US5320221A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transport and protective case for information medium
Assignee: Kurz Kunststoffe GmbH
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Filing: 1993-05-27
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Granted: 1994-06-14
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Expires: 2013-05-27
Abstract
Abstract The invention concerns a transport and protective case for an information medium in particularly a minidisc. According to the invention, the parts of the case are integrally attached to one another by means of film hinges. In addition, snap-lock devices that are convenient to open are provided, in order to secure the lid in its position with respect to the case bottom when the case is closed.
Inventors
- 👤 Josef Kurz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:36
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/02; G11B33/04; G11B33/0405; G11B33/0411; G11B33/0422
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A transport and protective case for an informing medium comprising: a case bottom having a first side and an opposite second side; a case lid being pivotally attached to the case bottom by means of a first living hinge disposed at said first side; an insert element being integrally connected to the case bottom by means of a second living hinge disposed at said second side, the insert element being pivotally insertable into the case bottom; and means for positively securing the information medium in a position inside the case.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A transport and protective case for an informing medium comprising: a case bottom having a first side and an opposite second side; a case lid being pivotally attached to the case bottom by means of a first living hinge disposed at said first side; an insert element being integrally connected to the case bottom by means of a second living hinge disposed at said second side, the insert element being pivotally insertable into the case bottom; and means for positively securing the information medium in a position inside the case.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The case according to claim 1, wherein said case lid, said case bottom and said insert element are made of the same material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The case according to claim 1, wherein the case bottom and the case lid are provided with complementary raised rim regions that enclose the case in a sealed manner when the lid is closed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The case according to claim 3, wherein the rim regions of the case bottom and of the case lid are configured as triangles at narrow sides running perpendicular to at least one of the living hinges, such that the rim regions combine at the narrow sides, when the case is closed, to form a diagonally split narrow side surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The case according to claim 1, wherein snap-lock devices create an elastic snap-lock attachment between the case bottom and the case lid and are provided on the open side of the case opposite the first living hinge between case lid and case bottom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The case according to claim 5, wherein the snap-lock devices comprises an elastic pusher element fitted with a snap lug, and a snap groove complementary to the snap lug on a rim region of the case lid on the open side of the case.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The case according to claim 6, wherein the pusher element is provided on the insert element adjacent to the second living hinge which attaches the insert element to the case bottom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The case according to claim 7, wherein the pusher element is a component of a rim region protruding from the insert element, and is separated from other parts of said rim region by indentations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The case according to claim 1, further including an insert sheet that is bent at least in the region of the first living hinge attaching the case lid and the case bottom, and is arranged between the inside of the case bottom and the side of the insert element adjacent thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The case according to claim 1, wherein securing projections, which define an insertion slot, are molded onto the inside of the case lid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The case according to claim 1, wherein the case lid has a transparent window region through which an information medium inserted into the case is at least partly visible.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The case according to claim 1, wherein the case lid and the case bottom are made of transparent plastic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The case according to claim 6, wherein the outside of the pusher element is fluted.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The case according to claim 2, wherein the insert element has a peripheral rim that surrounds a recess to receive the information medium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The case according to claim 14, wherein the rim region of the insert element is broadened on at least one side to result in a size for the entire case that considerably exceeds the outside dimensions of the information medium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The case according to claim 1, wherein the first living hinge is configured and dimensioned so that there is a defined preloading in the opening direction for the case lid with respect to the case bottom.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-06-13 | 1997-12-13 | 1998-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-13 | 2001-12-13 | 2002-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-13 | 2005-12-13 | 2006-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |