Storage case

Abstract

A disc storage case for containing one or more media storage discs. The case having an upper closure member and a lower closure member coupled by a hinge to be pivotally movable between a closed condition, to define therebetween an internal storage space within which the discs can be retained, and an open condition, to expose the internal storage space to allow access to the discs. The case includes at least one disc retaining member disposed from either the lower closure member or upper closure member and provided to be within the internal storage space to restrict lateral movement of the one or more discs. There is also a latch to operate across a junction of the upper and lower closure members to hold, when in a latching condition, the upper and lower closure members together when in the closed condition. A tamper evident locking device is present to maintain the latch in the latching condition, the tamper evident locking device including a frangible zone to allow severing of said tamper evident locking device to allow release of the latch from the latching condition.

1 . A disc storage case for containing one or more media storage discs, the disc storage case comprising; 
 an upper closure member and a lower closure member hingeably coupled to each other to be pivotally movable between a closed condition, defining therebetween an internal storage space within which the one or more discs can be retained, and an open condition exposing the internal storage space to allow access to said media storage discs;    at least one disc retaining member disposed from at least one of said lower closure member and upper closure member, the disc retaining member configured to be within said internal storage space to restrict lateral movement of the one or more discs;    a latch to operate across a junction of said upper and lower closure members to hold, when in a latching condition, said upper and lower closure members together when in the closed condition; and    a tamper evident locking device to maintain said latch in said latching condition, said tamper evident locking device including a frangible zone to allow removal of at least part of said tamper evident locking device to allow release of said latch from the latching condition.    
   
   
       2 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 1  wherein, when said discs are retained on said at least one disc retaining member, a holding member is engaged with said at least one retaining member to bear on the upper most disc of the one or more discs to substantially prevent uplifting of said discs from said one of said lower and upper closure member.  
   
   
       3 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said at least one disc retaining member has at least one row of teeth extending in a direction parallel to the stack direction, said teeth provided for engagement with a teeth engaging profile of said holding member for selectively locating said holding member in a desired location on said retaining member.  
   
   
       4 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said teeth engaging profile of said holding member are deformable to enable removal of said teeth engaging profile from the teeth of said at least one retaining member.  
   
   
       5 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one disc retaining member is of a size and location to engage and retain said discs through their central aperture.  
   
   
       6 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said at least one disc retaining member is of a size and location to engage and retain said media storage discs through their central aperture, and wherein said holding member is a substantially disc shaped and includes a central aperture configured to engage with said centrally located retaining member.  
   
   
       7 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one disc retaining member includes a plurality of retaining members disposed within said internal space to lie on the periphery of said discs.  
   
   
       8 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said latch depends from said upper closure member and engages with said lower closure member.  
   
   
       9 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said latch hingedly depends from said upper closure member and engages with said lower closure member.  
   
   
       10 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said tamper evident locking device passes at least in part though said latch and into either or both of said upper and lower closure members.  
   
   
       11 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said tamper evident locking device has a shaft portion, wherein at one end of the shaft portion there is provided a head portion to locate to said latch, and at another end there is provided a catch portion configured to engage with one of said upper and lower closure members.  
   
   
       12 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said shaft portion has a frangible zone intermediate of said head portion and said catch portion.  
   
   
       13 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said head portion is located substantially against said latch and said locking shaft portion passes through an aperture of said latch and push fit engages, by said catch portion, with a complimentary catch receiving region of one of said upper and lower closure members.  
   
   
       14 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said catch portion remains engaged at said catch receiving region of one of said upper or lower closure members after fracturing of said frangible region and said head portion falls away to thereby indicate a tampering of the closed disc storage case.  
   
   
       15 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said frangible zone may be fractured by a rotation of said head portion relative to said catch portion whilst said catch portion is rotationally restrained by said catch receiving region.  
   
   
       16 . A disc storage case as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said centrally located retaining member has two rows of teeth thereon for engaging said holding member.  
   
   
       17 . A storage case for containing one or more media storage discs, the storage case including an internal space for receiving the one or more media storage discs and having a closed position, wherein in the closed position the media storage discs are retained within the storage case, the storage case comprising: 
 a latch coupled to the storage case, the latch having a latched position, wherein in the latched position the latch maintains the storage case in the closed position, the latch further defining an aperture for receiving a removable tamper-evident locking device, wherein insertion of the tamper-evident locking device into the aperture secures the latch in the latched position, and wherein removal of the tamper-evident locking device permits transition of the latch to the unlatched position, and upon insertion the tamper-evident locking device, longitudinal and rotational movement of the tamper evident locking device is restricted.    
   
   
       18 . A storage case as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the tamper-evident locking device includes: 
 a head portion configured for rotational engagement;    a frangible zone coupled to the head portion; and    a catch portion coupled to the frangible zone, wherein removal of the tamper-evident locking device results in breaking of the frangible zone and the catch portion is retained by at least one of the latch and the storage case.    
   
   
       19 . A storage case for containing one or more media storage discs, the storage case including an internal space for receiving the one or more media storage discs and having a closed position, wherein in the closed position the media storage discs are retained within the storage case, the storage case comprising: 
 at least one retaining device disposed within the storage case, coupled to one or more locations within the storage case, the retention means configured for engagement with an aperture of the one or more media storage discs, the retention means reducing lateral movement of the one or more media storage discs within the storage case; and    at least one securing device configured for engagement with the at least one retaining device, wherein engagement of the at least one securing means with the at least one retaining device prevents removal of the one or more media storage discs from the at least one retaining device, and wherein the securing means is deformed when removed from engagement with the at least one retaining device.    
   
   
       20 . A storage case for containing one or more media storage discs, the storage case including an internal space for receiving the one or more media storage discs and having a closed position, wherein in the closed position the media storage discs are retained within the storage case, the storage case comprising: 
 retention means disposed within the storage case, the retention means configured for engagement with an aperture of the one or more media storage discs, the retention means reducing lateral movement of the one or more media storage discs within the storage case;    securing means configured for engagement with the retention means, wherein the securing means prevents removal of the one or more media storage discs from the retention means, and wherein the securing means is deformed when removed from engagement with the retention means;    latching means, having a latched position, for maintaining the storage case in the closed position; and    locking means configured for engagement with at least one of the latch and the storage case, the locking means further configured for maintaining the latching means in the latched position, wherein removal of the locking means provides visual evidence of removal of the locking means.