Case for storing and handling thin flat products

Abstract

A compact disc casing as defined by first or major and second or minor casing members collectively defining a narrow chamber for housing a thin circular article, such as a compact disc. The second or minor casing member functions as a handle which can be grasped by a person to introduce and/or remove a compact disc relative to the case and an associated utilization device, such as a computer, absent tactile or finger contact.

1 . A housing for storing and handling an article absent tactile contact therewith comprising first means for defining a chamber within which an article is adapted to be protectively housed, second means for receiving a portion of an article absent tactile contact therewith, and third means for effecting selective unification and separation of said first and second means whereby an article can be respectively inserted in and removed from said chamber by handling said second means absent tactile contact with the article.  
   
   
       2 . The housing as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first means defines a relatively narrow chamber.  
   
   
       3 . The housing as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first means defines a relatively narrow chamber open at least along one edge thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The housing as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first means defines a relatively narrow chamber open at least along one edge thereof, and said one edge defines a relatively narrow entry and exit opening of said chamber.  
   
   
       5 . The housing as defined in  claim 1  wherein said second means is constructed and arranged for gripping and releasing a portion of an article.  
   
   
       6 . The housing as defined in  claim 1  wherein said second means is constructed and arranged as a releasable clamp.  
   
   
       7 . The housing as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first and second means include respective first and second wall portions in substantially registered relationship with each other when unified by said third means.  
   
   
       8 . The housing as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first and second means include substantially mating concavo-convex wall portions in substantially registered relationship with each other when unified in association with an article inserted in said chamber.  
   
   
       9 . The housing as defined in  claim 1  wherein said third means is defined by a friction fit between said first and second means.  
   
   
       10 . The housing as defined in  claim 1  wherein said third means is defined by at least one protuberance for creating a friction fit between said first and second means.  
   
   
       11 . The housing as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first means defines a relatively narrow chamber open at least along one edge thereof, and said first means includes a convex outer wall portion opposite said one edge.  
   
   
       12 . The housing as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first and second means each include first and second opposite walls located in relatively close spaced relationship to each other, and said first walls being disposed in a first substantially common plane and said second walls being disposed in a second substantially common plane when said first and second means are unified in association with an article inserted in said chamber.  
   
   
       13 . The housing as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first and second means each include first and second opposite walls located in relatively close spaced relationship to each other, said first walls being disposed in a first substantially common plane and said second walls being disposed in a second substantially common plane when said first and second means are unified in association with an article inserted in said chamber, and means for biasing said second means first and second walls to grip an article located between the first and second walls thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The housing as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first and second means each include first and second opposite walls located in relatively close spaced relationship to each other, said first walls being disposed in a first substantially common plane and said second walls being disposed in a second substantially common plane when said first and second means are unified in association with an article inserted in said chamber, said first walls include wall portions in substantially registered relationship with each other when unified by said third means, and said second walls include wall portions in substantially registered relationship with each other when unified by said third means.  
   
   
       15 . The housing as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first and second means each include first and second opposite walls located in relatively close spaced relationship to each other, said first walls being disposed in a first substantially common plane and said second walls being disposed in a second substantially common plane when said first and second means are unified in association with an article inserted in said chamber, said first walls include substantially concavo-convex wall portions in substantially registered relationship with each other when unified by said third means, and said second walls include substantially concavo-convex wall portions in substantially registered relationship with each other when unified by said third means.  
   
   
       16 . The housing as defined in  claim 12  wherein said first and second means each include first and second opposite walls located in relatively close spaced relationship to each other, said first walls being disposed in a first substantially common plane and said second walls being disposed in a second substantially common plane when said first and second means are unified in association with an article inserted in said chamber, said first walls include wall portions in substantially registered relationship with each other when unified by said third means, and said second walls include wall portions in substantially registered relationship with each other when unified by said third means.  
   
   
       17 . The housing as defined in  claim 12  wherein said first and second means each include first and second opposite walls located in relatively close spaced relationship to each other, said first walls being disposed in a first substantially common plane and said second walls being disposed in a second substantially common plane when said first and second means are unified in association with an article inserted in said chamber, said first walls include substantially concavo-convex wall portions in substantially registered relationship with each other when unified by said third means, and said second walls include substantially concavo-convex wall portions in substantially registered relationship with each other when unified by said third means.  
   
   
       18 . A device for storing and handling a substantially thin and flat article absent tactile contact therewith comprising first and second housings, said first housing including first and second walls disposed in relatively close spaced relationship to each other thereby defining a substantially narrow major chamber adapted to house a major portion of a substantially thin and flat article, said first and second walls having respective first and second edges defining therebetween an entry/exit opening of said narrow major chamber, said second housing including first and second walls disposed in relatively close spaced relationship to each other thereby defining a substantially narrow minor chamber adapted to house a minor portion of a substantially thin and flat article, said second housing first and second walls being constructed and arranged for inward motion relative to each other upon the application of external opposing tactile forces thereto whereby a minor portion of a substantially thin and flat article can be gripped therebetween for effecting entry and removal of a major portion of the substantially thin and flat article relative to said narrow major chamber through said entry/exit opening, and said second housing first and second walls having respective first and second wall portions in substantial registry with said first housing respective first and second edges whereby said entry/exit opening is at least partially closed when a substantially thin and flat article is substantially entirely housed within said major and minor chambers.  
   
   
       19 . The device as defined in  claim 18  including means for biasing said second housing first and second walls toward each other and into griping engagement with a minor portion of a substantially thin and flat article.  
   
   
       20 . The device as defined in  claim 18  wherein said first housing first and second edges each have first edge portions in substantially registry with said second housing first and second walls, and a wall of said second housing opposite said second housing first and second walls is substantially aligned with second and third edge portions of said first housing first and second edges when a substantially thin and flat article is substantially entirely housed within said major and minor chambers.  
   
   
       21 . The device as defined in  claim 18  wherein said first housing first and second and said second housing first and second walls are in substantially concavo-convex relationship to each other.  
   
   
       22 . The device as defined in  claim 18  including a substantially thin and flat article and said substantially thin and flat article includes means for producing at least one of sound and video.  
   
   
       23 . The device as defined in  claim 19  wherein said first housing first and second edges each have first edge portions in substantially registry with said second housing first and second walls, and a wall of said second housing opposite said second housing first and second walls is substantially aligned with second and third edge portions of said first housing first and second edges when a substantially thin and flat article is substantially entirely housed within said major and minor chambers.  
   
   
       24 . The device as defined in  claim 19  wherein said first housing first and second and said second housing first and second walls are in substantially concavo-convex relationship to each other.  
   
   
       25 . The device as defined in  claim 19  including a substantially thin and flat article and said substantially thin and flat article includes means for producing at least one of sound and video.  
   
   
       26 . The device as defined in  claim 23  wherein said first housing first and second and said second housing first and second walls are in substantially concavo-convex relationship to each other.  
   
   
       27 . The device as defined in  claim 23  including a substantially thin and flat article and said substantially thin and flat article includes means for producing at least one of sound and video.