Media Package

Abstract

Disclosed is a media package that includes a media tray assembly and a protective cover. The media tray assembly includes at least one media-carrying component and a first latching element. The protective cover is configured to receive the media tray assembly and has a second latching element that engages the first latching element, thereby securing the media tray assembly with the protective cover.

1 ) A package for carrying media comprising:
 a) an assembly of media-carrying components, each of the media-carrying components being adapted and configured for engaging media, the assembly having a first latching element associated therewith;   b) a protective cover adapted and configured for receiving and covering at least a portion of the assembly of media-carrying components, the protective cover having a second latching element associated therewith,   c) wherein when the assembly of media-carrying components is inserted into the protective cover, the first latching element engages with the second latching element to inhibit removal of the assembly from the protective cover.   
     
     
         2 ) The package of  claim 1 , wherein the media is a recorded disc medium. 
     
     
         3 ) The package of  claim 1 , wherein the media is a printed medium. 
     
     
         4 ) The package of  claim 1 , wherein the media-carrying components are trays. 
     
     
         5 ) The package of  claim 1 , wherein each of the media-carrying components is adapted and configured to interlock with adjacent media-carrying components. 
     
     
         6 ) The package of  claim 1 , wherein the media-carrying components of the assembly are attached along a common edge thereof. 
     
     
         7 ) The package of  claim 6 , wherein the media-carrying components are mutually attached with a flexible binding. 
     
     
         8 ) The package of  claim 6 , wherein the media-carrying components are mutually attached with an intermediate element having a hinge element. 
     
     
         9 ) The package of  claim 6 , wherein each media-carrying component is mutually attached to at least one other adjacent media-carrying component by way of a hinge element integrated therein. 
     
     
         10 ) The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first latching element is a pawl or button and the second latching element is an aperture or recess defined by the protective cover. 
     
     
         11 ) The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first latching element is an aperture or recess defined by a wall of the media-carrying component and the second latching element is a pawl or button. 
     
     
         12 ) The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first latching element is carried by, formed in or formed on one of the media-carrying components. 
     
     
         13 ) The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first latching element is carried by, formed in or formed on a plurality of the media-carrying components. 
     
     
         14 ) The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first latching element is formed near a plurality of sides of the assembly to enable insertion and latching of the assembly into the protective cover in a plurality of orientations. 
     
     
         15 ) The package of  claim 1 , wherein either the assembly or protective cover further comprises a stop to prevent the assembly from entering the protective cover beyond a predetermined point. 
     
     
         16 ) The package of  claim 15 , wherein the protective cover comprises said stop. 
     
     
         17 ) The package of  claim 15 , wherein the stop is provided on the assembly, near a hinge of the assembly. 
     
     
         18 ) The package of  claim 1 , wherein the protective cover is a sleeve. 
     
     
         19 ) The package of  claim 18 , the protective cover further comprising an end cap secured to one end of the sleeve to define an internal recess for receiving the assembly. 
     
     
         20 ) The package of  claim 19 , wherein the second latching element is positioned in the end cap. 
     
     
         21 ) The package of  claim 1 , wherein the protective cover is shaped to resemble an object based on a theme related to the media contained within the package. 
     
     
         22 ) The package of  claim 1 , wherein the protective cover is formed to include a contoured surface. 
     
     
         23 ) A package for carrying media comprising:
 a) an assembly including a plurality of media-carrying components, the media-carrying components including one or more trays configured for carrying media, the assembly further including a first latching element; and   b) a protective sleeve configured for receiving the assembly, the sleeve having a second latching element capable of engaging the first latching element and preventing the removal of the assembly from within the protective sleeve.   
     
     
         24 ) A package for carrying media comprising:
 a) an assembly having:
 i) at least one media-carrying component; and 
 ii) a first latching element; and 
   b) a protective cover configured for receiving the assembly, the protective cover having a second latching element capable of engaging the first latching element.   
     
     
         25 ) The package of  claim 24 , the assembly further comprising at least one cover element hingedly attached thereto. 
     
     
         26 ) A method for packaging media, the method comprising:
 a) providing an assembly of media-carrying components, each of the media-carrying components being adapted and configured for engaging media, the assembly having a first latching element associated therewith;   b) providing a protective cover adapted and configured for receiving and covering at least a portion of the assembly, the protective cover having a second latching element associated therewith;   c) inserting media into at least one of the media-carrying components; and   d) inserting the assembly into the protective cover, the first latching element engaging with the second latching element to inhibit removal of the assembly from the protective cover.   
     
     
         27 ) A method for packaging media, the method comprising:
 a) providing an assembly including a plurality of media-carrying components, the media-carrying components including one or more trays configured for carrying media, the assembly further including a first latching element; and   b) inserting media into at least one of the media-carrying components;   c) providing a protective sleeve configured for receiving the assembly, the sleeve having a second latching element capable of engaging the first latching element; and   d) inserting the assembly into the protective sleeve, permitting the first and second latching elements to engage one another.   
     
     
         28 ) A method for packaging media, the method comprising:
 a) providing an assembly having:
 i) at least one media-carrying component; and 
 ii) a first latching element; 
   b) inserting media into the at least one media-carrying component;   c) providing a protective cover configured for receiving the assembly, the protective cover having a second latching element capable of engaging the first latching element; and   d) inserting the assembly into the protective cover, permitting the first and second latching elements to engage one another.