A metal packaging

Background of the invention

Significant amounts of money have been invested in the development of metal packaging in the CD and DVD industry for decades. All these activities, however, have not led to the development of metal packaging that could be used in standard automated packaging machines that are commonly used for plastic packaging.

The total investment costs for such automated packaging machines are enormous, and the total number of packaging produced in the CD and DVD industry exceeds 5 billion pieces per year.

The use of metal as a material for packaging of CDs, DVDs and other types of media has many advantages, among others, it allows to obtain packaging with much greater strength and a unique appearance. Another advantage is the possibility of embossing a surface relief directly on the surface and easier printing on metal surfaces.

However, as already stated, the industry associated with the CD and DVD has not been able to develop packaging that combines the advantages described with the possibility of its use in automated packaging machines used in this industry. The packaging machine requires the use of packaging that can be opened like a book until an opening angle of more than 180 °, preferably 240 ° is reached. An example of such a packing machine is shown in Fig. 25.

Commonly used plastic packaging for CDs and DVDs can be bent to the angle required in the process of inserting the printed paper cover between the actual packaging and the transparent film surrounding it. When the plastic packaging is bent at an angle of 240 °, the transparent film and the packaging separate from each other, thus creating a space in which the printed paper cover can be placed. This possibility is provided by the fact that the plastic packaging for CDs or DVDs has a hinge that allows the walls of the package to be rotated relative to each other to open by an angle that is substantially equal to 360 °.

The metal packaging developed so far does not provide such a possibility, and therefore such a packaging cannot be opened like a book by an angle greater than 180 °, preferably 240 °. This packaging is shown in Figure 24.

Therefore, the challenge was to develop a metal packaging that could "behave" like or imitate plastic packaging in automated packaging machines, e.g. to allow opening of the metal packaging like books until reaching an opening angle greater than 180 °, preferably 240 °.

The market demand for such packaging is enormous, but the technical challenges associated with it are even greater. As stated, the reason for this is that such packaging must be able to combine various materials, i.e. metal and e.g. plastic. This requires paying attention to the tolerances allowed when metal and plastic need to work together.

Until now, no one has managed to develop a metal packaging that would be "treated" by automated packaging machines as a plastic packaging, i.e. it would be able to be opened by an angle greater than 180 °, preferably 240 °, while ensuring the possibility of metal cooperation, e.g. with plastic.

Packaging adapted to store data carriers such as CDs and DVDs are known in the art.

EP 0 576 256 B1 discloses a packaging design for a recording carrier or for other objects, consisting of a plastic carrier frame and a flexible, laminated body.

EP 744 746 and EP 874 768 disclose metal-containing systems. However, due to the metal properties, these packaging systems cannot be designed like a book.

US 6,431,352 discloses a case for CDs or DVDs comprising a plastic molded container sized to accommodate the disc. Along the side of the container, on its inner wall is a flexible hinge. The disc is removed from the case, as well as inserted in it, by pressing the walls of the container, due to which the gap widens allowing displacement of the disc through it. The sides of the case cannot be separated. This document discloses the features described in the preamble of claim 1.

WO 96/35628 discloses a composite package for storing laser readable or optically readable discs. The packaging includes a lightweight frame for storing the disc, placed in a cover that is firmly connected to the outer surface of the frame. The frame is made of plastic, and the cover is made of a suitable, flexible material such as cardboard, while high flexibility is required, because the cover is part of the hinge.

Other documents regarding storage / packaging of carriers are US 6220431, EP 0 895 243, US 4714157, US 5908109, US 6375003, US 5725105, EP 0 671 743, WO 03/023783, EP 1 100 088, WO 00/74057, FR 2 753 297, US 4722439, US 5477961, EP 0 866 458, US 5788068, US 6502694 and US D473 520.

A common feature of these systems is that due to the properties of metal, they can not be designed like a book, with the possibility of opening them until reaching an opening angle greater than 180 °, preferably 240 °, which prevents their use in automated packaging machines.

The object of the present invention is to provide a metal packaging that does not exhibit the disadvantages described above.

The object of the present invention is to provide a metal packaging adapted to and used in conventional automated packaging machines, thus avoiding the need to invest additional, very substantial sums of money in the development and implementation of new automated packaging machines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a CD or DVD package having greater strength and attractive appearance than known packages.

Description of the invention

In order to achieve the abovementioned objectives, a packaging was developed consisting of metal outer parts attached to the inner part of non-metallic material, with a hinge for opening the package. This provides the freedom of packaging design characteristic of non-metallic materials such as plastic, as well as provides strength and attractive appearance of metal, while maintaining the possibility of using the packaging in sets of automated packaging machines.

