Tray for retaining a recording disc

Abstract

Packaging tray for a recording disc that includes: a) a recess sized to house a circular disc, the recess being characterized by the absence of a raised hub for engaging the central aperture of the disc; and b) at least one releasable catch at the periphery of the recess.

1 . A packaging tray for a recording disc that comprises: 
 a) a recess sized to house a circular disc, the recess being characterized by the absence of a raised hub for engaging the central aperture of the disc; and    b) at least one releasable catch at the periphery of the recess.    
   
   
       2 . The tray of  claim 1  in which the recess is entirely open.  
   
   
       3 . The tray of  claim 1  in which the recess comprises a floor that is dimensioned to remain below the disc aperture.  
   
   
       4 . The tray of  claim 1  in which the releasable catch includes a fastener presented on a flexible member that moves between a first position in which the fastener fastens the disc in place to a second position in which the fastener is released from the disc.  
   
   
       5 . The tray of  claim 4  in which the fastener is position on the periphery of the recess, and the tray further comprises tabs positioned opposite the fastener to cooperate with the fastener to hold the disc in place when the fastener is in the first position.  
   
   
       6 . The tray of  claim 4  in which the flexible member is part of a single molded plastic piece that includes the fastener.  
   
   
       7 . The tray of  claim 4  in which the tray is a single molded plastic piece that includes the fastener and the flexible member.  
   
   
       8 . The tray of  claim 4  or  claim 7  in which the tray comprises a hinged tab that includes the fastener and that moves when manually activated to move the fastener into and out of position.  
   
   
       9 . The tray of  claim 7  in which the fastener is position on the periphery of the recess, and the tray further comprises tabs positioned opposite the fastener to cooperate with the fastener to hold the disc in place when the fastener is in the first position and the tabs are part of the single molded plastic piece.  
   
   
       10 . The tray of  claim 1  further comprising recesses sized to allow a user to insert a finger tip under the disc to aid in disc removal.  
   
   
       11 . The tray of  claim 6  in which the tray is molded crystalline styrene.