Packaging of products under a tamper-proof plastic shell, particularly for musical recording disks and disks for data processing

Agent (s): Cabinet Charras.

Packaging of products in a tamper-evident plastic shell, and in particular for music recording discs, computer diskettes.

FR 2 608 564 - Al (57) This packaging is remarkable in that it comprises a first shell is arranged with a first means of at least one locking device making the packaging inviolable; the second shell is arranged with a profiled shape projecting outwardly, of variable depth, arranged to receive and hold the second means of the locking device, the connection between said locking means taking place in the interior chamber defined by the shape opposite the first shell, said locking device adapting to the product contained, either by surrounding it at one or more points, either by entering closed or open openings inherent in the constitution of the product under consideration and authorizing the passage of coupling means of the locking device.

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Sale of booklets at IMPRIMERIE NATIONALE. 27. rue de la Convention - 75732 PARIS CEDEX 15

The subject of the invention is a packaging for products in a tamper-evident plastic shell, and in particular for music recording discs, computer disks.

The invention relates to the technical sector of packaging of products in plastic shells, and in particular covers and disc protections for all uses.

The sale of products in a plastic shell requires a perfectly durable and clean fixing and bonding of the peripheral edges of the male-female shells of the packages considered. In practice when the connection of said borders does not provide a sufficient finish, this easily allows malicious people to spread them, thus o pening the packaging and picking up the product for sale.

This problem is particularly acute for the sales of discs in particular of recording.

Indeed, more and more, currently, the sale of disoues especially of recording is carried out in the stores known as big surface with presentation of the products on shelves. In order to ensure an aesthetic presentation of the products, which is easy to consult, the discs are packaged in small display cards made with a plastic shell. These packages are arranged with for example a circular recess for the reception and centering of the discs, and also allows, and as a complement, the storage of disc protection cassettes after purchase and deterioration of the packaging.

Furthermore, in addition, in addition to theft, the risk of impact on the discs cannot be ruled out despite the protection provided by the packaging shells.

The object of the invention is to remedy these drawbacks.

The proposed solution is simple and responds satisfactorily without compromising on the one hand the aesthetics of the presentation and on the other hand the quality of the pre-sent product, and in particular the discs.

According to a first characteristic, the packaging is characterized in that the first shell is arranged with a first means of at least one locking device making the packaging inviolable; the second shell is arranged with a profiled shape projecting outwardly, of variable depth, arranged to receive and hold the second means of the locking device, the connection between said locking means taking place in the interior chamber defined by the opposite shape of the first shell, said locking device adapting to the product contained, either by surrounding it at one or more points, either by penetrating into openings formed inherent in the constitution of the product under consideration and authorizing the passage of the coupling means of the locking device.

According to an embodiment of the packaging in its application to the protection of discs, the packaging is characterized in that the first shell is arranged relative to the center or opening for positioning the disc with a first means of a locking device. making the packaging tamper-proof; the second shell is arranged in the axial plane of the center of the disc with a shape shaped as a drum projecting outwardly, of variable depth, arranged to receive and hold the second means of the locking device, the connection between said locking means taking place in the interior chamber defined by the drum opposite the first shell.

These characteristics and others will emerge clearly from the following description.

To fix the subject of the invention illustrated in a nonlimiting manner in the figures of the drawings.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the various components of a package according to the invention in its application to discs.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the packaging along line AA, with a first mode of ver10

2603564 rusting in disc position.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the package according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the packaging,

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second mode of locking in position of the disc.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a third mode of locking in position of the disc.

In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the packaging comprises two shells ¢ 1, 2) made of transparent plastic material, of any desired format, capable of being fixed to one another by their peripheral border by thermosaudure for example. They are arranged internally with a recess &lt;1.1 - 2.1) complementary of rectangular section for the storage for example of cassettes (3), and a cutout &lt;1.2 2.2) for the passage of a hanging pin of the finished packaging.