Thus, in a first aspect, the invention relates to a package according to claim 1.

In the closed position, the width of the package is preferably in the range of 134 mm to 138 mm, and the length of the package is in the range of 188 mm to 194 mm.

The width of the package in the open position when its walls are rotated 180 ° to each other is preferably in the range from 280 mm to 286 mm.

The hinge preferably allows the walls to rotate relative to each other by 180 ° or greater, such as 190 ° or 200 °, or 210 °, or 220 °, or 230 °, or 240 °, or greater than 240 °.

The inner part of the package is preferably made in the form of one element consisting of a first wall and a second wall, interconnected by a hinge part, which may include one or more hinges grouped or evenly spaced.

The first and second walls together form a recess in which an object can be stored. This ensures that the packaging can be opened and the content shared, as in the case of a book with an opening angle greater than 180 °, preferably 240 °, which is important for the possibility of using the packaging in automated packaging machines that require that the two walls of the packaging be opened like an angle book openings greater than 180 °, preferably 240 °. This is possible with the packaging according to the invention because the inner part and the hinge part can be made of a flexible material, such as flexible plastic, which allows the walls to be bent backwards by an angle greater than 180 °, preferably 240 °.

The inner part can be pressed into the first and second outer parts, but in order to remove it it is necessary to move it through the folded edge part. It is possible to manufacture the bent and rolled edge portion using a punching machine or deep drawing device. Such devices provide the possibility of producing an element whose at least part of the periphery of this part includes this folded edge part and / or transversely projecting flange. This wrapped portion can be produced by the edge rolling step (s). The folded part may extend around the entire periphery of the outer (outer) part, depending on the radius of curvature of the corners.

The wrapping of the outer (outer) part enables packaging to be made without sharp edges, unlike known metal packaging.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer parts are shell-like elements having a central part with an upwardly projecting side wall (sidewalls), whereby the inner part is pressed into these shells. Preferably, the sidewall (sidewalls) is terminated with a curled or slightly bent edge portion that is adapted to be clamped around the corresponding edges of the inner portion, which ensures secure attachment of the inner portion.

The packaging preferably has a quadrangular shape, while the scrap-like elements have upwardly projecting side walls on at least three edges, whereby the skin substantially surrounds the walls of the inner part from at least three sides.

In one embodiment, the first and second walls have recesses along the periphery for insertion into the recesses of the corresponding projections arranged on these outer parts, whereby a connection between these walls and these parts is obtained. In this way, the first and second parts can be attached to the inner part by slamming them.

The first and second parts may be U-shaped, where the U-arms form the side walls of these parts, the side walls may have protrusions for attaching them to the inner part.

Alternatively or additionally, the inner part may be attached to the first and second parts by means of glue and / or welding and / or at least one latch.

The inner part can be integrated with the first and second parts by injection molding. The inner part may thus be formed around the first and second parts. This can be done by molding with a snap, with the outer parts being placed in the molding tool.

It is also possible to use other technological processes such as blow molding, extrusion or hot molding, depending on the desired construction.

The first and second parts can be riveted or bolted to the inner part depending on e.g. the type of information requested.

The outer parts may cover a fragment or the entire outer surface of the inner part. In a preferred embodiment, the outer parts cover substantially all of the outer surfaces of the inner part. In the case where the outer parts are U-shaped, they cover only the central part and the two sides of the inner part.

It is preferred that the package can only be closed in one step, without the need for any subsequent "pressing" of the closing elements. Thus, the closing elements (or closing element) are preferably located near the recesses, which are used to open and close the package like books, thereby reducing the force required to close and ensure that the package is closed in one step. In addition, the outer part may be of considerable thickness and / or may have reinforcing ribs, whereby a cover with greater rigidity is obtained that does not deform when opening or closing the package.

The edge portion of the first and second parts may extend along the entire edge of each of the two walls of the inner portion, including these recesses for opening. Thus, recesses can be made in the metal to create a small and rigid grip.

The inner part may have one or more locking pins in the form of protrusions used to block the connection of the first and second parts to the inner part. These pins are preferably located on the inner part adjacent to these recesses in the first and second parts (when these parts are attached to the inner part). The pins can therefore engage the edge part of the first and second parts, respectively, in order to obtain their mutual locking, thus preventing accidental separation of the first and second parts from the outer part.

The outer parts may in particular have a metal edge part extending along the sides of the two walls of the inner part which form the rear edge of each side, i.e. the edge near the hinge area.

