Binder

Abstract

A system configured to hold a plurality of discs comprises a plurality of disc holders. The plurality of disc holders have a region with a snap-fit structure that is configured to receive a disc. The plurality of disc holders also have a plurality of hinges with protruding portions positioned along a disc holder binding edge. The plurality of disc holders comprise polystyrene. The system further comprises a flexible binder having a plurality of slots formed therein. The slots are positioned over the protruding portions on the disc holder binding edges. The flexible binder comprises at least polypropylene. The flexible binder is bonded to the plurality of disc holders using a heat treatment technique.

1 . A system configured to hold a plurality of discs, the system comprising:
 a plurality of disc holders having a region with a snap-fit structure that is configured to receive a disc, the plurality of disc holders also having a plurality of hinges with protruding portions positioned along a disc holder binding edge, wherein the plurality of disc holders comprise polystyrene; and   a flexible binder having a plurality of slots formed therein, the slots being positioned over the protruding portions on the disc holder binding edges, wherein the flexible binder comprises at least polypropylene, and wherein the flexible binder is bonded to the plurality of disc holders using a heat treatment technique.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat treatment technique is an ultrasonic welding technique that causes a portion of the protruding portions to extend over an exterior surface of the flexible binder. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the polystyrene has a greater flexibility than the polypropylene. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of disc holders includes two hinges, the two hinges being positioned on opposite sides of the snap-fit structure. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the snap-fit structure is configured to receive at least one of a compact disc or a digital video disc. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of hinges includes a plurality of protruding portions. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the protruding portions extend from a recessed shelf formed along the disc holder binding edge, such that the protruding portions do not extend beyond the disc holder binding edge. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the protruding portions extend from a recessed shelf formed along the disc holder binding edge, such that the protruding portions do not extend beyond the disc holder binding edge; and   the flexible binder has a thickness less than or equal to a depth of the recessed shelf, such that the flexible binder does not extend beyond the disc holder binding edge when the flexible binder is bonded to the plurality of disc holders.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible binder includes a hinge portion located between adjacent slots, wherein the hinge portion has an increased flexibility as compared to other portions of the flexible binder. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover affixed to at least the binding edges of the plurality of holders. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a multi-panel cover that includes a first panel that is not directly affixed to any of the plurality of holders, and that includes a second panel that is coupled to at least one of the plurality of holders. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a multi-panel cover, wherein a selected one of the plurality of holders has a plurality of panels coupled thereto. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover affixed to at least one of the plurality of holders. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of trays, the plurality of trays having:
 a region that is shaped to removably hold a packaged item therein, 
 a side, wherein the plurality of trays are stacked such that the sides of the plurality of trays are positioned adjacent to each other, and 
 a protruding portion positioned along and extending from the side; and 
   a binder that is coupled to the sides of the plurality of trays, the binder having a plurality of openings formed therein, wherein the plurality of openings receive the protruding portions from the plurality of trays.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the side is a binding edge. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the binder is bonded to the sides of the plurality of trays by intermixing a material comprising the plurality of trays and a material comprising the binder. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the binder is bonded to the sides of the plurality of trays by deforming the protruding portion such that the protruding portion at least partially extends over an exterior surface of the binder. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the binder has sufficient flexibility so as to allow a selected one of the plurality of trays to be rotated by at least about 90° with respect to an adjacent tray. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a tab that extends in multiple dimensions from the protruding portion. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a head that extends in at least one direction from the protruding portion. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a head that extends in multiple dimensions from the protruding portion, wherein the plurality of openings have a wider portion configured to receive the head, and a narrower portion configured to receive the protruding portion. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of trays comprise a first material, and the binder comprises a second material that has a greater flexibility than the first material. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of trays comprise at least polystyrene, and wherein the binder comprises at least polypropylene. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the plurality of trays comprise a first material; and   the binder comprises a second material that has a greater flexibility than the first material.   
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the plurality of openings is a slot. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a cover affixed to the sides of the plurality of trays. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a cover affixed to at least one of the plurality of trays. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus includes at least two spaced apart binders. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus includes at least three spaced apart binders. 
   
   
       30 . A method for manufacturing an apparatus capable of holding a plurality of media discs, the method comprising:
 positioning a first holding tray adjacent to a second holding tray, wherein a binding edge of the first holding tray is positioned adjacent to a binding edge of the second holding tray, wherein the first and second holding trays each include a plurality of protruding portions extending from the respective binding edges of the first and second holding trays, and wherein the first and second holding trays comprise a first material;   placing a binder on the first and second holding trays, wherein the binder includes a plurality of openings that are configured to receive the plurality of protruding portions extending from the binding edges of the first and second holding trays, and wherein the binder comprises a second material; and   performing a heat treatment technique, so as to secure the binder to the first and second holding trays.   
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein:
 the first material and the second material are the same; and   the heat treatment technique causes intermixing of the first and second materials.   
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein:
 the first material is polystyrene;   the second material is polyethylene; and   the heat treatment technique at least partially deforms the plurality of protruding portions, such that the plurality of protruding portions at least partially extend over an exterior surface of the binder.   
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the heat treatment technique is an ultrasonic welding technique. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the heat treatment technique further comprises heating the first material and the second material to a temperature between about 200° C. and about 240° C. while pressing the first material and the second material together. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein each of the plurality of protruding portions includes a riveted tab that extends in multiple dimensions from the protruding portion. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the second material has a flexibility that is greater than a flexibility of the first material. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the binder includes a hinge portion positioned between adjacent openings of the plurality of openings, wherein the hinge portion has an increased flexibility as compared to other portions of the binder. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein at least one opening is a slot. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 30 , the method further comprising affixing a cover to at least one binding edge. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 30 , the method further comprising affixing a cover to at least one of the first and second holding trays. 
   
   
       41 . An apparatus comprising:
 a disc holder having a region with a structure that is configured to removably receive a disc therein, the disc holder comprising a first material;   a plurality of protruding portions positioned along a binding edge of the disc holder, wherein the protruding portions include a riveted tab portion, and wherein the protruding portions comprise the first material; and   a flexible binder having a plurality of openings formed therein and being comprised of a second material that is different than the first material, the flexible binder being positioned onto the disc holder such that the protruding portions are at least partially within the openings, and such that the riveted tab portions at least partially extend over an exterior surface of the flexible binder.   
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the first material is polystyrene and the second material is polypropylene. 
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a cover that is affixed to the disc holder. 
   
   
       44 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a cover that is affixed to at least two side of the disc holder. 
   
   
       45 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the first material has a lower melting temperature than the second material. 
   
   
       46 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a plurality of disc holders having protruding portions that are coupled to the flexible binder. 
   
   
       47 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the snap-fit structure is configured to receive at least one of a compact disc and a digital video disc. 
   
   
       48 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the protruding portions extend from a recessed shelf formed along the disc holder binding edge.