Apparatus for holding a disc-shaped article

Abstract

A DVD disc is held in a seat ( 4 ) of a casing's back cover ( 2 ) by a central retainer ( 6 ). Four barriers ( 7 ), two on each of opposed sides, are integrally moulded in the cover ( 2 ) and face upwardly towards the seat ( 4 ). When the front cover ( 3 ) is closed the barriers ( 7 ) press against it, closing the gap between the covers. If a thief tries to slip a disc out of the casing, movement is blocked by the barriers ( 7 ). Another barrier ( 201 ) is connected to the retainer ( 205 ) and can only be removed by breaking it. This also provides a tamper-evident seal.

1 . An apparatus for holding a disc-shaped article, the apparatus comprising a housing, a seat for an article, and a barrier for preventing an article from being removed from the apparatus in an unauthorised manner.  
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is positioned in proximity to the seat at a location to prevent movement of an article in the general plane of the seat.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the barrier is spaced apart from the seat.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the barrier is integrally moulded with a cover of the housing.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as claimed in any of  claim 2 , wherein the barrier protrudes upwardly at an angle to a cover of the housing.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as claimed in any of  claim 2 , wherein an outer extremity of the barrier faces towards the seat.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least two barriers on each of opposed sides of the seat.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the barrier contacts an opposed cover of the housing when closed.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises a substantially flat planar member.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises a curved member.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises a member having a ramped configuration.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least one barrier at an opening side edge of the housing.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the housing is transparent to allow visibility of a code on an article contained in the apparatus.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the housing comprises a lens to magnify or clarify a code on an article for reading.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the lens is a Fresnel lens.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is mounted to prevent unauthorised lifting of an article from the seat.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the barrier is mounted over a central retainer in the seat.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the barrier is connected to the retainer by a lock which can not be removed and replaced.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the lock comprises a lock member which is removable only by breaking.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said lock member is removable by rotation.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the barrier comprises a member preventing two opposed retainer parts from being moved together to disengage from an article.  
   
   
       22 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises a holder for a security tag, the holder preventing a retainer from releasing an article while the holder is in place.  
   
   
       23 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the retainer comprises two opposed parts biased away from each other to grip an article at its central aperture edge, and the retainer parts and the holder comprise means for inter-engagement to prevent the retainer parts from being pressed together while the holder is in place.  
   
   
       24 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the retainer parts engage with the holder in a downwardly-facing side, and the holder extends over the seat and under the retainer parts.