The rear part of the inner part may form a hinge part between two walls, this back part may be covered with a metal part / layer. The rear edge is preferably shifted inwards towards the inner area of ​​each of the two walls of the inner part, so that, if the package is closed, the rear part is at the level of the outermost edge of the back side of the package. The metal part / layer covering the back part may be glued to it. Alternatively or additionally, the metal part / layer may have stripes that can be folded around the lower and upper edges of the rear part to attach the metal part / layer. The edges of the metal part / layer can be bent or folded, which increases its rigidity. The metal part / layer may be attached to the back part by molding with a latch and / or using snap means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hinge part consists of two hinges, one for each wall of the inner part. Each hinge preferably forms a groove extending inwardly on the back of the package, the grooves ensuring that the first and second outer parts snap into the inner part, since the protrusions on each outer part can be inserted into the grooves and engage in the grooves accordingly . The above-mentioned metal layer / part covering the back part can also be snapped to the back part. The grooves preferably extend along the entire length of the hinge so that the corresponding curled or bent edge forming protrusions on the outer parts and the metal layer / part can extend along their entire length, which reinforces the parts / layer.

Due to the use of grooves, it is also possible to hide or surround with this groove any sharp edges present on these outer parts and the metal part / layer, thus it is impossible to see or touch any of the sharp edges.

After opening the package by 180 °, the level at which the rear part is between two hinges is preferably higher than the level at which the two walls of the inner part are. Thus, the rear part is moved inwards relative to the walls. In this form, the rear part after closing the package can be moved further inwards towards the interior of the package, which increases its strength and ensures a smoother finish, because the inner part is better covered by metal outer parts. The described form is shown in Fig. 21.

Attaching the metal part / layer to the back requires joining two different materials together, so certain conditions must be met, such as the right choice of the right fastening agent such as a binder such as glue and ensuring that the two materials work together properly.

In a preferred embodiment, the metal part / layer therefore does not cover the entire back part, so that it is possible to change the dimensions of the back part without causing the metal part / layer dimensions to be incorrect, and the selection of a suitable fastening means such as glue is made from a wide a range of measures that allow the neutralization of mutual reactions between two materials under different conditions, such as climatic conditions.

The attachment means is preferably an adhesive, which may be a "double-sided" adhesive, such as for example

TESA 4965 and / or 3M 9088FL. However, any adhesive or other bonding agent that can neutralize the mutual reactions occurring in different conditions between the two materials can be used.

In another embodiment, the back portion may have a label made by molding.

The package preferably has guide elements so that the closing step proceeds in a controlled manner and the two walls of the package cannot move relative to each other. The guiding elements may be a male element having a tapered end (e.g. a conical end) which cooperates with the female element. These guide elements can be located in the corners of the inner part, so that they also reinforce the corners of the package. In this way, if the package is dropped, the corners of the first and second outer parts will not dent.

In another embodiment, the guide elements are located near the corners, contacting each other when closing the package. The guide elements have one or more protrusions arranged on one of the walls, the protrusions being adapted to engage the grooves located on the opposite wall.

Preferably, there is a space (e.g. 0.5 mm) between the inner part and the first and / or second outer part, in which an inwardly projected relief relief can be arranged on the inner side (inner sides) of the outer part (outer parts) and / or an extruded protruding relief on the outer side (outer sides) of the inner part (inner parts). This space can be obtained by making a cavity at least on a fragment of the inner part during forming. If the embossed relief is to protrude outwards in the outer part, then the relief containing part can be recessed before extrusion, so that the packaging can be stored on top of one another despite the embossing made on their surface.

The embossed relief can also be on the inside of the inner parts.

The inner part and / or the first and / or second outer part may serve as a lock adapted to close the book-like package. This lock can be operated with one hand, or two hands can be used to open the book and thus unlock the packaging. The inner part of the package may be provided with a locking part so that the first and second walls are held together. Such a locking portion may include magnets holding the first and second walls together. In other embodiments, the locking portion is in the form of a latch, lock requiring the use of a key, or lock that can only be opened once and then cannot be closed again. The locking parts may include a male locking element cooperating with the female locking element.

The first and second outer parts may cover at least a middle part of the outer surface of the inner part, wherein the outer surface of the inner part may have recesses having a shape and depth substantially corresponding to the shape and thickness of the outer parts, respectively. In this way, the outer parts can be attached to the inner part so that the outermost surface of the outer part is at the same level as the outermost surface of the inner part.

