CN1618103A - Device and method for packaging information carriers - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for packaging information carriers, provided with a first and a second cover part, mutually pivotally connected via hinge means and arranged for forming a substantially closed box, wherein at least one of the cover parts is provided, adjacent a side thereof, with an edge part fixedly connected therewith, on which edge part the hinge means are provided, which edge part preferably has a stiffness which is slightly higher than at least one cover part connected therewith and is at least partly hollow, and wherein at least one of the cover parts is provided with relatively slight elevations for supporting the information carrier spaced from wall parts of the cover parts, for protection of the information carrier.

Description

Device and method for packaging an information carrier

technical field

The invention relates to a device for packaging information carriers. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for packaging disc-shaped information carriers.

Background technique

EP0886863 describes a storage device for disc-shaped information carriers, such as CDs, credit cards, Sim cards, etc., in which a pair of finger-shaped elastic gripping elements are arranged on a substantially flat base. The finger elements can grip the longitudinal edges of the information carrier and thereby hold the information carrier. On the side opposite the base, there is provided a cover pivotably connected to the base, which can be closed around the finger elements and the information carrier accommodated therebetween for packaging them.

The storage device protects the information carrier well, but is relatively thick. Furthermore, it requires a relatively large amount of material, which results in relatively long cycle times, high cost and bulk.

Contents of the invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a storage device for an information carrier, in particular a disc-shaped information carrier, which protects the information carrier in a suitable manner.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a storage device that is relatively thin in the closed state.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a storage device which can be manufactured simply and quickly with a low consumption of materials.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a storage device according to the preamble which has a pleasing appearance both in the closed and in the open form and which displays and extracts the information carrier in an attractive manner especially in the open form . According to the storage device according to the invention, the information carrier is preferably easily removable.

These and other objects according to the invention can be achieved using a device according to claim 1 .

In the device according to the invention, a particularly thin structure can be obtained, while at the same time suitable space is provided for the contained information carrier, and the packing box has sufficient rigidity at least in the closed state, and the packed information carrier Helps increase its stiffness. When used to package CDs, the device according to the invention, for example, two or even three such devices are spaced next to each other, usually equivalent to the space occupied by a single jewel case-type CD case, the thickness of which Usually about 10mm. Thus, the device according to the invention has considerable advantages in storage and transport, requires the use of less plastic, and reduces the manufacturing cycle time. Furthermore, the storage device according to the invention has a satisfactory shape both in the closed and in the open condition.

By making the edge portion at least partially hollow, wall thickness differences inside the device can be limited to a minimum, which is an important advantage with regard to materials and manufacturing techniques. Of course, the edge portion can also be partially or completely filled during production, for example with plastic foam, or subsequently.

This edge portion is preferably slightly stiffer than the cover part to which it is attached, at least when the device is opened. When the storage device is closed, the information carrier can be locked between the cover parts, and when the device is opened, the information carrier can be placed on a cover part, in particular in connection with the edge part or containing the on the cover part of the edge part. The information carrier can be easily removed from the storage device, eg by bending the relatively soft part, in particular the part farther from said edge part, while maintaining the shape of the device after release. Furthermore, as a result, it is particularly easy to provide a closure which can be opened or closed by slightly deforming one or both cover parts. Furthermore, the relatively stiff edge portion also has the advantage that the lid part can remain flat and the package has stable dimensions during and immediately after the manufacturing process.

On one or both cover parts, relatively low protrusions are preferably provided, against which or between which the information carrier is closed when the packet is closed, so that the outer surface of the information carrier, In particular the parts which have been recorded, at least the parts which have information therein or which are sensitive to nicks, scratches etc. are kept separate from the cover part. Thus, the protrusions can be arranged, for example, as studs or as faces, in particular they are arranged in such a position that they only abut against surfaces on which no information is recorded, at least on surfaces without information. Thus, for example, if the box is for a CD, the pins etc. may be arranged such that the CD only has its outermost edge eg 1 to 2 mm or partly abutting against said pin and/or the raised surface. Also, alternatively, the CD may rest against a stud or various raised surfaces, such as a generally circular protrusion, extending below and/or around the central opening of the CD. The height of the protrusions, pins or similar protrusions is preferably, for example, several tens of millimeters.

