Compact disk (CD) jewel case hinge storage apparatus and marketing method

Abstract

An optical disk (“compact disk,” “CD,” “DVD,” or other “optical disk”) case is disclosed which utilizes spaces within such “CD Jewel Cases” to store, transport, display, sample, and market other products. The largest of such spaces unused within CD Cases is a hinge space located at or near the point where the bottom and top covers are joined in a movable “hinge.” A marketing method for presenting two or more items to a prospective purchaser using the CD Case of the present invention is also disclosed for co-marketing products, or premiums or gifts offered with products, in which items may then be stored and transported with the optical disk and its case, and eventually presented to a potential purchaser in the same CD Case at the “point of sale” for the optical disk or the additional item.

1 . An optical disk case comprising:
 a substantially flat main body having a plurality of edges, with a plurality of sides appended thereto, the plurality of sides formed to create a substantially closable space,   a main body hinge means formed approximately along a spine edge of the main body;   a tray adapted to fit within the substantially closable space of the main body, the tray having a means for holding a compact disk, and a means for engaging with the main body to hold the tray within the substantially closable space of the main body;   the tray is formed narrower than the main body, leaving an unoccupied space within the main body adjacent the spine edge of the main body when the tray is placed within the substantially closable space of the main body and the means for engaging the main body is engaged with the main body;   a substantially flat front cover with a spine edge, the front cover adapted to partially close the substantially closable space of the main body when the front cover is situated over the substantially closable space of the main body; and   a front cover hinge means formed approximately along the spine edge of the front cover, and adapted to form a hinge when coupled to the main body hinge means;   the front cover is formed narrower than the main body, and approximately equal in width with the tray, leaving an access to the unoccupied space within the main body adjacent the spine edge of the main body when the front cover hinge means is engaged with the main body hinge means, and the front cover is rotated into position to partially close the substantially closable space of the main body.   
     
     
         2 . The optical disk case of  claim 1 , in which a wall is formed along the edge of the tray adjacent the unoccupied space within the main body. 
     
     
         3 . The optical disk case of  claim 2 , in which the wall formed along the edge of the tray adjacent the unoccupied space within the main body is tall enough to separate the unoccupied space from the remainder of the substantially closable space of the main body. 
     
     
         4 . The optical disk case of  claim 3 , in which the wall formed along the edge of the tray adjacent the unoccupied space within the main body is oriented perpendicular to the main body and the tray when the tray is placed within the substantially closable space of the main body and the tray means for engaging the main body is engaged with the main body. 
     
     
         5 . The optical disk case of  claim 3 , in which the wall formed along the edge of the tray adjacent the unoccupied space within the main body is oriented at an angle to the main body and the tray when the tray is placed within the substantially closable space of the main body and the tray means for engaging the main body is engaged with the main body. 
     
     
         6 . The optical disk case of  claim 2 , in which the wall formed along the edge of the tray adjacent the unoccupied space within the main body is tall enough to hold a removable panel against the front cover when such a removable panel is placed over the tray means for holding a compact disk, and such removable panel extends into the unoccupied space within the main body. 
     
     
         7 . a tray for placing within an optical disk case comprising:
 a substantially flat part having a plurality of edges, the substantially flat part is adapted to fit within the interior of the main body of a standard optical disk case, the substantially flat part having a means for holding a compact disk and a means for engaging with the interior of the main body of the standard optical disk case to hold the substantially flat part within the standard optical disk case; and   the substantially flat part is formed narrower than the main body of the standard optical disk case, leaving an unoccupied space adjacent the spine edge of the main body of the standard optical disk case when the substantially flat part is placed within the main body of a standard optical disk case, and the means for engaging the main body of the standard optical disk case is engaged with the main body of the standard optical disk case;   
     
     
         8 . The tray for placing within an optical disk case of  claim 7 , further comprising a wall is formed along a spine edge of the substantially flat part, wherein the wall is adjacent the unoccupied space within the main body when the means for engaging the main body of the standard optical disk case is engaged with the main body of the standard optical disk case. 
     
     
         9 . The tray for placing within an optical disk case of  claim 8 , in which the wall formed along the spine edge of the substantially flat part is tall enough to separate the unoccupied space from the remainder of the substantially closable space of the main body when the substantially flat part is placed within the main body of the standard optical disk case, and the means for engaging the main body of the standard optical disk case is engaged with the main body of the standard optical disk case. 
     
     
         10 . The tray for placing within an optical disk case of  claim 8 , in which the wall formed along the spine edge of the substantially flat part is oriented perpendicular to the substantially flat part. 
     
     
         11 . The tray for placing within an optical disk case of  claim 8 , in which the wall formed along the spine edge of the substantially flat part is oriented at an angle to the substantially flat part. 
     
     
         12 . The tray for placing within an optical disk case of  claim 8 , in which the wall formed along the spine edge of the substantially flat part is tall enough to hold a removable panel against a front cover of the standard optical disk case when such a removable panel is placed over the substantially flat part within the main body of the standard optical disk case, the means for engaging the main body of the standard optical disk case is engaged with the main body of the standard optical disk case, and the front cover of the standard optical disk case is closed over the main body of the standard optical disk case. 
     
     
         13 . A method for co-marketing a product using the optical disk case of  claim 1  comprising the steps of:
 placing the product in the unoccupied space within the main body adjacent the spine edge of the main body; and 
 covering the access to the unoccupied space with a closure means to close the unoccupied space. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method for co-marketing a product as in  claim 13 , in which the closure means is a thin plastic wrap. 
     
     
         15 . The method for co-marketing a product as in  claim 13 , in which the closure means is a thin plastic sheet. 
     
     
         16 . The method for co-marketing a product as in  claim 13 , in which the closure means is a removable panel between the tray and the front cover. 
     
     
         17 . The method for co-marketing a product as in  claim 16 , further comprising covering access to the unoccupied space with a thin plastic sheet.