The forming of the first and second outer parts is preferably carried out by bending, extrusion or deep drawing.

The inner portion may have one or more protrusions protruding inwardly in the package. The projections can be placed on one wall of the inner part, where when the package is closed they press the object (s) against the opposite wall of the inner part. In this way, the stored item is even better fixed in the package. The projections are preferably located on the inner part in the hinge area as well as in the area near the edge of the inner part next to the locking parts.

The first and second outer parts are made of metallic material. The outer part may, for example, be a composite comprising metal reinforcing elements and / or fibrous material. In some embodiments, the outer parts are entirely made of the same material, while in other embodiments each of the outer parts is made of a different material. The outer part may for example be made of metal and / or alloy containing aluminum and / or bronze and / or steel and / or stainless steel and / or iron and / or magnesium and / or titanium and / or copper and / or nickel and / or zinc and / or silver and / or gold and / or platinum and / or sheet and / or galvanized sheet or combination of materials mentioned above.

A layer of metallic or non-metallic material may be placed on the outer part (outer parts), which in such embodiments may be in the form of foil, cardboard, cardboard, veneer, polymer, textile material or film laminates.

One form may have a metal layer on the outside of the package. An example of such a layer could be a gold layer providing a decorative effect. The metal layer can be polished or sanded.

The inner and / or outer surface of the first and second parts may in some forms be coated / coated with a protective layer and / or a decorative layer, e.g. a colorizing layer. The protective layer may be in contact with the outer parts or may be in contact with the decorative layer. The protective layer and / or decorative layer may cover all or part of the inner and / or outer surface. This layer can be metallic or non-metallic.

The inner part is made of non-metallic material. The material of the inner layer can be, for example, paper and / or cardboard and / or rubber and / or wood and / or leather and / or silicone and / or plastic (polymer) such as PP, PA, PMMA, PC , PELD, PEHD, PET or elastomers or polymers or rubber, or any combination of these materials.

In some embodiments, the inner part may have one part made of one plastic or other non-metallic material, while the other part - e.g. the hinged part - is made of another non-metallic material, such as, for example, polypropylene.

The object can be welded to at least a fragment of the inner part and / or the first and / or second outer part (outer parts). Thanks to this, for the first use of the object, the welded area must be broken, which makes it possible to determine whether the object has already been used at least once. The packaging may consist of one or more chambers.

At least a portion of the inner portion may be shaped to engage at least a portion of the at least one object in the package. For example, a fragment of the inner part may have the same or substantially the same shape as the object, whereby the object fits the inner part. The shape of the inner part may correspond to the shape of the object, i.e. if the object has a round shape, a circular hole is made in the packaging fragment so that the round shape fits into the round hole.

After placing the item in the package, it can be attached so that it cannot move in the package when moving the package from place to place or while shaking the package. The inner part and / or the first and second outer parts may have means adapted to engage with an object using latches or other locking elements. Other locking elements may be in the form of locking elements that require the use of a key to unlock or lock the object. A locking element of the type may also be used in which partial damage to the locking element is required to remove the object from the package. This makes it possible to determine if the object has ever been removed from the packaging. In some embodiments, the item may be re-placed in the package, while in other forms this is not possible. in one embodiment, at least a portion of the inner portion is shaped to hold at least one object in the package in a predetermined position. The inner element may also be shaped in such a way that only part of the object is held in a predetermined position. For example, the inner portion may have a round projection adapted to engage the round hole in the object. Such an object may be a CD or DVD or any other data carrier having a similar aperture and shape, or any other data carrier.

The inner portion of the package may have a retaining member adapted to be moved between a locked position in which it holds the object in a predetermined position and an unlocked position in which the element is not held. The retaining element can be shaped in such a way that it engages with the hole made in the object. Thus, the retaining element may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening, i.e. if the opening is round, the retaining element may consist of two semi-circular shaped parts. After pressing with a finger or some other object, the two semi-circular parts of the retaining element cease to catch on the object, so the element is moved into the unlocked position. If the retainer is in the unlocked position, the object can be removed.

The inner part may have one or more retaining elements, for example, one retaining element may be arranged on each wall of the inner part. In this way, one, two, three or more items can be stored in the packaging, such as, for example, CDs or DVDs.

In another embodiment of the invention, the inner portion may have a retaining member that includes a series of retaining latches arranged side by side along a circle and surrounding a "release latch" and adapted to engage the edge of an opening provided in a CD or DVD. The tabs are raised relative to the inside so that when you press the release tab they can detach from this hole, allowing you to remove the CD or DVD from the tabs. The tabs are preferably adapted to hold one, two or three CDs or DVDs on top of each other. The packaging may have more than one such retaining element, for example two elements - then one retaining element is arranged on each wall of the inner part.