In a preferred embodiment, one cover part has an edge portion and the other cover part has a member connected to said edge portion by a hinge member, which member at least partially covers said edge portion when the pack is closed. This construction thus has the advantage that the packaging device can be easily injection molded in the opening position, especially in substantially horizontal conditions, while still having a high dimensional stability when the packaging box is closed. Furthermore, the packaging box can be opened relatively simply and wide and acquires additional surfaces such as printed graphics.

Alternatively, a second cover part may be connected to the edge portion such that in the closed condition said cover part is visibly disengaged from said edge portion. Thus, the edge portion also remains visible on the outer surface when the package is closed.

The device according to the invention preferably has a closure body as described in claim 10 .

The closure is particularly useful as it provides a proper lock while the device can be easily opened and the closure extends within the pack when the pack is closed.

In further elaboration, the device according to the invention is characterized by the features according to claim 12 .

By making at least one cover part relatively soft, at least its closing face, the CD can be easily picked up by bending a portion of said closing face, while the edge portion has sufficient stiffness.

Furthermore, preferably retainers are provided on the inwardly facing side on at least one of said cover parts, said retainers engaging the information carrier with its side edges when said device is closed. Thus, the information carrier can simply be fixed inside the device against movement. The retaining means can comprise, for example, a relatively small undercut provided in at least one wall to ensure that the information carrier does not move. In at least one cover part, a recess can be provided for receiving a further information carrier, in particular a card-shaped information carrier. Said one or both cover parts may have a printed pattern comprising at least information about the information carrier which has been or is to be accommodated in the storage device, which printed pattern may for example be formed by an in-mold label.

The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a storage device for storing an information carrier, which is characterized by the features according to claim 19 .

The method suffices with relatively simple molds and lightweight injection molding machines, while allowing greater freedom in the use of materials. In particular, this results in the advantage that plastics with relatively low melting points can also be used, such as polyester resins (PET), polycarbonates (PC), polyoxymethylene (POM), low-melting polyethylene (PE) and the like. Furthermore, the advantage obtained hereby is that it is sufficient to use relatively low injection pressures.

Preferably then, the final plastic is extruded into the cavity while the cavity is being formed into the desired shape. Thus, for example, when forming the cavity into the desired shape, it is also possible to introduce from 0% to 20% of the plastic required to achieve the desired filling pressure, with around 10% being found to give particularly good results. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can determine and adjust the amount of plastic to be introduced according to, for example, the shape of the mold, the plastic used, and the like.

In a further elaboration, the method according to the invention is characterized by the features according to claim 21 .

The advantage of using movable parts, especially the core, is that the mold can be completely closed, the cavity volume is larger than the expected product volume, then the plastic can be introduced into the cavity, and finally the desired pressure can be obtained by moving the movable parts , thereby reducing the volume of the cavity. At this point, relatively low pressure is sufficient to keep the mold closed and/or move the at least one movable part.

The invention further relates to a method for packaging a disc-shaped information carrier, which is characterized by the features according to claim 22 .

This method has the advantage that the information carrier can be inserted into the packaging in a particularly simple manner.

The dependent claims set forth further preferred embodiments of the device and method according to the invention.

Description of drawings

In order to clarify the invention, typical embodiments of the apparatus and method according to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the picture:

Figure 1 schematically represents a device according to the invention in a perspective view in a partially opened situation;

Figure 2 represents a side sectional view of a device according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows a top view of a part of an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows a side sectional view of the device shown in Figure 3 in a partially opened condition;

Figure 5 schematically represents a side sectional view of yet another alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Figure 6 represents a perspective cut-away side view of a part of the device according to Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 8 represents a sectional side view of a part of the device according to Figure 7 in a closed condition;

Figure 9 shows a cutaway side view of a part of a device according to the invention with a closure and a retainer;

Figure 10 shows a cutaway side view of a part of an alternative enclosure for a device according to the invention;

Figure 11 shows a sixth alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention in perspective view;

Figure 12 shows a rear view of a part of the device according to Figure 11; and

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Detailed ways

In the following description, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals.

