Package For Holding Multiple Media Discs And Methods Of Making The Same

Abstract

A package for holding media discs is disclosed, having a hinged tray assembly that includes at least two transparent disc-holding trays each having a hinge edge and means for securing a media disc to the tray, the trays being constructed such that the disc securing means of each tray is positioned offset with respect to the disc securing means of adjacent trays such that when the tray assembly is in a closed configuration, the trays are arranged in a stack with hinge edges lined up and each disc securing means being offset from the disc securing means of adjacent trays in the stack, the trays being hinged to each other. The package can also include a jacket with a plurality of panels folding around the tray assembly to close the package.

1 . A package for holding media discs, comprising:
 a) a hinged tray assembly that includes at least two transparent disc-holding trays each having a hinge edge and means for securing a media disc to the tray, the trays being constructed such that the disc securing means of each tray is positioned offset with respect to the disc securing means of adjacent trays such that when the tray assembly is in a closed configuration, the trays are arranged in a stack with their hinge edges lined up and each disc securing means being offset from the disc securing means of adjacent trays in the stack, the trays being hinged to each other; and   b) a jacket, comprising a plurality of panels that fold around the tray assembly, the jacket including an interior surface to which the tray assembly is mounted, the plurality of panels folding around the tray assembly to close the package.   
   
   
       2 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each disc securing means is offset from the disc securing means of adjacent trays by an offset distance large enough to reveal at least an edge of each disc to be visible when a disc is secured to each disc securing means and when the tray assembly is in the closed configuration. 
   
   
       3 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the offset distance is large enough to reveal at least a portion of graphics and/or text on each disc when a disc is secured to each disc securing means and when the tray assembly is in the closed configuration. 
   
   
       4 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the disc securing means are offset along a line parallel to the hinge edges of the trays. 
   
   
       5 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the disc securing means are offset along a line perpendicular to the hinge edges of the trays. 
   
   
       6 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the disc securing means are offset along a line oblique to the hinge edges of the trays. 
   
   
       7 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the trays are hinged together with at least one hinge member affixed to each tray proximate the hinge edge. 
   
   
       8 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one hinge member is of a material selected from a list including: styrene-based film, styrene-based tape, polyethylene, and polypropylene. 
   
   
       9 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one hinge member is affixed to each tray with an adhesive. 
   
   
       10 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one hinge member is affixed to each tray with a mechanical technique selected from a list including ultrasound and heating. 
   
   
       11 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the tray assembly is mounted to the jacket so that the hinge member is proximate to a spine in the jacket configured and adapted to fold around the hinge member to close the package. 
   
   
       12 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the tray assembly is mounted to the jacket so that the hinge member is parallel to and distal from a folding spine in a middle portion of the jacket. 
   
   
       13 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the tray assembly is mounted to the jacket so that the hinge member is transverse to a folding spine in a middle portion of the jacket. 
   
   
       14 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the trays are of a material suitable for injection molding. 
   
   
       15 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the trays are of a material selected from a list including polystyrene, polypropylene, polylactic acid crystal styrene. 
   
   
       16 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the jacket is of a material selected from a list including paper, paperboard, cardboard, and plastic. 
   
   
       17 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the jacket is of a material suitable for a high-speed printing process. 
   
   
       18 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the panels in the jacket are separated from one another by folds in the jacket, the folds being scored into the jacket. 
   
   
       19 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the jacket is of a plastic material. 
   
   
       20 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the panels in the jacket are separated from one another by RF creases, electron beam creases, or microperforation. 
   
   
       21 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the jacket defines cutout regions. 
   
   
       22 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the jacket includes portions that extend beyond a perimeter defined by the tray assembly. 
   
   
       23 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a slip case configured and adapted to closely receive the closed jacket and tray assembly. 
   
   
       24 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tray assembly includes two disc trays. 
   
   
       25 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tray assembly includes three disc trays. 
   
   
       26 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two trays are hinged to one another in accordion fashion. 
   
   
       27 . A package for holding media discs as recited in  claim 1  wherein the hinged tray assembly includes more than three disc trays, and wherein at least three of the disc trays are hinged to one another in accordion fashion. 
   
   
       28 . A package for holding media discs, comprising:
 a) a hinged tray assembly that includes at least two transparent disc-holding trays each having a hinge edge and means for securing a media disc to the tray, the trays being constructed such that the disc securing means of each tray is positioned offset with respect to the disc securing means of adjacent trays such that when the tray assembly is in a closed configuration, the trays are arranged in a stack with their hinge edges lined up and each disc securing means being offset from the disc securing means of adjacent trays in the stack, the trays being hinged to each other; and   b) an open-ended sleeve, slideably connected to enclose the tray assembly.   
   
   
       29 . A package for holding media discs, comprising:
 a) a first hinged tray assembly that includes at least two transparent disc-holding trays each having a hinge edge and means for securing a media disc to the tray, the trays being constructed such that the disc securing means of each tray is positioned offset with respect to the disc securing means of adjacent trays such that when the tray assembly is in a closed configuration, the trays are arranged in a stack with their hinge edges lined up and each disc securing means being offset from the disc securing means of adjacent trays in the stack, the trays being hinged to each other;   b) a second hinged tray assembly that includes at least two transparent disc-holding trays each having a hinge edge and means for securing a media disc to the tray, the trays being constructed such that the disc securing means of each tray is positioned offset with respect to the disc securing means of adjacent trays such that when the tray assembly is in a closed configuration, the trays are arranged in a stack with their hinge edges lined up and each disc securing means being offset from the disc securing means of adjacent trays in the stack, the trays being hinged to each other; and   c) a jacket, comprising a plurality of panels that fold around the first and second tray assemblies, the jacket including an interior surface to which the tray assemblies are mounted, the plurality of panels folding around the tray assemblies to close the package wherein the first and second tray assemblies are mounted to the jacket with the hinge edges of the first tray parallel to and distal from a folding spine in the jacket and the hinge edges of the second tray assembly are parallel to and distal from the folding spine on a side of the jacket opposite the hinge edges of the first tray assembly.