If the retaining element is in the locked position, it may be possible to place an object under the retaining element, between the retaining element and the inner part and / or one of the first and second outer parts. After placing an object, it may not be possible to move the retainer to the unlocked position. This results in a situation in which the object cannot be removed. In one embodiment, the package may therefore have a security element that is adapted to hold the retaining element in a locked position.

The security element may be shaped such that the package needs to be opened to gain access to the security element. One of the advantages of such packaging is that if the packaging is supplied with an element that allows checking whether the packaging has ever been opened, it is known that if the product has not been opened, a security element is present in the packaging. In other embodiments, the security element may be introduced from the outside of the package. In this way, it is possible, for example, to introduce a security element in the store after delivery of the product. This allows you to use the security system chosen by the store. The store is therefore not forced to use the security element provided by the supplier. The security element may be as described in US D468621.

In some embodiments, the security element has a signal emitting means. Such a signal-emitting means may be adapted to emit electromagnetic signals and / or magnetic fields. In this way it is possible to trigger an alarm if the packaging is moved out of a specific area, for example between two elements detecting the presence of a signal. Since at least part of the packaging is made of metal, it is important that the packaging does not shield the magnetic field and / or electromagnetic signals. This can be achieved by removing metal from a certain area so that the metal left behind is thin enough to allow fields / signals to pass through the metal surface. In other embodiments, an antenna may be used. The antenna can be adapted to send fields / signals from inside the packaging to the outside. In some embodiments, the first and / or second outer portion serves as an antenna, so that the metal portion's ability to transmit fields / signals is used.

A fragment of at least one of the objects can be integrated into the inner part. For example, an element of the inner part may be an envelope or cover.

Such an integrated fragment can be separated from the rest of the inner part by means of a weakening line that allows the integrated fragment to be removed by tearing or pushing it out of the inner part. The inner part may furthermore have a means for holding such a fragment which initially formed an integral whole with the inner part.

In some embodiments, the inner portion has a film that must be removed to gain access to the item. Information on the product in the package can be placed on the removed foil, so that the element supporting the removed foil can be used, for example in such a way that it is visible from the outside of the package. The foil can be made in such a way that it can be placed in a laser printer, which allows it to be printed on its surface with information, for example, music recorded on an optical recording disc stored in the packaging.

At least a portion of the inner portion may be movable relative to the first and second outer portions, and / or relative to other inner portions. The sliding part can be moved between the secured position when it is placed in the package and the access position when it is pulled out of the package providing access. Such a sliding part may include a protruding element adapted to engage with a stored object. The sliding part can be moved out of the package by rotating motion. The package may contain a number of sliding and / or rotating parts.

In some embodiments, the inner portion and / or the first and second outer portion may have magnetic properties. The magnetic properties allow the object to be held using the force of the magnetic field. For example, it is possible to hold a predetermined position of an optical data carrier made of metal that is attracted by magnetic force. The sliding part may, for example, be made of plastic and have magnets in some places, after, after sliding the part out of the packaging, the plate can be placed on the sliding part which supports the optical data carrier with magnets.

In one embodiment of the invention, the stored object is in the form of an optical or electronic medium, such as an optical or electronic medium having a central opening. The diameter of the stored item may range from

119.7 to 120.3 mm or 78.8 to 80.2 mm. In some embodiments, the diameter of the object is in the range of 10 to 500 mm, e.g., 5 to 300 mm, e.g., 10 to 250 mm, e.g., 20 to 200 mm, e.g., 50 to 150 mm, e.g. 75 to 125 mm. The diameter of the hole located centrally in the optical data carrier can be in the range from 15.25 to 15.35 mm or from 15.3 to 15.4 mm. In other embodiments, the diameter of the centrally located hole is in the range of 1 to 50 mm, for example 5 to 25 mm, for example 10 to 15 mm.

At least one wall of the inner portion may have a CD mounting member (s). The CD mounting element (s) can catch on the center hole or on the outer edge of the disc.

The first external dimension of the packaging may be in the range of 135.1 to 136.8 mm. The first outer dimension of the package may be the width of the package. The second external dimension of the packaging may be in the range of 190.2 to 192.0 mm. The second external dimension of the package may be the length of the package. The third external dimension of the packaging may be in the range of 14.7 to 15.3 mm. The third external dimension of the package may be the thickness of the package. In particular, the first and second dimensions of the packaging are important for use in a conventional automated packaging machine.