In the particular embodiment shown, the device is formed by injection molding as a single unit with an integral hinge (living hinge). The device according to the invention can be injection molded in a conventional manner, but also for this purpose the methods of the non-previously published Dutch patent applications NL 1019235 and NL 1019320, incorporated herein by reference. According to an advantageous aspect, the device according to the invention can be manufactured from PE, PET, POM, PC or the like. In particular, when using the method of said patent application, low melting point plastics such as PET can be effectively used, while still being designed as translucent components. Furthermore, the device is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and is robust with desired stiffness and/or flexibility.

The device according to the invention is suitable for packaging information carriers, in particular disc-shaped information carriers such as CD, CD-ROM, CDi, CDr etc. (also called "CD"), Sim cards, credit cards, memory cards etc. In the typical embodiment shown, the device is suitable for a substantially circular information carrier, such as the mentioned CD. It is obvious that this arrangement can also be adapted, for example, for the mentioned rectangular information carrier, with modifications such as retainers, bearings and locking means, etc.

Figure 1 shows a partially opened packet 1 according to the invention in a perspective view, comprising an edge portion 2 pivotally connected to a first cover part 4 and a second cover part 6 . The cover parts 4, 6 are integrally connected with the edge part 2 by means of a first hinge 8 and a second hinge 10, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2 , the edge portion 2 is designed to be open on the downward side in FIG. 1 and includes a closed longitudinal wall 12 and a bottom wall 14 .

The first cover part 4 includes a substantially flat first closing surface 16 , on which protruding portions 18 are provided near the four corners, and the convex portions 18 have concave wall portions 20 facing the center of the closing surface 16 . The four recessed wall portions 20 collectively define a circumference of a circle C indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 1 , wherein this circumference has a dimension CD. The protrusion 18 can be foamed and/or open on the side close to the closing surface 16 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the protrusion 18 may also be formed with a thin wall. Adjacent to the inscribed circle C, at least at the concave wall portion 20, there is provided a small convex portion 22 in the form of, for example, an integrally formed pin or the like, on a CD (not shown) on which no information is recorded, that is, a portion of the circumference where no information is provided. Rests on this protrusion while the other surface of the CD remains spaced from the closure surface 16 . Alternatively, a protrusion 22 may also be provided adjacent to the center of the closure face 16 so that the CD may also be supported at the unrecorded surface along the central opening of the CD. These protrusions can be provided at different positions if suitable materials can be chosen, such as relatively soft plastic.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, a cavity 24 is provided on the side of the bottom wall 14 close to the cover parts 4, 6, and the cavity 24 is between the protrusion 18 next to the edge part 2 when the box is closed. In between, at least for the closed package 1, the edge portion 2 can accommodate part of the longitudinal edge of the CD, as indicated by circle C. As a result, the information carrier is properly locked.

The opening 24 can be designed such that the longitudinal edges are accommodated therein for free movement, so that the cover part 4 with the information carrier can be pivoted. However, the opening 24 can also consist of a clamping mechanism, so that when the pack is opened, at least when the first cover part 4 is turned relative to the edge part 2, the information carrier breaks away from the first cover part 4 and stands upright on the edge part 2 . This makes CDs easy to grab. Between the protrusions 18 on the three sides, the opening 26 remains unobstructed, into which part of the longitudinal edge of the information carrier enters, as indicated by circle C, wherein, if the information carrier is still resting against the first cover part after opening the package 4, it is easy to pick up the information carrier in the opening.

An opening 28 is provided in the protrusion 18 of the first cover part 4 on the side farther from the hinges 8 , 10 , forming part of the closure, as will be explained further below. On the portion of the closing surface 16 on the side farther from these hinges, a protrusion 30 is formed, by which the lid member 4 can be easily grasped for opening.