The first shell (i) corresponding to the front face of the packaging presented is arranged with a means &lt;1.3) for centering and positioning a recording disc (4), for example a laser disc, or the floppy disks used in computer science. Said means &lt;1.3) is produced either in the form of a more or less deep circular recess to fully or partially hold the disc as illustrated, known by different studs or curvilinear centering ribs distributed around the periphery of the product to be maintained . According to a characteristic of the invention, in the central part of the bottom of the shell corresponding to the center or opening for positioning the disc, there is provided a first means (5) of a locking device serving to make the packaging tamper-proof. . This first means can be the male or female element and will be described in a nonlimiting manner with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6.

- 4 The second shell (2) of the packaging is arranged in its part facing the disc to be positioned with additional means if necessary a means contributing to the centering and holding of the disc (4). This means can be in addition to the circular recess (1.3) formed on the first shell, another circular recess (2.3).

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, there is provided, from the rear shell (2) in the axial plane of the center of the disc, a profiled drum (6) of cylindrical shape, or other, of decreasing or continuous section . This drum is arranged on its rear face (6.1) with an internal central recess (6.2) allowing passage, centering and holding of the second means (7) of the aforementioned locking device. In addition, according to the example of Figure 5, the inner wall (6.3). perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drum (6) has a wall (6.4) driven back inside the drum, this wall forming a spacer ring being of cylindrical, com-that or other section. The end (6.5) of this inner wall is located substantially in the connection plane of the drum and the general clan of the hull (2) to, if a circular recess (2.3) is provided, on the aforementioned hull relative to the plane of it, as shown in Figure 5.

• The aforementioned drum (6) can be of more or less imparting depth. It is made in one piece with the shell (2).

The drum thus produced allows the adaptation of the second means (7) of the locking device intended to cooperate with the first means disposed on the shell (1).

□ na illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a first method of assembling the components of the locking device.

The front shell (1) has directly or in an attached manner, a cylindrical stud (B), internally hollow, forming retaining lips (Bl) capable of spreading by elastic deformation. This stud is directly preformed on the internal wall of the shell (1). As a variant, this stud is integral with a patch (9) arranged on the external face of the shell (ii).

- 5 This dish enters the opening (4.1) of the disc. In a complementary manner, a profiled end piece (10) is centered in the hollowed out internal shape of the drum (6) and comprises, in internal overflow, a finger (11) provided with a flange (11.1) capable of snapping into the stud. complementary to the first means of the locking device. Thus the connection is final, being sheltered from any manual intervention in the interior chamber formed by the drum (6). The connection of the two means of the locking device also allows the two shells (1—2) to be brought closer to the packaging, so that the disc is surrounded in a complementary manner by the circular peripheral edge connecting the drum and the shell. ¢ 2) or its circular recess (2.3) significantly increasing the holding of the disc. .

According to Figure 5, the stud (S) has an internal thread while the finger (11) is threaded.

According to Figure 6, the connection of the two means of the locking device is effected by means of the push button type. In this embodiment, the drum (6) has a lower central recess of larger section for the passage of an operating button (12). It is also not excluded that the male-female means of the locking device comprise connecting elements of the self-gripping type known under the brand VELCRO ”or CRIC CRAC.

It is obvious that a package according to the invention can be arranged to receive, according to the appropriate formats, a plurality of discs with their locking device.

The characteristics clearly emerge from the invention. In particular, the inviolability of the packaging is emphasized, the disc being disposed by its central opening between the locking means forming a retaining axis. The removal of the disc can only be carried out by completely opening the packaging and removing the locking device by detachment, by cutting or otherwise, the elements contributing to the locking being made of any suitable material.

In a particular use of the packaging for the laser disc for example, the drum, the depth of which can be modulated, moves the female locking element away to avoid any magnetic interference, in particular if said element is made of a metallic material.

□ n also underlines the holding at several points of the disc.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, the packaging can have several variant embodiments with equivalent functions. A reinforcement ring (13) may be provided, for example, added or directly formed in the intermediate chamber of the drum while being secured to the walls of the latter,

Furthermore, an example of the use of packaging for discs has been described. Other products can be protected with the aforementioned locking device. The latter adapts to the product contained either by surrounding it at one or more points, or by entering closed or open openings inherent in the constitution of the product considered and allowing the passage of the coupling means of the locking device.