The automated packaging machine is usually of the type Ilsemann KVD30, Kyoto DVD100 and GIMA DVD872.

In some embodiments, the first and / or second and / or third external dimensions are (are) in the range from 10 to 5000 mm, for example from 25 to 3000 mm, for example from 50 to 2000 mm, for example from 75 to 1500 mm , e.g. from 100 to 1250 mm, e.g. from 150 to 1000 mm, e.g. from 175 to 750 mm, e.g. from 200 to 500 mm, e.g. from 300 to 400 mm.

However, in an alternative embodiment, the first outer dimension may be in the range of 124.6 to 125.0 mm and / or the second outer dimension may be in the range of 142.2 to 142.6 mm, and / or the third outer dimension may be in the range of 6.9 to 7.1 mm or 10.2 to 10.6 mm. This form can also be used in an automated packaging machine.

In some embodiments, the first and / or second outer portion may have a decorative element. This decorative item may include text, pictures, drawings etc. and may contain information about the contents of the package. If the contents of the packaging is a data carrier, the decorative element may provide details of the musical works, files or films contained on the medium. A decorative element can cover all or part of the packaging. Preferably, the decorative element is located on each of the walls of the first and / or second outer part, so that it is visible on both the inside and outside of the package. In this form, the inner part is transparent, thanks to which the decorative element is visible on the inner side. This combination provides unique packaging decoration options, so it can have a very attractive appearance.

One embodiment of the present invention may have a surface relief on the inner or outer surface of the package. Such surface relief may be in the form of a hologram, check, image or any other type of surface relief. Surface relief can be used to protect, as it can guarantee the originality of the product. Surface relief can be used to identify a product or as information about its price. The hologram can be read using an optical reader, so it can be part of the package of information contained in the package. The surface relief can be embossed in the surface of the first and / or second outer part. This extrusion process can be carried out using a roller or a stamping process.

The packaging on the top or bottom edge may have an embossed surface relief enabling identification of the contents of the packaging, e.g. the name of the composer and the title of the song on the data carrier. In this way, the packaging can be distinguished from other packaging on the same shelf or in the same drawer. The first and second outer parts may have an embossed surface relief and / or graphic prints that can be placed on one or more surfaces outside and / or inside the package.

The packaging may be adapted to be equipped with a memory element intended for reading by a computer, e.g. a memory card.

In some embodiments, the surface relief is embossed with a substrate treatment device, the device having a tool surface and a reaction surface, the tool surface having a multilayer structure comprising:

- a core having a substantially inelastic outer surface, and

- at least one tool attached to the surface of the core, wherein at least part of the tool plane and / or reaction plane has a flexible force absorbing means which locally absorbs the forces applied to these planes. The elastic force absorbing means may be in the form of a double-sided adhesive tape that is used to attach the tool to the tool plane. The elastic properties of the tape are used to absorb local differences in applied pressure. The extrusion method may be the method described in PCT / DK02 / 00787, incorporated herein by reference.

The inner part, i.e. one of the walls, may be substantially transparent. As a result, the decorative element or surface relief can be visible from both sides through the transparent material. In this way, it is possible to read the information provided on the inner or outer surface of the first and second outer parts.

For additional visual effects, the inner part can be colored transparently. In some areas this color may be opaque, i.e. such that it is impossible to look through these areas, while in other areas the color may be transparent. For example, if a surface relief is placed on the inner surface of the first and second outer parts, then the transparent color may provide the color effect of some areas of the surface relief. Colors can also be used on the surface relief and / or decorative element. In this way, the designer has the option of providing color directly above the decorative and / or surface relief element.

Another solution is to use colors that are distant from the decorative element and / or the surface of the relief by placing it on the inner part. The internal part can contain texts, logos, graphic signs, frost / grille effects, super transparent surfaces, decorative elements, labels, holograms or metal layers.

The application also discloses a package adapted to store an object having one or more outer parts and one inner part, the inner part having a first side and a second wall connected to each other by means of a hinge part, and the outer part is attached to the first and / or second wall.

The outer parts can be attached to the walls by means of glue and / or welding and / or by snaps, respectively, or they can be integrated into the inner part by extrusion, curling, bending or the like.

The inner part may be made of plastic, such as transparent plastic or colored plastic, the outer parts may be made of metal.