The second cover part 6 comprises a second closure face 32 with upstanding walls 34 extending along the three sides not connected to the hinge 10 . On the second closure surface 32 there is provided an elevation 36 which is similar to the elevation 22 on the first closure surface 16 . When the package is closed, the information carrier 36 is preferably supported on the unrecorded surface so that the information carrier is sandwiched between the two closing faces and the remaining surface of the information carrier is spaced from the second closing face 32 . In the vicinity of the wall 34A farther from the hinge 10, two protrusions 38 are provided, which can fit in the holes 28 after the packet 1 is closed and preferably clamp slightly. Thus, the device can easily remain closed. On the side opposite to the side of the protrusion 30 provided on the first cover part 4 , the second cover part has a protrusion 31 . The pack can be easily opened by pressing the two protrusions 30, 31 away from each other when the pack is closed.

In FIG. 2 , the packaging according to FIG. 1 is shown in a side sectional view, wherein, however, the protrusion 18 has been designed as a wall part. The display information carrier CD rotates along the second cover part 4 . Preferably, the information carrier is slightly clamped between the wall parts, at least between the protrusions 18 . Alternatively, fitting means are provided for fitting the CD in the central opening.

The pack 1 according to Figures 1 and 2 can be manufactured as follows.

At least one cavity is arranged in the mold such that the edge part 2 is molded eg in the vertical position shown in FIG. 2 , while the two cover parts 4 , 6 extend approximately horizontally like wings in opposite directions. The core part then extends from the opening side 40 into the edge part 2 . In such a mold cavity, the device 1 can be simply injection molded. However, a core (not shown) is preferably used to form the cavity 42 in the edge portion 2 . The core is arranged to be movable, and when the plastic is injected, the core is retracted slightly, so that the volume of the mold cavity is greater than the volume of the formed product. After the plastic has been at least substantially injected into the mold cavity, the core is moved forward, ie towards the bottom wall 14, thereby moving the plastic so that the mold cavity is filled as desired. Alternatively, the mold cavity can also be slightly enlarged by moving the mold parts away to a certain extent or through movable mold parts, wherein after introducing almost all the plastic, for example 80% to 90%, into the mold cavity, the mold parts are The forward movement, at least counter to each other, makes it possible to obtain the desired shape of the product while simultaneously injecting the remaining plastic to obtain the desired filling pressure and post pressure. This method is described in NL 1019235 and NL 1019320.

A second alternative embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , wherein the device comprises a first cover part 4 and a second cover part 6 , which are connected to each other by a hinge 8 . The first cover part 4 comprises or is at least connected to an edge portion 2 having a cavity 42 below the bottom wall 14 inside the longitudinal wall 12 , as shown in FIG. 4 . The first closing surface 16 is connected to the longitudinal wall 12 on the side farther from the bottom wall 14, and a hinge 8 is arranged at a position opposite to the rear side of the edge part 2 for connecting the second cover part 6 to the edge part 2. .

On the upper surface of the first closed surface 16 , there are protruding portions 18 in the form of relatively thin walls at the four corners, and have inwardly concave curved wall portions 20 . Along each of said wall portions 20, a low edge 22 is provided on which the unrecorded longitudinal edge of the CD is placed. Between the protrusions 18 there are provided openings 26 which cooperate with the information carrier. The wall 20 can grip the information carrier to a certain extent, preferably by means of eg a slightly thickened portion 23, by means of which the information carrier can be gripped.

Between the side of the vertical wall 12 adjacent to the convex portion 18 on the edge portion 2 and the adjacent wall 19 of the convex portion 18, a space 34C is enclosed. The second cover member 6 is provided with an upstanding wall 34 which extends on four sides and is sized and positioned such that when the package is closed, the vertical wall 34 encloses the protrusion 18 in proper engagement and tightly By the first closing surface 16 . The wall 34B on one side of the hinge 8 then falls into the space 34C, preferably in a slightly clamped manner. The aforementioned closures may be provided for further closures.

