Disc packaging device

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging device for securely holding and storing a plurality of discs, comprising a base, and an elongated spindle centrally situated on the base and projecting from the top side of the base in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the base, wherein the spindle is configured to receive and secure a plurality of discs to the base. The packaging device further comprises a removable, substantially circular protective endplate having a central opening for engaging with the top portion of the spindle, the endplate being disposed atop the plurality of discs to protect and secure the plurality of discs to the spindle and base.

1 . A packaging device for securely holding and storing a plurality of discs, the device comprising: 
 a) a substantially circular base having a top side and a bottom side;    b) an elongated spindle comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, the spindle being centrally situated and secured to the base and projecting from the top side of the base in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the base, wherein the spindle is configured to receive and secure a plurality of discs to the base; and    c) sheet material wrapped around the plurality of discs and at least partially covering the base to enclose the plurality of discs securely to the base.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable, substantially circular protective endplate having a central opening for engaging with the top portion of the spindle, the endplate being disposed atop the plurality of discs to protect and secure the plurality of discs to the spindle and base, and wherein the sheet material is wrapped around the plurality of discs and at least partially covering the base and the endplate to enclose the plurality of discs securely between the base and the endplate.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising attachment means for attaching and securing the spindle to the base.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the attachment means is selected from the group consisting of a twist lock connection, coupling grooves, a snap fit mechanism, a screw-on locking nut configured with a threaded spindle wherein the nut may be secured from the top side or bottom side of the base, and a detachable snap-on connection.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the base comprises a centrally located opening, and wherein the spindle comprises a flange at the bottom portion of the spindle, and wherein the flange is configured to engage the bottom side of the base to secure the spindle to the base.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the spindle further comprises a backing ring at the bottom portion of the spindle and above the flange, positioned so as to contact the upper side of the base and further secure the spindle to the base.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the base and spindle are formed of unitary construction.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the base and spindle are formed from extruded molding fabrication methods.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the base has an annular outer rib at an outer edge of the bottom side of the base, and a concentric inner rib on the bottom side of the base.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the base and spindle are made from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, metal, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the endplate is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, paper, cardboard, metal, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sheet material is shrink-wrap film or stretch wrap film.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the discs are optical data discs.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is configured to hold at least 25 discs.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the base and the endplate are of substantially the same diameter as the discs.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the sheet material wraps the device sufficiently to protect the device from the environment during shipping, handling and storage.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the sheet material wraps the device sufficiently to maintain a water resistant environment for the discs.  
   
   
       18 . A packaging device for securely holding and storing a plurality of discs, the device comprising: 
 a) a base having a top side and a bottom side;    b) an elongated spindle comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, the spindle being centrally located on the base and projecting from the base in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the base, wherein the spindle is configured to receive and secure a plurality of discs to the base;    c) a removable, substantially circular protective endplate having a central opening for engaging with the top portion of the spindle, the endplate being disposed atop the plurality of discs to protect and secure the plurality of discs to the spindle and base; and    d) attachment means for securing the endplate to the spindle.    
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18  further comprising sheet material wrapped around the plurality of discs and at least partly around the base and the endplate to enclose the plurality of discs securely between the base and the endplate.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein the sheet material wraps the device sufficiently to protect the device from the environment during shipping, handling and storage.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the attachment means is selected from the group consisting of a twist lock connection, a screw-on locking nut configured with a threaded spindle wherein the nut may be secured from the top side of the lid, and a detachable snap-on connection.  
   
   
       22 . A method for securely stacking, holding and storing a plurality of discs, the method comprising: 
 a) providing a packaging device comprising:    i) a base having a top side and a bottom side;    ii) an elongated spindle comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, the spindle being centrally located on the base and projecting from the top side of the base in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the base, wherein the spindle is configured to receive and secure a plurality of discs to the base; and    iii) a removable, substantially circular protective endplate having a central opening for engaging with the top portion of the spindle, the endplate being disposed atop the plurality of discs to protect and secure the plurality of discs to the spindle and base;    b) stacking a plurality of discs onto the spindle;    c) installing a endplate on the discs; and    d) wrapping the plurality of discs and at least part of the base and of the endplate with sheet material to enclose the plurality of optical discs securely between the base and the endplate.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the packaging device further comprises attachment means for attaching and securing the spindle to the base, and wherein the method further comprises the step of attaching the spindle to the base.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the sheet material is shrink-wrap film and further comprising the step of heating the shrink-wrap film to shrink the film after the wrapping step.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the sheet material wraps the device sufficiently to protect the device from the environment during shipping, handling and storage.