of said hub or housing comprising a lever, the other of said hub or housing comprising a slot, said lever being movable when the case is in a closed position to and from a locked position when placed adjacent to a remote release device, said locked position being a result of said lever engaging said slot.  
   
   
       11 . A case of  claim 1  wherein the first and second retaining parts are first and second circular rims respectively, each of said rims adapted to interfit to each other when the case is closed so as to define a cavity to contain and secure said disc, one of said circular rims comprising a housing containing a slidable pin, the other of said rims comprising an aperture, said pin being compatible with said aperture, said pin being slidably movable when the case is in a closed position to and from a locked position when placed adjacent to a remote release device, said locked position being a result of said pin engaging said aperture.  
   
   
       12 . A case for containing and securing a media disc comprising: 
 (i) first and second members movable with respect to one another from a first position whereat the case is in a closed position and containing the media disc, to a second position whereat the disc is accessible;    (ii) a cylindrical and disc compatible hub disposed within the first or second member and a housing disposed within the other of said first or second members which interfit to contain and secure said disc; and    (iii) one of said hub or housing comprising a pin compatible with an aperture located in the other of said hub or housing, said pin being movable when the case is in a closed position to and from a locked position when placed adjacent to a remote release device, said locked position being a result of said pin being inserted into said aperture,    wherein said case may be utilized to prevent the unauthorized removal of the media disc from the case for both sales and rentals of the media.    
   
   
       13 . The case of  claim 12  wherein the case has an additional disc holder.  
   
   
       14 . The case of  claim 12  wherein the first and second members are pivotably connected by the use of a flexible hinge.  
   
   
       15 . The case of  claim 12  wherein the flexible hinge comprises an additional disc holder.  
   
   
       16 . The case of  claim 12  wherein the remote release device is electrical or magnetic.  
   
   
       17 . The case of  claim 12  wherein the media disc is a DVD or CD.  
   
   
       18 . A case for containing and securing a media disc comprising: 
 (i) first and second members movable with respect to one another from a first position whereat the case is in a closed position and containing the media disc, to a second position whereat the disc is accessible, one said first and second members comprise tongue portions, the other of said first and second members comprising groove portions, the tongue and groove portions adapted to slidably interfit to allow the case to be opened and closed;    (ii) one of said first and second portions also comprising a hub portion, the other of said first and second portion comprising a U-shaped rim, the hub portion and U-shaped rim interfitting to contain and secure the disc; and    (iii) the hub portion comprising a housing for a slidable pin, the U-shaped rim comprising apertures compatible with said slidable pin, said pin being slidably movable when the case is in a closed position to and from a locked position when placed adjacent to a remote release device, said locked position being a result of said pin engaging said aperture,    wherein said case may be utilized to prevent the unauthorized removal of the media disc from the case for both sales and rentals of the media.    
   
   
       19 . The case of  claim 18  wherein the remote release device is magnetic or electrical.  
   
   
       20 . The case of  claim 18  wherein the media disc is a DVD or CD.