In this particular embodiment, an element 35 is arranged between the longitudinal wall 34B and the hinge 8 , in particular a plate parallel to the second closing surface 32 , wherein the element 35 covers the edge portion 2 when the pack is closed. The element 35 can consist of a slightly soft member, at least softer than the edge portion 2, so that said element 35 can be bent slightly to open the cover part 6 in a simple manner.

The device 1 according to FIGS. 3 and 4 can also be formed by injection moulding, or by movable mold parts, in particular the core forming the cavity 42 in the manner described above.

In Fig. 5, a specific embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention is shown, which is similar to the device shown in Figs. 3 and 4, like parts being denoted by like reference numerals.

In this particular embodiment, the first cover part 4 is of generally channel-shaped construction and has an upstanding edge part 19, similar to that of FIG. wall. The opposite part 12B of the longitudinal wall 12A is here stepped so that the hinge 8 extends approximately in the center of said longitudinal wall part 12B, that is to say at half the height of the edge part 2 . The second cover part 6 comprises a second closing face 32 and upstanding walls 34 along three sides. In this particular embodiment, the second closure surface 32 is substantially completely flat, apart from a small protrusion 36 disposed thereon. When the pack is closed, the second closing surface 32 is arranged above the bottom wall 14 of the edge portion 2 , while the wall 34 further from the hinge 8 bears against the wall 19A of the first lid part 4 further from the hinge 8 . In said wall 19A, a plurality of cavities 21 are arranged, which together with protrusions 23 inside the wall 34 can form a clamping closure.

Protrusions 22 are arranged on the first closing surface 16 for supporting the information carrier spaced apart from the closing surface 16, and protrusions 36 are arranged on the second closing surface 32, and a retainer is provided for holding the information carrier held in the grooved portion 37 of the first cover member 4 . These retainers comprise, for example, small resilient protrusions 40 arranged along the longitudinal edges of the information carrier, and small protrusions 42 provided on the longitudinal wall 12A on the side close to the groove-shaped portion 37 . An information carrier (not shown) can be placed within a certain range under said protrusions 42 through the longitudinal edges thereof, and presses the protrusions 42 together with the edge parts farther away from it, so that they are deformed to a certain extent for obtaining Expected gripping force. The information carrier can be easily removed by pulling it out between the protrusion 40 and the protrusion 42, in particular by tilting to a certain extent. Viewed from the center line of the information carrier parallel to the hinge 8, the protrusion 40 is arranged to face the opposite side of the information carrier from the small protrusion 42 .

In FIG. 6 a part of the device 1 according to FIG. 5 is shown in a sectional perspective view in the slightly opened condition. There clearly shown is a stepped longitudinal wall portion 12B with an integral hinge 8 via which the wall portion 34A of the second cover part 6 is connected. Walls 34 extend on opposite sides of the edge portion 2 to increase the dimensional stability and rigidity of the device, especially in the closed condition.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 a further alternative embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention is shown, in which the information carrier, symbolically represented by the dotted line C, can be clamped in the first cover part 4, wherein With respect to it, the first cover part 4 and the second cover part 6 can be closed. The first cover part 4 comprises an edge portion 2, wherein this edge portion opens in a downward or rearward direction in the position shown in FIG. 7 . In the bottom wall 14 facing upwards in FIG. 7, a slot-shaped opening 24 is arranged in the center, which is similar to the slot-shaped opening shown in FIG. The surface 44 is inclined in the direction of the opening 24 . The inclined surface 44 can be open, for example, but can also be formed by ribs arranged next to each other. Farther away from the opening 24, on the opposite side of the central line M, a retaining protrusion 40 is arranged parallel to the hinge 8, and when the information carrier is fixed by the edge portion in the slot-shaped opening 24, the information carrier can be clamped against the retaining protrusion. Protrusion on. As schematically shown in Figure 8A, small elastic protrusions 46 can be installed at both ends of the slot-shaped opening 24, wherein when the information carrier is placed, the small elastic protrusions are pressed down slightly to elastically deform, thereby better hold the information carrier. When taking out the information carrier, the protrusion 46 can be pressed further to a certain extent in order to obtain sufficient space for taking out the information carrier.