The inner part may have recesses located along the periphery cooperating with the corresponding projections located on the outer parts, thanks to which a snap fastening between these elements is obtained. The outer parts are preferably U-shaped, with the U-shaped arms having the abovementioned projections. In this way, the outer parts can be snapped into the inner part, which can be in the form of an inner part according to the invention or another inner part.

The inner part may have recesses located on each wall and having a shape and depth corresponding substantially to the shape and thickness of the outer parts, respectively.

The shape of the outer parts is obtained by bending or extruding.

Short description of the figures

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an open package,

Fig. 2 shows two closed packages according to the invention,

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the packaging,

Figures 4-9 show various forms of attachment between the first and second walls and the first and second outer parts,

Figures 10-12 show packages in cross-sections, and

Figures 13-22E show views of the packaging,

Fig. 23 shows a packaging having preferred dimensions enabling its use in an automated packaging machine,

Fig. 24 shows a packaging known in the art, and

Fig. 25 shows an automated packaging machine enabling the use of the packaging according to the invention.

Detailed description of the figures

Fig. 1 shows a package 2 having an inner part comprising a first wall 4 and a second wall 6 connected to each other by a hinge part 8. The package 2 can be opened like a book, so the walls 4 and 6 can be tilted apart like the covers of a book. The first outer part 10 is attached to the wall 4 and the second outer part 12 is attached to the wall 6. The wall 4 further has a bottom inner element 14 which is attached to the outer part 10. These two elements are glued together. Similarly, the second wall 6 has an upper inner element 16 which is glued to the outer part 12. The outer parts 10 and 12 are made of metal, the inner parts 14 and 16 are made of plastic. The upper inner element 16 is adapted to store an optical object by means of an attachment means 18. The hooking means 18 has a round shape and includes an outer ring 20 and a retaining element in the center of the ring (not shown). The outer ring 20 has an indentation 22 that facilitates the placement of the data carrier in the package. The lower inner element 14 has a longitudinal reinforcement bar 24 and a transverse reinforcement bar 26. The lower inner element 14 further has two supporting elements 28 that are adapted to support an object, such as, for example, a booklet containing information about an optical storage medium. The lower part 4 and the upper part 6 have recesses 30 to facilitate gripping, which the user can use when opening the package like books. When opening storage agent 2, the male locking element 32 stops catching on the female locking element 34.

In Figure 2, two packages 2 are shown having a first wall 4, a second wall 6 and a hinge part 8. The package further has a gripping means for engaging the recess 30.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a package 2 having a first wall 4, a second wall 6 and a hinge part 8. The drawing shows a support element 28 which is movable in the direction of arrow 36. The male locking element 32 has a projection 38 which is adapted to hooking on the edge 40 of the female locking element 34. In the drawing there are visible to facilitate gripping the recess 30.

Figures 4-9 show various forms of the first and / or second outer part 42 having a central part 44. These parts are made of metal which is bent to obtain a first collar 46 protruding in transverse direction or even perpendicular to the central part 44. In some embodiments, the first collar 46 is further bent to form a second collar 48, through which the inner element 54 must be moved when removing it from the outer portion 42, see Figures 7-9. In other embodiments, the first collar 46 or the second the collar 48 forms a folded edge portion 50. In yet other embodiments, the first collar 46 forms a projection 52. The projection 52, the folded edge portion 50 and the second collar 48 may be adapted to support the inner element 54. In some embodiments, the second collar 48 is disposed around the entire periphery of the collar 46, as shown in Fig. 7 (A-A ') and in Fig. 8. In other embodiments, the second flange 48 is positioned at various locations along the first flange 48, as shown in Fig. 7 (B-B ') and in Fig. 9.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the wall of the inner portion 60 (such as the upper part 6 of Fig. 1) of the package 2 having a support element that allows it to hook and support a CD or DVD. The support element has a series of support latches 55 arranged side by side along a circle and surrounding the "release latch" 56. The latches 55 are adapted to engage the edge of a hole in a CD or DVD. The tabs 55, 56 are located higher 57 than the base 58 of the inner part, whereby the latches can release this hole by pushing the release latch down, which allows the CD or DVD to be removed from the latches.

The hooking means further has a series of half circles 59 that surround the CD or DVD.

The edge part 61 of the outer part 62 supports the inner part 60, and the side wall of the inner part 60 has reinforcing ribs 63.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an open package having walls 64 and 65 and a hinge portion 66. A single inner portion 60 forms both the left wall, the right wall, and the hinge portion of the package. The metal outer part 62 is attached to one of the two walls of the inner part, while the metal outer part 67 is attached to the hinge part of the inner part. Each of the metal outer parts 62 has an edge portion 68, which is the rear edge of the package. The hinge part 66 is some distance away from the level of the metal parts 62 so that when the package is closed, the hinge part 66 is in line with the corners of the 69 metal parts. When opening the package 2 the male locking element 32 stops catching on the female locking element 34. The hinge part has a reinforcing rib 70.

