Container for multiple laser disks

Claim 1

A multi-compartment, closable container for the storage, display and transport of one or more disks which have information recorded thereon, said disks having a center hole, and an upper surface upon which the information is recorded, and a lower surface upon which information is optionally recorded, said container comprising at least a first compartment for containing a first said disk and a second compartment of matching size and shape for containing a second said disk, both compartments comprising walls and a floor, said first compartment being hingedly connected to said second compartment and being of size and shape at least sufficient to contain said first disk, said first compartment comprising: (a) a floor section having walls projecting thereabove and defining a containment space for said first disk, one of said walls having one or more hinge members being connected to a corresponding wall of said second compartment, said walls being adapted to matingly engage the corresponding walls of said second compartment, (b) at least one latching member located on one or more walls other than the wall having said hinge member, each such latching member being adapted to latchingly engage a mating latching member on a corresponding portion of said second compartment, (c) a gripping portion within said containment space for gripping said first disk and comprising at least two flexible gripping members rising from said floor and spaced generally uniformly around the circumference of an imaginary circle connecting them for grippingly engaging the periphery of the said center hole of said first disk, (d) an inner support portion for supporting said first disk comprising at least one support element raised with respect to said floor and arranged annularly and outwardly with respect to the gripping portion for supportingly contacting the lower surface of said first disk, (e) an outer support portion for further supporting the lower surface of said first disk and comprising at least one support element raised with respect to said floor and arranged annularly and outwardly with respect to said inner support portion, (f) at least one positioning element for positioning said first disk and raised with respect to said floor and arranged annularly and outwardly with respect to said outer support portion, (g) at least one projecting element raised with respect to said floor and located beyond the periphery of said outer support portion and of sufficient height to project into said second compartment for contacting said second disk when the container is closed, said second compartment comprising: (h) a floor section having walls projecting thereabove and defining a containment space for said second disk, said walls being adapted to matingly engage the corresponding walls of said first compartment, (i) at least one latching member located on one or more walls other than the wall having said hinge member, each such latching member being adapted to latchingly engage a mating latching member on a corresponding portion of said first compartment, (j) a gripping portion within said containment space for gripping said second disk and comprising at least two flexible gripping members rising from said floor and spaced generally uniformly around the circumference of an imaginary circle connecting them for grippingly engaging the periphery of the said center hole of said second disk, said gripping portion being offset from the gripping portion of said first compartment, (k) an inner support portion for supporting said second disk and comprising at least one support element raised with respect to said floor and arranged annularly and outwardly with respect to the gripping portion for supportingly contacting the lower surface of said second disk, (l) an outer support portion for further supporting the lower surface of said second disk and comprising at least one support element raised with respect to said floor and arranged annularly and outwardly with respect to said inner support portion, (m) at least one positioning element for positioning said second disk and raised with respect to said floor and arranged annularly and outwardly with respect to said outer support portion, (n) at least one projecting element raised with respect to said floor and located beyond the periphery of said outer support portion and of sufficient height to project into said first compartment for contacting said first disk when the container is closed, thereby providing a mutually supporting vertical relationship between the two disks and providing mutual support between the first and second compartments when the two compartments are closed onto each other and their corresponding walls are engaged, whereby the rigidity and resistance to compression of the entire container are increased.