In this embodiment, a hinge 8 is provided along the very bottom (in FIG. 7 ) of the edge portion 2 , to which the second cover part 6 is connected via a second closure surface 32 . And the wall 34 is set along the other three sides of the closing surface 32, and at the same time, the same as the first closing surface 16, the convex parts 22, 36 are set on the second closing surface 32 for spaced apart from the closing surface 32. support information carrier. On the second cover part 6, protrusions 36 are arranged on two concentric circles for supporting, at least clamping, the information carrier inside and outside the unrecorded longitudinal edge.

In the device according to FIGS. 7 and 8, the information carrier C such as a CD can be slid into the opening 24 by its longitudinal edges along the first closing surface 16 and/or the inclined surface 44 while deforming the protrusion 46, and the information carrier can then be placed in the opening 24. The retaining protrusion 40 is inclined downwardly and is released so that the information carrier is locked by the protrusion 46 and the retaining protrusion 40 . The second cover part 6 can then be turned relative to the first cover part 4 and clamped, for example, in the manner described above.

In Fig. 9 a part of a device 1 according to the invention is shown in side sectional view, wherein the CD is locked between the first and second cover parts 4, 6, in particular by retaining protrusions 40, in this embodiment , Both cover parts 4, 6 are provided with retaining protrusions 40. It is evident that the closure is clamped by means of the wall portion 19 on the second cover part 6 between the wall 34 and the projection 38 on the second cover part 6 which is arranged next to it. This figure also clearly shows that the protrusions 22 , 36 retain the CD in a manner spaced from the interior of the first and second closure surfaces 16 , 32 .

FIG. 10 shows an alternative specific embodiment of the closure, in which the first cover part 4 has a protrusion 50, for example in the shape of a bushing, in which a pin 52 of the second cover part 6 is accommodated and preferably slightly clamped. . In this specific embodiment, the protrusion 22 is arranged on the first closure surface 16 in the form of a rounded edge 22 , wherein the outer longitudinal edge of the information carrier CD can be placed on this rounded edge. The second cover member 6 has the previously described protrusion 34 .

Figures 11 and 12 show a further alternative embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, in which the first cover part 2 also has a closing surface 16 and an edge part 2, wherein this edge part is a hollow component in this embodiment , and the opening faces the rear side in Figure 11. Adjacent to the corners of the closing face 16 are provided walls 19 between which the information carrier CD is placed. The released state is shown in FIG. 11 , but it is obvious that the retainers described earlier can also be used for this purpose and that the protrusions described earlier can be used to support the information carrier CD spaced from the closure face 16 . In this particular embodiment, the second cover part 6 is connected via a hinge 8 to the edge portion 2, against which a CD is placed on the longitudinal wall portion 12A. In FIG. 11 , this is the vertical wall portion facing upward. The second cover part 6 likewise has walls 34 along three sides and is likewise provided with protrusions 38 for gripping the wall part 19 of the first cover part 4 when the pack is closed. In the second cover part 6 , recesses 54 are provided between the protrusions 34 , in which a further information carrier, for example a rectangular information carrier such as a credit card, Sim card, chip or the like, can be accommodated.

FIG. 12 shows that, from the side facing the rear in FIG. 11 , a part of the edge portion 2 is connected to the closure surface 16 . It is evident that in the cavities 42 of the edge portion 2 indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 11 , intersecting spacers 13 are provided for increasing the rigidity of the edge portion 2 . Of course, the spacers 13 can be arranged in many ways, such as intersecting different kinds of ribs or shapes, so as to obtain greater rigidity.

In the device 1 according to the invention, at least one of the cover parts 4, 6, in particular the cover part on which the information carrier is placed after the device has been opened, can consist of a relatively soft component, at least the closure face therein should. In particular the closure surface may consist of a member which is softer than the edge portion, so that after the device is opened, it can be deformed to a certain extent, for example by bending a corner which is farther from the hinge. Especially at the opening 26 a relatively great flexibility is possible. Thus, the information carrier can be released in a particularly simple manner without being damaged. In particular, this embodiment may be a relatively soft plastic, such as PE or PET.