There is a small space between the outer parts 62 and the inner part 60 for embossed relief in the outer parts.

Fig. 12 shows a cross-section of the support element 28 that is movable in the direction of arrow 36.

Fig. 13 shows the package in an open position.

Figures 14-15 show the packaging in a closed position, visible from the front and back, respectively. The rear part 71 of the inner part forms a hinged connection between the two walls, the back part being covered by a metal part / layer 72. As shown, the rear edge is shifted inwards towards the inner area of ​​each of the two walls of the inner part so that when the package is closed, the rear part 71 is at the level of the outermost edge 73 of the rear wall of the package. On the outer parts 62 there are handles 76 for opening the package.

Fig. 16 shows the inner part 60 detached from the outer parts 62 and the metal layer 72.

Figures 17 and 17A show the inner part 60 detached from the outer parts 62, the outer parts comprising two U-shaped metal parts that snap into the inner part.

The inner portion 60 has recesses 74 in which the arms 75 of the U-shaped parts may lock during latching.

Fig. 18 shows an open package in which the outer parts 62 are latched onto the inner part 60. A series of packages stacked on top of each other is also visible.

Figures 19-20 show an open package in which the outer part 62 is latched onto the inner part 60. As shown, the package is open like a book, with the angle (α) greater than 180 °, preferably greater than 240 ° . This makes it possible to use the packaging in conventional packaging machines.

Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of a package with an inner portion comprising two walls 64, 65 and a rear portion 71 forming a hinge portion with two hinges 77, one for each wall of the inner portion. Each hinge 77 forms a groove 78, the grooves enabling the first and second outer parts 79 to snap onto the inner part because the projection 80 having the form of a folded edge on each of the outer parts can be inserted into the individual grooves 77 by engaging them. A metal layer / part (not shown) covering the back part can also be attached to the rear by snapping it into place. In this way, any sharp edges on these outer parts and the metal part / layer can be hidden and surrounded by this groove, making it impossible to see and touch any sharp edge. The grooves preferably extend along the entire length of the hinge, whereby the projections 80 can extend along the entire length of the edges of the outer parts and / or the metal layer / part, which strengthens these parts.

As shown in Figure 21, where the 180 ° package is shown, the level at which the rear portion 71 is located between two hinges is higher than the level at which the two walls 64, 65 of the inner portion are located. This configuration allows the rear part to be moved further inside the package when closing the package, which results in increased strength, and better coverage of the inner part by the metal outer parts ensures a smoother finish.

Figures 22A-22E show a packaging according to the invention. The inner part 60 has two locking pins 81 forming protrusions of the first and second parts 62 on the inner part 60. These pins 81 are located on the inner part 60 near the indentations 82 on the first and second parts 62 that form the handles for opening the package. The pins 81 engage the edge portion 83 of the first and second parts respectively, whereby their position relative to each other can be locked, which prevents accidental detachment of the first and second parts 62 from the inner part 60.

Fig. 23 shows a package with preferred dimensions enabling the package to be used in an automated packaging machine. Thus, the packaging according to the invention has been designed in such a way that such dimensions can be used, these dimensions preferably being:

A: from 282 mm to 284 mm,

B: 191 mm ± 0.8 mm,

C: 135.6 mm + 0.9 / -0.5,

D: 15 mm ± 0.5, and

E: from 68.7 mm to 70.3 mm.

Fig. 24 shows a package known in the art. This packaging is an example of known packaging that cannot be bent over an angle greater than about 190 ° (α), and not up to an angle of 240 °, and therefore cannot be used in automated packaging machines, unlike the packaging of the invention. Fig. 25 shows an automated packaging machine (Ilsemann) enabling the package 2 according to the invention to be used. The empty package 2 is stored in the container 84 from which the package 2 is moved to the conveyor 85.

The packaging is opened by an angle of about 180 °, after which a CD or DVD or other object is inserted into the packaging 2, this is done by rotating the packaging module 86, in which the packaging 2 is bent backwards by more than 180 ° , preferably 240 °.

At the end of the conveyor 85, the packaging is closed and packed along with other packaging and stacked 87.

Authorized: Glud & Marstrand A / S Proxy:

MSc. Małgorzata Grabowska Patent Attorney

SGS-27 / VAL