The device according to the invention can simply consist of particularly thin components, for example with a thickness approximately equal to the sum of the thickness of the closure surface and the thickness of the information carrier stored therein, possibly with the addition of the aforementioned means for holding the information carrier to the closure surface. distance from the thickness of the small bump. Alternatively, instead of the provided protrusions, part of the two closure surfaces can naturally drop during use close to the sides of the information carrier, so that the information carrier is only supported on the longitudinal edges and the two closure surfaces are lowered part adjacent to the recording surface of the information carrier. Preferably, the device according to the invention is designed with a thickness D which is less than about 3.5 mm, in particular less than about 3.2 mm, so that three of the devices are within the thickness range of conventional jewelry boxes. Other external dimensions according to the invention can simply correspond to conventional jewelry boxes, so that the device according to the invention can be easily incorporated eg in a logic system. However, the device according to the invention may also have other dimensions, for example approximately square.

The device 1 according to the invention preferably has a printed pattern on one or both cover parts, wherein the pattern can be arranged in a particularly advantageous manner by means of in-mold labels or similar techniques. Preferably, the printed pattern is directly related to an information carrier stored in the device, such as product information or the like.

The device 1 , in particular the device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , can be filled in a particularly simple manner by opening the device to a certain extent, as shown in FIG. 2 , and then allowing the information carrier to fall into the Between the cover parts 4, 6, the device can then simply be closed, thereby locking the information carrier.

The invention is not limited to the typical embodiments shown in the specification and drawings. Various improvements based on it may fall into the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Thus, for example, all possible combinations of parts of the devices shown are possible. The protrusions on the closure surface for supporting the information carrier at a distance from said closure surface may be designed in any suitable manner, such as pins, ridges, ribs, different kinds of contours, etc., as well as As mentioned, partially closed surfaces can be reduced to a certain extent. If desired, design a structure in the center of one or both closed faces to fit the central opening of the CD. Furthermore, other sealing sleeves may be used, while integral sealing means may be provided for closing and sealing the device of the invention, for example after filling. For this purpose, for example, the protrusions 38 can be constructed in such a way that they can protrude through the opposite cover part and can be fixed therein by heat treatment. Obviously, the device can only be opened after cutting off the ends of these protrusions, so that it can be avoided that the device is opened when it is not intended. In the device according to the invention, the cavity 42 in the edge part 2 can also be filled, for example by foaming the plastic during the injection molding process or by arranging a filler therein. However, it is preferable to keep the edge part hollow, which makes the manufacture easier. In the device 1 according to the invention, the wall parts preferably remain of substantially equal thickness, thereby facilitating implementation in terms of the production process.

It will be understood that these and many similar changes may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (24)

1. A device for packaging an information carrier, comprising first and second cover parts, said first and second cover parts being pivotally connected to each other via a hinge member and forming a substantially airtight box, wherein at least one The cover part has, adjacent one side thereof, an edge portion fixedly connected thereto, said hinge member being arranged on said edge portion, said edge portion preferably being slightly stiffer than said at least one cover part to which it is connected. high and at least partially hollow, and wherein at least one cover part has a small protrusion for supporting the information carrier at a distance from a wall of said cover part, thereby protecting the information carrier. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is manufactured in one piece with an integral hinge formed therewith. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover member on which the edge portion is provided is substantially channel-shaped and has a bottom surface and upstanding walls, and wherein the edge portion forms the channel-shaped Part of at least a portion of at least one wall. 4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid member on which the edge portion is provided comprises a closure surface connected to one side of the edge portion, wherein the hinge member is disposed on The opposite side of the edge portion, and wherein the other cover part includes an element engaging the hinge member, wherein the element at least partially overlaps the edge portion when the device is closed. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the edge portion includes a first side parallel to and substantially aligned with the closure surface, and a second side further from the closure surface. On two sides, the hinge member is disposed on one side of the edge portion substantially on the second side. 6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the cover member on which the edge portion is disposed comprises a closure surface connected to one side of the edge portion, and wherein the hinge member Set on the surface farther from the closed surface. 7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device has a maximum thickness approximately equal to the thickness of the closed faces of the two cover members, plus the thickness of the information carrier stored therein. 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the device has a thickness of less than about 3.5 mm, preferably less than about 3.2 mm. 9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the protrusion comprising the edge portion, for the closed device, the cover part has approximately the size of a conventional CD case, in particular a jewel case type CD case size, and the space for accommodating the information carrier has an approximately square surface, and its side length is basically the same as the cross-sectional length of the CD. 10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein both of the cover members have closure faces, wherein one of the cover members is provided along at least three sides with adjacent upstanding edges, wherein the other cover part is provided with an upright closing edge at least on the side farther from said edge portion, said upright closing edge falling on the first cover part and at least one, preferably between at least two spaced-apart protrusions, wherein the protrusions are arranged at a distance from their adjacent upstanding edges so as to be able to clamp the closed edge between them to a certain extent such that the The device remains closed. 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein two of the cover members have mating edges on the sides farther from the edge portions, so that the device is opened by pressing the mating edges. 12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said cover members comprises a closure surface which is softer than a CD so that the corner opposite said edge portion can be bent by a CD placed therein to Cooperate with CD. 13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein retainers are provided on at least one inwardly facing side of said cover part, said retainers retaining an information carrier when said device is closed. Fits on its side edge. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said retainer is provided on said cover member including an edge portion, wherein said retainer comprises at least one wall in at least one wall of each cover member. A relatively small undercut in which an edge portion of an information carrier stored in the device can be accommodated. 15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one cover part, preferably each cover part, is provided with a closure surface, on which side, in use, facing the information carrier, there is a Relatively small protrusions which, when the device is closed, grip the information carrier and keep the sides of the information carrier at a distance from the closing surface. 16. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the cover parts has a recess in which a second information carrier, in particular a card-type information carrier, can be accommodated. 17. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said cover parts has a printed pattern, wherein said printed pattern comprises at least information about the information carrier which has been or will be accommodated in said memory device . 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the printed pattern is provided by an in-mold label. 19. A method of manufacturing a memory device for storing an information carrier, wherein a mold with at least one suitable mold cavity is placed in a first position such that the volume of the mold cavity is larger than the volume of the final formed mold cavity, in said In the first position, the cavity is filled with plastic, while the mold is driven during the filling, so that the cavity is gradually moved into the second position, so that the cavity is formed into the desired shape, while the plastic is moved. 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein at the same time as forming the cavity into the desired shape, the final plastic is pressed into the cavity, in particular the last 20-0%, more particularly the last 15-5%, Preferably approximately the last 10%. 21. A method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the mold comprises at least one movable part, in particular a core, which is at least partially retracted from the mold cavity when the mold cavity is in the first position to increase volume and enter an extended position for reaching a second position. 22. A method of packaging a disc-shaped information carrier in a device according to any one of claims 1-18, wherein said device is opened to a certain extent by pivoting said cover members relative to each other, whereby at An opening is formed between the sides of the two cover parts that are farther from the edge portion; the information carrier is then inserted between the cover parts through the opening until it abuts against the edge portion, and then the cover The parts are closed relative to each other, thereby enclosing the information carrier. 23. A storage case for disc-shaped information carriers, in particular rectangular information carriers such as chips, SIM cards, etc., having two cover parts connected to each other by at least one living hinge, while at least one cover At least two clamping edge parts are provided on the part, which are arranged opposite one another and have undercuts, so that the information carrier can slide substantially flat on the corresponding cover part under the clamping edge parts and under the undercuts. 24. A storage case according to claim 23, wherein said or each respective said cover part having information carrier receiving means is provided with an upstanding edge opposite said or each said living hinge, At the same time, at least one inclined surface is provided adjacent to or facing said upright edge for sliding the information carrier on the edge.

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